"The Wire" Trivia Game

[commasense]

At the suggestion of AuntiePam, I'm starting a trivia game based on the best show on television evah, The Wire. If you aren't familiar with the show buy, rent, borrow or steal the DVD set of Season One, and prepare yourself to be blown away. (Do not, on pain of death, start with any other season!)

As usual with these games, answer a previous question, and add one or more of your own. The person with the most correct answers at the end wins a cameo appearance in the next season.*

AuntiePam's opening questions.

AP 1. How many ports did the van travel to?
AP 2. Who's Prez's favorite singer?
commasense: Johnny Cash
AP 3. Where were Valchek and Sobotka's rectory windows made?
AP 4. What did Ziggy sell to the appliance store guy?
commasense: Digital cameras
AP 5. Who won the basketball game -- east side or west side?
commasense: East side, thanks to Prop Joe's ringers.
AP 6. Name the girl who seduced Marlo.
commasense: DeVaun
AP 7. What's Omar's favorite food?
commasense: Honey Nut Cheerios
AP 8. What the fuck did I do?
AP 9. Name the happy couple who traveled the interstate buying Tracfones.
commasense: Bernard ("I can't wait to go to jail") and Squeak

commasense's questions:
CS 1. Who couldn't fall down the stairs? (Character name and actor. You may confirm your answer by checking out who created the actor's Wikipedia page.)
CS 2. Name the characters who had possession of the ring, in order. (This question did not escape from a LOTR thread.)
CS 3. What is Bubbles' real name (i.e. the character's real name, not the actor's.)
CS 4. How many penises have we seen in the show?
CS 5. Give the names of five "brands" of drugs as touted on the streets. (Red tops, blue tops, or any other color of top is too easy and therefore not acceptable.)
CS 6. Name two continuing characters who have the same names as real people, and state what's different about the two cases. (A new character in season five is excluded.)
CS 7. Name two real-life Maryland politicians who have made cameo appearances. (This question is not open to Maryland residents.)
CS 8. Name two real-life novelists who have made cameo appearances. (Bonus: Give their connection to the show.)
CS 9. What radio show was Bodie listening to on his trip to Philadelphia?
CS 10. What was the make and caliber of Dozerman's lost service weapon?

* Bonus question: What's the problem with this prize?

[Rubystreak]

The only answer I looked up was the name of the actor who played Polk. Lemme know how I did.

Originally Posted by commasense

CS 1. Who couldn't fall down the stairs? (Character name and actor. You may confirm your answer by checking out who created the actor's Wikipedia page.)

Polk (Nat Benchley)

CS 2. Name the characters who had possession of the ring, in order. (This question did not escape from a LOTR thread.)

Old Face Andre, Marlo, Officer Walker, Michael

CS 3. What is Bubbles' real name (i.e. the character's real name, not the actor's.)

Reginald Cousins

CS 4. How many penises have we seen in the show?

Two? Omar's and his friend's. I could be wrong about that.

CS 5. Give the names of five "brands" of drugs as touted on the streets. (Red tops, blue tops, or any other color of top is too easy and therefore not acceptable.)

Greenhouse Gas, WMD, Pandemic...

CS 6. Name two continuing characters who have the same names as real people, and state what's different about the two cases. (A new character in season five is excluded.)

Jay Landsman is a real life BPD played by Delaney Williams. Felicia Pearson is also Snoop's real name.

CS 7. Name two real-life Maryland politicians who have made cameo appearances. (This question is not open to Maryland residents.)

Tommy D'alessandro, former mayor?

And there will be no next season for my cameo...

[mr. jp]

AP 8. What the fuck did I do?

McNulty'ed things up. Or re-entered the scene at a time where he could be useful.


CS 2. Name the characters who had possession of the ring, in order. (This question did not escape from a LOTR thread.)

Old Face Andre, Marlo, Omar, Officer Walker, Michael

[Rubystreak]

Originally Posted by Rubystreak

Old Face Andre, Marlo, Officer Walker, Michael

Shit, I left out Omar between Marlo and Officer Walker.

Two? Omar's and his friend's. I could be wrong about that.

I was thinking about this, and I recall seeing Daniels' package. So, I'm thinking Omar and Daniels is the right answer.

[diku]

We also saw Ziggy's package a lot in season 2.

