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Buyer’s Market!! THE WIRE 5.4 Hits HBO!! THE WIRE 5.5 Hits On Demand!!
SPOILER ALERT !!
I am – Hercules!!
What to expect tonight on 5.4 (BEWARE SPOILERS):
* The brutish Colicchio will frighten a teacher.
* Lester will find “the headshot,” and urge a course of action.
* Burrell will brandish a putter.
* Templeton will interview in the land of Woodward.
* McNulty will recruit one of Rawls' many old adversaries.
* Prop Joe will recount Butchie’s history.
* Nerese will read up on Daniels.
* Twigg will give Gus a goodbye present.
* Michael will say no to mom.
* Landsman will suggest Bunk buy a chemistry set.
* Greggs will visit old friends.
* Cheese will cut New Day.
* Rawls will learn what’s on the menu.
* Herc, now working for the other side, will catch up with some former quarries.
* Beadie will find her conversation interrupted.
* Someone we haven’t seen since the Sobotka days will re-emerge.
* Omar will seek an audience.
No Bubbles, no Valchek, no Cutty, No Avon, no Whiting, no Marla, no Royce, no Sergei, no Prez, no Bunny.
5.5, hitting HBO On Demand Monday and HBO Proper next Sunday, is described by the channel thusly:
Episode #55: "React Quotes."
Marlo (Jamie Hector) forges an alliance with a drug connect, who shows him a new communications trick. McNulty's (Dominic West) case gets increased attention from the newspaper, in large part thanks to the addition of Templeton (Tom McCarthy) to the reporting team. Dukie (Jermaine Crawford) turns to Cutty (Chad L. Coleman) and Michael (Tristan Wilds) to hone his self-defense skills; Clay Davis (Isiah Whitlock, Jr.) finds a new ally; Bond (Dion Graham) raises his public profile; Levy (Michael Kostroff) and Herc (Domenick Lombardozzi) prepare for litigation; Elena (Callie Thorne) confronts McNulty about his behavior; Bubbles (Andre Royo) fears new opportunities; Greggs (Sonja Sohn) gets some overtime work. Omar (Michael Kenneth Williams) shows patience as Marlo throws out his bait.
Teleplay by David Mills; story by David Simon & David Mills; directed by Agnieszka Holland.
Ah, the return of Cutty and Elena!
After 5.5., only five episodes left.
Kindly keep spoilers for 5.6 and 5.7 out of talkback.
I warn you not to defy me.
$29.99 For Nine Discs!!
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The Best Superman Stories In Decades!!
Marlo (Jamie Hector) forges an alliance with a drug connect, who shows him a new communications trick. McNulty's (Dominic West) case gets increased attention from the newspaper, in large part thanks to the addition of Templeton (Tom McCarthy) to the reporting team. Dukie (Jermaine Crawford) turns to Cutty (Chad L. Coleman) and Michael (Tristan Wilds) to hone his self-defense skills; Clay Davis (Isiah Whitlock, Jr.) finds a new ally; Bond (Dion Graham) raises his public profile; Levy (Michael Kostroff) and Herc (Domenick Lombardozzi) prepare for litigation; Elena (Callie Thorne) confronts McNulty about his behavior; Bubbles (Andre Royo) fears new opportunities; Greggs (Sonja Sohn) gets some overtime work. Omar (Michael Kenneth Williams) shows patience as Marlo throws out his bait.
Teleplay by David Mills; story by David Simon & David Mills; directed by Agnieszka Holland.
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What?
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Marlo needs to die. And Omar needs to be the one to do it.
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A crazy clown is after us!!
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and I will kibosh again.
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You know, this season so far has been nothing what I expected it to be. So far that has been a good thing. I never expected Marlo to move so quickly. Episode 54 was a complete shocker to say the least! This whole McNulty and Freeman deal has me worried though. We might see more than a few careers down the drain by the looks of things. Something good has to happen right?
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I need to get that Alien Box Set. Alien 3 kicks ass!
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Maaaaaybe a cameo a la Avon, but no actual storylines for them. Damn, Prez's arc from season 1 to season 4 was one of my favorite things about the series.
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Bunny Colvin was the greatest.
