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« The Wire
Episode Recap: "Late Editions"
With only one episode left in the series, all the chips are coming home to roost, all the chickens are falling where they may, and the opera is very nearly over. George Pelecanos, the current dean of DC-based crime fiction (particularly since the death last week of Stephen Marlowe) wrote this one, from a treatment David Simon and he put together, and it's another episode that, while packed, allows us a little time to feel the import of these late moves, as we approach (to indulge in another cliché of the sort this show loves to mock) endgame.
The biggest news in the episode is the successful execution of the arrest of most of the important players in Marlo's organization, including such de facto Marlo lieutenants as Cheese, by an operation under the direction of Lester. Lester's jubilation is tempered only by his cool as he makes a great show of confiscating Marlo's cell phone and the clock Marlo used to designate the coordinates of their meeting sites. Marlo, Chris and other upper-level members of the gang frantically try to determine how they could've been infiltrated, and Marlo particularly decides that Michael, while he couldn't have been responsible for blowing their clock-code, might've somehow otherwise been a snitch and would be a dangerous potential witness who needs to be eradicated. Marlo also loses his cool when he finally learns that Omar had been publicly calling him out in his raids on Marlo's corners, much to the mild-to-sheepish disgust of his underlings, who all realize that they have more important things to worry about, even if Marlo is most worried about keeping his image — the theoretical source of his power — intact.
Lester is busy on other fronts, as well... to get the big bust fully operational, he comes (partially) clean to Deputy Commissioner Daniels about how they in Major Crimes had been maintaining surveillance on the Marlo Stanfield organization even as they did their official work on Clay Davis' case, and how they need various aspects of the department and related agencies to square away all the arrests. Happily for Freamon and Daniels, the latter had just been in a meeting with Mayor Carcetti's aide about how to reduce crime in the city in time for Carcetti to claim that he had followed up on his campaign promises in the race for mayor, and would do so again in his upcoming race for the governorship of Maryland. Carcetti is overjoyed to anchor the press conference announcing the bust, to the disgust of the Sun's veteran reporter in the audience, who anticipates the bromides Carcetti will use to junior colleague Alma's amusement. When Alma approaches Daniels for a comment for the story, Cedric is polite but stiff, telling her the last time the Sun reported on him, they were dead wrong.
When Alma lets Gus know that, as Gus goes over her story about the press conference, it's just another log on the fire of his distrust of Scott.... Gus puts an old friend, a reporter returning to the Sun from another newspaper, on a mission to fact-check all of Templeton's stories, while following up personally with a friend of the Gulf War veteran Scott had misquoted in one of his less-fabricated submissions. Meanwhile, Gus' clueless bosses are planning their campaign to get Scott and the Sun a nomination for the Pulitzer for his contributions on the homeless in Baltimore, including the serial-killer stories.
The investigation of the fradulent serial killings, while having paid off well on Lester's end of the conspiracy, are starting to wear heavily on McNulty. Jay, his boss, needles him on his apparent lack of progress on identifying the murderer, citing Bunk as a sterling counter-example (as Bunk sits back and smiles at Jimmy's discomfort), and Kima makes it increasingly clear that none of this is all right with her, either personally or in the bigger-picture rough justice sense. She reports to Daniels, whom with the Assistant DA who's been in charge of Major Crimes and serial-killing wiretap orders and similar paperwork investigates the evidence in hand for the McNulty case, and determine that they've been had... and they wonder what that might mean for the prosecution of the Marlo bust, as well.
Levy, as the lawyer for Marlo and his crew, is likewise wondering what kind of handle he can get on this case... how and to what extent the evidence is built on wiretapping, for example. Herc, who of course had provided the phone number of Marlo's cell that made the tap on his phone possible to begin with, now tries to feel out his ex-colleagues on the force to determine, for Levy's benefit, what was done how and with what prompting, but he doesn't get too much that's solid or, at least, apparently admissible in court.
Meanwhile, Lester's not yet done... the documents he's still holding over Clay Davis' head as a means of squeezing information out of the state senator get Davis to spill that Levy not only is key to taking down the Baltimore drug lords, as a financial adviser as well as a lawyer and political fixer, but that he also has a mole in the district attorney's office, which allows Levy to sell information to his clients when it's useful. Hence, for example, the confidential DA documents that had been found among Prop Joe's effects after his murder.
Lester isn't the only one on his game in this episode.... Snoop, having been dispatched to dispatch of Michael, pretends to need his help in an execution of another potential witness agains Marlo and company. Michael, however, was a more attentive student than Snoop realized, and gets the drop on her. "How's my hair look?" is her last question, as she waits for him to pull the trigger on her; he assures her she looks fine, as he does so. He then takes his brother out of harm's way, he hopes, to stay with a relative, bribed with considerable cash to sweeten the deal, with the promise of more to come; Dukie rather less comfortably goes to stay with the "arabers" he's been working with.
