'The Wire': Way Down in the Hole

Jemele Hill and Van Lathan kick off Season 2 of ‘The Wire’ by looking at why the show focused on the Port of Baltimore (02:00), the introduction of the Sobotka family (10:45), Bodie’s new role in the Barksdale organization (25:15), Major Valchek’s vendetta (35:00), some casting trivia (58:30), and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jemele Hill and Van Lathan return to address some of the serious issues happening around the country before highlighting some of the most significant moments of the "best first season of television ever." They give out awards such as Best Boss (30:00), Best Quote (52:00), Rookie of the Year (01:04:45), Best Scene (01:12:00), MVP of Season 1 (01:23:00), and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jemele Hill and Van Lathan break down the season finale of ‘The Wire' Season 1 (01:00), including Daniels reprimanding Carver (12:00), Kima taking a stand in the hospital (30:00), D’Angelo being pushed to the brink (37:15), the emergence of Brianna Barksdale (54:45), and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jemele Hill and Van Lathan are on to the 12th episode of ‘The Wire' Season 1 to break down the ongoing consequences of Kima’s shooting (01:30), why Wallace was so significant (10:00), D’Angelo’s reaction to Wallace’s death (34:30), and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jemele Hill and Van Lathan return to analyze the 11th episode of ‘The Wire' Season 1 and discuss the fallout from the shooting of Kima (01:45), defense attorney Maurice Levy (09:15), the surprising actions of Rawls (41:45), the origin of the Wee-Bey GIF (01:03:15), and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jemele Hill and Van Lathan cover the shocking 10th episode of ‘The Wire' Season 1, looking at the risks everyone is willing to take (01:30), the events that lead to Kima getting shot and what makes her such a foundational piece of the series (11:15), Walon and Bubbles furthering their friendship (44:15), and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jemele Hill and Van Lathan are on to Episode 9 of ‘The Wire' to break down Baltimore’s big game (02:00), the popular Shardene Innes (13:45), Poot getting “romantic” on a payphone (40:30), the importance of going hungry (01:02:45), and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jemele Hill and Van Lathan look at Episode 8 of ‘The Wire' and the lessons that various characters learned (02:00), the homicidal Wee-Bey Brice (15:15), the best scenes (36:15), Omar’s most memorable line (48:00), and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jemele Hill and Van Lathan dive into Episode 7 of ‘The Wire' and look at the progression of the detail (02:00), why Bubbles is so relatable (12:30), Walon’s powerful speech (32:30), how to look tough while ordering an iced tea (56:00), the Madame LaRue story line (01:09:00), and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jemele Hill and Van Lathan get into the sixth episode of ‘The Wire' and examine the fallout from Brandon’s murder (02:00), the complex character of Wallace (09:30), Omar cooperating with the police (33:00), a romantic conversation between D’Angelo and Shardene (51:00), trivia (01:08:15), and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jemele Hill and Van Lathan breakdown the fifth episode of ‘The Wire,’ including the most powerful “file this away for later” moment of the series (02:00), Pryzbylewski’s major breakthrough (19:30), Lester Freeman’s path to the detail (24:45), a comparison between Wire characters and NBA players (29:45), three pivotal scenes that stood out (45:00), and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jemele Hill and Van Lathan discuss the fourth episode of ‘The Wire,’ including D’Angelo Barksdale’s story about Deirdre Kresson (02:00), an Omar Little deep dive (13:30), McNulty and Bunk’s epic two-word conversation at a murder scene (37:45), Bubbles in the suburbs (42:30), the most versatile cuss word (58:45), and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jemele Hill and Van Lathan break down the third episode of ‘The Wire’ (02:00), including D’Angelo’s slipup during the re-up (07:00), one of the signature scenes of the first season (12:00), Bubbles’s fashion review (33:30), the complicated Lieutenant Daniels (48:45), the phrase of the episode (01:04:00), and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jemele Hill and Van Lathan look at the second episode of ‘The Wire’ and discuss the assembly of the detail (03:00), what makes Jimmy McNulty tick (11:00), the McNugget scene (25:30), the interrogation of D’Angelo Barksdale (34:15), the “We Love This Show … But” moment of the episode (40:30), Stringer Bell’s flirtatious actions (48:30), the late-night visit from Herc, Carver, and Pryzbylewski (55:15), a shocking fact (59:30), and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jemele Hill and Van Lathan look at the pilot episode of ‘The Wire’ and discuss the episode’s theme of “chain of command” (03:00), the fall of the Barksdale empire (08:00), a character deep-dive on D’Angelo Barksdale (30:30), their favorite scenes from the episode (44:00), the greatest snitch in history (51:00), and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Before diving into Season 1, Jemele Hill and Van Lathan discuss how they first got into ‘The Wire’ (04:00), the show’s unique authenticity (15:30), the TV landscape in 2002 (24:30), initial reviews from critics (35:15), how close it came to cancellation (01:04:00), and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Coming April 15th. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices