"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.
I actually really like the final episode. Some people had happy endings and others did not. I was kind of like a metaphor for life in general. The scene that really stuck with me is when Michael shot that drug dealer in the face. It signified that he has become completely immersed in the drug trade.
ReplyDeleteI found that Namond being adopted by bunny as a very good thing. Now Namond is away from the influence of drugs and is free to succeed and make the best out of himself.
The Wire is about Baltimore. This is a show about one city and how it operates. You see everything from the Goverment to the schools to the corners. This show really gives you an insight about Baltimore and the reality its citizens face every day.
I love this show. It is action packed and very interesting. It never got boring at all. I wouldn't really recomend it to my friends. It takes a certain level of maturity to grasp the brilliance of this show and I'm not sure all of my friends have that.
The scene that struck me the most was when Michael shot the other drug dealer. I think this was symbolizing that he is completely in the drug game now. I also think that in this episode we saw Michael as more an adult than a kid. For example when Dookie came in and saw Michael having sex. I really think Michael has changed since the beginning of the season.
ReplyDeleteOne major thing that was really positive is when Namond moved in with Bunny. I think that instead of going on with the drug life like his mom wanted he to, he will get an education and make a living legally. I think this is a huge step, because anyone viewing the series would know that he doesn’t have the heart to be in the drug game.
The ongoing battle for power in Maryland. I would say this because every plot in the wire is about gaining power. In Carcetti’s case, he wanted to be mayor. In the drug dealers case they want to become kingpins, and in the cops case they all want to get promoted.
I really enjoyed the show. It had those great plot twists that keep you interested throughout the whole season. I would definitely recommend it to all my friends. I would definitely like to take another class on a different season of “The Wire”.
The image that struck with me the most was Carver completely losing it when he lost Randy to the group home. That was the one storyline that really got to me, and it really didn’t end the way I’d hoped it would. I hoped that Carver, for all the energy, time and caring he put into looking after Randy, he would be able to serve as the father figure that Randy never had. I think this episode did a great job of resolving the season, and it did what it was supposed to do, which was make me want to see season five.
ReplyDeleteOne of the bright points was Carcetti being seen in a meeting, and obviously being stressed but still wanting to improve the city. It shows that there will always be people who intend to do well in the world. Another was Namond basically being adopted by Bunny and his wife. He wasn’t suited for the drug life, and it was great to see him in an atmosphere where he was with people he loved and respected.
I would say The Wire is about the main forces of Baltimore and how they interact. This season the main forces were the drug business, the education system, and Carcetti being mayor. We talked earlier about how we couldn’t imagine how all the different plots tied together in the end. And that’s what the show is about. Not cops or gangsters, but how everything connects.
I really enjoyed the show. I think that its best asset was that it is super realistic. I would definitely recommend it to anyone. I see why it is regarded as one of the best shows of all time, and I am glad that I took the class. I would not hesitate to take another class on a different season.
1) The final episode, to me, was the most scarring. It begins with Bubbles trying to hang himself. And ends with Duquan slinging dope and Randy getting beat up for being a snitch. The scene that stuck with me the most was when Michael was having either a flashback or they switched scenes, and he was helping Bug with his homework. I'm not sure, but it seems like he still has a glimmer of hope of going back to his old life. Although he's done multiple killings, there is still that sense of protection he has for his brother, so he isn't all bad now.
ReplyDelete2)Namond was really the only silver lining I saw. He is the one kid who made it out, he never was a thug, and when he stood up for himself good things happened. Another would be that when Zenobia and that little kid got back in class they are more serious, in fact the whole class is. Prez has made some advancement with them, when the little kid tries to make a joke he realizes it won't work and shuts up.
3) The show is about the struggle with the American dream. It's about whether to follow the path and work your butt off, or turn into a Marlo or Chris. Some follow this path and don't make it. Others, like Marlo, don't and get further ahead then they could have imagined.
4) This show might be the best television show I have ever seen. I would definitely recommend it to friends. There should definitely be another class on the show next year, I know I would sign up.
When I think of the Wire as I know it, i think of the terrible things that have happened on the streets of Baltimore. There is so much of it, that it's very easy to become accustomed to it, each terrible thing not having as much shock value as you see more of them. It really throws into question what does life and death mean to these guys. Some are as cold and hearless as chris and snoop, but even Chris lives by the standard that you have to look your victim in the eye no matter what they guy has done or is. Naymond is on the opposite side scared and intimidated by death. After what happened to Kenard, I don't think that boy has the capacity to take a life. It's still incredibly interesting to examine the way he deals with living in "murderland". Bodie is a guy I find somewhere in between. He is no stranger to death and murder, but he has a fit when he sees all the bodies that are pulled out of the vacants. Marlo has made it clear that he will drop you for almost nothing like the NYC boys or Little Kevin. How expendable must everyone feel who has any connection to the game? what kind of pressure does that put on somebody and how much can you sustain? I've had these questions and feelings in every episode, but they were truly culminated in the closing episode where Michael makes the jump from paintball to ending life and arguably from humanity to monster. Then again, we get that shot of his teaching bug in the closing credits. How do I make sense of that?
ReplyDeleteJust about the only remotely hopeful thing that I saw in this episode was the ending of Naymonds story. He is gets a Hollywood finish that is similar to the fate of annie in many ways. What will happen to Naymond, I don't know, but for all the other kids, it's pretty certain that their fates are sealed.
The Wire is about humans. Restricting the wire to one word is pretty difficult if not impossible, but i chose a pretty all encompassing one to be safe. Humanity does fit the wire though. The show covers just about all aspects of human interaction greed, power, jealousy, hope, persistance etc. etc. Through the exploration of the characters, the viewer is exposed to just about everything.
Love the show and have already recommended it although it was to my mother. I would give this show and the class a solid endorsement and plan on watching the other seasons. If anyone has seen a recently made show called Breaking Bad I think there are many paralleles in both quality and content.
1. This final episode was a great yet depressing way to wrap up things up. They managed to wrap up so many different story lines from the season as well as making us want to watch season 5 by leaving enough un-said. Many of the story lines ended in ways that i would never have guessed, which just goes to show the un-predictable nature of the show and the brilliant story telling that has been used throughout the show. This final episode exhausted me. There were so many horrible realizations and un-expected twists that I didn't even know what to expect. Many of the scenes in this episode stayed with me, obviously several of the scenes with Michael remain in my memory, but Bubbles's attempted suicide, and Norman talking about Carcetti's choice with his friends all stuck with me.
ReplyDelete2. I think that while the majority of the story lines remain depressing and shocking to me, several seemed to be moderately uplifting. In the montage alone we see Namond being adopted, which is one of the most uplifting moments of the series, Donut is still out there stealing cars, which for some reason is construed in my mind as a good thing, and Mcnulty is with Major Crimes. Although it isn't much it's better than nothing and each of these character's stories played out happily (especially by comparison).
3. The Wire is about life. Clearly no one word can thoroughly characterize The Wire, so I went with one that can come close. The Wire explores the ins and outs of Baltimore, and in doing so gives us lesson after lesson about life and explores dozens of different characters to show us each and every one of their different lives. I think that while The Wire focuses on Baltimore it can be seen as a story about peoples lives in general.
4. I love this show even more so now then I did last year. It really gets you caring about the characters and drawn into the show as a whole. I would certainly recommend this show to someone. I would have to choose carefully as I don't think my mom would be able to deal with the violence of the whole show, but I've already suggested it to my dad. I have already taken the class twice now, and would happily take it a third time next year.
1. The most powerful scene we watched today was at the end of the second to last episode. As Carver was leaving, and Randy calls after him, “You’re going to look out for me? You got my back?” The bitterness in Randy’s voice and the pain on Carver’s face as he turns his back on him are hard to forget. While Randy lived in a group home and was a source for the police, he learned that the institutions do not have his best interests at heart. He lost his faith in the system long ago, but after losing so much, he cannot tolerate being told that they will look after him. He calls Carver out on this hypocrisy. However, Randy knows that the problem is much bigger than Carver, and Carver did everything that he could, so he tells him it’s ok later.
ReplyDelete2. When Bunny adopts Namond, I felt very hopeful. Namond took initiative to change his life. It also made me appreciate the program, which helped Namond other possibilities in his life. Namond’s story was the only one with a happy ending, and working outside of the standardized statewide system caused his happiness. Social Services and the education system proved ineffective.
3. The Wire is about corruption in Baltimore, but the message applies to America as a whole. It shows a city in struggling with poverty and dysfunctional institutions. Individuals must choose between doing the right thing and success; in a world like this, corruption is inevitable.
4. I liked this show a lot. I would take another class about it if I were not graduating this year. It was hard to watch at times, but I think it is important to talk and think about the issues this show presents.
I really enjoyed the last episode. I think it was rapped up and the conclusion was interesting. I was very surprised throughout the last episode but I thought it ended excellently. Every scene with Michael murdering someone struck me. Seeing Michael progress through the series and being a likable character, is kind of disappointing when I see that he is killing people. This episode really tied together many things that were confusing to me. I have mixed feelings about the season but ultimately I am happy for Namond, even though he disappointed me many times in the season. I definitely found hope in Namond. I was thinking for the longest that Namond would be the one who would die or end up like his father but he was taken in by Bunny and is now looking like he has a good future. If someone asked me what the wire was about I would reply, The Wire is about different aspects of people, the drug trade, the government, the schools, and other things in the city of Baltimore. It shows the viewer corruption of the city from many different perspectives. I think the wire is an outstanding show. I have always heard about the show but never ventured to look into it for myself. I really enjoyed watching this season. I have already recommended the show to some of my friends and everyone seems to know something about it. I would definitely sign up to take another class to watch another season.
ReplyDeleteThe final episode was a very powerful way to end the season. It was disturbing and fascinating at the same time. In fact, it was almost overwhelming. Every scene was striking, but I was particularly upset by the changes in Michael's life. I hated seeing him go down the path into the drug trade and could barely stand to watch the scenes in which he was violent. Overall, this episode made me feel concerned and upset, but I still am able to maintain a sense of hope.
ReplyDeleteThe final scene with Namond was hopeful. Out of all the boys, I didn't expect his story to have a happy ending. But right now it seems that he gets the hollywood finish while his friends are probably worse off than they were at the beginning of the season. I love the relationship that he has developed with Bunny and it provides me with hope. It also cheered me up to see the boy rolling past in another stolen car, for some reason he gave me hope.
If someone asked me what The Wire is about, I would say that it is all about the system and the way our world works in incomprehensible, yet predictable ways. The city of Baltimore represents our entire world and the flaws in the way things happen. The city also indicates that while there is frustration, there is hope and it will never be entirely lost. It is all about perspective and seeing things in different ways.
I really enjoyed watching The Wire, I found it to be intellectually stimulating and thought provoking. I would certainly recommend this to a friend, however I would also suggest that they watch it with a group of people like we did. Because for one thing, I think it's more interesting watched with other people. Also, it would be challenging to face the harsh realities of the show by yourself. I would most definitely sign up to take the class again, no doubt.
