Grid Effect

Mixed reactions to this episode. Everyone seemed to enjoy it sans the Omar leap, and since that was the second to last scene of the episode it has dominated all conversation about the episode. Whereas the McNyulty-Templeton standoff was really the highlight of the episode. But I do agree, as I’ve stated numerous times about the journalism angle, that there just isn’t as many shaded of gray in the newsroom as there is/was in city hall, the schools, the street, the BPD or the docks. For whatever reason, be it time contstraints combined with an exceptionally large ensemble cast, a vindictive David Simon, lazy writing or our ridiculously high expectations, the journalists simply aren’t capturing the hearts and minds like our other corrupt and immoral institutions.

Anyhow, it is still The Wire, and there was plenty to enjoy about this episode. Even as great as what are quite possibly the last two episodes of FNL were, they still don’t effect me like even the worst episode of The Wire.

Where to begin? Ah, the newest form of criminal communication. This has to be the biggest use of a cell phone in a drama since The Departed. The cold open was a little more plot heavy than usual (again: time constraints), but it gave us Vondas for a few minutes, whose patient but seemed to grow tired of Marlo’s dimness much like Prop Joe did. Anyhow, we’re without a clue as to how messages are being transmitted. Lester’s befuddled reaction is just more setbacks to an already far-fetched plan. The worst possible outcome for this story is that they pull off the ruse to no avail, and Marlo walks free. Sadly, it seems that’s the route we’re taking.

The intended target has his own concerns. Namely, putting an end to the reign of terror on drug dealers known as Omar Little. And again, sadly, it seems Omar could be in over his head. We’ve never seen him cornered like he was before, and explains in part why he leaped to what one would think is his untimely (or overdue) demise. We wonder if Omar had been put in similar situations what he would have done. Transported? Time traveled? Ran through walls? We don’t really understand why they had Monk’s fake apartment five floors from the ground if they planned on having Omar jump off of it (why not just put it on the first or second floor?). We kid, but we’re going to withhold judgment until we are privy to the aftermath (we are, but we’re pretending like we’re not).

Also, the entire humanizing Marlo and Chris thing is really unsettling. Its been two seasons of me despising the little sociopathic creeps with little reflection, I really do not want to have to adapt now, with only five episodes left in the series. Seeing Chris with his family then Marlo smiling and discussing victory trips to AC is just too much. This guy has been obsessed with wearing the crown with little concern for not only anyones well-being, but also his own enjoyment. Because that’s how Marlo got his kicks, pillaging and murdering. The notion of him sitting at a roulette table yucking it up with the other patrons is something I really can’t fathom. Though we are aware of his affinity for gambling. That is, after all, how this entire Omar debacle jumped off.

It’s also intriguing to see Marlo and Chris’ diverging perspectives on the entire Omar thing. Marlo knows he won’t be the first targeted, so he’s much more aggressive. Meanwhile Chris has to do all the grunt work. Their exchange walking to the car from Chris’ family was probably the most contentious exchange they’ve had:

Marlo: How long you tell your peoples you’ll be gone?
Chris: Couple weeks.
Marlo: Shouldn’t take more than that.
Chris: Better not.

Remember how Stringer and Avon fell? Yeah, they were both conspiring to get rid of one another over what direction to take their empire. Its not entirely impossible that Omar dispatches Marlo and Chris in the same manner he did Stringer and Avon, but I’m not optimistic. Marlo and Chris haven’t reached the point of laundering money like that (though the wheels are in motion) and neither of them seem to aspire to reach the heights like Stringer did. They seemed more enamored with the power than the material reward that comes along with running the drug trade. At its core, these motivations are responsible for why everyone hates them infinitely more than the Barksdale crew.

While we are all a bit disengaged with the newsroom addition, just hearing Joseph Stewart (Prop Joe) and Nathaniel Manns (Hungry Mann) name-dropped is a worthwhile scene. Really adds to the efficacy of the “It’s all connected” moniker. Now that they actually have a story, and are given scenes that directly interact with the series at large, we find this faction of the series entirely redeemable. Watching McNulty dissect Templeton’s story, then play that newsroom for Lester’s wire is something so nuanced, so pitch-perfect and so rooted in the characterization of McNulty, that we are glad that The Sun was there to stand in and let our anti-hero pull off one of the better scenes in the series’ history. And we fully stand by that claim. If not for the comedic effect, then for the dramatic. There is so much at stake for everyone now.

