Burrell couldn't stop him. Carcetti couldn't stop him. Daniels couldn't stop him. Pearlman couldn't stop him. Sobotka couldn't stop him. The only man who could, Fucking Prezbo and his fist of steel.
@@ianspeight8313 It wasn't just that. That got it started, but what set Valchek off was Sobotka telling him how pathetic he used to be and how at his core he's just a bully who became a Cop so he could officially bully people. So it's even more petty...it's not about the stainglass, it's about the insult!
He was the rare White guy (alongside Carcetti & Rawls in their own way) who knew how to play politics to & win. Carcetti & Rawls were both smarter but less 'connected'/had worse gut instinct than Valchek.
Most of us will come across a version of Valcheck at some point in our lives. There’s always going to be that person at work who is an asshole that no one likes, has no real friends, and has no real shred of competency but is still successful and still manages to hold on to their position.
He did what he was told. The higher positions are as much of a public office as they are ranks. His last conversation with Rawls is a perfect example. I don’t particularly like his or Rawls’ characters, but they’re both company men for what should be a job predicated on right and wrong.
I feel like this is kind of an underrated interaction. It reiterates how horrible the politics were in season 1, creates consequences no matter how petty the motives and shows that no matter how powerful someone seems to be, the smallest detail may bring them down...God I love this show.
RIP Al Brown and thank you for this wonderful portrayal of Stan Valchek. The Wire rises so far above any other show because of the cast of wonderful actors like Al Brown who made the Wire as real as it gets. Condolences to his family and loved ones.
Burrell realizes because you the Commissioner doesn't diff much from the majors it's all political just a matter of time the deputies or them majors bump you back ,if you dont play your hand correctly
Yeah, in my opinion it's only rivaled by Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones for the number of good characters it has, and it still clearly beats them out.
It's more like the lack of useless and annoying characters that takes too much screentime. Everytime I watch the Sopranos I get annoyed at Carmela or that Psychiatrist taking half the episode screen time or like with Breaking Bad and all weird shit with Skyler and Marie.
The Wire, The Sopranos and GOT (even though it crashed badly in the last two seasons) were such vast worlds, built up over years. I know every time I watch The Wire or The Sopranos I'll find more and more. GOT could have been the same if they didn't screw it up.
I love it. I love how literally the only reason most of the events of season 2 even happened were because of some stuff Valchek Pulled off over some truly dumb bullshit. Noone would have uncovered or even cared about the Sobotka stuff, including getting within sniffing distance of the Greek, without it. I gotta do a rewatch again.
@@evilmidget McNulty would've definitely been sending the murders back to his old unit to spite Rawls, and he was the one that figured out that the air pipe was purposefully crushed, so I think that would've landed. OTOH there would've been no joint detail that folded in the murders to the port investigation, so I think you're right!
Neither are lazy and neither are incompetent - they're both (especially Valchek) smart enough to prioritize politics given the situation as that gets max benefits to them and theirs.
Valchek was a real hero who would even sacrifice his morals to get a resolution to a dozen unidentified murders. Baltimore could sleep better knowing that that man became commissioner.
I love moments like these because they show that even when something positive happens for the main characters it’s really just the incidental result of large unforeseen forces beyond them. The only reason they even pursue Sobotka in the first place is Valcheks petty bullshit
The Wire shows how the system crushes anybody who tries to reform it. The ones who try to do something get fucked; Daniels, McNuddy, and Colvin for trying to actually do something as police, and String, Omar, Randy, Wallace, Proposition Joseph, and, what’s his name? Biddie? Boney? They all get steamrolled for trying to bring some civility to The Game.
I loved that wrinkle, also the fact that the window he provided was so fucking twee. And the longshoremen's was a classy piece of art. The bishop was like "Valchek is going to hate me but I don't have to look at his face every day like I do that fucking window"
@@raulbetancourt5795 is rooted in mentality especially older generation, how the heck he could do that before me,how he had money before me?!! Polish person would understand
Rip. The reason why his character stood out to me was because I had a boss like this. He was a pain in the ass at Times and very strict but he was loyal and honest. These types actually are the ones who are teaching you how not get caught up in corruption. No matter how much they annoy you, you need these types in your corner.
