Rewatching season three.

The boys from Hamsterdam who got robbed and are messing around on the face identification software with Herc.

I had totally forgotten about this gem of a throwaway line!

Amazing human story but low key moments of humor definitely keep the balance on The Wire.

Everyone loves Frank, but to me his relationship with his son was always something that damn near ruins him.

Just how responsible is Frank for the way Ziggy turned out? Because on the surface Ziggy looks like a helpless screwup, but he was actually pretty smart and tech-savvy, there is definitely potential in him, just outside of the docks. The Mercedes robbery got him in jail, but he also handled that pretty well (minus the showboating) before it blew up in his face.

What I'm getting at is that Ziggy is just Namond who never found his Bunny Colvin. Ziggy desperately tries to fit in to the docks, to be a real stevedore, but he can't. He should have gone to community college like his brother, he wasn't suited for that life, and I feel like that's where his father failed him - I believe that the neglect he faced from his father as he was growing up just made him want to be a dockworker more, to finally get his father's attention. I don't think Ziggy is a hopeless loser, I just see him as someone who desperately lacked his father's time and attention, who was constantly too busy with the union, dredging up the canal or whatever. If only he paid his son the attention he paid to the union, who knows where Ziggy might have ended up.

I can't help but blame Frank for the way Ziggy is, and I don't believe it's an uncommon theme, where supposedly great men fail at being a good parent. Anyways, I just feel bad for Ziggy, especially since he reminds me of a friend. David Simon said it himself, everyone knows a Ziggy.

Edit: grammar mistakes

I think that Season 5 suffers from coming after season 4. It’s still brilliant televisione - the reporters story is super compelling and Scott’s desperate attempts to progress his career. Bubbles redemption arc is super important for the feeling the show leaves you with. McNulty’s spiral into self destruction. Marlo taking over the world and then losing it. Even Herc’s attempt at a new career is interesting. Carcetti, Daniel’s all going full circle and ending up no where.

My one criticism is the serial killer part irks me a bit - I feel like they push it to far. But I love Keema and Bunks reaction to it all - and what it takes to be good police.

Season 4 is stratospheric in terms of quality. Impossible to beat, but season 5 is still absolutely incredible.

Honestly, i see some similarities in those two characters. Like, they stay real with their own, no mater how much the game changes. Btw: just finished the wire, what a show.

In terms of muscle, I would think at the beginning of season one or maybe in late season 3 when Avon is tooling up for war with Marlo. In terms of the business/profit side, is it in early season 3 during the co-op period but before warring with Marlo? In terms of rep, has to be season 1, right?

He may be a crack/coke/heroine addict, but he was fairly functional, and still made the time to iron his clothes. Which is more than I can say for myself. I pretty much throw my clothes from the laundry into a duffel bag and wear the wrinkled ass clothing out in public like a bum. No shame in admitting that Bubs is lowkey inspiring… one of the greatest tv characters of all time

On my third re-watch now. I’m curious about the relationship between Bugs, Michael, and the father. I cannot remember if/when it states why Michael hates the father so much - was there some kind of abuse eluded to from the past that I’ve missed?

When Michael goes to Chris/Snoop to have the dad killed he’s asked “what’d he do?” and there’s a hard look between Michael and Chris without dialogue until Chris says he’ll do it. Could the silence mean that Chris gets it and/or that Chris was abused as well as a younger person?

Am I reading too much into this and/or did I miss some kind of explanation?

I know Avon and Stringer butted heads, but aside from that, the devotion and deference everyone else (I.e Chris, snoop, we bay) show to their respective leaders is kind of wild. Chris and we bay don’t even think twice about serving a life term. Chris and snoop’s devotion to Marlo seems the most extreme.

I feel like the mafia constantly has power struggles, but have no idea about gangs, but would expect it to be similar.

Everyone asking how Marlo got territory without dropping bodies - nobody asking "Where's Wallace". You'd think there would be a question about missing players.

