This to me was the best episode of what is an incredible series. And what an unbelievable performance by Moses Gunn. Unfortunately this was Mr. Gunn's last performance. He died a few months later.
The part at the end (which isn't in this group) has Bayliss doubting his own theory. Pembleton, who has been skeptical of it all along, tells Bayliss that he is now sure. Bayliss was right all along - the guy is guilty. It's a nice twist.
I thought this was the one of the best episodes of the entire series; maybe even in criminal dramas in general. Smart, intense, chilling, and some great acting.
Also, the girl had six stab wounds, plus an initial wound to her stomach when he cut her. The man says he gave her seven different fruits, which might have represented the marks on her body and also represent what he would give her instead of the avocado (ie, what he saw as her making a physical overtone toward him). By killing her, he resisted the temptation she was offering him (in his own mind) and he resented her asking for the avocado. Also, his view on relative truth says it all.
Moses Gunn's character takes an abrupt, dark path here. He's first portrayed as an almost senile figure, a man who can't think straight. Then he suddenly take a psychological advantage on both Tim and Frank and causes both of them to look inward. I think it's a testament toward his own dark side, a dark side that probably had room to murder an 11 year old girl. This is absolutely friggin brilliant. There's room to go in both angles for his guilt and innocence.
also, i remember when i got married, i showed my wife this episode, at the end she was speechless. that tells you something about how great this show was.
I think that the worst part of this is that even if Tucker had confessed, any lawyer worth their salt would have gotten the confession thrown out; it would have been a classic example of a coerced confession given simply to get the detectives to leave him alone.
Three powerfully talented actors that hit the peak here in this scene...I for the likes of me cannot find anything remotely close to being this masterful.
I just finished The Wire and heard that David Simon also helped create this show: this episode was amazing, I'm so stoked that I have another great show to get into.
I'm ever more amazed at the guts this show had. Here you have these guys, we show them to you in a ruthless realistic way, and you'll love them. Everytime I see this show I go cuckoo in love with it. :P
So the Araber says 'You got your dark side... ... and all you see is an AMATEUR.'I mean, what TV show, that announced itself as a truly honest, character driven cop show shouts out, at the beginning of the show that one of their pivotal characters (I mean, he opens and closes the series, for golly!) is a loser. And despite the ups and downs, the twists of actions and the revealings, for the entire 7 seasons, Bayliss never actually stirs one bit away from the Araber's projection.
This the best synopsis of the show i've EVER scene. That the writers would stay true to Tim's dark side show their excellence. The only time the show failed is when it strayed from this reality of many cops.
It's never revealed. There's a few minutes left of the episode after this clip, but I didn't put it up (it involves Pembleton trying to comfort Bayliss, Bayliss taking the photograph of Adena and putting it on his desk, and the Araber sitting in the coffee room, seemingly with his own demons). Adena is mentioned frequently throughout the series, but unfortunately the Araber dies (as his counterpart does in real life also) and thus it is never truly revealed whether or not the Araber killed Adena
heartbreaking....moses gunn's last great role. my only wish is for television to take note of this show. this set the stage for cop shows we see now. this show made friday nights worth staying in for. i miss it. seems so real.
This episode from season 1 was the best from the series. Great writing, directing and superb acting from Frank and Bayliss. All contained within one room. Thanks for posting all of the Homicide clips including the movie.
He could have misread her and gave in for just a moment, but when watching the episode it also seems as if he loved her too much to even touch her much less commit the crime he did (she was disemboweled...raped with a metal pipe...) which was so heinous that I don't know if he had the...personality, I guess, for it.
But then at times I think he DID do it because of not only what you just said, but it's just so coincidental that you have a murdered child and an older man who was in love with her.
I don't know. I really have no idea. But yeah lol, Munch would have caught it. I wonder how the interview would have went if Bayliss caught it!
the whole interrogation is one of the best moments in Homicide: LOTS and one of the finest dramatic scene filmed in 20 years.
hollywoodwerewolf 1 month ago
Moses Gunn last performance before his death that year
MikeKrysta1 2 months ago
This to me was the best episode of what is an incredible series. And what an unbelievable performance by Moses Gunn. Unfortunately this was Mr. Gunn's last performance. He died a few months later.
pvbklyn 6 months ago
The part at the end (which isn't in this group) has Bayliss doubting his own theory. Pembleton, who has been skeptical of it all along, tells Bayliss that he is now sure. Bayliss was right all along - the guy is guilty. It's a nice twist.
DonVila 8 months ago
Without this great show, and the book that started it all, there would never have been The Wire.
