The Wire (TV Series) Dead Soldiers (2004) User Reviews

3x03

[formotog · 7/10 · 20 August 2020]

Another decent episode. I feel like right now there's a division between the political side to things and the street level right now. Previous seasons explored corruption but it never really focused for that long beyond Erv when he was Deputy Commissioner. This season is really going up to the highest levels in terms of its exploration of corruption and that makes sense, but as of right now it is not gripping at all. It may be realistic but I don't have all that much reason to care because I haven't really been given reason to. As for the division between corruption and the street, it's meant that the season really isn't flowing at all. I know episodes are about an hour each, but the amount of individual scenes in just one episode is crazy. I don't think I've ever watched a show that so readily cuts back and forth between separate plot threads, and much of the time, the cuts feel abrupt and unnatural. Some scenes feel like they need to go on for longer, sometimes the scene it cuts to is a completely different plot thread with no kind of relevance to the previous one. This was evident in the previous two seasons but certainly not as much as it is now. I also feel like the stakes really aren't high at all right now, there's no feeling of any kind of threat. That being said, there were still good moments in this episode and a lot of the show's best qualities are still present. Omar got very carried away, McNulty is connecting the dots on Dee and tensions between rival crews are continuing to rise. This season definitely has potential but it's just got off to a very slow start

Mid 7

Kofi Bryant

[snoozejonc · 10/10 · 24 July 2022]

Omar's latest raid goes wrong and Colvin does the groundwork for his new initiative in the Western.

This is an excellent episode with some classic series moments.

My favourite scene is the Irish wake that doubles as a tribute to Robert F. Colesberry. Everything from Delaney Williams great delivery of a wonderfully written speech, the Pogues songs, and the epic drunkenness of everyone is fabulous.

Stringer's 40° day rant is another highlight that continues the hilarity that is those meetings the character has with the street level dealers.

The story continues to slow burn a number of plot threads and character arcs that are pretty compelling when you consider the likely consequences. Colvin's drug 'enforcement' strategy is the most intriguing idea, especially as we see the political sensitivities at the top of the command structure.

I think the comstat scenes are always good value and they are great in this episode. Frankie Faison is on top form throughout, even in one scene where we just hear his voice faintly over the phone.

Another very intriguing thread is McNulty's investigation. You want to see the truth about D'Angelo uncovered, particularly when it's written that nobody really cares.

There are numerous character moments that standout, like a certain narcissistic councilman's fondness for looking at himself in the mirror, the very different twin sisters played unbelievably by the same actress, and folk hero Omar's personal vendetta becoming very costly.

As ever the visual storytelling is excellent, with numerous cinematic moments brilliantly shot and edited. My favourite is the transition from one very different funeral to another and the familiar figure hiding in the shadows.

For me it's a 9.5/10 but I round upwards.