I have no significant complaints about the final episode. Aside, from McNulty, where they only partially resolved things, I liked seeing what happened to all the characters, both major and minor.

I’ve read some blogs — mostly by reporters — who were really upset with the way the Sun stuff ended. I was a bit surprised by that eneding as well, but it seems clear David Simon still has some lingering anger stemming from his time there.

I find it interesting (maybe, even fitting) that a theme which runs thru the entire series ultimately gets critiqued when Simon turns his focus on the news media. Namely, the theme is no matter what institution you choose to serve, it will ultimately let you down.

I have not read or heard a valid reason why it would be implausible for a reporter to manufacture a serial killer story for a Pulitzer considering a Washington Post reporter famously manufactured a story about a non-existent adolescent drug addict which won the paper a Pulitzer back in the 80’s. Jayson Blair created false stories at the NY Times. These are storied institutions which were known for integrity and truth. Yet, what most journalist found to be unthinkable happened. The only difference between this season and previous seasons is that this season (and much of the print media’s reaction to it) shows why we don’t hear about what goes on in the streets of urban America. It’s news that doesn’t sell because these people don’t exist in the world where most of the viewership inhabit. As Stringer Bell once said, it is what is.

The Wire is a story that illustrates the near death, decline and fall of the great American city, in 5 stanzas (The Police, The Docks, The War on Drugs, The Public Education System and the News Media).