The Wire: Transitions
(S05E04) “Buyer’s market out there.” - Templeton
Doing more with less. How many times have we heard that so far this season? You know what would be more accurate? Making something out of nothing. Just look at Colicchio in that opening scene. He saw Kenard with that brown bag and could have ignored it. For all he knew, it could have been a trout sandwich from one of those filthy carry-outs that everyone frequents. But Kenard was screwing around with Colicchio by filling that bag with leaves (and not some yellow-top vials) and Colicchio still hasn’t figured out the simple fact that Michael and his hoppers are going to be back out there slinging again the next day. So why bother? Making something out of nothing is all that seems to be getting those Western officers through the day. Something tells me that a cop who’s content with his job isn’t going to be getting into any fist-fights with civilians.
If you think about it, this “more with less” mantra that the B.P.D. and The Sun have adopted is what’s leading to all these instances of “making something out of nothing.” On the police side, you’ve got McNulty and Freamon dealing with the end of Major Crimes and they’ve retaliated by creating a serial killer in the hope that someone with a higher pay-grade will give a rat’s ass. At The Sun, you’ve got reporters like Scott Templeton fabricating people, stories, and quotes because the cutbacks have anyone without talent fearing for their jobs. It’s the exact same scenario told in two wildly different settings. Kind of cool if you really think about it. In both cases (McNulty and Templeton), you’ve got two men so worried about the future of their careers, that they’re willing to do anything to give themselves and their jobs meaning.
I’ll get back to all that, but let’s move on to the Clay Davis probe because I love the way this has progressed. Sydnor uncovered the smoking gun and the best part is that it’s completely unrelated to Clay’s other shady monetary exchanges. He borrowed cash from his mother-in-law to bulk up his own personal holdings so he could qualify for a loan on a summer home. Then he paid his mother-in-law back. Loan falsification. Plain and simple. Hilarious, huh?
The issue? This is big and Lester and Rhonda know it. It’s a concrete, solid way to nail Clay for 30 years regardless of all the other more serious crap he’s pulled. Why else do you think Lester got so excited about it? It’s a sure thing. However, to put this charge on paper, it needs to go federal. If that happens, Bond (the D.A.) loses the local media attention and the personal recognition for being the guy to take down Clay Davis. Hence, the staged perp-walk for the six o’clock news. Remember, Nerese said he had aspirations to run for mayor. So here we go, I’m calling it now. Clay Davis is going to walk because Bond will go ahead and try him on all those other charity theft charges and nothing will hold up in court. Sounds like a pretty likely outcome if you ask me. Clay Davis is a crafty man.
Moving on, how great was that scene with Vondas, Marlo, and The Greek?!? Awesome scene. Here’s what I don’t get though. Weren’t The Greek’s actions a little out of character? In season two, he was the most cautious guy ever. Barely said two words. Now he’s making it clear that he’s a figure of authority over Vondas and he’s speaking directly to Marlo — someone he doesn’t even know or do business with. Just seemed odd to me.
Anyway, the second The Greek said Marlo is not Joe, you knew what was going to happen. Marlo can keep giving them suitcases of money but they won’t work with him unless Joe is out of the picture. Rest in peace Proposition Joe Stewart, one of the best characters on this show. That last scene was something. Cheese sold out his own uncle and hopped in bed with Marlo instead. I suppose after Chris and Snoop handed over Hungry Man to Cheese, he figured this was the better team to be playing on. How creepy is Marlo though? “Close your eyes, breathe easy, this won’t hurt…” The guy is insane.
Alright, back to Jimmy and Lester for a minute. Do you think they’re going too far? One thing that’s worth noting: Lester is only minimally involved. Have you noticed that? He’s offering suggestions and helping to look for homeless bodies suitable for their means. That’s it though. Jimmy is the one tampering with case files and making this serial killer “real.” If this goes to shit, if Lester wanted to… he could wash his hands of the whole ordeal very easily. Lester is a good man, but I’m sure he also wants to retire with the proper pension and you know — not go to jail. I’ll be interested to see if he makes more of a mark on the “case.”
As far as Jimmy goes, I’m glad Beadie finally confronted him. Honestly, I don’t see why she hasn’t kicked him out yet. He’s screwing this up same as he did with Elena. The difference? The first time around he could claim it was because he was doing real police work.
This episode was jam packed with plot… more thoughts and questions running through my mind:
- Are we ever going to find out if there is a connection between Cheese and Randy? They have the same last name: Wagstaff. Father and son? Cousins?
- What happened to Nerese and the Fat Face Rick story? Now she has her hands tied up with Krawczyk, his new development, and the McCullough po’ homes. How come she hasn’t gotten any kind of reprimand? Is what she’s doing actually legal but just borderline unethical? I’m starting to think so…
- That scene where Joe and Herc discussed a young Ervin Burrell was priceless. “Stone stupid…”
- Okay, so we know now that Daniels was on a drug team during his time in the Eastern and that team had been skimming off seizures, but… did Daniels himself actually partake? That’s where it’s been vague.
