Home
Creators
Search Recent Random
Posts
Search DMs Popular Hash Lookup Tags Random
Importer
Import FAQ
Register Favorites Keys Review DMs Logout
Community
Telegram ThePornDude
Home Creators Posts Import Register Favorites Logout

The Wire 211-212 (Patreon)

Published:
2023-02-07 13:00:02
Imported:
2026-06
Tags:
haven't archived this post yet. have a subscription? use the importer!

Content

Go to this site: Cinebingers.ca for the unedited versions of all our content.

👉 https://cinebingers.ca/eDd4pqxTM9 👈 for the full reaction where you do not need your own copy.

👉 https://cinebingers.ca/sdo1PpvXU9 👈for the full reaction where you need your own copy.

If you are on a phone/tablet, hold down the link above and press "open in browser", or go straight to Cinebingers.ca on your browser app.

For the first half of Episode 12, Simone had a technical issue where her footage froze but the audio kept recording. We were so absorbed by the show that we didn't notice this issue for over 35 minutes, we normally glance at OBS every few minutes to make sure things are okay but this time we were both so engaged we forgot about doing that. Anyways, unfortunately it isn't something we can re-do but luckily the audio was captured so you can all still hear our conversation.

Files

Previews only

The Wire: Season 2 - Episode 11-12 - Patreon Version

Comments

Onno Smits

Hell yeah, I'm gonna binge all episodes this week! I was waiting for you guys to finish the season before I started. 😅

Śéáń

Your unwillingness to release a cut of Simone recreating the lost 35mins by miming to the recording is disappointing and makes me reconsider my pateron membership, tbqh. (This being the Internet, I feel I have to instantly make the disclaimer that this was a joke. A Patreon joke. A Patreon joke about those sour patrons that you sometimes see.)

Jeff K

I hope one of the options in the poll is “The Wire seasons 3, 4, 5”

Śéáń
>>101363728

But seriously though, the audio surviving is a stroke of luck, much better than that reverse, or indeed the whole lot as I've seen happen to podcasters/YouTubers in the past.

Martin

Cough…The Last of Us…cough…

Jeff I.

I'd be down for either Midnight Mass or The Last Of Us, since both don't need multiple seasons to watch (yet).

Marko T.

Suggestion: The Last of Us (2023)

Jeff K

Agree with those suggesting TLOU, but I’ll throw out a lighter watch as an option: The Good Place

Dave

Throwing out a longshot: Utopia (2013)

JojoPotato

I’d suggest Mad Men or Fargo.

Stu84

Season 3 is where the Wire really starts. S1 and 2 are just the prologue.

Byron

I bet Simone is already watching it, but Legend of Vox Machina would be fun

Martin

The Last of Us would time out perfectly. Only 4 out of 9 episodes in, 5 after this week. Next poll doesn’t come out until the show will have 6 out of 9 episodes aired. Takes a week to conduct the poll—7 out of 9 episodes aired by the time we have a result. We’ll most likely have 8 of 9 aired before Simone and George even get a chance to react to the first two episodes. Perfect timing, really. And it’s only a single season time investment. They’ll be done in a month and on to the next series. Just a thought.

Kyle Baker

Since people are suggesting. One show that is amazing, but nobody ever reacts to is Rome.

redddfer44
>>101371690

George has already seen it. The polls would decide if that's a problem, though.

Śéáń

Humble suggestion of Severance for the tv show draw pool.

redddfer44

An interviewer once compared The Wire to Shakespeare, but David Simon (the bald reporter in a blue shirt in E11 asking a couple of questions from Frank, btw) said he was more influenced by Greek tragedy, like George observed. Season 2 is really tragic, but like all good tragedies, it's so complex that you could observe and argue endlessly about causes and effects and what led to destruction. (I'm pretty sure Butch is meant as a Cassandra character: the blind seer.) Your analysis of Frank & Ziggy at the beginning of the video is great. I can't help but think that Frank would've been a pretty good dad for a different kind of son. He just wasn't able to handle someone who wasn't born to follow in his footsteps, who he couldn't control (his words). Frank's whole being was "stevedore". Now, from my perspective, a "good dad" means supporting your kids no matter what they do. But like tragedies tend to be, that of Sobotkas was inevitably doomed. Other kinds of people maybe could've done something with their circumstances. And, again with the Greek shit: one could argue that Daniels won since he got his major case unit, but the cost was terrible, including but not limited to his marriage that doesn't seem to be in a good shape. It's easy to miss on the first watch since there's so much going on, but the "rotten" FBI agent not being in San Diego is no secret. The Greek (or Vondas?) talks about their contact in Washington, and when The Greek and the fed meet at the park bench, there's a sense of them meeting up pretty quickly -- not after a coast-to-coast flight. One thing that I don't hear talked about often enough is the show's camerawork. It's got tons of great compositions, it uses wide and long lenses with intent, and while it's mostly really calm, it also knows when to use shaky cams and other specialty stuff to great effect. I especially love how subtle the dolly zooms are.

