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NFT: 'The Wire' question (spoilers)

NormanAllen_95 : 2/21/2024 8:39 pm
I have watched this series beginning to end easily 5/6 times and have pretty much found every subtle gem in the writing that makes it such a sick show (the little Easter egg of Rawls in the gay bar and was left aloneis prob my fave). But one thing I never understood was the "scheme" that Bubbs and Lester introduced to that guy Bernard who copped the burners for the Barksdale crew.

I have never understood what the caper was that he was pitching. Was it that he had such a finely tuned ear that he could listen to another person dialing the phone, apply that number to a discarded burner and basically leach the minutes from a legit number and then re-sell the burner? Or was it to sucker Bernard into giving more access to the burner sustem in the B dale crew?

Its always confused me . I suggested to my Aunt she watch it and as a result, I have been chewing through eps again. This qiestion came up as a result of that.
I have no idea.  
robbieballs2003 : 2/21/2024 8:42 pm : link
It's been a long time since I saw it. I think it is one of the best shows of all time. My only complaint is that it got worse as it went on.
chopperhatch.  
10thAve : 2/21/2024 8:59 pm : link
.
I never watched after Season 3  
sb from NYT Forum : 2/21/2024 9:02 pm : link
I thought Season 1 was really good, Season 2 not as good with some annoying actors, and Season 3 (the Hamsterdam one) was pretty bad.

I keep hearing how it's one of the greatest, so I might as well watch the last two seasons, but are they better than Season 3?
RE: chopperhatch.  
NormanAllen_95 : 2/21/2024 9:02 pm : link
In comment 16404888 10thAve said:
Quote:
.


???
RE: I never watched after Season 3  
NormanAllen_95 : 2/21/2024 9:04 pm : link
In comment 16404889 sb from NYT Forum said:
Quote:
I thought Season 1 was really good, Season 2 not as good with some annoying actors, and Season 3 (the Hamsterdam one) was pretty bad.

I keep hearing how it's one of the greatest, so I might as well watch the last two seasons, but are they better than Season 3?


I thought they were good. The fact that they developed the whole Marlo storyline after Bell/Barksdale being the primary antagonists wasnimpressive. I enjoyed how they covered the egfect on theschool system and then the media in 4 and 5. I thought it ended pretty well.
RE: I have no idea.  
John In CO : 2/21/2024 9:05 pm : link
In comment 16404880 robbieballs2003 said:
Quote:
It's been a long time since I saw it. I think it is one of the best shows of all time. My only complaint is that it got worse as it went on.


If you are saying Season 5 was the worst season, I agree 100%. But personally, I loved Seasons 3 and 4 more than 1 and 2 so cant really agree that it got worse as it went on with the exception of the final season. Id rank the Seasons 4-3-1-2-5.

As to the OP question....its been awhile for me as well so really not sure. But I do remember thinking to myself "so what are they doing here" when Lester was giving his phones talk:).
I think people that hated seasons...  
Chris in Philly : 2/21/2024 9:07 pm : link
should go back and try again. It all fits together like layers of an onion. I still think it is the best series ever, though the last decade has seen some tremendous new shows.
Season 4 was amazing and  
Mike from SI : 2/21/2024 9:07 pm : link
season 5 was pretty bad. The only reason I liked any part of season 5 was that I had already invested in the characters and enjoyed seeing some of their arcs resolve, especially Bubbles, which was quite poignant.

To OP, I have no idea, but I suspect there's a subreddit or other online community that could assist.
Favorite show of all time  
UConn4523 : 2/21/2024 9:09 pm : link
complaints about season 5 I get, the rest? No shot. Season 2 is criminally underrated too, love the union/port angle. So many great characters in the Wire, don’t think any other series comes close with that kind of cast, a large chunk of which never acted before.
RE: I think people that hated seasons...  
NormanAllen_95 : 2/21/2024 9:12 pm : link
In comment 16404894 Chris in Philly said:
Quote:
should go back and try again. It all fits together like layers of an onion. I still think it is the best series ever, though the last decade has seen some tremendous new shows.


I agree with you about the quality of the show being sustained. Only show I can think of that had that about it was Breaking Bad. McNulty being sober during 4 wasnt as fun, but the back n forth between the actors was terrific.

