"Kids don't vote."
So says Carcetti's school advisor, the same one who turns down Bunny and Paretti's request to extend the special program to all the at-risk eighth graders in the city. And so the corner kids go back to Gen-Pop (for those not up on their prison slang, that's--I think--general population: back to prison, in other words). Nothing's changed for them.
Or has it.
So now we have finished the fourth season of The Wire. To recap the many ends tied up here in the lives of our characters:
1. Herc has been fired. Not for the way he screwed up Randy's life, but for the camera he lost.
2. Carcetti is clearly planning a run in two years for the governorship. And he has refused to "eat shit" from the governor and so has turned down the money which could, as Norman says, keep the schools "merely fucked up." After all--kids don't vote.
3. Omar, managing to sell the dope he stole from the co-op back to the co-op, leaves Baltimore.
4. Bubbles is in detox, agonizing still over Sherrod's death, comforted by his old NA sponsor Walon (played by singer Steve Earle, who had his own battles with narcotics).
5. Cutty continues coaching--teaching, mentoring--boys.
6. Chris and Snoop have been nabbed--will the guns they're caught with and their DNA samples from the hair they give up connect them to the dead in the row houses?
7. The old Major Crimes Unit is back, with McNulty back on board, thinking he will be different this time around--that is, not a total drunken mess. Led by Lester, the unit sets its eyes back on Marlo's operation.
8. Marlo now is getting his dope from Vondas, one of the villains from season two.
9. Bodie, the last "soldier" left from the old Barksdale gang, who we first saw back in season one with D'Angelo Barksdale, Wallace, and Poot on the couches in a housing project demolished in season three, is dead, as are D'Angelo and Wallace. His corner is now Michael's.
10. Michael is now a murderer.
11. Randy is in a group home.
12. Duquan is a corner boy for Michael.
13. Namond has been adopted by Bunny.
14. Prez is a real teacher.
Every season, the show ends with a montage set to music. Without the clock ticking on us, take the five minutes to watch it again:
So:
1. What was your reaction to this final episode? What image or scene from it especially struck you and why? Write several sentences here--what the episode made you think, made you feel?
2. Terrible things happen in this episode--a lot of it is hard to watch. At the same time, all is not hopeless here. What in this episode did you find hopeful or positive? How so?
3. If someone asked you, "What was The Wire about?" how would you answer? In fact, fill in the blank: "The Wire is about __________." And support that characterization with 3-4 sentences.
4. Finally: what did you think of this show? Did you like it? Dislike it? Would you recommend it to your friends? Would you think about taking a class to watch another season of it?
This is the opening credits to season five:
I hope you enjoyed the class. Tomorrow I will give you the essay question for the test on Friday.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Episodes 11&12, A New Day & That's Got His Own. "You Play In Dirt, You Get Dirty"
We're this close to the end of the season, and the loose ends that have flopped in the previous episodes are getting tied together, often to tragic results.
1. Carcetti does indeed want to do good: but there's that $54 million school deficit that no one will be made responsible for...
2. Daniels wants to give Herc a slap on the wrist; the ministers want him fired. For Carcetti this is a shit eating moment: keep Herc, he angers the influential black leaders, fire Herc, and the rank-and-file in the police--the guys on the street--hate him.
3. Lex--who was killed in the first episode of the season for having killed Fruit--is found in one of the row houses. Lester now knows where the bodies are that came with Marlo's taking over "half of West Baltimore"--but Landsman does not want him unearthing bodies which will upset their almost 50% clearance rate. The stat is still king.
4. The special class is being shut down--unless Bunny can convince City Hall that it is worth saving. In the meantime the kids in it are studying for the test which will only send most of them back to the corners. And there are the kids like little Albert who has found his mother dead--and still has come to school.
5. Over in Prez's room, there is real learning going on, and now his class is sounding a little like thr special class, as the class wants to talk about intimacy.
