The Wire - William "Bill" Rawls berates his subordinates

This is a mini tribute to some of Bill Rawls' bests scenes in The Wire. A full compilation would last hours; I will consider making one if there is enough demand. But for now, his scenes where he berates Major Taylor and Major Colvin for their ineffectiveness in controlling their districts.

[@benriffle104]

The actor who played Rawls delivered lines like they weren't written and memorized. Just so free flowing.

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

Acting.

[@benriffle104]

@@TheGentlemanGamer ok

[@benriffle104]

@@Bradgilliswhammyman yea, you're right, there's never been any prick bosses like Rawls ever.

[@australian2]

Ultra-realistic acting 💯

[@matthewsaints350]

​@@TheGentlemanGamerGreat acting. Indeed.

[@Siyko]

"Take your time Major" - 4 seconds later - "ANY DAY NOW MARVIN"

[@andreinybakken9252]

Legend has it he's still waiting for Marvin to connect the dots between the murders😂

[@TheCmascagni]

😂😂 reasonable and rhetorical

[@TheCmascagni]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@viewmaster617]

Rawls was the true comic relief of the show him and Clay Davis🤣

[@derrick7384]

Marvin never had the makings of a varsity athlete

[@JDHornski]

Bill Rawls, you are a reasonable fucking guy.

[@raoulhery]

+JDHornski creme fucking brulée

[@MarcillaSmith]

Rhetorical and reasonable

[@McKurdi]

@@MarcillaSmitha little dyspeptic ?

[@BlitzkriegRap]

"She's out asking a stripper if she can have her job when she grows up because she sure doesn't want yours" lmaooo

[@ropl3083]

Best line. What normal person would want to be a cop in America??

[@mcmarkmarkson7115]

@@ropl3083 how many normal persons are there in america? :D The land of jesus and the death penalty.

[@ropl3083]

MC fuck you boy. You don’t know what you’re talking about. It’s easy to become successful and well off in America if you work hard. I’m so sick of listening to all this lazy bullshit from people. People don’t want to be cops because cops make no money and because they have a violent job. On top of that they have to deal with entitled and disrespectful people like you every time.

[@Walker-ow7vj]

RoPl yeah but at the end of the day dumbass cops haves wives and families they wanna go home to why you let your ego slip out lmao nobody was disagreeing with stupid. Why do you think American culture is the best? Cuz it’s melting pot of cultures jus like the Roman Empire was so please bruh next time control your dumbass ego and shut the fuck up. Soldiers have a violent job but still make money you why? Oh yeah that’s right cuz it’s a job you understand how to be a big boy now wow good for you doesn’t make you fucking special 😂

[@Walker-ow7vj]

RoPl yeah the words “every time” insinuates literally every time and I highly doubt you understand all his life experiences from one comment 😂

[@johnnyboy7538]

Rawls hands down was one of the best actors in this series.

[@TheCmascagni]

Tied with Jay Landsmen

[@tanveerhasan2382]

@Jericho Kilmanja no

[@GuinessOriginal]

There weren’t many bad ones

[@johnnyboy7538]

@@GuinessOriginal facts. Every single actor on the wire just put in their 10/10 and did great.

[@RTukka]

@@jerichokilmanja441 Depends on whether they meant Jay Landsman or Delaney Williams. Jay Landsman was, like a few of the non-professional actors on the show, passable, but not great. Delaney Williams's performance as Jay Landsman was great though.

[@JamesTrimbee]

This is the most frustrating thing about Rawls. He absolutely knows his chops, and he knows what needs to be done, but at his own desk he plays the game.

[@almo8989]

+James Trimbee Yep. I always thought Rawls would be a great policeman if the system wasn't so broken. He did what he needed to do to stay alive in the game. In the end, he still got a great gig with a lot of power even though he couldn't stay on as commissioner.

[@juhawks37]

That's the basic point of the entire series. At every level of life, be it a dealer, a longshoreman, a politician, a teacher or an honest reporter -- you're beholden to the institution you represent.

[@JustSomeCanadianGuy]

Rawls strikes me as someone who probably WAS an ace detective in his day. Remember that bit where he figures out the sign posts were switched? I like to think he WAS McNulty.

[@hankjwimbleton8043]

Justin Hawks thats why you become a dictator!

[@powerpsi_8398]

He knows the districts well and he's smart enough to realize a pattern in robberies that this Major was clearly unable to. So he is a good cop behind all his political bullshit.

[@kblargh]

And Bunny was thinking "Don't worry, bitch, i'll get you your stats."

[@j2times2006]

Bunny Colvin was too good for that police dept

[@mrnaji]

He was a good cop, he had a innovative solution and got fucked over at the end

[@TreWimsical]

@@mrnaji Right when he was about to hit his 30 too

[@richardspiers5924]

Yes very true I agree

[@marc80s]

The guy who plays Rawls channels Gene Hackman perfectly.

[@ladymakini]

damn u are shot target on the money right!!! and until this moment i never noticed !!

[@GianmariaCaschetto]

always thought that myself.

[@SatanDynastyKiller]

Mix of Hackman and James Caan...

[@gregoryfreeman5384]

The funny thing is, Gene Hackman did the voiceover for Lowes commercials, and John Doman, who plays Rawls, did Home Depot commercials.

[@lovinliverpool]

Except Gene Hackman is likeable

[@tankmaster1018]

My favorite part of this scene is the reaction shots of all the other cops. They are not even smirking or enjoying seeing another cop get embarrassed/berated at all, they are all just sitting there feeling sorry for him and wondering how longs its going to be before they are on that stand in the same position.

[@royalescorpio]

Right! I noticed that.

[@faunaflage]

Colvin literally leans back and says "poor Marvin" and he's the next one we see at the podium. Brutal!

[@dft3091]

Probably a few minutes and they know it.

[@shinlanten]

Been in staff meetings like that where the boss would always lay into one of our co-workers and the rest of us would be thinking *_"glad it's not us"_*

[@charliep5139]

It’s like a surgical M&M…

[@chicagojeff]

This is why my dad drank after every comstat meeting

[@jonathanhalloran5350]

Yeah but Bunny didn't need a drink. He got exactly what he wanted in this meeting. He had a plan. All he needed was a mandate. In fact, he already had the mandate. This was just step 2 of the plan: "Yeah uhhh, what we're doing doesn't work - look!"

[@jabarhenv5933]

What was his rank?

[@jonathanhalloran5350]

My rank is "Global Dongmogler"

[@vnahgit7661]

Mine too

[@kevinthomas2906]

@@jabarhenv5933 Major the deduced to Lieutenant

[@Bek359]

When Rawls heard "No ballistic information," the way his head raised reminded me of a tiger preparing to ambush its prey. Poor fuckin' Marvin.

[@tobsmonster2]

The sweat on the back of Marvins neck kills me every time 😂

[@patrickgogan3517]

Lol he was shitting a brick

[@SuperToombs]

Wasn't that the scene where he was puking in the bathroom right before this?

[@cmjohnson61]

@@SuperToombs - Yes, it was.

[@Reese8531]

I just noticed that

[@BrileyBeConsulting]

Dude was done as soon as he said “Sir, I deployed my resources as per your instructions”. Guy basically relieved himself.

[@permitted_277]

"Creme fucking brûlée" Man oh man the dialogue in this show. It's brilliant. Greatest show ever, and no close second.

[@robertbaratheon2193]

Permitted_ Sopranos is a close second but the wire is the champ.

[@Southmuzik81]

I have Sopranos over this. Not by much

[@rolandtomassi3486]

@@robertbaratheon2193 I used to think that but the layers in the wire are way superior and there are a lot more top class actors in the wire,

[@irishcole3516]

The dialogue is so well done, I find myself rewinding to watch again to savor the brilliance.. it’s a series worth rewatching once a year and often you will catch subtle details that you previously may have overlooked..

[@kingjulianT]

makes me laugh every time

[@BurgessDK115]

"It's Baltimore Gentlemen, the Gods will not save you!! LMAO

[@radioheadinc]

David Burgess ain’t that the damn truth

[@demetriushill9725]

Landlord in coming to America lol

[@jarrodclark2004]

There's only ONE God.

[@jarrodclark2004]

And even Marvin should have 🙏 for him.

[@Walker-ow7vj]

Jarrod Clark you are right but people have stigma towards Christianity nowadays so whoops breh

[@continuousrage4974]

Before he became the Conqueror of 87 Tribes, Caesar was once a superintendent.

[@drivernephi2212]

These are for you, Graham.