Amazing that really the only one that came away with enhanced careers after that series other than Domenick West was Domenick Lombardozzi. Lance Reddick had some bit stuff like John Eick, but I couldnt believe that Lester's character went away.
it's the best series  
pjcas18 : 2/21/2024 9:12 pm : link
ever if for no other reason, but for Omar Little.

I'm not sure there has ever been a better character in any series.

RE: it's the best series  
NormanAllen_95 : 2/21/2024 9:15 pm : link
In comment 16404899 pjcas18 said:
Quote:
ever if for no other reason, but for Omar Little.

I'm not sure there has ever been a better character in any series.



"You must be confusing me with a man who repeats hisself" is one of my favorite lines ever
RE: it's the best series  
Chris in Philly : 2/21/2024 9:18 pm : link
In comment 16404899 pjcas18 said:
Quote:
ever if for no other reason, but for Omar Little.

I'm not sure there has ever been a better character in any series.



My call for best character ever as well.
RE: RE: I think people that hated seasons...  
Chris in Philly : 2/21/2024 9:19 pm : link
In comment 16404898 NormanAllen_95 said:
Quote:
In comment 16404894 Chris in Philly said:


Quote:


should go back and try again. It all fits together like layers of an onion. I still think it is the best series ever, though the last decade has seen some tremendous new shows.



I agree with you about the quality of the show being sustained. Only show I can think of that had that about it was Breaking Bad. McNulty being sober during 4 wasnt as fun, but the back n forth between the actors was terrific.

Amazing that really the only one that came away with enhanced careers after that series other than Domenick West was Domenick Lombardozzi. Lance Reddick had some bit stuff like John Eick, but I couldnt believe that Lester's character went away.


Idris Elba is the one that came away a star...
RE: RE: RE: I think people that hated seasons...  
NormanAllen_95 : 2/21/2024 9:21 pm : link
In comment 16404903 Chris in Philly said:
Quote:
In comment 16404898 NormanAllen_95 said:


Quote:


In comment 16404894 Chris in Philly said:


Quote:


should go back and try again. It all fits together like layers of an onion. I still think it is the best series ever, though the last decade has seen some tremendous new shows.



I agree with you about the quality of the show being sustained. Only show I can think of that had that about it was Breaking Bad. McNulty being sober during 4 wasnt as fun, but the back n forth between the actors was terrific.

Amazing that really the only one that came away with enhanced careers after that series other than Domenick West was Domenick Lombardozzi. Lance Reddick had some bit stuff like John Eick, but I couldnt believe that Lester's character went away.



Idris Elba is the one that came away a star...


Totally spaced on that.
RE: RE: it's the best series  
Mike from SI : 2/21/2024 9:32 pm : link
In comment 16404902 Chris in Philly said:
Quote:
In comment 16404899 pjcas18 said:


Quote:


ever if for no other reason, but for Omar Little.

I'm not sure there has ever been a better character in any series.





My call for best character ever as well.


Really sad that the actor died of substance abuse/addiction issues. That one hit close.
On the phones  
dancing blue bear : 2/21/2024 9:36 pm : link
Lester through Bubs and Bernard was selling pre tapped burnerphones. Setting up on the burners was taking longer because each new number needed a new the wire tap court order. By the time the cops were getting useful info they were dumping phones for new ones

Bernard was supposed to drive around the state and buy random phones but the played on his greed and laziness to buy all phones that the cops wanted the. To use. Basically pre tapped.

Determining keypad numbers by sound was an older scam used to steal minutes off a calling card. Basically gave Lester credibility as a telecom hustler of long standing



Sheeeeeeeeeeeee ittt
RE: chopperhatch.  
widmerseyebrow : 2/21/2024 9:36 pm : link
In comment 16404888 10thAve said:
Quote:
.


I wonder when the last time this site had a genuinely new sign up who actually posts regularly and isn't a dupe.
RE: On the phones  
NormanAllen_95 : 2/21/2024 9:42 pm : link
In comment 16404917 dancing blue bear said:
Quote:
Lester through Bubs and Bernard was selling pre tapped burnerphones. Setting up on the burners was taking longer because each new number needed a new the wire tap court order. By the time the cops were getting useful info they were dumping phones for new ones

Bernard was supposed to drive around the state and buy random phones but the played on his greed and laziness to buy all phones that the cops wanted the. To use. Basically pre tapped.