6. Prop Joe, bowing to the power of Omar's big honking gun, has agreed to lead Omar to Marlo's package.
7. Michael is actively being trained in the way of enforcing by Snoop and Chris; and he is a fast learner, as Snoop observes.
8. Namond doesn't have it in him to punish his own soldier, Kenard, for stealing the missing dope. However, Michael does.
9. Randy is now branded by almost everyone as a snitch, afraid to go back to school, and watched over by an unmarked cruiser, and Carver as well. However, there are others watching him as well.
10. Prez kicks himself for having trusted the police--Herc in particular. He now sides with "his kids" rather than the police and his old friends.
11. Dukie has been promoted to high school; he is not happy with the news.
12. Bubbles , in trying to kill his tormentor, accidently provides the poisoned dope that kills Sherrod.
Whew.
Speaking of Bubbles, here's the whole sad sequence of events that lead to Sherrod's death.
So what I'd like you to write about"
1. Something we have not talked about at all, and I'd like to before we finish our discussion of the season, is Bubbles. He has been a regular on the show since its beginning, first as a snitch for a Kima, then an out-and-out junkie who does whatever he has to--steal in particular--to get his high. He still gets high, true, but there's more to him now, I think. How would you characterize Bubbles? A word or phrase, and why? And--what do you see his role is on the show? Why spend so much time on a character whose story line doesn't advance any of the major plot lines--a person, in the reality of the store, whose life is barely above the level of those three junkies we saw buying from Bodie way back? Why might Simon have put him in such a central role in this season? Write several sentences.
2. What scene in these episodes especially stayed with you--and why?
3. In response to my asking you what you wanted to talk about after the last episodes, a couple of you asked a similar question: what would happen if the special class didn't teach to the test--what would happen if the whole school didn't teach to the test? So mhy question: what do you think Tighlman Middle School should do--should it risk its funding, risk its very dedicated and hard working principal Withers and assistant principal Donnelly getting fired, risk it being taken over by the state, by saying "no" to the teaching to the test and the cost it has for the students? Write several sentences.
4. Donnelly tells Prez that he cannot be a parent to Duquan. There will be many more Duquans for him to work with in the coming years. That is a very un-Paideia thing to say, don't you think? Why would she tell him this? Is this good advice?
5. Tomorrow we will probably finish the season. What to you is the best case scenario for each of the boys--what would be the realistic happy ending for Duquan, Randy, Michael, and Namond?
6. On the other hand, what do you imagine will happen to each of them?
Finally, the title credits for both seasons 2 and 3.
Season 3:
1. Carcetti does indeed want to do good: but there's that $54 million school deficit that no one will be made responsible for...
2. Daniels wants to give Herc a slap on the wrist; the ministers want him fired. For Carcetti this is a shit eating moment: keep Herc, he angers the influential black leaders, fire Herc, and the rank-and-file in the police--the guys on the street--hate him.
3. Lex--who was killed in the first episode of the season for having killed Fruit--is found in one of the row houses. Lester now knows where the bodies are that came with Marlo's taking over "half of West Baltimore"--but Landsman does not want him unearthing bodies which will upset their almost 50% clearance rate. The stat is still king.
4. The special class is being shut down--unless Bunny can convince City Hall that it is worth saving. In the meantime the kids in it are studying for the test which will only send most of them back to the corners. And there are the kids like little Albert who has found his mother dead--and still has come to school.
5. Over in Prez's room, there is real learning going on, and now his class is sounding a little like thr special class, as the class wants to talk about intimacy.
6. Prop Joe, bowing to the power of Omar's big honking gun, has agreed to lead Omar to Marlo's package.
7. Michael is actively being trained in the way of enforcing by Snoop and Chris; and he is a fast learner, as Snoop observes.
8. Namond doesn't have it in him to punish his own soldier, Kenard, for stealing the missing dope. However, Michael does.
9. Randy is now branded by almost everyone as a snitch, afraid to go back to school, and watched over by an unmarked cruiser, and Carver as well. However, there are others watching him as well.
