The Wire 4x12 Reaction
Added 2023-10-29 19:29:48 +0000 UTC
Comments
Hello Gangster Pikachu, I'm from the future! OooOoOooooh!! Hope you're enjoying your re-watch
TeaDrinker3000
2023-12-24 12:43:12 +0000 UTCI had no idea I was in the company of such a politically astute group. It’s a pleasant surprise.
Thomas Fahey
2023-12-01 04:42:49 +0000 UTC@39:55 , you know a show is peak when they bust out the Serbian, the tragedy of this episode is like a Russian Doll of explosive sadness and each revalation is more devastating than the last.
Karabo
2023-11-01 09:01:53 +0000 UTC@29:10 , your reaction is perfect, you can see our boys being pulled apart by their environment. What's happening to Michael is so sad
Karabo
2023-11-01 09:00:20 +0000 UTCOh for sure agree 100% and at the same time there hasn’t been a president who wasn’t a war criminal in many many decades (even Carter was one) Reagan stepping in and introducing Trickle Down economics was the biggest blow to any hope any anti-capitalist citizens
space colon
2023-10-31 20:49:30 +0000 UTCThat’s a damn good call back, I’m so glad Walon comes back next episode (they’ve already watched it) You’re right on that he hadn’t hit his bottom yet
space colon
2023-10-31 20:43:21 +0000 UTCInterestingly David Simon speaks about presidents in the interview I mentioned. The point that he makes - and that I agree with unfortunately - is that the entire US Government is paid very well to be inert. Capitalists want a totally broken government and due to separation of power, no single man (not even the president) can do a damn thing about it even if they wanted to.
Michael M
2023-10-31 10:43:48 +0000 UTCYeah, I forgot how much happened in this one episode. Goddamn.
jveezy
2023-10-31 06:38:24 +0000 UTCI understand that the kid storyiines are so impactful that it makes you not care about the politics. But the show is designed to show broken systems and that would be impossible without going into politics. It shows that even well-intentioned politicians that would like to do the right thing are immediately caught in a shit storm of major budget issues and inheriting problems from unsolved issues that go back decades. It is a show about systems, as you all have said many times, and politics is a major one.
Jason Landow
2023-10-31 04:54:09 +0000 UTCRegarding Bubbles plot in this episode, it makes me think back to season one, where he is talking with Walon from the NA meeting. Walon talks about his young nephew who is an addict: "He ain't anywhere near his bottom. Gotta see that bottom coming up at him. Hard too, cuz he's young, 24. Most people don't get tired til they're 35, 40. How old are you?" Bubbles replies: "Young at heart." I feel that conversation clearly was Walon's way of describing how he sees Bubbles without being preachy or pushy, trying to wake him up but recognizing ultimately Bubbles will need to decide that on his own.
Doug
2023-10-31 03:58:38 +0000 UTCPeople say she’s one note but it takes a lot of effort to communicate the personality that she does The character isn’t dumb, she has a lot of Cluster B traits (includes disorders like Borderline Personality) and is emotionally programmed to not accept any reality other than her own She is shown repeatedly to be conniving which she absolutely communicates while at the same time yelling to not let anyone challenge her It takes effort to communicate multiple emotions, some of them in much more subtle ways than many other actors on the show have shown they can
space colon
2023-10-31 02:50:47 +0000 UTCThere's loads of things I'll want to say about the final episode so in case I forget I want to give a quick shout out now to Sandi McCree who plays DeLonda (Naymond's mother). The actress killed that role and became one of the most hated characters despite not having a lot of screen time. And apparently she's a sweetheart in real life.
Chidi.
2023-10-31 01:03:59 +0000 UTCLol @ Chris. I said this earlier on in the season. It's "annoying" how good they are. Even for the prologue in this episode they knew Chris and Snoop were training Mike not really trying to kill him but they're the only reactos I've seen figure it out almost instantly.
Chidi.
