Of course we are talking about the “Wire” and many fans are unhappy. Unhappy because there is only one episode left and that its ending will not live up to our expectation. Differently then Sex in the City or the Soprano’s, this series seemed to be about real people. When Omar is killed there are real obituaries written, some with sadness. Unlike James Gandolfin’s Anthony,
Michael K. Williams had become Omar and in a perverse way a hero. Our disappointment on Monday will be because we know what happens, that the stories depicted in this series are about our own failure. Unlike James Bond or John Wayne no one is riding off into the sunset with the girl to live happily ever after.
Our unhappiness on Monday will be the similar dissatisfaction we had with “There Will be Blood” and “No Country for Old Men” good does not triumph. Our story tellers refuse to give us hope, there nothing to feel good about here, no super hero.
Good Does Not Triumph
The Wire’s failing will be that in five years it could not solve the problem of corrupt politician, disinterest cops, street violence, ego driven “Fourth Estate”, poor schools, lost industry and lack of jobs, failed parents, drug importation, use and abuse and a citizenry who believes the problem is for some one else to solve. The “Wire” told us about ourselves and what we are avoiding.
I will miss the “Wire”.