I was surprised with the final episode. I knew Michael would eventually end up being with Marlo, but to this extent this fast startled me a bit. I would have thought that he had more respect for Bodie, seeing as he was the one to put him on his first corner. When Namond sees Doughnut in the car at the end, I all of a sudden remembered all of the previous episodes. They were just hanging out with each other, and now they are on complete and distinctly separate paths. Namond being adopted by Bunny was the only positive thing I saw here. I kept saying over and over that Namond wasn't built to be on those corners, and Bunny agreed with me. I'm glad to see Namond finally stop putting up the major corner kid front to protect himself. He no longer has anyone to impress, so he can be himself at last. I would say The Wire is about many different connections involving many different people in West Baltimore. One thing can happen to someone, and another person on the complete opposite side of that person's world could be effected by it. Everything is a chain reaction, and nothing can ever be taken for granted. I loved the show. I'm actually going to watch the whole series from season 1. I'd recommend the class to friends, and I'd definitely take the class again.
ReplyDeleteThe episode made me feel very sad because with the exception of Namond all of the kids ended up in bad situations especially Michael who finds power in enforcing though I wish he had not. However, I think the show did an excellent job showing how the cycles are started and includes an exception-again Namond to show it is not necessarily always true, but it normally is. I think the scene that stayed with me the most is when Prez sees Dukie working the corners because Prez cared so deeply about Dukie and tried to take care of him, but he was unable to keep Dukie off the corners. Another scene that struck me is when the little guy makes fun of Prez in class, no one else laughs. I think this could be for two reasons. Firstly, Prez has finally become a respected teacher, so the kids do not wish to test or mock him. Second, the kids from the special class did not encourage the behavior, which I believe shows that it worked for the kids because most of them stopped being disruptive in the classrooms.
ReplyDeleteThe resolution of Namond’s story was very positive. He will be able to avoid the corners and not be forced into being someone he is not by a crazed mother. Also the changes to the police department offer hope because Daniels has more power and clearly uses it wisely though it seems like that could easily change now that Carcetti is basing his decision on his ability to run for office.
The Wire is about people. I know that may seem very broad, but I think the essential strength of the Wire as a show and what it does very well is create characters that feel like real people and depicts these characters making reasonable decisions. Though I hate that Carcetti did not take the funding for the schools, it makes sense that he did not because he is a politician. Michael appeared to have so much promise, but the shows slow evolution towards him becoming an enforcer felt natural and though it is painful to accept, it made sense.
I liked this show a lot because it drew you in, but it was not willing to give you cheap endings that were too happy to be realistic for the city it portrays. I also think it feels real because it portrays human emotions realistically, and shows problems in the essential infrastructure of many American cities especially this season with the Public School systems I think that easily resonates with anyone who lives in Atlanta. I would recommend the show, but I might feel a little guilty because I know whoever watches it will feel very sad about the ending as I did because the boys we see so much of do not turn out that well except Namond which is hopeful but still leaves one sad. I’m very interested in the previous seasons to see how the show and some characters especially McNulty were depicted and their journeys and to see the next season to continue to follow the detectives, Michael and Dukie’s storylines.
1. The final episode was absolutely soul-crushing. Sure, there were some small victories as always, but the losses were felt so much more. I really did come to care for the kids a lot and to see three out of the four of them end up in terrible positions was just awful. What stuck with me the most was Randy in the group home, his money stolen, labeled a snitch yet again, throwing a punch at a group of bullies before being beaten senselessly. Through Randy’s storyline in particular, I could feel almost a kind of rage coming from the writers, anger against a society and world that can allow such a smart, young, bright-eyed boy to be so mercilessly hurt by the system. It really depressed me, to be honest. Seeing Carcetti choose not to take the money from the governor, further damaging the children of his city only cemented it.
ReplyDeleteSomething that I noticed in the finale: While the primary theme of the season has been education, there has also been a theme of fatherhood running through the episodes. Whether genetic or symbolic, father-son relationships have been an important part of the season (Sherrod & Bubbles, Michael & Bug’s dad, Duquan & Prez, Namond & Bunny, Namond & Wee-Bey, Randy & Carver).
