In season one, Kima and Cheryl went for drinks with another lesbian couple (this was shortly before Kima was shot) and the dialogue was as bogus as a David Plotz TV Club posting. It may as well have been written by Paul Haggis. I used to use this as an example of HOW GOOD The Wire is -- that when there's such a false moment, it really sticks out.

Yeah I remember that scene; Kima talked about becoming a police officer, and the first time she collared somebody. You are right, it was a little awkward and forced.

But remember that other scene where Cheryl insisted on accompanying Kima to the strip club in Season 2 (?). The stripper said something like, "Yeah, I wouldn't want these bitches alone with my woman either."

Yeah I remember that scene, and it was in season 2. What's your point?

Um, that it was good. That is, that the Wire's writers are sometimes capable of producing ridonkulous scenes and others of great ones.

Heavy handed sure but we learn that Cheryl doesn't like Kima being a cop. And I'm not sure the scenes of Cheryl being practically ignored by the higher ups and sitting alone at home crying because only family can visit would have the same power without the bar scene.

Not just of itself, but for the foreshadowing. You knew it was going downhill, but soon.

PS Thanks for showing up and talking about your entry. We've been mostly ignored in here this season.

It seems to me if you're going to judge from implication only that Kimmy and Tosha were lovers, it isn't fair to overlook the overt implication that Rawls is gay. It seems to me that gay writers should be applauding equality in gay characters - some are virtuous, some are scumbags, just like in the rest of The Wire.

Much like the concern about if Kima is a "genuine" female character, it seems people like to pick and choose what makes an appropriate representation of a minority character on television (luckily The Wire has so many extraordinary African American characters making it clear what real variety and equality in TV characters can look like). Kima is who she is (as is Rhonda Pearlman, another sexualized female character who isn't punished for her sexuality), and you can't pick and choose Kimmy and Tosha over Rawls just because they're prettier and more fun.

Yes, great point ekutinsky. I really don't want to call out JuneThomas, since it was great of her to actually participate in discussions with us. However, here we have a viewer who is likely reading homosexuality where it is not shown (or at least is ignored by the show), and at the same time is casting off the scene with Rawls. Seems to me that she is imposing her personal preferences on the events of the show. I would rather take the show for what it is.

Seriously though June, if you are still checking here, I would like to thank you for taking part. Please don't confuse my dissenting opinion with a lack of appreciation.

I agree, I appreciate June's participation as well. Of course, dissent is part of participation :).