It hasn’t taken very long for Prez to make the obvious connection between the school system and the police department, but I think it’s absolutely outrageous that these kids are being forced to learn some form of language arts (the lowest-scoring portion of the upcoming state tests) in every single one of their classes. Doesn’t anyone realize the effects of overexposure? These kids are already sick and tired of the damn subject and it’s only the first week, so how do you think they’ll react during test day?
Randy has figured out his own way to continue utilizing his math skills: candy. So much so that he’s convinced Prez to order bulk amounts online with his credit card with one exception: he’s paid in advance to confirming the order. It’s no problem for Randy, who quickly earns the necessary start-up cash by playing some dice in the alley on his way home from school. When Prez finds out, he’s not all too happy about Randy gambling…until he discovers that Randy was using math to win, that is.
And speaking of the police department, it’s interesting to see how much Greggs’ life has changed since the end of season three. She’s no longer working on the streets (which is a major bummer for Bubbles, who could have used her help when he was getting his ass kicked), she’s making good money in Homicide, and she’s apparently paying child support for a baby she never even wanted. Note: Trust me, I know how bad that sounds.
Meanwhile, the war on the streets begins to heat up with the release of Omar from prison, and Chris has got to be feeling a little vulnerable now that his recent homicide robbery might be coming back to bite him in the ass. That’s the least of their worries, really, since Marlo doesn’t even know he’s being watched by Omar, and though the stick-up man has promised Bunk that he won’t be behind any more killings, he never mentioned anything about having someone else do the dirty work. The bottom line: while it might be time to say farewell to our good friends Marlo, Chris and Snoop, it most certainly won’t be before they introduce Michael to life as a Baltimore soldier. Shame on Michael for going to Marlo for help with Bug’s father. Now he owes him, big time. Isn’t this the sort of thing that kept Michael from receiving handouts in the first place?
Oh, and one more thing: who here things that Colvin’s “free dinner” treatment of the corner kids actually decelerated their progress? It seemed like they were completely broken after experiencing a nice meal at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, but when they returned to school, it seems that’s all they could talk about. Man, these kids are really messed up.

