Review: The Wire Season 4
Omar was ready. Are you?
By Omar Mazariego
Y’all want me to review the 4th season of The Wire? Nah, y’all ain’t ready. Y’all ain’t ready like Lance Bass wasn’t ready to come out the closet in his Stilettos. Nah, y’all ain’t ready. Y’all ain’t ready to go a whole season without seeing a Barksdale make one guest appearance, and focus entirely on a group of junior high schoolers forced to make adult decisions way before nature intended them to. The kind of decisions that you might’ve been forced to make had you lived in a hood where every corner has a bodega. Nah, y’all ain’t ready. I don’t think anyone who isn’t from the hood is ready to witness how we become gangstas, hustlers, snitches, punks or men via these same junior high schoolers. And you sure as hell better get ready for a season when a wiretap isn’t even used. You’re not really really ready ready.
But, if you are ready, lemme lay out a few things that you might not be ready for. Get ready to go a season without McNulty’s insane antics to get under his bosses skin. He’s not even trying to get involved in the Marlo beef. Seems like the Barksdale case took a lot out of him. Be prepared to get a good idea of just how cold hearted Marlo and his band of outlaws are (they killed a rent-a-cop. Who does that nowadays? Really.) I hope you ain’t hoping for another hot sex scene starring Kima and some lucky woman. Lightning don’t strike twice when you need a spark like that lemme tell you.
Yeah, every season had something gangsta to offer to television. Season One we were introduced to a gangsta so gay that I bet the gay rappers (all 10 of them) have his posters all in they gym lockers. In season 2 the story arc with the cops, the drugs and the seaport was pure genius. Season 3 was straight gangsta. The shoot outs, the body count and they even went as far as killing my man Stringer. It kinda hurt me when they bodied him. He was an evil genius. If McNulty was trying to be Superman, trust that Stringer was Lex Luthor. Through the past few years The Wire became to the hood what Seinfeld was to the burbs – an entertaining glimpse into our own reality. Nah, this series prolly won’t ever win any awards unless BET gives it one, but the truth of the matter is, this show doesn’t need any award to define it’s worth to the culture that birthed it – hip-hop. This show is more hip-hop than the music is nowadays.
So much so that a few MC’s even guest starred on the series: Method Man and Fredro Starr.
But the truth of the matter is that this season of The Wire is my personal favorite. Everyone has they favorite season and this one is mine (Khalid will swear that the 2nd season is the best season of any TV show ever. Obviously he doesn’t watch The Simpsons)
But what made this season so real and appealing to me was the group of kids it focuses on and the damn near perfect picture the writers and producers paint when it comes to showing how easy it is to fall into the wrong things when growing up in an environment that would make anyone who isn’t strong willed constantly feel vulnerable. That aspect of the show was incredible. Not only because me and people like me can relate to it more than the next man, but because after a few episodes you start looking at these teens like your little brothers or cousins, na’mean? From parents with “different” aspirations for they kids (what woman can call herself a mother when all she wants if for her only son to become a drug dealing gangsta?) to drugged out parents - these kids know all about the breaks.
Besides the meat of the show, other entertaining pickles this season involve the rise of Marlo Stansfield, the race for Mayor (sounds boring, but it’s really not); the Board of Education’s lack of interest in their students, Prop Joe playing both sides of the field, ex-police officers redeeming themselves by become educators to students considered lost causes, and last but sure as hell not least, Omar. Talk about a rebel without a cause (him and James Dean shoulda got together and make a new age The Bird Cage) That man is the epitome of gangsta. Just a one man army taking on the governments of the world.
To put it plain and simple, this season is 5 Gangstas. Straight up and down.
We’re introduced into a slew of new characters that are just as interesting as the ones we already know. And not only that, but it’s definitely leading to an explosive 5th season. And the way things are going, the 5th could very well be the final season. Cause from the look of things, s*** is bound to hit the fan.
And just for the record, I was blessed with the opportunity to see this whole season before it even aired. And I was gonna keep quiet, but due to popular demand (from like three people), I’ve decided to give my opinion on this season without giving anything away. Man, I wish they’d put me on that writing team. I would make it my business to make it more gangsta than before. Is anyone at HBO interested in a real hood’s point of view? Holla at cha boy!
27 Responses to “Review: The Wire Season 4”
Oct.7 at 12:14 am
Max Airington says:
Now all is right with the world. I have been loving this season so far, but I dont know if it can get better than last year. RIP Stringer Bell….