[@Lyoko104]

not often do you see the overlap between FNV fans and The Wire fans also when Rawls talks about the serial killer and NCR, all I heard was Caesar mentioning the NCR

[@George-zj9rr]

​@@drivernephi2212i like to think Caesar gives the two birds to the courier if they helped the NCR and hurt the legion before meeting with him.

[@TheIkaraCult]

When he goes off on one about the stripper is one of the funniest bits of the whole show, and then he brings it back down to earth by saying 'there aint gonna be a Western District in 20 years if this shit keeps up', showing that on some level he does actually care. What a glorious character.

[@eightysbaby8798]

Cheese with his dog was the funniest tho. LMAO

[@blimy01maynard30]

Rawls is berating them because they aren't fudging their numbers.

[@bighands69]

That is it in a nutshell. The only way to deal with crime stats is to take the scum of the streets.

[@mellowsign]

@@bighands69 How did you watch the wire (or real life for that matter) and come to that conclusion? It's honestly baffling. Aggressive policing doesn't do shit except make life more dangerous for everybody involved. Shit, the most successful bit of policing in The Wire was Hamsterdam.

[@bighands69]

@@mellowsign I grew up in a rough council estate in Britain. Scum were allowed to run amok and do as they liked. The police would rarely interfere unless they carried out the most heinous crimes. Criminals rarely start out at the top they usually build from the bottom up. Once a area has a reputation it means a generation has festered. And it can then take a few generations to be dealt with. New York in the 1980s was a hell hole and 20 years later it was safe to walk the streets. Detroit is an example were it was never dealt with.

[@mellowsign]

@@bighands69 New York wasn't cleaned up from the bottom up, it was "cleaned up" from the top down as a side effect of the city's extremely central role in American culture and business. The shift in criminality is very easily explained by gentrification. The drastic rise in housing prices drove out the poorer, at-risk communities.

[@bighands69]

@@mellowsign Everybody knows it was Mayor Giuliani first as prosecutor cleaned up crime and then as a Mayor. They root and branch ripped the scum from the streets. Most crimes are committed by multiple offenders. The number of criminals are very small that causes problems.

[@poppanaattori89]

The thing I like most about this clip is the prideful indignation in Bunny's face as he's being scolded for having a moral backbone.

[@earthsign28]

This type of berating from Rawls, prompt Colvin to create "Hamsterdam"

[@franksemyon5855]

He did the right thing. Even in the end the bosses and the politicians all sanctioned Bunny's experiment because he faced the HARD TRUTH and tried to genuinely do something good with his final months in command. It cost him a good job at a college post retirement and it got him a much lower pension. Disgusting how they did Bunny Colvin. He turned out ok though and he and Cutty are 2 of my favorite characters along with Frank Sobotka of course.

[@SongJiangShiJin]

@@franksemyon5855 the idea was a great one, to be sure. But his execution was abysmal. I mean seriously? That's what you expect from an emotional teenager, not from an acclaimed and time tested police officer. He knew that going behind their backs basically left them without an option. Deciding something like this is far over his head. And with actions like these, he know that they have to put a stop to it. He is angry at other people because his "solution" was flawed and doomed to begin with.

[@keez994]

SongJiangShiJin Hope was his it’s flawed? We have needle exchanges and legal recreational Marijuana in many jurisdictions with much success. Half a step away from legalizing hard drugs

[@ropl3083]

Yes, legalize heroine to solve America’s problems. We saw how that worked out when doctors started prescribing opioids to kids. Hint: it didn’t. It led to an “opioid pandemic”.

[@pintpullinggeek]

@Dog Faced Pony Soldier In order to sell their product the gangs needed to hold the corners and towers and protect them from rivals and also the police. By providing a space where anyone could sell their product the police removed the driving force behind the majority of the violence and, at this point, what the police cared most about was the bodies that were dropping. It doesn't solve the theft and other crimes associated with the users trying to get enough for their next fix but it does solve the problem of gang turf wars and frees up the police forces to do other work besides busting the kids on the corners.

[@GabrielSantos-qx8nf]

This scene right there, was when I realized, without a shred of doubt, that The Wire was funnier than Brooklyn 99 could ever hope to be

[@Supersquigi]

It's crazy how dramas like this manage to include such comedy, look at the sopranos too. The writers really did a great job. I know the tone was a bit different, more silly, but still it's easily way more funny than most sitcoms.

[@TeaDrinker3000]

Likewise, think of how shows like Scrubs can have the most unbelievably tragic storylines. It really exemplifies how good writing overcomes whatever genre it's contained within.

