This. It is truly rare for a TV show to have as many fascinating characters as The Wire does with a cast so large and proceeds to grow larger as the story continues. It gets to the point where you can't really go wrong with whoever ends up being your top picks. Mines have changed throughout the years quite a lot but from this first season Omar, D'Angelo, McNulty, Bodie and Lester are in my personal top 10 with Bodie being my overall favorite in the entire series.
Excellent reaction series, hope you keep it up. I'll always repeat this point like a broken record, but... my two absolute favorite subtle, understated, and thankless moments/threads this season that come to a head in beautiful monologues in this episode are (a) how they handled the "Daniels is Dirty" thread, and (b) how they handled the "Dierdre Kresson" thread. Two things that any other show would have planted for more superficial payoff. But no, with The Wire-- "Daniels is Dirty" simply culminates in a powerful teaching moment to Carver about how anyone can get caught up in the influences/pressures around them (something that you continue to see throughout the show when you look at superiors and subordinates), while "Diedre Kresson" exists to illustrate how D'Angelo could only front a tough guy act in a world that he never belonged in. It's no big melodramatic swing or twist or dumb cliff-hanger for the sake of engagement-- instead, it's just perfect resonance.
23:00 He's not trying to stay clean, he's already relapsed. He hesitated on keeping the money because he knew he was gonna spend it on dope, not the apartment like he said.
Am so glad u both admitted love for the character of Omar. Every time he turns up in the story it is a treat, and this ending was no exception. Season 2 will be a change but hang in there this story overall is very detailed and so well done.
Totally agree with you that Omar's "all in the game" was a great ending, it sums up the whole season pretty well. Thank you for the reactions, it's been a nice rewatch and you always have interesting commentary. I'm sure you'll like S2 as well!
Season 2 really turns the quality up a few notches and you're going to love it. Only those who dont know what they're talking about won't tell you season 2 is possibly the pinnacle of TV writing. Personally think it's a masterpiece of plotting, storyline and character development.
Thanks so much - I really enjoyed this reaction! I agree with others, the characters are so well written. If I had to pick my top 3 from this season - it’s Bubs, Omar, and D’Angelo. Looking forward to watching season two with you! ❤
I agree about Rawls probably wanting to make the city a better place when he took the job... except by the time he got to that place, he had probably already sold out. Daniels became a lieutenant by playing politics, but his career got derailed now because he decided to do police work. Carver got promoted by going behind Daniels' back. At some point Rawls was probably a good cop, but I bet he sold out long before he became major. I know some people speculate that his hatred for McNulty is because he reminds him of the detective he could have been if he had tried to do right instead of doing what would get him promoted.
Enjoyed watching S1 w you guys! Looking forward to your S2 vids...it's one of my favorite seasons. Question though...you mention how Rawls is a great character which I agree he is. But aren't all the characters in the show great characters? My point being Rawls is not likeable but you can see he has a story which makes him a good character. But doesn't the show do that for ALL the characters incl those on the other side of the law?
Absolutely. Really, Omar might be the most compelling character on the show. Rawls is a guy designed to be hated, and we do. But it's just so fascinating that he is equally a product of a very broken system.
I don't think it's too much a spoiler to mention that Isiah Whitlock's best moments are yet to come! Anyway, it's been excellent watching you watch the show and I can't wait to see your reactions to the later seasons.
In your wrap-up conversation, you came dangerously close to denying the agency of the poor. Yes, kids born into poverty are often placed into extremely difficult situations where there are few good choices but people can and do work themselves out of poverty without committing crimes or doing wrong to others. Greatly looking forward to your reactions to season two. It and season four are my favourite seasons of this amazing show.
I hear you, but “the poor” do have less agency because they have less power - because of systems and institutions. It’s a (maybe the) theme of the show. For me, acknowledging context doesn’t disempower actors - it means that one can think of, say, policy responses that address the system.
People can and do, yes! The Wire acknowledges this. But these are the exceptions, not the rule. And that same rule transcends economic status. People rarely change in general.
Season 2, please! I’m loving re-seeing this with you guys.
cant wait for your s2 reactions. wasnt my favorite on first watch when i way younger but really, really grew on me on rewatches
It’s hard to pick a favorite character. All of them are written so well.
This. It is truly rare for a TV show to have as many fascinating characters as The Wire does with a cast so large and proceeds to grow larger as the story continues. It gets to the point where you can't really go wrong with whoever ends up being your top picks. Mines have changed throughout the years quite a lot but from this first season Omar, D'Angelo, McNulty, Bodie and Lester are in my personal top 10 with Bodie being my overall favorite in the entire series.