[AuntiePam]

Originally Posted by diku

We also saw Ziggy's package a lot in season 2.

I just learned (can't remember where) that Ziggy's was a prosthetic.

I don't remember seeing Daniels from the front, or any of Omar's boyfriends. I remember Omar, and the dead guy this season.

CS 8. Name two real-life novelists who have made cameo appearances. (Bonus: Give their connection to the show.)

One is Laura Lippman -- David Simon's wife

CS 9. What radio show was Bodie listening to on his trip to Philadelphia?

Prairie Home Companion

[Rubystreak]

Some trivia questions:

What toy did Avon reminisce that Stringer stole from the toy store when they were kids? This is mentioned during their last conversation on the roof top.

What was the name of the girl who was taken into the bathroom for sex during S4, for which Randy was the look out?

What Founding Father were Wallace, Bodie, and Poot arguing about in the Pit? Why were they discussing him?

What cop who was on the Major Crimes Unit and gangster busted by them share the same first name?

What were Nick Sobotka's girlfriend and kid named?

What was the name of the girl who Ziggy was tricked into thinking he got pregnant?

What school did both Omar and Bunk attend?

Originally Posted by diku

We also saw Ziggy's package a lot in season 2.

Of course. Like Maui, I blocked that out.

[commasense]

Rubystreak had the right answers to CS 1, CS 3, CS 6. Congratulations.

And she gets partial credit for CS 5 (drug names). I asked for five because I have noted at least 27 names, not including red, blue, yellow, black, and green tops, and I'm pretty sure I've missed a few. (Yes, while watching the first four seasons on DVD, I systematically made note of all the drug names I could catch. Obsessed? Me?)

mr. jp got CS 2 right. And I'm waiting to see if the ring turns up again this season.

I'll admit to not being certain about the correct penis count. diku mentions one that I was thinking of (BTW, AuntiePam, the book is where we learned that we didn't see James Ransone's real thing.) And definitely Omar, but I don't recall if we actually saw any of his lovers'. We saw Daniels' butt, but I don't recall anything else.

AuntiePam named the other one I was thinking of. She's also right about CS 9, and gotten half of CS 8.

Questions still outstanding (assuming that mr. jp and I have given the correct answers to AP's questions):

AP 1. How many ports did the van travel to? (To which I'd like to add, Name them! But I don't know the correct answers.)
AP 3. Where were Valchek and Sobotka's rectory windows made?

CS 5. Give the names of five "brands" of drugs as touted on the streets, excluding color tops.
CS 7. Name two real-life Maryland politicians who have made cameo appearances. (This question is not open to Maryland residents.)
CS 8. Name the real-life novelist (other than Laura Lippman) who has made a cameo appearance. (Bonus: Give his/her connection to the show.)
CS 10. What was the make and caliber of Dozerman's lost service weapon?

On preview: thanks Rubystreak for the new questions.

[Rubystreak]

Weren't the rectory windows made in Germany?

CS 7. Name two real-life Maryland politicians who have made cameo appearances. (This question is not open to Maryland residents.)

Found this on wikipedia: "Several prominent real-life Baltimore figures, including former Maryland Governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., Rev. Frank M. Reid III, former police chief Ed Norris, and former mayor Kurt Schmoke have appeared in minor roles despite not being professional actors. "Little Melvin" Williams, a Baltimore drug lord arrested in the 1980s by an investigation that Ed Burns had been part of, has had a recurring role as a deacon since the third season."

I did not realize that Det. Ed Norris on the show was former BPD Police Commissioner Ed Norris IRL. That means there are 3 characters in the show who are also real life Baltimoreans.

Melvin Williams plays the Deacon, right? Hard to think of him as being the inspiration for Avon Barksdale, which he apparently was.

[commasense]

Originally Posted by Rubystreak

Weren't the rectory windows made in Germany?

That's what I thought, too, but I wasn't sure.

Found this on wikipedia...

I've always assumed that one is supposed to rely on one's own knowledge (or perhaps go back to the original source) when playing a trivia game, not look stuff up online. (BTW, most of the answers to my questions could have been found in previous SDMB threads on The Wire.)

But yes, Schmoke and Ehrlich were the ones I was thinking about.

An actor played the character of Rev. Reid in the scenes where Cutty is introduced to him by the Deacon, but the real Rev. Reid appeared as a different minister who delivers the sermon attended by Carcetti, and speaks with him outside the church.

