My dislike of the character didn't have to do with my perception of the real Calamity Jane. It just took me a while to get past the put-on voice and bravado and to get to the heart of the character. And that has definitely happened for me at this point.

Also, I agree with Gus on The L Word, but with the dearth of lesbian shows on TV, beggars can't be choosers. Plus Jennifer Beals is HOTT!

Plus Jennifer Beals is HOTT!

I can support this statement. It is a fact. My problem with The L Word is like this: Imagine that we could substitute "heterosexual" in all the places that "lesbian" occurs in the show. Would we show as many sex acts? Maybe not.

On The Wire: Marlo is like a Barksdale baby sired by Stringer -- all pretty, and all raised-up sideways. You know ... half-smart.

My mother would say he was more "jerked up" than raised.Both the L word and Brotherhood are on my list...possibly I'll find I'dve liked them mixed together, better. I'll let you know.

Gus is this the start of season 2 of Weeds? How many eps are you in? I just finished season 1 on DVD.

Yup. Second season Weeds. Actually, there have been eight eps aired, so far.

eta: OK, I'm a little afraid to admit it, but I'm following Dexter. Got to give props to the Showtime folks, though, for putting up a series with a sociopathic lead character.

The Wire is so much better than we deserve.

"We're not worthy." Despite the fact that I have no shrine, I have a Simon-autographed book about which I am superstitious as hell and used to touch when the writing went badly. But then I cut it out figuring the man himself would mock the hell out of any person who did that, but the words haven't been coming right since. Dag. One thing I wanted to say about this ep is that I've been watching televised bodies drop since I was the same age as Namond and them. Probably watched my own little BodyMore Murderland. But no show has ever made murder feel more significant than The Wire. Which you'd think might be the opposite since these detectives don't take every vic personally like television heroes. I guess cause people get shot going about their business without "bad news" music or anything. I'm not sure.

Marlo Stanfield: Check it...me and the man from Wisconsin are being all McCluhan-y and shit. Separated by time and space and about every fucking variable in the world. That's tight, huh? (My mother hates it when I get going like that. But it's hard to stop after hearing for an hour. It's contagious. Mos Def.)

That is what I am saying. The Wire wakes up your language centers.

I watched this one, then told the DVR to do it again. I do not do that.

It's great to see Prez finally exert a little authority, even though he gives himself away all the time.

So, here's my unspoiled speculation: Naimond is the only one of the core kids who's going to go into Bunny's program. Dukie is too pathetic, Michael has too much promise, and Randy is clearly not a corner boy. I think one of them is going to die this season, but could see arguments for and against each at this point.

Really nice to see Rawls play both sides, too. Obviously, he meant what he said to Carcetti, but he's still going to come out on top even if Royce wins. Which isn't very likely.