THE WIRE | TV Reaction | Season 4 - Ep. 1 + 2 | First Time Watching | Back to School

[@YouMeTheMovies]

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[@Stophatingjitt]

she bought the nail gun to board up abandon houses not kill people

[@derred723]

Flat out one of the ABSOLUTE BEST seasons in all of TV.

[@beedubree2550]

this and season 3 make for some of the best back-to-back seasons of TV ever broadcast, as far as I'm concerned

[@zigzag2262]

W take

[@diptanshusingh1813]

S5 like the best of them all

[@Jeff_Lichtman]

Snoop buying the nail gun is one of the strongest openings I've ever seen. It really hooks you, not just into the episode, but the whole season.

[@CheerfullyCynical829]

I bet that guy was too much of an honest straight shooter to keep that extra cash. He'd feel too uncomfortable just pocketing it. He probably put it in the register. And then told all his coworkers about the strangest, weirdest fucking customer he's ever had.

[@heavydownn2962]

That’s an interesting observation. I would agree with you. But, WE should also take an introspective moment to consider: “What are all the reasons that I’m willing to give that salesman the benefit of being honest…when I know absolutely nothing about him?” Now THAT is a far more interesting question-in my opinion.

[@sangun123]

this gotta hit different as a parent, as someone whos never even thought about having kids this season broke my heart, i couldn't imagine having it actually be like relatable

[@andrewtataj497]

Michael....the kid who looked Marlo in the eye and turned down his money. That kid is a real one.

[@guaddv]

The creators of The Wire wanted the fourth season to focus on where the Avon Barksdales and Stringer Bells come from, and all of the forces - political, educational, social, economic, etc. - that help/hurt these individuals. The famous line from this series : " it's all connected".

[@Madbandit77]

It's also autobiographical for co-creator Ed Burns (I know David Simon gets sole credit, but Ed's experiences have brought the grit to the show) who used to be a public school teacher after being a cop.

[@CheerfullyCynical829]

The whole Carcetti running for mayor storyline bored the everloving shit out of me. I loved everything else, particularly the school storyline.

[@heavydownn2962]

“…where the Avon Barksdale’s and Stringer Bell’s come from.” That’s an excellent synopsis of Season 4. Anyone who can’t palpably feel the difficulties of what people growing up in this environment go through ?!? …then, you have no soul. People aren’t born this way. They’re MADE this way.

[@beedubree2550]

all the stuff the kids do messing around in this season, especially the early episodes, feel exactly like that story about stealing the badminton set that Bell and Barksdale reminsce about on the roof at the end of season 3 before they betray each other. i love this show so god damn much, you can watch it a thousand times and still find new stuff, like I only just had this thought. the badminton theft storey feels like it really could just be a scene from this season

[@beedubree2550]

@@CheerfullyCynical829 to be fair, that pays off in season 5 where the system corrupts carcetti into the exact kind of politician he's been claiming to despise for the last 2 seasons. it's definitely the slowest bit of the season but i wouldnt say i think it's bad

[@dash_707]

That female assistant principal who welcomed Prez, she has the most authentic Baltimore accent of the entire show. I've spent alot of time around B'more and it made laugh to hear it.

[@CheerfullyCynical829]

One sad thing is that watching this season will make people who are interested in teaching stay far, far away from poor inner city schools and apply instead to quiet suburban public schools or private schools. Only a noble, self-sacrificing altruist would want to teach in rough, dangerous schools like Edward Tighlman for $50K a year. There aren't many of those people in the world.

[@DannyBedo]

By far my favorite season. This season gets so big and so deep so quickly.

[@kerry-j4m]

The Shield is even better,a little more gritty and grimier,the main cast is more smaller,so their characters are more defined. JMHO.

[@Bhint320610]

Y’all this is my favorite season. “The youngins” have the best story line in all of the season. The character growth is phenomenal.

[@DevinJones-tc6cw]

Personally for me that goes to the Barksdale Organization but the kids are easily one of the best for sure.

[@beedubree2550]

@@DevinJones-tc6cw in fairness to the kids, the Barksdale guys got 4 seasons to develop over, the kids only had one and their arcs are arguably even more dramatic and powerful. i think for me Stringer and Avon beats them for best storyline of the whole show, but the kids this season are for sure up there too and with a fraction of the time

[@DevinJones-tc6cw]

@@beedubree2550 Absolutely and in no way was I disrespecting Season 4 at all, easily the best season. But yeah the reasons I love the Barksdale's story more is just as you said it was. Spent way more time with them. The story arc of Stringer in particular is one of the best of TV fiction I've ever seen me personally. Top 5 for me are 1. Bubbles, 2. Avon and Stringer, 3. The docks/sex trafficking, 4. The Kids, 5. Carcetti. Imo at any rate.