Ed Norris is another person (like Snoop) playing a character of the same name. But I don't think the character of Det. Ed Norris is supposed to be Commissioner Ed Norris in any way.

[Rubystreak]

Originally Posted by commasense

I've always assumed that one is supposed to rely on one's own knowledge (or perhaps go back to the original source) when playing a trivia game, not look stuff up online. (BTW, most of the answers to my questions could have been found in previous SDMB threads on The Wire.)

If you take that sort of thing really seriously, then yeah. That's the only one I looked up. I didn't realize we had rules. If it matters, I know the answers to all the questions I posed.

But yes, Schmoke and Ehrlich were the ones I was thinking about.

Who did they play? Themselves, or other characters?

Ed Norris is another person (like Snoop) playing a character of the same name. But I don't think the character of Det. Ed Norris is supposed to be Commissioner Ed Norris in any way.

Jay Landsman isn't supposed to be portraying the real Jay Landsman either, nor is Felicia Pearson's Snoop character in any way supposed to be the real Felicia Pearson. Ed Norris was a cop IRL and is one in the show. I think it's the same sort of thing.

Anyone have answers to my questions? Or is this just going to be a trivia wankfast for me and commasense? I love a good trivia wankfest, but...

[commasense]

Originally Posted by Rubystreak

If you take that sort of thing really seriously, then yeah. That's the only one I looked up. I didn't realize we had rules. If it matters, I know the answers to all the questions I posed.

No biggie, I just didn't want a bunch of know-nothing losers coming in and messing up our trivia wankfest by using Wiki! And I know you know your stuff.

Who did [Schmoke and Ehrlich] play? Themselves, or other characters?

While mayor, Kurt Schmoke had sparked national controversy by suggesting that the nation should study and discuss whether the drug problem might be better treated as a public health issue, instead of a legal one. He didn't advocate legalizing drugs, but that's what he was accused of saying. He was branded "the most dangerous man in America." In Season 3, after the Hampsterdam experiment is exposed, Royce, seeing the good it has done, is looking for ways he might keep it going. In a cabinet meeting one of Royce's advisers warns him he'll be called "the most dangerous man in America" if he tries. The adviser was Schmoke.

And Ehrlich appeared in the episode in which Carcetti and Norman are kept waiting outside the Governor's office. When they finally get up and go, they're intercepted by a Maryland State Trooper before they get to the door. The trooper was Ehrlich.

Jay Landsman isn't supposed to be portraying the real Jay Landsman either, nor is Felicia Pearson's Snoop character in any way supposed to be the real Felicia Pearson. Ed Norris was a cop IRL and is one in the show. I think it's the same sort of thing.

Agreed. I just thought that maybe you thought Norris was supposed to be a pre-commissioner Norris.

Anyone have answers to my questions? Or is this just going to be a trivia wankfast for me and commasense? I love a good trivia wankfest, but...

While we're waiting for some others to join in the fun, I'll have a go at one of your questions (the rest are tougher for me): Stringer stole a badminton set.

[mr. jp]

What Founding Father were Wallace, Bodie, and Poot arguing about in the Pit? Why were they discussing him?

-Benjamin Franklin. "There Ain't no white guy got his face on no money 'cept he president", or something like that.

What toy did Avon reminisce that Stringer stole from the toy store when they were kids? This is mentioned during their last conversation on the roof top.

-A badminton set. Cool story.


I tend not to remember names in anything I watch, so those questions I can't answer.

[Rubystreak]

commasense, thanks for the back story on Schmoke. That's incredibly cool that The Wire writers incorporate real stuff like that. I also happen to agree wholeheartedly with Schmoke. I guess he lost his job like Royce did.

While we're waiting for some others to join in the fun, I'll have a go at one of your questions (the rest are tougher for me): Stringer stole a badminton set.

You and mr. jp rock for remembering that. I was playing badminton on Monday (team building activity at work, don't ask) and thought of Stringer. It's such a highbrow, twee little game to play, not at all gangsta, and totally encapsulated Stringer's aspirations to transcend his environment. His apartment looked like someone who played badminton lived there.

Also, survey question: what's your favorite version of the theme song? I like Tom Waits the best, Blind Boys of Alabama second, and the S4 choir version least.

mr. jp-- Correct about Ben Franklin. That story made me love Wallace.

