Season five
From The Wire
| The Wire Season 5 | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover | |
| Country of origin | USA |
| Network | HBO |
| Original run | January 6, 2008 – March 9, 2008 |
| No. of episodes | 10 |
| Previous season | 4 |
Contents |
[edit] Production
HBO announced on September 12 2006 that it commissioned a fifth and final season consisting of 13 episodes,[1][2] but which was later reduced to ten.[3] On April 30, 2007, production for Season 5 officially began. Filming wrapped early in the morning of September 1, 2007 and the first episode is slated to air on January 6, 2008.[4]
[edit] Themes
In an interview with Slate on December 1, 2006, David Simon said that Season 5 would be about the media and media consumption.[2] A major focus would be journalism, which would be dramatized through a newspaper modeled after The Baltimore Sun. The theme, according to Simon, would deal with "what stories get told and what don't and why it is that things stay the same."[2] Issues such as the quest for profit, the decrease in the number of reporters, and the end of aspiration for news quality would all be addressed, alongside the theme of homelessness. In the same interview, Simon indicated that no other theme seemed substantial enough to warrant a sixth season, except possibly the large influx of Latinos into Baltimore. He noted, however, that since no writer on the show spoke Spanish or had any intimate knowledge of the city's Latino population, the field work would be too cumbersome.[2]
At the Night at the Wire event on June 9, 2007, Simon stated that Detective Sydnor is the only character who remains morally clean by the end of the show, but not perfectly since "after all, this is The Wire." He also hinted that Mayor Carcetti might make a run for governor, continuing to mirror the current Maryland governor and former Baltimore mayor, Martin O'Malley.
The series will continue the shows examination of the devaluing of human life and institutional dysfunction.[5] The increased scope of the season to include the media will allow this theme to be explored through an examination of "the people who are supposed to be monitoring all this and sounding the alarm — the journalists."[5] In particular Simon has spoken about the devaluing of the reporter in terms of downsizing a newspaper staff and the management expecting to do "more with less" when he asserts that in reality, you can only do "less with less".[5]
The series realism has been reported as being maintained particularly through the accurate dialogue and use of contemporary slang.[5]
[edit] Locations
At that Night at the Wire event, fans were allowed to tour the Baltimore Sun newsroom constructed for the show. The real newspaper allowed the show to use their name but stipulated that no current employees could appear in the series.[5] The newsroom was an entirely built set constructed at the show's out of town soundstage.[5]
The actual Washington Post newsroom will also feature as one reporter visits for an interview.[6] The Wire is the first production to be allowed to film at the location, even the film All The President's Men about the papers role in breaking the Watergate scandal had to build a set to represent the paper.[6] Creator David Simon has previously remarked that he was inspired to enter journalism himself by the work of the Post on that story.[7]
[edit] Cast and characters
- See also: Season five cast
The season five starring cast consists of:
It has been rumored that Homicide stars Richard Belzer[8] and Clark Johnson[9] will guest star in the fifth season. Johnson directed the final episode of the show and was rumored to play the city editor of Baltimore’s daily newspaper.[4] In their October 16, 2007 profile of David Simon, The New Yorker confirmed that Johnson will play Gus Haynes, "a city editor who tries to hold the line against dwindling coverage, buyouts, and pseudo-news."[5] They described an early scene from the season where Haynes rants about a reporter inserting a charred doll into scenes of fires to eke more sympathy from his readers.[5]
The Washington Post announced on 3 September, 2007 that Thomas McCarthy will join the cast as a morally challenged reporter.[4] The character's name was given as Scott Templeton in HBO's preview of season 5.[10]
