I'll admit this season is a bit weaker than the previous, but it's still of good quality. S4's institutional failure of education makes a callback here with Dukie pondering what he should do in life if he's not good on the corners. The obvious answer is seek education but of course he doesn't realize this because of how the system has failed him and many others. Much like Christopher from The Sopranos, who sought to escape the "regularness of life" through the mob, this idea is applied with Michael. He gains street cred and status, but he is a severely damaged kid than his school counterparts. Another thing, this episode is also really funny, especially the conversation between Scott and McNulty. The near ending shootout with Omar was a bit nerve racking for the fate of Omar, but I'll admit it was shot somewhat poorly. But, the point is spread across that Omar isn't as indestructible as he seems to be. Going up against the Barksdale's "soldiers" with little experience was nothing, but a bunch of trained marksman is a different story. The ending is odd, but we'll see what's it all about in the next episode.
4 Reviews
Never bulls___ a bulls___er!
snoozejonc17 January 2023
The double dealings of McNulty and Templeton inadvertently combine, whilst Herc does his old pals in the Western a good turn.
This for me is a classic episode with very memorable character moments.
It contains one of my favourite scenes of the whole show in McNulty's meeting with the Sun reporters and editors. It is a hilariously written exchange that sums up McNulty's character with one of those "smartest f______ in the room" moments, as he easily catches out another character trying and failing to be as deceptive as him. This is part of the spiralling arc surrounding McNulty and his fake serial killer, which is starting to brilliantly connect to other threads of narrative.
There is also great callback to Herc's infuriating journey to oblivion as a policeman. Events from the previous seasons that led to his dismissal (and the fate of Randy) continue to compile, but here he contributes in a more positive way for the Marlo investigation. This is very clever and ironic writing.
Many other characters have memorable screen time such as Omar, Gus, Carver, Daniels, Lester, Bunk, Jay, Dukie, Nerese, Clay Davis, Bubbs, Walon, Dennis, and many more. There is too much detail to comment on without an essay!
All actors are on top form, but for me the standouts are Dominic West, Clarke Peters, Lance Reddick, and Marlyne Barrett.
As ever the cinematography, editing and visual storytelling are excellent.
I think it's a 9.5/10 for me, but I round upwards.
This for me is a classic episode with very memorable character moments.
It contains one of my favourite scenes of the whole show in McNulty's meeting with the Sun reporters and editors. It is a hilariously written exchange that sums up McNulty's character with one of those "smartest f______ in the room" moments, as he easily catches out another character trying and failing to be as deceptive as him. This is part of the spiralling arc surrounding McNulty and his fake serial killer, which is starting to brilliantly connect to other threads of narrative.
There is also great callback to Herc's infuriating journey to oblivion as a policeman. Events from the previous seasons that led to his dismissal (and the fate of Randy) continue to compile, but here he contributes in a more positive way for the Marlo investigation. This is very clever and ironic writing.
Many other characters have memorable screen time such as Omar, Gus, Carver, Daniels, Lester, Bunk, Jay, Dukie, Nerese, Clay Davis, Bubbs, Walon, Dennis, and many more. There is too much detail to comment on without an essay!
All actors are on top form, but for me the standouts are Dominic West, Clarke Peters, Lance Reddick, and Marlyne Barrett.
As ever the cinematography, editing and visual storytelling are excellent.
I think it's a 9.5/10 for me, but I round upwards.
5x05
formotog28 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Honestly season 5 is kinda hitting a roadblock. It started off fairly strong but as this season's progressed, less and less has happened and it's become more of a drone. Marlo and the Greeks are about the only characters interesting me right now. Even McNulty is caught up on this serial killer arc and I'm just not convinced. The journalism is linking with the main plot but I'm not even bothered really. For once, all of the characters from that thread are either boring or annoying or both. Even the shootout at the end was some of the show's most outlandish writing. I'd like to see a lot more of the street work and the Greeks at the top combining, and we may well see that, but with only 5 episodes left it needs to happen fast
High 6
High 6
Starting to lose its way....
jdjc00126 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Every episode that goes by this serial killer storyline gets more ridiculous, whether it be through its lack of logic (bite marks? Seriously?) or the character assassination of McNulty and particularly Freamon who has historically been the show's most morally upright character. I was originally open to the journalism storyline too however the character of Scott Templeton is utterly pointless and the whole time he's on screen I'm wondering why he bothered becoming a journalist in the first place when he can't even do basic investigative work. Overall the writing is just not at the same standard of subtlety and intelligence anymore; even the gunfight scene with Omar felt like something out of a boring action movie and it was very uncharacteristic of Omar to go in all guns blazing knowing that the Stanfield crew were waiting for his every move. All that being said, I do still find Marlo and his crew interesting and enjoy the presence of other characters like Clay Davis but I hope that we get to some action soon since we are only 5 episodes away from the finale...
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