Determining keypad numbers by sound was an older scam used to steal minutes off a calling card. Basically gave Lester credibility as a telecom hustler of long standing



Sheeeeeeeeeeeee ittt


Ok, but then how do they repackage the phones? Previously, bernard had to come to the office with a bag of unopened burners along with receipts. Doesnt make sense that he would suddenly come in with a bag of loose phones. Or am I missing something?
.  
Banks : 2/21/2024 9:53 pm : link
eh
Aidan Gillen went on to a small, but memorable role in the Dark Knight Rises, starred on Game of Thrones, the meh Maze Runner movies, and a bunch of other things

Wendell Pierce seems to pop up a lot. He was one of the leads in Treme (underrated show) along with Lester, a lead in the Jack Ryan show, Ray Donovan, etc..

Michael K Williams had a lot of notable roles

Pablo Schreier was in a bunch of things, notably Porn Stache in Orange is the New Black and now Master Chief in Halo

Amy Ryan has had a really good career

I could go on, but these guys all did a lot better than Herc after the show.
RE: .  
NormanAllen_95 : 2/21/2024 9:56 pm : link
In comment 16404931 Banks said:
Quote:
eh
Aidan Gillen went on to a small, but memorable role in the Dark Knight Rises, starred on Game of Thrones, the meh Maze Runner movies, and a bunch of other things

Wendell Pierce seems to pop up a lot. He was one of the leads in Treme (underrated show) along with Lester, a lead in the Jack Ryan show, Ray Donovan, etc..

Michael K Williams had a lot of notable roles

Pablo Schreier was in a bunch of things, notably Porn Stache in Orange is the New Black and now Master Chief in Halo

Amy Ryan has had a really good career

I could go on, but these guys all did a lot better than Herc after the show.


Yea the more I think about it, theore I realize I wasnt considering enough of them. I guess I shouldve thought about it a little more!
RE: RE: chopperhatch.  
NormanAllen_95 : 2/21/2024 9:58 pm : link
In comment 16404918 widmerseyebrow said:
Quote:
In comment 16404888 10thAve said:


Quote:


.



I wonder when the last time this site had a genuinely new sign up who actually posts regularly and isn't a dupe.


Im guessing this means you suspect me of being someone who was previously here like that Manhattan guy. I can assure you Im not. If I remind you of someone else hopefully I havent said anything that would get me into a situation where I was not allowed to post here any more.
Best character  
Bigislandfan : 2/21/2024 10:31 pm : link
Yes Omar Little was great but I’m a huge fan of Ian mcshane from deadwood
RE: Best character  
BigBlue in Keys : 2/21/2024 11:13 pm : link
In comment 16404946 Bigislandfan said:
Quote:
Yes Omar Little was great but I’m a huge fan of Ian mcshane from deadwood


"When Al ain't lying he's the most honest man you'll ever meet."
RE: Best character  
Chris in Philly : 2/21/2024 11:18 pm : link
In comment 16404946 Bigislandfan said:
Quote:
Yes Omar Little was great but I’m a huge fan of Ian mcshane from deadwood


Love him too.
They repackaged the phones  
dancing blue bear : 2/21/2024 11:22 pm : link
And they forged a bunch of receipts. Whoever Bernard brought the phones to threw out the receipts with out inspecting them. Only cursory look to see they were there and not all the same store.
RE: Favorite show of all time  
DCGMan : 2/22/2024 7:36 am : link
In comment 16404897 UConn4523 said:
Quote:
complaints about season 5 I get, the rest? No shot. Season 2 is criminally underrated too, love the union/port angle. So many great characters in the Wire, don’t think any other series comes close with that kind of cast, a large chunk of which never acted before.


Really enjoy season 2 a lot more upon rewatch. I didn’t like this season the first time around because of how invested I was in many season one characters that then had smaller roles.

Season 5 seemed way too black and white with the press. They weren’t able to make the serial killer hoax storyline believable like they were with season three’s Hamsterdam.
I'm trying to watch this show, but I just can't get into it.  
penkap75 : 2/22/2024 7:37 am : link
I try ever few years because everyone says its the greatest show ever, but I can't get past episode 2. I guess I'm just not into police procedurals.

