Season 5 Episode 59: Late Editions

Stephen King had this to say about Snoop Pearson:

"...perhaps the most terrifying female villain to ever appear in a television series."

Yet in her moments before meeting her tormentor she stays true to who she is and even shows a side of, might I say, femininity? "How's my hair look?" "It look good, girl." We knew it was coming. If you saw the previews for this episode you saw Michael shooting someone and saying "y'all told me to get there early". We knew it was either Chris or Snoop. The latter making the most sense.

Before I continue I must give a shot out to writer of this penultimate episode, Silver Spring boy George Pelecanos. If you look back at the episodes he has written you will always find him creating absolutely amazing dialogue (there is always some great exchanges between characters before they are killed), tension, and heartbreak. Season 3 he wrote the Stringer getting killed episode that started with the classic Omar/Brother Mouzone confrontation and ended with Omar/Mouzone/Stringer. Last season I am pretty sure he wrote the Randy yelling to Carver "you got my back, huh? you lookin out for me?" episode. And this year, well, he delivered once again with the gut-wrenching turns in Bubbles and Dukie. If you ever get a chance, check out Pelecanos's books The Night Gardener and Drama City. They read like a couple of good storylines from The Wire, but placed in DC.

The theme of this episode seemed to be betrayal. We had the following moves being made:


1. Kima "betraying" McNulty and Lestor by speaking up on their bogus investigation. Bunk knew and didnt do it, but she felt the need to. I still can't believe she is doing this. I mean, I understand her apprehension but come on girl!

2. Carcetti betraying the police by forcing the stats game on them as well as his betrayel of Colvin being shown in a new light. Of course you had to love seeing Namond just kicking it up there with his AIDS stats, using his verbal technique for some good. Carcetti getting dissed by Colvin was a nice touch as well. "Damn Mr. C, you know the Mayor too?!?!"

3. Gus finally betraying Templeton and doing some investigation of his own. Another shot out to Pelecanos for his usage of Walter Reed and mention of Georgia Ave. (read his books, they mostly all take place in that area) and another shot out to Gus for being the only real redeeming character in the newsroom storyline (though I do like Alama and Fletcher).

4. Marlo and Crew betraying Michael Lee...unjustified. Sure Michael was different and moaned a lot, but even after all their shit he still did his thing for them. Even after the jailhouse scene, both Chris and Marlo say they don't think Michael snithced. But neither were willing to "bet their future's" on it. Bad move Marlo. You and your fucking ego--just like Avon--will be your ultimate downfall. Though we won't ever see it.

And since we are nearing the end of the series I want to give yet another shot out to the makers of the show. Something we rarely give credit for is the little shots within scenes that can enhance the message. To me, from music to movies, it's the attention to minor detail that separates the good from the great. Tonight's episode had a few of those moments. Here is another list for you, I'm in a listy kinda mood today:

1. Ever notice that when characters are talking on the phone the voice of the actual character can be heard on the other end? Whether it's McNulty talking to Kima about furniture or Daniels calling Pearlman, if you listen closely, it's the actual characters.

2. When Snoop and O-Dogg are in Levy's office with Herc, when they are leaving, Snoop gives a "chin wave" to both Levy and Herc. Herc replies with a little wave of the hand. Is he boys with them now? WTF?

3. During the big bust scene, Lestor rolls up to Marlo's pit. Without saying one word, he walks past Marlo's crew right to Marlo himself, kneels down, pics up his cell phone, stares him down. No big deal. But then he walks over to the clock on the wall. The next shot is beautifully framed with the crew lined up and Smooth Lestor walking into sight, holding the clock in his hand, and just glancing over at Marlo as they exchange a tense look. Lestor mind-fucking Marlo, what great police work.

4. Reputations are built on the street and when you really think about it, who is in better line right now to gain on their rep than Kenard? Yet, we see the corner boys talking about Omar's death. And while Michael knows it was Kendard, Spider says it's some Pimlico Boys with uzi's. My point is this, that little comment by Spider shows you how easily the truth gets manipulated. Whether its Templeton, McNulty, or who is Omar's real killer, the truth is questionable at best.

5. When Colvin is approached by Carcetti and offered his hand, Colvin gives a quick look over to the cameras--which are not paying any attention to their interaction. I felt this was Colvins attempt to see how genuine Carcetti was being. Was he putting on a show for the cameras or making a real attempt to be genuine. That is why I was surprised Colvin didn't shake his hand. He seemed like a more forgiving guy by nature.

Continuing this long post (damn peeps, this was a very deep and rich episode) brings us to the you-know-what-scenes. The breakup of Michael Lee and Bug was one of the saddest scenes to ever hit the show. And that is saying something. But then it gets followed up with an even more gut-wrenching goodbye between Michael Lee and Dukie. "Who you talking to Duke. I know what they do in there." What a disturbing line. Dukie has tried so hard to find his place for so long. From Prezo and school to working the corner to Cutty's Gym of Reform to caring for Bug to "Arabbin' it." Nothing has worked for this caring and intelligent street kid. David Simon is not going to leave you with a smile on your face when it comes to the breakdown of the family unit followed by the breakdown of society and culture. Dukie is the victim of all these things and we are shaken to our core to see him start his life of Bubbles. We know his people are addicts already so it's in his blood. Will Simon ultimately show us Dukie's descent just as he shows us Bubbles rise? Could he really do that to us? Will Dukie end up Junkie or Junkman?

Classic line of the night:

"Shardene better be awake cause I do believe Lestor Freemon is in the mood for love..."

The No-Shows are getting less and less and with the preview's showing Prezbo I do believe that will finalize it. We have now seen all the boys (with Namond finally making an appearance) and Colvin. Shit, we even got The Deacon tonight. My season-ending montage of showing every character is still my prediction for the season finale.

And speaking of the season finale, I want to give a shot out to all you On Demand mofo's who are now being forced to wait for the season finale for two weeks since you watched Ep 59 LAST week. How does it feel? Think of it this way, this is the last time in your entire life you will have to wait for this show to air because it's over. Sadly, it's over.

On to my series finale predictions (finally). Once again I am basing a lot of this off the previews but we know that Marlo gets out of jail. I don't think he is going to fall. I do think Levy is going to spring him based on the false wire tap. I think the entire investigation is going to go to shit and McNulty is going to fall hard, as is Carcetti once he realizes he too has been "Hamsterdamned" so to speak. With Chris in jail with no bond, I think it's safe to say he is done. Snoop is gone. That leaves us with what happens to Michael Lee? Does Marlo continue to go after him? Does Marlo hit the streets and just start offing The Co-Op? Is McNulty going to jail, getting kicked off the force, or getting away with it? All I know is we have one more kids. Only one more.