10. Prez kicks himself for having trusted the police--Herc in particular. He now sides with "his kids" rather than the police and his old friends.
11. Dukie has been promoted to high school; he is not happy with the news.
12. Bubbles , in trying to kill his tormentor, accidently provides the poisoned dope that kills Sherrod.
Whew.
Speaking of Bubbles, here's the whole sad sequence of events that lead to Sherrod's death.
So what I'd like you to write about"
1. Something we have not talked about at all, and I'd like to before we finish our discussion of the season, is Bubbles. He has been a regular on the show since its beginning, first as a snitch for a Kima, then an out-and-out junkie who does whatever he has to--steal in particular--to get his high. He still gets high, true, but there's more to him now, I think. How would you characterize Bubbles? A word or phrase, and why? And--what do you see his role is on the show? Why spend so much time on a character whose story line doesn't advance any of the major plot lines--a person, in the reality of the store, whose life is barely above the level of those three junkies we saw buying from Bodie way back? Why might Simon have put him in such a central role in this season? Write several sentences.
2. What scene in these episodes especially stayed with you--and why?
3. In response to my asking you what you wanted to talk about after the last episodes, a couple of you asked a similar question: what would happen if the special class didn't teach to the test--what would happen if the whole school didn't teach to the test? So mhy question: what do you think Tighlman Middle School should do--should it risk its funding, risk its very dedicated and hard working principal Withers and assistant principal Donnelly getting fired, risk it being taken over by the state, by saying "no" to the teaching to the test and the cost it has for the students? Write several sentences.
4. Donnelly tells Prez that he cannot be a parent to Duquan. There will be many more Duquans for him to work with in the coming years. That is a very un-Paideia thing to say, don't you think? Why would she tell him this? Is this good advice?
5. Tomorrow we will probably finish the season. What to you is the best case scenario for each of the boys--what would be the realistic happy ending for Duquan, Randy, Michael, and Namond?
6. On the other hand, what do you imagine will happen to each of them?
Finally, the title credits for both seasons 2 and 3.
Season 3:
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Episode 8, Corner Boys. "We Got Our Thing, But It's Just Part of the Big Thing."
Take a look at this clip of the beginning of the episode we just watched.
"Maybe the state should [take over the school]."
"You don't teach math, you teach the test. North Avenue's all about the Leave No Child Behind being spoon food."
"And what do they learn?"
"The first year isn't about the kids. It's about your surviving."
So we're really now into school. I have a couple questions about what we saw today in the classrooms. Tomorrow I'm planning for the discussion to last the whole period--this is that big. But we'll see.
1. What is making Prez's job so difficult? Is it the kids? Is it the administration? Is it the educational "philosophy" he's operating under? A combination of the three?
Now look at the classroom with the corner kids.
2. Agree or disagree with this statement: this class is working better than Prez's class. If you agree, why? If you disagree, why not?
And finally:
Namond says, "We do the same things as you all. Except when we do it, it's like, oh my God, these kids are animals. Like it's it's the end of the world coming. It's bullshit...[It's] hypocritical." To which Zenobia says. "Yeah, we got our thing, but it's just part of the big thing."
3. So what are Namond and Zenobia pointing out to the adults here? What does Zenobia mean by what they're doing is "just part of the big thing?" Is she right? Is Namond right? What is a possible point the show is making through this moment?
Don't just answer these three questions quickly, especially the third one. Write a couple hundred words on the third one in particular.
"Maybe the state should [take over the school]."
"You don't teach math, you teach the test. North Avenue's all about the Leave No Child Behind being spoon food."
"And what do they learn?"
"The first year isn't about the kids. It's about your surviving."
So we're really now into school. I have a couple questions about what we saw today in the classrooms. Tomorrow I'm planning for the discussion to last the whole period--this is that big. But we'll see.
1. What is making Prez's job so difficult? Is it the kids? Is it the administration? Is it the educational "philosophy" he's operating under? A combination of the three?
Now look at the classroom with the corner kids.