[@pde922]

Lets not be rash now, Brooklyn 99 is a natural comedy, The Wire is a crime drama with some hilarious lines, nice dolphin and you know y'all aint wearing no pants in particular, but theres bits in brooklyn 99 that made me fall have to pause the show to laugh.

[@toddmartin1064]

"Any one else having trouble with the writing on the wall?" Arguably the best quote in this video clip.

[@handsomesttruebeautybodygu7263]

I think it s she s left the room.She s out there now asking to the stripper if she can have her job cause she sure shit doesn't want yours you know why?

[@bigrudy5278]

What's up with all the Rawls hate? I thought he was fucking hilarious. This whole season with the cops and the thugs having organized meetings was hilarious.

[@rudyrada3628]

that's is creme fucking brulée

[@mrnaji]

no one hates rawls he's just a dick

[@jjmarr7130]

he's such an excellent villain which is why people hate him.

[@jdsmith542]

@@mrnaji He's at least competent. Most who set out to climb to the top aren't even that.

[@wyatthill6252]

You're not supposed to like Rawls, he is a complete ball busting asshole. John Doman and the writers are brilliant.

[@rudyrada3628]

we all hated Rawls because he reminds us of our own bosses! Like McNulty and Colvin said : "Fuck the bosses"

[@bigstar66]

I love to hate him though. Most of his lines are hilarious. "Is this what I need from you, you insubordinate little fuck?"

[@drivernephi2212]

I don't recall ever having a boss who's actually as competent as Rawls is. He's genuinely an excellent police, but he knows that being a good police doesn't get you anywhere in that police department.

[@samuelstatham8342]

Nope, they're nowhere near as competent or article.

[@ryno411j9]

I forgot how brilliant this show was. Time to rewatch this series again. My 5th time.

[@pointcuration1278]

You're going to notice things you've never seen before.

[@swanningabout]

Well done?

[@Capcoor]

Ryno411 J You’re two ahead of me.

[@mmcneil777]

More like 90th time..lol

[@crakaveli9]

Series 1 & 2 were really good

[@jsn23nc]

And Thus, Hamsterdam was born.

[@mmcneil777]

Rawls was awful, but he had some of the best lines. A good villain who was perfectly cast for the role.

[@bighands69]

He was just playing the big city democrat game.

[@Arkain89]

@@bighands69 URR DURR US VERSUS THEM DURR

[@bighands69]

@@Arkain89 Nope.

[@jayteegamble]

And he had the most compassionate speech of the whole show. It started with "Listen, you fuck"

[@Walker-ow7vj]

jayteegamble cuz he knew what actually worked cuz he was a good cop. He wasn’t a villain and if you think he was then you stupid if he’s wrong than why does Baltimore’s crime rate not fucking drop? Democratic incompetence lmao why do you think Democrat run cities have way more crime than most Republican run? Really jus a tough question really 😂

[@TheBlackKakashi]

I loved these moments in season 3 with Rawls because it showed how good at his job he is and why he was the Major/Deputy Ops. He can easily and quickly connect the dots.

[@dabearcub]

I would have been happy watching an hour long episode of a meeting like this...

[@balwc147]

😂😂😂😁yeah me too

[@JustSomeCanadianGuy]

"There isn't gonna BE a Western district in 20 years if this shit keeps up." Rawls turned human for a second there. :)

[@nateo200]

The way he executed that line was something special, it was like he was describing the middle east if a nuke went off or something.

[@soaky4]

Respectfully, nah. Neither in this scene, nor the hospital scene where he calms McNulty, is Rawls "human." Rawls is a monster--an evil monster. You are human--you pity him, give him a chance. He is not worthy of you. Rawls is a vermin, a parasite, a zombie.... You have more humanity in one inch of your rock hard hotcock than Rawls has in his bloated body..... If that is his body. He might be like the bug from Men in Black--just "wearing" a human body.

[@stephengrigg5988]

I disagree about the mcnulty scene. I think he was being very genuine there. a police officer was just shot(and was likely to die), and you have mcnulty blaming himself for something that isn't really his fault. Rawls hated mcnulty for not wanting to fall in line, but he respected him and acknowledged that he was "natural police". he knew jimmys guards were completely down and didn't use that moment to push him down any further. I think the scene between them and bunk and landsman doing great police work on that shooting was showing how when the chips are down and these people aren't forced to play politics they can be truly effective and they are all excellent at their jobs.

