The Wire: Season Five (see post #1 re: SPOILERS)

#91

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2/27/08 at 11:04am

Charlie Campisi
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Re: The Wire: Season Five (see post #1 re: SPOILERS)

I don't have on demand, so I am a week behind you guys Holadem. I'm trying.

Re your spoiled post on Omar, I am sad too. I think it was a completely appropriate death though. Would it have felt any better if he got taken out in the battle at Monk's apartment? That would have been the blaze of glory and he could have popped Chris or Snoop on his way out. But still, it would have meant there was a better gun than him, and that would have been disappointing. This way, he gets taken out in way that nobody can really claim a victory over him. And we come to find out that he knows more about Marlo than the police found out with all their people, legal and illegal wiretaps, etc.

Some favorite Omar lines:

On the witness stand: "I robs drug dealers."
Staring down Mouzzone: "With a .50 cal, even if I miss I can't miss."

I still think the serial killer line is boring, but ep 8 did have some great moments with the FBI profiling scene. Watching McN give the briefing, Kima flipping out and Beadie's disappointment was good, but not enough to tip the scales for me that the plot thread was a mistake.

I like how Gus is ready to commit an asset to getting a story from Bubbles, but is turning down perfect pieces from Templeton because of the ethical questions. BTW, what do you think of Tom McCarthy, the actor playing Templeton? I think he's doing a pretty decent job being a scumbag. He lived a couple dorm rooms down the hall from me my freshman year at college.

#92

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2/28/08 at 6:05am

James St
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Re: The Wire: Season Five (see post #1 re: SPOILERS)

Quote:

I think it was a completely appropriate death though. Would it have felt any better if he got taken out in the battle at Monk's apartment? That would have been the blaze of glory and he could have popped Chris or Snoop on his way out. But still, it would have meant there was a better gun than him, and that would have been disappointing. This way, he gets taken out in way that nobody can really claim a victory over him. And we come to find out that he knows more about Marlo than the police found out with all their people, legal and illegal wiretaps, etc.

I felt the same way. He didn't see a child in a convenience store as a threat and it cost him.

I'm hearing rumors that the final episode will not be added to OnDemand until after it has aired. Can anyone confirm or deny this?

#93

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2/29/08 at 12:26pm

Marty M
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Re: The Wire: Season Five (see post #1 re: SPOILERS)

Quote:

Originally Posted by James St

I'm hearing rumors that the final episode will not be added to OnDemand until after it has aired. Can anyone confirm or deny this?

That wouldn't surprise me at all. I am sure that HBO wants to make sure they get all their viewers watching the last episode on the Sunday night of its broadcast. Of course, I have been watching the next episode on Monday or Tuesday and again on Sunday. I am looking forward to the last episode, but will be really sad when it is over.

Lawn Ranger Motto: You're only young once, but you can be always be immature.

#94

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2/29/08 at 4:10pm

Corey3rd
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Re: The Wire: Season Five (see post #1 re: SPOILERS)

Omar's killer is predicted in season 3

YouTube - Omar and Kenard foreshadowing

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#95

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2/29/08 at 4:56pm

Holadem
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Re: The Wire: Season Five (see post #1 re: SPOILERS)

That's some serious reaching

On the other hand, Kenard's reaction in the last minute of this clip is a much stronger indicator of things to come:

--
H

#96

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3/1/08 at 5:54pm

Sheldon C
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Re: The Wire: Season Five (see post #1 re: SPOILERS)

It hurts to see my favorite character die, but you could tell it was coming. They were easing us into the idea that Omar's day's were numbered. I too loved how Omar knew more about Marlo's crew than the police did without the benifit of technology.

I don't know how to use spoiler tags, so I'll keep my thoughts on the 9th episode. I will say that it was the best episode of the season, and one of the best ever IMO. I've found I can't watch this show to late at night or I can't sleep because my mind keeps racing and replaying scenes.

I don't want to sound like a Wire snob, but man... I have never watched a show that affects me like this one does.

As far as it's reality, I can't speak on

how realistic the show is about dealers, cops, politicians, newspaper writers, or what it's like to work at a port. However, as a teacher I thought they captured that perfectly in season 4. No, I don't teach in the inner city, but the inservice meetings they showed had me grinnning and nodding.

