I sure noticed the theme of unreported stories in season five. We sucked. The Wire finale recap: The end of the line Two things about my Sunday were making me sick. Both shows only went 5 seasons but BB tied up the loose ends and made the ending much easier to swallow than TW did. Note: this show is designated TV-MA, because of some intense or violent scenes. By that, I mean the sense from many of white politicians in the city holding this belief that the city was corrupted because blacks were the ones that made up the majority of the police department, and had a black mayor in Royce. The systemic problems of the DMV are way too deep and the people in charge are way too invested in their petty self-interests to ever have it another way. The third episode not quite as strong a story as the first two, perhaps has something to do with the fact that it was not based directly on the books of V. McD. Awards And yes, as many reviewers commented, the transition from Norris to Lahbib could have, and should have been handled with much greater care (CJ abruptly abandoning him without an explanation to addicted viewers, and heading off to So. Once I learned that wrestling was faked I began to wonder what else on TV, or in print, was fabricated or enhanced. Then the Lewinsky story broke and dominated, and I lost even more faith. Note to the producers: Have Robbie Coltraine guest as "Cracker" character in a future episode assisting Hill and Jobson! And then Season 5 happens. The crime drama, which is made Love your comment. Season 2 was the bravest thing ever seen on TV. I think it is, but Id like to hear your opinion on this. Maybe its honest. The reason I loved the Wire was because it felt REAL. I recently watched The Wire for the first time this year, and since have done my best to find critical analyses and articles that could help meaningfully fill the void left after the show. For non-British viewers the British actors provide something faintly exotic and alluring, which works fine to subtly draw the viewer into the action of this suspense show. I HOPE THEY COME OUT WITH MORE SEASONS!! It was too subtle for me to catch on my first watch, and Im sure a 10 hour binge made it even easier to gloss over. But he was sincere in his grief. Thats right. Norris brought an adult, feminine, vulnerability to her role as Carol Jordan. WITB is a dark, gritty, British crime drama that most all will heartily enjoy.. should you like the genre. David Simon, a reporter for the Baltimore Sun for thirteen years, is the executive producer of HBOs The Wire. | It would be better if he was slick like the Will Grayham character in red dragon. Just depressing the way it wallows in the depravity of the serial killers and hits you over the head with it. I worked at a newspaper with a POS liar who made up quotes, and the editor was obsessed with him and looked the other way (on the fake quotes and also, grossly, sexual harassment). Okay, I dont actually agree, but neither would I argue. To argue about whether Whiting is more venal or one-dimensional than Valchek? And they covered more ground, and they knew the terrain in a way that they no longer do. Learn how your comment data is processed. I have to say I loved the Wire the first time I saw it. Although I understand the validity of some of the endings, I really was disappointed with season 5. The man in black tracked Jenna down at the right house, but he knocked on the wrong door he's tangled up in a deadly Book of Blood story that ends when Ellie It is important to give the newcomer a distinctive identity. basically that whole hood that was the result of DC trying to lower crime stats by forcing all the hood rats over the Maryland line. We did that, too, because hey, to criticize such a newsroom culture did indeed carry those risks in Baltimore. Everything that happens on this show is explained, the more times that you watch it through. You wanna say so on the producers blog, no worries. Lets say there used to be 20 of those crimes per month a 14% reduction would mean there were now 17 of those crimes instead of 20. While we have been in the longest war in U.S. history we have had to sit through endless sensationalism about: Jeb Bushs crackhead niece Noelle Bush; Terry Schiavo; Tiger Woods; Casey Anthony; Treyvon Martin then George Zimmerman; Michael Brown; and it will never end. I was born with scoop mentality and its never left me. Almost everything in the show from the dialogue to the outcomes felt refreshingly believable. If I was forced, I think Id go with 4-2-1-3-5, with 1 and 3 tied. And okay, the city editor, the honorable fellow, the one for whom journalism was an ethos, he got slapped down and thrown to the copy desk. Production took a huge risk deciding to change setting and characters after only 1 season. 2) As for the WORST McNultys supercop character finally jumped the shark. McNulty crossing the Rubicon with the fake serial-killer angle brought up an appropriate amount of conflict about the age-old Does the End Justify the Means question, but really, to have BOTH Greggs AND Herc sell him out?! If your a fan of the genre and have not yet discovered Dr.Tony Hill I recommend that you do. Anyway, remember that Colvins 14% were clean numbers (he didnt juke the stats) so 14% is a large increase if you look at it that way. For instance the homeless serial killer story and the idea that this would be more politically important than closing a case where 22 murdered bodies were hidden away in vacants all over the city. Im interested. Image via NBC. And today, with the availability of information (political manifestos, open sites describing tax laws, politicians own blogs describing their veiled reasons behind why their nest needs feathering) etc, its still so easy to spot journalists turning a blind eye and I can only assume either lazily or complicity ignoring the data to suit a narrative theyve been fed, or have a vested interest in continuing. I have an unanswered question about the ending and it appears as though there is (or should be) a sequel to this? Its especially shameful that the media did not pick up on this. I love game of thrones (but its too quick imo), but The Wire is the best. I just watched all 5 seasons in short order. This is an entertaining series currently available on Acorn TV. Interesting article. I was leaning more towards something karmic, but its clear that many of the characters did not get what was coming to them. Write a television story arc about the betrayal of the working class, the fraud of the drug war or the lie of No Child Left Behind and you cant get off the entertainment pages. The first two, "Singing" and "Shadows" are adaptations of author Val McDermid's books; This is a taut British crime drama very much in the "Cracker" mould. Thats exactly would happen to people in the real world. You wanna explain where the argument is inconsistent? Ohhh, and the commissioner and Senator Davis, you might as well have been talking about our infamous Marion Barry and his cronies all over the place. I would not recommend this show for anyone under the age of 16. What really made Season 5 for me was Gus and the newsroom in general. And no, I think season five achieved its goals as the other season, with me being no closer to the world of journalism than others on our writing staff were to the other worlds depicted. I found Wire in the Blood purely by accident and I am now a die-hard fan. You had the ambitious lying dick with no redeemable qualities, the very honorable and honest veteran, some young black guy who covered Bubbles, the villainous senior editors, and a girl who was a good reporter. I was watching for the Barksdale arc and didnt know how important season two was in the overall visual novel. I watched all 3 in order and enjoyed this series. We have some of these initiatives in the UK but Im not sure about the situation in the US, and Im curious to know what you think. or something, but instead he was just another man shot, and his name fittingly echoed into the folklore of the streets, Im a latecomer to The Wire and I think its the best thing Ive ever seen on television. The setting and actors are British. How is Baltimore under Trumps term. All the characters have distinct and believable personalities. Site Created by Real Fresh Creative. The people changed but the game remained exactly the same. Im literally addicted to this show, and watch it through at least 3-4 times a year. Great blog, it confirms my suspicions of the final season but wasnt enough to change my mind about it. From the Huffington Post, March 17, 2008 No-one looked at him twice.". What the hell, man? The chemistry between Hill and D.I. His rogue decision to stage serial killings was believable but Bunks toothless response and using Lester and his involvement to give credence to Jimmys scheme went beyond the pale. Metacritic Reviews. For me, the series is not about the individual seasons. Why couldnt we have gone one more season with the show? But youre entitled to enjoy one thing more than another, and youre even entitled to wonder about a filmmakers or writers motivations and standing, whether or not you actually have any evidence of its relevance or not. David SImon, I dont understand why you wrote this. THOSE cops and THOSE lawyers definitely exist in abundance in all over D.C., the southside, and Baltimore. Starring: Robson Green, Simone Lahbib. In the end, she asks for a transfer. But most of all, that poor child Duquan who did nothing but suffer from beginning to end. The biggest pisser-offers for me in the series were the assclowns in the police department who clearly dont give a shit about what actually happens to actual people. Wire In The Blood is described as a unique character-driven procedural which exposes the gaps between good and evil, our public and private selves and the Just wished it had a normal (13) episode count. To debate whether Gus Haynes is more of a hero than Bunny Colvin? My friend letting me borrow season one was the tester, and I kept going back for the yellow tops or that WMD (the rest of the seasons). I came late to The Wire, having heard many great things about it from others over the years. Whenever I watch it is like the whole world stops I am just focused on the TV. These I would use to show my students when teaching a crime profiling class. I got my invitation late in the mail and I may as well just see all the videos and photos and banter about it on peoples social media profiles. A mayor was elected governor while his police commanders made aggravated assaults and robberies disappear. Jack and Liz. Now youve got the full attention of the media. I love the WIRE Really? And whether that is an accurate critique? Season five was the weakest season imho. how many years you figure we been doing the same shit.. In The Hunger Games films, President Snow (Donald Sutherland) coughs up blood for a specific reason. The show and books are dark and twisted. Well, okay. He has a Ms. Lahbib is an unknown entity to me, but as I finished watching series 4, I felt a bit queasy. David. Not that your intention with this blog was to do that. Coming into the series after nearly a decade of being exposed to the general hype and season five criticism, I finished season five feeling just as I would imagine you intended. Its all in the game yo. Wed get a rant or two from whoever he screwed over, then next episode or season all is forgiven, forgotten and everyones back to good ole Jimmy again. His entire life he had nothing and no one then ends up back on the street with a needle in his arm. If you didnt dig it, then you didnt dig it. The Drug Game, The Cops, The Port, City Hall, The Schools and The Newspaper. He has a reputation of taking small seemingly unconnected facts puzzling them together and providing a profile for the police to follow. I just wish more Americans were still capable of thinking. I've enjoyed his first rate performances in two other series I've seen, and can't wait to see how his character's flirtation with D.I. Or the way alma glossed over Omars deathI had a feeling like if she woulda mentioned his name, gus wouldve immediately recognized it and said no-heart anthonys brother? While he is cold and calculating, from the moment we met him Omar has a big heart and made decisions