Ep 8. Lessons
- TVMA
- July 28, 2002
- 56 min
-
8.5 (5,125)
The Wire season 1 episode 8, titled "Lessons," continues the gritty, realistic portrayal of inner-city Baltimore and the many interconnected characters whose lives intersect in complex ways. The episode opens with the discovery of a body at an abandoned housing project, setting off a series of investigations and confrontations that will test the limits of the show's many flawed and morally ambiguous characters.
As always, the action in "Lessons" is driven by the investigations of the Baltimore police department, including detectives McNulty, Bunk, and Kima, as well as the increasingly desperate efforts of D'Angelo Barksdale to maintain his power within his criminal organization. Meanwhile, the politics of the city continue to play out in the backgrounds of the show's many scenes, with corrupt and compromised bureaucrats vying for influence and control over the future of Baltimore.
One of the key themes of "Lessons" is the cost of loyalty, both to one's friends and family, as well as to larger institutions like the police department or the drug trade. D'Angelo finds himself at odds with his uncle Avon, who is growing more ruthless and violent as the pressure mounts on his organization. Meanwhile, McNulty struggles with his own loyalty to his fellow officers, as he is forced to confront the corruption and dishonesty that pervades the department.
Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to some of the most well-crafted and convincing dialogue on television, as the characters speak in the authentic language of the streets and the police stations. The show's attention to detail and its willingness to take a morally ambiguous or even nihilistic view of the world is what sets it apart from other crime dramas.
Overall, "Lessons" is a powerful, engrossing chapter in The Wire's first season. Its complex portrait of the many interlocking forces that shape the city of Baltimore, from the police to the politicians to the drug dealers, is unforgettable and highly recommended for fans of gripping, realistic storytelling.