2023-10-31 00:54:07 +0000 UTCIt’s actually annoying at times though. I get pissed when I’m looking forward to their reactions to a certain situation and they call it out before it happens. 🤦♂️
Chris Costelloe
2023-10-30 23:03:18 +0000 UTCNah, he has an endless supply of both in the office
prolifik5
2023-10-30 22:49:32 +0000 UTCFr fuck all presidents honestly
space colon
2023-10-30 19:12:44 +0000 UTCThe scene in which Michael hits Namond is one of the saddest I have ever seen, whether on television or in film. Seeing Namond collapsing into tears is terrible, even more so if we see the context: he is trying to continue representing himself as tough in front of his friend, the one whom he respects and whom he always looks for help in those circumstances that he cannot cope with. It is at that moment that Namond loses everything. On the other hand, I don't think that this is an episode written with the worst-case scenarios in mind. I mean, they truly are the worst-case realistic scenarios, but everything that happens is a completely logical consequence of what we saw in the previous episodes, just like the girls had already predicted. The really hard thing is that everything happens in one episode, so it’s almost beyond belief. I do agree with the feeling that it is not possible to go any lower with Bubbles' story. He represents, to its ultimate consequences, the tragic idea that no matter how hard the individual tries to get ahead, if the structure is so horribly broken, it will be incredibly difficult to find a dignified way to live.
RubénMO
2023-10-30 18:11:45 +0000 UTCThat was an interesting read, thanks! I always appreciated the subtle camera movements they did for the "classic shot reverse shot" for conversations, it makes the scenes feel more dynamic
HenryM
2023-10-30 15:07:08 +0000 UTCimo this episode is the most difficult one in this entire show. it’s one thing after another lol
RH
2023-10-30 13:50:20 +0000 UTCyeah well fuck obama
RH
2023-10-30 13:48:58 +0000 UTCI was totally wrong, appreciate you challenging me cause my bias toward school staff made me overlook this horrible shit she did wanna clarify that I don’t wanna defend anyone who has responsibility over children and hurts them, I will always prioritize a child’s emotional and physical safety over anything else What I love about The Wire is the nuance of the character writing Rewatched the scene from episode 4 where Donnelly talks to Randy The scene illustrates that they have history and that she doesn’t trust him because he was skipping class and selling candy (something most any staff member would call the parents about) That being said you’re absolutely 100% right (not that me confirming it means anything, I’m not trying to be condescending or shitty), she does use the threat of calling Randy’s foster mom to pump him for information about which person is tagging the halls (which brilliantly foreshadows Randy’s relationship with authority figures and Herc pumping him for info) This can’t be justified, I’ve known school and even inpatient mental health staff members who’ve done this with kids and teens, their rationale is that the kids who are breaking rules should be punished but they can “create a contract” with the kid that if they break rules they should “give back to the struggling staff” This is bullshit and definitely paints Donnelly as someone who will use leverage over students who break rules. At the same time though I think this makes the story and writing way more interesting, like you said she can care about the kids and school and still do this kinda awful crap She’s a lot like Kima or Daniels, not above doing dirty shit to get what she wants smfh
space colon
2023-10-30 13:45:39 +0000 UTCIf they do I'd assume they'd want to broadcast it whenever the show ends for non-patrons on YouTube - looks like they're 7 or 8 episodes behind.
Chidi.
2023-10-30 13:07:06 +0000 UTCThe other thing which makes that scene tough is Kenard calls out for Nay whilst he's being battered by Mike.
Chidi.
2023-10-30 12:59:30 +0000 UTCShe sounded like she came from a place of experience, I’m sure she was like Prez trying to save the students Yeah like she doesn’t threaten, just tells Randy what the potential consequences of his actions will be and she’s always doing right by the kids Making sure Duquan gets clothes, giving Randy a break and NOT calling his foster mother when he was skipping classes, making sure Prez knows how best to handle his career, being brutally honest with Bunny and her staff but not to her kids who she has to send to Highschool She was one of the people who visibly HURT THE MOST when she saw That Bunny’s social outreach program was being shut down It’s important that Prez establishes boundaries with his students, if he worked at a Magic Johnson Highschool that had resources specifically catered to at risk kids then that would be different but he’ll destroy himself and his career if he tries to save every kid (especially the ones who leave his school)
space colon
2023-10-30 11:36:41 +0000 UTCIt’s been hard to see Milena hurting so badly, especially during the scenes with Naymond’s mom I really hope they can get a cute fun show without heavy tragedy like Spy x Family or Kaguya or Haikyuu or Ted Lasso Even if just one of the 4 shows they watch every week is a cute/fun one that might make reactions and discussions a little less exhausting right?