Tenn Seven

Simone's reaction to half this episode: "huh?" At least the audio didn't freeze!

Nicodemus Archleone

So, the "Pi" tattoo, the most likely significance is illustrated in that last scene. Pi continues on without end just like the various "businesses" of the Greeks. Even if their organisation had been completely dismantled someone else would take their place.

john blake

I can’t wait to watch this tonight after work!

UNC
>>101368063

Second Fargo, but thats something you would have to binge and not take a break after each seaosn IMO.

UNC

My suggestion is to keep binging The Wire!

erosennin

I see people are throwing around suggestions so here we go: Deadwood! only 3 seasons, great actors doing great acting and a lot of swearing, whoring and murdering!

Jay

I'll vote for any decent show that's -10 episodes, so we can get to Hamsterdam ASAP:)

Andrew Dunn

Really enjoying all your Wire reactions, looking forward to more. As for other show options - consider Severance or Yellowjackets, both excellent shows that I think you'd get on with.

Jeff K

By the way - the bald reporter leaning over the car during Frank’s perp walk is David Simon.

Spacedone

How about watching S1 of Hannibal, the TV series with Mads Mikkelsen as Hannibal Lector?

Carlos Hurtado
>>101384515

i feel like Simone would love Mads Mikkelson and George would enjoy all of the gnarly stuff.

nathan kemp

I love your YouTube reactions but I practically signed up for Patreon for The Wire stuff.

Jeff K
>>101388023

Same. I’m gonna continue to subscribe but I signed up specifically for The Wire. But I like George and Simone’s reactions so I’ll be sticking with them because the rest are enjoyable. But Wire is what brought me to Patreon for them, no doubt.

UNC
>>101377537

Ok I lied Fargo would be a great Series to go back and forth in between The Wire Seasons.

G P

Season 3 is awesome - hope you get to it soon!

Kevin Hoffmann

I mean, is just jumping to Season Three gonna be a choice on the poll?

Jeff K

Every time I re-watch season 2, I'm reminded: man, this is such an underrated season. It's brilliant from start to finish. It was obviously a giant departure from season 1, and of course that shook people up when it originally aired, but upon reflection it's just so good. Also: I appreciate the fact you guys have clearly picked up on the whole point/theme of The Wire, which is essentially that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Hell, Carver lays out the thesis of The Wire in the very first episode: "You can't call this shit a war." "Why not?" "Wars end."

Shonnicus

"You know what the trouble is, Brucey? We used to make shit in this country, build shit. Now we just put our hand in the next guy's pocket." R.I.P. Frank Sobotka Efige, efige, efige, tin exw xasei. Stelios Kazantzidis

Tom McDonald

I love this season because of Frank. This is probably my 6th re-watch, but I went to law school in Baltimore so I keep finding courtrooms and places I recognize. Took me until the 6th re-watch to realize that the hotel room the Greek is in is one I stayed in recently! Room 328 of the Royal Sonesta at the Inner Harbor.

Einherj

You guys would love Deadwood. Great characters.

Carlos Hurtado

*commenting to show support for more Wire reactions in the future*

Shonnicus
>>101396981

Spiros: He knows my name, but my name is not my name. And you... to them you're only "The Greek." The Greek: And, of course, I'm not even Greek.

PIG

Why does Nick have a Pi tattoo? Another reactor finally broke the code. I've seen The Wire more than 10 times, with other people giving their ideas, but this guy from The Normies finally broke it. Pat, damn you: https://youtu.be/QwB7VD5E9dQ?t=1603

Jeff K
>>101403158

I mean this with no disrespect to the man but of everyone on that couch, for Pat to be the one? That’s a twist I didn’t see coming.

Travis

Definitely keep going. You love the show, we love the show. Fuck Them metrics.

Skinny_Obelix

I used to be a consultant in a PD, and this show feels so real. I remember one detective going over the same case over and over during her lunch break, where she knew a father and son killed the mother, but she couldn't make it stick. It had been 25 years and the statute of limitations was up, so they walked. From watching all the fiction, you no forget that in reality there are no writers to tie it all together. I have no idea if they tie it up in this show, but the way this season ended is one of the reasons why I love this show so far.

Nikodevious

The scene that always gets me, as the last fax is sent the events become as though a machine just doing what it does without remorse or thought, a thing moving to an unavoidable conclusion. We the audience know what is coming, and there is nothing we or anyone can do to stop it. So very moving.

