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marvincowell
Reviews
The Wire: Clarifications (2008)
The best episode of The Wire, and also my least favorite
This episode is why The Wire isn't my favorite show of all time, but it's also why The Wire is the best show I've ever seen.
I got really attached to Omar Little during my viewing of the show. He's the first television character I truly felt worried for. And as such, his death really messed with me. From the shear anticlimax, to the screams of the girl at the counter, it was brutal. And to be frank, I don't like it, but I'm clearly not supposed to. David Simon didn't sit hear thinking "oh man, I'm sure people are really going to love this!" No, he didn't. Because good storytelling isn't always what you want to happen.
The payoff to his death is brilliant, and I believe Marlos final appearance in the show is the greatest scene in any piece of media I have ever seen. I told myself that if the conclusion to Omar Littles character was satisfying that it would be the best TV show I'd ever seen, and it was satisfying, but not in the way you'd expect. Instead of revenge, or an emotionally charged death, it's brutally poetic irony. And that's why The Wire is the only piece of media I feel comfortable giving a 10/10.
Of course, The Wire is much more than Omar. And he isn't even the only character on the show I ended up getting really attached to, Bubbles was my second favorite and he got the best ending of the whole series. But the character of Omar was my favorite part, even in a sea of other amazing stories.
Thank you, the crew to this show, for making such a thematically brilliant masterpiece.
Aqua Teen Hunger Force: Shaketopia (2023)
Damn, this is good
I usually try to avoid or not let myself get excited for reboots. Media attempting to recapture magic of older media usually falls flat on its face, but this was a very solid return to form for a once great show. All 4 main characters are used well and are as funny as always. The new animation is a bit of a tough pill to swallow, but it's something you get used too quickly, a lot of the episode takes place in a different style of animation and it's actually complimented by the higher budget. Between this and the great 12 oz. Mouse season 3, these people are still talented even to this day. I'm excited to see what the other episodes have in store.
The Wire: Backwash (2003)
I rated 10 for the tennis ball scene
Sincerely, one of the funniest things I've ever seen on television. Following the depressing ending to the previous episode I really needed that moment. I'm watching the episode as I write this, I just really really need to give this scene it's due justice. These writers are geniuses. I love it.
Tennis ball is on the way home now and I have to go to the store and get a few things done and I can get it done before I get there and then I'll be there around the same time I don't have to do anything else to get it done before I get there and then I have to get it to work at least to get it done and then I'll.
Breaking Bad: Ozymandias (2013)
Ozymandias
10 years on, it's easy to see fans of others shows dismissing this episode due to its fame. And I can't exactly blame them, when something is hyped up to such a degree, it's easy to try and find flaw with it. I personally think Ozymandias probably isn't the best episode in TV history, with other episodes of other shows at least tying with it. And I haven't seen all of the best shows out there, so for me I don't think I'm qualified to really have an opinion there.
For me though, I view Ozymandias as a microcosm of what makes Breaking Bad so great. Virtually everything I love about the show can be found in the episode, and the shows insistence on change is felt most strongly within this hour. Ozymandias is nearly perfect, I've actively looked for flaws in the episode and besides from a single continuity error I really have nothing. It's good enough, that a 10/10 feels deserved. I don't mind this sitting at the top of IMDb at all.