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Episode Recap: "Clarifications"
This episode, with a script by Dennis Lehane from a treatment he co-wrote, is all about exposure, and what one has to do to cover over that exposure.
Omar, particularly, could tell you a thing or two about overextending one's self, and leaving one's self excessively exposed, when one of cockiest of the youngsters working Marlo's corners manages to shoot the crusader in the head, just after he raids another of the drug sales units. Suddenly snuffed out, he goes from being the scourge of the city's underworld to, in the final scene, just another corpse in the morgue, accidentally mis-tagged. But at least his hand-written list of harrassment targets, recovered from his corpse by Bunk, is passed along to the former Major Crimes investigators, to aid them in connecting the dots in the Stansfield mob.
Bunk also benefits by finally signing on to McNulty's scam investigation, gaining some priority for his lab work which fingers Marlo's right-hand thug Chris as the murderer in the beating death of Michael's stepfather that Bunk has been working; in return, he offers to hold off on executing a warrant for Chris's arrest for two days, to allow Jimmy and Lester's investigation of the Marlo gang to come to some sort of fruition. Less sanguine about the fraudulent investigation is Kima, who simply can't believe everyone involved has no ethical qualms about doing business this way, and Beadie, who doesn't want to but sadly can believe that McNulty would put himself so deeply and irresponsibly in jeopardy, when she was hoping to depend on him. And these aren't the only tricky negotiations Jimmy faces, given that one of more useless homicide detectives blackmails Jimmy into funding a Hilton Head golf outing for himself.
The episode begins with McNulty making the case for funding and giving a progress report before the top brass of the police department, including his old lieutenant at Major Crimes, Daniels, and Mayor Carcetti; the mayor, gunning for the governorship, offers anything the police department needs that will lead to the capture of the killer, even at the expense of other crucial city agencies, notably the schools. Carcetti discovers that this apparent crimewave isn't the only exposure he has, when he learns that a Prince Georges County politician is readying himself to challenge him in the Democratic gubernatorial primary; reluctantly, he turns first to that district's US Representative, and then to Narese Campbell and Clay Davis, to help him shore up support in the African-American communities. Campbell and Davis apparently ask less than the House member does, and Carcetti makes the deal.
Meanwhile, Templeton's shortcuts and punch-ups (and fabrications) are brought fully out into the open when the subject of one of his better, more honest stories, the homeless Iraq War vet, comes down to the paper to complain, and demonstrates that he has a better grasp on the truth than Scott does. Gus refuses to back down on a further abuse by Scott, even in the face of the clueless Managing Editor's reflexive support of the paper's theoretical new star.
With only two episodes to go, that this episode had the time for a clever setpiece at the FBI HQ in Quantico, wherein Kima and Jimmy get to hear a profile of the supposed serial killer that uncomfortably closely describes McNulty himself; and to introduce two bits of local color that a non-local like Lehane presumably picked up from either the regular staff or from prized research: the "araber" junk collector with his horse-drawn cart who provisionally hires Dukie, who finds he's too young to get even a retail job of the sort some ex-corner boys have picked up; and the breaking of the clock code the Stansfield gang have been using for their meets, via cellphone photos of clock faces, which actually refer to the page and grid numbers of the most common set of street maps available in the Baltimore/DC area.
Well, as Carcetti said a few episodes back...It's Baltimore...no one lives forever. I have a suspicion, but only a suspicion, that Marlo and McNulty, at very least, won't be whistling too many happy tunes by the end of the series...and what exactly Freamon will exact from Clay Davis in return for the evidence he offered is likely to be key to something big...
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Feb 24, 2008 10:11 PM
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Man Todd, why are you and I the only ones watching this show. Again and again, I have to say that this show is superbly written and acted. I watched last week and could not believe how Omar went down. And by the kid with the fowlest mouth on tv. Please watch season 4 for more on Kennard. I was sad to hear that there are only two more epi left and the show is done forever.
And Todd, imo the FBI profile hit the nail on the head as far as McNutty, as Bubs used to call him, is concerned. Did you see how uncomfortable he was during the reading of the profile. hahahahahha
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Feb 25, 2008 7:33 AM
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Awww man...
