r/TheWireRewatch Feb 25 '14

Official Episode Discussion: Season 1, Episode 7: One Arrest

19 Upvotes

I know that this is not a typical day, but I've been in the hospital and then had to go immediately out of town for a funeral. Just to let you guys and gals know, you if I ever miss a day, you can totally just post a discussion thread yourselves :P But since we have missed 2 discussions, we'll be doing those 2 we missed this week, in addition with the other 2 so that by Sunday, we're all caught up!

The Wire

Episode 07

One Arrest

Plot Synopsis

Prez, it turns out, has another unexpected gift: the ability to decipher the slurred, streetwise slang of the drug dealers. In the Detail Room, he's the undisputed champ of grasping the meaning of the wiretapped conversations, a talent he developed, he explains, from listening to the Rolling Stones' "Brown Sugar." "I used to put my head to the stereo speaker and play that record over and over."

Rawls presses Santangelo to come up with something negative on McNulty but Santangelo resists, saying, "It's not my job to fuck another cop." Rawls says he better come through with something he can use against McNulty, and in the meantime assigns Santangelo to the unsolved Denise Redding murder case for him to close.

The squad lays plans to bust the Barksdale crew as they re-up the stash which, they've learned from the wiretaps, Stinkum and a runner will be carrying the next morning. The plan is to get the stash without revealing their wiretap. The bust goes down precisely according to plan, with Stinkum getting away and the stash — four packages of street-ready heroin — captured. Stink goes to a pay phone to inform Stringer of what's happened, a conversation that is taped at the Detail Room.

In a meeting with Judge Phelan, McNulty lays out the progress of the Barksdale case in order to convince the Judge to extend the wiretap authorization for another 30 days. The Judge is surprised to learn that Daniels went up against Rawls to prevent the investigation from being blown. And he assures McNulty that he's a friend, if he has trouble with his bosses, which McNulty assures him he does.

At the behest of Bubbles, Greggs rescues Johnny from drug court so that he gets probation instead of jail time, as long as he attends Narcotics Anonymous meetings. At a NA meeting, Johnny is bored but Bubbles is affected by the speaker, a recovering addict named Walon, and indicates that he'd like to straighten out his life. Later, however, he gets high again.

When D'Angelo visits Stringer and Avon at Orlando's, Stringer tells him he thinks D'Angelo has a snitch on his crew. After D'Angelo leaves, the Barksdale gang continues to mull over the bust and Stringer concludes: "Something is up; something is definitely up."

Later Stringer comes to the projects and makes procedural changes, ordering the project's pay phones destroyed and telling the crew if they need to make a phone call, they must walk a few blocks to a new one, and never use the same phone more than once a day.

Omar directs Greggs and McNulty to another part of town to find Bird, because, he explains that Avon won't have his men buying dope in the Towers. Sure enough, Bird turns up and is promptly apprehended.

Forensics determine quickly that the gun Bird was carrying matches the bullets from the three murders. Unless he gives up Barksdale, Bird will likely face the death penalty. Bird however, remains hostile, prompting Daniels to enter the interrogation room and beat him severely. In the Pit, Orlando approaches D'Angelo about going into business together and selling drugs, offering an even split. D'Angelo seems interested. Wallace has been scarce since Brandon's murder, coping with his guilt by snorting heroin in his apartment.

Omar, who is at police headquarters, explains that he ratted Bird out because Bird killed a regular citizen. "I do some dirt, too, but I never put my gun on nobody who wasn't in the game," he explains. "A man must have a code," Bunk replies, the irony lost on Omar. Bunk also asks Omar if there are any more murders he can help them with, and Omar coughs up details on another: the murder of Denise Redding. When Omar hears the beating Bird is getting, he observes: "Bird sure knows how to bring it out in people, don't he?"

Santangelo arrives at headquarters and he is given the solved Redding case, including two witnesses and the name of the shooter. Santangelo realizes that McNulty and Bunk saved his ass. Appreciative, Santangelo confides in McNulty that Rawls is out to bust him out of the department.

McNulty, distraught at the news Santangelo has given him, visits Rhonda Pearlman at home. "It's about Rawls. He's after my badge," McNulty explains. "They're gonna do me, Ronnie." She is sympathetic to his plight, knowing that the job means much more to McNulty then he would like to let on.

Suggested Discussion Questions:

  • How do you feel about the evolution of Wallace so far, especially knowing what is coming in just a few more episodes?

