As Petey said, it's a great episode. Some reviewers (who love the show as a whole) call The Wire 'slow', but I don't see it; it's not a resolve-everything-in-42-minutes kind of show, but there is a hell of a lot going on. Episode 4.2 seemed particularly action-packed, with major developments in multiple storylines and several threads beginning to intersect. It was, relatively speaking, a fairly light episode, with some sweet, touching moments and a lot of humor.
Anything else I say has to go below the fold so I don't spoil anyone who hasn't already seen it.
Big plot developments:- Looks like Carcetti is back in the game. His performance in the debate showed us what an impressive politician he can be (and harkened back to his speech at the end of Season 3). He got an unexpected gift from Valcek, but he knew exactly what to do with it.
- More importantly, it looks like there is significant opposition to Royce in the police department...and some of them (Landsman and Valcek, but presumably a lot more) are willing to sabotage his campaign. We could well see this erupt into open warfare. I'm not sure what Valcek's particular motives are, but it seems a lot of police believe they've been treated badly by Royce (being made Royce's scapegoats on crime, for example).
- The MCU's subpoenas got served...and Clay Davis is not happy. If he gets cornered, he could end up inflicting some damage on Royce. Burrell and Rawls are talking about 'proper supervision' of the MCU, so we can expect to see some kind of crackdown on Freamon and Griggs...but once the subpoenas are out there, they can't be recalled or ignored. I loved Freamon's logic, which seems exactly right: a year ago, they'd have been quashed; after the election, they'd be quashed; but three weeks before the election, the powers that be have to play ball. Freamon doesn't seem to be acting for political motives (unlike Valcek), but from a dedication to his case.
- And then there's Herc and the blow job. He's convinced Royce is going to fuck him for what he knows; Valcek thinks Herc is the one holding the cards. I think Royce's comments to his aide show it could go either way. The big question is whether or how it comes to play a part in the election; Valcek knows, and he's clearly committed to Carcetti.
- Meanwhile: Bubs enrolls his 'nephew'; Marlo gives away back-to-school money; and Cutty (whose gym looks to be thriving) has become a major babe-magnet.
Funniest scenes:- Rhonda Pearlman complaining to Daniels (in bed) about how Freamon manipulated her...and Daniels' reaction. It's nice to see Daniels enjoying a good laugh.
- The homicide detective debating whether to take a call...and the eventual result.
- Q: "Did he say who shot him?"
A: "Yeah. He said it was 'some guy with a gun'."
- Naymond and Mike arguing about whether the Ku Klux Klan is in Howard County.
- Cutty and the ladies.
Touching moments:- Carcetti playing Battleship with his daughter. "This game could still go either way"...although it seemed to me that his daughter was creaming him.
- Vice-Principal Donnelly sending clothing and supplies over to Dukie. She came off as hardened in the first episode, but now we get a glimpse of real compassion.
- Bubbles and his 'nephew'.
And finally, one question: what is the deal with Chris? At least twice now, Marlo has looked to Chris (who gave a quick nod or head shake) when making some decision. Is Marlo just the titular leader, and Chris the power behind the throne (that seems unlikely, given that Chris is doing the hits)? Or does Chris take on the counselor's role filled in Season 3 by the wheel-rim guy?
[That's all, folks]
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