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I said this before, but I feel the thread was dead at that point. Episode 5.7 lingers on a close up of Richard Belzer, from Homicide in a bar. It's completely superfluous, and purely just done as a "nod" and in joke to the audience of Homicde that has transferred over. This is awful though. On a show as incredibly real as The Wire, doing an injoke like this takes you OUT of the realism. It would work on something like Arrested Development, but now here. Now, the director WAS Dominic West, so I suppose if anyone had to fuck up, it should be the only guy who's done it once before.
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They both appear in previews for the season. It might just be a cameo for, but they'll both at least be appearing to give their characters the proper goodbye.
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I loved the Munch cameo and the line about him owning a bar Definitely not the worst moment in the show, if there even is one.
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Agreed with Alynch3...also I was listing to an interview with the actor that played Naimond (sp?). He confirmed that he and the Robert Wisdom will be back this season...just to see where they are at in like..kinda of like just checkin in on them...honestly I think there story arc had a nice closure to it..last season..especially Naimonds..so I didnt think we wouldnt see much of them this season anyway. Especially with the rest of the story lines going on.
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What did you mean by Dominic West being the one guy to fuck up before?
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I mean - Callie Thorne made it back in? Last time we saw her she was all "small world" like selling houses to Niko in season 2. Was that "Johnny 50" under the bridge last week?
What's next - exhuming Orlando for some reason?
Everything really is connected ... -
Come clean DK, you've never watched Homicide. Just as real and gripping as the Wire. Both shows share the same creative team and are meant to exist in the same universe. It's not worth any effort trying to argue one is better than the other, they are both great. Ripping a Munch cameo is the same as waving an "I don't get it" flag. It's not a bad thing for you though, it means you have about 100 hours of brilliant television on DVD waiting for you when the Wire ends. Plus, I thing by now it's a contractual obligation that every show on TV has to have a Munch guest appearance. I could have swore I saw him last week on Wonder Pets. Of all the places he's popped up, the Wire is the most appropriate.
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They are going to get caught, and Freamon will toss his career to save McNulty's, but because Freamon is the lead on the Clay Davis case, Clay will walk free.
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That's what makes it ridiculous. Maybe Clark Johnson's Homicide and Wire characters are long lost twins? lol. Anyway, I thought it was pretty stupid and could have been done better...but certainly didn't "ruin" anything...let's not overreact.
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need to be banned
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...I can't believe there are only 3 episodes left. They have a LOT to cover and close in 3 episodes, and I don't know how the hell it can be done. But if any show could cover that much ground and closure in 3 episodes, it's The Wire.
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She actually showed up for one scene last season. Tellin' Jimmy that if she knew he'd turn out to be an adult, she woulda stayed with him. Looks like her first instinct was correct. I'm a big fan of Homicide, but it was not always as realistic as The Wire is. Especially towards the end, but that mostly cuz they based it on Simon's book, and he had much less to do with that show. Still great, though. And Belzer has some record for most appearances as the same character on multiple shows. He appeared on a coupla of quickly-canceled cop shows. Plus, he was even on an X-Files. I think he left SVU this season, though, so I think we can presume he returned to Baltimore afterward?
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So there!
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Jan 27, 2008 2:41:31 PM CST
DAVID SIMON IS ABOUT TO FUCK UP THE ENTIRE SERIES!!!!
by chickengeorgevii
GOD DAMMIT!!! I HAVE WAITED FOR OVER FOUR YEARS, AND SIMON AND COMPANY HAVE STILL NEGLECTED TO FIND VALCHECK'S VAN???????? WHO THE FUCK IS KEEPING CHARGE OF THE STORY LINES?!?!?!?! THEY ARE REALLY DROPPING THE BALL HERE!!!! LAST SEEN IN SYDNEY, AUSTRAILIA, IT'S GOTTA BE IN A CAN SOMEWHERE!!!! OR HAVE THE FUCKIN' DOPEY STEVEDORES LOST IT?????....Although, I will shit my pants if there is at least one shot of someone getting out of a surveillance van covered in Stevedore union stickers....And thus, Sobatka for Union Prez! - - - George, The 7th Chicken!!!!
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As an ignorant Brit The Wire has passed me by, I think it's on a channel over here but it's never caught my attention. But recently I keep being told how mind-bendingly brilliant it is. So, faithfully AICN talbackers, should I invest in 5 seasons of boxsets? Should I? Why?
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Yes. Do it. Immediately. Why? Because your life will never be the same again.