In the past 2-3 years they have all teachers, regardless of what we teach, incorporating lessons that focus on increasing reading comprehension and writing proficiency just like on the show.

#97

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3/2/08 at 9:24am

Marty M
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Re: The Wire: Season Five (see post #1 re: SPOILERS)

Here is something I found from another forum about an obit for Omar in the past week's issue of Newsweek:

*Omar Little, 34, Armed Robber*
A charming, cunning shotgun surgeon who made his living robbing drug dealers, Omar Little had an aura of permanence-amazing considering he wasn't a real person, he was a TV character (played by actor Michael K. Williams). On "The Wire," HBO's Baltimore crime drama, we're used to lives ending abruptly. But the death of Omar-a cult figure among "Wire" fans, felled by a bullet to the head from a tween triggerman-was especially jolting. And the subsequent scenes, in which news of his death spread, were even more sobering: neither the cops nor the corner boys showed any affect, a response that was faithful to the world of the show, but created dissonance between the observers and the observed.

We spent years with Omar. In his way, he was principled, committed to hustling those who hustled others. ("A man got to have a code," he said once.) His moral compass so endeared him to viewers that he long outlived the seven-episode arc his creators had originally planned for him. More than any other death on "The Wire," Omar's made us know the agony of caring for a murder victim-even one who, by all rights, had it coming. For a moment, we knew how it felt to have someone close to us die, and to wait in vain for someone to give a damn.

© 2008 Newsweek, Inc.

Lawn Ranger Motto: You're only young once, but you can be always be immature.

#98

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3/2/08 at 11:22am

TravisR
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Re: The Wire: Season Five (see post #1 re: SPOILERS)

^ And that's why I avoid waiting for DVD releases to watch TV shows.

#99

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3/2/08 at 4:05pm

James St
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Re: The Wire: Season Five (see post #1 re: SPOILERS)

Things don't look good for Marlo. His attorney is doing Arby's commercials.

#100

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3/3/08 at 4:26am

Charlie Campisi
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Re: The Wire: Season Five (see post #1 re: SPOILERS)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holadem

Episode 9

OK I had to come up and write this down in the middle of the episode: Marlo pissed off is a fearsome thing

No kidding. Wow. All he cares about is his rep. So that's what Chris was keeping from him. Kinda like Avon not caring that Stringer had made him tens of millions of dollars and was poised to take them legit, all he cared about was the street.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holadem

I was beaming like a mofo when whatshisname was relating to Michael a vastly exagerated, Rasputin-like version of Omar's death. I didn't see this coming, but like all good plot developments, it makes perfect sense after the fact: Omar's legend is gonna be even bigger than the notoriety he enjoyed in life. It makes his death pretty much worth it!

Funny how the papers don't give it a word, but the story still gets spread.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holadem

Best ep of the season. And NO idea where things will go from here. Man, here I am wishing that Daniels gets reacquainted with the evils of his past, i.e., just let it go. Don't screw everyting up.

The homeless thing is now central to two storylines, the Marlo bust and Templeton. I'm trying to figure out how I feel about it. Was it a necessary storyline? Would it have been too conventional for The Wire if something else had put the Marlo bust in jeopardy? Maybe. Kima and McN on opposite sides doesn't sit well with me. Nor Lester as a bad cop.

As for Templeton, I hope he gets what he deserves. But couldn't they have done the same thing with a real story and had him embellishing it?

Nice to see Bunny and Namond again. Bubs talking about Sharrod was touching.

Enjoy tonight all you guys with On Demand. I need a week to process what I just saw.

#101

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3/3/08 at 5:01am

James St
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Re: The Wire: Season Five (see post #1 re: SPOILERS)

Looks like we're waiting another week for the finale. Those of us with OnDemand got treated to this.

#102

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3/3/08 at 5:33am

JonZ
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Re: The Wire: Season Five (see post #1 re: SPOILERS)

I thought last night ep was one of the best of the series.