2. Agree or disagree with this statement: this class is working better than Prez's class. If you agree, why? If you disagree, why not?
And finally:
Namond says, "We do the same things as you all. Except when we do it, it's like, oh my God, these kids are animals. Like it's it's the end of the world coming. It's bullshit...[It's] hypocritical." To which Zenobia says. "Yeah, we got our thing, but it's just part of the big thing."
3. So what are Namond and Zenobia pointing out to the adults here? What does Zenobia mean by what they're doing is "just part of the big thing?" Is she right? Is Namond right? What is a possible point the show is making through this moment?
Don't just answer these three questions quickly, especially the third one. Write a couple hundred words on the third one in particular.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Episode 7, Unto Others. "Aw Yeah. That Golden Rule."
Thou shall not kill. Isn't that the golden rule? That's an honest question--someone help me out with it.
Two characters we haven't really talked about so far are Omar and Bunk. (Bubbles too, but we'll get to him soon enough) These two have a history. Look at this clip from, I believe, season three: it's the Bunk and Omar being all serious.
Here are two men from the same school, separated by only a few years. One became a police, the other a stick-up guy. Bunk on some level despises Omar--or maybe what Omar represents. He shows little or no sympathy for Omar's situation--in Bunk's mind, whether or not Omar killed the delivery woman is irrelevant: "If this one ain't on you, another dozen are." Omar is guilty. Look at this clip from today's episode:
Bunk hates what people like Omar have done to his community. He acts as though he would lose no sleep if someone killed Omar for the bounty on Omar's head. Yet he helps Omar.
"A man got to have a code," Omar says, echoing what John Lindsay said in class today.
So:
1. Why do you think Bunk helps Omar? Is there anything similar about these two characters, aside from their gender and race?
2. Both have a code, I'd argue: what is each's code, and how do they overlap, if they do?
3. What makes Omar different than the other gangsters?
4. What makes Bunk different than many of the other homicide detectives--different than many of the other cops?
5. Finally: Norris, Kima's partner, says when Kima breaks the case of the Braddock killing, "Our guy's dead from a stray? And this fuck Carcetti gets to be the mayor behind the stupidity. I fucking love this town." How is this statement so...Wire-ish? It really fits into the whole overall concern and/or theme of the series. How so?
Write a couple hundred words in total. Some of you are behind on the blog, having missed more at least 3 of them, and others are writing in what appear to be quick bursts. A reminder: you get to miss one without penalty; and I want you to take more than 5 minutes to respond to the questions. And these are due by break.
Two characters we haven't really talked about so far are Omar and Bunk. (Bubbles too, but we'll get to him soon enough) These two have a history. Look at this clip from, I believe, season three: it's the Bunk and Omar being all serious.
Here are two men from the same school, separated by only a few years. One became a police, the other a stick-up guy. Bunk on some level despises Omar--or maybe what Omar represents. He shows little or no sympathy for Omar's situation--in Bunk's mind, whether or not Omar killed the delivery woman is irrelevant: "If this one ain't on you, another dozen are." Omar is guilty. Look at this clip from today's episode:
Bunk hates what people like Omar have done to his community. He acts as though he would lose no sleep if someone killed Omar for the bounty on Omar's head. Yet he helps Omar.
"A man got to have a code," Omar says, echoing what John Lindsay said in class today.
So:
1. Why do you think Bunk helps Omar? Is there anything similar about these two characters, aside from their gender and race?
2. Both have a code, I'd argue: what is each's code, and how do they overlap, if they do?
3. What makes Omar different than the other gangsters?
4. What makes Bunk different than many of the other homicide detectives--different than many of the other cops?
5. Finally: Norris, Kima's partner, says when Kima breaks the case of the Braddock killing, "Our guy's dead from a stray? And this fuck Carcetti gets to be the mayor behind the stupidity. I fucking love this town." How is this statement so...Wire-ish? It really fits into the whole overall concern and/or theme of the series. How so?
