US: 5X02 - "Unconfirmed Reports" [***** SPOILERS WITHIN *****]

DeepBlue

- WARNING: THIS THREAD WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET SEEN "UNCONFIRMED REPORTS" -

Episode Title: "Unconfirmed Reports"
Airdate: January 31th 2008

Synopsis (from TV.Com):

Although he tells Sydnor that the Davis investigation could be a "career case," Freamon keeps a wary eye out for Marlo, who takes care of some unfinished business and strikes a business deal with Avon Barksdale; Carcetti throws the police a bone by removing the cap on secondary employment, which sends the detectives into fantasy-job reveries; With an eye on the state house, Mayor Carcetti's chief of staff, Michael Steintorf, tries to find good news for the mayor whilst blaming the Royce administration for the Campbell revelation; Davis turns to Burrell for help with his problem, but the commissioner's hands are tied; At the newspaper, executive editor James Whiting outlines a Pulitzer-worthy series in broad strokes, trumping Haynes while liberating the ambitious Templeton; Fed up with broken-down cars and unsolved serial murders, McNulty decides to take matters into his own hands.

Next Episode: 5X03 - "

: "Not for Attribution"

- January 20th 2008

DeepBlue

Fair

Well since most that have seen the first leaked episode have seen the second one by now too so we may as well have a thread on it.

To paraphrase Joey from Friends - McNulty hasn't just crossed the line, he's so far past the line that he can't even see the line. The line is a dot to him!!

godtabh

I'd prefer if this was closed but its out there already so why not

Jay Ru

Good

DeepBlue wrote: »

Well since most that have seen the first leaked episode have seen the second one by now too so we may as well have a thread on it.

To paraphrase Joey from Friends - McNulty hasn't just crossed the line, he's so far past the line that he can't even see the line. The line is a dot to him!!

i'm starting to not like McNulty now. he went way to far with that body and i can't believe he's ****ing around again wit the miss' and the kids at home! this episode was top notch again, i had heard bout the meeting between Avon & Marlo well before i'd seen the ep but i was still cool to see! personally i think Avon is playin Marlo but only time will tell. If Marlo does go outside the Co-op, he'll end up getting Spondas and "The Greek" caught to, cus Lester is going to nail his ass to the wall before the series is over!

Jay Ru

Good

I was on another forum dedicated to the wire last night and I read that this situation with the reporter writing the story bout the kid in the wheel chair at the baseball game is based on a real life reporter who made up stories to help her career progress. In the scenes with the reporter trying to get a fans story the only people he talks to are disgruntal fans who dont care less bout the big day and out of nowhere he pulls a front page story with no "art" or even a real name. I think Gus has reason to be suspicious.

jayteecork

Fair

That McNulty thing is just plain character assassination. He was always a loveable rogue, what he's up to right now is just plain madness. And it's not the drink/family life crisis. Season 1 he was a worse pisshead along with his wife leaving him, and wasn't going around interfering with cadavers so as to give the impression of a serial killer on the loose. Nuts.

Reminded me when they made Tony Soprano a chronic loser gambler in season 6, when up to that in the entire show he was anti-gambling - he used see gambling as a human weakness that he could expolit. Remember the way he used it against Robert Patrick's character in season 2? Lending him money to play poker and rigging the game. Ended up with his sports shop. He then told him how shmucks like him were his "bread and butter".
To then see him in season 6 out of the blue throwing flower pots at Carmella cause she wouldn't throw all her money on the Yankees was just plain idiocy, and poor writing.

jayteecork

Fair

Jay Ru wrote: »

I was on another forum dedicated to the wire last night and I read that this situation with the reporter writing the story bout the kid in the wheel chair at the baseball game is based on a real life reporter who made up stories to help her career progress. In the scenes with the reporter trying to get a fans story the only people he talks to are disgruntal fans who dont care less bout the big day and out of nowhere he pulls a front page story with no "art" or even a real name. I think Gus has reason to be suspicious.