Ironically, if Valchek just stuck with the humps, he might have been able to keep the scope of the case limited to Frank Sobotka. Imagine the likes of Mahone and Polk trying to chase down the Greek.
It's satisfying to see Burrell being the one blackmailed, until I realized that Burrell was right in sending "humps" to Valchek for a dispute over some stained glass windows.
If you watched this clip without further context, it makes Valchek seem like Real Police. Then you watch the show and realise its all just cos he got pissed someone got a stained glass window into the local catholic church before him.
Exactly Valchek was the type of Major who knew who the Commissioner knew and then some more , he checkmated Burrell.. winning pretty is a BIG DIFFERENCE than winning ugly ,,, ugly raises eyebrows of server doubts.
Valchek didn’t have noble reasons at all, but this conversation and strong arming of Burrell lead to Daniels getting out of Evidence Control and McNulty from off the boat. God bless Major Valchek.
Valchek is awesome. One of my favorite characters in the show. People forget too. Sobotka brought this on himself. If the idiot hadn't been so stubborn and just given Valchek the coveted spot for the stained glass window at the church, then none of this would have happened. But he had to stick it to him and show he was a big man of the docks. Not smart to piss on a Police Major's leg.
@@marktaylor6491 I didn't find Levy as obnoxious tbh. He is just a crook and he has his loyalty, he is not malicious like Valchek or Herc. They are both tiny minded hypocrites who are corrupt to the core, and perfect examples of why people say ACAB. Levy isn't as thoroughly developed as a character as they are, we know enough about him to disapprove but not to despise
I wouldn't say Herc was contemptible but lazy and not too clever. Remember when he was messing around with the young slingers on the id computer programme the white officer that carver ended up with he was contemptible (he told Bodie to fuck himself with a 40oz 🤣)
I hated Valchek. He'll cry snitch, rat, foul or anything if he didn't get his way, no matter how petty. Outside of Prezbo busting his lip, he never got his due. He only got rewarded. Goes to show in this hell, there are some people that just have the devils on their side
I am guessing submitting your papers to them makes your retirement from the police department official. So if he didn't send them the papers he isn't officially retried and can take on a new assignment.
Jordan A. Castellanos A hump is a worthless cop. One who accomplished little in his career and does bare minimum to keep his paycheck coming. Departments recognize these types and usually put them in positions where they have the least impact on day to day operations.
Friends, the day has come for us to pour one out for Al Brown. One love.
RIP, this is a fantastic scene!
RIP
RIP but he was whacked by the numbers. Just like every other actor gets murdered in real life when their number is up.
@@judedelphin8542 Take off the tin foil.
Did a wonderful job as Valchek. Rest in peace Al.
The time Valchek almost blew open an international drug smuggling operation and human trafficking ring all over a stained glass window.
And he wasn’t happy because his target wasn’t the target.
Truly the Emperor of pettiness.
Good instincts?
@@darwincity And he made Commish too.
Burrell couldn't stop him.
Carcetti couldn't stop him.
Daniels couldn't stop him.
Pearlman couldn't stop him.
Sobotka couldn't stop him.
The only man who could, Fucking Prezbo and his fist of steel.
That was a cheap sucker punch!
@@tacheovale He let his ass have it
OMFG IM LAUGHING
The only time his power of friendly-fire came in handy.
Surprisingly he didn't accidentally shoot him
Mom: Why do you have a D+ in Algebra?!
Me: Woah woah woah, this ain’t about me! This is about Frank Sobotka!
Hahahaha well played
Ahahahahaha
Fuckin rat fuckers all of them teachers!
Listen here Missy
so-bot-ka
I'm not hearing Frank Sobotka's name in any of this
"Tell me about Frank Sobotaka!!!!