2. Namond’s adoption by Bunny was one of the most positive storyline conclusions in this season (along with Omar making it rich and Cutty getting a new girlfriend). However, to be honest, I didn’t find any of it to be hopeful. Namond’s adoption was the outcome of a lot of luck and special care by Bunny and it really demonstrated that this kind of exceptional interest is what it takes to get a child out of the world of drugs and violence. It really just made me think of the fact that the majority of kids don’t have a Bunny Colvin and as a result get destroyed by the system (as we see with Duquan, Michael & Randy).
3. I would say that The Wire is about how individuals’ self-interest and belief in the ends justifying the means leads to overall negative effects on the greater population, especially those of a low social-caste. While the show uses Baltimore as an example of these values in action, Simon is really making a larger comment about either America or human nature in general. Throughout the course of the show, characters of every class and institution have a chance to effect real, positive change and opt out of it because of belief in self-interest or the ends justifying the means. We see this in Carcetti rejecting the governor’s money (if he becomes governor, then he can help the kids!), in Marlo killing people indiscriminately, in the police juking the stats, in the school administration teaching the tests, etc.
4. I love this show! I have recommended it to friends and will continue to do so. If I had another opportunity to take a class on The Wire, I would without a doubt.
1. After this episode was over, all I could think about was how there were so many loose ends left over—so many story lines I wanted to know more about. It made me want to watch more. The episode also made me feel sad because Michael changed so much from the character he was at the beginning of the season. Also, the episode showed just how unfair life can be. Randy, who didn’t really do anything wrong, is getting beat up and his home is fire bombed. This is all due to Hurc’s actions. The fact that the police aren’t or can’t protect Randy makes me mad.
ReplyDelete2. I was upset about all of the boy’s futures except for Namond’s. I had such high hopes for Michael, Duquan, and Randy, but their paths seem very bleak at this point. Namond, on the other hand, has a bright future. He seems hopeful and more at peace with himself in the final scene of him at his new home. Once his parents let go of the idea of him having to be a corner kid, his options opened up. It makes me hopeful as well because it shows that all that Bunny and the special class did for Namond wasn’t in vain. Something came out of it.
3. The wire is about a corrupt city. The city police are juking stats, the teachers are teaching to the test in order to raise test scores, and the best way to gain success is to take advantage of other people or sell drugs. The whole system of the city is backwards. The show questions the American Dream by showing how the hard working people can’t generally move forward, but the drug dealers and sleazy politicians get the advantage.
4. I loved this show! I liked how it could be serious and question the American Dream and how the system works, but then the next moment could be incredibly funny. The balance between the two was nice. I would recommend it to a friend. I think I got a lot more out of the season with this class because of the discussions we had about it. Therefore, I would like to take another class watching more seasons.
1. The final episode was a lot to take in. I was left feeling kind of disappointed with some things that ended up happening with some people in this episode. A scene that stuck out to me was Bodie getting shot, because once that happened I knew that any hope for change in those corners was now gone. I realized with this last episode that The Wire always concludes with the fact that reform and change arguably really is not possible. Things change, but at the end of the day it is all still the same. Which makes me feel somewhat discouraged, but it also has me thinking about if that statement is true.
ReplyDelete2. The most hopeful thing that I saw in this episode was Namond with Bunny and his wife at the end of the episode. That really did give me hope, and it was what I wanted for Namond as his “happy ending”. Seeing him in a stable household doing well, and having options was really hopeful because he got out. Namond does not have to pretend to be someone that he is not, nor does he have to prove anything. Namond seemed happy and secure with who he was and that was very encouraging.
3. The Wire is about all people in the world. At the end of the day if you are in the West Side of Baltimore or the Upper East Side of New York, corruption, guilt, cheating, lying, everything will still be present and occurring through everyone’s life. The Wire presents the argument and the stories of all the people, and creates the argument that all these people and their stories can relate. Also, at the end of the day everyone is dealing with something, and like Prez said, no one wins, one team just loses more slowly, which is in the long run what The Wire presents about people and their lives.
4. I love this show. It is my second year taking the class, so this show obviously really sticks out to me. I absolutely would recommend it to my friends, and I have told them to watch it.