space colon
2023-10-30 11:29:03 +0000 UTCThat would be amazing
M Salam
2023-10-30 11:28:36 +0000 UTCI don't know about a livestream but they should definitely do a Wire QnA video like a week after it's done. The series finale is so dense alone that trying to wrap up both that episode and the show as a whole in one day would be impossible, even if the video itself was very long. I'd love to see them do a QnA about a week later where we can ask questions pertaining to the entire series as a whole, comparing storylines from season 1 to season 5 etc.
TeaDrinker3000
2023-10-30 10:36:33 +0000 UTCL & M - would you be interested in doing a livestream Q&A of The Wire after you've finished the show? I think it'd make for an interesting discussion plus there's bonus material you could react to.
Chidi.
2023-10-30 07:54:30 +0000 UTCYes! Duquan and Prez too, absolutely! Prez even gently touches Dukie's arm to assure him everything will be OK.
Chidi.
2023-10-30 07:49:11 +0000 UTCThis episode is a multiple gut-punch. I remember watching this episode back in 2007(!) when I was living with my parents. I'd decided to watch one more episode and risk being late for work in the morning. Worth it but I couldn't wait to get home to watch the finale.
Chidi.
2023-10-30 07:47:19 +0000 UTCYep, I said the same in the last episode. Whilst the cinematography seems different this season (fewer varied shots than in Season 1 for example), the sound design is fantastic this season. Good article on The Wire's visual style here: https://www.hpten.com/all-content/2020/11/1/the-wire-visual-style
Chidi.
2023-10-30 07:35:58 +0000 UTCI feel almost obligated to give a little hope that not every storyline (this season or the series as a whole) will end in complete devestation. When I look back on the series there are some cool, positive arcs to latch onto
Craig Manning
2023-10-30 04:02:17 +0000 UTCWill reply in the morning after I wake up Agree and disagree with some of your points but don’t wanna be shifty or dismissive or say your perspective isn’t real
space colon
2023-10-30 03:59:40 +0000 UTCI am genuinely so sad after this episode. Virtual hugs for all the patrons 😭😭😭
TeaDrinker3000
2023-10-30 03:32:02 +0000 UTCThis episode is just a small piece of the true darkness that exists in places like that, what’s too far is what’s actually going on, not the small aspects of it that the show is showing. As bad as it gets watching this is a Beyond pleasant experience compared to living through it.
Cole
2023-10-30 03:22:46 +0000 UTCToo true! Prez and Duquan also have a fatherly conversation about how he can’t help him anymore! In episode 2 we also have an episode centered around mothers or mother figures in their lives (the one episode we see Duquan’s mother) and see the ways in which they failed them (the only one who had it good was Randy with a foster mother) That’s the same episode we find out Dennis is sleeping with all the moms, Bunk is interviewing Lex’s mother, and one of the female teacher’s gives Prez maternal advice saying “(he) needs soft eyes” to work with the kids Fitting that the season starts with mothers failing them, ends with fathers saying goodbye to them after failing them as the kids have to transition early to adulthood (Bunny tells Naymond he has to go back to the regular classes because things fell apart with the social outreach program) Amazing writing
space colon
2023-10-30 03:21:07 +0000 UTCThanks for the tip guys! I'm going to check all these out once I've had a week to recover from 4x13
TeaDrinker3000
2023-10-30 03:13:39 +0000 UTCHard agree! I think it was his “Audacity of Despair” lecture/essay where he described American institutions as Greek Gods in The Wire, toying with the powerless characters He describes capitalism as Zeus, the ultimate God creating all of the tragedy It’s such a great book club show, if they ever had a reaction and or sit down discussion about an essay on The Wire that they read/watched I would love that Really recommend people check out this great video about police propaganda that the wire challenges https://youtu.be/aOXQpkUhZyc?si=jXgrEu33ANlf3lLU this playlist of essays by Thomas Wright deconstructing the qualities of the writing that make it incredible https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXJ3434wIyxOumPrTQVbiFIX82SNNY9Jn&si=CoFF7f5p34wcpmuL And this article about how the show impacted the medium of television https://theconversation.com/michael-k-williams-and-the-wire-how-the-show-redefined-television-watching-167480
