This afternoon cast members of The Wire made an appearance at J&R Music and Computer World to sign copies of The Wire Season 4 DVD. Like bottled water, I thought I’d never pay for something that is available for free; bought it last week. But until this DVD was released I purposely avoided any and all things Wire related. That way you crack the seal and it’s a Wire weekend marathon; watch em’ all in two-three days. Funny how that happens, no one would never watch a 12 hour movie, but with The Wire you can’t watch just one. That’s why waiting week after week is torturous.

As realistic as the characters and acting is on the show, it is just that acting.

Exhibit A: Does this look like a guy running half of the hood?

(Shawn Ehlers/Wireimage)

Government name = Jamie Hector.

Of course in reality that’s what you’d want to do, not look the part; it’s that whole loudest/flashiest/cut the ponytail thing. Peep that scar though, aggressor or victim, Jamie’s got a battle story to tell.

I’ll watch Season 5 on HBO. It’s the final one and news about the who, why and what will be hard to avoid.

I’m still wondering how Omar remains untouched; betting/wanting Prop Joe to get sidelined for setting up the card game and giving the co-op delivery to Omar; Marlo gets involved in revealing Prop Joe’s moves + his ride comes to the same end as Avon; Bubbles cleans up; Randy is a lost case; Doogie is killed; Naman stays on track; and Michael becomes the tragic future in a loop that keeps crime alive in every hood, USDA.

New season starts January 6th. Here’s a quick preview of the non-street side.

And a link to an article that printers are made for “Stealing Life”; 12 pages all about the show’s past and future .