[Leftorium]

Dozerman's weapon was a 9mm Glock

Nick Sobotka's girlfriend was Amy. The daugter was Amber or Ashley I think.

The penis question is tough.
Not mentioned yet, but certain is Mayor Royce (to go with Ziggy, Omar, and the morgue body for sure).
The sailor who killed the girls in S2 was tortured by the Greek & Vondas while naked, but I don't remember the scene well enough to know for sure.
The crazy party where Cutty went with Bodie and Poot may have had one as well.
Total penises...I'd guess 6.

Here are a couple more.

What was the name of the guard framed in S2 with lacing the drugs in prison?

What did Namond say to Snoop in the alley when Chris & Snoop came looking for Michael?

[commasense]

Originally Posted by Leftorium

Dozerman's weapon was a 9mm Glock

Partial credit. It was a Glock .40, not a 9mm.

The penis question is tough.
Not mentioned yet, but certain is Mayor Royce (to go with Ziggy, Omar, and the morgue body for sure).

Good catch. I had forgotten him.

The sailor who killed the girls in S2 was tortured by the Greek & Vondas while naked, but I don't remember the scene well enough to know for sure.

Actually, now that you mention it, I seem to recall that later on, they get a whole bunch of pictures of decapitated corpses, so I'll bet there were several in that scene, if we're counting still photos. (Let's not.)

What was the name of the guard framed in S2 with lacing the drugs in prison?

I'll give someone else a chance, but I'll mention that the name figures elsewhere in the world of The Wire and is a notable family name on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

[shefDave]

Rubystreak:

What cop who was on the Major Crimes Unit and gangster busted by them share the same first name?

Roland Prezbylewski (the cop) and Roland 'Wee-Bey' Brice (the gangster)

What was the name of the girl who was taken into the bathroom for sex during S4, for which Randy was the look out?

Fairly sure it was Tiff

What school did both Omar and Bunk attend?

Edmondson.

Leftorium:

What was the name of the guard framed in S2 with lacing the drugs in prison?

Correctional Officer Tilghman

What did Namond say to Snoop in the alley when Chris & Snoop came looking for Michael?

It was something about her sister (she was in the same class as Namond - you occasionally saw a girl who looked a lot like Snoop, but she never had any lines) but I can't remember what he said exactly.


Some of mine -
Who's the only person we've seen Marlo kill?
What does Marlo steal leading to the death of a security guard?
What's the name of the school featured prominently in Season 4?
Who killed Bodie?
Who stopped coming to the gym as a result of Cutty's relationship with his mother?
Where is Daniels assigned to at the end of Season 1?

[AuntiePam]

Originally Posted by Rubystreak

Weren't the rectory windows made in Germany?

Sobotka's window was made in Germany, but Valchek's "artist" was local. You could tell the difference. That dove he showed Prez looked like something me and my kids did with that make-your-own Christmas decorations kit from the 70's. The scale wasn't even right. Sobotka's window was gorgeous, and well-designed.

Who's the only person we've seen Marlo kill?

That'd be DeVaun -- one bullet in each tit and one in the mouth. (I hate the word "tit".)

What does Marlo steal leading to the death of a security guard?

Lollipops!

What's the name of the school featured prominently in Season 4?

Tilghman Middle School -- odd that this is also the name of the dope-dealing prison guard.

Who killed Bodie?

O-Dog -- or Not Michael Not Michael Not Michael Not Michael

Who stopped coming to the gym as a result of Cutty's relationship with his mother?

Spider

Where is Daniels assigned to at the end of Season 1?

The Evidence room

Penises or Penii -- I didn't see Royce's. Did you see Royce's? All I saw was the back of the woman's head.

[AuntiePam]

I should apologize for posting the van question without knowing the answer. I'm rewatching S2 so I'll have it in the next couple of days, in case anyone's losing sleep. Wilmington was the first. Does Phillie have a port? I'm remembering Phillie.

Anyone up for more questions?

What's the name of Ziggy's car?

Who's the bartender at Clement's, the longshoremen's hangout?

Whose computer did Ziggy load his penis pic on?

[descamisado]

Originally Posted by commasense

AuntiePam's opening questions.

AP 8. What the fuck did I do? Phrase uttered reportedly by Bubbles when he realized Sherrod took the poison-laced heroin mean for the shakedown artist.

