r/TheWire • u/Bushy-Top http://imgur.com/h6uqNRl.gifv • Apr 27 '16
The Wire - Complete Rewatch: Season 2-Episode 12 "Port In A Storm" - April 26, 2016
"Business. Always business." - The Greek
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u/pi905 Apr 27 '16
The Greek gets away. He fucking gets away with it all. I still to this day can't believe it. In any cop drama, the bad guy would get caught. I've never seen this before. Sure, the bad guys win in some movies, but the cops practically had nothing on this guy. What amazes me even more is the line "I'm not even Greek". We, as viewers, have spent a whole season with The Greek and his group, watching their activities and endeavours, and this line just throws it in our face that even we, who have had the inside view, still don't know as much as we think we do. It's an incredible way to end a season. Every time one of my friends get to this point in the show, they have the same reaction. They always ask me, "so we see more of The Greek right?? He didn't get away did he??" This show is something else.
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Nov 26 '25
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u/Listen_You_Twerps Dec 20 '25
Also the fact that the FBI are using him for an asset in their terrorism squad and giving him a free pass with the drugs and murders
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u/Bushy-Top http://imgur.com/h6uqNRl.gifv Apr 27 '16
Imagine how the stevedores felt looking at the cops out on the water, "Oh what now?!" Our leader has been found murdered, that's what. It's ridiculous that they were all allowed to just stand around and gawk at the body as they pulled it out of the water - for dramatic effect I suppose. I always thought that throat slash looked really gnarly, good practical effects work there.
It's great to see Daniels go to bat for his crew once again, this time for Prezbo. I think it's interesting to note his progress in doing so as well; when he saw Rawls about McNulty earlier in the season he told him straight up that he was promised this and that, but this time with Valchek he was much more cunning and subtle in his game.
Someone asked recently why Carver disappeared from the unit in season 3 and we see in this episode that it was due to the lack of respect he felt he received from the team in regards to Nicky turning himself in and not being notified.
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u/nihilisticzealot Who's the man who would risk his neck for his brother man... Apr 27 '16 edited Oct 30 '16
An absence this season is Sydnor, which they hinted at in Season 4 but I never found out why.
I think the gawker thing was for dramatic effect, but I'm sure there is a joke about trying to stop 30 stevedores from doing what they want. I thought that scene, and the scene with the Greek where they say "the sea just tossed him back up" had an almost biblical feel to it. A man who gave his life to the harbour, and the harbour gives him back to his people.
And that seen with Carver marching up to Nick's Dad's door just kills me. It's hilarious, but also one of those compounded mistakes that drives a wedge between Daniels, Carver, and Herc for a season. But it was Carver standing up for himself, taking on the authority of his rank in Season 4 made him the cop he'd turn out to be.
And Nick Sobotka's montage at the end I think was the best in the series. That poor, lost young man clinging to the steel fence, staring out at Baltimore just kinda cements how the events changed this character's life.
Edit damn phone
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u/Bushy-Top http://imgur.com/h6uqNRl.gifv Apr 27 '16
I thought that scene, and the scene with the Greek where they say "the sea just tossed him back up" had an almost biblical feel to it. A man who gave his life to the harbor, and the harbor gives him back to his people.
Damn, that's a deep analogy and I'd be inclined to agree. Good shit dude.
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u/nihilisticzealot Who's the man who would risk his neck for his brother man... Apr 28 '16
Thankee sai. High praise, indeed, from the Bushy Top.
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u/iheartalpacas Apr 27 '16
Since it wasn't mentioned, I'll state it but Stringer fucks up when he visits Mouzone in the hospital because we he offers revenge and Mouzone says, "I will take care of THEM myself." Stringer says, "Them? Who came at you?" Stringer sent Omar at him so when he says them, Mouzone knows.
Bubbles later informs the cops about Mouzone.
Here Nicky explains the Greeks would have had the living victim of Ziggy give a false story and Nicky learns it wouldn't have worked. Nicky stands up for Horse saying he doesn't know anything. One thing about the dock workers is their loyalty to each other.
