(Note: This is an early review of next week’s episode. If you have HBO On Demand, watch it now. Otherwise, wait until Sunday to avoid spoilers.)
For all of the whining that Carcetti did about not having any chance at winning the election, he sure wiped the floor with Royce during the debate; and Gray barely even got a word in. Of course, Carcetti couldn’t have done it without the help of Major Valcheck, who tipped him off to the murder of yet another state’s witness. It looks like that formal letter to the mayor finally paid off, and that’s not even the worst of Royce’s worries. While searching for his Lieutenant in the city government building, Herc accidentally walked in on the mayor getting a blowjob from his assistant. And while Herc is gonna try his darndest to keep his mouth shut (since loyalty = promotion), it’s only a matter of time before this makes its way into the public.
All isn’t well for many of the government officers, in fact, especially now that Lestor and Kima have begun delivering the money laundering subpoenas to several of the city officials (courtesy of the Major Crimes detail), including Senator Clay Davis, who might just have the coolest articulation of “shit” (“Sheeeeeeiiiiiit”) I’ve ever heard. In fact, it’s amusing to watch some of these rich assholes sweat as poorly-paid (but smart) police officers prepare to send them to jail. The new season may appear to be all about the education system, but it’s just as much about politics, which is why Marlo’s sudden decision to play the role of Robin Hood (handing out money to all of the kids on the street) is so intriguing. This may not be the hardest guy on the streets, but he definitely knows how to attract all of the youngins over to his side of the woods.
Meanwhile, Prez prepares for the start of a new school year, and two more characters jump on the education bandwagon: Bubbles, who has taken on a fatherly role by enrolling the young kid that’s been slinging with him in school, and Cutty, who’s burgeoning city boxing program is succeeding as another outlet for troubled teens. Unfortunately, this only means that the big debut of Omar has been delayed yet again (but the specials currently airing on HBO Demand promise that he is returning, and very soon), and while I could very well spend the next few minutes reminding everyone why the stick-up man is one of the best characters on the show, I’ll turn my attention to the complete absence of McNulty in the second episode. I mean, he is still the main character, right? It’s not just Dominic West, either, but most of the principal cast from the first three seasons Where have they been these past two weeks, and more importantly, when are they coming back?