1 left

#103

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3/3/08 at 6:01am

Robert A. Willis Jr.
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Re: The Wire: Season Five (see post #1 re: SPOILERS)

Yes it was. I have been ambivalent about this season, the whole McN thread just didn't make sense. As far fetched as the Amsterdam thread was, it was very compelling and made you watch. This year I've watched but..

I am interested in seeing how this is going to wrap.

#104

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3/3/08 at 7:44am

TravisR
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Re: The Wire: Season Five (see post #1 re: SPOILERS)

They put up a commercial on On Demand saying that the finale wasn't going up until it runs on HBO next week. It featured multiple uses of Clay Davis saying his immortal catchphrase.

#105

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3/3/08 at 9:07am

Holadem
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Re: The Wire: Season Five (see post #1 re: SPOILERS)

I look at a guy like Marlo and can't help but wonder about the nature of power. What makes a guy like that wield so much sway over others, especially a bunch of moslty amoral predatory low-lifes? At some point, the name became enough, but how does it begin?

--
H

#106

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3/3/08 at 10:12am

Charlie Campisi
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Re: The Wire: Season Five (see post #1 re: SPOILERS)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holadem

I look at a guy like Marlo and can't help but wonder about the nature of power. What makes a guy like that wield so much sway over others, especially a bunch of moslty amoral predatory low-lifes? At some point, the name became enough, but how does it begin?

--
H

My guess is he has a scar across his jaw for a reason.

#107

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3/3/08 at 11:58am

Holadem
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Re: The Wire: Season Five (see post #1 re: SPOILERS)

I guess. The thing is that I find it interesting that unlike a Barksdale or a Soprano, Marlo's organization is no family at all, literally or otherwise. He reigns by pure terror. Chris and Snoop are his circle of trust. Everyone else is a tool to feed his boundless lust for power. Consequently, there is no loyalty or sense of belonging in that organization, only fear. Can you imagine anyone in Marlo's crew taking one of the team like Weebay and D'Angelo did back in S1?

How long can one run an organization like that? That's why Omar's slurs were so devastating to Marlo. His name (i.e., fear) is everything. In that regard, I am reminded of the more authoritatian regimes, like the one under which I grew up.

During the that terrific Omar-Bunk confrontation a season or two back, Bunk tells Omar that he grew up in the same rough neighborhood, but at least they did have a community. The occasional violent death carried some weight. He was lamenting what the likes of Omar and Barksdale had turned the 'hood into -- a place of senseless killing. Yet those times look like the warm of fuzzy old days compared to the Marlo era.

--
H

#108

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3/3/08 at 3:05pm

Corey3rd
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Re: The Wire: Season Five (see post #1 re: SPOILERS)

Barksdale was a family business. Marlo is cut throat corporate. He's like a Glaxo - you are nothing more than a six month contract employee - no benefits - no 401K. But there is a retirement plan. And since he became the only game in town, you can't go off and start your own shop. He cut off the supply behind Prop Joe's back.

Marlo doesn't sell a future. He deals in a present tense. His operation is just like the newspaper.

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#109

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3/3/08 at 5:32pm

Britton
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Re: The Wire: Season Five (see post #1 re: SPOILERS)

Since we've already seen how the fall of the Barksdale organization gave way to something worse with Marlo, will the next person to take over the streets be that more horrifying?

#110

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3/3/08 at 8:11pm

Corey3rd
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Re: The Wire: Season Five (see post #1 re: SPOILERS)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Britton

Since we've already seen how the fall of the Barksdale organization gave way to something worse with Marlo, will the next person to take over the streets be that more horrifying?

only if Duff from "Ace of Cakes" takes over Baltimore's underwild.

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#111

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3/3/08 at 9:12pm

todd stone
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Re: The Wire: Season Five (see post #1 re: SPOILERS)

anyone else think they are foreshadowing the boy becoming the next bubbles as bubbles gets clean?

Lo, there do I see my mother, and my sisters, and my brothers, Lo, there do I see the line of my people, back to the beginning, Lo, they do call to me, they bid me take my place among them, In the halls of Valhalla,where the brave may live...

#112

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3/4/08 at 9:48pm

Raasean Asaad
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Re: The Wire: Season Five (see post #1 re: SPOILERS)

Just saw episode 10....