Write a couple hundred words in total. Some of you are behind on the blog, having missed more at least 3 of them, and others are writing in what appear to be quick bursts. A reminder: you get to miss one without penalty; and I want you to take more than 5 minutes to respond to the questions. And these are due by break.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Episode 5, Alliances. "If You With Us, You with Us."
A lot of small questions I want you to think about and answer. So here goes....
1. Why "The Wire"? I asked you to think about this--what did you come up with? Write several sentences answering this--and how does what we see in the show support your answer? Don't repeat what I said in class--come up with something your own. (Suddenly I feel like Prez talking to his class...)
2. "I ain't eat no lunch and my stomach is making all these noises...I won't ever disrespect your pencil again." So says Zenobia. This and some other comments from the class, almost all of whom are in detention, gets Prez to let them go early. Given what the class is like, how it cusses as him--Namond in particular--is Prez being a pushover by letting them go? Or is this actually the right thing to do? Write 3-4 sentences.
3. Speaking of Namond: to Prez, "Fuck you. Gimpy ass, big grill motherfucker." Then later that day: "Came to say sorry. I didn't mean to get all in your face like that...It's just the evil gets in me and before I know it, I go off." And Prez forgives him. Is Namond playing Prez? Is he sincere? And should Prez have forgiven him? 3-4 sentences
4. "Ain't no special dead. There's just dead." This is Duquan at the very end. He just walks away from the corpse he has shown his friends. Yesterday we talked about innocence. What's this say about Duquan's innocence? 3-4 sentences
5. Speaking of the kids: for each of them--Duquan, Namond, Randy, Michael--give the word that best describes him to you. And why? And which one do you feel most drawn to, or like the most?
That's enough for now. See you all tomorrow.
1. Why "The Wire"? I asked you to think about this--what did you come up with? Write several sentences answering this--and how does what we see in the show support your answer? Don't repeat what I said in class--come up with something your own. (Suddenly I feel like Prez talking to his class...)
2. "I ain't eat no lunch and my stomach is making all these noises...I won't ever disrespect your pencil again." So says Zenobia. This and some other comments from the class, almost all of whom are in detention, gets Prez to let them go early. Given what the class is like, how it cusses as him--Namond in particular--is Prez being a pushover by letting them go? Or is this actually the right thing to do? Write 3-4 sentences.
3. Speaking of Namond: to Prez, "Fuck you. Gimpy ass, big grill motherfucker." Then later that day: "Came to say sorry. I didn't mean to get all in your face like that...It's just the evil gets in me and before I know it, I go off." And Prez forgives him. Is Namond playing Prez? Is he sincere? And should Prez have forgiven him? 3-4 sentences
4. "Ain't no special dead. There's just dead." This is Duquan at the very end. He just walks away from the corpse he has shown his friends. Yesterday we talked about innocence. What's this say about Duquan's innocence? 3-4 sentences
5. Speaking of the kids: for each of them--Duquan, Namond, Randy, Michael--give the word that best describes him to you. And why? And which one do you feel most drawn to, or like the most?
That's enough for now. See you all tomorrow.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Episode 3, Home Rooms. "Love the First Day, Man. Everybody All Friendly an' Shit."
Nobody is every prepared for that last couple minutes of "Home Rooms," when Leatitia cuts her classmate Chiquan. It is one of the most shocking moments in the entire five seasons of the show; it, to me, is one of the most shocking moments in all of television. Just to remind you...
What was your reaction to this scene? Who do you feel worse for, Leatitica or Chiquan? Why does Dukie do what he does? What about Michael's reaction? What about Prez's reaction? Answer all these questions in either a paragraph or each individually, each numbered. Write 3-4 sentences for each.
In addition: going back to our discussion last week about respecting Marlo or liking him more than Mayor Royce: do you feel the same now, having seen more of Marlo? Think of the scene in episode 4, where he steals the lollipops in front of the security guard, one of those guys just trying to do the right thing for his family, working a crummy job anad having to deal with young men like Marlo. You "act like don't even know I'm there," the guard says to Marlo. "I don't," Marlo replies. Here is the scene:
Think too how often Marlo is paired by editing with Royce: a parallel, as we talked about on Friday, is clearly being drawn between the two powerful men. So: what do you know think of Marlo? Has your opinion changed? Stayed the same? Is he indeed worthy of respect as we get to know him better?
