No spoilers- A satisfying end to the most compelling TV series I’ve ever watched. Virtually every loose thread is tied up to near strangulation point.
McNulty’s madness’ spilleth from the streets to city hall, overwhelming him and anyone else who has the misfortune of coming into contact with his prevaricated ’serial killer’ story. Bubbles stumbles back to reality and Dukie stumbles away. Marlo loses his calm, Carcetti loses his cool. Herc proves he’s more idiot and less savant- time and time again. Nerese a.k.a Madame President plays chess not checkers. There’s a new Omar in town. If the Wire is (ever) revisted five years down the line, there’s one major question worth asking: will Kennard turn out to be the psychopathic hybrid of Snoop, Chris and Marlo that we all anticipate or will he simply be dead?
There’s a real sadness underpining the inevitable brutality of season 5. No character is spared their fate(deserved or undeserved), no conerstone is left unturned. The most consistent theme of The Wire is finally pulled off the streets and shown in the spotlight: regardless of morals, politics, power, ego or money everything is subject to change and the old must always make way for the new.