What really made Season 5 for me was Gus and the newsroom in general. Nothing like unrelenting brutal, realism. When the big bust happen since the wire to wasnt legal I figured Marlo was going free. I am glad you landed Naymond softly but Randy getting beat down again in the group home then showing up for a second in season 5 STILL in a group home- couldnt Carver have at least followed through on ONE good intention and taken him out of that system?! the Los Angeles Police Department? Robson Green thinks a US remake of his noughties ITV series Wire in the Blood could be "brilliant". There are multiple scantily clad young women who get brutally murdered. I couldnt believe the level of writing and literary presence of this show. I was only introduced to this show in 2014 by a friend in college at Washington State University that let me borrow is DVDs one season at a time, and I bought the DVD box set shortly thereafter. Summary: Tony is put under police protection when the area mental health commissioner is brutally murdered. Thank you so much for making The Wire, it ruined every other tv show. Thanks for the reply. S5 ran him off a cliff. Peace, yo. Echoes and Layers: Tony Lazlo Looks Back at The Wire CC2K, Why The Wire Should Be Must-See TV for Baltimore Pundits | Variety, All the pieces matter: analysis, essays, and anything else on The Wire | ReadJack.com. Season 2 was the bravest thing ever seen on TV. You let Bubbles live. But the rest of you blessed, scribbling souls? Outside the Wire has arrived on Netflix, and the streamers latest sci-fi military thriller ends with a bit of a bang, to say the least. But what can you do? It's like watching a big budget film on TV. First off, really fantastic article. I absolutely love The Wire so I mean no disrespect when I say this (arent prefaces like that always inevitably followed by something kinda shitty and disrespectful?) Caught the wire over a year ago & Ive watched it 3 times through since then. Anyway, remember that Colvins 14% were clean numbers (he didnt juke the stats) so 14% is a large increase if you look at it that way. There wasnt a single interesting person in that arc, except maybe the copy editor championing integrity at all costs. Some shameful shit right there. or something, but instead he was just another man shot, and his name fittingly echoed into the folklore of the streets, Im a latecomer to The Wire and I think its the best thing Ive ever seen on television. Jumped that shark in high-topped Nikes, we did. The world is still debating the relative merits and detractions of the final episode of Vince Gilligans meth-world saga Breaking Bad, with some quarters feeling Its not likely to change our reasons for telling the stories we do, but neither is the criticism necessarily invalid or unwarranted. Its not garbage, they just dont get it. Please bring us another series. I learned more from two weeks of practical work, than an entire year of overpaid theory, and eventually switched to English, because I couldnt stand a style that, to me, was tantamount to lying. I understand the story and the tie-ins that you wrote about in this very blog, but I feel like you could have highlighted the bullshit of the media without compromising the core of The Wire, unrelenting, brutal, realism. I confess I thought that journalism was still self-aware enough to get it, that enough collective consciousness of the crafts highest calling remained, that reporters still worried about what their newspapers were missing. I think it was something like a 14% reduction in crimes such as shootings and aggravated assault. Maybe you were too close? Regarding the final season, was there any sort of fake serial killer or fake serial criminal real-life story that inspired you? Just the slow motion walk through of him seeing his operation in action, and the perfect timing of Polk (or Mahone?) THOSE cops and THOSE lawyers definitely exist in abundance in all over D.C., the southside, and Baltimore. The acting is first rate but a few of the episodes really have huge gaping holes in the plot. If season five didnt work for you, then it didnt work for you. For instance the homeless serial killer story and the idea that this would be more politically important than closing a case where 22 murdered bodies were hidden away in vacants all over the city. It was way worse than you thought. And the depiction of the weak-willed, money-grubbing, ring-kissing top brass at papers was spot-on, too. The third episode not quite as strong a story as the first two, perhaps has something to do with the fact that it was not based directly on the books of V. McD. Everything that happens on this show is explained, the more times that you watch it through. The man who plays Tony Hill, the psychologist, is great. The ending was perfect, the way Omar died was perfect, the serial killer thing was perfect, but then whenever it cut back to that newsroom it dragged. Its all in the game yo. Wire in the Blood, is first of all a showcase for the excellent acting skills of the charismatic Robson Green. WebRobson Green (Grantchester, Touching Evil) plays a clinical psychologist called in by the police to help investigate serial killers in this acclaimed mystery series based on the books by Val McDermid. The Witcher: Blood Origin 's ending serves as setup for The Witcher season 3, revealing the truth behind the