Gunn deserved the Emmy
tedh754 1 year ago
The greatest episode of a dramatic tv show in the last 20 years.
justaloe 1 year ago 2
This episode is phenomenal - TV doesn't get better than this.
patjah 1 year ago
in all the police interrogations on all the police shows I've watched this was the most brilliantly acted, intense example.
hollywoodwerewolf 1 year ago
I thought this was the one of the best episodes of the entire series; maybe even in criminal dramas in general. Smart, intense, chilling, and some great acting.
Neko91485 1 year ago
Also, the girl had six stab wounds, plus an initial wound to her stomach when he cut her. The man says he gave her seven different fruits, which might have represented the marks on her body and also represent what he would give her instead of the avocado (ie, what he saw as her making a physical overtone toward him). By killing her, he resisted the temptation she was offering him (in his own mind) and he resented her asking for the avocado. Also, his view on relative truth says it all.
ThaddeusMarcum 2 years ago 2
Moses Gunn's character takes an abrupt, dark path here. He's first portrayed as an almost senile figure, a man who can't think straight. Then he suddenly take a psychological advantage on both Tim and Frank and causes both of them to look inward. I think it's a testament toward his own dark side, a dark side that probably had room to murder an 11 year old girl. This is absolutely friggin brilliant. There's room to go in both angles for his guilt and innocence.
ThaddeusMarcum 2 years ago 4
A couple of things here.
He said she wanted to dance and he refused.
Dancing is a part of the mating ritual, not just among humans but the lower orders as well.
The avocado that he tried to talk her out of is an Aztec fertility fruit, it means "testical" in fact.
The peach represents innocence.
He was struggling with signals he thought Adena was sending.
She was maturing and it disturbed him, in large part because his feelings had grown inappropiate regarding her.
Brilliant stuff.
virago1776 2 years ago 6
Thank you for posting this episode, it's amazing.
fskoti 2 years ago
also, i remember when i got married, i showed my wife this episode, at the end she was speechless. that tells you something about how great this show was.
worm082 2 years ago 2
i still dont know if the araber did it or not probably but no way to no for sure
worm082 2 years ago
the guy who plays the suspect is amazing
safral 2 years ago 3
MOSES GUNN - A very fine actor. His portrayal of the "Araber" is simply an amazing job of acting.
serotta2 2 years ago 4
I think that the worst part of this is that even if Tucker had confessed, any lawyer worth their salt would have gotten the confession thrown out; it would have been a classic example of a coerced confession given simply to get the detectives to leave him alone.
Hotarunokurai 2 years ago
Eh, you have to give them some slack, they were just making it dramatic.
fskoti 2 years ago
"Straaaaaawberries, Rasssberries nice and sweet... My priiiiiice you caaaan't beat!"
Utterly chilling. Moses Gunn was brilliant throughout this entire episode but when he brings it home the result it simply devastating.
strappy 3 years ago 3
Three powerfully talented actors that hit the peak here in this scene...I for the likes of me cannot find anything remotely close to being this masterful.
Killer0fTheSun 3 years ago 5
He did it.
justaloe 3 years ago
I just finished The Wire and heard that David Simon also helped create this show: this episode was amazing, I'm so stoked that I have another great show to get into.
12AX74Life 3 years ago
I'm ever more amazed at the guts this show had. Here you have these guys, we show them to you in a ruthless realistic way, and you'll love them. Everytime I see this show I go cuckoo in love with it. :P
someotherself 3 years ago
So the Araber says 'You got your dark side... ... and all you see is an AMATEUR.'I mean, what TV show, that announced itself as a truly honest, character driven cop show shouts out, at the beginning of the show that one of their pivotal characters (I mean, he opens and closes the series, for golly!) is a loser. And despite the ups and downs, the twists of actions and the revealings, for the entire 7 seasons, Bayliss never actually stirs one bit away from the Araber's projection.
someotherself 3 years ago 10
This the best synopsis of the show i've EVER scene. That the writers would stay true to Tim's dark side show their excellence. The only time the show failed is when it strayed from this reality of many cops.
tomo823 2 years ago
surprised by the admiration? we're still grieving. it's nice knowing that WE won't forget this show and this episode
lookingoutpfunk 3 years ago
I'm both surprised and pleased to see several people here share my admiration for this episode.
STT414 3 years ago
STT414 you would be very surprised at how many are facinated by this show.
Killer0fTheSun 3 years ago
Thanks for the information. Very powerful scene too :)
LegendaryU2K 3 years ago
Did he kill her?
After watching all 6 clips lol, he never confess to it. What am i missing?
Great clip btw.
I wonder how long it took them to do this whole episode?