Finally: aside from the scenes above, what scene from episode three stayed with you? And why?
What was your reaction to this scene? Who do you feel worse for, Leatitica or Chiquan? Why does Dukie do what he does? What about Michael's reaction? What about Prez's reaction? Answer all these questions in either a paragraph or each individually, each numbered. Write 3-4 sentences for each.
In addition: going back to our discussion last week about respecting Marlo or liking him more than Mayor Royce: do you feel the same now, having seen more of Marlo? Think of the scene in episode 4, where he steals the lollipops in front of the security guard, one of those guys just trying to do the right thing for his family, working a crummy job anad having to deal with young men like Marlo. You "act like don't even know I'm there," the guard says to Marlo. "I don't," Marlo replies. Here is the scene:
Think too how often Marlo is paired by editing with Royce: a parallel, as we talked about on Friday, is clearly being drawn between the two powerful men. So: what do you know think of Marlo? Has your opinion changed? Stayed the same? Is he indeed worthy of respect as we get to know him better?
Finally: aside from the scenes above, what scene from episode three stayed with you? And why?
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Episode 2, Soft Eyes. "I Still Wake Up White in a City That Ain't."
So says Carcetti as he confronts the racial politics of Baltimore, of America, really. Perhaps, as some of you wrote on your blog last night, he isn't the best candidate for mayor: it's not quite clear why he wants the position (though it's hard not to imagine one reason--power), nor is it quite clear yet what he really believes about what needs to be done about Baltimore. What we do know is what Mayor Clayton Royce believes. When asked by Carcetti for two debates in episode one, he replies, "Two debates. Shit. That lost-ball-in-the-high-grass motherfucker Carcetti. He needs to get used to life in the wilderness." Carcetti's reasons may not be transparent, but Royce's are; and we see what Baltimore has been like under his administration, and, implicitly, how it will stay the same should he be reelected.
But for this entry. First, just for laughs (and to illustrate where real power lies in the Baltimore of the series), Senator Clay Davis:
Second: the scene we briefly talked about in class between Marlo and Michael:
1. My first question: in the scene above, knowing what a ruthless murderous man Marlo is, why would he let Michael go so easily? Why not punish Michael the way he has punished nearly everyone who crosses him (such as Lex)?
2. Isabel said in class today, "It's easier to respect Marlo Stanfield than Clarence Royce." In other words, it's easier to respect a cold-blooded drug dealing killer than a legitimate legally elected mayor. Agree or disagree with Isabel's statement, and say why you answer what you do.
3. We were talking--and will continue to do so--about the Baltimore of The Wire. What to you best describes the city that we see in the show--and why?
4. What in today's episode especially jumped out at you--what scene or moment or character or line of dialogue stayed with you so that even now, hours later, you still can see it in your mind or are thinking about it? And why?
Be sure to answer all these questions in 2-300 words.
But for this entry. First, just for laughs (and to illustrate where real power lies in the Baltimore of the series), Senator Clay Davis:
Second: the scene we briefly talked about in class between Marlo and Michael:
1. My first question: in the scene above, knowing what a ruthless murderous man Marlo is, why would he let Michael go so easily? Why not punish Michael the way he has punished nearly everyone who crosses him (such as Lex)?
2. Isabel said in class today, "It's easier to respect Marlo Stanfield than Clarence Royce." In other words, it's easier to respect a cold-blooded drug dealing killer than a legitimate legally elected mayor. Agree or disagree with Isabel's statement, and say why you answer what you do.
3. We were talking--and will continue to do so--about the Baltimore of The Wire. What to you best describes the city that we see in the show--and why?