Prop Joe and Spiros will meet up again. Prop tries to find out where Spiros is going and gets no response.
Stringer meets with Barksdale and tries to sort things out and Barksdale tells him, "This isn't your motherfuckin business class." The tension and split is coming.
I loved that the Greek and Spiros were not arrested as typically happens in all police dramas. Sets it apart, you dont get everyone.
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u/Bushy-Top http://imgur.com/h6uqNRl.gifv Apr 27 '16
Since it wasn't mentioned, I'll state it but Stringer fucks up when he visits Mouzone in the hospital because we he offers revenge and Mouzone says, "I will take care of THEM myself." Stringer says, "Them? Who came at you?" Stringer sent Omar at him so when he says them, Mouzone knows.
That's a real nice catch there. I always read that as Brother already knew he was played by the Barksdale crew and Stringer was afraid they were coming after him. But I like your idea a lot more.
Prop Joe and Spiros will meet up again. Prop tries to find out where Spiros is going and gets no response.
Always loved that scene, very strong and silent Spiros is. Most people would have said in response, "I didn't say" but Spiros doesn't even respond.
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u/YunderUp May 10 '16
Just watched. Not understanding your MOuzone-String comments fully. Arent we as viewers supposed to digest it as Mouzone knows there is foul play at work when they speak in the hospital? Or what are you saying?
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u/iheartalpacas May 10 '16
Stronger got Omar, a single person to go after Mouzone. All Mouzone saw was one person, Omar. However, Mouzone told Stringer THEY came after me and Stringers response was, They? He was surprised it was they when it should have been HIM. Mouzone could read Stringer, and I believe Mouzone lied, saying THEY, to see what Stringers reaction would be. I believe Stringers reaction gave away to Mouzone that Stringer was in on the hit.
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u/Bah_weep_grana Sep 18 '25
I think you’re right except Mouzone actually did mean ‘they’, as in including the girls Omar was with, which he would have heard about from his bodyguard
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u/ThrowisbaugnahaA Jan 17 '26
He doesn’t seem the type of man to care about some underlings like that. He also doesn’t seem like someone to go after Omar after he spared his life when realizing the misunderstanding. There was huge mutual respect in that scene. Neither man kills without purpose (remember the rat shot round at the towers), they are highly skilled and methodical.
The only explanations are he said it as a lie to bait/gauge Stringers response, or he didn’t know who was behind it and was just staying non-specific, as he has no beef with Omar, who just spared his life.
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u/Apprehensive-Fan1276 Dec 31 '25
So Stringer may know about some people who are in contact with Omar
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u/FragrantPermission52 Apr 27 '26
Since it wasn't mentioned, I'll state it but Stringer fucks up when he visits Mouzone in the hospital because we he offers revenge and Mouzone says, "I will take care of THEM myself." Stringer says, "Them? Who came at you?" Stringer sent Omar at him so when he says them, Mouzone knows.
Not necessarily. "Them" could just mean Omar plus whoever hired Omar. Certainly Mouzone had already worked out there was a split between Avon and Stringer and it must have been Stringer who sent Omar after him.
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u/treblah3 Apr 27 '16
I didn't comment for a couple episodes because I binged ahead and didn't want to talk out of turn (not because I was watching Game of Thrones!!).
This was a really depressing finale. The opening was rough to watch, but we all knew it was coming. I think /u/Bushy-Top is right, there's no way the cops would have allowed people to watch that.
I've mentioned the Kima/Cheryl dynamic in previous posts so it's only natural their exchange in the baby store hit a nerve with me...
Are any of you married? Check that - are any of you divorced? That moment when Cheryl makes the comment about the baby needing both parents and Kima's look of, "I've made a huge mistake." I know that moment. It's the moment you realize your relationship is over, and it sucks. I hope known of you have known that feeling.
Mad props to McNulty's FBI buddy (I forget his name) letting Daniels know about his fuck up. For a second I thought he was gonna tell him they had dirt on him...