Valcheck was a bulldog who knew whose balls to bite if he needed to. Every Commander in the whole Baltimore Police Force wanted Stan on their side.
True even Rawls never crossed him...
Gentlemen the target is Frank Sobotka, and anyone Frank Sobotka does his dirt with
Kenneth Thompson How did Valcheck have so much sway ??
The only positive was Valchek got the Wire squad back into business.
Seriously, but it was out of self-interest lol. I love Valchek when he got mad everyone listened.
Move it shitbird!
and all for some friggin stained glass windows that were supposed to be a charitable donation
@@ianspeight8313 that's what I'm wrapping my head around something so petty
@@ianspeight8313 It wasn't just that. That got it started, but what set Valchek off was Sobotka telling him how pathetic he used to be and how at his core he's just a bully who became a Cop so he could officially bully people.
So it's even more petty...it's not about the stainglass, it's about the insult!
Valchek was such a snake throughout the series but he handled this like a boss
LMAO!! Valchek was a tough old bird you didn't wanna cross--he'd stick the knife in you ten feet deep!!
@@nyterpfan Teen feet deep, that's putting it lightly!
Fuckin rat fuckers all o ya!!
He had a finger in Burrell's eye!
He was the rare White guy (alongside Carcetti & Rawls in their own way) who knew how to play politics to & win.
Carcetti & Rawls were both smarter but less 'connected'/had worse gut instinct than Valchek.
I love Valchek, completely incompetent and yet incredibly successful for all the wrong reasons - he's a walking oxymoron
I've said this before; he"s the white Clay Davis!
@@davidthomas7897 damn I never thought of it like that
Most of us will come across a version of Valcheck at some point in our lives. There’s always going to be that person at work who is an asshole that no one likes, has no real friends, and has no real shred of competency but is still successful and still manages to hold on to their position.
@@steverogers7601 seriously though. One of the best comments you'll read on a Wire thread.
Incompetent? That dude won The Wire.,
It is a little refreshing to see Burrell being blackmailed for once.
ShadowSonic2 , he gets slapped around as much as Naamond
He did what he was told. The higher positions are as much of a public office as they are ranks. His last conversation with Rawls is a perfect example. I don’t particularly like his or Rawls’ characters, but they’re both company men for what should be a job predicated on right and wrong.
@Robb Dark Yes. Literally almost every single one. There's nothing novel or satisfying about this.
@Robb Dark That's what the job is
@@ApathyBM that’s real
I feel like this is kind of an underrated interaction. It reiterates how horrible the politics were in season 1, creates consequences no matter how petty the motives and shows that no matter how powerful someone seems to be, the smallest detail may bring them down...God I love this show.
Also kinda funny how something good (like the ATeam detail being brought back) happens for a petty political reason
@@HipHopAn0n it all started from those church windows lmao
Yeah, really shows the priorities of everyone. Just don't upset the apple cart, cause you'll get bruised too.
RIP Al Brown and thank you for this wonderful portrayal of Stan Valchek. The Wire rises so far above any other show because of the cast of wonderful actors like Al Brown who made the Wire as real as it gets. Condolences to his family and loved ones.
Am I the only one who finds this so satisfying because of Burrel getting cornered
@Robb Dark exactly. Daniel's, Carcetti, Royce etc the list goes on and on.
Burrell realizes because you the Commissioner doesn't diff much from the majors it's all political just a matter of time the deputies or them majors bump you back ,if you dont play your hand correctly
@@SD4philly liking the thinking of that last line given what we have going on with the Carcettis and the Newsoms of today with Homelessness vs COVID19
Valcheck had Burrell’s #. He knew how to play the game and Burrell knew it.
The snap valchek executes when he turns and walks is priceless 😂
Andrew Ballinghoff He's old enough to be a military man so he knows his game
Valcheck was in his element here.