And Bubbles reclaims his name, Reginald, as he marks his first anniversary of sobriety at his NA/AA meeting, with the Sun reporter he's been guiding around the city in tow.
Tension mounts. One episode left. At least to some extent, this can't end well... except as one of the best television series we've seen, at least the equal of Homicide: Life on the Streets, which was the best dramatic series on television during its run. It's certainly as good as any series on HBO, which has several series to be proud of (even if it hasn't treated some of its best programs as well as it should have). And it's a series that isn't afraid to make a gracious in-passing reference to Dexter, another good, if not as good, crime drama.... There are occasional valid criticisms to be made of The Wire, but most I've seen have been trivial and off the point; one criticism not of the show itself, but of much of what the show criticizes, has been made in a discussion elsewhere online, most pointedly by crime-fiction writer and former journalist Karen Olson, where she noted that the crisis the Sun is facing in the series was more true of the state of newspaper journalism three years ago than today.... Today is even worse.
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Mar 2, 2008 9:00 PM
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This is my irst time blogging, but in light that my favorite show is ending, I will give it it's due respect. Last night, I was moved so much that I laughed, I cried, I screamed. I don't think I've seen a sadder scene on television that the goodbye between Dukie and Michael. It just showed hoe far these boys have come since last season. And when I saw Namond, I let out a cheer of happiness. Although I understand that Kima did what she felt she had to do, if Marlo gets away because they can't prosecute, I will curse her name every time I watch my DVD sets!
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Mar 3, 2008 9:43 AM
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WOW - This is the first season that I have watched The Wire and last night was one of the finest hours of TV that I have seen in a long time. The only good thing about next week's series finale is that it is an extended episode of an hour and a half!
I loved the shoutout to DEXTER!
this crazy show is about a serial killer that only kills other serial killers!
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Mar 3, 2008 11:18 AM
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Great episode last night. I think the only person who will come out of this with a happy ending is Bubbles. I'm really happy that he has turned his life around and "reclaimed his name." But I am very worried about Dukie. When he started down that alleyway toward the barn where the arabers were shooting heroin, I got chills. I guess someone has to become the next Bubbles. Hopefully he'll make it out OK too.
I have mixed emotions for next week...super excited yet sad to see the best drama in the history of television ending. (Sorry Todd, I've seen every episode of Homicide and while great, The Wire blows it out of the water.)
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Mar 3, 2008 11:35 AM
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One of the most perfect hours of television ever produced. If anything on network tv ever came even close to the genius of this masterpiece it would make me start watching network again.
There was so much going on yet every moment was pertinent. How can you not mention the scene with Namond and Bunny Colvin and Carcetti? Namond being the only of last season's student leads to have an opportunity at a future. The complete realization that Carcetti is nothing more than a typical lying politicial, already not concerned with Baltimore and more concerned with becoming governor.
This show is heartbreaking. If the young actor that portrays Marlow, Jaime Hector, doesn't get an Emmy nomination for best supporting actor for this episode then I will officially and forever give up on that crapfest.
This is the episode that needs to be submitted for best Drama series! There hasn't been an hour of anything on tv this year that has even come close to being this perfect.
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Mar 3, 2008 11:44 AM
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How can we keep the show going. Can a write in help. It's the best show on television.
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Mar 3, 2008 1:05 PM
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Excellent as usual. This year has provided more ups and downs (mostly downs) than any other season. Emotions are what this show excels at. Each scene brings a powerful feeling to the screen: From the cynicism of the beat reporter at the Mayor's press conference ("You are so Butch" HA!), to the fury of Marlow at hearing that his name was rung out on the street as a punk, to the one of the best scene's of the series, the farewell between Dookie, Michael and his brother.
The biggest question I have is what's going to happen to McNulty. Is Daniels and the Asst DA going to let the Marlowe bust go away because of McNulty's indiscretion? I have a feeling that Levy is going to get a whiff of the "source of information" that was mentioned in the subpoenas, but won't do anything cause Lester will hold some criminal activity over his head.
In my opinion, the show is ending just right. Too many times an series has an excellent run of 3-5 years and the stories just get watered down or it gets taken in a different direction and plain doesn't work. I think David Simon learned his lesson with Homicide where the last few years just wasn't the force the first ones were. I am counting the seconds til the finale.
