The Wire | Season Two | Episodes 1 & 2 | Full-Length Commentary
Added 2023-04-18 19:01:01 +0000 UTCCommentary for The Wire - Season Two - Episodes 1 & 2
Comments
This season's version of "Way Down in the Hole" is performed by the song's writer, Tom Waits. The pre-credits sequence of episode 1 is packed with info about the theme for season 2: McNulty and his partner Claude discuss the old shut down factories lining the Harbor, including Domino Sugar and Bethlehem Steel, and how their father's worked at this or that factory until they were laid off in the 70's. They tow a party boat full of wealthy connected folks (who couldn't care less about abandoned factories), and McNulty accepts a bribe to keep them "at sea" for a few extra hours. Like the working-class factory workers from better times, the stevedores are becoming artifacts of the past, biding their time until they are replaced by wealthy yuppies looking to party or to buy waterfront condos, and the only way money is made is by paying the right people off. While Frank Sobotka is a worthy target for an investigation, it is ironic that the investigation comes because the laughably petty Major Valchek is angry about the dockworkers getting better placement in the church for their stained-glass window. Also, Beadie Russell is impressed at first with Jimmy's investigative skills and interest in the deaths of the 14 women, it has to be a big letdown to learn that it was all in the service of screwing over Major Rawls. The investigation of the murders and of port corruption are both born from petty grievances. Finally when the Special Investigative Unit is assembled, all you need to know about the level of competence of the members is that it includes officer Mahone, who washed out of the unit last season when he couldn't stay sober. His first question, as in season 1, is "Who signs the overtime slips?"
james repka
2023-04-19 05:38:46 +0000 UTCBodie gets in the stash car and is just like "ok but what about those tomato bugs tho"
Kevin Hoffmann
2023-04-19 04:04:35 +0000 UTCMy stained glass window would be of Mr. and Mrs. The Movies watching a movie. And the doors are already closed.
Grand Moff Slackin'
2023-04-18 22:49:33 +0000 UTCI'm a bit surprised you got along with that drastic change so easily. Most of the people need a lot more time and get half-pissed at first. :) Me too back in the days. Probably helps when you know some serious change is coming. Anyway, season 2 grew on me over the time and now it's one of my favorites, along with ...well, basicly any other, heh. Have a good time watching!
Mino BG
2023-04-18 21:44:23 +0000 UTCI love Garrison Keilor on the radio. Watching them listen to A Prairie Home Companion is so funny.
Michael Kang-Beats
2023-04-18 20:59:31 +0000 UTC
