Fun fact, Valchek says to Prez "Move, shitbird!" just before he gets punched, which is exactly what Prez told to the kid in season 1 just before he blinded him. Another prime example of what Cedric told Carver at the end of season 1 about subordinates taking their cues from their superiors and learning whatever game they're exposed to, and how far astray influence can take you. Lots of those types of connections you can draw throughout the show. And yeah, there are a lot of parallels between early Prez and Ziggy as well, in terms of how they constantly worked for the approval of others in an environment that they never actually had any hope of truly belonging to (they just don't have the type of fortitude required for it-- and their strengths lie squandered elsewhere), and ended up only leaning deeper and deeper into their incompetence in that field and sort of end up making that (the only role that fit them in that environment) their entire identity (until Lester took Prez under his wing, basically). It's mostly just implied by indirect context clues with Prez (maybe a bit with him trying to fit in with Carver and Herc), whereas you more directly see it with Ziggy and the dockworkers.

Welcome back friend! Glad to see you're still enjoying Season 2. It's absolutely great television. The theories on The Greek's conversation with Frank as well as Proposition Joe's manipulation of Stringer are quite popular ones indeed and tbh both could very well be true. Personally I always took The Greek encouraging Frank to use the money he's getting by being a criminal and getting things that he could touch meant obtaining something more realistically within his grasp compared to his plight to save the docks. Like use the money you're getting to better things for *yourself* instead of struggling against a losing battle. At least that is how I have always taken that scene. The story told by Prop Joe to Stringer never struck me as a trick honestly because players like the one described by Prop Joe do/have definitely existed. Someone you'd never know nor suspect chile. But it's also not out of character for Prop Joe either to pull such a play so who knows. One of those up in the air things. Glad you like Proposition Joe too! Definitely one of the best characters on the show.

We Own This City is a great spiritual successor to The Wire. Its different in that it's telling a true story, and also in the way that story is told, but its still that nitty gritty Baltimore with David Simon's authentic touch, lots of Wire actors, and a great true story about a dirty drug unit. Definitely worth a watch after you finish The Wire!

Bro I’m not even 10 min in this reaction and I’m impressed 😂 your beginning analysis of the Greeks convo with frank and now you prediction of Robert Wisdoms character! Good shit ma boi.

Some trivia.. the guy playing Lt Mello, Major Colvin's ( Robert Wisdom) sidekick, is the real Jay Landsman. He didn't get the part playing himself.. We own this city is good by the way. Not quite up to the wire standard but the best thing David Simon has done since Generation Kill, which is awesome btw

Zig and Nick are the two sides of a coin. Zig is in the wrong place at the right time and Nick is in the right place at the wrong time. America changing from industry to service industry. (They used to make steel there, no?) Ziggy is curious - knows what a computer can do and so on, he can talk and researches (like the price of the camera) ... all perfect for the service industry. Nick is too late - the industry he is born into is dying - he belongs there but he is too late. Things like a searchbar are too much for him.... My favorite scene concerning the "too late" is that his aunt had a house they sold but he cant afford the same house any more. Thats what I love about Ziggy and Nicko... for me they are still one of the most interesting comments in the show.

What I find interesting with Ziggy’s duck, is that when he has the duck everyone else is laughing and buying it drinks and is in on the joke. But once it dies, everyone blames him (“what kind of idiot feeds whisky to a duck”- says a guy who was just buying for it). Feels like a little microcosm of Ziggy’s world, how he can’t help but feel like a fuckup. And it seems like even when he has a good thing going, it’s going to blow up and everyone will blame him. Which I think ties in to what happens with Double G

This episode is just heartbreaking on so many levels. Another great reaction, can't wait for the conclusion. Such a tragic scene with Ziggy. Funny how he's so irritating and ridiculous all season and yet in the end you feel deeply for his struggle to be respected. It feels so real and relatable, watching a young man struggle to follow in his father's footsteps. I think the last couple episodes of this season are some of my favorite. Will be fun to reflect on soon. Hope you stick to these reactions, I feel like you get it and have some great commentary and insight. I feel like you'll get caught up in the algo soon enough if you keep at it. Take care, brother, and keep em comin!

One of the things I'm most certain about when it comes to The Wire Season 2 is that a large amount of what the season is about is getting the viewer to come to the realization that Zig is a much better person than Nick.