It's almost hard to believe how many good characters this series has. I mean the count is totally ridiculous compared to any other series.
Yeah, in my opinion it's only rivaled by Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones for the number of good characters it has, and it still clearly beats them out.
Of course, game of throne's good characters steadily dwindled to zero by the end, so maybe I shouldn't include it
It's more like the lack of useless and annoying characters that takes too much screentime. Everytime I watch the Sopranos I get annoyed at Carmela or that Psychiatrist taking half the episode screen time or like with Breaking Bad and all weird shit with Skyler and Marie.
The Wire, The Sopranos and GOT (even though it crashed badly in the last two seasons) were such vast worlds, built up over years. I know every time I watch The Wire or The Sopranos I'll find more and more. GOT could have been the same if they didn't screw it up.
There is a credible theory that the Wire is the best thing ever put on screen, big or small.
Valcheck was a master game player. Formidable opponent even if super petty
“Nah I think we’ll talk about it now”,”I suggest you talk to the man”, don’t fuck with me Irv”. I love Valchek
I love it. I love how literally the only reason most of the events of season 2 even happened were because of some stuff Valchek Pulled off over some truly dumb bullshit. Noone would have uncovered or even cared about the Sobotka stuff, including getting within sniffing distance of the Greek, without it. I gotta do a rewatch again.
Bismarck said that "on tiny hinges turns the door of history". The old German knew a thing or two.
If not for a stained glass window, McNulty's still on a boat, Royce gets another term as mayor, and Avon still runs the West Side.
I think the dead girls in the can would have raised a flag. Mind you, though, not as high a priority as it ended up being
@@evilmidget exactly, that was all valchek's doing
@@evilmidget McNulty would've definitely been sending the murders back to his old unit to spite Rawls, and he was the one that figured out that the air pipe was purposefully crushed, so I think that would've landed. OTOH there would've been no joint detail that folded in the murders to the port investigation, so I think you're right!
This is the most HD looking wire clip ever.
Never mess with a man’s stained glass window
RIP Al Brown, hopefully he's hearing Frank Sobotka's name somewhere in the afterlife.
Whatever else you wanna say about him, Valchek knew how to play.
Valchek is the Walder Frey of The Wire
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Lord Walder enough, enough nigga, let it end. Take me as a hostage, and let that nigga Rob go, please. 😂😂😂😂😂
I'd say hes closer to the Bronn of the Wire.
He just kept winning.
Basically, these are 2 lazy, Incompetent Yes Men. And somehow they both end up being Police Commissioners
Being a shameless and spineless yes man does indeed get your far. Just look at how far Brendan schaub got by being Joe Rogan’s yes man.
Welcome to the real world
Neither are lazy and neither are incompetent - they're both (especially Valchek) smart enough to prioritize politics given the situation as that gets max benefits to them and theirs.
I’m shocked!
In other words, typical cops.. don't forget dumb
Valchek was a real hero who would even sacrifice his morals to get a resolution to a dozen unidentified murders. Baltimore could sleep better knowing that that man became commissioner.
Lmao
That just a great side effect
I love moments like these because they show that even when something positive happens for the main characters it’s really just the incidental result of large unforeseen forces beyond them. The only reason they even pursue Sobotka in the first place is Valcheks petty bullshit
The Wire shows how the system crushes anybody who tries to reform it. The ones who try to do something get fucked; Daniels, McNuddy, and Colvin for trying to actually do something as police, and String, Omar, Randy, Wallace, Proposition Joseph, and, what’s his name? Biddie? Boney? They all get steamrolled for trying to bring some civility to The Game.
Valchek has the best story that's why he's sitting on the Iron Throne at the end. Frank Sobatka must be rolling in his grave...
Valchek went all Old Testament on this. R.I.P. Al Brown!
The wire’s main theme and something my mother has told me since childhood “it’s all about who you know”
Man hbo literally made the best shows ever. This show is easily top 5 ever the whole show is genius
All this fuss valchek makin is bout a Damn window in a church Smmfh💯
As polish person i can tell you they brought that issue very realistic 🙃
He was trying to prove he had the bigger dick.
