Carcetti wrestles with the mismanagement of the school budget whilst Randy, Namond, and Dukie suffer in different ways.
This is a typically brutal penultimate season episode with some haunting character moments.
It was a good decision that the writers included plenty of humour throughout the series run of The Wire or episodes like this might crush the spirit. They did such a remarkable job of getting me invested in the child characters, plus the likes of Bubs and Dennis, that watching this feels like George Pelecanos isn't just pulling on the heart's strings, but taking a Tommy-Gun to it like Sonny Corleone on the causeway.
I cannot give much detail without spoiling, except to further praise the intricacy of the plotting when it comes to connecting various characters and events. So much has led to the final moments of this episode.
Other characters have memorable scenes such as the murder detectives who are trapped between duty and politics in a truly bizarre and ironic situation. Wendell Pierce and Clarke Peters are on entertaining form.
Carcetti and Norman have great moments as they start to uncover how broken the systems of governance are and virtually impossible to fix without losing valuable support. Reg E. Cathey is another ray of sunshine emerging from the bleakness of it all.
Let's not forget Omar and his stickup crew who along with the likes of Proposition Joe and Cheese Wagstaff have an episode to remember. It makes me wish Cheese prioritised his son Randy's wellbeing as much as a drug shipment.
All actors are on great form, but for me the standouts are Julito McCullum, Andre Royo, Maestro Harrell, Michael K. Williams, and Aidan Gillen. Sandi McCree makes a short but impactful contribution as always.
Visually it is another great achievement in cinematic storytelling by the filmmakers. That final shot of Carver stays with you long after the credits roll.