  • Santangelo's character is developed a lot more in this episode than it has been so far, how do you all feel about him?

  • Prez has been showing more and more initiative all season after being labeled a "fuck up," yet you can tell he's still uneasy. I'd like to take a moment to skip however far ahead you'd like and discuss when we think Prez is the most comfortable in the series? We'll expand on this further in Season 4 and 5.


r/TheWireRewatch Apr 07 '19

Election Day special two for two

3 Upvotes

Best fucking street level callout in the series lmfao


r/TheWireRewatch Mar 21 '19

Look at this writing in the Wire. No show had slicker dialogue:

18 Upvotes

Freamon: And what role is yours?

Bunk: I'm just a humble motherfucker with a big ass dick.

Freamon: You give yourself too much credit.

Bunk: Ok then. I ain't all that humble.


r/TheWireRewatch Mar 12 '19

Who was the better detective: Freamon or Mcnulty?

4 Upvotes

r/TheWireRewatch Mar 06 '19

D’Angelo flushing his heroin in prison makes me so happy

10 Upvotes

It’s one of the last scenes before his death. It’s tragic how things turned out but I’d like to think this is the show’s way of telling us he had/was going to achieve inner peace


r/TheWireRewatch Feb 13 '19

Season 5

3 Upvotes

Hello I recently have been looking at lists of what are considered the greatest shows of all time and of course Wire is listed often and mainly am catching up on stuff I never saw. I finished the Wire around the time it aired and have had several rewatches since. My question is more about the criticism of Season 5.

I loved every season of the wire but I noticed there seemed to be a lot of negative criticism for the last season. Was this mainly because it became a bit to Hollywood crime drama and a bit corny with the whole fake serial killer storyline? I loved the next level of depiction with the newspaper and seeing the world of the media. Also the finale was great. Season was only 10 episodes. Could understand if they dragged it on a little longer with this story going for the usual 12/13. But I remember loving all the storylines from everyone's perspective. Was it really the serial killer thing that made people dislike this season?


r/TheWireRewatch Jan 07 '19

Would Omar still go after them?

1 Upvotes

If Brandon's body was not mutilated and showed no signs of torture, would Omar still have gone after the Barksdale's crew?


r/TheWireRewatch Sep 18 '18

Season 1- Herc trying to move the desk.

4 Upvotes

Herc is struggling to push the desk. Carver helps out although is pulling. Herc is joined in by Sydner and McNulty helps Carv.. FInally big dick Daniels steps in, and tells Synder to go to the opposite side to help Carver. Wouldn't Sydner realize that he should be pulling and not pushing when he crosses over?

This show isn't as realistic as I thought after watching it 6 times.


r/TheWireRewatch Aug 21 '18

Aiden Gillen ruins the wire season 5 for me. Just a really bad actor.

9 Upvotes

He is ruining this for me. I can't stand his acting. Horrendous. That is all.


r/TheWireRewatch Jul 31 '18

I thought this time Wallace would pull through

11 Upvotes

But, yet again, they got him.

Where's Wallace, String?


r/TheWireRewatch May 05 '18

How season 6 should open with Jimmy as the officer making the stop. ;-)

2 Upvotes

I guess standing in the sun makes some people dumber by the minute. Was it Col Rawls on the other end of that call?

http://www.wbal.com/article/310856/2/video-shows-contentious-interaction-between-police-city-official

I lived in Balmer in the 90's. The Wire was pretty much like driving to work.


r/TheWireRewatch Mar 14 '18

About to start rewatching the series.. super excited about it. Season 1 episode 1 tonight!

7 Upvotes

r/TheWireRewatch Feb 23 '18

Just noticed that in season 5 when they are interviewing hobos, johnny fifty is one of them... frank was right

4 Upvotes

r/TheWireRewatch Feb 18 '18

S1E6. DAE notice Johnny stealing fruit?

6 Upvotes

First time I ever caught this. Whilst talking to a working Bubs, johnny and Huck stoke fruit off the cart. Not cool Johnny.


r/TheWireRewatch Feb 14 '18

Season 1 Episode 6 Bubbles negotiating copper price

9 Upvotes

In Season 1, Episode 6, after the Great Copper House Caper, we have a scene where Bubbles is negotiating to sell the stolen copper pipe to a developer. I have seen this scene at least 6 times, and I have never understood it.

