About last night...

Who am I to argue with the critics (Entertainment Weekly, GQ, San Francisco Chronicle) who call THE WIRE the best show on TV? I wholeheartedly agree. Nowhere else on TV will you see issues compounding the African-American community dealt with in a very honest and raw way. Some folks have complained that this season is weaker than previous seasons since the drama has moved from the street corners to the schools. I actually feel that this season is more fascinating than any of the pervious seasons because we are taking a look at the issues from their inception - where do these drug dealers who terrorize our street corners and neighborhoods come from? More often than not, it’s from dysfunctional families and the failed school system. The young Black actors portraying Namond, Randy, Michael and Dukie, the students of both the street and in school, are enormously gifted and talented. I like how the producers are playing a sort of "strip-tease" with the viewers, gradually reintroducing familiar faces. Last week we caught up with McNulty, Kima, Bodie, Carver and Herc. Last night we saw what Bubbles and Cutty have been up to, as well as checking in on Wee-bay (a personal fave). Looks like the man we love to hate - Stringer Bell's killer, Omar, will make his reappearance next week. Watching an episode of THE WIRE is like reading a chapter from your favorite novel. You want to savor each word and scene, but are afraid to jump ahead for fear of what's going to happen at the end. I appreciate the way the story unfolds, very methodically. Memorable moments from last night: Herc walking in on Mayor Royce in a "compromising" situation (I can't wait to see the fall-out from that little peep-show); the joy riding youngsters; Marlo's impromptu shooting range; Bubble’s helper, Sherrod, inability to make a simple mathematical calculation – and he looks to be about 17 or 18 years-old; Cutty's inattention to the affection of the neighborhood women bringing him plates of food; the homicide detectives playing tag with the phone to see "who's it?”; and the juxtaposition of the debate against the Xbox shooting game Namond plays to end the show. I feel that the best is still yet to come with THE WIRE. Plus, HBO's already renewed it for a fifth (and perhaps, final) season, which will incorporate a media angle - finally! Stay tuned...