Pajiba named The Wire S2 one of the best 15 TV seasons of the past 20 years.

Pajiba named The Wire S2

They also liked:

Arrested Development S2
Buffy S2
Simpsons S4
Twin Peaks S1
Farscape S3
Sex in the City S4
West Wing S2
Six Feet Under S1
Firefly
Murder One S1
Larry Sanders S5

I'm not sure why I'm not feeling as compelled to write down episode reactions this season. I'm not sure whether I'm less into it or whether it's just slower or whether nothing's happening or what. Maybe I've just settled into the groove.

So, episodes 3 and 4, then.

I could not care less about Cuddy or whatever his name is, the out-of-jail guy. I never knew him, and it feels like they're trying to give him sort of redemption story, but WHATEVER I DON'T KNOW HIM. At the beginning, I thought he was going to be all cool, a veteran soldier back on the streets, but instead he was a gullible moron, and then he tried to go straight by mowing lawns, and it was all so boring and pathetic. He couldn't make the adjustment to these modern times. I can see the kind of things the character is supposed to highlight, and they're interesting ideas to discuss, but the character himself is so blah I don't give a shit. And the weird POV camera angles at the party get a thumbs down.

The McNultifying of Kima is very amusing.

Man, this Tommy guy just likes to stir shit up, doesn't he? I didn't expect it to lead up to a bid for mayor, but it makes sense. I was wondering what his real motivation was for messing with Burrell. Oh, and speaking of Burrell...what the hell? How did they get me to actually be on his side ? He was an irritant in the first couple seasons, always getting in the way, but then they pulled the old trick of showing us someone worse than he is. And between Burrell and the fucking mayor, we pick Burrell. Fuck the mayor and his fucking shit.

And on the subject of fucking shit, Major...Colvin, I think his name is, is someone I've grown to enjoy. He's sort of like what McNulty might become after thirty years and multiple promotions, right before retirement. He can see that the system sucks, and he has the power and the authority to fuck it from the inside. The Amsterdam idea is kind of awesome, really. IT'S SO CRAZY IT JUST MIGHT WORK.

Stringer Bell! Going to school, buying up buildings, TALKING ON THE CELL PHONE I USED TO HAVE!

I'm really looking forward to seeing Avon back on the streets.

Finally...I think I had a Wire dream this morning. We were going to make a bust in a San Francisco alley, and I was with Kima behind a car. And I think McNulty drove by, and we all deliberately hid (I think Daniels was there too) because we didn't want his crazy ass involved. And before the raid, one of the dudes actually acknowledged me and what we were going to do, kind of like what Marlo said when he was up against the wall. And I was afraid that after the raid, I would have to move and not let anyone know where I went so they couldn't find me and kill me.

Don't underestimate Cutty. Although it takes a while to appreciate him. He's not a moron; he's dislocated from being in prison so many years. Everything he knows is way different. Even the Game that got him locked up. It's hard to be him in season 3.ETA: I met the real Dennis Wise's wife Malika on the internets. He writes novels from the Supermax in Yuma(probably to keep him from "known associates") I was tempted to drop him a line, but what would I say? "Hot enough for you?"

Great things about this episode:

STRINGER BELL, BUSINESS TYCOON. WORKING A COPY STORE. TRYING TO SELL MCNULTY A CONDO AHAHAHAHA.

Stringer Bell, bringing the drug lords together in a fucking hotel conference room with refreshments (WHERE WERE THE CANNED PEACHES, I ASK?).

The dude TAKING MINUTES for a CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY. BECAUSE HE'S JUST FOLLOWING ROBERT'S RULES.

The mopes' complete bewilderment at (H)Amsterdam. And the fact that it's totally kinda working so far.

McNulty randomly running into Tommy's hot campaign manager, having his traditional one-night stand, and then getting the cold shoulder.

Stringer trying to bring Marlo into the Great Drug Lord Family in his continuing attempt to run the drug trade like a veritable business that doesn't involve so much goddamn murder.

Avon Barksdale, free at last!!

Stringer totally cockblocking Avon at the party.

The possible foreshadowing that Stringer and Avon won't stay "brothers" for long, if Avon doesn't agree with the way Stringer has been running things while he was in the clink.

Once again, the episode ends in the promise of sex!

I have a friend who still sends me articles about drugs with "Viva Hamsterdam!" attached. yeah, dude, they need to get some canned peaches up in that bitch.

Damn Dexter is gory.

Not as much as you'd think, really. A lot more is implied than is actually shown.

Just started it on Demand tonight.

You're in for a treat.