[@arttashfilms9816]

This is my favorite season because it was the most relatable to me...I was literally in the Baltimore school system (around these kids' age) and it was EXACTLY like it's portrayed here

[@DevinJones-tc6cw]

Literally same here. I went to school with a Michael, a Namond, a Randy, I'm pretty sure a lot of us knew a few Dukie's. This season absolutely hit the hardest for me.

[@neilbiggs1353]

It wasn't planned, but I love that in a season that deals heavily with children, your own kid decided to reinforce the theme as the opening - she is a creative genius... ;-) Although maybe not one to be trusted with the fridge door!

[@dontes5009]

Soft eyes means to be more open-minded, less judgemental, seeing the entire picture first.

[@Philbert-s2c]

"Little do they know, he's not a good cop." No but he's one hell of a teacher.

[@mrdavman13]

This season hits hard for a lot of reasons. You get a real sense of why certain adults are the way they are and there’s really no way to change that without intensive therapy and treatment. It gets real and very entertaining also. One of my fave seasons of tv Also one of the best cold opens to any show, and one of the best cold openings to a season of tv

[@CheerfullyCynical829]

One sad thing is that watching this season will make people who are interested in teaching stay far, far away from poor inner city schools and apply instead to quiet suburban public schools or private schools. Only a noble, self-sacrificing altruist would want to teach in rough, dangerous schools like Edward Tighlman for $50K a year. There aren't many of those people in the world.

[@kerry-j4m]

@@CheerfullyCynical829 The way kids are today,why put yourself thru all that-STRESS-for $ 50k a year ???? Go teach in private schools where you won't get jumped by your students and your car won't be ruined by some dumb $$$ kid with anger issues. LOL.Safer and better pay is-KEY-to a long teaching career.

[@keithmassey3914]

That was the former Mayor of Baltimore during the riots of 1968, Carcetti was based on Martin O’Malley, Mayor of Baltimore, 1999-2007, Governor, 2007-2015, he hated The Wire because it made him look bad, since everyone knew the character was based in him. Side note, Detective Norris on the show, was actually the City Chief of Police for O’Malley, the became Superintendent of the State Police when O’Malley became, then Norris spent some time in prison for fraud, then he was on The Wire, major irony there.

[@wreckingKREW1]

And one more to add,there will be a later appearance by the Republican Governor O'Malley defeated,Robert Ehrlich,in a quick cameo as a guard at the Maryland State House. The local connections guest spots and cameos on this show were all part of the brilliance.

[@leeb6476]

My fav new character is Randy Wagstaff, the young entrepreneur, he's an important character in this season. He also the son of 'Cheese' Wagstaff, who is nephew of 'Proposition' Joe Stewart. This part of the season storyline was dropped due to time constraints.

[@TheTyCyan]

I never knew that, he's really cheese's son. Wow

[@leeb6476]

@@TheTyCyan Yeah. Randy has some of Prop Joes' hustle when you think about it.

[@TheTyCyan]

@@leeb6476 yh makes sense

[@sangun123]

it's a kind of wild little throwaway fact the writers threw in, like it ultimately makes no difference cause cheese was a piece of shit and got killed anyways, but to think he come from prop joe's linage is awesome@@TheTyCyan

[@mohammedashian8094]

The reason mcnulty isn’t in the season much was because Dominic west was becoming home sick and wanted to spend time with his family back in the uk (he’s British btw) and they had a way to explain his absence

[@gunnerysgthartman9263]

Nobody in the history of humanity has said the word "shit" better than Clay Davis. Shiiiittttt!!!😂

[@havok6280]

The best and saddest season in my opinion...😢

[@Madbandit77]

Amen.

[@jordonvh91]

Michael is one of my favorite characters in the series. And season 4 is definitely the best, it feels like picking a favorite child but it's still the best.

[@Kaspisify]

"Just politicians stroking each other's balls in front of people". Couldn't have said that any better myself 😆😆

[@mohammedashian8094]

40:00 first utterance of the famous catchphrase

[@jeffballforprez]

One of the best seasons of television ever, can’t wait

[@traviskrueger9531]

You actually can match a nail from a nail gun to its source, same principles involved as a gun. Greatest season of television from any show ever this season.

