Final Grades
- Episode aired Dec 10, 2006
- TV-MA
- 1h 19m
In the Season Four finale, the bodies from the vacants pile up while Burrell offers his support to Daniels and admonishes Rawls for crossing him. A distraught Bubbles finds himself at his wi... Read allIn the Season Four finale, the bodies from the vacants pile up while Burrell offers his support to Daniels and admonishes Rawls for crossing him. A distraught Bubbles finds himself at his wit's end after his revenge plan backfires.In the Season Four finale, the bodies from the vacants pile up while Burrell offers his support to Daniels and admonishes Rawls for crossing him. A distraught Bubbles finds himself at his wit's end after his revenge plan backfires.
- Former Mayor Clarence V. Royce
- (credit only)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe show the person is watching in the hospital is Deadwood, made by HBO like The Wire
- GoofsWhen Colvin and Parenti are waiting for a meeting at the Mayor's office, there is a piece of black wire lying at Colvin's feet, probably left there by the crew.
- Quotes
[McNulty takes Bodie to lunch]
Preston 'Bodie' Broadus: We still in the city?
Off. James 'Jimmy' McNulty: Cylburn Arboretum. Pimlico's right up the hill.
Preston 'Bodie' Broadus: This is nice.
[pause]
Preston 'Bodie' Broadus: I ain't no snitch.
Off. James 'Jimmy' McNulty: Didn't say you were.
Preston 'Bodie' Broadus: Been doin' this a long time. I ain't never said nothin' to no cop.
[pause, then Bodie sighs and rubs his face]
Preston 'Bodie' Broadus: I feel old. I been out there since I was 13. I ain't never fucked up a count, never stole off a package, never did some shit that I wasn't told to do. I been straight up. But what come back? Hm? You think if I get jammed up on some shit, they be like, "A'ight, yeah, Bodie been there, Bodie hang tough. We got his pay lawyer, we got a bail"? They want me to stand with 'em, right? So where the fuck are they at when they supposed to be standin' by us? I mean, when shit goes bad and there's hell to pay, where they at? This game is rigged, man. We like them little bitches on the chessboard.
Off. James 'Jimmy' McNulty: Pawns.
Preston 'Bodie' Broadus: Yo, I'm not snitchin' on none of my boys. Not my corner, and not no Barksdale people, or what's left of 'em. But Marlo, this nigga, his kind, man, they... they gotta fall. They gotta.
Off. James 'Jimmy' McNulty: Well, for that to happen, somebody's gotta step up.
Preston 'Bodie' Broadus: I'll do what I gotta. I don't give a fuck. Just don't ask me to live on my fuckin' knees, you know?
[McNulty is silent for a moment]
Off. James 'Jimmy' McNulty: You're a soldier, Bodie.
[Bodie gives a wistful half-smile without looking at McNulty]
Preston 'Bodie' Broadus: Hell yeah.
- ConnectionsFeatures Deadwood (2004)
- SoundtracksJingle Bell Rock
Written by Joe Beal (uncredited) and Jim Boothe (uncredited)
This is a classic finale to what is arguably the strongest season of The Wire.
The plot is quite character reflective and eventful. I cannot give much detail without spoiling, but Namond and Randy have memorable outcomes to their arcs that involve characters like Colvin, Carver and others making contributions. Michael and Dukie also have intriguing scenes that indicate their characters are heading in even more compelling directions.
Some adult characters go through the wringer as much as the children. The likes of Bubs and Bodie have quite iconic moments that stay with you. Andre Royo and J D Williams both give their strongest performances of the show so far.
Given the fate of certain characters and the ambitions of others you can feel a pretty grim reality casting a shadow over everything. However there are a few rays of hope breaking free. My favourite moments involve Dennis, Weebay, Colvin, Jay, and Prez. Without these I think Final Grades would be a torturous experience to behold.
As for the police, there is plenty of foreboding for what lies ahead for the likes of McNulty, Bunk, Daniels, Freamon and others given the status of that whiteboard on the Homicide wall. This works exceptionally well as a hook for the next season, as you want to find out if Marlo can be brought down, whether McNulty reverts to self-destruct mode, and if Carcetti's new day turns out to be a false dawn.
Visually it is superb as always and I particularly admire the traditional HBO end of season montage, which is one of the best.
All actors are on great form, with the best mentioned already, plus all the the child actors do fantastic work as ever. Seth Gilliam, Hassan Johnson, Robert Wisdom, Dominic West, and Michael K. Williams also standout.
- snoozejonc
- Oct 29, 2022
Details
- Runtime1 hour 19 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 4:3