Even for our political leaders. And you have to hand it to Carcetti. Despite his twisted priorities, at least he still picks the correct political battles. Honestly, if you’re ever going to pick a politician to wage a petty window dressing battle against, at least he’s doing it against Clay Davis. Someone so corrupt he doesn’t even feel the least bit of guilt to his many misdeeds. We imagine the serial killer thread will somehow keep Davis in office, unscathed.

The wicked witch of Calvert St. beats some sense in to her cohort.

On the other end, Daniels struggling with the bureaucracy could reach a boiling point. Ever since his scathing, “So one thievin’ politician trumps twenty-two dead bodies, good to know” from this season premiere, he has appeared at his wits end. Clearly he already is with his snapping at Lester’s berating him. While he is in the right and it is understandable, it is completely out of character for his usually collected posturing. Typically, he’s able to bite his tongue or at least maintain his composure, but that isn’t possible now. Shit, he was even getting snippy to Carcetti.

Completely unrelated, what’s happening to Dukie is probably the embodiment of tragedy. We actually believe he would operate well as a kingpin, but is incapable of taking the necessary steps to get there. Either way, he has no real interest in it, but feels compelled to adapt for mere survival. At about fifteen, we can’t think of anything more disheartening. Cutty’s talk with him was probably the most memorable scene from this series in a historical sense. It couldn’t have been more poignant and sorrowful, on both sides. Cutty strikes me as someone going to his grave with a mountain of regret and Dukie is soul-searching like Bubbles. What’s really depressing about Dukie, is everyone recognizes how much he is capable of, but he doesn’t have an appropriate outlet to harness his strengths, and no one has any answers for him. Do not interpret this as a spoiler, because it is pure speculation, but we assume he’ll be using before the end of the season.

Other notes:
-If nothing else, McNulty is going to at least lose Beadie, the lecture from Sheila also humanized her and made us see her in a different light. In the first couple of seasons she was essentially a one note inconvenience to our flawed protagonist. Also, the band Dead Meadow that Mike referenced, is David Simon’s nephew’s band.

-Our favorite peripheral newsroom character has to be Zorsi. His short temper with Rhonda (”not to be all petulant on her your special day and all”) and with Gus and some other editor (”How do you expect me to write this thing with your fucking fingers in my eyes?”) had us in stitches.

-It’s nice to have the ultra smarmy Levy back in the fold, especially if it entails Herc’s moral flexibility actually working for the objective side of good. We hope Carver or Lester is given the opportunity to remind Marlo about that camera, but for whatever reason that moment of triumph will probably never happen.

-Loved McNulty’s, “we’ll see how it goes” with his fake killers maturing after Templeton inquires about cannabilism.
Also, “Not at home, I imagine”.

-How the fuck does Landsman not break that god damn office chair? He was on some Fox News show called “Red Eye” obviously on late night.

-Sssshhhhhhheeeeeeiiiiiiiiiittttt. Glad to see the increased absurdity of this season is reflected in Clay Davis’ catch phrase.

-”Is this the high hat? Ya’ll still doin the carra aut? I want some of that pepper steak.”

-Bubbles absolutely has to stay clean, were not going to be able to stomach watching him recross those tracks. This seems like survivors guilt in the same vein as Tommy Gavin.

-I get the impression Nathan Levi Boston is going to play a contributing role in all of this some how.

You know, we complain about this episode, but look at all the material available for debate and conversation. That alone speaks to the strength of the series. Several have mentioned that this season is much more frantic and overly occupied than others. While I would agree, its not necessarily a bad thing. We are familiar enough with all the characters, a surplus of exposition and explanation doesn’t feel necessary. Not that any of the previous seasons were spent wasting time or hammering home obvious points, but with two or three fewer episodes, its not entirely surprising anything this season feels abrupt.

Enjoy tonight’s episode, while we referred to this episode as a “doozy” (in a rushed, hungover stupor), we’ll just call tonight’s episode fucking chilling.