The downside? All other television will forever seem thin and impotent in comparison. -
What I meant by West fucking up is that he directed 5.7, and since it's his first time directing, it's excusable. Don't get me wrong, he has ALWAYS brought top grade performances in every scene. And yeah, I probably over-reacted, and no, the cameo didn't ruin the scene, but for a show that's so real, it's the first time I was taken out of the realism and realize I'm watching a TV show. That's a better explanation of what I meant. Also, the predictions hear about Freamon and Clay are not right. Clay's stuff is addressed much, much sooner. And now that I think about it, the show DOES have a lot to do in three episodes, and I'm just not ready to see it end so soon. And just to add to the Belzer counter, he also appeared in character on Arrested Development.
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I don't really get how people say Omar is the most unrealistic part of the show and whatnot. I mean, there ARE anomalies and weird people in real life. Why wouldn't there be at least ONE stick up guy who decides to give to the poor and whatnot (and also happens to be gay coincidentally)? I imagine in real life there's even weirder people than Omar doing shit like that out there. People like Anton Chigurh in No Country For Old Men and whatnot. The way I figure it, his only unrealistic qualities are he's clever and charismatic, which "gangster" type people are usually too idiotic and self-absorbed to be. And so what is the word on this Homicide show anyway, I mean is it worth watching or what? Because if I start watching something I have to watch it right from the beginning and see the whole damn thing and that's a lot of tv to watch. I don't really like police procedurals except for the wire, and I watch criminal intent sometimes because Detective Goren is awesome.
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You think there are no people like him in the world? He robs and kills drug dealers. He doesn't hurt "civilians." Simple.
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Simon said so at a Q&A I went to a couple years ago.
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Don't be looking for closure. I don't think you're going to get it.
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...that David Simon arrested, and that person got out of jail and is on the show...he plays Butchie's big bald headed friend that helped Omar when he was in jail Season 4.There's a NYTimes article I read on him about his life and recent marriage (that Simon and Dominic West attended) and the girl he married has a bit part as a nurse in an upcoming episode.
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Sorry, I meant that he was arrested by Edward Burns, not Simon. Here's the link to the article: http://tinyurl.com/ywg64o
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Complain about how Omar is the one unrealistic factor in the whole show, maybe not here but elsewhere in internet land. In a way, I guess it's not surprising in this cynical day and age, for a man with a code of honor to be called unrealistic. I have a theory that their minds just can't cope with someone that Badass.
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I don't think that Omar is unrealistic at all. I think there's a tendency to see some characters on this show as being representative of large groups of people - in this instance Omar being the show's representative for some segment of ghetto society comprised of people who rob drug dealers. I doubt that there are a whole lot of Omars out there, and I don't think the creators are implying that there are...but there are certainly a few (like the aforementioned Donnie Andrews).
To me the show's most unrealistic character, by far, was Brother Mouzone. However, his utter awesomeness more than made up for his lack of authenticity, and I pray that he makes an appearance this season. -
I most sincerly hope that Omar fucks Marlo up the ass, HARD, then lets the Greek cut off his fucking face and hands.
Marlo must go. Old Testament-like. Bury that mutha up to his neck, cut off his eyelids, cover him with honey.
First Butchie, now Joe. Marlo's gonna fall. Marlo's GOTTA fall.
I don't know what's worse...all the killin' or the fact that there are only six more episodes left.
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Maybe a little something to calm you down would be a good idea. Take the edge off...
By the way, John Munch is supposed to be loosely based on the REAL Jay Landsman. Also, obviously, the character of Jay Landsman is based on the real man of the same name. For even more fun, the actual Landsman appears on The Wire as someone else. He's the officer with the mustache who's lately been seen working with Carver. Ya know, the guy in uniform who did nothing while the cops were fighting over the busted up car in the first or second episode this year? Apparently, Simon thought a lot of the guy. -
http://youtube.com/watch?v=6iuP87yhbw4
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First, what is funny is that Jay Landsman auditioned for Jay Landsman and was turned down. He is now (IIRC) the Cpt for the Western in the show
Now to Homicide vs. The Wire, Homicide is fantastic and you should watch it, but ... and this is a big but ... it is network TV and not HBO.
Homicide, during its time, was the best show on TV. Back when the best HBO/Showtime could do was Stargate SG-1 and Red Shoe Diaries.