Oct.7 at 7:34 am
illydiva says:
*bowing down* Thanks for that, Omar. I was scared at first to read the whole thing, thinking you would give something away. Now we can watch the remaining shows knowing with all certainty that we are headed for 5 gangstas. I, like Khalid, was partial to Season 2; now I can rest assured this season will be the business. Omar is my fave character…can’t wait to see how this thing with him, Prop Joe & Marlo will go down.
Oct.7 at 10:23 am
tsmith7791 says:
I was trying to look up that review for sin city you did a while back but its not on here. Are you gonna put up all the old articles any time soon?
Oct.7 at 5:36 pm
mglass says:
I don’t have HBO and only get to watch The Wire on DVD, so I’m going through withdrawal, and this article is making me seriously jones now. It’s so hard to pick a fav season . . . Season 1 had one of the most heart-wrenching scenes ever put on television (Wallace getting it) and a compelling cat-and-mouse plot between McNulty and the Barksdale crew that had you rooting for both sides at the same time somehow. Season 2 definitely had the best final few episodes; it came to a fantastic climax. Plus its scope pushed the ambition level. Season 3 was really consistent, and kept the surprises coming (Prez dropping a cop, McNulty walking out on tail with dignity intact, of course Stringer’s death). I guess the test for me is which season do I honestly expect to watch over and over again in the future and continue to enjoy and find compelling despite knowing what’s going to happen. I’m guessing that will actually be Season 1 right now, but only time will tell.
Oct.8 at 9:10 pm
Omar says:
I don’t know if Sam or Lang is gonna be putting up any of the old reviews. That’s on them, na’mean.
Oct.10 at 11:46 am
Colin says:
Excellent Omar! I am hoping you review The Departed for us. I want to hear your thoughts.
Oct.11 at 11:35 pm
cjclean says:
Omar hasn’t seen The Departed. He is too busy watching Grid Iron Gang.
Oct.12 at 4:09 pm
TMcC. says:
Man aint that the truth!
I love Omars Gangsta column,..Y?..cause he’s from the streets and you’ll get a real hood response. He definetly has a way with words.
Ya Number 2 fan..Ya ol’ homie from the BX!
Oct.12 at 4:12 pm
TMcC. says:
HEY r u gonna review Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The beginning?..I heard it was tuff.
Oct.18 at 3:43 pm
Omar says:
Man, i wasn’t even trying to see Texas Chainsaw. That joint looked whack. Grid Iron Gang? I think not. I wanna see the Departed, but ain’t get a chance. I saw Grudge 2. That was the jumpoff. Y’all need to take a shorty to see that one. She’ll grab every inch of your body looking for something to hold on to when she’s scared. And if you’re smart, you’ll know what to do. LOL
Oct.23 at 5:55 pm
Reggie Evans says:
Waiting for The Departed review …
Dec.4 at 7:16 pm
BodegabondInBrooklyn says:
Excellent review, Omar. You nailed what makes this season great without giving anything away. I hope more people watch this show. 50 years from now this will be the best history lesson around.
Dec.5 at 1:54 pm
fromtheburb says:
I love The Wire and it deserves a Emmy and everyone should watch it and may see that these kids need someone to pay attention. We are quick to ridcule but not to reach out. Suburbia need to be watching.
Dec.6 at 2:47 pm
Omar says:
Also, where do they get these actors? They all believable as f*ck! I hope Avon and Webey come back to the hood next season. But damn, i don’t wanna wait till ‘08. That’s TOO far away.
Dec.7 at 12:35 pm
ESOKC says:
Man so I just finished the season finale and this is by far the best season of the show. In my opinion this is the best show on tv right now. This season touched a lot of topics it still amazes me how they can put so much in such a short period of time. I agree with you about the actors. 2008 way to long to wait.
Dec.13 at 2:15 pm
illydiva says:
Finished watching the season this weekend, and your review was on point. I’m sad the season is over and now we have this long wait. This is by far the greatest TV show ever. Bodie’s death kinda hit me, but I went to bed thinking about poor Randy and I was glad Bubbs didn’t succeed in his attempt. Every storyline provided plenty of food for thought/discussion and left you wanting more. Omar is still THE MAN, as is Weebey. SMH at Carcetti. There is so much more the writers can say about this city, these characters, these problems, and it needs to be said AND HEARD. Knowing the next season (whenever it comes) will be the last makes me sad. The Wire is that crack!
