The Wire Reaction

Season 5, Episode 6
"The Dickensian Aspect"

Only four more episodes left. I think I've already started experiencing withdrawal. Someday maybe I'll write an essay detailing how profoundly this show has changed my life, but suffice it to say I'm really, really going to miss it when it's gone.

I think the thing I took away from this episode, and really any episode that features Carcetti, is that he is just a bunch of wasted potential. I really believe that if he put his mind to it, and put aside his own political ambitions, he could be a great force for Baltimore. I guess that wouldn't be all that realistic, but every time he makes one of those great speeches, I believe he could be better than he is. And now that he's found his issue, he may take it all the way to Annapolis.

The legend of Omar grew even greater in this episode. Even as the man himself was hobbled more than ever before, the wonder from Marlo ("That's some Spider-Man shit") added to the myth. I like how he's insulting Marlo's manhood and his toughness, almost challenging Marlo to meet him out on the streets.

I also liked the continuing callbacks to old faces. Nick Sobotka, apparently out of witness protection. Randy, poor Randy, tough and hardened from the group home. Judge Phelan, still popping his pills.

Oh, and Gus totally knows that Scott is a big fat liar-pants, and is setting him up for a fall. Which is well-deserved, of course, butit stinks that it has to come right after we finally see him do some legit reporting with the homeless Marine.

I think it was Lester who described McNulty as a "psycho motherfucker," and after the little kidnapping stunt he pulled, I whole-heartedly agree. He's pushed it this far, but really, it's just going to make his inevitable fall that much harder.