The 1st 2 seasons are the closest to The Wire. As the show progressed it had to make more and more concessions to the Network. As a result when you hit the Luther storyline you see ham-fisted hand of the Network in each and every story. However, it is still worth watching as the acting (for the most part) and the directing are very well done.
Homicide always had low ratings. The problem was the timeslot and NBC's willingness to pre-emet the show for any reason. I used to stay home of Fridays or set the VCR only to find that some sports event had taken Homicide's spot. You never were sure it would be on, even if TV guide said so.
So, perfect 1st few season. Increasingly "Networked" later seasons. The season long story arcs were not the thing back when the show was made, but there are consistent character developments throughout the show.
The show is character driven first and plot driven second. Also, deeply infused with Simon's actual knowledge as a homicide reporter. That sense of realism (granted Network realism) really made the show standout. The crossovers with Law & Order made me interested in L&O (which was the opposite of their intent).Plus the best line of the series:
Detective X: Well, since it has taken us so long the murder probably just left town.
Detective Munch: Not if their from Baltimore. Oh sure, they'll talk about leaving all the time but they'll never go. -
He's got to go. I just have a feelin that he's gonna take Omar with him. I hope not. Great episode. That was a sad sad sad scene with Joe. I do hate Marlo but I must say that Jamie Hector does an amazing job. He's so fuckin subtle. It's gonna be a saaaaad day when this show ends. Best Show Of All Time. No question.
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In Season 4, when he was calling around for Marlo to see who Herc was...and he calls the police station using one voice/alias, the mayor's office using another, and talks to Violent Crimes in a third voice...one after the other. Great scene.
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Keep up the superb work, Time Fucking Warner!!
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I agree with above post, Homicide, in my opinion, was hands down the finest TV ever produced, until I decided The Wire surpassed it by the end of Season 3.
The first two seasons were short (Season 2 only lists four episodes, Season 1 has 9) but powerful. Back then, cop shows were made like Hill Street Blues and NYPD Blue, which put more focus on the characters and how all cases revolved around them. And they always got their man. But Homicide started out with Tim Bayless, the rookie, getting the rotten luck of a major case dropped in his lap as his first case. (A 9 year old girl raped and mutilated.) The crime went unsolved not because they couldn't find the rapist, but because of the mistakes made by Bayless. The last desperate stab at nailing the guy was one of the finest hours ever made for TV, being the interrogation of the rapist in the slim chance he would actually admit it. He didn't, and that haunted the character and the whole unit the rest of the series. (They would refer to it on occasion, even bringing an episode where they tried to pin it on Chris Rock.)
Homicide went the opposite direction of NYPD Blue, which was the hit show. NYPD Blue relied on nudity and foul lanuage to being the edge to it, whereas Homicide used the technique of a police department and city overmatched by the crime it was designed to prevent. They also had to try and keep things to a single episode, but often brought storylines that arced over many episodes, including the haunting drug lord Luther Mahoney (played by Erik Dellums, who would appear on the Wire as the Medical Examiner) Some were critical of his characters death, because of the controversy surrounding it. (I will not spoil it for those who might seek out the DVDs of the show.) Some critics claimed the show crossed the line when it happened.
That is what makes The Wire all the more special - being on HBO, David Simon was not held to limits of sponsors or FCC regulations. It also allowed him the time to work out a storyline to its fullest. But the themes are common, the police are undermanned and overworked. Politics are more important than justice. And race and money matter in how a case is dealt with.
To those who ask "Should I get The Wire on DVD?" YES! and throw in that gorgeous big box set of Homicide too. (And for good measure, add The Corner on the purchase. David Simon's little mini-series he made for HBO before The Wire.)
Both NBC and HBO stood behind Simon over the years for two reasons, he made his shows on a good budget and put quality first. They had many reasons to cancel, but they knew they had a great show, and they did the right thing by it. (The only reason Simon left NBC was because of the network limits. Even NBC helped him get his HBO deal knowing he needed the freedoms given by a pay channel.) Simon has a great thing with HBO. Despite his poor ratings, they still want him on their team, and gave him "Generation Kill" mini-series to prove it. HBO has repeaetly said they want him to stay, and cannot wait for his next idea. NBC has said the same, if he can make something within the network boundaries without a loss in quality.