[@garynicholls1448]

And, of course, they all knew that the illicit drug industry was run by gangsters exploiting their 'own people' and devaluing the neighbourhood so that they could scoop up property bargains at rock bottom prices for future development. That's why there would not be a Western District in twenty years. And even if there was, all those at the meeting would be retired or dead so what the hell!

[@brayancranston5265]

Humanity had nothing to do with it. He just wanted to please the mayor.

[@lordsalty3661]

The sweat on the back of his neck, the sweat on his brow and face. He knew it was game over the second he stepped up.

[@anywaywhatever5153]

The Phantom Shitter I liked that too

[@Walker-ow7vj]

The Phantom Shitter psychology wow good job

[@PreeMarket]

Love how Colvin's Lieutenant said "better him than us right". Then it was Colvin next lol

[@erikandersen3274]

Fun fact, that guy is the real life Jay Landsman. He wasn't a good enough actor to play himself, but they still wanted to put him in the show.

[@adewilson132]

@@erikandersen3274everyone has already pointed that out.

[@studinthemaking]

that meeting looks more like a kangaroo court than a government meeting

[@nateo200]

+studinthemaking Its meant to.

[@MrWhite-pn7ui]

It's Baltimore, gentlemen.

[@14loosecannon]

So it looks exactly like a government meeting!

[@jcaliberty8288]

14loosecannon true

[@powerpsi_8398]

I mean that Major was very inept at his job. He was really not doing a good job at all. He didn't know anything about the cases his people were working on.

[@Murderermarv]

This whole scene goes to show you how ruthless you have to be to be leadership in the police. It mirrors the streets that they are fighting.

[@nateo200]

Read the 48 Laws of Power and you'll be surprised how effective it is.

[@DodderingOldMan]

Actually, I'd say it doesn't mirror the streets at all; rather, it highlights the differences. For the cops, being ruthless is all you have to be if you want to succeed, so long as you're willing to play the game. On the streets, you have to be ruthless *and* effective. You don't get by on the streets by coming up with bullshit stats to give some false impression of progress - you have to deliver. Whenever they contrast the cops with the drug dealers in The Wire, this was always the main point - that the dealers will always have an advantage, because the cops have more institutional crap in their way than the dealers, and because ineffectiveness is rewarded with the cops, and brutally punished with the dealers.

[@be4unvme]

Not only in police but in any position of leadership, heck even in the household you have to be savage to even your own kids when necessary

[@JULYXXIV]

If you want to wear the bars, oak leaves​, birds, and stars on your shoulder, this IS exactly how this is.

[@danielbenitez4120]

@@JULYXXIV it was the same way in the police commisipners glee club 😂

[@TheIkaraCult]

Colvin consciously giving himself justification for the Hamsterdam plan by simply being honest in front of everyone

[@wwemusicfanC]

Rawls and Landsman had the best dialogue in the show. And that's saying something. Mad respect for the writers and actors

[@TheCmascagni]

Landsman only one who knew how to talk to Rawls.

[@drivernephi2212]

@@TheCmascagni I was always under the impression that even Rawls was annoyed with Landsman's sycophancy, and Landsman knew it and Rawls knew that he knew, but he kept him around because he was still a good mediator between Rawls and the rest of his underligns.

[@TheCmascagni]

@@drivernephi2212 I like the thought but I think Rawls actually liked Landsman. He listened to him. I don’t recall him ever bitching him out for the low clearance rate (you would think he would since he was homicides sergeant) and I think Landsman just knew WHEN to talk to Rawls and WHAT to say. Just my opinion, but I think Landsman is really the only one who had a good read on Rawls and was one of the smartest on show. Just my thoughts.

[@dzobie]

That was damn near every day in the Army.

[@Walker-ow7vj]

dzobie11 US military knows best my boys we won WW2 for a reason baby 😂🤣

[@osmoze47300]

@@Walker-ow7vj the russians won the war , americans just show up and parade when the war was over

[@gmontana7634]

@@Walker-ow7vj you mean we and 5 other countries

[@user-jk1tr9iq1n]

Don't forget us Brits lol

[@matthewsaints350]

​@@osmoze47300Guy doesn't even know his own history.

[@DEVILSBELONGINHADES.]