[@DevinJones-tc6cw]

Yeah ngl...they threw me off with that one lml

[@fakecubed]

You can't match a bullet to a gun, that's a myth they tell you on TV but doesn't work in the real world. They can basically rule out a bullet as having come from a particular gun, if the bullet is in exceptionally good shape (most aren't), but they can never match it to a specific barrel in a positive way, only rule it out. Same goes for impressions on the primer from the firing pin, or marks on the brass. Essentially all forensics involving guns is BS science fiction. If the police find brass at the scene, and there's fingerprints on it, that might be matched with a particular shooter, but any good lawyer will be able to shred the science on that with an expert witness. Fingerprints aren't the science they're made out to be, and there's been some huge scandals at the FBI forensics lab on that very issue where they have doctored results. So pretty much it comes down to DNA, and cameras if there's any in the area to place the perp at the scene, and maybe if there's good witness testimony as to the shooting (but witnesses are notoriously unreliable too). DNA is still just a probability game, but juries are increasingly trusting of it. Cameras can lie, but they're becoming ubiquitous in public places so with enough of them, there might be a decent picture of what happened. I can't speak to nail gun forensics, but my guess is other than suggesting a particular brand and model, there's never going to be anything remotely close to a unique signature left on the nail that definitively identifies the nail gun it came from. Again, a good lawyer would probably not have a lot of trouble impeaching the testimony of the state's expert, if there isn't considerable scientific evidence for any of the expert's claims, which there simply isn't for most of what forensics experts claim they can do. People only really get convicted because they said stupid things to the police when they got arrested, or they can't afford a good lawyer and the jury they got is filled with idiots who believe Hollywood.

[@billiam8554]

Of the 4 kids : Randy, Namond, Michael and Duquan (Dookie)...my fave is Michael. He takes zero shit (like not dropping his gaze from Marlo) and sticks up for his friends.

[@DevinJones-tc6cw]

Michael is a top tier Wire character so that's not surprising. He'll most likely very much end up as their favorite as well. Also hate to be that guy but it's Dukie not Dookie 😂

[@billymuellerTikTok]

@@DevinJones-tc6cw I think it was both Dukie (from his friends) and Dookie (as an insult because of how he smells)

[@lizetteolsen3218]

I always wondered if Tommy's character was based on Martin O'Malley. When he ran for mayor he challenged the elite, was white in a predominantly non-white city, and his slogan was 'Believe' Black and white poster. He had the backing of black faith leaders and key stakeholders--but it was something to watch.

[@wreckingKREW1]

There's for sure some O'Malley connect in Carcetti's character. And the mover and shaker in the State Delegate,Odell Watkins,is for sure based a great deal on Howard "Pete" Rawlings,who was a local kingmaker as a politician here and the father of later to be Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.

[@ChristopherJ0884]

4 is a great season, with meeting the Stanfield Organization and seeing how ruthless they can be, makes for a good season

[@rachelcopeland5186]

As others have said, this is a great season - I'll add that from my perspective as a former teacher, watching this season while being a public school teacher was both validating and frustrating because it's SO accurate. And sad because of it, because pretty much nothing has changed and how old is this show now? ugh.

[@xrentonx]

The kid Randy is my favorite this season. This season is gutwrenching.

[@heavydownn2962]

No question. Randy is (IMO) the standout character of the season.

[@CheerfullyCynical829]

SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!!!!!! If any kid deserved to be adopted and given a shot at a good life, it was Dukie or Randy. Not Namond. So frustrating and heartbreaking.

[@monadreher2428]

​@@CheerfullyCynical829 SPOILERS because confusion: I mean I wish all of the kids would have been saved too but...that's not Namond's fault and...he's also a child. I was always glad that Namond got saved I just wish he wasn't the *only* one who made it out.

[@CheerfullyCynical829]

@@monadreher2428 Yeah but I'm saying if only ONE of them could get out, I'd want it to be Dukie. Such a sweet, smart, decent kid. Namond was wayyyyyyyyyy worse.

[@monadreher2428]

@@CheerfullyCynical829 I mean I definitely feel you but tbf Namond was definitely under the most pressure out of the crew. And in the words of our Snoop "Deserve got nothing to do with it" unfortunately 😞

[@jieuryli]

Definitely my favorite season. Was waiting so long for you guys to get to it.

[@ChristopherJ0884]

That’s what I love about when you both watch The Wire, you call stuff before you see it, boarding up the vacants and the pi$$ balloons

[@jmwild1]

The Wire's co-creator Ed Burns was a police officer who switched to teaching. Prez's story is inspired by Burns' own experience.

