Yeah, I’m late. Been busy times here at the Palatial Bomaniland Estate. Plus, you know what’s going on tonight.
Anyway, Episode 55 was interesting on a number of levels. First, the ending screamed out that this must be a set-up episode, which is a frustrating phenomenon of The Wire. Since the show has basically abandoned the notion that episodic television requires some measure of resolution at the end of each show, we occasionally get episodes that can feel a tad unsatisfying. I don’t really go through that, though, because I get that it’s the set-up. Just gotta be a bit more patient. That said, let’s get into 55.
1. The Greeks confused me. I didn’t get the feeling that they gave Marlo the green light to take Joe out, and their meeting with Marlo didn’t give me that feeling, either. However, their willingness to deal with him seemed uncharacteristic of their cautious ways. They gotta know this dude is trouble.
2. Chris has a family! Now, Chris has become interesting to me. That angel of death thing didn’t do a lot for me, honestly. It was creepy, but not fascinating. Now, that he can be like that, have a family and a yard and all of that, and be the victim of abuse? Now that’s something that gets me to thinking.
3. Poor Dukie. He’s got 8-year old’s testing him. AT least he handled the little dude. That said, Duke vs. Spider–formerly Cutty’s prize pupil–was quite a mismatch. Not even sure why Spider bothered throwing more than the one-hitter-quitter. Further, the kid that plays Spider does have nice hands. He looked like he was on some “Enter the Dragon” when Dukie was going down.
4. Mike’s really nice with a pistol. He scares me. But I find it so interesting how encouraging he is of Dukie, even though the kid’s so overwhelmed. He never plays him for not being cut out for the street. Only encourages him that he can do other things. That’s beautiful.
5. Marlo on a cell phone? Recipe for disaster, and Levy knows it. But you know what’s even more of a recipe?
6. Herc stole Marlo’s cell number! Yep, go ahead and initial that death certificate, kid.
7. Omar in the car with the old man is so interesting. Listening to oldies and staking out a house. The scene when the old man sings the wrong words on “Just My Imagination” is brilliant.
8. The scene with Lester and Daniels in the office arguing about moving the case is some of the greatest stuff in the history of the show. The frustration on Daniels face. The look of understanding on Lester’s. Great stuff.
9. As was Cutty and Dukie. How heartbreaking was it for Cutty to say he wishes he had more than goodwill to someone that wants to get out of the hood?
10. Not working well for McNulty’s serial killer. Guess it’ll get better for him, but this ain’t enough to get the dough. That’s gotta suck.
11. Noreese is gangster. Put ol’ Clay in check. For real.
12. You know what sucks? Bubbles was happier as a dope fiend. Not sure what to say about that.
13. Break out the kente cloth! Cuz Clay’s about to take it there. Watch.
14. And the scene with Mayor Preach? I love the hustle.
15. Omar is a superhero. Really, out the window? Marlo outsmarted him, and all he could do was go out of the window. That actually was plausible. But he better be really messed up on the back end. Ain’t no surviving that, in general. But man, Omar doesn’t have anyone left now. He’s totally rolling for dolo, and he’s gotta be crippled. How can he keep this stuff up with no crew and no legs? Simon’s got a tall order, trying to make sense of this. If he doesn’t, this is just another TV show.