"The Wire" Hard Cases (TV Episode 2003) Poster

(TV Series)

(2003)

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7/10
2x04
formotog17 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Good episode. I feel like this will be the one to set everything back in motion. This was more like a set-up for things to come, getting old characters back together and setting up the various plot lines to converge later on in the season. As a result, this episode was quite slow and not much really happened. That dinner table scene was very nicely done though. It's also nice to see the crew from the old detail pretty much reassembled, except of course for McNulty. He'll no doubt find some way to shoehorn himself in

High 7
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8/10
Solid story set up
85122224 October 2023
Greetings from Lithuania.

"Hard Cases",4 th episode of season 2 was an involving and good one. Same qualities and in previous episodes of season 2 - terrific writing, acting and directing. The story is moving forward, and i like this new setting in port. Kinda gives you same perspective on world but in a different place. And also i really like how the whole "gang" of good guys from season 1 is getting together. I highly enjoy these characters and exchanges between them is a pure writing heaven - it hardly gets and sound better then this.

Overall, with just 4 episodes in season 2 i really enjoyed them all.
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9/10
He quits or he drowns
snoozejonc8 April 2022
Bunk, Freamon and Russell establish a presence at the docks and Avon looks to make a deal.

This is a strong episode that nicely sets up certain characters to come into play.

Having previously set the scene cleverly with the conflict between Valchek and Sabotka, the writers use this episode to move established characters centre stage. This is done in a realistic way that does not feel contrived, plus the politics set around it is very interesting to watch.

One of the best scenes in relation to the above is a montage sequence involving two characters and their home lives. It is an entertaining and memorable piece of visual storytelling.

Much like the previous episode the parallels between characters like the Sabotkas and Barksdales continue to work well. Much of their scenes drive the main dramatic elements of the story. Chris Bauer in particular does great work portraying a character with the world on his shoulders.

There are many other plot threads happening that involve a multitude of characters. The dialogue between McNulty and his wife, that links to an earlier scene with Bubs and Johnny, never fails to make me laugh.

The production values are excellent as usual with the camera telling the story along with the dialogue.

For me it's an 8.5/10 but I round upwards.
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quiet before the storm
edantheman1 April 2011
This is the only episode to feature the entire starring cast of the show. It is one full of those happy Wire moments we've all come to know and cherish: Rawls getting a cheeky salute from McNulty after being dumped with fourteen Jane Does; Keema pulling an insolent fratboy off the roof of his car; D'Angelo politely telling Avon to get f*cked; Burrell getting pulled up on his meddling ways in last season's investigation (even if it is by Balichek) and the unit being reunited in their new digs.

These may just be small victories for the good guys, but small victories are the only kind of victories fro the good guys in The Wire. This is the quiet before the storm of Greek tragedy of season two's ending. In the context of the whole show, this is as light as it gets and the few rays of hope mean nothing when the show's over. But for one hour, we laugh and hold them close.
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10/10
A Real Detail
RainDogJr16 May 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Everything began when Wee-Bey began to bee disturbed by Officer Tilghman inside the prison, personal issue, that's why the guy who can play Xbox in prison heard about Tilghman. So the big thing happened, hot shots and then all the reporters asking how the drug enters to the prison and stuff, you now the police need to act immediately. It was just a brilliant move of Avon, now he is going to talk, Avon will killed two birds with one single shoot, Tilghman will be more than f***** and Avon will have his reward. Avon wanted to help D'Angelo with this thing however D'Angelo wanted to be out, he certainly understand how the thing was and he don't want noting more from his uncle. This episode marks the first appearance of Bubbles and his pal Johnny in Season 2, what's going on with them? Just the usual, the usual thefts and stuff and is time for McNulty to find Omar, Bird's trial is near, Bubbles and Johnny now must find Omar. Also, Daniels and Rawls mention McNulty since during this hour is when the real detail ordered by Stan Valchek is conformed. Pretty much Burrell did to Valchek the same that he did to Daniels, during Season 1, you know the worst people were call for the detail but Valchek is not Daniels, Valchek can have from Burrell what he wants and if Valchek asks for Daniels then Burrell will have to offer Daniels a promotion and give him what he ask for. If by the end of the day Valchek is happy then Daniels succeeded, in other words if Frank Sobotka can be charged then Daniels will have the promotion and the detail will be permanent for major cases. The talk between Daniels and Burrell is sort of satisfying but I say sort of because after all everything is for the good of Burrell, he is doing whatever he need to do to be the new police commissioner, Daniels knows that, knows that Valchek asked for him but yes is satisfying because taking the opportunity and there will be fine people working on Frank Sobotka and again everything began just because Valchek couldn't have his window in the place of the church he was looking for, just because Valchek wants to f*** Frank Sobotka but well Frank Sobotka is dirty, he has his reasons certainly, at one point he will be like "I thought I was doing wrong for the right reasons", he wants the best for the union, more work. In this episode Frank makes Nick know that he knows about the stolen cameras, Frank is of course very upset, is a great very first scene:

Frank: "you know the Tasco line's a count hair away from taking their business down to Norfolk, I don't need this s*** right no".

Nick: "I do, I need the money…you think this s*** is easy? You try living on five or six days a month, see how fast it puts you on your ass".

Frank: "you need money, you come to me". Nick: "no doubt, his pockets are full".

Frank: "you think it's for me? It ain't about me". Nick: "I know, I'm sorry". Here is also both Nick and Ziggy with the chance of a new business, no more things like cameras though
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