On October 28 2007 HBO aired a preview of the fifth season featuring interviews with Lance Reddick, Tom McCarthy, David Simon, Clark Johnson, John Doman, Seth Gilliam, Wendell Pierce and Dominic West and footage from the fifth season. Reddick introduces the idea of the fifth season being about the media; McCarthy states that it examines how the media "reflects, informs and manipulates"; Simon says that "the more graphic our crime, the more we like it, the more we pay attention. There is a little bit of a mockery of that in what we've constructed for season five"; Johnson said that newsroom storyline is fascinating and "a great way to end the series"; Doman warns to expect "complexities and complications"; Gilliam says that there is "creativity" in how people approach their jobs; Pierce that all the characters have to make choices; West that McNulty goes outside the system due to his lack of faith in his superiors; Simon concludes by saying that the season is really about "just how far you can go on a lie". The footage included scenes of Sonja Sohn as Kima Greggs being quizzed by reporters; reporters reflecting on why crime in certain areas is not covered; low morale in the police department; Carver briefing Western district officers; Jimmy McNulty drinking; Bunk Moreland refusing to get involved with something and "Fitz" telling McNulty that "you guys are shut out across the board".[10] Returning guest stars seen in the promo include Dennis Mello as Jay Landsman, Benjamin Busch as Anthony Colicchio, Ryan Sands as Lloyd "Truck" Garrick and Doug Olear as Fitz. It also features several as yet unidentified newsroom characters.[10]
Several ex-Baltimore Sun reporters will appear in the season.[5] Rebecca Corbett who was Simon's former editor at the Baltimore Sun and now works at the New York Times will have a recurring role.[5] Writer and former political reporter William F. Zorzi will have further screen time after his season 1 cameo.[5] Steve Luxenberg, the editor responsible for hiring Simon at The Sun will have a role.[5] Simon's wife Laura Lippman will also appear.[5]
[edit] Crew
David Simon will continue to act as the shows executive producer and show runner.[5] George Pelecanos will return as a writer and contribute his seventh episode to the series.[5] Political journalist William F. Zorzi will continue to write for the show.[5] Chris Collins will return as a staff writer.[5] David Mills will write the fifth episode of the season.[11]
The IMDb lists a number of potential directors including returning directors Joe Chappelle for a further two episodes,[12][13] Ernest R. Dickerson,[14] Daniel Attias,[15] Agnieszka Holland,[16] Seith Mann,[17] Anthony Hemingway,[18] and Clark Johnson.[19] New directors include co-directors Scott and Joy Kecken[20] (Joy Kecken has previously written for the show under her maiden name, Lusco), starring cast member Dominic West making his directing debut,[21] Johnson has been independently confirmed as the director of the finale by the Washington Post.[4]
[edit] Episodes
| Season # | Series # | Title | Story | Teleplay | Director | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 51 | More with Less | David Simon, Ed Burns | David Simon | Joe Chappelle | January 6, 2008 |
| "The bigger the lie, the more they believe." - Bunk The Stanfield Organization continues to operate despite being linked to 22 bodies found in vacant houses and undergoing a year of surveillance by the Major Crimes Unit. Education budget deficits and ambitions to become Governor leave Mayor Carcetti forced to make funding cuts. His broken promises to the police department destroy morale and cause the closure of the Major Crimes Unit. Detective Jimmy McNulty is sent back to homicide and returns to his old habits of drinking and infidelity. Similar cutbacks in the Baltimore Sun newsroom make it increasingly difficult for city desk editor Gus Haynes to do his job but he is still able to break a major story linking city council president Nerese Campbell and drug dealer Fat-Face Rick. Bubbles is recovering from his heroin addiction but is struggling to come to terms with his role in Sherrod's death.[22][23] | |||||
| 2 | 52 | Unconfirmed Reports | David Simon, William F. Zorzi | William F. Zorzi | Ernest Dickerson | January 13, 2008 |
| "This ain't Aruba, bitch." - Bunk Reporter Scott Templeton submits an unverifiable story about a boy attending the opening day of the Baltimore Orioles baseball season. Haynes is dubious but is forced to run the story by his senior editors. The withdrawal of the police investigation emboldens Marlo Stanfield and he orders several murders and tries to contact international drug trafficking organization "The Greeks". Detective Lester Freamon continues to observe Stanfield even though he has been assigned to the Clay Davis corruption case. Bubbles takes a job at a soup kitchen. McNulty becomes increasingly frustrated in the underfunded homicide unit and takes the drastic step of faking a homicide with the intention of drawing funds to the department by creating the illusion of a serial killer.[24][25] | |||||