space colon
2023-10-30 03:04:33 +0000 UTCLadies - The creator of The Wire - David Simon - has a lot of lectures, presentations, and interviews up on YouTube. AFTER you wrap up the show, I recommend David's presentation at Berkley titled "The Audacity of Despair" as a challenge to your assertation that this episode went too far. His interview "America as a Horror Show" also adds a lot of context. With respect of course. Love ya. PS - President Obama sitting down with David Simon to discuss The Wire is a must watch too.... maybe for the channel???? ;)
Michael M
2023-10-30 02:50:29 +0000 UTCTwo things: 1. I'll reiterate the point I made on the last episode that Julito McCullum, the actor playing Namond, is absolutely outstanding. Every single young boy/man involved with this season gave a 10/10 performance, but Namond still manages to stand out in particular. Every single microexpression on his face this episode makes me believe I'm watching CCTV footage of something that actually happened. And I guess that's what The Wire is at the end of the day, the greatest documentary on America that just so happens to not *actually* be a documentary in the traditional sense. 2. This is my 12th series to be watching with the girls (not including those I've dipped in and out of with a few episodes), and I do not think I've ever seen Milena so upset. Lola tends to tear up where as Milena vocalises her anger/sadness during the reaction to a show, and ofc Milena has cried her fair share in these reactions over the years, but man seeing how visibly distraught Milena was at times just killed me. It all hits everyone different this time around. I gave myself time to prepare for this reaction but I still found myself just drained by the time we got to the end. And this is the *easier* of the two episodes. This season was so much harder the second time around, between knowing how each character arc was going to eventually end, the girls' reaction and analysis, and the patrons sharing the further context to the way these issues have and continue to be prevalent in America. Jesus christ, they're kids...
TeaDrinker3000
2023-10-30 02:47:37 +0000 UTCYeah, this is that episode. The one I always dread when I rewatch this season
Legion
2023-10-30 02:39:15 +0000 UTCUnlike you (& most others 😂) I actually think Vice Principal Donnelly is a pretty compassionate character in the circumstances. She just tells things straight - what she said to Prez was the truth he needed to hear. She is pretty much running the school - the Principal just seems like a figurehead who defers to her on all decisions, so she carries the weight of everything herself. I also don’t think she is as cold as people say - there are several scenes where she is really nice with the kids. Even when she has to be firm with them she is not mean about it, and the kids seem to respect her. Given the flawed education system that the school has to operate within, I think she is doing a pretty good job.
David
2023-10-30 02:15:50 +0000 UTCYou guys still think Herc made that phone call? He did not. Carver made the call.
David
2023-10-30 01:32:47 +0000 UTCI agree with Milena, that scene with Michael beating up Kenard sounded so raw, oftentimes the sound design doesn't get enough praise. It's also the little details like someone commenting in the background about Kenard getting beat up is what make scenes like this so realistic
HenryM
2023-10-30 01:25:58 +0000 UTC@Michael M - Hey dumdum, I'm talking about what happened in this episode and actually in other episodes they've already watched.
BNJ
2023-10-30 01:16:04 +0000 UTC- "Go with your people. Go ahead, son." - Cutty to Michael. - "I'm sorry, son." - Carver to Randy. - Father and son interaction between Bunny and Naymond. The boys are belatedly finding men who could have been father figures in their lives.
Chidi.
2023-10-30 01:12:06 +0000 UTCDon't get me wrong I can see why you think the Bubbles storyline has gone too far and it's certainly grim to say the least but imo it's one of the only ways it could have gone in a show that strives for reality over fairytales. He's been failed by the system too many times and his story is a tragedy that is sadly playing out on our streets every day. Andre Royo's performance is one of my favourites in the show
Max Carter
2023-10-30 01:11:01 +0000 UTCTwo more things: - a baloney sandwich. - a baloney sandwich wrapped in a porn magazine.
