The Wire: All Due Respect -- television at its finest

"That small, wrinkled-ass paper bag allowed the corner boys to have their drink in peace, and gave us permission to go. and do. police work...the kind of police work that's actually worth the effort. That's worth actually taking a bullet...

There's never been a paper bag for drugs. Until now."

Arguably one of the greatest moments in the history of American television, this speech by Major Colvin ("Bunny") of Baltimore's Western District is a stellar example of how The Wire puts 99% of television to shame.

The summary of this episode can be found at
http://www.hbo.com/thewire/episode/se...
and a summary of the Colvin's character, played by Robert Wisdom, is at
http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/chara...

• Category

  Film & Animation

[ohen]

The writing in The Wire was so above and beyond anything else on TV. Not even comparable.

[cardswin2005]

He created "Hamsterdam" which was a couple block stretch where the dealers could deal without being hassled by police.

[john r]

"Not much range or depth" lol stop, just say the wire has more "range or depth" and your opinion would be more valid

[Gootothesecond]

He attempted to create one with the "Hamsterdam" experiment. *SPOILER ALERT* He corralled all of the drug dealers into designated "free zones" where they could sell drugs with impunity. As long as they didn't do anything that would make the police have to come in, like a homicide, they were ok. It actually worked, his crime rate dropped 14% and they were allowed to do actual police work but some of the cops under his command were too ingrained in the current system to let it work fully.

[FreedomFighter2112]

Wow...simply, Wow!

The writing is brilliant, the acting is amazing, and directing is superb.

Greatest TV series ever!!!

[gnostici]

Suddenly I understand why the "K-Side" neighborhood in my city is the way it is. Lots of drugs. No police on patrol, ever. They only show up if called.

Lots of violent crime, but only old-fashioned butt-whoopings. Black eyes, busted lips. No more shooting victims, stabbings, etc than anywhere else.

I guess it makes sense. A compromise. Still not a place I would ever want to live.

[OBrien19W]

Here from Reddit

[TripleBla]

so what is the brown paper bag for drugs? I'd like to know!

[rellsta]

Hunger Games was the shit, yo!



[hoarbaby]

Bunny is one of my favorite characters out of a myriad of great characters

[Steve Gongos]

"Breaking Bad" is a gimmick show with not much range or depth. It's not even in the same universe as "The Wire".