4. What in today's episode especially jumped out at you--what scene or moment or character or line of dialogue stayed with you so that even now, hours later, you still can see it in your mind or are thinking about it? And why?
Be sure to answer all these questions in 2-300 words.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Episode 1, Boys of Summer. "Lambs to the Slaughter Here."
So we are now into the season. The epigram above--"Lambs to the slaughter here"--is Assistant Principal Donnelly talking about new teacher Prez, but it could apply just as easily to many others in the show, principally, of course, the four boys we meet: Randy, who comes up with the idea of the urine filled balloons; Namond, who has money to pass around (and who hides during the beat down of his friends); Dukie, with his hygene problems; and Michael, who is willing to protect Dukie. Remember how young they look in this episode: by the end of the season, they will not look the same.
Just to remind you of part of what we saw today:
It's a great, funny scene, which, like so much of the show, goes against our expectations. Carver is friendly and respectful of corner boy Bodie; he makes it clear he knows all of Bodie's crew, and jokes with them. McNulty, the uniformed officer, is also friendly and respectful to Bodie. Both he and Carver comment--honestly--on Bodie's intelligence. And Bodie shows his intelligence by making a joke at the expense of Carver's hard-ass partner Colichio, which gets poor doomed Lex to smile even. And, to further emphasize the education theme of the season, this acts as a "teachable moment" for Colichio, as Carver explains why they're not busting the street dealers.
The tone of this show rarely stays even: there's the comedy of the above, the easy camaraderie of the boys, the funny scenes where they are trying to catch the birds, followed by the terrifying moments when we see Snoop and Chris put another unlucky player away--and where we get to see what that 700 dollar nail gun is for.
So, with this introduction:
1. Name one part of the episode that confuses you or leaves you asking a question. Others in class feel free to answer this question or clarify what might be clear to someone else in the class.
2. Name one part of the episode that really jumped out at you, stuck with you. Maybe it is a particular scene, or a particular character, or a particular image. But name it and say what made it so memorable for you.
3. As one of you said at the end of class, it was hard reconciling the plot about Tommy Carcetti and the mayoral race with the other two main plots--how it fit with the school and boys and new teacher Prez as well as the cops taking down Stanfield. That's one reason why this show was never a ratings hit--it's complicated, it doesn't give you the answers, and you have to pay close attention to every part of it. Maybe it is too early to ask this, but what the heck. How does the Carcetti plot fit in or mirror or connect with the other two plots?
4. Finally: what do you think of the show so far?
Folks, you cannot answer all these questions in 2 minutes. To get credit for this entry, you have to answer all these questions. At the same time, I don't expect you to spend an hour on this either. This is indeed short term: but this is also an academic class. Just reminding you that I have expectations of you here. REMEMBER to answer this the comment space which follows. Don't create a new blog entry, as both Anna and Andrew inadvertently did. Write a couple hundred words answering these questions. Be sure they are done by 8:30AM tomorrow.
Just to remind you of part of what we saw today:
It's a great, funny scene, which, like so much of the show, goes against our expectations. Carver is friendly and respectful of corner boy Bodie; he makes it clear he knows all of Bodie's crew, and jokes with them. McNulty, the uniformed officer, is also friendly and respectful to Bodie. Both he and Carver comment--honestly--on Bodie's intelligence. And Bodie shows his intelligence by making a joke at the expense of Carver's hard-ass partner Colichio, which gets poor doomed Lex to smile even. And, to further emphasize the education theme of the season, this acts as a "teachable moment" for Colichio, as Carver explains why they're not busting the street dealers.
The tone of this show rarely stays even: there's the comedy of the above, the easy camaraderie of the boys, the funny scenes where they are trying to catch the birds, followed by the terrifying moments when we see Snoop and Chris put another unlucky player away--and where we get to see what that 700 dollar nail gun is for.
So, with this introduction:
1. Name one part of the episode that confuses you or leaves you asking a question. Others in class feel free to answer this question or clarify what might be clear to someone else in the class.
