So, like I did with Season 1 earlier this year, after finally watching Season 2 in full, I compiled a list of what I thought were the 25 best "moments" of those particular five discs. Just a quick SPOILER note, I'm not a spoiler-stickler, and though I haven't seen it, I already know the major turn of Season 3. However, some others may not be so lax, so just to be careful, put a little disclaimer if you're gonna spill anything too big. Also, if you haven't seen Season 2 and wanna be surprised, backspace now.

First, before the list, let me try and do the obvious and address which season I liked best. If you'll recall, while doing my first 25 moments, I said that I had seen the premier of Season 2 and was disappointed in comparison to the 13 episodes which had come before. I wasn't big on the international smuggling angle and Ziggy's character was piss poor in my then-estimation. Well, I eventually got hooked on the smuggling side but Ziggy's character never really did anything for me--that is until Episode 10 when he grabbed the gun. With that turn of events, every scene he had previously been featured in (pulling out his dick, getting caught up with Cheese, putting diamonds on a duck, the Love Child, etc.) all of a sudden fit so much better and seemed more than justified.

Was it better though? I guess I can see why people would say it could be. It's kinda the Godfather / II theory, where both are great, but since the sequel involves a lot more pieces and a more intricate plot, while both pull of their execution brilliantly, since the sequel is more complex and thus harder to master in telling a story, that it accomplished as much as did is testament to it being "better." However, until I see Season 2 at least twice, like I have with Season 1, I'm gonna hold off on any big statements.

Just a couple quick comments on what the show did really well this season: Although Season 1 featured some of this, the color schemes / art direction in several instances were simply amazing. For instance, there was a shot of Jimmy talking with the "nun" and trying to ID the letter of one of the dead girls. In that shot, Jimmy's on the right, in black, with the sister, in softer colors on the left. In between them is a table in the foreground, and, in the back, a cross. The table is made of what appears to be a white marble, while the windows behind both actors have frost covering them, with appropriate white curtains slightly draping over. Anyway, if you have a chance--Episode 3 maybe--go back, find the scene, and pause. The staging there, like in many of the episodes, was so meticulous and ultimately more than worth the effort . . . Also, a greater number of scenes were transitioned to by a reference from the previous scene. This seemed to happen more early on, but was still a cool little trick. . . . While I really liked Bunk in Season 1, I was happy he got an expanded role. His cigar in Season 2, like Omar's shotgun in Season 1, was the show's most "iconic" prop.

Just a couple quick notes on some "problems" I had with the show: the FBI mole, who relayed inside information to the Greeks and actually helped push the action on the screen in significant ways multiple times, bothered me. It really seemed like the type of "just so happens" coincidence more fitting of a show like 24. (Don't get me wrong, I still love 24 too, I just hold both shows to different standards.) Also, I'm no prison expert, but wouldn't there be video in such a facility to know that D didn't kill himself or that Tillman had been set up?

Finally, has anyone ever tried to compile all the songs the show has ever played in a nice juicy RAR package, or at least a credits list? Just like in Season 1, the music remained an integral part. Blake Leyh--I googled--is as much as part of this show's success as any other. . . Or how 'bout has anyone ever tossed around the idea of doing a prequel? Like how Avon and Stringer and them took over The Towers before Season 1 ever started? Just a thought.

All right, now here's the list.



The Wire Season 2: 25 Best Moments / Scenes.

25. MCNULTY HAS A THEORY (EPISODE 3: HOT SHOTS)
Bunk and Lester get ahead of Jimmy.

24. DATE NIGHT (EPISODE 6: ALL PROLOGUE)
Jimmy and Elena get back together, for one night at least.

23. THE WIVES (EPISODE 4: HARD CASES)
Bad news at dinner.

22. SON-IN-LAW / FATHER-IN-LAW (EPISODE 10: STORM WARNINGS)
Prez punches Valcheck.

21. STRAY BULLET (EPISODE 9: STRAY ROUNDS)
Boy shot in bedroom.

20. IBS BACKTALK (EPISODE 5: UNDERTOW)
Frank and Johnny Fifty receive their summonses.

19. PELLETS IN PLASTIC (EPISODE 10: STORM WARNINGS)
Mouzone and Cheese meet.

18. NO ENGLISH (EPISODE 3: HOT SHOTS)
Bunk and Lester question passengers.

17. BEADIE'S PLACE (EPISODE 8: DUCK AND COVER)
McNulty's visit back to reality.

16. CARNATION ARRANGEMENT (EPISODE 7: BACKWASH)
Bodie buys flowers.

15. BAD PACKAGE (EPISODE 3: HOT SHOTS)
Avon's set-Up.

14. CITY LINES (EPISODE 1: EBB TIDE)
McNulty makes a fax.

13. REPORT OF A SHOOTING (EPISODE 11: BAD DREAMS)
Omar and Mouzone meet.

12. NICK TALKS (EPISODE 12: PORT IN A STORM)
"That's The Greek."

11. MODERN URBAN CRIME ENVIRONMENT (EPISODE 7: BACKWASH)
A tennis ball goes flying.

10. FLOATER IN PATAPSCO (EPISODE 12: PORT IN A STORM)
Frank winds up in the water.

09. GREAT GASTBY (EPISODE 6: ALL PROLOGUE)
Prison book club.

08. FATHER-SON VISITATION (EPISODE 11: BAD DREAMS)
"Fucked is what I am."

07. I'M AN XL (EPISODE 3: HOT SHOTS)
Stringer cracks and goes for D's girl.

06. TANG (EPISODE 7: BACKWASH)
Frank and Bruce DiBiago talk.

05. FINAL CALLS (EPISODE 6: ALL PROLOGUE)
D'Angelo is strangled.

04. OMAR TESTIFIES (EPISODE 6: ALL PROLOGUE)
"I got the shotgun, you got the briefcase."

03. US (EPISODE 12: PORT IN A STORM)
Stringer and Avon at the window.

02. THE GREEK ENTERS (EPISODE 2: COLLATERAL DAMAGE)
"You Have My Word."

01. MALAKA (EPISODE 10: STORM WARNINGS)
Ziggy shoots.