Couldn't see why some guy in a wheelchair who can't get into a baseball game would be front page news anyway. It's hardly a sign of urban decadence and the decline of society.
How many disabled persons wanted to go to Croke Park to see the rugby and couldn't get in? tons probably. Can't see it making the front of the indo.

RVD420

Good

Good to see Avon back, and a great ep overall. McNulty has lost the plot. Does he really think his plan will fly? I mean, how long will it take the other cops to twig that it's only McNulty who's discovering all these victims? And then when McNulty isn't at a crime scene, alas no evidence of the serial killer??? Still, interesting times ahead as McNulty descends to madness.

Sherifu

Good

McNulty is a sorry sight now, he's a right mess. Even Bunk doesn't want any part of his crazy plan.
Avon is back in the picture and he still loves westside Can't wait to see how he screws over Marlo.
And the Greek should be back soon, it does look like he's gonna get caught if he starts dealing with Marlo.
Freeman is itching to catch them.

tvnutz

Ye McNulty has lost it. In the first 3 seasons his drinking stemmed from his frustration at his job and the system,and it was interesting and funny a lot of the time. In season 4 I was actually glad he had turned a new leaf,and fair enough the way that police force is run,it would drive anyone to drink but setting up a murder? Even Bunk wanted nothing to do with it,which is not a good sign! If he wanted to lose the plot,he could have at least went out and put a bullet in marlo's head

jArgHA

Great episode and loved seeing Avon's meet with Marlo telling him he had nothing but love for everyone on the Westside - yeah right, Avon is playing Marlo somehow. There is no way Avon lets bygones be bygones as he said.

OK I didn't fully understand what McNulty was up to at the end of the ep - what exactly did he do to the body/scene (and plan to do to others) to make it look like there is a serial killer on the loose?

Funny how many fans wanted to see the 'old' McNulty back after his sobriety and family guy showing in Season 4. Now that he has teetered back to the old McNulty and beyond it seems he's losing his likeability based on the above posts! Definitely becoming more pathetic though from what we have seen in this series so far.

Bit crazy having eps 5,6,7 lying around now but there is no way I will be watching these until 3 & 4 have aired.

jAH

ixoy

Good

jArgHA wrote: »

Great episode and loved seeing Avon's meet with Marlo telling him he had nothing but love for everyone on the Westside - yeah right, Avon is playing Marlo somehow. There is no way Avon lets bygones be bygones as he said.

Word. Even if Marlo is sweetening the deal with a 100K pay off, Avon will want revenge. Marlo appears to be smart but I doubt he's at Avon's level and he doesn't strike me as the sort of person to think outside the box. It'll be more interesting when the Greek gets properly involved.

OK I didn't fully understand what McNulty was up to at the end of the ep - what exactly did he do to the body/scene (and plan to do to others) to make it look like there is a serial killer on the loose?

He broke the boarding by the stairs and smeared some of the dust into the body's jacket (which he tore). This is, I presume, to make it look like there was a struggle and that the victim was hurled into the board during the altercation and therefore got the dust on his jacket. The victim then keeled over after being choked.
By doing this I'm guessing McNulty hopes to get Major Crimes re-opened, perhaps in the hope of convincing City Hall that Snoop and Chris are back on their game.

jayteecork wrote:

That McNulty thing is just plain character assassination. He was always a loveable rogue, what he's up to right now is just plain madness. And it's not the drink/family life crisis.

I don't believe it's character assassination. McNulty has always hated the way he got shoved around by the politics of Rawls and, beyond that, City Hall. Closing down the Marlo investigation was the last straw. Now he sees the opportunity to force Major Crimes to be re-opened (I'm assuming that's a game plan). He knows it's a very bad way to bring it about - hence the swig of drink beforehand.
As to showing him recovered in S4, the sad truth is many addicts slip back into their addiction. In TV land, they generally recover but this an atypical TV landscape. For that reason, I'm worried over the ultimate fate of Bubbles. He's clearly tormented by the death last year and, although he's now clean, will he remain so? I thought he looked very lost and lonely in the kitchen and, with nobody to turn to, I think he might be on a losing battle.

