The Wire 5x09 Reaction

sydnor appreciation 😊😊😊

The Queen's Gambit is a great choice if you haven't seen it. One of my favorite limited series ever.

A lighter choice could be Queen’s Gambit. Serious but not as draining as The Wire. Paris, Moscow and NYC as settings. Girl power. Bunny is my number one character. A saint in human garb. Yet, still believable. Thx for your reactions.

I waited till today to watch the full reaction and review, just to spread it out. I'm so very sad this incredible experience is ending. I love the show and the girls and all you guys too the show is absolutely phenomenal. Why do good things have to eennnnndddddddd 😭😭😭

Snoop Pearson who plays the character Snoop was actually convicted of 2nd degree murder as a 14 year old. Her real life childhood is a combination of all the kids from season 4 except Kenard for Namond. Mother was a drug addict and father was an armed robber, she grew up in foster care. After the show she got 8 years for drug dealing

The thing about Dukie and Michael being kids forced to try to raise Bug and give him a chance brings tears to my eyes. It reminds me of myself and my sister who were forced to raise our little brothers when our mom died. It sucks but sometimes forces you to grow up fast.

Marlo: “My name is my name!” - says a man seeking notoriety. Spiros (Season 2): “My name is not my name.” - says a man who requires anonymity. L&M were understandably broken by that final scene between Michael and Dukie. Such a terrible fate for those two kids. Those piss balloons were a long, long time ago. This parting scene mirrored the moment when we see Michael seek out Marlo for help, leaving Dukie behind and selling his soul in the process. Namond aside, how depressing is it that Randy - in his group home - appears to have the best future among these kids? Meanwhile, the legend of Omar continues to grow - the corner boys think he died in a huge gunfight involving AK-47s. His legend will continue to grow in the final episode and beyond… Btw, the guy who Daniels was talking to in Evidence Control was one of the drunk, lazy cops in Season 1 who was attached to the original Barksdale case. He was the one who attempted to throw himself down the stairs in order to injure himself and be taken off the case. It was amusing to see Dukie watching “Dexter” on TV - a show about a serial killer who kills other serial killers. Finally, a big shout out to Andre Royo’s performance as Bubbles - not just in this episode but throughout the series. On reflection this might have been the best episode yet. One more to go.

I love Lola coming back to Marlo and his name. His name just never hit Barksdale levels and it will forever haunt him. Great way to make a character lose without losing, you know?

Girls congrats on hitting 250k subscribers on YouTube!!!

Btw, the actor who played Bodie (J D Williams) has posted a comment on your season 4 finale reaction on YouTube. Username: @jdwilliamsnorkprojects734

Bunny and Carcetti are an interesting contrast. Bunny never really set out to be a reformer. Both in the police and the school he's just given a problem, isolates it and tries to understand it better. Carcetti promotes himself as someone who's going to change things, but wilts when he is faced with personal consequences. Bunny is driven by the problems and the people affected, while for Carcetti they are secondary to his career and his reputation.

Gosh, Baltimore truly is a sh*thole, and it's just as bad as ever right now. I'm glad I've never spent more than a couple of days there at one time. I see some friends, grab my pit beef and gtfo of there. Same homicide rate as El Salvador (LOL), corruption up the wazoo, poverty, etc, just a horrible city.

Always appreciated how they handled snoops death. True to her character. Not scared. Accepted it. Gave Mike his props for figuring it out. Also choosing to make Marlo never show any emotion until now. it hits harder when he finally gets pissed off. Classic episode.

Ahead of their reaction to the final episode of The Wire, here are my top ten favourite reactions by Lola & Milena. Bonus points for guessing what they're reacting to in some of the episodes... 1. He's dumb - https://streamable.com/y8wpvi 2. Bože me sačuvaj! - https://streamable.com/yamn3v 3. Yikes - https://streamable.com/6uhoh8 4. Pause everything - https://streamable.com/5xerne 5. With my own hands - https://streamable.com/7rdnwl 6. He's not imagining this. - https://streamable.com/frvei1 7. Is this how we're starting the episode? - https://streamable.com/afgkw4 8. Synchronised hugging - https://streamable.com/ah4cfe 9. Efige Efige - https://streamable.com/ogscji 10. Look who's back! - https://streamable.com/bo3x4y

Carcetti saying "I'm sorry there wasn't anything I or anyone could have done" made me ill to my stomach...it's crazy because what little of a conscience he had was what propelled him to just say enough to save something of his own pride....it's Bunny that should be the leader, not Carcetti, because leaders are the ones who willing to risk themselves for something better

I've always looked forward to the next Wire episode with great anticipation but now that we've finally reached the end I'm kind of dreading it. Sad it's going to be over but happy it happened.

IM BEGGING YOU ALL ANYONE WNO SEES THIS PLZ LET BLACK SAILS WIN THE NEXT POLL. Yes I know you’ll probably do the opposite for this but remember last big poll it’s been on so many and should have won but it always faces even more popular shows. I beg you all please let black sails win next poll I’ve waited so long in hopes that it might win this one.