And thus, I have praised! - - - George, The 7th Chicken!!!! -
One of my favorite TV series of all time, surpassing Angel on my inner list of things that rock. I did a thesis paper on the episode George was talking about: almost the entire show of Baylis and Pembelton trying everything in their arsenal to get a confession. The camera movements alone....fuck, it was beautiful. The cameos by Robin Williams, Lily Tomlin, James Earl Jones. The deaths of Crosetti and Bo. Frank's stroke. The shootings of Bo, Kay and "The Big Guy" Ned Beatty by Steve Busemi. The Rise and Fall of Kellerman. Baylis's struggle to make his life mean something and not finding it. The only thing that felt like a mis-step to me was the casting of Michele Williams and the inculsion of her character, like she was forced in. Otherwise, a tremendous series - and a TV movie to wrap things up too. Perfect.
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Was certainly the best show, until its last season. It did lose some creative steam. Still, it deserved the awards that it got.
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It's on some DirectV channel called "sleuth" or something. And I've got "Homicide" the book reserved at the library.
And the soundtrack LP "...and all the pieces matter." is pretty brilliant. Now all I guess I need to do is get my "Bubbles Depot" shirt from HBO, and my journey to the Dark Side will be complete.
Best Actor on the show....sheeeeyat. They should come up with some kind of ensemble award. Best Show EVER! -
They got it for that episode, the one with the guy squashed between the subway and the platform. The hell is his name...he's on Criminal intent and I think he was Gomer in Full metal....Vincent D'onfrino? Anyway, PBS did an excellent behind the scenes breakdown of the entire ep, from the writer's room to filming. A must see if you have any interest in the tech aspect of a tv show.
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This show can finish it's run anyway it wants. Just as long as Marlo is dead in the end. He's worse than Luther Mahoney on "Homicide" and that's saying a lot.
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Oh yes, oh yes, the Greek is in the house!
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jesus i love this show. i've been looking for homicide on dvd, but haven't found it. is it hard to find? out of print or something?
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What I liked about the Luther story was that, while it took a while to happen, there were eventually consequences to what happened. There was a "big event" episode follow-up, which may have gone a bit over the top at times, but was a heck of a ride.
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To say that Marlo is biting off more than he can chew is an understatement. First Butchie, now Prop Joe. Omar is already gunning for him full blast and I'm guessing Slim will not be too pleased about Joe going down. Here's hoping that Brother Mouzzone somehow gets into the mix.
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has everyone received this on demand? my new eps usually show up right on time, but haven't gotten anything yet.
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It is my fondest desire that HBO has pulled the plug on airing the new episodes a week before broadcast to us non-on-in-demand-types. Having to try to aviod spoilage is getting harder and harder. Hopefully they have realized that a good deal of the viewing audience wants their episodes fresh, and not spoiled by some dickwad fourteen year old.
Well, that's what I hope, anyway. -
Ansai - (sorry your post was awhile back) - I think you're right! And if you notice, McNulty does a strange kinda double take - like he SHOULD know him but never knew him well enough (like Frank or Vondas) that he would stop. Great moment - and great way to 'connect it all' without going over the top or kitschy.
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great ep as usual. omar is fucking batman. (oops, bad phrasing there) i had strong reservations about the serial killer plotline at first, but i'm liking the direction they're taking with it. shoulda known better than to doubt simon an burns. glad to see cutty again, hope it's not just this ep.
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Cuz what Omar did at the end of that episode was totally out of whack for this show.
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we'll just have to wait until next weeks ep to see about that.
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only because we've had 4.5 years of greatness so far but that looked like some pretty weak shit at the end.
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From my HBO newsletter:
Cast members (mentioned above) will be at the HBO store in NYC tomorrow signing the (most excellent) LP featuring five years of music from the Wire "...and all the pieces matter.". It sure would be nice if they do this in Baltimore, too, seeing as how nine tracks feature local Baltimore artists.
HBO...how about it?
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kind of wishing it didn't end the way it did though. Next Monday can't come fast enough.
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People be gettin shot up in Baltimore! Don't you watch the show? :-)
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Then I'm gonna be one strung-out Wire junkie. Ain't nobody got the package that Simon's crew got. These other off-brand networks with their Emmy-winning bullshit just gotta back the fuck up. Where's the real competition at, String? Ain't no one else doing it the West District way! No, indeed.
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That desperate leap out the window may well be my favorite moment so far this season. Im actually a little scared to watch these final 5 episodes, these characters have become a part of my life. Sad, I know, but what the hell else am I gonna watch?
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