Chidi.
2023-10-30 01:02:29 +0000 UTC@Michael M - Let's assume BNJ is referring to what has already happened rather than what might happen in future episodes.
Chidi.
2023-10-30 01:00:29 +0000 UTCAlso, that was the moment where Mike realised Cutty isn't a bad guy after all.
Chidi.
2023-10-30 00:59:06 +0000 UTC@space1999 My problem with Donnelly actually goes beyond how she dealt with the rape accusation. From their first interaction, it's established that Donnelly has targeted Randy as an easy mark. He gets caught skipping class, and instead of dealing with that infraction on its face, she holds his fear of being thrown back into the foster system over his head in order to extract information about kids tagging walls. It's no different from how cops exploit people to turn them into snitches, and she knows how dangerous such a reputation can be in that environment. As far as the situation with Tiff: yes, she does have to inform his foster mother, and yes, this is a lot more serious than cutting class to sell candy. My question would be, why is she again threatening him and calling his foster mother right in front of him, rather than interviewing him and finding out what he knows and then letting the process take its course? Clearly she wanted to use the same tactics as before to extract another confession, and was only thrown off course because Randy unexpectedly mentioned knowing about a murder. It's noticeable that she picks him out first instead of Paul and Monell, because she knows they aren't going to be as easy to break as Randy (assuming they did commit rape). I can definitely understand being somewhat jaded and cynical after a long time in the system, but to me, using a child's fear of losing their foster mother in this manner goes way beyond that.
prolifik5
2023-10-30 00:40:32 +0000 UTCYeah I thought so. Corrupt weak hypocritical coward.
Lil Don075
2023-10-30 00:21:43 +0000 UTC@prolifk5 Had a discussion with @chidi. About the Donnelly/Randy situation This is what I shared with them about my thoughts on it as someone who’s worked around teaching environments, curious for your thoughts (Apologies for being long winded af$ https://imgur.com/a/IHxM1Mb
space colon
2023-10-29 23:55:35 +0000 UTCAny second now...
Lil Don075
2023-10-29 23:48:26 +0000 UTCHuge dramatic impact in this episode. How can one not be affected by it? That ending is a tear-jerker. You ladies really are supreme reactors. All I can say for now is stick with the story, everything happens for a reason. You may not be happy with the events of the episode but one has to admire the artistry in which the stories have been told. For the sake of the story it was important the four kids who were so close at the start of the season had to find themselves in totally different places by the end of it. Carver walking down the corridor knowing the police have completely failed Randy is one of the saddest moments in the whole show. As tragic as Frank Sobotka walking towards his death. Been a long season, looking forward to the finale, it's brilliant.
Chidi.
2023-10-29 23:47:28 +0000 UTCAppreciate you, I think I know what you’re talking about and agree that they made the absolute most of this storyline
space colon
2023-10-29 23:46:59 +0000 UTCHow do people not realize these types of comments are huge spoilers. smh.
Michael M
2023-10-29 23:46:19 +0000 UTCStill waiting.
Lil Don075
2023-10-29 23:41:20 +0000 UTCStill waiting @Space1999
Lil Don075
2023-10-29 23:40:47 +0000 UTCI'm not a huge fan of Donnelly because of how she dealt with Randy, but I agree with all of this.
prolifik5
2023-10-29 23:38:55 +0000 UTCI'm reluctant to go into too much detail right now as it touches on events that are still to come, but suffice it to say, while they did treat Bubbs like a piñata this season, I understand why it was done this way having seen the entire show.