Agent Squirrels
>>101373866

Yeah the Greek is an FBI informant. That's why Fitz reacted the way he did when he heard the words 'counter terrorism'. He'd said before that the Feebs were throwing everything at counter-terrorism so stands to reason they'd let the Greek get away with whatever if he was passing them valuable info on terrorists.

Young Blood Priest

Even hopefully Battlestar Galactica and Watchmen are on the tv poll.

james repka

Fargo. Deadwood. Breaking Bad. The Plot Against America Better Call Saul. Treme. Mad Men.

Gishgali

I've watched most of the prestige shows out there and Chris Bauer's portrayal of Frank Sobotka is one of my favorite performances ever.

MacGuffinStuff

"The Greek" is exactly how I imagine the most powerful players really are, it's like how Warren Buffet still drives used cars and lives in a (relatively) modest house. Or how, back in the cocaine war days, there was Pablo Escobar, who made himself an icon, meanwhile the Ochoa Brothers were running the Cali cartel looking like two little old men who owned and operated a corner grocery store, and they survived and thrived while Escobar made himself a target and took the heat, got shwacked by Delta. Yep, it's that sense of futility and dread that morphs into a sort of hard boiled desensitized acceptance that makes me I love this show, it's real. Like how every time you see Ziggy in this episode they make sure you see how small he is compared to the other inmates, just to remind you, every time you see him, they are gonna eat him alive. Bad things are going to happen to him until he gets a lot better at playing the game/system. Feel bad for the kid, known a few like him, basically good guys but just young, dumb, and "unlucky"; can't help but get themselves in a bad way with the law, or even worse, with the gangsters, who are way less forgiving. Looking forward to the next show but also can't wait till you guys get back into this one. FARGO Deadwood Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica...

redddfer44

I like the suggestion of doing limited run series (or those with only one season thus far) in between a longer project. For an absolute change of pace, though, something like It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia would be great.

Charlotte Drolet

Sense 8, please! If you haven't watched it. It is so good!

Tall Paul

Enjoyed this, hoping you get to Wire season 3 soon since it is my favourite. But if you are looking for different a different sort of show next, Fleabag is brilliant

Jay
>>101432460

I keep waiting for that show to go stale, but they keep producing absolute gold.

John Richards

The finale of season 2 has a camera move that is representative of the entire series. When Nick is being interviewed in the detail office, as he talks about his uncle not allowing him to go to the meeting with the Greek, the camera racks into focus the picture of Frank behind Nick, into then racks out to focus on Nick again. That is why some fans were put off by season 2 - it was the change of focus. Not as George was musing that it was the pacing, or editing, or Tom Wait's singing voice. They thought the show was about Avon, Stringer, Bubbles and Omar, and instead they got Polish-American dockworkers as the primary focus. They did not expect the eastside and westside drug crews to spend so much time, like Frank's bulletin board picture, largely in the background. A salute for Simone for recognizing that it was all part of the same story. This becomes the underlying theme of the show- the story changes focus a little each season, calling attention to another part of the same picture. All the pieces matter.

REDR58
>>101373830

I would much rather they do Severance too instead of The Last of Us which every other reactor is doing.

redddfer44
>>101463831

Well put! The change of focus might be offputting if you don’t know where it’s going and if you really wanna see certain characters. It’s easier when you can see the big picture and/or you don’t have to wait a whole year to see more.

MR

Looking forward to The Wire season 3 and beyond. Besides that, Fargo the TV series is one of the best ever, at least the first two seasons.

Keith Jones

For a show that is somewhat close to this in feel "The Shield" was really good, though it was a product of its times. Another really great crime drama is "Justified" which is based on a short story by Elmore Leonard and has great characters played by Timothy Olyphant and Walton Goggins amongst many others.

Astraeos

Another great suggestion for a TV show is Generation Kill. Actor that plays Ziggy is in it. Its about the invasion of Iraq in 2004. Its a miniseries basically, 8 episodes I think. It's not what you would expect from a War series. Lots of humor, tons of it. Heavy moments too, and combat obviously. Its got it all. Highly recommend, and its also another HBO show, so you know its gonna be quality. And as mentioned, I think it would be a great choice because its not a huge commitment, just the one season, 8 or so episodes.

Astraeos

Also I know it's not obvious, but they say it in the show. The Pi symbol tattoo on the back of Nicky's neck is a symbol for everything in this show. Beatty says it, it just keeps on going on. Everything in this show has been happening for decades, and will keep on happening unless major changes are made in the USA. It's a great symbol once you realize it, especially in that ending montage.