Damn fine end to a great story.

Good lord, there's nothing worse than the foul stench of desperation when someone wants to be famous.

- Luis Esp

#113

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3/5/08 at 10:23am

Marty M
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Re: The Wire: Season Five (see post #1 re: SPOILERS)

Quote:

Originally Posted by todd stone

anyone else think they are foreshadowing the boy becoming the next bubbles as bubbles gets clean?

I assume you are referring to "Dukie". In this last episode we got a glimpse of what the future is in store for three of the four kids that had been featured in last season of the Wire.

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#114

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3/5/08 at 10:59am

James St
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Re: The Wire: Season Five (see post #1 re: SPOILERS)

Quote:

Originally Posted by todd stone

anyone else think they are foreshadowing the boy becoming the next bubbles as bubbles gets clean?

Yes, I posted the same in my spoiler tags for this episode. I could also see Michael becoming an Omar like figure in the neighborhood if he can stay alive long enough to learn the streets the way Omar did.

#115

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3/6/08 at 10:37am

Chad Erickson
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Re: The Wire: Season Five (see post #1 re: SPOILERS)

James - i like your thinking, but i'm hoping that Michael heads out of town. i can't see him living like Omar was.

I
Hard to believe we are already down to the end. i will truly miss this show.

#116

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3/6/08 at 1:33pm

Holadem
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Re: The Wire: Season Five (see post #1 re: SPOILERS)

There is a whimsical quality to Omar that Michael does not possess. Michael got into the game because he perceived he had no choice. He never wanted to be there in the first place. I have no idea how Omar became Omar, but he didn't seem to mind very much being Omar. Michael did. With his pact with the devil now broken, he has no reason to hang around the streets. Still, there are no good alternatives I can see right now.

--
H

#117

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3/7/08 at 7:02am

Corey3rd
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Re: The Wire: Season Five (see post #1 re: SPOILERS)

Clay Davis pops up early in Enchanted. It must have hurt him to not be able to bust out his trademark in a Disney film.

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#118

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3/9/08 at 8:13pm

R. Kay
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Re: The Wire: Season Five (see post #1 re: SPOILERS)

Great finale. I think having this show available 'on demand' 6 days in advance hurt the ratings and ultimately killed the show.

I assume Marlo killed tha guy on the corner because he was dissed and/or he still wanted in on the game?

Correct me if I'm wrong.

#119

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3/9/08 at 8:24pm

TravisR
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Re: The Wire: Season Five (see post #1 re: SPOILERS)

I loved the episode and thought it was an excellent finale. Eventhough big things remained screwed up (Templeton and The Sun winning a Pulitzer, Valchek becoming the commissioner), I was glad to see a happy ending for the good guys.

It was sad to see Duquan become the next Bubbles. I didn't see Michael becoming the next Marlo but I really didn't expect him to become the next Omar either.

It was funny hearing the guys on the corner talk about how Omar 'really' died.

Quote:

Originally Posted by R. Kay

I assume Marlo killed tha guy on the corner because he was dissed and/or he still wanted in on the game?

Yeah, that was how I saw it. He had a choice between a straight life (albeit with crooked businessmen) and the street life and he wanted the street life and all the juice and power that came with it.

EDIT: I came late to the party (I saw the first four seasons last fall) but I'm so glad that I watched this show. It really is one of the best pieces of entertainment that I've ever seen.

#120

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3/9/08 at 9:07pm

Corey3rd
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Re: The Wire: Season Five (see post #1 re: SPOILERS)

Quote:

Originally Posted by R. Kay

Great finale. I think having this show available 'on demand' 6 days in advance hurt the ratings and ultimately killed the show.

I assume Marlo killed tha guy on the corner because he was dissed and/or he still wanted in on the game?

Correct me if I'm wrong.

The OnDemand didn't kill the show. in fact it gave HBO a solid number on how many households were watching since they could monitor that number. The Wire outlived nearly every HBO drama outside of Sopranos.

Marlo didn't kill him. He popped him hard so he dropped the gun. But it just showed how fast he could be forgotten on the corners. It's like what Cheese was saying at the end. Nobody cares about the past.

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