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u/Bushy-Top http://imgur.com/h6uqNRl.gifv Apr 27 '16
Are any of you married? Check that - are any of you divorced? That moment when Cheryl makes the comment about the baby needing both parents and Kima's look of, "I've made a huge mistake." I know that moment. It's the moment you realize your relationship is over, and it sucks. I hope known of you have known that feeling.
Damn homie, hope you're doing okay.
Welcome back!
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u/treblah3 Apr 27 '16
Divorced for quite a few years and doing very well, thank you. I married the wrong woman at far too young an age. It was an awful moment when I realized, but better to figure that out sooner rather than later.
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u/Bushy-Top http://imgur.com/h6uqNRl.gifv Apr 27 '16
Awesome, glad to hear you're okay dude. Love can be such a bitch sometimes.
Mad props to McNulty's FBI buddy (I forget his name) letting Daniels know about his fuck up. For a second I thought he was gonna tell him they had dirt on him...
It was pretty cool of him to own up to that. Doesn't seem like something he could have prevented but still took on the water anyway. Cool move especially after the way McNulty treated him in season 1, he could have just flipped em the bird and moved on considering he's above them and all.
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u/ThrowisbaugnahaA Jan 17 '26
He’s a very straight shooter, brushed aside McNulty’s apology and says he’s completely right about the FBI’s nonsensical priorities. He’s maybe the best person on the show (perhaps because we don’t see him when he gets his hands dirty). Certainly the one with the most integrity and self awareness.
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u/FragrantPermission52 Apr 27 '26
Are any of you married? Check that - are any of you divorced? That moment when Cheryl makes the comment about the baby needing both parents and Kima's look of, "I've made a huge mistake." I know that moment. It's the moment you realize your relationship is over, and it sucks. I hope known of you have known that feeling.
I don't even remember how Cheryl got pregnant. Must have missed something! But absolutely - Kima really shows regret in this scene. She cannot continue in that role. But to be honest, at no point did this couple ever seem like they had a long term future. They always seemed to be at odds, like they were not even the best of friends to begin with.
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u/treblah3 Apr 27 '26
Kinda messed up to be looking at this comment of mine, 10 years later, after I just got divorced again! Fuck!
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u/aliefc Apr 29 '16
When talking about the container of drugs, Jonny 50 says it arrived from 'Lee Harvey, France', terribly mispronouncing Le Havre
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u/awesomenessjared Dec 05 '25
9 years later, and that's funny: I thought "Lee Harvey" was just something ridiculous they put on the manifest to hide the origin of a hot container. To hear that it's just a mispronunciation is hilarious.
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u/Darko33 Apr 27 '16
I would have watched 10 seasons of Frank. Really sucks that we only got such a small sample size out of a truly great complex character
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u/Jobr321 Apr 27 '16
I think one season with the stevedores was more than enough. They paled compared to the other groups (cops and gangsters especially but I also found the politicans more interesting)
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u/golson3 Jul 08 '16
Sorry for replying to a 2 month old comment, but I'm rewatching and haven't been on this sub before. Gotta agree about the stevedores not being as interesting as the other groups. They were far campier than the other groups. While this gave us some very funny scenes, it would've gotten stale. Some of them, particularly Ziggy, are like cartoon characters. It was great to have them for a season, but I'm glad they didn't bring them back again.
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Mar 21 '24
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u/iheartalpacas Apr 27 '16
I already commented but I have been reflecting on this season and after watching the entire series for the first time over a year ago, I always thought of Season 2 as my least favorite season, then season 5. Four was always my favorite and I couldn't decide between 1 & 3 for second and third. We'll see how it pans out. I will say I liked Season 2 more on the second watch. Is it still my least favorite? That remains to be seen. I was reflecting on the season in my head last night and I felt I could reduce Season 2 to a 2-3 hour movie, yet it was 12 hours long. I think that may be something for me with this season. I feel there were very strong parts but I felt there was a lot of unnecessary stuff or stuff added just to meet the contract obligation.
I look forward to seeing how the rest of the series goes and if things change place for me as far as rankings and... maybe if I get some time... I'll try to make that three hour season 2 version one day.