LegendaryU2K 3 years ago
It's never revealed. There's a few minutes left of the episode after this clip, but I didn't put it up (it involves Pembleton trying to comfort Bayliss, Bayliss taking the photograph of Adena and putting it on his desk, and the Araber sitting in the coffee room, seemingly with his own demons). Adena is mentioned frequently throughout the series, but unfortunately the Araber dies (as his counterpart does in real life also) and thus it is never truly revealed whether or not the Araber killed Adena
easilyjaded2 3 years ago
heartbreaking....moses gunn's last great role. my only wish is for television to take note of this show. this set the stage for cop shows we see now. this show made friday nights worth staying in for. i miss it. seems so real.
lookingoutpfunk 3 years ago 2
Well said...man TV will unfortunately never be this good again.
Killer0fTheSun 3 years ago
This episode from season 1 was the best from the series. Great writing, directing and superb acting from Frank and Bayliss. All contained within one room. Thanks for posting all of the Homicide clips including the movie.
craftymore 3 years ago
Love this show!! put more videos up!!
Linda81292 3 years ago
greatest fucking cop show on tv...next to nypd blue and boomtown....amazing
RaytheRat 3 years ago
@RaytheRat I couldn't get into NYPD blue but I thought boomtown was great and should not have been cancelled.
edavismookie25 1 year ago
great writing, great acting, great pretty much everything. as much as i love The Wire, it never had an episode this good.
beeflog1 3 years ago 3
Great show. Hasn't dated at all.
FactoryRaid 4 years ago 3
Andre Braugher & Moses Gunn incredible performance!!!
ceetee21 4 years ago 2
And Kyle Secor as well. He really drove home an emotional, great performance.
easilyjaded2 3 years ago
The best ep. of the greatest series ever. R.I.P Moses gunn and R.I.P. Latonya Wallace.
THATSAWLUNEED2NO 4 years ago
i use to know her in real life......
deerpark47 4 years ago
Doesn't matter how many times I watch this episode I get totally lost in it.
He wanted to keep Adena innocent.
He wanted her to take anything but the avacado, the forbidden fruit, the fertility vegetable "ahuacatl" (Aztec-testicle)
But she insisted on the avacado and it made him sad because it meant she was growing up and would soon outgrow him and her need for his company.
Damn good writers.
virago1776 4 years ago 3
Oh wow, I didn't even realize that avacado meant that. Thank you for posting this, now I see his speech in a whole different light.
easilyjaded2 4 years ago
You're welcome.
I've often wondered if the relating of the avocado incident is a subtle confession of sorts.
He says he offered her a peach (An innocent relatonship) but she responds "No, I want an avocado."
Then he says "That's what she said, just like that; you know what I'm saying? I'm telling you the truth now."
And that's the kicker, "I'm telling you the truth now."
virago1776 4 years ago 2
Then Bayliss sets back confused and again he says, "You know what I'm saying?"
Was he like so many offenders trying to justify a sexual act he committed against a child by claiming "She wanted it?"
He tells of Adena dancing which of course is a part of the mating ritual in so many species including humans.
(More)
virago1776 4 years ago
Did he misread her and in a moment of passion give in to the beast that so frightened him making a mistake he would never have dreamed he would make?
I prefer to think he's not guilty but as usual may change my mind the next time I watch it.
virago1776 4 years ago
Munch would have caught it :)
virago1776 4 years ago
He could have misread her and gave in for just a moment, but when watching the episode it also seems as if he loved her too much to even touch her much less commit the crime he did (she was disemboweled...raped with a metal pipe...) which was so heinous that I don't know if he had the...personality, I guess, for it.
easilyjaded2 4 years ago
But then at times I think he DID do it because of not only what you just said, but it's just so coincidental that you have a murdered child and an older man who was in love with her.
I don't know. I really have no idea. But yeah lol, Munch would have caught it. I wonder how the interview would have went if Bayliss caught it!
easilyjaded2 4 years ago
I agree, I still don't think he did it.
If you haven't read the book yet it's a really good read.
There was an unsolved murder of an 11 year old girl that tormented the detective who better fit Pembleton's character than that of Bayliss.
And I've wondered how Munch would have handled it.
virago1776 4 years ago
Btw, for what it's worth I was a cop for a while and then worked a few years as an EMT in inner city Memphis Tn. for a private ambulance service.
In addition to our regular calls we had a contract to transport all DOA's including murder victims to the morgue.
We interacted quite a bit with Memphis homicide detectives.
HLOTS is the only series I've ever seen that gets the the cynical, dark humor down so well.
virago1776 4 years ago
no doubt about it, killer
lookingoutpfunk 4 years ago
This was by far the best TV show i have ever seen in my years living on this earth.
KillerOfTheSun2007 4 years ago