I'm 5 seconds in the video and it feels good to be back!! Keep up the good work Josh

Always loved the last couple of episodes of this season but man you're making me see some themes that are so obvious now that you mention them but really makes me appreciate the writing even more. Great reaction 👏

Glad to see you coming back to this, I thought you were doing a great job!

You asked about We Own The City, I watched it and thought it was great. Jon Berenthal is in it and he does what he does, gives a quality performance. Give it a go if it peaks your interest, you'll see multiple The Wire grads involved and a black British actor in one of the lead roles (I'm British n black). And it's based on truth.

Great breakdown of episode 10. You nailed it.

Yes please watch “We Own This City” after you finish this show!!! A great mini series and companion to the wire like “The Corner”.

I think Brother Mouzone was the closest that this show came to potentially being too ham-fisted, too dramatized, but in proper Wire fashion, they perfectly execute his character so that he's not too over the top.

Glad to have you back, your breakdowns of The Wire are always thought provoking. I believe they will find a much larger audience in time. As for We Own This City, it's great but not sure it would attract a big reaction audience. Worth watching though as it features another great Jon Berenthal performance plus you get to see Wire regulars like Poot as an grown ass detective and Jay Landsman as a much slimmer police commissioner.

There he is.... The one we've been waiting for

Really enjoy these Wire reaction videos. You have incredible media literacy and it really comes in useful watching this show in particular.

Top 10 episode was Storm Warnings🙌

We own this city is fascinating and gut wrenching.

Brother Mouzone is one of the few times The Wire lets itself create a character just to be entertaining. Even if he was inspired by certain real people, he's not meant to reflect reality (unlike most other characters), but to be a helpful plot device.

Been waiting for these reactions! I for one am a patient mfker.

no Ziggy was genuinely remorseful. you probably picked it up during the editing re-watch. Gleikas was begging "please don't shoot" before Ziggy executed him. it was kind of muffled, and the scene is so shocking that i don't blame anyone for missing details like that on the first watch.

Thanks for your Wire reactions. Your analysis of the writing, characters, and everything in between is 'SPOT ON' and without spoiling future plot twists, will be fantastic to see when you get to certain points and storyline reveals. I just beg of you; please upload once a week, waiting a month to enjoy your The Wire reaction journey sucks😁

We own this city is great. Watch it after the wire if you’d like

Idris Elba was 31 or 30 during this episode J.D Williams aka bodie is like 24/25 so not far off in age

U better ask ab the FOI...or dont😂Their subtleties r what make thm the most dangerous 💯

I have we own the night on my hard drive but haven't gotten to it yet.

R u gonna do the prequel, The Corner? Its already on yt

You seem like an awesome guy. Sometimes you seem sad. Like in a Tony Soprano kinda way.

Be back soon. Certainly not a criticism, but your picking up the pace would please me. And, of course, it’s all about me. Love your reactions and you are kreskin-like (obscure reference) in wondering why homicide hasn’t informed the detail about Ziggy’s murder charge. Cya soon.

Brother, I hope you read this. Why do you call yourself “Buffoon”? You are one of the sharpest, most perceptive reactors I’ve ever seen watching The Wire! Please keep these up!!

Maybe be a bit more consistent dropping reactions.

So I would like to note at the 10 min mark. Joe's story Is kinda hypocritical. If it's about the money and not the territory. Why does Joe want more territory. Personally I think stringer is book smart but not very street smart. Joe is being very manipulative. First he comes at stringer at a funeral. With a business proposal which is disrespectful dispite how polite and responsible he comes off. Now as fans we know stringer is responsible for his death but in character prop Joe doesn't. This could easily go left in thr real world and he would never do this with avon. As a matter of fact. Avon would know better then to even accept the idea of giving up territory to buy drugs. He would immediately call out the hypocrisy of Joe claiming he's just buying for a $1 and sell for $2. Because like I said. If that's the case why not charge me a for the dope. Why do you need territory when you making money off of supplying avon with the dope alone with selling your dope on your side of town. This doesn't even make sense from a business perspective. If you both are in the business of selling apples. Why would give up half of my locations(the towers) to a middle man(prop Joe) just to get a better quality of apples (dope)