We knew it was coming. Just didn’t know it was this episode, or that it would be so sudden. We actually tricked ourselves into believing that Omar would die in some gunfight. That was too easy, and this show’s never been particularly easy. We dont’ get something just because we expect it. And I’ll tell ya–it took some pride swallowing to be able to write Omar’s death in such an understated fashion. There’s your greatest creation, David Simon, and you just dropped him off the face of the earth like everybody else. Not everybody could do that.
Also, it showed Simon’s ability to wrap things up quickly without feeling rushed, which bodes well for what appears to be myriad things that must be resolved by the end of the series. I have greater faith now than ever that everything important will be tied up. It’s just going to take a clinically precise piece of writing to pull it off.
1. It had to happen like that. Look, Omar had exceeded his life expectancy in a way no character on The Wire ever had. People die when they’re supposed to on here. Omar, by and large, had been incredibly lucky. He had to get it in an unexpected way because that’s how cats like him die. He was never invincible Just incredible. And incredible was good enough for him to be one of the greatest creations in television history. The Wire has made a lot of people love a murderous homosexual black man. Yes, David Simon, you are a genius.
2. How do I feel about Kenard now? I no longer feel bad for enjoying him getting his ass kicked in Season 4. He’s on my “on fire” list. As in, people I wish would die by catching on fire. He killed Omar. But, I’ll be damned if he didn’t play that part to death.
3. Poot! I miss Poot. In Marlo’s camp, none of the hoppers are any fun. Straight Semper Fi. But Poot telling Dukie to bang some more and them come back…damn. What can a kid do in that situation? I got a bad feeling about what that thing is.
4. Remember…when Bubbles came up with the hot shot plan, he was in a horse stable. And where did this cat tell Duke he was? The stables. Ruh roh.
5. McNulty’s cooked. Someone hit him with something he should have, but never did, consider. Somebody would figure out that something was up. Didn’t have to know what was up. Just had to figure it was something, and he’d be at his mercy. Not looking good, Jimmy. But you’re oh so close because…
6. …Sydnor cracked the code. It’s on. But how?
7. Classic humor. The cops playing with the GPS? That’s so damn funny. Plus, the thought of a cop hemming someone up in a Kia Sephia. Kinda lacks the majesty of the Crown Vic, dig?
8. I hate Carcetti. Bastard.
9. Back to Omar. It was time for him to go. He was so old and weary. He was almost like Willy Loman, at the point in his life where he didn’t have anyone left. The game had taken everyone from him that ever really had his back (save for his grandmother). He was fighting on principle in a battle based on the bottom line. There was nothing left for him to do because there was nothing else he could do. He made his point. And when that was done, he had nothing else. He had all that money, but it was never about that with Omar. I’m not sad he died. There was nothing left to live for.
10. Where to go for Mike? They’re really tired of his lip, Chris and Snoop. But it’s really just Snoop, and her jealousy has always been apparent.
11. Chris is set to turn. See that look on his face when Marlo said they were due some time in Atlantic City, as if Marlo had anything to sweat? Great moment of subtlety.
12. The description of the serial killer. Kinda saw that one coming, but still great.
13. Lester’s a G. How else do you shake down a shakedown artist?
14. One thing for McNulty. You can’t say his plan didn’t work. This is Hamsterdam redux. Which means he’s going to really get it in a bad way. Assuming he doesn’t give it to himself.
15. Gus, you’re up next. Open act of defiance. Not a good sign for your future on The Wire. Which means Templeton’s gonna win out.
(BTW, I’ve never been like that about edits. I’m starting to wonder if, at times, I should have been. Always felt like the only thing that truly mattered was the essential point. But that was just me. Was.)
16. The bag scene at the end was perfect. Omar will live on in perpetuity, but under the radar of the mainstream. He is a street legend, from here on out.