Astraeos
>>101392268

They are probably doing the same thing that they've been doing, they'll be another season of a different show starting next. I hope its the Expanse, but it seems like that's dead. So I guess whatever wins the poll? We'll know soon

Astraeos

And finally, you guys didn't make it totally clear. I really sincerely hope you don't leave the future of the Wire up to a poll. It will never win, and you guys absolutely cannot abandon this watchthrough. That would be sacrilege. To be frankly honest, abandoning The Expanse is fine, you guys didn't really mesh with it all that much, but if you abandon the Wire when you both are CLEARLY enjoying it a huge amount all because of a singular poll, that would be really, really messed up. Like not even a joke, I truthfully wouldn't even understand that decision if that's what comes to pass.

John Richards

Some episode 12 tidbits: The song used for the end of season montage is by Steve Earle, who played Waylon, Bubble's NA sponsor in season 1 . The last thing Valcheck says, while looking at the picture of his van from Brisbane, is "Rest in Peace" in Polish.

Chris

There was a good bit from an interview with David Simon (who spotted his cameo?) regarding Herc and Carver. In real life the actors actually came to him to complain about their lack of involvement. David Simon just told them to channel the feelings they are having I to their performances.

Kenneth thomas

I never understood ppl who think this is a lesser season of The Wire, it's my second favorite without a doubt. With #1 being...a different one you may experience later :| But I thought the character writing in this one was absolutely something special

Armchair Rizzard
>>102130579

Well, this is only slightly lesser when i consider how good some of the future episodes are. I think season 2 is fantastic though. I'm just holding it in such grand company.

Einherj

I suggest the miniseries Generation Kill. It's from the creator of The Wire. I like to call it "Ziggy joins the marines".

Q

I really hope you guys come back to the Wire, because there is a lot more to come. There's so much more. So many more great characters, great scenes, great dialogue. You will be missing out if you stop here.

SlaverStudios

You guys have to realize Season 3-5 of the Wire is the best part of it. It's like... NEXT LEVEL. Especially Season 4, which to my mind, is the greatest season of television ever created.

Justin Wolford

It was nice to see fat John Cena actually do some police work but watching him apologize to lance Reddick for fucking up the investigation was also satisfying

MJH

RIP Lance Reddick aka Cedric Daniels Always rough when you lose someone you enjoy so much in film/TV.

Avon Barksdale

I’ve never subscribed to any Patreon but I joined to watch The Wire and loved both of your perspectives/commentary! Its so good I just binged the entire 2 seasons in a weekend! I love the way The Wire weaves all the storylines and I BEG OF YOU BOTH to continue with Season 3, it seems to be most of our favorites lol Love Y'all

Ken Quick
>>101640980

Generation Kill was David Simon's next project for HBO after The Wire. I consider it "The Wire: Iraq," since it continues many of the same over-arching themes.

Ken Quick

The Wire is almost notorious for its nearly exclusive use of diagetic music, the notable exception being its season-ending montages. Season 2 was a departure from that, having several such montages.

Kleenn6160

It’s unfortunate that Simone’s video froze for 35 minutes on episode 12, I always look forward to her reactions, it’s the best part🤦‍♂️

Ribking

You two are legit my very first Patreon subscription and I joined specifically see your take on The Wire after seeing your "commercials" on so many other videos on YT. Since I'm wholly new to anything with Patreon, I don't know how or when comments find you, but I left a link to a commercial I think you'd enjoy in the YT comments. Looking forward to all the HBO content you two have!

Cinebinge
>>124439540

hi Ribking, welcome! So on YT side any comments with urls are actually automatically blocked due to the sheer amount of spammers and scammers, its kind of an unfortunate collateral but we just dont want any innocent people getting scammed by comments in our videos. So its kind of an unfortunate broad stroke solution. However on Patreon you are welcome to post whatever link you want as long as it is a publicly safe site link

Hexon66
>>105736379

The montages are a holdover from later seasons of Homicide. The absolute best example was the episode entitled "The Gas Man", with Bruno Kirby and Richard Edson vendetta tracking Pembleton.

Hexon66

I don't think I'd ever picked up on the nod to 'The Wild Bunch' before, with Bunk's comment "kiss my black cat's sister's ass". I would wholeheartedly recommend that classic film, but honestly I don't think Simone is quite ready for Sam Peckinpah. Maybe 'The Ballad of Cable Hogue', but 'Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia' would be truly terrorizing.

Angela D. Mitchell

I LOVE season 2 and am so glad you guys agreed. I know it's not super popular with all Wire viewers, but it broke my heart and moved me in the best way. There were so many vivid characters and amazing actors (led especially by the great character actor Chris Bauer as Frank Sobotka). The final montage is so sad. It still boggles my mind that the entire house of cards was knocked over by Valchek over a stupid, venal grudge over a piece of stained glass.

James Wilson

Idk if anyone ever mentioned this before, but George saying "the bad guys don't get punished," reminded me that there's a great College Humor video out there of a fake "The Wire" video game. It's worth several laughs if you haven't seen it before.

Jason Puhalla

The closing song is by Steve Earle. Waylon, Bubbles sponsor.