Monday, January 14, 2008

Season 5 Episode 52: Unconfirmed Reports


The Downward Spiral of Reginald, better known as Bubbles, continues...We now see Bubs in recovery listening in to the stories of other Bmore addicts and being forced to face his own demons via sponsor Walon (Steve Earle--who sings the theme song for season 5). Just when we thought that perhaps Bubs was really turning his life around we see that soup kitchens and meetings are not suiting the life that he envisioned. The old way is right on the corner and it seems as if each day that goes by Bubs is more and more tempted to just give in to it.

The Downward Spiral of James McNulty (or as Bubs calls him, "McNutty") has started. We knew Jimmy liked to drink and womanize, and in a way it's what makes us love McNulty. For some reason, even when I watch the show with lady friends they find his ways adorable--yet would they be as forgiving of me if I drank Jameson and slept with every women in the bar? I don't think so. We knew McNulty was frustrated with the force, the mayors office, the higher-ups in the white suits, but this week, well damn McNulty, you just about damn near lost your crazy-ass mind.

After the plug is finally pulled on the Marlo detail, McNulty takes it upon himself and his fifth to stage a strangulation of an apparent OD victim. Bunk watches in astonishment as his faithful partner has finally gone over the edge. Wisely, the Bunk--being the straight shooter that he is--leaves the scene and we get the sense that this might be the beginning of the end of McNulty. Or at minimum, the end of Bunk/McNulty.

"What's up Boris?"

That line had me in tears since I was always a fan of Sergie professing, "Boris. Why always Boris?" But what really had me about Marlo making his move towards The Greeks was not seeing Avon intercede, but that Avon--so it seems--is actually choosing his loyalty based upon geography. Marlo went to war with Avon and in a lot of ways led to his downfall. Now he is choosing to help Marlo because he is west side? At first I thought it was a play on Marlo, but once he actually sat down with Sergie and Avon flashed the sign, I knew Avon was for real. Marlo walked about probably thinking he has Bmore by the balls now. But he's making one bad move right now, stirring the hornet's nest that is Omar. Like we saw with Michael Lee questioning the legitimacy of a kill based on simple verbal disrespect, we are learning that Marlo is very much a sociopath with a megalomaniac inside him. Avon would brush aside a perceived diss, Stringer would laugh at it. Marlo chooses to kill people who simply "talk back" in order to enable his name to ring out. And this my friends, is why he must die. "What's the point of having the crown if you scared to wear it?" he asks. The ones who wears it in private last longer.

Carcetti is up to his usual political bullshit. The newsroom story is obviously focused around Gus and his righteous ways. It's just a matter of time before Clay "Sheeeeeeeeeeeet" Davis goes down--but I am going to miss his awesome accent and half baked ghetto talk. Does Burrell go down with him as Clay insinuated?

No shows: Omar (again--but if you watched the previews you see Chris blasting a bottle/fist into Blind Butchies face, meaning once Omar gets word, Omar comin...), Cutty, Namond, Randy, Dukie, Carver, Herc, Colvin, and Prez.

So...who is goin down first, or at all? McNulty, Marlo, Bubs? Is Avon really helping Marlo? And if so, how long till Prop Joe and Cheese go down? Are the "serial killer" murders actually McNulty's set up?

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Man Avon be playin' you more the he be doin' with Marlo. He runnin' shit in Jessup, you think he care bout East Side/West Side? You need to think on the fact that when he was there before, he walked up on the ball field and errybody stopped the game til he walked past. You think there were no east side niggas playin' ball that day? Errybody be knowin' Avon. East/West, that shit don't matter. All Avon doin' is laying the ground work to get back in the game. He only lookin' at a gun charge, they ain't find no drugs on him when they took him down. No voice of his on a wire. Avon comin back. We might not ever see it but he'll get sprung and when he do, he back in the game and it goin to be Marlo's bitch ass money that help him do it.

Sheeeeiiiit!

Jaded Bitterman said...

Avon is up to something for sure. No doubt. But probably just looking to get paid on the connect. I do think Avon cares about the East vs. West side--he flashed Marlo the sign and genuinely seemed to believe in it. I dont think Avon gets out this year and rebuilds the empire. Not enough time (only 8 eps left). Marlo is getting over his head but eventually is going to get that connect. Its just a matter if Avon is planning to let Marlo take his share or Avon takes him out. We can only hope cause, I love Avon and Marlo needs to fall.

Anonymous said...

I second that.. Avon is up to something more than just wanting to get paid on the connect. Yeah, he's making sure Marlo knows he still has control over things but there's something more, fo sho. I think McNulty is trying to stir up the serial killer thing so that more money gets pumped back into the system but he's crazy to think this will work. And as for Bubbles... why does he keep looking at that woman and the kid? The kid thing seems to be messing him up but not sure if it's to emphasize his dislike of the system or if we're going to get a flashback to what he was like as a kid or how he got to where he is now. just a thought. As far as Chris and Snoop getting the go ahead for Omar... i'd hate to be them (can't you just hear him whistling the farmer in the dell now?).

Anonymous said...

I also think that Avon is up to something...I don't think he gives a damn about the east side/west side shyt. He's been locked up for a couple of years now (I think he was only sentenced to 3) and he is on his way to the free world...he is laying the ground work for his return.

I agree the the lady and the child represent something for Bubs...I think it's something in his childhood...

I still have a feeling that Omar is going to kill Michael...

Jaded Bitterman said...

There is no doubt Avon is up to something but I think this season's focus is on Marlo.

As for the Bubs/Woman & Child scene: in another scene during this episode we see Lestor staking out Marlo's crew. A woman and child walk down the street, the woman forces the child inside the door, shuts it, then walks out in the night. A parralel between the scene with Bubs? There were two significant scenes this week containing mothers with their children. No doubt Bubs is fostering some childhood memories of this family (and cleaner years).