2. Name one part of the episode that really jumped out at you, stuck with you. Maybe it is a particular scene, or a particular character, or a particular image. But name it and say what made it so memorable for you.
3. As one of you said at the end of class, it was hard reconciling the plot about Tommy Carcetti and the mayoral race with the other two main plots--how it fit with the school and boys and new teacher Prez as well as the cops taking down Stanfield. That's one reason why this show was never a ratings hit--it's complicated, it doesn't give you the answers, and you have to pay close attention to every part of it. Maybe it is too early to ask this, but what the heck. How does the Carcetti plot fit in or mirror or connect with the other two plots?
4. Finally: what do you think of the show so far?
Folks, you cannot answer all these questions in 2 minutes. To get credit for this entry, you have to answer all these questions. At the same time, I don't expect you to spend an hour on this either. This is indeed short term: but this is also an academic class. Just reminding you that I have expectations of you here. REMEMBER to answer this the comment space which follows. Don't create a new blog entry, as both Anna and Andrew inadvertently did. Write a couple hundred words answering these questions. Be sure they are done by 8:30AM tomorrow.
Andrew Abbot
The first thing about this show that has always jumped out at me is the brutal honesty involved in each and everyone of the episodes. No matter the topic that the show confronts it always portrays the topic in the most straightforward way and does not gloss over any aspect of the topics. Another thing that caught me about the introduction to the show is the amount of depth in each of the characters. Each character in the show is fully explored, and even after only the introductions I already feel like I know the characters on a personal level.
The conversation in class was refreshingly in depth and considerate. Everyone managed to chip in and no one seemed displeased with the discussion. While technically the entire conversation was about the American Dream, I really enjoyed that we explored the connections to the economy and other aspects of the US today. Every time someone expressed an opinion someone else would have either a response or a continuation and there was never an awkward silence.
I found the opening section of the fourth season brutal and depressing in that such a young girl would be involved in such a dangerous and violent profession. Clearly education was not the most of her worries. I thought that the reaction by the salesman was telling, and although simple, indicative of the reaction that I would have had given the situation.
The conversation in class was refreshingly in depth and considerate. Everyone managed to chip in and no one seemed displeased with the discussion. While technically the entire conversation was about the American Dream, I really enjoyed that we explored the connections to the economy and other aspects of the US today. Every time someone expressed an opinion someone else would have either a response or a continuation and there was never an awkward silence.
I found the opening section of the fourth season brutal and depressing in that such a young girl would be involved in such a dangerous and violent profession. Clearly education was not the most of her worries. I thought that the reaction by the salesman was telling, and although simple, indicative of the reaction that I would have had given the situation.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Anna Currey
In the shows recaps, all the characters seemed very corrupt and damaged. They weren’t always self-interested. The drug dealers frequently made sacrifices for their allies, but there was a lot of violence, and loose moral codes.
I disliked the mayor the most, because he was affluent yet he manipulated other people’s lives and deceived people to further his career. Sometimes I feel more forgiving of people’s wrongdoings if it seems like they do them out of desperation. He didn’t seem desperate, just power hungry. I don’t know if that is worse than someone who commits a crime out of desperation.
During class today, I was struck by how everyone agreed that the American Dream flawed. I think that America probably offers more opportunity than most other places, which is why it has that reputation. Immigrants who come here searching for the American dream consider the available jobs, often manual labor, as success. When we cracked down on illegal immigrants, there was a lack of labor in Georgia. The problem with the American dream is partly that Americans don’t want to work hard in the way that is available. This is why when we don’t have illegal immigrants we have no one to harvest crops. I count myself as part of this problem, because I’m certainly not planning on doing manual labor as a career. Instead, I’m going to enter the super competitive market for jobs that fulfill my definition of success.
It was funny in a grotesque and dark way. The reaction of the white salesman was funny, but at the same time I was just as shocked as him by her violence. Snoop seemed so nonchalant and uncaring; I really couldn’t figure out what motivated her. When she gives the salesman 800 dollars, it’s clear she’s not in it for the money.
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