Dec.13 at 5:39 pm
Omar says:
I got it!!! Marlo looks like a young 50 Cent
Michael looks like a young Lloyd Banks
Omar looks like a darker and skinnier DMX
Snoop looks like Lil’ Romeo
Slim Charles looks like Pusha T (Clipse)
Prop Joe looks like a broke Jazzy Pha
Dec.15 at 1:46 pm
Dustin says:
The Best Damn Show on television. PERIOD, if u like it then support it, BUY THE DVD’S
Dec.20 at 3:40 am
Hans Stroo says:
The Wire is the shit. I am obsessed with this fucking show. It is so uncomprimising and the actor who plays Bubbles looks into my soul and shows me a picture of the world that is complete and raw. Bravo!!! Ive only seen one season (4) and I loved it. I know the other ones Im going to watch 1,2,3 are going to be just as riveting
Jan.4 at 7:31 pm
cha says:
I would just like 2 say, I love the wire. I got season 1,2, and 3 and I watch them over and over. I’m just startin season 4 on the ondemand channel, and I’m loving it so far. I thought I was gone b mad 2 no what happens before I see it, but actualy I’m not. It kinds of prepares me, especially 2 find out bodie dies, dammm!! I already dropped a tear or 2 when stringer died, dammm!! He was by far my fav besides omar. I really can’t say which season is my fav, cause I love them all. But it has 2 bbetween season 1 and 3, cause I just love the barksdale crew. I really can’t wait for season 5, even though it won’t b a barksdale on there. Who knows, since its the last 1, maybe they will surprise me wit a avon or weebey scene. Boy will I love that!!!!!!!
Jan.7 at 9:42 am
Harlem World says:
You all said it right about the show. But, for some reason, I just don’t think they should have bodied String. He opened the doors to some next level character development, and on a deeper level, y’all need to know heads watch the wire and through String, got open to some next level shit. I had cats asking me where they can pick up ‘Wealth Of Nations’ (i’m supposed to be joe college around here…). Thats CRAZY if you know hood. Straight up and down, heads talking about going to community college to study ECONOMICS B! Thats some deep shit. Word up. I didn’t have the heart to tell them they need at least a GED to get in, but still… I gotta respect their gangsta though, because if this was any other show but the wire? String would have gone on a ‘trip’ and left his comeback wide open. In real life, when you get got, YOU GOT, and Wire repped that like real. I know we finished season 4, which was crazy too, but this one is for String and the doors he opened up for heads in hoods worldwide. On a side note, Omar - if you get that call from HBO, holla at me, i got some pure uncut storylines guaranteed to get them open. And to prove, it, they can have the first one for free.
Jan.12 at 3:08 am
ooooman says:
ALL I GOTTA SAY IS DAT MICHEAL DA SHYT EAMON A PUSSY AND I NEEEEEEEEED TO SEE SEASON 5 CUZ THE WIRE GOT ME ADDICTED SEASON 4 SOOOO F*CKIN SICK!!
Jan.27 at 7:42 pm
shane says:
I second harlem world’s comments. I was kinda mad they killed of Stringer. It was some Godfather sh*t though. “I try to get out, but they keep pulling me back in.” I guess the show wasn’t going to be “hood” or gangsta anymore if Stringer kept tryna do what he was doing.
Feb.8 at 12:54 pm
georgejung says:
i think season four was the worst season of the wire, but they did a great job showing how fucked up the public school system is and how marlo raised to power after avon got locked up, but when you get greedy, you get sloppy and season 5 he will get sloppy, there all going to get poped now that mcnulty is back doing his thing, or the greek and prop jo will get his ass, you dont fuck with bodie! R.I.P Bodie.Been a fan since 02 baby, when bodie was a hopper
Mar.4 at 9:16 pm
KILLABEE says:
ANYONE KNOW WHEN SEASON 4 IS DROPPING ON DVD. ????????/??//??????? I NEED THAT ISH.
Mar.18 at 10:45 pm
pyrex-is-ah-yes says:
Ayo, ma niggas just turned me on to this shit. I saw tha entire 3rd season at ma niggas house ova a 4 day period…shit’s crack, real talk! I ain’t even finna understand the plot, but gaddamn this like tha first show I ever seen that gets tha skreets right, ya diggums? Good look on tha review, cuz.
Mar.22 at 11:38 pm
cleveland4life says:
People aint hip to this show, there loss. Season three, implementing a drug free zone, showing reasons it could work and reasons for why it couldnt work, was brillant, and ahead of its time. The acting is amazing, and living on the east side of cleveland, number 1 in poverty and 7 in crime, i can relate to everything being said in this show. If you want realism, and arent afraid of the truth, watch this show.