| 3 | 53 | Not for Attribution | David Simon, Chris Collins | Chris Collins | January 20, 2008 | Scott & Joy Kecken |
| "They're dead where it doesn't count." - Fletcher Stanfield turns to "Proposition Joe" Stewart for help cleaning and laundering money while Stewart remains unaware that Stanfield is trying to usurp his connection to The Greeks. Stanfield also places a bounty on information leading him to Omar Little. Cheese gives Stanfield the whereabout's of Omar's advisor Butchie. Chris Partlow and Snoop torture and kill Butchie to lure Omar from retirement. A false statistics scandal gives Carcetti the political ammunition to fire commissioner Ervin Burrell. Carcetti leaks a story heralding Cedric Daniels as a potential replacement. Daniels is worried that Burrell will reveal his shady past after Templeton invents a quote implicating Daniels in Burrell's departure. McNulty continues to work on his serial killer plan despite warnings from his partner Bunk Moreland. Bunk enlists Freamon to talk to McNulty but is dumbfounded when Freamon offers to help with the plan.[26][27] | |||||
| 4 | 54 | Transitions | David Simon, Ed Burns | Ed Burns | Dan Attias | January 27, 2008 |
| "Buyer's market out there." - Templeton Freamon and McNulty draw more attention to their fake serial killer by sensationalizing the murders. McNulty's compulsive behaviour jeopardizes his relationship with Beadie Russell. Campbell learns of Daniels' history but convinces Burrell to leave quietly with the promise of a comfortable replacement position. Sergeant Ellis Carver puts his principles first in the Western District and his former partner Herc is shamed by his integrity. Stanfield convinces The Greeks to consider him an insurance policy and continues to assimilate Stewart's contacts including Maurice Levy. Omar returns to Baltimore and quickly learns that Stanfield was responsible for Butchie's death. Stewart prepares to leave town fearing reprisal from Omar but is once again betrayed by Cheese and murdered by Partlow as Stanfield watches.[28] | |||||
| 5 | 55 | React Quotes | David Simon, David Mills | David Mills | Agnieszka Holland | February 3, 2008 |
| "Just 'cause they're in the street doesn't mean that they lack opinions." - Haynes Stanfield takes over as The Greeks' Baltimore distributor and is given a phone and a code to use to contact them. Stanfield gives the number to Levy and Herc steals it and passes it on to the police department. Freamon appeals to Daniels for a wiretap but is unsuccessful. McNulty leaks further details of his invented serial killer to the press and the story gains momentum. When Templeton stages a phone call from the serial killer McNulty uses it as probable cause for a wiretap. Freamon sets up on Stanfield's phone while the homicide unit believe they are manning another, disconnected, wiretap of the killers phone. Dukie struggles with bullying and Bubbles learns that he is HIV negative. State's Attorney Bond announces the Davis corruption case. Campbell convinces Davis to protect his fellow politicians and he embarks on a publicity campaign suggesting that his race has motivated the charges. Partlow sets up an ambush for Omar which he narrowly escapes by jumping from a balcony.[29] | |||||
| 6 | 56 | The Dickensian Aspect | David Simon, Ed Burns | Ed Burns | Seith Mann | February 10, 2008 |
| "If you have a problem with this, I understand completely." - Freamon | |||||
| 7 | 57 | Took | David Simon, Richard Price | Richard Price | Dominic West | February 17, 2008 |
| "They don't teach it in law school." - Pearlman | |||||
| 8 | 58 | Clarifications | David Simon, Dennis Lehane | Dennis Lehane | Anthony Hemingway | February 24, 2008 |
| "A lie ain't a side of a story. It's just a lie." - Terry Hanning | |||||
| 9 | 59 | Late Editions | David Simon, George Pelecanos | George Pelecanos | Joe Chappelle | March 2 2008 |
| "Deserve got nuthin' to do with it." - Snoop | |||||
| 10 | 60 | –30– | David Simon, Ed Burns | David Simon | Clark Johnson | March 9 2008 |
| "...the life of kings." - H.L. Mencken | |||||
[edit] External links
The Wire at the Internet Movie Database
[edit] References
- ↑ John M. Higgins (2006). HBO Renews The Wire. Broadcasting & Cable.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Meghan O'Rourke (2006). Behind The Wire. Slate.com.