[@SupportGamin2025]

Marlo and his crew are a lot more ruthless than the Barksdale organization

[@_eclipz_]

Thanks guys, love watching this wit you. Good times! Have a good one!

[@kasandrapurplekitten]

Season 4 is the best season and sidenote every time I drive by a Vacant I think of Chris and Snoop David Simon was a genius...

[@Cbricklyne]

Mr. Movies : "We do need education reform...." Hold that thought. (....at least until you see the entire season)

[@AA-qb7ni]

I love how more people are reacting to this masterpiece of a show!!!

[@plectrumura]

I loved season 4 almost as much as I loved the first season.

[@mrdarkshoe]

True Detective Season 1 and The Wire Season 4 are probably my two favorite TV seasons of all time.

[@beroskiwhitehead5875]

It also shows that kids in the hood are NOT some savages. Pay attention to the situations that make them that way

[@nrgmanifest]

😂 best opening scene ever😂 u earned that bump like a mf

[@WT003]

I always thought it was dope this season focused on the kids of the adult characters. Opens up a lot of eyes as to how things are for them. Then you got the politics side of things showing why things are the way they are in the city, the problems in education, more police corruption, this season really did a lot. Probably has the most new characters introduced in a season too. I think my favorite character is Michael.

[@pmaximus5659]

I’ve never seen this series but everyone and I mean everyone has some kind of “ quote “ from this series and say it’s excellent but everyone dies

[@MrDMF567]

Bodie is the best. Love his character.

[@Tero92]

I left a comment about deangelos mom on the first season how shes the worst...I had completely forgotten Namonds mom...shiiiieeeet

[@SubZeroJill]

You guys are gonna LOVE this season... s2's still my favorite, but I can't deny the impact this season has had on me

[@Tony_Ruiz95]

One of the best, if not the best season. 💯

[@tshyne8007]

Omg. I knew Ms Precious would give me an entrance. And she was right on cue. Freakin awesome

[@Tim_Raths]

Of all the kid characters on this show Michael and Namond have the most interesting story arcs.

[@MrDMF567]

8:36 Gus Triandos hypothetical 😂😂

[@mathmexican4234]

I like Snoop, partially because of the backstory of the actual actress. You guys should look that up sometime. And I also feel for Dukie. His story is sad. This season is just kinda sad because it just kind of puts into a proper light that all the adult characters in the show just started as kids in baltimore, doin dumb shit like throwin piss balloons and stealin cars or whatever.

[@steveomac385]

Didn't she get busted after the show for trafficking shitloads of h?

[@CheerfullyCynical829]

Dukie isn't tough enough for the corners or the boxing gym, and doesn't have the parental support for any academic prospects. He's a smart, decent, goodhearted kid trapped in a horrible situation that he can't escape. Just heartbreaking.

[@heavydownn2962]

What a marvelous observation!! I never connected the lives of the kids in Season 4 with the lives of the adults featured in the series. Now I have another reason to love this show!

[@steveomac385]

@@heavydownn2962 Really? They kinda laid it on kinda thick at the end. Poor Dookie.

[@clarktownsend8991]

​@@steveomac385yes

[@havok6280]

Chris and Snoop are scary Mofos.

[@Cream-2128]

Funny you guys mentioned the inspirations for some of the characters the guy Omar based on makes an appearance this season.

[@JTD2001]

7:57 “Handle the vibe” in the background🔥

[@CharlieSoze]

I never thought the lime was to make the bodies decompose faster, always thought it was more just to help kill the smell. But who knows, I have yet to use it on any bodies.

[@MR.Rexx101]

Lime works for both odor & decomp.🤓

[@MrOiPolloi]

Carcetti is based Martin O’Malley, former mayor of Baltimore, governor of Maryland and one time presidential candidate

[@polkhigh2317]

S4 is gut wrenching experience great stuff

[@karabomasibi2331]

Favorite new kid: Michael, favorite new character? Definitely Norman, Tommy's right hand man

[@javonrob1]

The Lyme is to mask the smell of the bodies, not to decompose them

[@Alexcarb95]

My personal best season of the show. Also Cutty has something good going on lol

[@djnkosi]

And so begins the greatest season of any tv show of all time!

[@rael2099]

S4 is THE best season and also the hardest to watch. I hope Ms. keep herself together after this season. She wont be able to forget it in a long time.

[@rd30000]

This has the series best character...Mr. Donut

[@Twin49ers]

I think you’re daughter wants her own she you me and the movies kid’s edition lmao

[@TLL1969]

Lol...yeah...I'm picturing her reacting to "Frozen" or classic Barney or such. :) I love when their girls walk in...so adorable. Reminds me of my daughter who'd interrupt me when working...and GOD I'd give anything for her to be that age again!