I always thought Snoop said "...always actin' wild when you should be doin' what you're told" instead of "...always askin' why." Thanks subtitles.

“Re-up” is the term used by the dealers when they are refreshing the stash on individual drug corners. “Re-supply” is when the drug gangs get a new shipment of drugs from their supplier (i.e the Greeks)

Also Bubbles’ sponsor sings the theme for season 5. (And I’m guessing this has been covered already but the guy who plays Cheese is much more famous as Method Man, one of the most popular rappers in the early 90s. And a key member of the Wu Tang Clan… probably the most culturally-salient rap group of the 90s.)

It would be awesome if u could react to We Own this City. It stars John Bernthal and is sort if an unofficial sequal to the Wire — same creator, includes some of the cast and is also set in Baltimore. Its only 5 episodes and is based a major baltimore police scandal from 10 years ago or so. Its quite entertaining and provides real world examples of the major themes in the Wire.

Ahhhh man I can't believe I didn't mention Bubbles/Reginald! Everything with him also made me cry. I think he might be my favorite character in the show, honestly. Or at least the one that consistently made me the most emotional throughout.

"Ain't no shame in holding onto grief... as long as you make room for other things, too." Give it up for Andre Royo. Awards don't mean anything in the end, but how this man made it through five seasons without filling up a trophy case boggles the mind. What a performance and what a character. (At least he'll always have his Street Oscar.)

I really like Bunny, but that line of his mocking the researchers researching each others research really, really frustrated me. Whoever wrote that line for him was way off the mark imo...but yeah, I would say the luckiest thing in my short existence on this earth was to be taught by researchers when I went to uni...I think a good example of the very immediate good researchers do for the public at large would be theconversation website...it's a shame Serbia doesn't have one, but I see there is a Europe edition...the Australian one is f'ing great

Gus, when talking to the veteran about his ‘prosthetic’ hands : “they look pretty damn lifelike”. Yeh Gus that’s because he is a well known actor and those are obviously his real hands. Not one of the shows finest moments 😂

Please be the sopranos next

Throwing another vote for Black Sails. They'd absolutely love it and would be a cool change of pace compared to the last few long-running live-action shows they've done. It's also only 38 episodes so it would be fairly quick with 2 a week

Idk how I feel about Kima snitching on them to be honest. I get is part of her character but she could’ve let it die like Jimmy said but I guess she couldn’t stand people chasing bullshit. Overall, I get there is rules and some people don’t ever bend them but in this case it was for a good reason so.. I guess my only complaint is the fact the Kima snitched of em even know she knows it was for a good reason.

Okay, now for me to post about why Black Sails should be the next show Lola and Milena watch. Black Sails is about a lot of things. It focuses primarily on Pirates (and those interacting with them) during the Golden Age of Piracy, but thematically it is about much more than that. I think the biggest question it asks is: What is civilization, and what does it mean to survive under it for those that it marginalizes? That of course is on top of it telling an exciting and gripping story with a big ensemble cast of characters (including some really great female characters btw). I can't rave enough about the writing itself - there are so many impactful moments of dialogue and storytelling that ties into previous moments and continues to build upon itself as it goes on. The acting is excellent across the board - even smaller characters get wonderful scenes or monologues. The show itself also looks great: it was filmed entirely on location in Cape Town, South Africa, and utilizes many practical effects (including actual giant ships that they built for filming). All of the characters are complex, and even when they do terrible things the show will somehow get you to come around and root for them again, despite it all. While it's largely serious, the show also isn't afraid to be funny: there are so many moments I can remember that made me laugh out loud and still didn't clash with the tone of the show. One of the other things Black Sails does really well is show consequences for the character's actions. There's nothing that happens in the show that doesn't have a larger ripple effect, and it's truly amazing to see how all of these branching actions by different characters can effect things, even much further down the line. If you're someone who is both fascinated by, and terrified of, the ocean, that is a feeling you will get a lot with Black Sails. While I wouldn't call it realistic in the same way The Wire is, or historically accurate (it is historical fiction after all), the way it focuses on specific details of what living like a pirate (or in this time period) would be like feels very real. You see how dangerous living on a ship is, what goes into maintaining it, how captains maintain or lose their leadership. You see what those on land have to do in order to work with/survive the pirates. And again, while it's not realistic in the same way as The Wire, I do think the social subjects it tackles and the themes it explores *are*, and continue to be felt today, even if in different ways. That's my zero spoilers pitch. For those who might want a bit more detail, here’s more in ROT13. Gurer ner zhygvcyr abg fgenvtug znva punenpgref. Gur fubj vf zber be yrff n cerdhry gb Gernfher Vfynaq, naq V guvax vg’f fnsr gb fbeg bs ivrj vg va n frafr bs guvf orvat gur “gehr” fgbel gung riraghnyyl yrnqf gb Gur riragf gung trg jevggra nobhg va Gernfher Vfynaq. Vg’f abg na nqncgngvba bs gung obbx, ohg vs lbh’er snzvyvne lbh jvyy erpbtavmr frireny punenpgre anzrf. Ng gur fnzr gvzr vg nyfb hfrf fbzr erny uvfgbevpny cvengrf fhpu nf Naar Obaarl naq Puneyrf Inar. Juvyr gurer ner zhygvcyr nagntbavfgf, V guvax vg’f fnsr gb fnl gung gur erny ivyynva bs gur fubj vf Gur Oevgvfu Rzcver naq pvivyvmngvba. I’ve mentioned in previous comments about the show that there are some content warnings to keep in mind before checking it out. It can be quite violent, and it deals with the sexism/racism/homophobia that was present in the time period. I do also have to give a warning about sexual assault. This is the only one I’ll go into detail on in ROT13. Fnvq frkhny nffnhyg cybgyvar vf rnfvyl zl ovttrfg pevgvpvfz bs gur fubj. Ubjrire V jvyy fnl guvf: gur fgbelyvar bayl ynfgf sbe guerr rcvfbqrf, naq gur encvfg raqf hc zheqrerq. Ba gbc bs gung, gur jbzna fhssrevat ng fnvq encvfgf unaqf vf bar bs gur znva punenpgref naq unf n jbaqreshy nep tbvat sbejneq. Naq nsgre gung? Gurer ner ab frkhny nffnhyg cybg yvarf va gur fubj ng nyy. Vg’f abg yvxr va TbG jurer srznyr punenpgref jrer pbafgnagyl orvat guerngrarq jvgu encr. Guvf vf gur bayl fgbelyvar vaibyivat vg - nalguvat ryfr vf rvgure whfg vzcyvrq (nf fbzrguvat gung unccraf qhevat n fvrtr) be unccrarq va gur cnfg naq punenpgref ner whfg gnyxvat nobhg vg. Anyway, that’s my very long pitch. Please vote for Black Sails, y’all. ❤️