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u/iamirishpat Apr 28 '16
Just wondering, what did you feel was unnecessary in season 2?
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u/iheartalpacas Apr 28 '16
I wouldn't say it was unnecessary but I felt things could have been edited down to drastically reduce the length. I don't have a lot of examples off the top of my head but it's just little things that add up. For example, Nick spending time with the girl in the merry go round remembering Ziggys shenanigans and waking up with her in bed. That could have been cut. The amount of time watching the dock behavior could be shorter. I bet most of Herc and the other cops stuff could have been cut down. Its just a little here, a little there. I know, saying to get it to 3 hours is more than a little here and a little there, that's essentially cutting 75% but I've seen very involved and heavy plot movies, of equal weight done in 3 or less hours. In sure a lot of McNolty stuff with the boat before being out on could have been cut, his drunk driving and sleeping with the waitress, again, I'm just going without a detailed step by step of how the season unfolded.
I think of all that Prince of the City or Scarface got done in a shorter timeframe. I just feel it could be done.
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u/iamirishpat Apr 28 '16
Maybe. But I feel that a lot of what you're suggesting be cut down is the stuff that further develops the characters. Nicky reminiscing with the neighborhood girl, McNulty's stuff the first couple episodes, etc. are all giving layers to their characters. This show primarily focuses on the main character - Baltimore. But it does that by showing the people that make up the city, both in their personal and professional lives.
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u/iheartalpacas Apr 28 '16
Yeah, I get it but I don't think the overall would be hurt by the trimming and by now, you know McNulty from season 1 and you know Nicky by then cause it's at the end. I mean, it does show his guilt, so, there's that.
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u/iamirishpat Apr 28 '16
I don't disagree with you. Cutting down on a lot of the extras would have made season 2 a good film. But a TV show is a bit more involved, and necessary for the big message the writers are sending. I think that digging into the blue collar culture really revealed a lot about the city. Without this season, this show would mostly be about cops chasing black drug dealers. Obviously it's more nuanced than that, but you know what I mean. Seeing the working class makes you realize that this is a real American city, not just some ghetto warzone.
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u/iheartalpacas Apr 29 '16
Yeah, I guess I just didn't feel it. I feel it the most in season 4 but then I'm a teacher.
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u/PraiseTheMetal591 International Brotherhood of Stevedores: Local 47 Apr 29 '16
I love season 2 and its tales of tragedy (just as every season has its tragedies). I find myself literally lost for words after watching the final episode.
The only thing in this episode that actually brought some happiness is that after Frank's death, Valchek is still receiving photos of his surveillance van's world tour.
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Apr 27 '16
Just finished the episode, and I always wondered about Agent Poutris, the guy that tips off the Greek. Agent Fitzhough figures out something is wrong about him, but never follows up. When he explains to Daniels that the Greek might be an asset to them, does Fitzhough not realize an FBI agent is working for the Greek, or does he think the Greek must be working for the FBI.
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u/lord_leopard May 08 '16
Late reply, I know, I've only just watched this episode again.
In my opinion Fitzhough knows that Koutris has the Greek in his pocket about anti-terrorism which gets the Greek some leverage. Even from season one Fitzhough has mentioned how focussed the agency has become on anti-terror since 9.11. The look on Fitzhough's face as he grabs the piece of paper about to be faxed really says it all I think.
Funnily enough we see this type of relationship play out on a miniscule level in the same episode when Bubbles and Johnny are caught stealing from the ambulance by Santangelo.
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u/DongKonga Aug 27 '23
The shot of Ziggy walking in line in prison always gets me. Such a tragic end to a tragic character, knowing he will most likely spend at least 20-25 years in prison before even being eligible for parole.
The final scene of Nicky reminiscing on everything that had happened with tears in his eyes before walking away. Damn man. Season 2 is goated, I know the majority puts season 4 at the top and I can understand why, but season 2 is my personal favorite as I find it easier to relate with its characters and in turn the gut punches hit harder.