prolifik5
2023-10-29 23:37:05 +0000 UTCHard agree, LM are coming from a good place and at the same time these are things people working with children are taught early in their career If you see someone drowning you throw them a life preserver (connect them to resources and do small things to help). If more and more people are treading water trying not to drown for years on end you have to draw a line and not jump in with them Nothing she said was untrue I had and worked with teachers who did things like laundry for students (including my gf) but they still kept their distance from individuals because there are SOOOO MANY kids just like Duquan Have worked peer support with teens and kids in teaching environments and in therapy settings (also as a camp counselor and went to a Magic Johnson Highschool) it’s drilled into you repeatedly: Do not focus all your time and love on one kid. For your own emotional and mental health but also for your work Teachers are NOT social workers or case managers, they need to create space and not give too too much to every student or they’ll burn themselves out If you have even just 1 or 2 kids who you’re constantly doing laundry for and continuing to help extensively with meals after they’ve graduated then you’ll destroy yourself keeping up with them, especially if there are more and more kids just like this This is why we need more Magic Johnson schools that have resources to help kids, we can’t put everything on teachers
space colon
2023-10-29 23:36:14 +0000 UTC@profilik5 I agree that the show could go way way harder with the real and bleak things it explores (honestly wish we had a much bigger focus on young girls this season and women in general) At the same time I think if so many wildly different dramatic horrible things happen in such a short time so to the same character it feels more and more like a tv show Like in reality do men and women and children experience things even worse than Bubs has everyday? 100% At the same time I prefer how the show handled Bubs suffering at the end of season 1. We had more time with his storyline and the devastating scenes we saw with him happened much more quickly and they didn’t pause for drama which made it hurt more than if they did, that made it feel less like a tv show Do you think that’s unfair? If so that’s totally cool, these are just nitpicks because this season is the most important and most amazing by far
space colon
2023-10-29 23:28:15 +0000 UTCI don’t want this ride to end.. I can’t believe we are almost done with this show. While yes is not an enjoyable ride at times, I still feel this show has some of the best writing out there on TV to this day.
Jack SV
2023-10-29 23:27:49 +0000 UTCAgree 1000%. Cutty was looking out for Michael in that instance. Street wisdom and smarts to know that Michael shouldn't stick around after Monk just shot a dude for Michael. Cutty knew that Michael, just based on optics, should go with his boys.
Random Random
2023-10-29 23:25:37 +0000 UTCI have to say, usually LM are very empathetic towards characters and at least try to see POV and nuance. But I was a bit surprised by how firmly they seemed to land on Donnelly being cruel when she gave that bit of advice to Prez. It's not that they extended her zero empathy, they did talk about how she might have become cynical over the years, but I think I'm generally just not really sure her advice is coming from a place of pure cynicism or that she is telling him to give up on kids. She said the job has to be to help them while you can but also let them go when that time comes because there will be an entire crop of them coming right behind the ones leaving that are also going to need his help. This is practical and empathetic advice. No teacher is going to be able to SAVE every troubled child that comes through their doors. And it's not cruel to tell them that. Managing the mental and emotional health of the teachers tasked with helping these kids is incredibly important. No offense meant at all, but LM are on the verge of emotional breakdowns just looking at children, imagine if they were teachers in a school system like this. They would need someone to help them manage their desire to save, and basically give the little speech that Donnelly gave about helping them as much as you can but also learning when to let go, and helping the next group of kids. Without this, no teacher would ever last. Donnelly is flawed in many ways in regards to how she handled Randy (though even then, she was put in a situation where she was investigating a girl that basically said she was gang raped) but I do have a lot of empathy towards all she has on her plate, and do not believe I, or many others, would do better than what she is doing. The problems of the system are so much larger than her.
Random Random
2023-10-29 23:19:28 +0000 UTCI hear you, just know I’m not saying it’s for giggles, I just think it would have been more effective if we had more time with Bubs and Rashad Bubs is amazing and it’s important to show his suffering (as important as it is to show the suffering of the kids) and I think it’s effective because of how sudden it is These are absolutely important things to show, 100% At the same time I see the show as a heightened drama documentary, when so many different miserable things happening to the same character makes it feel a little more like a tv show you know what I mean?
space colon
2023-10-29 23:13:09 +0000 UTCIf we're comparing the show to a documentary, I think it's safe to say they went easy compared to how bad things can get in real life.
prolifik5
2023-10-29 23:06:40 +0000 UTCYeah, at that point waiting for the ambulance could only cause problems for Michael, and Cutty knows that. Monk already did him the "favour" of (begrudgingly) sparing Cutty's life. Staying behind with Cutty would definitely have them looking sideways at him from a loyalty standpoint.
prolifik5
2023-10-29 23:04:02 +0000 UTCDisagree hard. This show never goes into emotional torture porn territory. How this affects Bubbles is valid storytelling, not something to harm viewers for kicks and giggles.
