"The Wire Season 3" We're Back

 


    Alright, I'll admit it. I didn't see any of this coming. I really thought Stringer Bell was a character that was going to make it all the way until the end. To be honest, I really felt like he'd be saved until the end. He really seemed like a smart character, until he wasn't. It's a real shame really, and a stark contrast from how his character was in season one where it seemed like he could outsmart anyone, only to realize he was a shark out of water, and there are always greater powers to be than him when it came to trying to go on the straight and narrow. I must admit, all of his conniving made him feel a little out of his element, and I think a split between him and Avon was bound to happen. Either way, The Wire season three goes back to the streets of Baltimore, with some alright results when they focus on the political system within the city. Let's talk about it.

    While the Hamsterdam was pretty novel, and made sense other than the legalized drug trading thing, a part of me was kind of skeptical of it throughout the entire season. I mean don't get me wrong, I like this show still, but for a show that's stayed very grounded, the concept of Hamsterdam felt like it was pushing it's limits of the shows accepted boundaries of reality as you will. Don't get me wrong, I think it was actually a good outlet to explore what was failing the policing system, and the challenges that come with trying to reform it, almost as if the system was broken. But also having a drug haven exist in a district for that long in a city and no one know about it is kind of crazy.

    Staying on the theme of additions to this season, since that's what it felt more like, I'm starting to like Cutty. I definitely thought his storyline was kind of boring at first, but once he got the gym up and running I started to respect it you know? Though I can't say the same for Marlo. He's mainly just there to be the young buck trying to take over the drug game, but I felt like Stringer got it going on pretty well with the whole co-op thing, and I didn't think he had much personality other than arrogance. I shouldn't be rooting for anyone but frankly I was rooting for Avon to school him (which is weird because Avon and Stringer are basically useless post-season 1). 

    I'd talk about Carcetti but I assume there are bigger things for him, and frankly I enjoy Colvin more as a character. I mean at first he just seems like a hardass taking the easy route out, but by the end you kind of realize he wants to leave a lasting legacy somewhere, which is nice. The same could be said for Carver, who I'm actually starting to like even if I came into this season preferring Herc to him. I like his arc of really trying to connect to the community and see them, and you could see his desire to redeem himself.

    I will admit though, even by season two it felt like this show was stretching itself thin with all of these storylines going on, and it's not going to get easier by season four. I think part of the appeal of season one is that it felt very focused to me, there were clearly two main parties, and everything else was secondary. In season two and three, the two "main parties" or the main plotline driving everything kind of takes a backseat to fleshing out the world, which tends to happen to shows that have multiple seasons. I just feel like, they had the major crimes unit, everyone they needed was there, but they didn't focus on it that much, and it never felt connected. Sydnor was randomly reinserted back in, Prez decided to shoot someone for reasons? There was a new character who didn't do much I can't remember her name. And McNulty is back off the whole thing again. Isn't he supposed to be one of the main characters? I don't know how much more I can take of his marital life (this also applies to both Daniels and Kima).

Final Score: 80/100

    It's good, don't get me wrong, but a part of me is afraid I'm watching a show that peaked after it's first season. I'm not going to say it's a significant drop off, but I was told this was going to be one of the really good seasons. Though people also say that about next season, so I have quite high hopes for what turned out to be a very good show. I'm not saying I don't like the characters, but also do I really need to see marital troubles from every main character? At least I never hear Lester complaining, shoutout to my old GOAT.

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