I think this is an excellent episode with a good story and brilliant character moments.
The central crime mystery with the 'Greek' and the various smuggling operations involving Sabotka is interesting, but as ever the strength of The Wire is how realistically it portrays organisations, command structures, and people. This is the main source of both intrigue, drama and comedy.
It feels wrong finding so much humour in a story that involves murder and death, but when you put certain characters centre stage, they can make anything funny. This is applies to many scenes in 'Collateral Damage'. Much like David Simon's book 'Homicide' the tone of the show can successfully switch from one of bleakness to hilarity in the blink of an eye.
McNulty and his involvement with bodies, for me is jet black comedy of the highest order and these moments, plus the scenes with the homicide detectives, Landsman, and Rawls are brilliantly done.
The irony in the concept of Valchek and the church window is exceptionally good, not just for comedy value, but the major impact such a petty issue has on the overarching plot of the season and so many character arcs throughout the series. Plus the response of the stevedores is priceless running joke for the season.
Some of the more serious elements come in the scenes that deal directly with the dead girls, plus the fallout involving those responsible. These scenes are quite brutal and realistically portrayed. Plus the implications of the political decisions about the docklands area have a depressing sense of foreboding for the workforce and unions.
Another institution in the spotlight is the prison service, where we have some strong scenes involving Avon, Wee-Bay and certain prison guard, that sets the scene well for what is to come.
Even though it is early days and the main narrative is moving slowly, the interconnection of the various plots, that are presented as unknown factors to many of the characters, make it very compelling to watch.
All actors are on top form, especially Chris Bauer, Dominic West, Wendell Pearce and Al Brown.
For me it is a 9.5/10 but I round upwards.