Random Random
2023-10-29 22:53:42 +0000 UTCNgl first time I watched the show I stopped after this episode, didn’t come back to finish it till years later
space colon
2023-10-29 22:52:59 +0000 UTCFeel this hard… like it stops feeling like a documentary and closer to emotional torture porn
space colon
2023-10-29 22:51:20 +0000 UTCI adore this season and the show BUT I think I agree there are some nitpicks including this one I preferred what happened to Bubs at the second to last episode of season 1, much less of a trauma conga line but still devastating I think if the season was longer and we had more time with Bubs and Rashad this would have fit a bit better, we had great foreshadowing with Bubs going to lengths to get revenge on Herc (Not saying it isn’t incredibly important to show things like Sherrod dying, hard agree with everything you said about Bubs) My minor nitpicks of the show are the lack of cohesion between every single storyline narratively and thematically (think Season 1 and 2 are the most tightly written in this regard) I also feel like the writers sometimes didn’t know what to do with Omar and his storylines after the first half of season 2 suffer (he still has great scenes and episodes that tie in thematically/narratively after this but they are few and far between). We get very little time with him and his bfs or his mom Could care less about his storyline with Kimmy this episode I think sometimes the writers have to scramble a little and introduce/reintroduce things so that they happen later that same episode, it’s a bit less organic and you can tell which episodes have great writing and which ones have amazing writing
space colon
2023-10-29 22:49:03 +0000 UTCUp next, episode thirteen! The season finale. The shit is on ... come on with it !
Iamgreat Now
2023-10-29 22:37:11 +0000 UTCThe idea is that if Carcetti "begs" for $54 million from the Republican governor he'd betray his Democratic base and kill his own chances of becoming the governor. Nerese wants to become mayor and would 100% bring that up in a campaign. Carcetti risks losing the election for governor AND his own position as mayor in the next term if he asks for the money. In his advisor's mind, kids don't vote, which is why he shook his head.
Accolade
2023-10-29 22:30:11 +0000 UTCI think it's important to point out also that this specific 'punishment' for Bubs happens right after he resolves to kill another human. Which for all the awful shit that the guy does to Bubs is a step further than anything he did to him.
Jay Craig
2023-10-29 22:23:57 +0000 UTCSherrod’s outcome always reminded me of Andrea’s in BB. Cruel and abrupt. Borderline unnecessary. With that said this ep is an all timer. I love how with so much going downhill they still highlight Bunny and Cutty trying to connect and save some of these kids.
cheech
2023-10-29 22:23:12 +0000 UTCFr like this is near the top of the list of shows I try to give friends trigger warnings for
space colon
2023-10-29 22:15:01 +0000 UTCThey’re often really good with predictions They knew Dee would die by the end of episode 11 of season 1 because he’d served his primary role in the story and that that would make the most sense dramatically
space colon
2023-10-29 22:13:41 +0000 UTCThe Bubbles/Sherrod stuff is so, so bleak. Just when you think he's hit rock bottom, there's worse coming. Was it necessary? Without getting into whether (or not) there is more story to tell next episode/in the final season, I think the show -- and Andre Royo, who gives my favourite performance in the whole series -- painted such a vivid portrait of a human, beyond his "identity" as an addict, with Bubbles that it almost circles around to romanticism. Yes, he has a hard life, but (and I don't mean this is a bad way necessarily) he is a junkie with a heart of gold. Is it honest storytelling to give that character a happy ending? What story is the show telling with that? The show punishes Bubbles this season harder than any other character in the series, I think. And the sad reality is that that's probably the most honest arc for this character.