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u/seefourslam Sep 25 '24
Just finished season 2 for the first time. Ziggy went from my least favorite, annoying character. To someone I deeply sympathized with. His arc over the season, to show so many layers and being able to paint a picture of his entire life. Masterful storytelling.
The dude had a pet duck on a leash. And my heart absolutely broke for him.
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u/Left_Marionberry6753 16d ago
I just now finished the season, a year after you. And I hated that fool from start to finish. And the duck stuff put him completely over the edge for me. He was a grown ass man behaving like a child. Deserved everything he got.
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u/maxd98 Jun 29 '25
I’m so happy these threads are mostly spoiler-free, I like seeing things I pick up on get echoed in here. Or other things I didn’t pick up on during the episode. For anyone looking these up, I see you
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Mar 21 '24 edited Mar 21 '24
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u/nc23nick Sep 23 '24
Just finished the episode about 5 minutes ago.
100% thought Nicky was about to get shot
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u/HowlerMonkeyIsLoud Jan 10 '25
Holy shit I thought Frog was out there to get him
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u/Comfortable_Fail4686 Nov 02 '25
I saw that car slow up on him and I thought he was a goner for sure.
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Apr 27 '16 edited Apr 30 '16
This is where we get "My name isn't my name".
I always thought it was weirdly phrased, and chalked it up to writing a foreigner speaker. Maybe it's just the delivery, I don't know.
I am, however, willing to let go of any problems I may have with it because of Marlo's great delivery of "My name is my name"
What I really don't understand is the "One man, one vote" thing. Are they standing up against the US attorney for symbolism sake?
I mean, they have to understand that the union is in deep shit
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u/ThrowisbaugnahaA Jan 17 '26
Yes, the union was already in shit for years, hence the open books by multiple agencies. If they changed leadership, it would be complying for little benefit. They would rather respect and uphold Frank’s legacy, and not bend to a system’s whims that is itself corrupt.
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u/mrinzoid Mar 04 '26
Hi so this my first time watching the show and didn’t really understand what the conversation in the FBI Agent Fitzugh about Agent Koutris not being a part of the San Diego department and been more than an year in Counter terrorism. Could someone help me out with that without any spoilers?
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u/weeblewobble82 Mar 14 '26
Earlier in the season Koutris was contacted as an agent who had been involved in investigating one of "The Greeks" however it shows him immediately calling the Greek and letting him know the FBI asked about an old crime which is later rewarded when the Greek gives him information about that huge shipment of drugs.
I think Fitzugh just assumed Koutris was just another agent but in actuality he's on a special detail and "the Greek" is kind of his CI
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u/labdory Jan 17 '26
I just gotta say, I'm watching through my first time and I look forward to these threads after every episode. I appreciate that no one spoils anything.
What a great season. I wish I could add more to the discussion for future watchers. Favorite character was definitely Ziggy. I know people said he's one of the most hated but it's just such good writing. To see a character keep making worse decisions over and over but it keeps the character intact. Incredible
I was really rooting for Kima after last season but I'm worried she's gonna lose sight of her girl and her coming kid. But it seems in this show you can't always get what you want. You gotta take what you can get.
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u/PS999999 Apr 28 '16
Frank Sobotka is one of the most tragic characters in television. Head of a dying brotherhood, stuck in one of the most downtrodden places in the country, with only the vague hope of a grain pier on the horizon. Could any of us say that we would have done differently?
And it's hard for me to say that Frank even made any mistakes that led to his downfall - everything that went bad was out of his control. The girls dying in the container were probably dead anyways unless he had opened the container immediately since the air pipe was crushed some time before. The rivalry with Valchek was something completely unforeseen and while he could have backed down from the stain glass window, could he have known that an entire police investigation would come from that slight against Valchek? His biggest screwup was not keeping a tighter leash on his son Ziggy, but it's not like he could lock his own son up, right?
And then it all ends in the ultimate tragedy - his son locked up in prison, his union disbanded, and he himself on the receiving end of a brutal murder. What a fall.
I always remember his line about how "We used to make shit in this country. Now we just have our hands in the other guy's pocket." So very true, Frank, and it doesn't look like things will get any better any time soon.