I want to pour a little out for my homie, Omar Little, a man with a code, a neighborhood gunslinger, a man who struck fear in the hearts of drug dealers, a man who took his granny to church on Sundays, a man who loved his Honey Nut Cheerios and his pretty boy toys, a man who, sadly, became a pathetic caricature of his former self after becoming injured. Here's to Omar, one hell of a character.
I really wanted Omar to take Marlo down, but I guess it was not to be. And I'm really sad that it was that little badazz Kennard that took him out.
It was good to see that Poot has survived the corners and is working a straight job. The killing of Bodie must have pushed him over the edge and back into the legit life.
Other than Omar getting killed, the most upsetting thing in this episode was seeing a bunch of kids pouring lighter fluid on a cat, about to set it on fire. I hoped that Omar would set it free, but he was off his game in every way, and I'm sure that cat is no longer amongst us, either.
McNulty is going down. Too many people know, and he himself finally realizes how heinous his actions are. I hope Lester doesn't go down with him.
I figured Marlo's clock/map code out after hearing the 34 seconds a couple of times, and then 35 seconds. I have a Baltimore street map, and that just made perfect sense. I'm glad the cops figured it out.
I'm worried that Gus is going to get himself fired for doing his job. He knows Scott is fabricating stories, but his bosses don't seem to care. They are pushing Scott to be an award winner, but the paper will suffer if it's discovered that he makes his stories up.
Dukie is a smart kid. He should be studying to get his GED, so that when he is old enough, he will have some basic qualifications for a job. He seemed so happy to have something to do, riding with the junk man. His only other duty in life is taking Bug to and from school.
I'm really going to miss this show!!!!
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Feb 25, 2008 10:08 AM
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Although season 4 as a whole was the best overall season, my favorite individual scene had previously been from season 1, when McNulty and Bunk went to an old crime scene, began taking measurements and discovering new evidence, and spoke shorthand to each other consisting of nothing but variations on a certain word. This episode contains probably my second-favorite scene ever, watching McNulty's face as the FBI profiler describes the "suspect".
RIP, Omar - sorry to see him go out, especially like that. (See? Smoking kills.)
I'm so going to miss this show in a couple of weeks. Just once before it's over, I hope we get to see that coward Marlo's true colors. And Kima? Your righteous indignation is admirable, but get a freakin grip already. Bunk may be able to take what he has on Chris and get some dominoes falling thanks to the scam. Too bad there's no way for the blackmailing detective with the golf fetish to take the fall for the whole thing.
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Feb 25, 2008 12:35 PM
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Watching McNulty squirm while the FBI profiler described the homeless killer was hilarious!
Surprised to see Omar go out like he did. I was also hoping he would bring down Marlo.
Don't know what will happen to McNulty but I don't think it will be good. This thing is way over his head & I don't think he realized it until last night.
Great show. Will be very sorry to see it end in 2 weeks.
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Feb 25, 2008 1:11 PM
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Only two episodes left of one of the greatest shows ever. Can't believe Omar went out like that, but I didn't think he would get to Marlo alone anyway. McNulty squirming and smirking hearing the FBI profile was hilarious to watch, even if i'm not liking his chances from here on out. I think we need another appearance from Barksdale and Brother Mazzone, at least Barksdale. The clock thing was pretty genius too...until they figured it out of course. Keep up the great recaps Todd!
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Feb 25, 2008 5:38 PM
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It's kind of sad, as well as funny, to go from the 14+ pages of comments on the LOST episode recap to this. I just discovered The Wire a couple months ago (no HBO) and thank God I did. It refreshing to see a show stay true to it's roots and not resort to fancy plot twists and ridiculousness to grab a few extra ratings points.
Omar's send-off was fitting. Despite everything you wanted, you knew he was going down just short of taking down Marlo. That was the essence of his character. One step forward, two steps back. The game is the game.
I'm excited and troubled to see the show end. I respect the fact they aren't dragging it along and instead bringing it to its logical conclusion. Finest writing a drama has ever seen.