Seeing Namond again immediately made me start crying. I wish we'd seen more of him and Bunny this season, but at least we got this. One of them got out, and is moving forward to a better future. It's what I have to remind myself when we see the scenes with Michael and Bug and Dukie. Or when I think about Randy. I also wish we'd gotten a little bit more of a look at Snoop's interior life? With Chris we've seen he has a family, and we've gotten some dark implications about his childhood. It's not a lot, but it makes him a more rounded character, even if no less frightening. I wish we'd gotten the same for Snoop, though the moment of her death still feels quite sad on a number of levels. The way Jimmy's actions get discovered just shows how little forethought him and Lester put into this, honestly. That's not really a criticism, at least not toward Jimmy. This whole thing started with what was clearly a spur of the moment decision made when he was very emotional, and then he had to keep it up afterward. It was very much a 'lay the tracks out in front of me as the train continues to close in' kind of scenario. Anyway, Michael and Bug separating broke my heart. As did Dukie trying to turn back to Michael one last time, only for him to already be gone. None of them can turn back. That moment just last summer where they were still kids is gone. Lost. And so are they. :(

I've watched this show countless times, it's almost an annual thing for me to get back on. But I've never quite put it to perspective that Marlo is Lester's Stringer until you guys talked about it. And it all makes sense with Jimmy having to figure out and constantly be beat by Stringer at the start of season 1. Lester was the one to crack the murders at the vacants and watch as nothing was done. Glad my re-watch this year was with you guys, your media literacy is through the roof.

I really, really wish we had more Colvin (and by extension, Namond) this season, and not such a relatively meaningless cameo, but their appearance here does counter the sadness of Michael's goodbyes. This season does end so well after such an odd first half. This episode hits just as hard as anything in past seasons, and even with the serial killer stuff there's been enough time for you to settle into it. People are getting into recommendation mode for next shows, so I'm going to throw one in there too - Halt and Catch Fire. I think for reactors who latch onto characters so empathetically, you'd have a blast.

Mentioned you were looking for something 'light' after this very dark series? Hoping you make an executive decision for the sun-shiniest show of the last decade - 'Ted Lasso' (3 seasons/30-something episodes).

Its a rough couple of episodes, no worries taking some time

To repeat a detail that is often missed. Cheese is Randy's biological father.

Michael saying he doesn't remember the event in which we met these children is one of the most devastating scenes in the entire series, maybe even in TV history (for me, it can only compare to the scene from 4x12, when Michael hits Namond). He was forced to abandon the innocence and the spark of his childhood

Make the executive decision to watch Black Sails.

Should consider watching the Godfather of Harlem next. Three seasons and very underrated and critically acclaimed like the Wire.

I've been waiting so long to share with you the fact that iCarly directly referenced Snoop's death scene https://youtu.be/CoaCR0mL4Gg?si=er3QANFFAKAuvb8n

Don't be sad The Wire is almost over. You actually have a few minutes left :) It's nothing earth shattering, but a few extra prequel scenes were produced by HBO. Check them out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob7gg8zQvEY

"I'm sure you weren't expecting this" I guess it's time to unexpectedly cry

Thanks!!!!

No worries! A week of anticipation will just make the finale reaction hit that much harder.