In terms of the Baltimore Sun piece, yes it's an interesting take on journalistic integrity. By setting up a potentially fake piece, they'll be undermining themselves whenever they go out to expose the shenanigans in City Hall and any stuff related to Clay Davis. It might make their case less credible and ultimately cause real damage.

It was another great episode (aren't they all!). Lots of people's fates are not yet clear and how will it all wrap up (as much as we can expect wrap up in this show). Horrible to think that there's only eight episodes left though.

jArgHA

ixoy wrote: »

...I'm worried over the ultimate fate of Bubbles. He's clearly tormented by the death last year and, although he's now clean, will he remain so? I thought he looked very lost and lonely in the kitchen and, with nobody to turn to, I think he might be on a losing battle...

yes I never mentioned Bubbles in my previous post and think you are spot on here, it seems plainly obvious that he is suffering from depression and the most likely route he's going to take is going back on the junk

ixoy wrote: »

Horrible to think that there's only eight episodes left though.

8 episodes? don't tell me you watched episodes 5,6 & 7! There's 13 in the season so there's 11 left as far as I know

Jay Ru

Good

does any one know if will be seein Bunny again this series. i know he's in Prison Break now but he's a great character in this show and i hope we haven't lost him!

Marlo appears to be smart but I doubt he's at Avon's level and he doesn't strike me as the sort of person to think outside the box.

i agree with u on that Marlo might not be as smart as Avon when i comes to the "Game", but never under estimate Marlo, i mean he did manage to take over nearly all the west real estate without the cops catchin on to how he done it, til Lil Kevin ****ed up and asked Randy to tell Lex to take that long walk. i think Marlo has gained the power he has because to many people under estimated him. Slim knows, he lost the whole crew because of the war with Marlo, he know to give the youngin the respect thats deserved, he also know's Marlo is up to something. i think (Method Man) Cheese is goin to make a move to try get in good with Marlo but only time will tell!

ixoy

Good

jArgHA wrote: »

8 episodes? don't tell me you watched episodes 5,6 & 7! There's 13 in the season so there's 11 left as far as I know

No I didn't but it's only a ten episode season - shorter than normal

Sherifu

Good

ixoy wrote: »

No I didn't but it's only a ten episode season - shorter than normal

Damn, that sucks.

tibor

ixoy wrote: »

Word. Even if Marlo is sweetening the deal with a 100K pay off, Avon will want revenge. Marlo appears to be smart but I doubt he's at Avon's level and he doesn't strike me as the sort of person to think outside the box.

Don't forget what happened to Avon last time he tried to play Marlo, got 1 of his boys killed and nice helping of buckshot all up in his shoulder, yo...

AnCapaillMor

Good

Really hoping Marlo suffers a horrible death. Mcnulty wtf!!!!!! Avon, Marlo, prop joe will do the bidaness on them.

godtabh

ixoy wrote: »

I don't believe it's character assassination. McNulty has always hated the way he got shoved around by the politics of Rawls and, beyond that, City Hall. Closing down the Marlo investigation was the last straw. Now he sees the opportunity to force Major Crimes to be re-opened (I'm assuming that's a game plan). He knows it's a very bad way to bring it about - hence the swig of drink beforehand.

I was thinking the same thing. I just think he's had enough. The job is gone to **** and he's grasping at straws.

It will be interesting to see what happens in the press room Something is gona kick off.

I'd give that a good solid 8/10.

kencleary

Good

kearnsr wrote: »

It will be interesting to see what happens in the press room Something is gona kick off.

Hope I'm wrong but i'm guessing it'll be something like the eager-for-glory young male reporter will swallow McNulty's serial killer story hook line and sinker in the hopes of getting recognised nationally, while the more conscientious young female reporter, with the help of the world weary cycnical newsroom editor, will dig deeper and eventually uncover the truth.

I do hope it's something more imaginative than that though!

PDelux

I was surprised at Bunks' passiveness. I mean he just walked away, didnt even try to stop McNulty. I would have thought that he would have slapped a bit of sense into him, being his friend and all