* Bonus question: What's the problem with this prize? This is the last season and you have no authority to promise any casting.

5-4-F1. In what grade did Poot lose his virginity?

5-4-F2. What was the name of the character Bodie traveled to Philadelphia with?

5-4-F3. To what make of car did Snoop compare the nail gun she bought to nail up the vacants, and what was the comparison make she said the salesman got wrong?

5-4-F4. Which police officer trailed Vondas as he he headed into a downtown hotel?

5-4-F5. What is the name of the girl who being treated to gifts and shopping with the money stolen from the syndicate by a soldier?

[Rubystreak]

Originally Posted by AuntiePam

Anyone up for more questions?

Bring it!

What's the name of Ziggy's car?

Princess

Who's the bartender at Clement's, the longshoremen's hangout?

Dolores, aka Dolo

Whose computer did Ziggy load his penis pic on?

Maui (I wonder why they call him Maui)

Originally Posted by 5-4 Fighting

5-4-F3. To what make of car did Snoop compare the nail gun she bought to nail up the vacants, and what was the comparison make she said the salesman got wrong?

She said it was a Lexus, but the salesman said Cadillac. He didn't know!


More ?s:

What executive producer played a character on the show? What song was played at that character's funeral?

Why did Bunk burn his suit?

Who really did the murder of Deirdre that D'Angelo took credit for when telling the story to Bodie, Poot, and Wallace?

[descamisado]

Originally Posted by Rubystreak

Why did Bunk burn his suit?

So his wife wouldn't know he was out carousing with another woman.

[commasense]

Originally Posted by AuntiePam

Tilghman Middle School -- odd that this is also the name of the dope-dealing prison guard.

Not so odd as you might think. As I mentioned, there's a Tilghman Island over on the Eastern Shore, the Edward Tilghman for whom the school is named was a prominent 18th century citizen over there, and there are hundreds of people of that name with listed phones in Maryland.

Penises or Penii -- I didn't see Royce's. Did you see Royce's? All I saw was the back of the woman's head.

(It's penises or penes, BTW.) You had to look quick, but she looks around and he has it in her hands. (I'm guessing it was a prosthetic, too.)

Originally Posted by shefDave

Roland Prezbylewski (the cop) and Roland 'Wee-Bey' Brice (the gangster)

Great question, Rubystreak! I never made the connection that Prez and Wee-Bey had the same first name.

Still unanswered:

AP 1. How many ports did the van travel to? (To which I'd like to add, Name them! But I don't know the correct answers.)

CS 5. Give the names of five "brands" of drugs as touted on the streets, excluding color tops.
CS 8. Name the real-life novelist (other than Laura Lippman) who has made a cameo appearance. (Bonus: Give his/her connection to the show.)

RS 1. What was the name of the girl who Ziggy was tricked into thinking he got pregnant?

I'll add a few more:

CS 11. Who figures out the drug dealers' pay phone code in S1, and what is the connection to the character's future life?

CS 12. What sport did Bunk play at Edmondson High School?

CS 13. Besides Bunk and Omar, what other pair of Wire characters went to the same high school, and what school was it? (This is easy because it's recent.)

[AuntiePam]

Rubystreak, correctimundo!

What executive producer played a character on the show? What song was played at that character's funeral?

Robert Colesberry (sp?), played the not-very-astute Detective Cole. Damn. I don't remember the song. Something Irish, I think.

Who really did the murder of Deirdre that D'Angelo took credit for when telling the story to Bodie, Poot, and Wallace?

Wee-Bey!

CS 11. Who figures out the drug dealers' pay phone code in S1, and what is the connection to the character's future life?

Prez, who later becomes a math teacher

CS 8. Name the real-life novelist (other than Laura Lippman) who has made a cameo appearance. (Bonus: Give his/her connection to the show.)

I'm thinking Richard Price, but I don't remember the part he played or which episode. He writes for the show.

[descamisado]

Originally Posted by commasense

CS 11. Who figures out the drug dealers' pay phone code in S1, and what is the connection to the character's future life?

CS 13. Besides Bunk and Omar, what other pair of Wire characters went to the same high school, and what school was it? (This is easy because it's recent.)

CS 11. Prez; he becomes a math teacher.