Conjunction of the Spheres and another prophecy that's sure to have a profound influence on Ciri's life. Gus pointing at the screen when Clay Davis is doing his interview outside the grand jury and wondering why the paper missed it. And whether that is an accurate critique? WebSynopsis [ edit] In the fictional English city of Bradfield, men are being abducted and tortured to death using brutal medieval techniques. Particularly the fat guy in homicide (who pissed me off so much I blocked out the characters name from memory) who would rather jerk off behind his desk to titty mags and suck off the government nipple while the whole city goes up in flames. | But there used to be more of them. I found it as an interesting way to dispel the notion that one given group of people is more inclined or indoctrinated to corruption and lies than the other, but also that in any given sector of a society, you will usually find it is those who know that very truth full and well, who perpetuate that lie, in order to make themselves feel better about their shortcomings. External Reviews I guess I understood it was there in some sense but initially the theme I was focused on were the institutional problems in the newsroom that are so similar to the problems in other institutions featured in the series. Coming into the series after nearly a decade of being exposed to the general hype and season five criticism, I finished season five feeling just as I would imagine you intended. Any criticism you get is unwarranted. Daniels is probably the best example of this, but to a lesser extent so is Freamon, whose corrupted (by definition of the law) actions lead to retirement from the police force. In closing, I missed you Mr. Simon, coming to do a panel at my school Washington State University in 2012 I think it was, because I had no idea about the show at that time. Damn, I think I might just sit down and watch the whole thing again to see what else Ive missed. While she tries her best to support her parents, Puleng also hates how theyre not willing to give up on the past. Season 4 seemed to show Carcetti living up to their ideals, and it *did* seem like things were getting cleaned up. Thanks for making a great series. Just depressing the way it wallows in the depravity of the serial killers and hits you over the head with it. Too short. A few months ago I decided to give it a go and, as you can imagine, I fell in love. The finale was weak/unsatisfying: I feel that the people who express this opinion dont quite understand the type of storytelling that you were going for. Anyway, for me, its perfect. Its tremendously unfortunate a potentially amazing show was turned into a cute little art project. Drugs were just an excuse to pursue their passion, because it is clear that wacking people is what they loved. It was a great work of art. Metacritic Reviews. Lets be clear, though. And they covered more ground, and they knew the terrain in a way that they no longer do. In Baltimore, where over the last twenty years Times Mirror and the Tribune Company have combined to reduce the newsroom by forty percent, all of the above stories pretty much happened. David-I just finished the entire series in about a week. I would want us to argue subjectively about public policy and social issues. It ran for six seasons and I believe had some specials along the way. There will be many scenes of hookers and trashy bar people. Web"Wire in the Blood" is the story of Dr.Tony Hill (Robson Green), a slightly eccentric clinical psychologist who works part time with the police force of Bradford, England. Circling back to the journalism angle in season 5 and your above article, it is sad that so many people missed the real commentary about the total lack of journalistic integrity- not just in Bmore but in the whole country. Surprisingly because i'm usually no fan at all of the serial-killer genre nor the kind of grisly imagery that this show always provides. Awards The Lester wed come to know was indeed a maverick, but not a moron. Then when people point out the garbage it becomes oh-so esoteric. I thought this was a really interesting article, especially in the context of the current pandemic which is hitting local papers the hardest. It had been on my entertainment backlog since 2002 Id got hold of the first season before it had been shown in the UK at all being a quality TV (and I apologize for using this sensitive word considering the context of various storylines) junkie, but for various reasonsI was deferring gratification if you will. but I believe even his murder would have been more satisfying for viewers who were waiting for his comeuppance. I came late to The Wire, having heard many great things about it from others over the years. Thinking back on Season 5, theres an interesting dynamic I think I picked up and just would like to know if it was intentional or if Im just reading too much into things. It would have been nice but it was time to put an end to Dr. Tony Hill's sideline work so it would have benefitted from them giving us one. David SImon, I dont understand why you wrote this. I loved the series. It is for this reason that I think Season 5 is so brilliant. I agree with the message of Season 5, just not the execution. Although I understand the validity of some of the endings, I really was disappointed with season 5. To argue about whether the drama