I'm going to need to come up with a new "watch" recommendation.
After 5 seasons and 60 episodes, HBO's The Wire ends tonight. There is enough ink being spent on praising the program, so you'll find none here besides this: no matter what happens or how long I live, The Wire will always be one of my 5 favorite television shows of all-time. There's no way that 5 better shows could or will ever be made in my lifetime.
Instead, it's time for moving on. Not only for us viewers, but for the actors. Because The Wire is made in Baltimore, instead of New York or LA, it has never gotten the industry recognition that it deserves (the terrible ratings don't help, either). So, how will the incredible cast of the show bounce back in the next phases of their career? Whenever I see a cast member pop up in some other work, I will pass judgment on whether the career move is a positive or a negative. Of course, the first job after The Wire is always going to get a down arrow, but we'll see where it goes from there. The list so far:
Lance Reddick
Played Cedric Daniels, the original commander of the Major Crimes Unit who moved up to Deputy Commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department
Last seen in: Lost, playing mysterious bad guy (?) Matthew Abbaddon
This was the only role that was tempting to rule a "lateral" move. After all, Lost is another show currently on the air that has a chance to be an all-time classic, depending on how it ends. But its still no Wire. In an unrelated note: Lance Reddick: blackest man on earth?
Sonja Sohn
Played Detective Shakima "Kima" Greggs, member of the Major Crimes Unit and total lesbo.
Last seen in: Step Up 2 The Streets, playing Sarah, foster mom to some dancing white girl
Oh, Kima...why? I understand not everything is going to be The Wire, but you go from a show heralded far and wide as the most realistic portrayal of the problems facing urban America to...a movie about a white girl showing up black people at their own street dancing competition? Oh, how I wish you'd followed through on your threat to send her to Texas and ended the movie at the 10 minute mark. This gets extra down arrows.
Andre Royo
Played Bubbles, homeless drug addict and sometimes confidential informant to the Major Crimes unit.
Last seen in: Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, playing a resistance fighter...FROM THE FUTURE!
This show isn't terrible. It's okay. It's also probably not going to be back next fall. Oh well, keep plugging away, Andre.
Isaah Whitlock, Jr.
Played State Senator Clay Davis, Baltimore's most awesomest corrupt politician
Last seen in: Commercial for Southwest Airlines
Sheeeeeeeeit. Commercials? Where is my Clay Davis spin-off show? How about a spin-off with you and Detective Freamon as roommates? Check this out: Det. Freamon has finally gotten you successfully prosecuted for corruption, but instead of prison, Judge Dennis Miller sentences you to live with Detective Freamon for a year? Uh-oh, awkward! Come on, HBO, what else you got going?