There’s a lot to like about the series finale. But one thing in particular: 1. When Kima owns up to her part 2. When McNulty and Lester forgive her is just delightful

I finished the wire 2 days ago and one of my favorite moment was the conclusion of Marlo.

It represents the fact that he can’t be another thing that a hoodmaster, Social advancement is at a standstill, and even with Stanfield's success, he won't feel truly comfortable or accepted in the world of the "big boys," the world of people who exploit all these street dealers. If Stringer had understood that, he wouldn't be dead.

The difference between Marlo and Stringer with Avon is that one does what he does because he comes from the streets and has no choice to survive (at least not at the base, without much financial education, just pure resourcefulness), and the other two have no code of conduct and want to get rich by denying all morality (a symbol of unbridled capitalism). Both have simply forgotten that the floor above is hermetically sealed off to people like them.

Dude doesn't blink an eye calling McNulty, "Bushy Top", but has a conniption during his job interview when the guy mentions he has to, "take a tinkle".

Disclaimer: This is my favorite show bar none, I just thought this was a little funny. I get that they're trying to show he was out of his comfort zone.

My first watch, I managed to watch the entire show in about 10 days . Can't believe I had never heard how amazing it is. Got the rec from Breaking Bad sub which was previously my favorite franchise lol. Anyway I'm almost done which is so sad. The characters are amazing. So much grey, like in real life. I'm on the part where the FBI is explaining the details of the "red ribbon killer" and they all describe McNulty. Perhaps one of the funniest parts of the whole show! "They're in the ballpark" What an eternal masterpiece. So glad I followed the recommendation. Not ready for the last episode though. ETA last episode thoughts Marlo and Ley did not deserve a happy ending, although I think Marlo likes killing more than money. Sad about many of the kids storylines especially Daquan. Loved that Bubs got to join his family. Started with McNulty ended with McNulty. Poetry. Art. Heart wrenching.

Spoiler warning.

Is it really believable that Maurice Levy, whose whole deal is that he represents people involved in criminal activities, would hire a former cop (Herc) in his law firm? This is how Marlo’s phone number gets leaked. I just don’t buy that he would let a former cop anywhere near his law firm. Maybe this has been talked about before.

Another one of the small details. As if they wrote this show in the era of streaming and re-watching.

Michael comes to Cutty's gym and stands ringside with Curry watching a sparring match. Cutty notices and rests his forearm on Mike's shoulder while shouting coaching advice. He never actually looks Mike in the eye, but it's obviously a fraternal move/body language. But Mike, not wanting to be touched-for obvious reasons and particularly by older men-side steps away.

On the first watch it's probably noticeable but could be chalked up to regular/average amounts of homophobia that are normal or at least not uncommon to most men. I'm sure this is why Cutty takes no offense. An entertaining detail to me.

https://f004.backblazeb2.com/file/screenplays/posts/the-wire-2002/episodes/The%20Wire%20100%20-%20Series%20Bible.pdf

Found this online. It diverges quite a bit from the one that was filmed, but is really good. Just as good as the one that was produced.

SPOILERS FOR SEASONS 4 & 5

I just finished the fourth episode, I've watched the show in its entirety a few years back. But damn I didn't remember it being so good - Norman spices up the Carcetti plot a lot. He's funny and the perfect equilibrium to Carcetti's bland councilman-ness. Both actor just seem at home in their roles, I find myself rooting for them even though I found Carcetti a bit unpersonable in the previous season.

Marlo obviously is the archetype of the psychopath much more than Avon was, Avon and Stringer were at least capable of changing gears. Marlo is just as I remember him from the "co-op scene" (can't wait for that to come up again though), though there's more depth (the underhanded "wear it in good health" to Omar when he held up the card game was hilarious). I know how Omar's story ends (perfectly IMHO) but for now these two will provide tension.