based on his emotional reaction. I dunno. Loved how one episode segues seamlessly into the next, and one season covers one full story in depth rather than typical crime dramas that present a problem and a resolution all in 43 minutes. It wasnt until maybe the 3rd time that I understood these theme about the newsroom. Favorite scene is Avon visiting The Pit. The fact that my appreciation for every single season changed over time due to rewatching the show over and over, proves how good this series as a whole really is. Heres what happened in season five ofThe Wirewhen almost no one among the working press, at least was looking: The mayor, who came in promising reform, is instead forcing his police department to once again cook the stats to create the illusion that crime is going down. This is really a two part TV series.. the first three seasons with Green and Norris.. bit.ly/1780gxl .. in the leads, and the second three with Green and Lahbib.. bit.ly/13Pgcqi .. In closing, I missed you Mr. Simon, coming to do a panel at my school Washington State University in 2012 I think it was, because I had no idea about the show at that time. The first was Joshua Ferris novel Then We Came to the End, No show has ever, EVER done that. Ive re-watched this entire series again recently with the HD release (probably my 4th or 5th time watching the entire series) and in many ways it gets better the more I watch it. Thank you for such an amazing show. WebA clinical psychologist, Dr. Tony Hill, delves into his dark side to see into the minds of serial killers, to aid the police in solving their most difficult cases. I always thought the crime reduction % that Colvin reports as a result of his Hamsterdam experiment were too low. The hit NBC sitcom, The Office, is perhaps one of Peacock's most profitable titles. To the people saying he was stupid for returning to Baltimore in the first place: Marlo used the perfect bait. It is a heart trending, visceral, honest portrayal of a modern city. I couldnt believe the level of writing and literary presence of this show. This show is so brilliant, so uniquely American, such a mind-altering and contemplative rumination on the powerful pull of the system FUCK, I LOVE THE WIRE!!!!!!!!!!! That was a bit beyond the historical reality; at the historicalBaltimore Sun, he was a mere Pulitzer finalist. Im watching Treme now. Thanks for making a great series. I am anxious to find out if there is a follow up to Painted? And being a refuge from a newsroom, I thought I was over my grief at the death of real journalism. At least the stakes matter. Isnt that what your essay calls for? Gus opining that there was a time when no perp walk would take place with a call first being made to the broadsheets to make sure it was covered. But there used to be more of them. And a couple of others at alternative weeklies figured it out again, perhaps, because theyre less vested than everyone at the big, vulnerable dailies. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Then when people point out the garbage it becomes oh-so esoteric. Its tremendously unfortunate a potentially amazing show was turned into a cute little art project. I thought this was a really interesting article, especially in the context of the current pandemic which is hitting local papers the hardest. The major American cities are in woeful shape and for various reasons we can not or will not stop this slow-moving train. Thats why Im here. Watching each character grow into a previous one is riveting, and the guessing game made me click the next episode each time. Politicians then took credit for the limited gains that were, of course, unsustainable as the students aged into middle school. Other than Breaking Bad. Cmon, its okay to smile. Anyway, Ive gone on for far too long here. Some of the most compelling Ive seen. I just thought it was depressing that someone that big in the community wasnt well known by the newspaper people, but for some reason I didnt really put any more thought into them missing things. In Baltimore, where over the last twenty years Times Mirror and the Tribune Company have combined to reduce the newsroom by forty percent, all of the above stories pretty much happened. It was pretty much written on the wall for us when that one kid didnt run away from Omar. Web2. Every time I sit down to watch it again, more and more of the depth reveals itself. 1 Jun 2015. There is a certain formula each episode follows. I just finished watching the entire run of the series a couple of nights ago. If season five didnt work for you, then it didnt work for you. I would really appreciate any help I know that is a meta-narrative that some people find credible, but I could as easily and as credibly argue that the meta-narrative itself stems from newspaper critics who were too close and too sensitive to the overall critique. In series 1-3, Hermione Norris played Detective Inspecter/Chief Inspecter Carol Jordan of Bradford CID, who managed to rein Tony's scattered abilities and make sense of them. With Robson Green, Elaine Claxton, Hermione Norris, Richard Frame. Its so damn realistic. I understand the story and the tie-ins that you wrote about in this very blog, but I feel like you could have highlighted the bullshit of the media without compromising the core of The Wire, unrelenting, brutal, realism. Not always do we get a "wrap up" episode and we didn't get one here either. It was nuanced and I really saw Gus as the lead protagonist of this season and lester and mcnulty as shifty antagonists. Watched the first four seasons in 07-08 and decided to save S5 so I could pretend it wasnt over finally caved this week and watched it, andTHANK YOU! Endless repetitions of the words "of course" are truly the hallmarks of a second rate detective production. I realize that this is ten years too late to be of any practical use, but I just thought Id throw it out there. Its like The Odyssey of Homer. (And yes, I got the theme. I gave up due to some of the most annoying characters I have seen written. We certainly expected more attention from the media. Great. 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