Hamsterdam (THE WIRE Discussion)

[Captain Russ]

Forgot how good Chris Bauer was in this season.

I can't help but laugh that fucking Machine (as opposed to Fucking Machine) is a stevedore.

(And listen to the episode commentary for "All Prologue" to hear Omar and McNutty rip on Bunk. Shit had me rolling.)

[Matt]

Did episodes 3 and 4 last night.

thoughts:
- Love that Daniels has been given the reigns to re-build the old WIRE crew AND keep it as a continuous investigatory unit.
- Not surprised to see that Rawls would NOT give Daniels McNulty. It will be interesting to see how McNulty eventually finds his way into the unit (I assume that it's awesome).
- The dinner scene where Daniels and Keema tell their wives (intercut) about joining the new task force was brilliant. No words, just looks...pure acting. Funny as hell.
- Why would ANYONE EVER do any kind of business (legal or otherwise) with Ziggy? Seriously, I've known people like that...complete fuckwits...and it's common sense that you NEVER do anything with them because they will fuck it up, no matter what. He's gonna die a bad, bad death.

[Matt]

Did episodes 5 and 6 last night, so we're now halfway done with this season.

thoughts:
- Omar as the star witness against Bird? Priceless. That whole sequence was worth the price of admission for this season.
- Did NOT expect D'Angelo to buy it. Sure, they did plenty of foreshadowing in the episode, but I really didn't think that they'd go through with it. It's not stated explicity yet, but it's inferred that Avon knew it was going to go down. Wow.
- There's no way that McNulty's ex-wife is gonna take him back. Pipe dream.
- I'm still waiting for Ziggy to die a horrible death...it can't come soon enough.

LOVING this season so far.

[Matt]

Wait 'til you see the Gant case wrap up...

FUCKING GOLD

Oh HELL yes. My wife and I were laughing our asses off. It sure was fun and satisfying to see Levy 'try' and successfully cross-examine Omar. The final bit, where Levy says that he's going to appeal the conviction, was priceless.

Are you Jesus Christ? No? (Bam) Take him away.

[Matt]

Finished Season 2 last night. We loved it equally with the first season, so I'm genuinely curious as to what the complaints are with it.

I've made a genuine effort to avoid spoiling myself with any plot points, but I have to ask a couple of questions (I don't want to risk looking them up):
1. Does Brother Mouzone come back? The way that things ended between he and Omar makes me think that Stringer isn't long for this world.
2. Does Nicky (or any of the other stevedores) come back?
3. Does the female custom's agent (never really did catch her name, but I think that they called her Beedy) come back?

[Ed Hocken]

Ah yes, Port Cop Beatrice Russell...well you're just gonna have to keep on watching.

As for the complains, as I said. I think it's either someone doesn't understand the show or just finds the plight of the workin' man very boring.

[Matt]

Ah yes, Port Cop Beatrice Russell...well you're just gonna have to keep on watching.

Cool, I liked her. I kinda got the feeling that McNulty liked her too.

[Ed Hocken]

How did you like where Ziggy ended up?

[Matt]

I wanted him to die. BADLY. I've know too many people like him in my life...fuckups who I wouldn't trust to tie their own shoes. I can't fault the performance by the actor who played Ziggy, though.

[Martin]

Brother Mouzone... man, that was a bad ass. Wait and see bro!

[Ed Hocken]

Never forget the man's Harpers!

[Captain Russ]

I don't remember where the hell this is from (likely just an outtake), but I must find out.

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It's like Sesame Street went and got real (retarded).

ETA: DERP. This shit just got real (retarded...again). It is from the the Hamsterdam ep! OPEN AND SHUT CASE, JOHNSON.

[Matt]

We started Season 3 last night. It was pretty jarring to be thrown right into the thick of things right away...no preamble, no ramp up...just GO GO GO right into the middle of the Barksdale case. This would definitely NOT be the season to start off the show on.

[Ed Hocken]

Be on the look out for Norm Wilson, Matt. He is underappreciated in my view.

[Matt]

who is he?