- Omar is back. Omar has his shotgun. Enough said. We all know where this is going. My only thought? He said he was going to go after Marlo’s crew before Marlo. I hope Michael doesn’t get caught in any cross-hairs. I liked how Slim talked some sense into him though. Why would Joe give up Butchie if Butchie could give up Joe’s involvement in the co-op robbery? Could Cheese have clued Marlo in on it I wonder?
- Two stories have been a little slow for me: Carver and Kima. Carver I can understand. What happened to Randy really set him straight. Kima is dead weight right now though. She’s no different than Norris or Crutchfield or Holley, but she’s still getting screen time simply because I think it’d be weirder if we didn’t see her at all.
- As if I didn’t hate Scott Templeton enough, he goes off on an interview for another job at The Washington Post while everyone else is working like crazy to verify the Burrell resignation. And he wonders why Gus is so suspicious of him or never tosses him a meaty headline to write up. (If you’re looking for some insight as to where Scott’s story may be headed, check out this Esquire article David Simon wrote recently: A Newspaper Can’t Love You Back.)
- Another priceless moment, Marlo to Herc: “You ever find that camera?”
This is really heating up now. Marlo has more real estate than anyone, he’s the only connect Vondas and The Greek have, and he’s taken out two major co-op players: Prop Joe and Hungry Man. I doubt very much the co-op will exist at all anymore and other than Omar, I don’t see anyone else going after Marlo — the B.P.D. included. If Jimmy and Lester really wanted to, they could still be focusing on Marlo and building a case. Instead, they’re caught up in an illusion and I honestly see them getting nailed for it; at least Jimmy anyway. If we learned one thing from the first season, the war on drugs is a futile attempt to stop a fast moving locomotive. Marlo is the conductor now and I don’t think he’s going to lose.
Weirdest kid show appearances
Someone out there has taken the time to compose a list of the weirdest celebrities to appear on a kid’s show. The guests include Amy Sedaris, Quentin Tarantino, Larry David and George Carlin.
The common theme of the list is that actors who usually appear in adult shows or using adult humor are appearing on children’s television where it is unlikely they will be recognized by the average viewer. Frankly, I doubt most kids recognize most celebrities when presented in front of them no matter what they’ve appeared in unless it’s on The Disney Channel or Nickelodeon.
I think the point of appearing on these shows is greater visibility for the actor. That way, the kids might recognize them when they’re older and discover comic gold like Strangers With Candy or Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Most of the instances in the list have the actors playing characters anyway. My guess is that their appearance on these shows is more for the benefit of any parent who might be watching alongside their kids. The parents can see these “notorious” celebrities on a kid’s show and laugh at the irony.
[via Digg]
Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz: Chillin in NYC
Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz: Chillin in NYC
They’ve had quite the week, getting married last weekend and taking a honeymoon in the Caribbean. And yesterday Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz
were spotted out and about in New York City.
The “Little Miss Obsessive” songstress was sporting a Clandestine Industries (Pete’s clothing company) hoodie as she smiled for the paparazzi, glowing from her recent nuptials.
And her Fall Out Boy hubby, also sporting a Clandestine Industries hoodie, looked as happy as ever, especially for an emo kid. Perhaps they were heading over to Angels & Kings, Wentz’s East Village bar.
Speaking of bars, if you ever see Ashlee out for a night of clubbing, don’t expect her to dance if one of her songs is played. She recently told press that she feels awkward when such instances occur.
“Everybody stares at me like I’m supposed to dance or something. It’s not like when you hear your song on the radio—that’s always awesome. But when you’re out and your song’s playing and everybody’s staring at you, it’s like, ‘Uh, I’m not performing right now.’ It’s awkward.”
David Beckham Hops Back Across The Pond
David Beckham Hops Back Across The Pond
If you’re a celebrity spotter looking for David Beckham this week, you’d better hop on a flight to Heathrow. Becks has returned to Mother England for a match against Germany.
The Galaxy captain will be playing his 97th game against the Germans, and is looking forward to playing on proper pitch, rather than the artificial turf they use here in the States.
Though his team lost 5-4 against New York last Saturday, Becks was pleased that he was able to play the full 90 minutes. “My ankle took a pounding obviously. I’m not used to this (artificial) surface but it wasn’t bad. There were a couple instances where I rolled over on my ankle but we have to play on this surface. My ankle is more swollen than it was before the game but I’m sure it’ll be fine for the game.”
Becks told press it was his stubborn determination that kept him off the bench. “I was surprised to actually play 90 minutes. The manager and the coaching staff kept asking me if I wanted to come off. But I’m quite a stubborn person on and off the field.”