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Mar 4, 2008 10:08 AM
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While actors are being praised here, I have to make note of Andre Royo, aka Bubbles. I cannot recall a television character that ever affected me so emotionally, ever. He's such a heartbreaking character, especially his suicide attempt last season. But I was surprised how happy I felt to see him feel proud of himself and turn things around. And also felt touched by him finally thinking of Sherrod. In what may be the most cynical show on television, it's good to see some happy endings. I'm guessing the Sun article about him will get quietly published, and that reporter will get praised while Scott is ruined. Though, if Scott gets away unscathed, Gus quits.
As this great show comes to a final episode, I fear what's coming for McNulty.
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Mar 4, 2008 10:35 AM
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Once again, never enough people on this board. I will give credit to HBO for allowing this show its complete run. Even though it was not promoted like it should have been. Sunday's episode raised the bar again for the show. I am just as exicited as I am sad to see this show end.
The Wire will not be forgotten. Thanks Tood for blogging for us, this season.
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Mar 4, 2008 12:28 PM
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I cried twice this episode (and I never cry!): Bubbles' speech and Bug's goodbye. I agree with the other posters: Andre Royo for an Emmy!
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Mar 4, 2008 4:18 PM
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The scene where Dukie was tryin to tell Michael about the time with the water balloons was truly heartbreaking. It captured that moment and how the characters have evolved perfectly. I think it ties with the moment in Season 3 where Avon and Stringer had their "last conversation" as one of the best written moments on television.
I wish I had discovered this blog earlier. Thank you for covering this wonderful show. It's too bad people didn't appreciate this show in its time. They will never know what they missed.
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Mar 4, 2008 6:57 PM
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As the airdate for the last episode of The Wire approaches, Marc Steiner and the Center for Emerging Media are doing a new series of interviews on The Wire. There's going to be a new one added to their site every day this week, available as podcasts, streaming audio, and transcripts. Interviews, with Ed Burns, David Simon, Robert Chew (Prop Joe,) and Brendan and Willa at Viva House are already up! To be followed by Clarke Peters, Andre Royo, and more.
The site is http://marcsteinerblog.wordpress.com
To go right to the Ed Burns interview, go here: http://marcsteinerblog.wordpress.com/2008/03/03/3308-the-wire-podcasts-ed-burns
To go right to the David Simon interview, go here: http://marcsteinerblog.wordpress.com/2008/03/04/3408-the-wire-podcasts-david-simon
To go right to the Robert Chew interview, go here: http://marcsteinerblog.wordpress.com/2008/03/05/3508-the-wire-podcasts-robert-chew-aka-proposition-joe
To go right to the Viva House interview, go here: http://marcsteinerblog.wordpress.com/2008/03/05/3608-the-wire-podcasts-viva-house
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Mar 6, 2008 2:07 PM
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I have enjoyed "The Wire" from the beginning and will be sad to see it go. I have wondered why when primetime was looking @ premium shows to recast that "The Wire" didn't come up I do feel it would have been more readily accepted than "Dexter" (which I also have followed and loved from the beginning). To me "Dexter" takes a higher level of tolerance and the subject matter of "The Wire" is closer to what primetime is used to watching. A fact may have been used as a tool to show the downside of drug trafficing and how human the police are and how easy it is to get caught up in lies even if they are for the best of intentions. Primetime probably would have had an easier time of editing the content also. I have not watched "Dexter" on regular TV because I don't want to compare it to the original show.
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Mar 7, 2008 11:53 AM
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First, you're welcome Atkinsyj and Kaw606--it was a pleasure to blog this most excellent of current series, and thank you all for contributing to the discussion here. Winnie/69, I suspect that not only the profound sweep of The Wire made it less a natural for "import" to broadcast (the broadcast nets have had their own problems with often excellent heavily serialized dramatic hours not getting much of an audience response) while the comparitively simple structure of Dexter made it a better bet...but, also, Dexter's on Showtime, CBS's corporate sibling, and has less nudity to censor (if slightly more "strong" language) than The L Word would. MaverickX, thanks for the links...among the many other audio interviews being made available here are the relevant interviews on the Philadelphia-based Fresh Air series on NPR. ArchiTexas, I don't think Clay Davis has much to worry about at this point...you may pronounce his favorite epithet at any length you like, in agreement with that or otherwise. And to all of you who suggest particularly Andre Royo and the series itself, or any given episode of the series deserves Emmys...well, yes, of course. But watch them not get nominated (perhaps in this last season, it will, at least). And while Homicide wasn't as consistently good as The Wire has been, it faced more hassle by far, more network interference, and such...and still managed some episodes, even whole seasons, which compare favorably with nearly everything ever shot for US television.
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Mar 10, 2008 2:27 AM
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