"If you'll permit me" gangster as hell. Lol

[@reddavis4808]

You ain't lying. Its almost like they had that shit practiced. A sacrifice to scare the fuck out of the rest of them

[@ShadowSonic2]

@@reddavis4808 Well, that Major WAS bad at his job. It wasn't exactly undeserved.

[@Walker-ow7vj]

Red Davis it’s called experience and learning by dumbfuck retarded ideas lmao

[@manchesterblue2007]

fucking brilliant....anyone asks you why you think the wire is the best series on tv ever and you cant quite put your finger on it?...two words...character development

[@hatemeallyouwant3770]

exactly

[@eamonwright7488]

After watching The Wire all the way through like 4 times now, I just realized the actor playing Rawls also played the Colonel from Oz. He tried to whack Morales in the elevator shaft and failed miserably.

[@kevina5337]

Ya if you count em up there's like 20 actors from the Wire who were also in Oz. Bodie Avon Lester Ervin Rawls Daniels cheese herc and Carver are all in Oz, and that's just the ones I can think of off the top of my head

[@eightysbaby8798]

@@kevina5337 when was Lester in Oz, blow my mind. I know carcattis manager was querns and the ones u named. Except Lester. He was on the corner

[@kevina5337]

@@eightysbaby8798 google says Ep. 4.03 called "the bill of wrongs," I think it was a really short cameo, kind of like how Avon Barksdale played a CO for just 1 episode lol

[@sinane.y]

He also has a small part in Die Hard 3 -the construction worker at the entrance of the tunnel.

[@waveali5620]

Its a whole bunch of actors from The Wire in Oz. None of them fare very well

[@korypankey8359]

Rawls: “5 homicides in a single night.” Chicago: “Challenge accepted.”

[@ck891]

Detroit: “five homicides in five minuets”

[@agu003]

Baltimore is worse

[@tombomb4592]

Rahi P not in 2019. South Chicago is a straight up war zone

[@elliotness11]

Baltimore 2019: "hold my beer"

[@domg6251]

Chicago, new Orleans, St Louis, Baltimore, Detroit and Birmingham said I heard you loud and clear. 5 homicides 1 night is a routine now

[@galenwhite8765]

Man, these scenes were so great. I wish you included the one with the Car Theft division's major.

[@JLovesCinema_]

4:00 This Rawls police version of Stringer Bell's 40 degree day speech.

[@mo2k638]

Was Ervin Burell’s Rawls senior or was it the other way around who was more higher up ?

[@blaze4metal]

@@mo2k638 Burrell was Acting Commissioner, Rawls was his Deputy Ops (ie attack dog). Even Burrell later on admits that "policing isn't my strong suit. That's what the Deputy Ops is for". Notice how Burrell rarely says anything in these meetings, only to have the "final word" in before the topic changes?

[@laserdiscisawesome1263]

Until I looked this guy up I had no idea he was also the voice for Caesar in Fallout: New Vegas. I knew his voice sounded familiar

[@vinnie245]

He also voiced Don Morello in the first Mafia game.

[@boone4531]

Great the legion has infiltrated our police departments

[@BlueBoy0]

Just went back and watched some of his NV scenes on YT and now I can't not see Rawls sitting in that throne.

[@blackgeekfandom]

The politics of this show is troubling and riveting because this DOES happen in real life.

[@StrikeWarlock]

Does? It's the standard

[@NeoNitty]

“A whiff of that muff” lmaoooo

[@charleshess3939]

This shyt is incredible...the dialogue has always been spot on...

[@E-vanstyless]

i've watched this show i don't know how many times & its the texture of the dialogue that always brings me back..so fucking rich man..

[@nikerboker1995]

I remember watching the wire and thinking he sounded familiar. Guy was Caesar in fallout new Vegas

[@czolgistta]

300: This is Spa... Burrell: THIS IS BALTIMORE!!!

[@davidmedeiros2856]

Great show. It was tough to watch because it's so brutally honest about how things are run. Politics Politics Politics and Appearances Appearances. All smoke and mirrors.

[@SirSprinkles69]

and you dare to stand before me, the mighty caesar

[@JustSomeCanadianGuy]

4:52 - You could put that line in Game of Thrones without having to change a word..... except Baltimore.

[@blitzy7961]

Almost. I don't think there's a Baltimore in Westeros lol

[@jjstraka1982]

Rawls and Burrell were just like every other boss in the world. Ultimately nearly 100% responsible themselves for what is going wrong (as they are nothing but naked careerists) but never suffer any of the consequences. Both of them total piles of garbage.