- ↑ David Mills. Just to tease you fans of The Wire…. Retrieved on 2007-03-14.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Wiltz, Teresa (2007-09-03). Down to "The Wire": It's a Wrap for Gritty TV Series. Washington Post. Retrieved on 2007-09-03.
- ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 5.14 5.15 5.16 Margaret Talbot (2007). Stealing Life. The New Yorker. Retrieved on 2007-10-14.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts (2007). The CIA Has A New Man On a Special Mission -- to Hollywood. The Washington Post. Retrieved on 2007-10-20.
- ↑ Cynthia Rose. The originator of TV's 'Homicide' remains close to his police-reporter roots. Seattle Times. Retrieved on 2006-09-28.
- ↑ Oldenburg, Ann (August 5, 2007). Belzer character Munches more scenery. USA Today. Retrieved on 2007-08-08.
- ↑ Just to tease you fans of "The Wire".... Undercover Black Man (February 28, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-02-28.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Lance Reddick, Tom McCarthy, David Simon, Clark Johnson, John Doman, Seth Gilliam, Wendell Pierce and Dominic West. (2007-10-28). 'The Wire - Invitation to the Set (Season 5 preview) [TV]. HBO.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedMills_blog - ↑ "The Wire" More With Less (2008). IMDb (2007). Retrieved on 2007-10-20.
- ↑ "The Wire" Late Edition (2008). IMDb (2007). Retrieved on 2007-10-20.
- ↑ "The Wire" Unconfirmed Reports (2008). IMDb (2007). Retrieved on 2007-10-20.
- ↑ "The Wire" Transition (2008). IMDb (2007). Retrieved on 2007-10-20.
- ↑ "The Wire" React Quotes (2008). IMDb (2007). Retrieved on 2007-10-20.
- ↑ "The Wire" The Dickensian Aspect (2008). IMDb (2007). Retrieved on 2007-10-20.
- ↑ "The Wire" Clarifications (2008). IMDb (2007). Retrieved on 2007-10-20.
- ↑ "The Wire" The Life of Kings (2008). IMDb (2007). Retrieved on 2007-10-20.
- ↑ "The Wire" Rules of Arbitration (2008). IMDb (2007). Retrieved on 2007-10-20.
- ↑ "The Wire" Took (2008). IMDb (2007). Retrieved on 2007-10-20.
- ↑ "More with Less". Joe Chappelle, Writ. David Simon (story and teleplay), Ed Burns (story). The Wire. HBO. 2008-01-06. No. 1, season 5.
- ↑ The Wire episode guide - episode 51 More with Less. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-22.
- ↑ "Unconfirmed Reports". Ernest Dickerson, Writ. William F. Zorzi (story and teleplay), David Simon (story). The Wire. HBO. 2008-01-13. No. 2, season 5.
- ↑ The Wire episode guide - episode 52 Uncomfirmed Reports. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-22.
- ↑ "Not for Attribution". Scott and Joy Kecken, Writ. Chris Collins (story and teleplay), David Simon (story). The Wire. HBO. 2008-01-20. No. 3, season 5.
- ↑ The Wire episode guide - episode 53 Not for Attribution. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-22.
- ↑ "Transitions". Dan Attias, Writ. Ed Burns (story and teleplay), David Simon (story). The Wire. HBO. 2008-01-27. No. 4, season 5.
- ↑ "React Quotes". Agnieszka Holland, Writ. David Mills (story and teleplay), David Simon (story). The Wire. HBO. 2008-02-03. No. 5, season 5.
