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The Wire: A Fond Farewell
I must say, I was entertained, impressed, riveted, satisfied ... but not quite blown away by the finale. This final season had the misfortune of following Season Four - one of the finest television seasons of all time - and it suffered somewhat in comparison. The "homeless serial killer" arc this year would have been considered classic on any other show -- it's a testament to the program's brilliance that it felt like small potatoes here. The stakes just seemed a bit smaller this time out, the storytelling a bit more crude.
Prime example -- that scene a few episodes back where the investigator points out qualities of the "serial killer" and they all match McNulty's profile exactly? Sharp, funny, memorable, surprising scene...but kinda unbelievable, no? How did they get such specifics? The scene existed more as "check this out" writing than anything relating to the real world. (Admittedly, I'd heap praise upon such a scene were it part of any other show. I hold The Wire to a higher standard.)
That being said, most writers would cut off a finger to possess the skill required to pen the series' worst episode. And for the record -- there were no bad episodes of The Wire. Zero. Not one. Even The Sopranos can't say that. (I'm looking at you, "Christopher!")
The Wire is a towering achievement, and it has more than earned a spot among television's all-time best dramas. Certainly one of the finest pop culture works of my lifetime.
R.I.P.
Thoughts? Reflections? Arguments?
By the way, thanks so much to everyone for your kind words on my new job.
Made me feel even better than I already do!
***SPOILERS***
Have you seen this blog about the wire? Great:
I thought it was great. Dookie becoming Bubbles, Michael becoming Omar,
Sydnor becoming McNulty, etc. awesome stuff. Also, I was under the
impression that psychological profiles, like the one at the FBI, can and do
get that detailed off of just a couple dead bodies. I will let you know for
sure though if I ever head up the FBI.
Hey, speak of the devil! Omar on the A.V. Club! Check 'er out:
I just started it the other week--watched the first 3 episodes. Hooked!
Maybe I already stated how cool it is to watch this veritable continuation
of HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET, which I own and of which I have seen every
last episode (including the LAW & ORDER crossovers and the made-for-TV
feature-length finale). Since that earlier series was the best television
show of the 1990s, perhaps it's only fitting that some consider THE WIRE to
be the best of the 2000s (so far).
I watched the Wire Finale and was not blown away either but only after
sitting and taking it in after did I fully appreciate it. The whole thing
is very subtle. Nothing crazy happens. There's no sad shocking death and
the good guys (McNulty and Freemon) dont end up rotting in prison as they
certainly could have. At the same time we are left with Carcetti, Norice,
and Valcheck in the major gov't positions. There is no chance that any of
them have any interest in changing any of the problems the Wire has shown
over the last 5 years and the newspaper will certainly not be pointing this
out to Baltimore residents. The institutions have protected themselves as
they always do. The big lie will continue. Also for any fans out there,
David Simon gave an interview saying that to understand the Wire you just
have to watch "Paths of Glory." It's an early Kubrick movie and its
excellent.
Oooh, I read that interview, too. It was pretty insightful. I wish we'd
been able to see Gus blow his stack a little more than he did. He was only
there for one season, but is definitely one of my favorite characters.
Pat, I think they hit the ball out of the park. The final season may have
felt lighter than the rest, but it worked for me as victory lap after the
four masterpieces that preceded it.
<troll>
I have really mixed feelings about the finale. Mostly, I think I'm just sad
/ angry that it's over. But this last season just wasn't doing it for me,
especially in comparison to seasons 3 + 4. I really hated the newspaper /
serial killer plotline, and it was too much to expect for all the
characters to be wrapped up in a satisfying way, but at least they tried.
I watched a few episodes on BET - seemed OK. I will throw it in the Netflix
queue and give it a fair shake.