MetaChat is an informal place for MeFites to touch base and post, discuss and
chatter about topics that may not belong on MetaFilter. Questions? Check the FAQ. Please note: This is important.
13 August 2009
Question about The Wire (Warning: Spoilers)→[More:]
So, you know how, at the end of the show, it's kinda suggested that Michael is the new Omar, Dukie the new Bubbles, etc.? Help me out with the etc. Who else is the new who else?
I think that's pretty much it, really -- I don't know that there's supposed to be a one-to-one correlation for all the major parts (unless you want to count Sydnor as the new McNulty, going to the judge at the end).
Michael, Duquon, Namon and the other kid who wound up in the home were the kids we were most focused on, and season 4 (and part of 5) were meant to show how the system as it is chews up even good kids and spits them into a life of crime. I don't think the point was to show that Kid X will replace Deceased Adult Y, as much as it was to show how the system is built to fail these kids so that they can't get out unless they're lucky enough to find their own Bunny Colvin.
Nope, I don't think it's supposed to be one-to-one for all the roles, but I think there are some more intentional parallels. I think you're right that the point isn't that Kid X replaces Adult Y, but I'd say there might be something in there about the power of individuals (e.g., Bubs, McNulty) and the impotence of institutions.
Somebody online someplace said that Kenard is the new Marlo, which I'm not really sure about but I could see it, and that Sydnor is the new McNulty, which maybe.
Carver might be the new Daniels, I think.
(Googling for 'Character is the new' or 'is the new Character' is fun.)
I'd say Carver is following Bunny Colvin in spirit more than Daniels. Good a cop as he became, he never learned the importance of Major Crimes' methodology under Daniels. He'd never become that kind of investigator. He did make Lieutenant there at the end, but he was always more of a street cop than a methodical investigator.
carver might be following Bunny colvin in spirit, yeah, i think you're right, mct. He certainly got taught a lesson with his failure with Randy.
I can see Kenard being the new Marlo. A total little sociopath, and I never got that vibe from Avon or Skinner. Killers, yes, but not completely amoral.