Marlo provokes a convenience store security guard into a conflict, whilst Joe has a proposition for Omar.
This is very strong episode with revealing character moments.
There are some particularly uncomfortable moments of character reflection in this story. Marlo has been somewhat cold and businesslike prior to this episode, with the writers focussing mainly on how he displays it within the drug trade, but this one contains a very nasty moment that shows the character applying the same ruthlessness to his interactions with a person in everyday life. Along with the writers portraying the character's motivations and values in life, this scene also does an effective job of making the you hate him even more than you already did up to this point.
Omar crossing paths with Marlo has been somewhat inevitable and the timing in relation to the above is absolutely spot on from the writers. Here are two characters with their own rules colliding in a way that is quite compelling and full of threat for what might come.
The themes of broken institutions that are such a big part of The Wire are applied to the school system with some quite frustrating moments from the teachers and the governance. The truancy measures are laughable and one moment where a student is pressured into snitching is deplorable.
One of the major strengths of the episode is the development of the character Michael through his interactions with other characters. There have been little hints at his background in previous episodes but it becomes quite clear now why he is so standoffish around adults.
The weakest (relative to everything else) aspect for me, is the amount of time spent on the Homicide boys introducing and hazing detective Greggs. Although these scenes are pretty amusing, it feels slightly overdone for me.
All performances are excellent as always with Jamie Hector, Michael K Williams, Alfonso Christian Lover and Wendell Pierce for me having the standout moments.
Visually it is superb, particularly the scenes involving Marlo, with the filming of Hector making his character look about as malevolent as it gets.
This is very strong episode with revealing character moments.
There are some particularly uncomfortable moments of character reflection in this story. Marlo has been somewhat cold and businesslike prior to this episode, with the writers focussing mainly on how he displays it within the drug trade, but this one contains a very nasty moment that shows the character applying the same ruthlessness to his interactions with a person in everyday life. Along with the writers portraying the character's motivations and values in life, this scene also does an effective job of making the you hate him even more than you already did up to this point.
Omar crossing paths with Marlo has been somewhat inevitable and the timing in relation to the above is absolutely spot on from the writers. Here are two characters with their own rules colliding in a way that is quite compelling and full of threat for what might come.
The themes of broken institutions that are such a big part of The Wire are applied to the school system with some quite frustrating moments from the teachers and the governance. The truancy measures are laughable and one moment where a student is pressured into snitching is deplorable.
One of the major strengths of the episode is the development of the character Michael through his interactions with other characters. There have been little hints at his background in previous episodes but it becomes quite clear now why he is so standoffish around adults.
The weakest (relative to everything else) aspect for me, is the amount of time spent on the Homicide boys introducing and hazing detective Greggs. Although these scenes are pretty amusing, it feels slightly overdone for me.
All performances are excellent as always with Jamie Hector, Michael K Williams, Alfonso Christian Lover and Wendell Pierce for me having the standout moments.
Visually it is superb, particularly the scenes involving Marlo, with the filming of Hector making his character look about as malevolent as it gets.