I loved that wrinkle, also the fact that the window he provided was so fucking twee. And the longshoremen's was a classy piece of art. The bishop was like "Valchek is going to hate me but I don't have to look at his face every day like I do that fucking window"
@@kamiljay2697
What being polish have to do with this?
@@raulbetancourt5795 is rooted in mentality especially older generation, how the heck he could do that before me,how he had money before me?!! Polish person would understand
Rip. The reason why his character stood out to me was because I had a boss like this. He was a pain in the ass at Times and very strict but he was loyal and honest. These types actually are the ones who are teaching you how not get caught up in corruption. No matter how much they annoy you, you need these types in your corner.
You sent me humps!
Ironically, if Valchek just stuck with the humps, he might have been able to keep the scope of the case limited to Frank Sobotka. Imagine the likes of Mahone and Polk trying to chase down the Greek.
"Imagine the likes of Mahone and Polk trying to chase down the Greek."
Hahahaahha!!!!
I like Valchek. He calls it like it is.
I'd like to have him in my corner than be my enemy for sure.
Valcheck has the beadiest eyes in history, theyre barely coming through.
“He’s a hack, but he’s MY hack.” - Carcetti
“DON’T FUCK WITH ME ERV”.
(Spoilers) And with that, Valchek is solely responsible for setting the course in which Stringer gets got, Avon gets caught, and Marlo gets bought.
😯
Like the old song goes..Valcheck knows when to hold ‘em and when to fold em..picks his spots
It's satisfying to see Burrell being the one blackmailed, until I realized that Burrell was right in sending "humps" to Valchek for a dispute over some stained glass windows.
Never thought in a million years I'd be so happy to see policemen join forces again
It’s nice when blacks and whites can work together.
This is more interesting than all the street stuff.
@TMGPREZ
Okay.
All this over a goddamn window
Bro was so obsessed with Frank that he blackmailed his own boss just to get a better unit investigating Frank 😂
That’s different
0:31 - the exact moment Burrell really starts to sweat.
I think this show really opened up to us how policing is really done.
*politics
@@DavZeugme Both policing and politics. It's all real, REAL shady.
If you watched this clip without further context, it makes Valchek seem like Real Police.
Then you watch the show and realise its all just cos he got pissed someone got a stained glass window into the local catholic church before him.
Exactly Valchek was the type of Major who knew who the Commissioner knew and then some more , he checkmated Burrell..
winning pretty is a BIG DIFFERENCE than winning ugly ,,, ugly raises eyebrows of server doubts.
Vile little man. I wish Prez had a better right hook
Irony Daniels owes Valchek. He was out the door.
Valchek didn’t have noble reasons at all, but this conversation and strong arming of Burrell lead to Daniels getting out of Evidence Control and McNulty from off the boat. God bless Major Valchek.
"...or I"m gonna walk in there, and tell Santoni about the time you got drunk at the Christmas party and took your pants off."
"Don't fuck with me Irv!"
Who’s here after his passing
Valchek, the best player on the cop side.
Valchek is awesome. One of my favorite characters in the show. People forget too. Sobotka brought this on himself. If the idiot hadn't been so stubborn and just given Valchek the coveted spot for the stained glass window at the church, then none of this would have happened. But he had to stick it to him and show he was a big man of the docks. Not smart to piss on a Police Major's leg.
DaleRobby rear , It only costs him, his life, his sons freedom and his brothers son's amenity. Plus the Union.
What is your point? I didn't say his his foolish decision didn't cost him dearly, I said he brought it on himself.
Would you make your point, or stop commenting.
You got to watch that scene again. Valchek was the one who could have shown some Respect. He tried to bully aobotka into giving up the spot.
well, he wasnt expecting 13 dead girls in a can
Somewhere in a quiet German village: ....
Valchek: FRANK. SOBOTKA.