CS13. Joe and Burrell. Dunbar.

[Rubystreak]

CS 12. What sport did Bunk play at Edmondson High School?

Lacrosse

Counterquestion: What activity did Burrell participate in during high school, according to Joe?

AuntiePam: Yes, Colesberry was Ray Cole, and the song was indeed Irish: "Body of an American" by The Pogues

[AuntiePam]

Originally Posted by Rubystreak

Counterquestion: What activity did Burrell participate in during high school, according to Joe?

Glee Club!

What kind of pet did Ziggy adopt, and what did he name it?

[commasense]

AuntiePam and 5-4-F are both right about Prez and the phone code. He says at the time, “These yos couldn’t figure it out if it involved math or algebra.” In season 4, he’s teaching them math.

5-4-F is right about Prop Joe and Burrell's school.

Rubystreak remembered Bunk's sport correctly.

And AP is also right about Richard Price. He leads the reading group D'Angelo participates in in prison. Which leads to...

CS 14. What book were they reading?

CS 15. Ex-Baltimore mayor Younger Tommy tells Carcetti his parable about having to eat a big bowl of shit. What two words modify "bowl" in his story?

CS 16. To what restaurant does Bunny take his four students?

CS 17. What did they do to win the trip to the restaurant? (Details!)

CS 18. What real-life band performs in the dockworkers' bar?

CS 19. What is the unexpected hobby of vicious killer Wee Bey?

[commasense]

5-4-F4. Which police officer trailed Vondas as he he headed into a downtown hotel?

Beadie Russell.

[commasense]

And since no one has gone any further with the drug names question, here is commasense's official (if not complete) list of street drug names from The Wire:

Season 1
Tech 9
In the Hole
Q tip
Payback
Killer Bee
Red Dilly
Gold stars
Family Affair
Death Row
plus green, red, blue, and black tops

Season 2
WMD
Bin Laden

Season 3
WMD (again)
Rockefeller
Double Cheese
Spider bags
Bottle Rockets
Reddies
Rasheed
Benno
Body Bags
plus green, red, and blue tops

Season 4
Pandemic
Black horse
Big Yellow Bird
Brokeback
Icicle
Mistletoe
plus black tops

Season 5
Greenhouse gas (hot!)
plus blue tops

[AuntiePam]

CS 14. What book were they reading?

The Great Gatsby

CS 16. To what restaurant does Bunny take his four students?

Ruth Chris Steakhouse -- that might not be exactly right -- is it Ruth's Chris? There's a weird apostrophe in the name. We don't have those around here.

CS 17. What did they do to win the trip to the restaurant? (Details!)

They had to cooperate and work as a team. The winning team built the Eiffel Tower from an erector set. Namond took care of the leftover pieces.


CS 18. What real-life band performs in the dockworkers' bar?

Nighthawks!

CS 19. What is the unexpected hobby of vicious killer Wee Bey?

Tropical fish.

[commasense]

Obviously my questions are too easy, AuntiePam. Right on every count.

5-4-F's got some tougher ones, most of which I couldn't answer.

[AuntiePam]

5-4-F1. In what grade did Poot lose his virginity?

6th? I remember he and Bodie joked about it when the Towers came down in S3.

commasense, that drug name list is huge!

Still rewatching S2. I'd forgotten that Cheese was the one who ripped off Ziggy and burned Princess. When he first encountered Zig, Cheese made a comment somewhat like what Marlo said to the security guard in S4. "You want to think it's that way".

[commasense]

Originally Posted by AuntiePam

What kind of pet did Ziggy adopt, and what did he name it?

An alcoholic duck, which he called "My attorney, Stephen L. Miles." (Miles is a real Baltimore attorney and former D.A. who has advertised heavily in Baltimore for years with the tag line, "If you have a phone, you have a lawyer.")

commasense, that drug name list is huge!

I started noticing the topical names, WMD, Bin Laden, etc., and thought that the writers might be making a comment of some kind with the names, so as I was watching the DVDs, I made a note of all the names I could catch. It is interesting to see the cultural references (Brokeback), seasonal ones (icicle), and odd ones (the name Rockefeller, for most of the last century a universal synonym for wealth, is probably all but unknown to anyone under 35). But I haven't found any deep and meaningful patterns. Does anyone else?