But it's Omar.
Excellent reaction series, hope you keep it up.
I'll always repeat this point like a broken record, but... my two absolute favorite subtle, understated, and thankless moments/threads this season that come to a head in beautiful monologues in this episode are (a) how they handled the "Daniels is Dirty" thread, and (b) how they handled the "Dierdre Kresson" thread.
Two things that any other show would have planted for more superficial payoff. But no, with The Wire-- "Daniels is Dirty" simply culminates in a powerful teaching moment to Carver about how anyone can get caught up in the influences/pressures around them (something that you continue to see throughout the show when you look at superiors and subordinates), while "Diedre Kresson" exists to illustrate how D'Angelo could only front a tough guy act in a world that he never belonged in.
It's no big melodramatic swing or twist or dumb cliff-hanger for the sake of engagement-- instead, it's just perfect resonance.
My interpretation of the Dierdra thing is that D felt a little threatened or e emasculated by Bodie and had to lie to one up him.
I think you're right. He was gassing himself up.
23:00 He's not trying to stay clean, he's already relapsed. He hesitated on keeping the money because he knew he was gonna spend it on dope, not the apartment like he said.
Am so glad u both admitted love for the character of Omar. Every time he turns up in the story it is a treat, and this ending was no exception. Season 2 will be a change but hang in there this story overall is very detailed and so well done.
Totally agree with you that Omar's "all in the game" was a great ending, it sums up the whole season pretty well. Thank you for the reactions, it's been a nice rewatch and you always have interesting commentary. I'm sure you'll like S2 as well!
My only complaint about that scene is that it feels like it breaks the fourth wall just a little, with Omar hamming it up for the camera.
Season 2 really turns the quality up a few notches and you're going to love it. Only those who dont know what they're talking about won't tell you season 2 is possibly the pinnacle of TV writing. Personally think it's a masterpiece of plotting, storyline and character development.
Two is the most subtle, intricate season of the show.
Can’t wait to finish this show with you guys, season 2 is a little different but still good
Love your reactions to this show! Thanks!
Thanks so much - I really enjoyed this reaction! I agree with others, the characters are so well written. If I had to pick my top 3 from this season - it’s Bubs, Omar, and D’Angelo. Looking forward to watching season two with you! ❤
Thank you for watching with us!
I agree about Rawls probably wanting to make the city a better place when he took the job... except by the time he got to that place, he had probably already sold out. Daniels became a lieutenant by playing politics, but his career got derailed now because he decided to do police work. Carver got promoted by going behind Daniels' back. At some point Rawls was probably a good cop, but I bet he sold out long before he became major. I know some people speculate that his hatred for McNulty is because he reminds him of the detective he could have been if he had tried to do right instead of doing what would get him promoted.
Enjoyed watching S1 w you guys! Looking forward to your S2 vids...it's one of my favorite seasons.
Question though...you mention how Rawls is a great character which I agree he is. But aren't all the characters in the show great characters?
My point being Rawls is not likeable but you can see he has a story which makes him a good character. But doesn't the show do that for ALL the characters incl those on the other side of the law?
Absolutely. Really, Omar might be the most compelling character on the show. Rawls is a guy designed to be hated, and we do. But it's just so fascinating that he is equally a product of a very broken system.
The real life Jay Landsman is actualy playing a cop in further seasons. And of course, he's an ex cop from Baltimore
The funniest thing is he auditioned for the role of himself and didn't get it.
I don't think it's too much a spoiler to mention that Isiah Whitlock's best moments are yet to come! Anyway, it's been excellent watching you watch the show and I can't wait to see your reactions to the later seasons.
Great finale
I got really worried when you didn't say "Joe" and "Kevin" at the beginning. Phew.
You'll get plenty of Clay Davies don't worry
Sheeeeeeeeeeeeee
YAY!!!!
In your wrap-up conversation, you came dangerously close to denying the agency of the poor. Yes, kids born into poverty are often placed into extremely difficult situations where there are few good choices but people can and do work themselves out of poverty without committing crimes or doing wrong to others.
Greatly looking forward to your reactions to season two. It and season four are my favourite seasons of this amazing show.
I hear you, but “the poor” do have less agency because they have less power - because of systems and institutions. It’s a (maybe the) theme of the show.
For me, acknowledging context doesn’t disempower actors - it means that one can think of, say, policy responses that address the system.
People can and do, yes! The Wire acknowledges this. But these are the exceptions, not the rule. And that same rule transcends economic status. People rarely change in general.