SEASON 1: EPISODE 3: "The Buys"

For me, this episode slows down the narrative in order to focus on character development. Notable is the use of excellent writing to make the characters of DiAngelo and Bubbles sympathetic.

The two main plot lines (initiated last week) develop as below:

 - The police force's troubles deepen. Particularly when the Prez shooting incident leads Daniels to a meeting with the Commissioner who orders a raid, seen by everyone as premature.
 - To balance this, the drug dealers start to experience problems too. The supply is running out and when a re-up does come, a secondary problem - in the magificent form of Omar - manifests itself.

A point about Omar, who becomes a favorite character for most viewers (including one Barack Obama!). Here his character does not appear well-developed. He's missing the smooth lines and daring authority. (This appears to be common in The Wire: Stringer Bell's character at this stage is also undeveloped despite a number of appearances already)

Sideline plot developments include Daniels' 'dirt', Rhonda and McNulty's illicit romance and Keema's sexuality. Some of these go on to provide important plot lines, others don't.

The majority of this episode's power comes from the beautifully crafted dialogue, which really comes into its own. I couldn't resist transcribing the wonderful chess-game scene between DiAngelo, Bodie and Wallace, partly, I must admit, to know what it would feel to write such great dialogue.

D. Now look - it's simple, it's simple. See this? (kisses the king). This the king pin - aight? He the man. You get the other dude's king, you got the game. But he tryin' to get your king too. So you gotta protect it. Now the king, he move one space, any direction he damn choose, cuz he's the king. Like this, this, this. (demontstrates). Aright? But he ain't got no hustle. But the rest of these motherfuckers on the team, they got his back, and they run so deep, he really ain't gotta do shit.

B: Like your uncle.

D: Yeah. Like my uncle.

Now you see this? This the queen.She smart, she fierce. She move any way she want, as far as she want. And she - is the go-get-shit-done piece.

W: Remind me of Stringer.

D. And this over here is the castle. 'S like the stash. He move like this and like this (demonstrates)

W: Dog, stash don't move man.

D. Come on yo, think. How many time we move the stash house this week? Right? And every time we move the stash, we gotta move a little muscle with it, right? To protect it.

B: True, true, he right. Aight. What about them little bald-headed bitches right there?

D. Aight these right here? These are the pawns, they like the soldiers. They move like this: one space forward, only. 'Cept when they fight, and it's like... or like this. And they like the front lines, they be out in the field.

W: So how do you get to be the king?

D: It ain't like that. See the king, stay the king - aight? Aything stay who he is. Cept for the pawns. Now if a pawn make it all the way down to the other dude's side (flicks pawn off the board on Bodie's side) you get to be queen. And like I said the queen ain't no bitch. She got all the moves.

B: Aight. So, if I make it to the other end, I win.

D. If you catch the other dude's king, and trap it, then you win.

B: Aight but if I make it to the end, I'm top dog?

D. Nah yo it ain't like that, look, Pawns man, in the game, they get capped quick. They be out the game early.

B: Unless they some smart-ass pawns. (Sits back, satisfied)

D: (Half agrees, half gives up)