I also can't get into Sopranos. I've been slowly watching it for the past 3 years and just finished S2. I guess at the time it came it, nothing was like it on TV, but it just feels dated to me. I also was expecting Goodfellas, which it is clearly not. Its more watchable if I view as a family comedy show
RE: RE: it's the best series  
dannysection 313 : 2/22/2024 8:03 am : link
In comment 16404901 NormanAllen_95 said:
Quote:
In comment 16404899 pjcas18 said:


Quote:


ever if for no other reason, but for Omar Little.

I'm not sure there has ever been a better character in any series.


"You must be confusing me with a man who repeats hisself" is one of my favorite lines ever


My favorites are....

"Money ain't got no owners, only spenders."

"I got the shotgun. You got the briefcase. It’s all in the game though, right?"
RE: Best character  
pjcas18 : 2/22/2024 8:15 am : link
In comment 16404946 Bigislandfan said:
Quote:
Yes Omar Little was great but I’m a huge fan of Ian mcshane from deadwood


also a great character.

But I liked the Omar character so much I began eating Honey nut cheerios. I got interested when Chalky White from Boardwalk Empire came into a scene, I half expected people to go running at his site because he's Omar Little.

RE: RE: Best character  
OBJ_AllDay : 2/22/2024 8:46 am : link
In comment 16405018 pjcas18 said:
Quote:
In comment 16404946 Bigislandfan said:


Quote:


Yes Omar Little was great but I’m a huge fan of Ian mcshane from deadwood



also a great character.

But I liked the Omar character so much I began eating Honey nut cheerios. I got interested when Chalky White from Boardwalk Empire came into a scene, I half expected people to go running at his site because he's Omar Little.


"They got honey nut cherios in here" (on line in the prison) lol
RE: .  
Rob in Rockaway : 2/22/2024 8:57 am : link
In comment 16404931 Banks said:
Quote:
eh
Aidan Gillen went on to a small, but memorable role in the Dark Knight Rises, starred on Game of Thrones, the meh Maze Runner movies, and a bunch of other things

Wendell Pierce seems to pop up a lot. He was one of the leads in Treme (underrated show) along with Lester, a lead in the Jack Ryan show, Ray Donovan, etc..

Michael K Williams had a lot of notable roles

Pablo Schreier was in a bunch of things, notably Porn Stache in Orange is the New Black and now Master Chief in Halo

Amy Ryan has had a really good career

I could go on, but these guys all did a lot better than Herc after the show.


I've seen Herc in a few things. Most recently Reacher Season 2.
RE: .  
DaShotel13 : 2/22/2024 9:38 am : link
In comment 16404931 Banks said:
Quote:
eh
Aidan Gillen went on to a small, but memorable role in the Dark Knight Rises, starred on Game of Thrones, the meh Maze Runner movies, and a bunch of other things

Wendell Pierce seems to pop up a lot. He was one of the leads in Treme (underrated show) along with Lester, a lead in the Jack Ryan show, Ray Donovan, etc..

Michael K Williams had a lot of notable roles

Pablo Schreier was in a bunch of things, notably Porn Stache in Orange is the New Black and now Master Chief in Halo

Amy Ryan has had a really good career

I could go on, but these guys all did a lot better than Herc after the show.


Michal B Jordan is arguably the biggest of them all
RE: RE: it's the best series  
Ceez2.0 : 2/22/2024 9:49 am : link
In comment 16404901 NormanAllen_95 said:
Quote:
In comment 16404899 pjcas18 said:


Quote:


ever if for no other reason, but for Omar Little.

I'm not sure there has ever been a better character in any series.





"You must be confusing me with a man who repeats hisself" is one of my favorite lines ever


Mine was: "sounds like a plan" when Cheese was talking about torturing him in Prop Joe's shop. Lmao Cheese was too dumb for his own good, Joe knew they were in deep shit. Love that fucking show.
RE: RE: .  
Ceez2.0 : 2/22/2024 9:57 am : link
In comment 16405085 DaShotel13 said:
Quote:
In comment 16404931 Banks said:


Quote:


eh
Aidan Gillen went on to a small, but memorable role in the Dark Knight Rises, starred on Game of Thrones, the meh Maze Runner movies, and a bunch of other things

Wendell Pierce seems to pop up a lot. He was one of the leads in Treme (underrated show) along with Lester, a lead in the Jack Ryan show, Ray Donovan, etc..