[@TheOtherOne111]

A few more years and you'll be learning your times tables all over again.

[@mikedbigame3398]

Season 4 of The Wire, is life changing.

[@chipsthedog1]

When the kids are on screen all I hear is Tom Seguras voice saying Dookie two shoes.

[@kapner2104]

The iconic snoop intro!!

[@beroskiwhitehead5875]

This season is the best single season of TV period. The last 5 episodes will break ur heart tho

[@blubull26]

I'm so looking forward to your reactions to my favorite season of The Wire

[@richiehoyt8487]

Unfortunately, Carcetti's 'boyish' (in _his_ mind) sh1+ - eating grin and scheming, "wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him" demenour would be pure vote~repellant, were I part of the Baltimore electorate!

[@Yvanehtnioj2000]

“Why I gotta be stacking bodies if nobody wants to war with us?” What happened to THAT mindset.

[@kevinmassey1164]

Best opening season scene of the series….and that’s saying something considering next season’s opening scene

[@terrygracy8345]

Bubbles! So many good characters. Always hoping Bubs will get through

[@tavarisp452]

The guy tommy is based on is Martin OMalley. He doesn’t appear in the show

[@neilbiggs1353]

That little exchange with Lester and Rhonda at 29:40 or so is kind of frightening. When you've seen all the ways that senior people appointed by the Mayor have interfered with investigations so far in the show, you see exactly why Lester is worried, and it feels horribly real. Not sure if there are specific incidents that it is based on, but I would be more inclined to think they happen than it just being a writer's invention. Thinking of real, that transition from cop to teacher was based on Ed Burns, one of the creative team behind the Wire

[@richardkhchang]

Michael is not the same kid that Cutty first trained, btw.

[@fleshesposito]

Oh my, I wanted to come over the sea and get her a glass of milk. :)

[@tshyne8007]

20:26 Namond gives Duquan the middle finger while giving him a dollar. Look carefully.

[@paolom.6011]

This season in particular made Prez one of my favourite character arcs in any TV show.

[@dakritic]

Facts: Season 4 is the best season.

[@TDQ_Gaming]

It was very cute for a time. But it might be time to use the magical powers of editing to edit out the technical difficulties.

[@wynrick1]

Welcome to the greatest season!

[@russellpetrie119]

i agree with you times table is memorisation i also have crs cant remember stuff lol

[@isaacshearn2793]

Best version of theme song, season 4, no contest!

[@HackWilson14]

Season 4 for sure the best season and that’s no disrespect to the first three seasons

[@tavarisp452]

Season 4 is great and sad

[@NonLinearExistence]

Born and raised in Baltimore city. Carcetti is based off mayor/governor Martin O'malley

[@luciolamonica]

if you catch enough crabs you can become Governor of Maryland!

[@Cream-2128]

Yea notice carver knew all of their names and who messes up the count.

[@gccurry1]

After Hurk finds the mayor in his compromised position and starts down the hall, one of the portraits he looks at is Tommy D'Alesando III. Former Baltimore Mayor and Nancy Pelosi's brother.

[@fakecubed]

Don't feel bad about the math. I cannot do math when I've got a camera on me or a microphone in my face. Too much brain power goes to worrying about all that.

[@JTD2001]

Cutty getting that cutty

[@wreckingKREW1]

Welcome to not only the best season of The Wire,but the best season of any show ever.

[@Festoniaful]

4th season is by far the best season

[@dubdeuce1517]

Carcetti was based on a guy named Martin O'Malley. I believe he ran for president back in 2008.

[@92GreyBlue]

I love seeing the joy in the guy reactors eyes when his wife laughs at his jokes. Such a beautiful family yall are so blessed

[@heavydownn2962]

I agree. I absolutely love the way that they handle the child's interruptions. They are terrific parents.

[@92GreyBlue]

@@heavydownn2962 I hope they know how blessed they are. No family is perfect obviously but as a single 31 year old male living alone in this world I can't help but admire what they have.

[@heavydownn2962]

@@92GreyBlue Touché, my friend.

[@ButtaflyDiVA1]

Thank ya'll for watching the wire and like everyone else season 4 is t the best

[@Hum0ng0us]

This is the season the cast and crew got pissed at Dominic West for Phoning It in and losing his American accent and falling into his British one.

[@roywilson4514]

Utter bullshit. He needed to be back home in the uk for his daughter

[@Jbreeze3878]

Little Randy and Cheese both have the last name Wagstaff.