Mike
2023-10-29 22:12:26 +0000 UTC100%. Cutty gets that part more than most given his gang history
Jay Craig
2023-10-29 22:09:25 +0000 UTCThe inevitability of everything is part of what makes it so tragic. The show has spent 11 episodes (and three seasons) showing you how the system is broken, so it doesn't take any great leaps of logic to trace how these specific stories are going to ricochet through the final instalments. It's a credit to the storytelling that it can be this compelling (and heartbreaking) without any crazy twists and turns. We know what's going to happen. It's horrible to watch. But you can't look away. And of course the show, on an educational level, is trying to say exactly that: What's happening is terrible, please pay attention.
Mike
2023-10-29 22:02:26 +0000 UTCOnly three things can get Landsman to leave his office: a cop getting shot, BPD politics bullshit (Dozerman's gun), and his precious stats. 😂
prolifik5
2023-10-29 21:47:15 +0000 UTCit impresses me how accurate they are with predicting what's going to happen.
BNJ
2023-10-29 21:46:17 +0000 UTCI took Cuttys “go with your people” line a little differently. I didn’t see that solely as him giving up on Michael, but also saying he needs to stand with the group he’s with, or he might appear weak in front of them. Also if the police appear and Michael is the only one to question he could get into trouble with the law, regardless of what Cutty says. So I saw it more as a warning/advice.
Darrach
2023-10-29 21:33:35 +0000 UTCIt won't get any rougher than this one tbh
prolifik5
2023-10-29 21:28:54 +0000 UTCGod I haven't even watched it yet and I know that I'm going to be so sad after watching the reaction. I didn't think Band of Brothers could ever be matched, but here we are.
TeaDrinker3000
2023-10-29 21:22:42 +0000 UTCWishing Lola much strength to edit the season finale! It's gonna be a rough one
HenryM
2023-10-29 21:15:21 +0000 UTCSame… like it’s validating to see people feel the same way as I do but it also hurts
space colon
2023-10-29 21:07:28 +0000 UTCL and M wiping tears away, distressed : "Thank God it's over. Imagine 80 minutes, we're gonna have 80 minutes next time" Sickos, like me: "Ha ha yes. Yesssss."
Jay Craig
2023-10-29 21:06:15 +0000 UTCA fun(?) bit of trivia in this episode: the subplot where the Governor keeps Carcetti waiting and then calls him back as he's leaving is a real thing that happened to the former mayor of Baltimore who Carcetti is loosely based on. The extra who plays the security guard is the former governor who did it to him.
Alexander
2023-10-29 20:58:57 +0000 UTCSame. There was zero catharsis in the crying this episode, only pain.
Kya Colosseum
2023-10-29 20:42:49 +0000 UTCUsually, I find enjoyment in watching you guys get emotional, but it's not even fun watching your reaction. Nice to see my feelings reflected though.
Komikall
2023-10-29 20:28:31 +0000 UTCProbably the saddest episode in the show imo. From randy to sherod to namond and Michael it is brutal to see how these kids are ending up.
Cole
2023-10-29 20:19:27 +0000 UTCThe situations Prez and Bunny see are really just microcosms of things all public education staff face every day People who work with kids, even social workers and case managers, are constantly reminded how powerless they are. Vice Principal Donnelly quietly accepting the collapse of Bunny’s social outreach program hurts me on a psychical level She had to tell 4 kids not ready for high school to go, pretending to smile the whole time. The actress is a school faculty member, I’m sure she’s also jaded and has had these same conversations (People get upset with her for what she told Prez about Duquan but that’s what teachers are told at the beginning of their career. Have had and worked with teachers like Prez who did laundry for students but they made a conscious effort to not help every single student as much as possible for the sake of their health and careers)
space colon
2023-10-29 20:16:05 +0000 UTCI knew this was going to be rough for y’all but damn y’all made me cry 😢
Thomas
2023-10-29 20:01:13 +0000 UTCThis one hurt. On a lot of levels.
cosmotron
2023-10-29 19:50:47 +0000 UTCOne of the best but bleakest episodes. Of any show.
Darrach
2023-10-29 19:31:52 +0000 UTC
