The Wire

[Lucky Jim]

I haven't seen ep 1 yet, but I agree with this. The opener of S4, for example, was an incoherent mess, but that's because they needed to introduce so much stuff so quickly.

Okay...well, I'm familiar with season openers. I've been following the Wire as long as the rest of you. So let's jettison the "I expected too much" idea.

Let's just say that there was a level of caricature and exaggeration, that, in combination with a certain wooden quality to a lot of the acting, was disappointing.

I'm not saying it's going to be a bad season. Just that the first episode lacks nuance.

[Lester Freamon]

Okay...well, I'm familiar with season openers. I've been following the Wire as long as the rest of you. So let's jettison the "I expected too much" idea.

Let's just say that there was a level of caricature and exaggeration, that, in combination with a certain wooden quality to a lot of the acting, was disappointing.

I'm not saying it's going to be a bad season. Just that the first episode lacks nuance.

I definately thought I noticed a slightly quicker pace to this episode as compared to thier usual season openers, or even other early season episodes. I guess this would be attributable to there being just 10 episodes this season as compared to 12 or 13.

Personally, I didn't really have any problems with the acting from the non-actors in the news room, although I'm sure that you are right in that it is not any good. The only non-actor think I could positively ID was Simon's wife, Laura Lippman. She was one of the staffers staring out the window at that East-side fire, right. Actually I could ID Bill Zorzi, and honestly, I thought he did a good job reading his lines. Seeing as he's a writer and such a big influence on the show, I bet they've fed him a bunch of good lines. We'll see.

In the end I think I'll end up liking the newsroom as much as I came to like the pit, the docks, city hall and the middle school. And Clark Johnson just feels like he's been part of the cast for years.

Pretty much like you said LJ an off episode doesn't mean the season is doomed. Actually we may look back at the first epidode a bit differently after it is all said and done. As far as other stuff going on, (and perhaps we'll have weekly threads going?) I'm really intrigued to see what Marlo is up to looking into Vondas/Pro Joes connection, what kind of crazy stuff McNulty is going to get into, what is going to bring Omar back to Baltimore and will Bubbles stay clean.

[Lucky Jim]

I definately thought I noticed a slightly quicker pace to this episode as compared to thier usual season openers, or even other early season episodes. I guess this would be attributable to there being just 10 episodes this season as compared to 12 or 13.

Personally, I didn't really have any problems with the acting from the non-actors in the news room, although I'm sure that you are right in that it is not any good. The only non-actor think I could positively ID was Simon's wife, Laura Lippman. She was one of the staffers staring out the window at that East-side fire, right. Actually I could ID Bill Zorzi, and honestly, I thought he did a good job reading his lines. Seeing as he's a writer and such a big influence on the show, I bet they've fed him a bunch of good lines. We'll see.

In the end I think I'll end up liking the newsroom as much as I came to like the pit, the docks, city hall and the middle school. And Clark Johnson just feels like he's been part of the cast for years.

Pretty much like you said LJ an off episode doesn't mean the season is doomed. Actually we may look back at the first epidode a bit differently after it is all said and done. As far as other stuff going on, (and perhaps we'll have weekly threads going?) I'm really intrigued to see what Marlo is up to looking into Vondas/Pro Joes connection, what kind of crazy stuff McNulty is going to get into, what is going to bring Omar back to Baltimore and will Bubbles stay clean.

A little heavy-handed in the bar-room scene with the cops. McNulty is great when he's drunk - but too much too quick. Too slapstick.

Otherwise, I agree - I'm looking forward to the newsroom. And, of course, the rest of the season. Remember - a bad word doesn't mean a hater. I feel like that time I criticized Miguel Tejada's defense and the reactionary anti-LH posse rose up in unison against me.

[Lester Freamon]

I'll wait before judging it, but I do think these concerns are valid. Simon has been a spectator on every other topic he's covered, whereas he has a clear personal stake in the media topic. He clearly has an axe to grind.

You could also see this in Season 4, when he named the unambiguously bureaucratic commander "Marimow". Bill Marimow was the Sun editor (and current executive at NPR) whom Simon says killed his love of journalism; in reality, Marimow was likely just another middle manager following orders from corporate to "downsize". He wasn't running the Tribune Company. And while it was an amusing in-joke to see Simon ravage his ex-boss like that, the character was one of the worst and most one-dimensional he's ever created.

David Simon is great at articulating rage against the wrongs done to society. It remains to be seen if he can eloquently express rage against wrongs done to him.

Very good points. I knew about the Marrimow stuff, but I suppose Simon, perhaps, has a greater stake in this season and its target.

As real as the show seems and as much of its content is based on events, legends and lore of Baltimore, it still is fiction and we should enjoy it as such.

[Lester Freamon]

A little heavy-handed in the bar-room scene with the cops. McNulty is great when he's drunk - but too much too quick. Too slapstick.

Otherwise, I agree - I'm looking forward to the newsroom. And, of course, the rest of the season. Remember - a bad word doesn't mean a hater. I feel like that time I criticized Miguel Tejada's defense and the reactionary anti-LH posse rose up in unison against me.

Yeah I admit it did feel a bit like that (re: McNulty) but it has been a year thats passed by since McNulty got back into Major Crimes. Definately enough time for him to have the case gnawing on him and get him disillusioned with the department all over again.

Oh and just incase I caused some confusion when I was reffering to looking forward to what McNulty was going to get into this season I was talking about his police work moreso than his druken escapades. From everything I've read and seen, McNulty is going to get into some outrageous stuff this season - possibly teaming up with Tim McCarthy's newsroom character.

And for what it's worth I appreciate your comments all the more, especially since you love the show like all of us commenting here. They carry much more wieght. I'll admit that I may be past the point of objectivity when it comes to this show.

