(Season 5, Episode 10, Series Finale)
I knew that the end was coming, and I had myself prepared for it, but I have to admit that I miss The Wire. After having experienced the full run of the series, I understand completely why every fan I talked to about the show said it was the best series to ever be on TV. I don’t know that I would heap that particular praise on the series, but it was definitely as good as anything I’ve seen, and better than just about anything on the tube these days.
There was a lot to wrap up going into the series finale, and the show really did an excellent job tying together all the loose ends. This really was one of the best, most satisfying, conclusions to any show that I’ve been a fan of.
“-30-“
The one thing that really sticks out to me after watching the series finale is how the writers sent the same message that they have since the end of the first season: the more things change, the more they stay the same. Regardless of the struggling against the system that occurs, whether it be through city hall, the police department, or even mercenaries on the street, everything stays the same. When part of the system goes down, there is someone else right there to pick up the slack.
At the end of the episode this was particularly poignant, as we saw Michael step up and take over Omar’s mantle. At the same time, Kima and Sydnor took a lesson from McNulty, with Kima getting an earful from Bunk for caring too much about the job and Sydnor meeting with Phelan to get what he needs for a case. Also, poor Dukie ended up following the footsteps of Bubbles, falling into a life of drugs and scavenging. I can’t leave out Marlo, who tried to become a businessman like Stringer Bell before him. I thought it was a really brilliant touch by the writers; everything came full circle.
In my previous diary entry, I was all geared up for the comeuppances of some of the characters on the show, mostly Marlo and Templeton. Even though Templeton ended up seeing virtually no consequences to his lying and cheating, instead winning a pulitzer, it was enough to see McNulty totally chew him out in the police department. As for Marlo, I was hoping that the police could finish up the case with gusto, but I knew that it just wouldn’t happen like that, not in David Simon’s cynical world and not with all the dirty police work behind the case. There was a certain sort of comeuppance for him, however, as he was forced out of the life he knew, the only life he knew, as a gangster and a drug dealer. It was so telling toward the end of the episode when he was trying to make it as a business man, only to leave the meeting to go down to a corner and hassle some drug dealers.
It was a great and satisfying conclusion of the show. Here are few more quick hit thoughts that I had:
It’s been a fun ride, everyone, thanks for reading along, and if there are any shows you’d like to see in the virgin diaries, give a shout out in the comments, as I’ll be looking for a new show to start watching.
Clacked by Bob Degon
on Mar 29, 2009 @ 17:01 EST5EDT
You should do Veronica Mars next… I’d watch right along with you again!
Really enjoyed reliving my first The Wire experience through your eyes. Sounds corny I know but it’s true.
Next I would suggest Six Feet Under, if you’ve not seen that one.
Noted. It’s definitely in contention.
The Wire is the best series I’ve ever watched. For me, it isn’t even close. The character arcs were fascinating, the language of the street was precise and the frustration felt by members of the police was authentic. It took balls for HBO to keep it running for five seasons. Bob, excellent job walking us Wire vets down memory lane.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Go for Deadwood next as I’m about to start watching it for the first time :)
Deadwood I’ve watched. You’re in for a real treat. It’s one of the shows that made me hesitate to call The Wire the best show I’ve ever seen. Unfortunately it was cut down before it’s time, so doesn’t have a real satisfying conclusion. Know that going in to it, but it is definitely worth watching. Ian McShane is incredible!
I’m with you about Deadwood. I mean, The Wire is, with out a doubt, my favorite show of all time, and FWIW, I think it is the greatest show ever made.
However, IF Deadwood had been allowed to complete its story the way The Wire had been – I MIGHT be signing a different tune.
At the 3 Season mark (when Deadwood ended) these two were neck and neck in my book.
It was really interesting watching some of the DVD features for The Wire. At one point they were comparing the show to Dickens, in that it was a broad view of society, touching on all classes, focusing on and documenting life on the street. I thought it was a really apt analogy.
In my mind if The Wire is Dickens, then Deadwood is Shakespeare: beautiful use of language, deep characters, lots of monologues, the use of some characters as clowns/comic relief, melodramatic story lines, lots of tragedy.
Man, HBO really had it going on for a while there.
Yes, I agree that Dickens is a good comp. In S5 Simon and Co. seemed to have some fun with how the show is often compared to Dickens.
As you’ve also probably heard/read, Simon himself prefers to liken the show to Greek tragedy where the roles of the gods are filled by the various city institutions (who will piss on you on a whim) and characters (like McNulty, Stringer, Bunny, Omar, Bubbles) are fated and can’t really escape thier fates.
The Sopranos as well was probaby very Shakesperean?
I would also like to echo the sentiments of others who have enjoyed revisiting the show through virgin eyes.