Valchek: Frank SaBOTKA
Jackie Jr: My FAWTHA
nice reference
Valchek was a great reoccurring character.
Love "Don't fuck wit' me, Irv."
R.I.P Al Brown
Maaah. Ain't nothing like the wire mahn
Kudos to Al Brown for portraying such a contemptible piece of shit. I saw a clip of him OOC and he seems such a sweet guy.
Stan is secretly the man...
when nerese became mayor, she appointed this clown as poe lease commissioner
She didn't have much of a choice, since she WANTED Daniels but he quit and Valchek was the only ranking officer left.
All over a damn window
I heard that Carv and Herc had Prezbo do a desk pop
0:17 first mention of Tommy Carcetti?
No
Czechoslovakian, that's a type of Polack, right?
Good Yeoman Sopranos quote haha!
He was an interior decorator.
His house looked like shit...
Good Yeoman Where’s the stuff!?!
@@thatpart See what happens when you cross puns and shit?
This guy is commissioner material
This was the one time Valchek's selfishness had some good consequences
loved Valchek
RIP Valchek
Damn son!!
I worked in construction with people like valcheck. His attitude. 😂😂😂
This show is so fuckin good
What about Frank Sabotka?? I’m not hearing his name anywhere.
I love Valchek. He is bad at being a poleaaase but he is great at politics.
I would want Daniels too
Valchek plays the game in his own way yo.
Damn hardcore. Feels like me at a job interview. Eek.
Yo but that quality 😊
That's how you do it!
Valchek made Rawls look like Mr. Rodgers.
"You give food to monkeys and they just throw their shit at each other. " -Paegan Min
Kid, ya made sergeant already!
It’s Baltimore, gentlemen
Valcheck look just like Stitch
Valchek helped to clear more bodies than any other higher ups in his police department and he probably doesn't even realize it lol
It's a tossup between Valchek and Herc for who was the most contemptible character on the whole show.
Not Levy?
@@marktaylor6491 I didn't find Levy as obnoxious tbh. He is just a crook and he has his loyalty, he is not malicious like Valchek or Herc. They are both tiny minded hypocrites who are corrupt to the core, and perfect examples of why people say ACAB. Levy isn't as thoroughly developed as a character as they are, we know enough about him to disapprove but not to despise
Clay Davis for sure. Did he ever tell the truth, ever?
I wouldn't say Herc was contemptible but lazy and not too clever. Remember when he was messing around with the young slingers on the id computer programme the white officer that carver ended up with he was contemptible (he told Bodie to fuck himself with a 40oz 🤣)
It’s herc, Valcheck is right most of the time to be an asshole, tells people how it really is.
I wonder how Valchek got all those “friends” in his pocket
He came from one of the only white majority areas of Baltimore, the politicians there would have backed him for being white alone.
Goes to show you the actor’s skills that my skin crawls whenever I see him on screen. I truly hated his character. (Loved to hate, that is)
im not hearing sobotkas name
But what about FFFRANK, SHHHOBOTKA?! 😂
I hated Valchek. He'll cry snitch, rat, foul or anything if he didn't get his way, no matter how petty. Outside of Prezbo busting his lip, he never got his due. He only got rewarded. Goes to show in this hell, there are some people that just have the devils on their side
Valchek has Assistant Principal energy. lol
'Frank Saabatka' - Valcheck
What did Valchek mean by "humps"? What's a hump?
Jordan A. Castellanos Lazy ass workers. No interest in the job.
memoryhero Also, what is the pension board? What are they responsible for?
Probably how much money Daniels will make after leaving the police force.
I am guessing submitting your papers to them makes your retirement from the police department official. So if he didn't send them the papers he isn't officially retried and can take on a new assignment.
Jordan A. Castellanos A hump is a worthless cop. One who accomplished little in his career and does bare minimum to keep his paycheck coming. Departments recognize these types and usually put them in positions where they have the least impact on day to day operations.