[@greenbrickbox3392]

@@dixonhill1108 lol at bosses whining that no one likes them, maybe now is a good time for some introspection. No most bosses aren't good, and leadership is hard but toxic instititions like Baltimore PD breed bad bosses by the nature of the institution.

[@bighands69]

The police in those democratic run cities all have to play the game. That means they will exactly as the Mayor and the main party says.

[@tanveerhasan2382]

shit rolls downhill

[@yunkingleong1247]

@@greenbrickbox3392 Omid

[@jayreffner8831]

@ 2:06 that was done so smoothly, they had to have it planned out beforehand. Rawls delivers a verbal beatdown and Burrell delivers the headshot.

[@grimeygrim9674]

This meeting was about brother Mouzone... 38 dropped 5 people in one night

[@3of11]

Brother uses a .380. Not a .38

[@expendable4h002]

This is what politics look like in the police department.

[@tyronegreen1961]

Most professions

[@rickystrapp3056]

3:50 - 4:44 Brilliant!

[@tobsmonster2]

Ricky Strapp absolutely. Kills me every time 😂

[@molasorrosalom4846]

This clip is actually very accurate where Lieutenants, Captains, and Commanders are grilled by the superintendent. They're called ComStat meetings in Chicago.

[@mynameisnotimportant2854]

What about New York City?

[@molasorrosalom4846]

Probably the same in every major city. It's all a scam though, the commander will explain how they flooded the area with extra units, and increased street stops and traffic stops. Superintendent sees the numbers, and then shows the mayor. Mayor then maybe tells the public that the police are doing a great job...

[@molasorrosalom4846]

@Cleo Fierro Didnt see that, since I'm focused on the actors. Also, its interesting how they don't show any female commanders.

[@akshaynatu6568]

And in Baltimore too, apparently.

[@molasorrosalom4846]

@@akshaynatu6568 Its all a game though.....in some sort of way.

[@bjwhetstone5717]

Awesome catch Fred on the changing of the cloths.

[@Capcoor]

Who?

[@gurkis35]

William Rawls was getting berated as well in the first season when McNulty talked Barksdale to the Judge.

[@mikep.541]

I know some guys with Baltimore pd. They told me there are some streets that they won’t go down without swat

[@LeopoldMaysonet]

I'm not a homophobe, but it shocked me when I saw Rawls @ a gay bar in one of the scenes...

[@earthsign28]

Tripped me the fuck out too 😂😂😂

[@eightysbaby8798]

You look like you chill at a gay bar

[@bigmo10]

Rawls be rating meat

[@proof4469]

Homophobes and homophiles were both equally shocked at that scene. Actually it was more hilarious than shocking.

[@davidn4613]

So, you like it up the crapper?

[@dcaseng]

It would have been hilarious if one of them stood up and asked Rawls what he was doing at that gay bar.

[@jasmeg2844]

It was the medication he was on. For his blood pressure. I'm sure he could get a note from his doctor.

[@jackmaguire1158]

These are some of my favourite scenes in the entire five seasons

[@Ed9870]

What a superb program this was. Acting, writing, casting, direction. And many of my colleagues who worked in BPD have told me this show was accurate to a tee.

[@Zakaryyah]

"That would be Crème fucking Brûlée" hahaha great.

[@cockoffgewgle4993]

Rawls reminds me of a manager I had at Morrisons.

[@judyhopps9380]

having worked in Tesco, I empathize *hug*

[@faded_ink3545]

4:11 *THAT WOULD BE CREME-FUCKIN’-BRÛLÉE*

[@EyeoftheU]

Ave, true to Caesar!

[@roll14tideroll]

Patrolling West Baltimore makes you wish for a nuclear winter

[@ashkeygii9449]

The stripper part gets me every time 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@linearrecords12]

Its like a one legged man in an ass kickin contest. You just cant win. ..

[@mmcneil777]

4:28 - Bunny was respectful but not intimidated...Rawls waited for Burrell to show up before he layed into him..

[@gherbihicham8506]

That's what makes The Wire so realistic, Rawls did it exactly like in real life, he is supposed to cater to Burrell as he is his superior, that's why he started berating Bunny right after Burrell came.

[@thatpart]

"This is some unsanctimonious shit" -Bunny Colvin

[@tomstonemale]

4:26 that part onwards always kill me 4:39 and then this makes me sad...jesus

[@ajbahus]

I find it interesting that Rawls gives Colvin an out at 3:05.