Michael K Williams had a lot of notable roles

Pablo Schreier was in a bunch of things, notably Porn Stache in Orange is the New Black and now Master Chief in Halo

Amy Ryan has had a really good career

I could go on, but these guys all did a lot better than Herc after the show.



Michal B Jordan is arguably the biggest of them all



Where's Wallace!!!!!
Pablo Schreier  
JOrthman : 2/22/2024 10:28 am : link
He had a great re-occurring role on SVU and then was good on 13 hours.
RE: RE: RE: .  
NormanAllen_95 : 2/22/2024 12:14 pm : link
In comment 16405127 Ceez2.0 said:
Quote:
In comment 16405085 DaShotel13 said:


Quote:


In comment 16404931 Banks said:


Quote:


eh
Aidan Gillen went on to a small, but memorable role in the Dark Knight Rises, starred on Game of Thrones, the meh Maze Runner movies, and a bunch of other things

Wendell Pierce seems to pop up a lot. He was one of the leads in Treme (underrated show) along with Lester, a lead in the Jack Ryan show, Ray Donovan, etc..

Michael K Williams had a lot of notable roles

Pablo Schreier was in a bunch of things, notably Porn Stache in Orange is the New Black and now Master Chief in Halo

Amy Ryan has had a really good career

I could go on, but these guys all did a lot better than Herc after the show.



Michal B Jordan is arguably the biggest of them all




Where's Wallace!!!!!


Yea I guess my original point was that not many launched right after the Wire with the exception of Elba. MBJ was in several TV shows and other movies like Chronicle beforehand. Either way, I def misspoke.

One of the things I noticed upon my most recent watch was the circle of Bodie learning chess from D in season 1 asking about the pawns' function and then in the finale of of S4 when he is with McNulty he refers to himself as "one of them little mfers on the chessboard." McNulty says pawns. Bodie gets it a few mins later.
The Wire  
JOrthman : 2/22/2024 1:49 pm : link
I think it should be required viewing in any civics class. So good at showing all sides of an issue and so authentic. The cast, crew and advisors were made up of former Baltimore cops, reporters and criminals.

Fun fact: The actual cop that Landsman is based on tried out for that part and didn't get it. He ended up playing a much smaller part.
RE: RE: RE: RE: .  
Blue Dream : 2/22/2024 1:51 pm : link
In comment 16405289 NormanAllen_95 said:
Quote:
In comment 16405127 Ceez2.0 said:


Quote:


In comment 16405085 DaShotel13 said:


Quote:


In comment 16404931 Banks said:


Quote:


eh
Aidan Gillen went on to a small, but memorable role in the Dark Knight Rises, starred on Game of Thrones, the meh Maze Runner movies, and a bunch of other things

Wendell Pierce seems to pop up a lot. He was one of the leads in Treme (underrated show) along with Lester, a lead in the Jack Ryan show, Ray Donovan, etc..

Michael K Williams had a lot of notable roles

Pablo Schreier was in a bunch of things, notably Porn Stache in Orange is the New Black and now Master Chief in Halo

Amy Ryan has had a really good career

I could go on, but these guys all did a lot better than Herc after the show.



Michal B Jordan is arguably the biggest of them all




Where's Wallace!!!!!



Yea I guess my original point was that not many launched right after the Wire with the exception of Elba. MBJ was in several TV shows and other movies like Chronicle beforehand. Either way, I def misspoke.

One of the things I noticed upon my most recent watch was the circle of Bodie learning chess from D in season 1 asking about the pawns' function and then in the finale of of S4 when he is with McNulty he refers to himself as "one of them little mfers on the chessboard." McNulty says pawns. Bodie gets it a few mins later.


I loved Bodie's character development throughout the series. He went from one of the most despicable characters when he executed his friend Wallace on the first season to one of the most sympathetic when he realized the futility of the game in season 4 in that despite him being a loyal soldier that loyalty would never be reciprocated leading to his own death at the hands of Chris and Snoop
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