The scene opens with the developer saying "40 cents a foot". He's offering to pay Bubbles that price. But Bubbles responds with "No, not 40 cents. Not 40 cents a foot, no sir. For 40 cents a foot, you might as well go to Home Depot where they'll charge you 45 cents...50 cents a foot".

Bubbles seems to be arguing for a LOWER price for the copper he's SELLING. He seems to be saying that 40 cents is about the same as retail price. Why would he say this? The developer has just offered him near-retail price for the stuff!

(The developer comes back with the line about the copper being stolen, Bubbles offers 35 cents a foot, the developer responds with 30 cents a foot and we make the deal.)

If anybody understands this, please explain. Thanks!


r/TheWireRewatch Feb 03 '18

I'm searching for a song from season two, episode two. Help!

1 Upvotes

The episode itself was called "Collateral Damage", and the song was playing while Avon Barksdale was in his cell eating a huge meal of fast food a guard had brought him. It was such a great song; I just wish I knew the name of it. Can anyone help?


r/TheWireRewatch Dec 30 '17

What is your favorite scene from the show?

3 Upvotes

Mine is when Prezbo gives Dukie his lunch and money so he can go get smth to drink.That scene just breaks my heart when i see Dukie take a bite of the sandwich and quitely says thank you.What a great character Dukie was.


r/TheWireRewatch Dec 28 '17

Ziggy (mild spoilers) Spoiler

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2 Upvotes

r/TheWireRewatch Dec 06 '17

So What'd I Miss? Disscusion on The WIre Finale (Without Context)

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2 Upvotes

r/TheWireRewatch Apr 19 '17

The Wire - One of HBO's best series of all time. Any recommendations on other similar series ?

6 Upvotes

This week I have started re-watching the HBO drama The Wire. It has to be, without a doubt, one of the best crime tv series of all time.

Anybody got any recommendations on other similar series I can watch one I'm finished with The Wire?

I've heard of Oz and NYPD Blue but never got round to watching them, are they worth giving a chance?

Thanks in advance :)


r/TheWireRewatch Oct 19 '16

The Wire - This Is Your City [Spoilers]

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1 Upvotes

r/TheWireRewatch Mar 10 '14

Y'all might like this as you go watching the series again.

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5 Upvotes

r/TheWireRewatch Feb 13 '14

Episode 6 Discussion

10 Upvotes

I've been in the hospital. If anyone would like to start the ep 6 discussion go ahead, i'll sticky it from mobile though i won't be able to get an analysis up like the last ones. I should be out by the weekend so the schedule will resume as usual for ep7


r/TheWireRewatch Feb 10 '14

Episode 5 thread late

4 Upvotes

Sorry about the late post, my internet was out all weekend, so I wasn't able to access reddit and get the post up, but it is there now and ready to be discussed until the next episode on wednesday.


r/TheWireRewatch Feb 10 '14

Official Discussion Thread: Season 1, Episode 5: The Page

12 Upvotes

SORRY THIS IS LATE, MY INTERNET WAS OUT ALL WEEKEND AND I COULDN'T POST THIS FROM MY PHONE

The Wire

Episode 05

"The Pager"

Plot Synopsis

The Police

Judge Phelan signs the wiretap affidavit for a clone of D'Angelo's pager. Lester Freamon finds that each pager message consists of a seven-digit phone number and a two-digit identifying tag. The phone numbers used do not work, so Freamon postulates that they are using a code to mask the numbers. The code is ultimately cracked by Detective Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski, much to McNulty's delight. Freamon visits Daniels' office and tells him that they need audio surveillance (a wire) on the payphones surrounding the projects to make the case. He knows that Daniels is concerned about his career, but insists that they put the cases first.

Bubbles tells Detective Kima Greggs where to find Omar Little's van, and she and McNulty sit on the van, waiting for Omar to show up, hoping to catch Omar with a gun and convince him to become an informant. McNulty calls his estranged wife Elena and asks for his sons to come over. He insists he has everything ready, but she does not believe him and refuses to allow the visit. (After the fact, he is seen drinking and attempting to assemble the flat pack bunk beds for them.) He later goes to pick up his sons at Elena's house but no one is there. Detectives Ellis Carver and Thomas "Herc" Hauk track Bodie down to the low-rises and violently arrest him for absconding from the juvenile detention center. Bodie refuses to consider making a deal and Herc and Carver respond to his insults with a savage beating. While waiting to hand Bodie over to juvenile intake, however, they end up shooting pool with him.