[@jeffanon1772]

Only if Colvin was willing to juke the stats....

[@kensingtondrake8069]

Subtlety is what makes this show. At 1:15 there is a small glint of sweat on Marvin's neck and it lends to the pressure he's under in this scene. Brilliance pure brilliance.

[@postmastersgt1670]

Those Comstat meetings on The Wire was like a mock jury trial. Those majors were getting there asses handed to them.

[@MachineGunMouth]

Look at how poor lil Marvin is sweating oh so profusely. He needs the waterboy to bring him an ice cold cup of water immediately. Someone call a time out an call Adam Sandler

[@nateo200]

NYPD has this shot down, manipulate the fucking numbers by any means. I don't know why half these Officers just don't get up and go work for the damn county and let Baltimore city rot

[@Taospark]

There have been police strikes due to being overworked but stats juking usually means less paperwork and legwork for the rank and file so there's less incentive to expose that compared to unfair conditions or corruption.

[@fuckyouvevo123]

I love how Colvin handles Rawls. He is simply a far more intelligent and competent man and Rawls knows it.

[@williamdrouin8063]

Martin Mueller yeah but Rawls is sharp as a tack

[@Forerunner2]

William Drouin Rawls is smart, but Colvin has the support of the people he works with. Rawls is an ass who knows his shit, Colvin has intelligence and the support of his subordinates which makes the difference

[@mikedawolf95]

Oh wow Rawls is Caesar from New Vegas!

[@slitor]

The epithet on humanities gravestone..."Platitudes before substance"

[@007thday]

I will pay money to be in the Baltimore PD COMSTAT meeting after that debacle yesterday in the streets!

[@ajbahus]

About 8 years ago when Fred Bealefeld was the BPD commissioner he came to visit our class at University of Baltimore. I asked him about COMSTAT and he said that on occasion people would get demoted on the spot if they weren't doing their jobs effectively.

[@royalescorpio]

+ajbahus Wow!! I wish I could have been in your class that day. Poor Marvin!!

[@Jerizon1481]

You should come to a nyc compstat meeting its much worse

[@eightysbaby8798]

@@Jerizon1481 i live in Newark NJ I bet ours our fucked up too

[@kailaskrishnan7]

Rawls and Burrell was such a great duo. Great chemistry with each other.

[@croydonrudeness]

the lines are awesome,

[@rustcohle6746]

The Wire's scenes will be broken down forever. The writing on this show is truly something else.

[@ShadowSonic2]

It's a bit dated, admittedly.

[@SJReid82]

God damn this show....just....absolute brilliance in writing and performance. I just wish it was more than 5 seasons.

[@nellgibson9881]

You’re still not connecting the dots Marvin 🤣🤣

[@TheDanrox110]

The manager at my job talks and acts almost exactly like Rawls, even looks a bit like him too

[@SuperToombs]

When I played football this was the film session after game day. Especially after a loss. They'd put a laser pointer on the film of you screwing up and get berated in front of the whole team.

[@piritskenyer]

Can anybody explain to me how the sleeverings work in the BPD? They mostly look Naval, with Majors having the LtCmdr equivalent (two and one half ring), but Marvin seems to have a thicker ring with a full ring on top despite also being a major?

[@zippymufo9765]

Rawls is one of the best antagonists ever.

[@mo2k638]

Was Ervin Burell’s Rawls senior or was it the other way around who was more higher up who was under who ?

[@definitelynosebreather]

@@mo2k638 The first one, but it's clear how much more competent Rawls is.

[@Chicken_Hawk]

Rawls was the shit

[@rudyrada3628]

creme fucking brulée

[@drumrnva]

Yeah... but what a ball- breaker. 😐

[@dakritic]

Give us a whiff of that muff 😂

[@batoptimus]

The actor who plays Bill Rawls, he also play as Carmine Falcone

[@davidgee2988]

If this was CinemaSins they'd be calling John Dornan "Discount Gene Hackman".

[@Kruppt808]

I'd think maybe they'd play on him hating McNulty or being secretly gay? But I like your suggestion😂

[@radioactivehalfrhyme]

I get Empire Strikes Back vibes from these scenes. “You are in command now, Admiral Piett.”

[@ndantona92]

Goddamn that was savage lol

[@RobWright1981]

3:55 Now that, folks, is what we call over-compensating.