... that Mr. DeAngelo Starnes is blogging the current (and final) season of “The Wire” at EbonyJet.com. Follow this link to read his take on Episode #4, which debuted Sunday night. (It repeats throughout the week.)Episode #5 – co-written by David Simon and myself – is currently available “On Demand,” in advance of next Sunday’s showing. But don’t comment on that one here; DeAngelo doesn’t want to see any spoilers!
The place to comment on that “On Demand” joint is this thread, over at Alan Sepinwall’s blog. (Them some “Wire”-watchin’ muhfuggas over there, yo.)
I just watched Ep. 5, thanks to OnDemand. Without giving anything away: great work, especially the scenes involving Dukie, which were heartbreaking as always.
ReplyDeleteRegarding DeAngelo's point about the portrayal of black women, there are counterexamples, but they are admittedly not exactly prominent characters. The most significant positive black female on the show, besides Kima, is probably Grace Sampson, Cutty's ex, who while not a main character, had a pretty large role in season 4.
ReplyDeleteBut to flip it, I don't think its worth pointing out that just about every single white male on the show is pretty despicable as well. Lets just look at the white male main cast members of the current season: McNulty, Rawls, Carcetti, Templeton, Herc, Steintorf (Carcetti's advisor), and Levy. That's hardly a glowing roster positive portrayals, especially this season.
David, without giving anything away, there's a pretty lengthy debate going on concerning an event in the episode that you wrote (you can probably guess what it is). Some are arguing over its plausibility, so if you ever feel like offering an explanation, feel free.
And that should be "I do think", not "I don't think".
ReplyDeleteDavid, without giving anything away, there's a pretty lengthy debate going on concerning an event in the episode that you wrote...
ReplyDeleteHey Andrew. Thanks for the comments.
In general, I prefer not to interfere in fan discussions. It feels like intruding on an organic process.
In this case, there's the extra factor of: I'm not totally sure myself concerning who knows what about whom in that scene in question. (After all, I wasn't full-time on the show, I haven't seen later episodes, and Simon made changes to the script.) So I'm watching like a fan myself.
Dave, thanks for the plug.
ReplyDeleteAndrew, your comment smells of the same odor the cries of reverse racism have. As if white males are subjected to unfair stereotypes. White males, except for David/UBM, are writing scripts for The Wire. And while the white characters may come off like assholes, more often than not on television, they come off like the good guys, even if they have flaws.
Stereotyping of Black females is much more common than the white male asshole. I've always thought that was a flaw in the otherwise excellent writing of the show, and I stand by that.
Nevertheless, debate is healthy. I appreciate you checking out the piece and I hope you continue to do so.
great work, david!!! one more reason why ur my hero.
ReplyDeleteGreat recap once again Mr. Starnes.
ReplyDeleteWe could add to Andrew's list of counter examples (Miss Anna, Bodie's grandmother, Mrs. Colvin, the principal who loans Colvin the gym to speak to the hoppers in S3 - one of Burns' real life colleagues from his teaching days, Prop Joe's great-grandmother - I bet she was a helluva lady), but as you said the are not exactly prominent characters, although I don't think that there is anyting wrong with Marla Daniels.
To defend the show on this point, all I can really say is that I trust this group of writers and I believe they know more about what they write about then any other show on TV, and I believe they care more about what they write, their characters, and just CARE about anything at all in general more then writers for any other show around. I trust that these writers are already aware of what you are pointing out, are sensitive to it and wouldn't put anything out there that they didn't feel was honest.
Delonda Brice, you got that one, but you know that there are some Delonda Brices out there.
The only other thing I can point to is that there aren't really ANY charcters on the show (maybe a scant few), or any race or gender that fit an ideal description. However, Kima is a black woman and her sexual orientation should not leave her out of the discussion.
That fact that the majority of the plot lines on the show deal with crime and corruption and that that world is populated mostly by men, may actually say something about Black women through ommission?
Also, I'm not sure if the co-op is going to try and bring Marlo down. Don't forget, he's got the good shit now. I think the other co-op members will remember that business was pretty good with that shipment coming in.
Either Lester will get Marlo, Omar will get Marlo, or they won't. As far as I can see anyway.
As Burrell pointed out so brilliantly to Rawls before leaving his office, they do what the mayor says to do and them blame them when it doesn't work. Perhaps Burrell would prove to be as competent as the next guy if the person in City Hall was.
That being said, if Daniels gets a chance he'll be a great tactical commishioner.
"The only other thing I can point to is that there aren't really ANY charcters on the show (maybe a scant few), or any race or gender that fit an ideal description. However, Kima is a black woman and her sexual orientation should not leave her out of the discussion."
ReplyDeletetype-o on my part. correction.
there aren't really ANY characters on the show (maybe a scant few), OF (not or) any race or gender that fit an ideal description...
Eat death, landrum.
ReplyDelete^
ReplyDeleteWhat the fuck did I do?
there are no spoilers in there, nothing that can't be speculated on after episode 4.
I got a long memory.
ReplyDeleteI just saw this at The Leonard Lopate Show:
ReplyDeleteHit TV Show “The Wire”
Leonard speaks with 3 actors from the hit HBO show "The Wire": Gbenga Akinnagbe, Jamie Hector, and Clarke Peters. Blake Leyh is the show’s music supervisor.
Event: Cast members from "The Wire" will be at a signing
Thursday, January 31 at 11:30 am
HBO Shop
42nd Street and 6th Avenue
Cool! Much thanks, Bklyn6.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant Mr. Burns.
ReplyDeleteI am an ass, as that HR is obviously the sole reason I use his name to post.
I was so caught up in The Wire talk that it was the only thing on my mind.
you are the man.
now, what would you have done if I had used the name Dave Henderson?
tito, thanks for the props.
ReplyDeleteI agree with two points you made: Kima's sexual orientation shouldn't be a dividing point. I struggled with that as I wrote the piece, but decided to go with it. What I do like is the open-mindedness to include a gay Black woman as a prominent character. After there are gay Black women out there.
On the gay point, Rawls' sexuality was hinted in a previous season (can't recall which one off the top of my head.)
Second point I agree with: The Wire is full of assholes - Black, white, male, and female. So maybe I missed the equal opportunity assholicness in Simon's thinking.
Mr. Starnes, at the risk of sounding like a total dork, it's an honor to get to have an exchange with you.
ReplyDeleteman, I thought for sure you were gonna rip my argument to shreds. Maybe you still will, I know you've got it in you.
Anyway, since Mr. Mills pointed out your recaps after EP1, I look forward to checking in each week.
^
ReplyDeletedammit. forgot to add the nickname.
tito, it's all good. I dug your points.
ReplyDeleteAin't nobody clean in The Wire's universe.
I think I played the corruption theme too early. I feel like expanding that point next week because a lot of folks have given me some great ideas.
Thanks for that series -- it's one of the best shows in the history of TV.
ReplyDeleteWon't see the new season 'til it's out on DVD; got rid of the TV when my kid was born.
Re: positive portrayals of women, don't forget Randy's foster mother.
ReplyDeletemr. mills,
ReplyDeleteI'm just curious who came up with the "Hey, Clarice..." line for Landsman. I loved it.
Thanks for your great work
As the airdate for the last episode of The Wire approaches, Marc Steiner and the Center for Emerging Media are doing a new series of interviews on The Wire. There's going to be a new one added to their site every day this week. The first interview, with Ed Burns, is already up! The site is www.marcsteinerblog.wordpress.com
ReplyDeleteTo go right to the Ed Burns interview, go here: www.marcsteinerblog.wordpress.com/2008/03/03/3308-the-wire-podcasts-ed-burns