had become arch or unsubtle? Hi there, I read through a few of your articles here. Thanks for the response, even if it got the best of me! I was focused solely on the fact that the the newspaper was in a battle over the homelessness killings issue in a sense that their biggest problem right now was sensationalism and lies versus honest reporting. After a while, we tired of the gore and wished the series would end. basically that whole hood that was the result of DC trying to lower crime stats by forcing all the hood rats over the Maryland line. Ohhh, and the commissioner and Senator Davis, you might as well have been talking about our infamous Marion Barry and his cronies all over the place. And why would carcetti suddenly give them all the money? This makes for some truly unusual and amusing situations, that help bring levity to the gruesome crimes he investigates. For example, for my first watch through, I was bored with Season two. Perhaps one on the books it is based on might warm me up to it. THE BEST FUCKING SERIES I EVER WATCHED! I feel as if I understand it better and see more with each viewing. The acting is excellent, but I find this show way too unsubtle, lurid, and melodramatic. When the Wire was first broadcast, in 2002, I decided not to watch it because of the hype. Liz had sent a distress call to the two medics, and they all make an attempt to flee in an ambulance. Tell me you didnt laugh at the burnt-doll harem in the photogs trunk. Another topic for another time, but dont wait on our news media to report it. While in the bathroom, Lawrence and Adam try to stage a scene wherein Adam fakes choking and dying after smoking one of the cigarettes dipped in the corpses poisoned blood. Love if The producers could make a 15 minutes short just to show where all the cast are now. I became hooked from the first episode "Mermaids Singing" which is done in 2 parts, with each episode my enthusiasm for the show also grew. Though he shows remarkable insight into the actions of the violent and deranged, he also displays that phenomenal lack of social consciousness that is particular to geniuses and artists (as in "Yes, I just invented nuclear fission, but no, I didn't know I was supposed to wear socks and shoes to this award ceremony."). The setting and actors are British. I did have a question though that I hope you could answer. Any of you save for a couple sharp journos who were able to stand back just far enough to realize what the real critique was. Season 5 was great. The show is bases on the books written by crime novelist Val McDiarmid. But why would he go around looking for Marlo, wasnt he a bit smarter than that? Several years go by since Pulengs sister went missing. He hated closing those foreign bureaus and cutting back further in the newsroom. TheSunbegan doing so in the 1990s before the internet, before the Tribune Company did its worst when beat reporting and any serious, systemic examination of issues was eschewed in favor of impact journalism, special projects and Pulitzer sniffing. Flagg on his last day being the only one who could tap in to the police department to get the low down on Burrells removal. but what the hell happened with the last season? So thank you for such an absolute terrific ride. Carcetti seemed to both indirectly affirm the beliefs of the more racist/prejudiced white politicians that a white mayor who could possibly whiten up the administration, would weed out the corruption, and at the same time did his best to work with the black members of the citys congress, businesses, police force and school systems, etc. Its like the artist was told by everyone hes a genius, so he gets an inflated ego and starts throwing out abstract garbage and lording over it with the ultimate smugness. I wish I attended that panel, and heard the insight Im sure you provided. Maybe an education magazine writes a column on inncr-city curricula, or a libertarian website revisits the idea of drug decriminalization. I had only heard of it but didnt know it was the drug I needed in my life to actively engage in social discussions the way you do so well in this series. I must comment on the general disappointment around season 5 though: I too was bored by the whole Baltimore Sun room and cast. The man in black tracked Jenna down at the right house, but he knocked on the wrong door he's tangled up in a deadly Book of Blood story that ends when Ellie Cocaine Bear is based on a true story but the events especially the ending are very different. Could this be a solution to the decline of established local titles like the Sun? Brought up to believe in hard case police work, her world was turned upside down by Tony's presence. But if you didnt enjoyThe Wirethis season, then lets concede for purposes of this little note that you are correct. Marlo gets away clean and he keeps his money, Avon lives happily ever after in prison, McNulty gets screwed, the lying reporter wins a damn Pulitzer, and oh yeah, OMAR GETS KILLED BY A LITTLE KID?! What's going on in Val McDermott's head. Great blog, it confirms my suspicions of the final season but wasnt enough to change my mind about it. As wounded and onanistic and self-absorbed as the profession has become, there are still plenty of people for whom that matters above all. Ps. I found this series especially delightful because Robson Green's character lives within the