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Feb 25, 2008 10:02 PM
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Why is it sad? Lost is mass entertainment. The Wire isnt mass entertainment. Its not an easy show to watch. Im glad they didnt make it easy and did what they did. If most people dont watch or dont get it or dont want to get it, then so be it. Their loss.
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Feb 26, 2008 9:12 AM
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I'm really worried about McNulty's fate. I mean, I just don't see any way he could get out of this. Even Lester could be in big trouble. And knowing how this show isn't known for happy endings, I'm worried.
Incidentally, you realize that McNulty deserves to end up in jail over this, right? I mean, I love the guy, but I think he's really messed everything up this time. I don't know if Beadie would ever really get back together with him, now. I can't even guess how many laws he AND Lester have broken. Defrauding the police department, tampering with evidence, planting evidence, mistreatment of a corse or two. The newspaper phone call stunt, rerouting the wire. I dunno, maybe even kidnapping that homeless guy?
Over at the newspaper, I don't think Gus will get fired, but I think he may end up quitting. If an editor no longer has any say in what's printed in the sections he's responsible for, why would he stay?
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Feb 26, 2008 10:29 AM
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Just a couple of thoughts my fellow Wire fans. I thought when the cop in the nice Ford Focus was looking at the city map all by himself that he was going to get shot. I felt by the silence on the street and the angle of his window that something bad could happen but I was glad nothing did.
I also realized that Beadie is played by Amy Ryan who was nominated for her role in "gone baby gone" which I did not see yet. I just got the feeling that I recognized her by the short clip shown at the Oscar's award show. She is one heck of an actor. There is no way she will stay with McNulty. As the episodes have progressed he is getting worse for the wear and not very appealing. Alcohol can do that to a person.
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Feb 27, 2008 2:27 AM
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This is the first message board I've posted to on this Website. I say this to explain my love for this show. I've been watching since the 1st season and I am always impressed by all the aspects. This latest episode exemplifies the reasons why everyone should watch this show.
From the raw emotions during the Beadie/McNulty conversation to the back-room dealings within city politics and law enforcement to pure shock of Omar's murder, the show grabs a hold of its viewers and never lets go. Sure it's a hard show to delve into, but the rewards so worth it.
But it's also the technical aspects that draw you in. I agree with Trombone that I thought Sydnor was going to get shot basically cause you once the ambient sounds stop....well, bad things tend to happen. Especially just after Omar's murder.
2 more episodes left....and then I know I will be watching my collection and waiting patiently (well not too patiently) for the latest DVD set.
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Feb 27, 2008 12:21 PM
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I screamed "Not my Omar" when that punk Kenard killed him. I could careless about anybody else on that they could of killed.....but not my Omar. But I knew it was coming...but not this soon. I felt that he made the show. Im still upset that My Omar is gone.
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Feb 27, 2008 7:35 PM
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Thanks, Jay, for the kind words, and everyone for contributing to the discussion here. Moreso for The Wire than for any other series I've blogged for TVG, it's difficult, to say the least, to keep the entry down to a reasonable length and still even get an also reasonable synopsis of the episodes in, they being so full of incident and detail. The relatively few commenters on this blog, leaving aside any strengths or weaknesses my writing might have, I think derives as at least one of you suggests from the complexity of the show, but also from it being a premium-cable show, and from it not being a fantasticated drama...sf and fantasy shows have a built-in advantage for web folks, at least in numbers who are drawn to them, and those of you who cast your eyes down the list will note that adding a romantic element atop that, as with Moonlight, puts the commentary numbers through the roof (pity that kind of enthusiasm couldn't save one of best of the broadcast shows this season, Journeyman). One little thrown-away detail from this episode that I hadn't mentioned...one of the Lehane Balto. grace notes was a reference to the institutional chat show, on the news/talk NPR affiliate in the city, WYPR, conducted by Mark Steiner...another example of events overtaking a show, as Steiner was controversially fired by the station that he, in its modern form, co-founded (it was sold by Johns Hopkins University when they wanted to get out of the public radio business to a non-profit he helped put together). Also, a kind of sideways reflection on the contraction of the news business this season is largely about.
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Mar 2, 2008 7:53 PM
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This was a great ep.
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Mar 11, 2008 12:37 PM
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