[Lester Freamon]

I have to disagree. I enjoyed the first episode and think it set up the season nicely. As in all seasons of the Wire, the first few episodes really set the table and leave us intrigued - this opener was no different.

As for the acting - you really thought it was bad? I mean, maybe some of the newsroom people weren't great, but overall I didn't notice a drop off from previous seasons. And I love Clark Johnson in his role...

Are you a fan of the show in general?

Hey Frank! There is supposed to be an outstanding cameo, that I think you'll really love, later in the season.

Have you heard what I'm talking about?

[rolliefingers]

Hey Frank! There is supposed to be an outstanding cameo, that I think you'll really love, later in the season.

Have you heard what I'm talking about?

You kinda sorta gave it away with how you phrased that, but don't say anything!

[frankpembleton]

Hey Frank! There is supposed to be an outstanding cameo, that I think you'll really love, later in the season.

Have you heard what I'm talking about?

Wow. No I have not heard that, but obviously it would be amazing if it were true (assuming you are talking about who I think you're talking about)...

[Lester Freamon]

Wow. No I have not heard that, but obviously it would be amazing if it were true (assuming you are talking about who I think you're talking about)...

Oh man, I guess Fingers kinda rightly called me out. It might not be exactly who I may have made you think it is.

[frankpembleton]

Sun TV critic David Zurawik offers a review of The Wire's fifth and final season here:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertai...,3409351.story

As a word of warning, for those who haven't seen Season 4 or who would not like to know anything about Season 5 prior to its premiere, you might not want to read it.

Here is Simon's resonse to Zurawik's review:

http://www.poynter.org/article_feedb...1249&id=135104

[Mashed Potatoes]

I have to agree with everything that everybody said here. This episode was clearly a table-setter. The scenes were quick and the territory covered vast, which is to be expected when the audience must get caught up for a year lost.

At the same time Lucky Jim was spot on, the acting wasn't very good except for Clark Johnson. This episode was downright depressing! Last season ended with hope and now reopened a nightmare for every single character. I'd be lying if I said that last hour was entertaining. However, The Wire's earned the benefit of the doubt and the preview for next episode looked exciting.

I have a nagging fear that Simon's ambition might exceed his capabilities. He wants to make a sharp criticism about our politicians, policemen, schools, media, and indeed the system as a whole. He's been able to do this without sacrificing entertainment value, but now, the addition of the newsroom just looks boring. Hope for the potential future of Simon's Baltimore is what excited me last season, I'm scared he may sacrifice that to make a larger point about a broken America.

Where's the money going to come from that will allow the police to do police work, the schools improve from terrible to mediocre, and the journalists to keep society informed?

[Lester Freamon]

I have to agree with everything that everybody said here. This episode was clearly a table-setter. The scenes were quick and the territory covered vast, which is to be expected when the audience must get caught up for a year lost.

At the same time Lucky Jim was spot on, the acting wasn't very good except for Clark Johnson. This episode was downright depressing! Last season ended with hope and now reopened a nightmare for every single character. I'd be lying if I said that last hour was entertaining. However, The Wire's earned the benefit of the doubt and the preview for next episode looked exciting.

I have a nagging fear that Simon's ambition might exceed his capabilities. He wants to make a sharp criticism about our politicians, policemen, schools, media, and indeed the system as a whole. He's been able to do this without sacrificing entertainment value, but now, the addition of the newsroom just looks boring. Hope for the potential future of Simon's Baltimore is what excited me last season, I'm scared he may sacrifice that to make a larger point about a broken America.

Where's the money going to come from that will allow the police to do police work, the schools improve from terrible to mediocre, and the journalists to keep society informed?

Like you said, they've earned the benefit of the doubt.

I'm very excited to see where things are going from here. As far as being depressing, I think it's going to get much worse and probably won't get any better.

As far as the money goes, I think that Carcetti has said that they need to wait for the fiscal year, new budget, and then he can deliver on all the promises he made to the Po-lice. Carcetti is fascinating to me. On one hand he inherited that school budget mess but it's so sad that his ambition to be governer is really screwing with the city.

What's Marlo up to with the way he spoke at the Co-op meeting and having Chris look up criminal reports on Sergei?

Looking forward to what this so called "outrageous ----" that McNulty gets himself into this season.

Ultimately, I trust David Simon to put aside all personal issues and deliver the newsroom like it's never been done before. we'll see.

Oh, and Avon was in the preview for episode 2!!

[Lester Freamon]

...Furthermore, these two sites might be the best place to read Wire episode recaps.

Alan Sepinwal

The House Next Door

Of course Heaven and Here (in reference to Bubbles line from S1) is another one that not only recaps the episodes but also goes a bit more indepth into the shows themes.

[Gurgi]

Episode 2 is much better than the first one. I have to say that I am wishing for bad things to happen to McNulty now. What he does at the end of the second show cannot be supported no matter what his reasons. I will not blow the end for you who havent seen it yet but it is a kind of madness and self obsession.

The "bad" reporter seems swarmy alright. Must be lots of reporters out there just making crap up.

[Mackus]

I really liked the first episode. It did a good job of setting up the issues/topics for the season as well as show some of what has gone on over the last year (Carver promoted, Herc working for Levy, money issues for the cops, McNulty back off the wagon, etc).

The opening scene was absolutely hysterical. It didn't really fit in with any of the rest, and I don't think Bunk's line "The bigger the lie, the more they believe" should have been the quote for the episode (although maybe that will apply more down the road to some of the unethical things some reporters will do), but it was an incredibly funny scene.

And the Sun editor was definitely the best new character introduced. "Dean Wormer or Dean Martin..." best line of the show.