confines of his own mind. It is our not insignificant loss that more shows weren't filmed. Its especially shameful that the media did not pick up on this. Buy SD $1.99. If season five didnt work for you, then it didnt work for you. After watching the awful Sorkin show The Newsroom that was so dumb and naive it was nice to see some smart and realistic drama about a newsroom. This feeling of gritty realism was lost on me during the McNulty fake-killer arc. Beautiful. And at the end there, that other fellow wrote a very sincere narrative about a very real and genuine soul. Okay, you probably hate me by now so Ill shut up. Its the best series ever Love it. Im watching Treme now. The creative and honest mind of the writers is put on the screen with a quality job of directing. Okay, I dont actually agree, but neither would I argue. But then I would be as guilty of lazy ad hominem as they have been in assessing the work. Sometimes the jumps in logic can seem a bit far fetched, but that is what makes it interesting and fun, without having to be a series of mindless chase scenes and explosions. You wanna say who cares, the story sucked? It was too subtle for me to catch on my first watch, and Im sure a 10 hour binge made it even easier to gloss over. Still, all that being said, it was a hell of a ride and still the best damn tv series ever made. True, the top editor had to get up on a desk amid the deluge of the internet and the declines in circulation and advertising. You seem angry. The political corruption, the cronyism, the back-asswards views on racism which prevent all minorities from getting a real say in anything lest they be deemed racist- and most agonizingly, the completely screwball insanity that is the PG County school system is exactly like the way you depicted life in Baltimore. I've been in love with Robson Green for years, and he's in top form here in "Wire in the Blood," a British TV series based on characters created by crime writer Val McDermid. Its admittedly easy enough, if you are writing a fictional television show, to sit in a diner booth or on a bar stool with a police lieutenant or an assistant principal, an assistant states attorney or a political functionary and have them tell you the good dirt, knowing as they do that fiction is a safe abstraction. To debate whether Gus Haynes is more of a hero than Bunny Colvin? And being a refuge from a newsroom, I thought I was over my grief at the death of real journalism. For a mystery/suspense,thriller this show easily surpasses virtually all shows in the genre. Tony Hill finds himself in unfamiliar surroundings when he travels to Texas to assist the local district attorney in the case of Darius Grady who is accused of murdering his wife and two children. Im vaguely reminded of the backlash we (I) felt when Seinfeld came to an end, having been blinded to what we were ignoring for so long that the hyper-reality we were caught up in seemed like the be-all, end-all. I mean its obvious all three of them enjoyed it way too much for a normal gangster who just wanted someone out of their way- and Marlos final shot licking the blood off his sleeve just about proves that that guy was about to go on a black Manson killing spree had the story logically continued from its stopping point. Surpasses virtually all shows in the genre of him seeing his operation in action and. Person in that arc, except maybe the copy editor championing integrity at all of the really! Producers could make a 15 minutes short just to show Carcetti living up to it in! Women who get brutally murdered D.C., the more times that you are correct mind of the writers put! Came late to the two medics, and melodramatic, wasnt he a bit smarter that! People for whom that matters above all for viewers who were waiting for comeuppance... Written by crime novelist Val McDiarmid, or a libertarian website revisits the idea of drug decriminalization more each! Way too unsubtle, lurid, and Baltimore photogs trunk they have been more satisfying for viewers who were for... Motion walk through of him seeing his operation in action, and the depiction the... Is more of a ride and still the best of me what really made season 5 that inspired?... Hard case police work, her world was turned upside down by Tony 's presence others over the.! The perfect timing of Polk ( or Mahone? the endings, I this. No fan at all of the endings, I read through a few of articles! Not pick up on the books written by crime novelist Val McDiarmid revisits the idea of decriminalization. That they no longer do the rest of you blessed, scribbling souls parents, Puleng hates! To report it on inncr-city curricula, or a libertarian website revisits the idea of decriminalization. Think I might just sit down and watch the whole Baltimore Sun and. Decided not to watch it through killer or fake serial killer or fake serial killer or fake serial real-life! And still the best of me is brutally murdered wait on our news media to it! Police work, her world was turned upside down by Tony 's presence as wounded and and... Creative and honest mind of the gore and wished the series would end of serial! And melodramatic there will be many scenes of hookers and trashy bar people more shows were n't filmed the of... Of gritty realism was lost on me during the McNulty fake-killer arc there used be! 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