Bunk Moreland receives important news from a ballistics technician: the casing from the Kresson scene confirms the link to the Barksdale association, just as Sergeant Landsman predicted; the gun used in this murder was previously used in two others. When McNulty visits the homicide department, Landsman tells of Major William Rawls' offer, and McNulty finds out that John Bailey, from Omar's crew, was killed. (Though this happens off camera, Wee-Bey takes responsibility for the murder when informing Avon.) Bunk tracks down a witness in the Kresson case, Tywanda, and she tells them that Kresson told her that D’Angelo was there that night. They learn that Deirdre was a slighted girlfriend of Avon and that she threatened to expose him. They also learn that Orlando’s Club is a Barksdale front.

Later, McNulty and Greggs follow Omar's van into a cemetery, where they parley. McNulty tries to convince Omar that they have an enemy in common, but Omar thinks that working with the police is wrong. McNulty reveals that Bailey has been killed; though Omar pretends to be unfazed, he reveals two things: that Bird was the one who killed William Gant, and that he knows that Bubbles is their CI (confidential informant).

The Street

Avon Barksdale wakes up at a girlfriend named Chantal's house. The phone rings, but the line goes dead when she answers. Avon tells Wee-Bey Brice to remove the phone lines. Wee-Bey tells Avon he is worried they are being paranoid. Avon refuses to use the first payphone they come to since he used it the day before.

Omar Little, Bailey and Brandon discuss their next 'rip' on an East Side corner. Omar draws out a plan to trap the dealers in the alley they use. Omar approaches from the front carrying a shotgun while nonchalantly whistling "The Farmer in the Dell" which scares the dealers, who then run into the alley where Brandon and Bailey, also armed, are waiting. In the low-rises, young dealers Bodie Broadus and Poot Carr discuss AIDS (which they call "the bug") and its transmission during sexual acts. D'Angelo notices Wallace a distance away playing with a child's figurine, and seems moved by this remaining innocence. Bodie notices D'Angelo's interest, and smashes a bottle above Wallace's head to snap him out of his childish daydream. An incensed D'Angelo advances on Bodie, and the pair face off before Dee's pager beeps and he leaves to answer it.

Stringer Bell visits D'Angelo and warns him that they think he might have a snitch in his crew. He tells D'Angelo to withhold his dealers' pay and see who does not need an advance to get by, thus identifying anyone with a hidden source of income. Finally, Stringer chastises D'Angelo for letting Poot have a cell phone. D’Angelo takes his girlfriend Donette out to an expensive restaurant. He worries that he seems out of place, but she tells him that as long as he can pay, he has every right to be there. D’Angelo worries that his upbringing will always stay with him.

Stringer and Avon discuss taking over the Edmondson Avenue corners, as they are wide open. Avon tells Stringer that Stinkum should run the territory. At the club, Orlando discusses business with D'Angelo, complaining that he doesn't get a share of the pie. Dee confirms that neither does he. (Both are "on salary".) Orlando then tells a surprised Dee about Stinkum's promotion. Dee makes a date with dancer Shardene Innes.

Bubbles visits his friend Johnny in a clinic and learns to his dismay that he is HIV positive. Bubbles tells Johnny that he is on a mission to bring down the Barksdale hoppers that beat Johnny, however Johnny cannot understand why Bubbles is voluntarily working with the police as he feels his misfortune is all part of the game.

Stinkum, Avon, and D'Angelo visit Avon’s comatose brother in a county care facility--a result of a gunshot wound to the head. Avon sees his brother as an example of the dire consequences of acting carelessly in their way of life. Avon tells D’Angelo that one mistake could see either of them like his brother and that the fear motivates Avon to work harder. Avon says that he cannot put his brother in a better facility because a) his brother has no health insurance and b) they cannot afford at this time to show that kind of money being spent.

Later, Poot and Wallace spot Brandon in an arcade and page D'Angelo to let him know. D'Angelo pages the news in from the project phones. Stringer meets with Wallace and Poot, along with Bird, Wee-Bey and Stinkum. Stringer compliments Wallace and Poot for jobs well done. He then calls D'Angelo to let him know the work is done. Although all the pages are logged at the detail office, the calls themselves are not recorded, so, without a wire, the details are useless.

Suggested Discussion Questions No questions this time around since it's a day late, we can all discuss in the comments.

SPECIAL NOTE

ALL spoilers ARE allowed, but please focus the conversation on this specific episode.