Time After Time

The Tower blocks come down, and we have a great establishing episode for new characters and settings.

From the opening scene and in several interactions between characters, strong themes are introduced: the human capacity for change and the reforming of systems, particularly when certain cultures are ingrained.

The most likeable of the new main characters is Bunny Colvin, who you can see in the early season introduction is portrayed with an outlook that might go against the established order.

Another great introduction is Cutty, who is cleverly written with a chequered past and an arc offering the same kind of opportunities that led to his 14 year prison sentence. Chad Coleman's great acting with facial expressions and body language tells you everything you need to know about the character's enthusiasm for the old street corner life.

There is a strong focus on the senior figures within various organisations and the political institutions of the city, which means more screen time for great characters like Rawls and Burrell. Thrown into the mix is a certain ambitious councilman played to perfection by Aiden Quinn and also Mayor Royce. These scenes for me are the most interesting, particularly as it depicts certain directives starting at the top and driven down through the command structure.

We catch up with numerous established characters in several scenes that provide exposition and in some cases, great entertainment. Bubs and Johnny have good humorous moments.

The dialogue (outside of the obligatory exposition dumps) and acting is superb as ever. I love the scene involving Stringer, Bodie, Poot, Slim Charles and other characters at the boardroom style meeting, as it is hilarious.

Corruption, drug addiction, reinsertion, poverty, racism, the power of narcos, homicide crisis, police abuse, etc. This episode has everything for The Wire stands for. That reality in which many people live in. 10/10