And the best part is the school kids. Man this is just really how school was for me in the South when I was an exchange student, hall passes as a currency, women with short practical hair who can make any class room quiet down by just appearing, and the violent pencil stab would have been comical in any pedestrian show but it's perfect here. Michael IIRC ends up sad too which I'm already devastated about even though the character hasn't had that much time yet, and of course Duquan is a tragedy. I feel for him knowing where he is by SE05 ending. But again, spot on portrayal of addiction and the cyclical nature thereof.

I can't wait to watch this unfold (and someone call Mr. Lyen for me!)

I’m on my 11th ish watch. It’s the best thing ever yada yada……however….. it’s not perfect. 3 things come to mind for now;

1) s2 Jonny goes out to score some more dope to top off. He gets arrested. He’s in court for possession “to wit cocaine”. They’re defo tooting smack, not smoking rocks.

2) s1 the quality of the heroin is bad, string says we gonna spike it with some procaine or caffeine. Why would they spike heroin with caffeine which is a stimulant, or procaine, which is used to bash up coke.

3) S2 early doors when string re ups and it gets dropped in a bag in the print shop; he pulls out one small bag, maybe 1/4-1/2 kilo max. And it’s in a bag, like powder. Not a brick. Even if that bag was full to the brim with bricks of smack that’s only a few kg. These are meant to be big time drug dealers. That bag would last a day, even with all the bash.

Is it known how Devonne is connected to Avon? I've heard she is Stringer's cousin, but I'm not sure if this is true. Can anyone confirm?

In the movie ride along with ice cube and kevin hart they’re looking for an Omar character. Kevin hart asks, “what are we looking for, does he have a scar and everything?”

I've watched series on YouTube where an expert or former specialist will break down scenes (gambling scene, military scenes, mob scenes in movies, serial killer scenes, etc) and they'll pull from tv shows and movies describing whether it's accurate, what they would or wouldn't do etc. Has there been any that show a clip from the Wire and break down the inaccuracies or accuracies? maybe a former Homicide detective. It's funny because I watched a Homicide detective show Training Day where they take the money and he said narcotics was the most corrupt department because they do take the money and no one knows how much was found (Herc, Carver lol)

When Bey says this quizzically to Bodie in the pit, it always cracks me up since I figure everyone knows who he is.

The introduction of the port and the workers at first felt out of nowhere and it took away some momentum but i can see the purpose of it. Just exploring a completely different corners and angles of the city. And Frank Sobotka was probably my favorite character, the actor Chris Bauer literally carried the season on his shoulders. Amazing emotional intensity and i loved his attitude/vocabulary.

Seeing the team together working on a different case made me beyond happy and the way how they enhanced Prez was amazing as well. I love how the show just naturally progresses. Another thing i wanna praise are the gunshots. By no any means the show is about nonstop shootouts but when the guns will go off, i love how loud they are with amazing echo. It sounds real with shell casings falling over the ground. And it also makes the gun as something you don't wanna play with - everyone in this show is scared of using guns. Everyone carries one with them but always holstered. Which helps so well with the escalation of all kinds of situations.

No music but only ambience of Baltimore helps a lot to pull you into this immersive world. There is no music that will stimulate your ears or force you into different moods - you are inside the rooms with the detectives with the walkie talkie on the background, computers clicking and so on so on.

After going through first two seasons i wanna say this: what i love and appreciate about this show is how matured and well written it is. All characters will shower you with different emotions, moods. I just don't feel like my time is wasted, nothing annoying or out of place or over the top because this is a television after all. The show understands its own skeleton and provides the viewer with the most rich and complex writing. So yeah second season was even better in my eyes - already did first two episodes of S3 and the momentum keeps going. It is insane how meditative but so fast the pace is.

Stringer in seasons 1-2 seemed like a cool and smart character. Then he just turned into a complete idiot

I finished the wire for the 1st time late last month and it is hands down the best show I’ve ever watched.

I’ve seen alot of people saying S2 is their favourite season however upon my 2nd re watch I still can’t get into it.

Can someone explain to me what they love about S2 specifically?