Along similar lines, while rewatching the DVDs I began to suspect that Bodie's characteristic spit through his side teeth was usually a disapproving comment on whatever was going on. This turns out not to be universally true, AFAICT, but I think it is the case more often than not. I wonder if the spitting was in the script, or if it's something J.D. Williams did on his own.

Still unanswered:

5-4-F2. What was the name of the character Bodie traveled to Philadelphia with?

5-4-F5. What is the name of the girl who being treated to gifts and shopping with the money stolen from the syndicate by a soldier?

CS 15. Ex-Baltimore mayor Younger Tommy tells Carcetti his parable about having to eat a big bowl of shit. What two words modify "bowl" in his story?

RS 1. What was the name of the girl who Ziggy was tricked into thinking he got pregnant?

New ones:

CS 20. How much money did Cutty need to start his gym, and how much did he get?

CS: 21. What is the real-life relationship between the actress who played Grace, Cutty's ex-girlfriend, and the one who played her drugged-out sister, who tells Cutty where to find Grace?

CS 22. What are McNulty's kids' names?

CS 23. What (funny) advice does Judge Phelan give McNulty in S1, Ep1?

CS 24. What is Omar's brother's name and nickname?

[AuntiePam]

CS 20. How much money did Cutty need to start his gym, and how much did he get?

He asked for an initial $500 contribution from Avon, and Avon gave him $15K.

I know you noticed in S4, the Platinum Club sign on the gym wall, with the Golden Gloves poster of Avon under the sign.

The Avon-Cutty thing is one of my favorite stories in The Wire -- how Avon tried to help Cutty get set up on the street, how Avon let him get out of the game -- "He a man" -- and then helping him with the gym.

Those other questions are hard!

[Rubystreak]

Originally Posted by commasense

It is interesting to see the cultural references (Brokeback), seasonal ones (icicle), and odd ones (the name Rockefeller, for most of the last century a universal synonym for wealth, is probably all but unknown to anyone under 35). But I haven't found any deep and meaningful patterns. Does anyone else?

Roc-A-Fella Records is a major hip hop label. Jay-Z is the CEO. I think that's what they were referring to when they named the product "Rockefeller."

CS 20. How much money did Cutty need to start his gym, and how much did he get?

He wants $10,000 and gets $15,000. Avon laughs at him when he asks for the ten grand. Cutty has a bad moment, then Avon gives him more than he asked for.

CS 22. What are McNulty's kids' names?

Sean and Mike

CS 24. What is Omar's brother's name and nickname?

No-Heart Anthony

[AuntiePam]

Originally Posted by Rubystreak

He wants $10,000 and gets $15,000. Avon laughs at him when he asks for the ten grand. Cutty has a bad moment, then Avon gives him more than he asked for.

Cutty hadn't kept up with inflation. He obviously didn't know the kind of money Avon was pulling in, which is why he started so low. He didn't ask for the whole $10K -- that was what he said he needed.

It was incredibly brave of him to ask for anything, after quitting Avon's crew.

[commasense]

Originally Posted by Rubystreak

Roc-A-Fella Records is a major hip hop label. Jay-Z is the CEO. I think that's what they were referring to when they named the product "Rockefeller."

That makes a lot more sense, and once again proves what an old fart I've become. So the drug must be Roc-A-Fella, not Rockefeller.

And all your other answers are correct. You're too good!

Originally Posted by AuntiePam

The Avon-Cutty thing is one of my favorite stories in The Wire -- how Avon tried to help Cutty get set up on the street, how Avon let him get out of the game -- "He a man" -- and then helping him with the gym.

There are only a handful of people in The Wire who try to do the right thing (by their own lights) most of the time, and without exception they are loners who are not part of a larger organization. Cutty is probably the most unambiguously positive and successful example. Others include Bubbles, Omar, and Brother Mouzone.

Each of these men has an ethical code by which he lives, and that he rarely compromises. It may not be a code that the ordinary person would call good or virtuous, but each knows himself better, and has been truer to his ideals, than 90% of ordinary people.

In contrast, virtually everyone else in the show, on either side of the law, is constantly compromised between their own ideals and the demands of the organizations in which they operate.

Interestingly, apart from the loners, only Marlo appears to be able to accomplish his goals without compromise, because he is not constrained by any moral or legal principles. At the top of the legal side, Carcetti can't do anything he wants because of forces above and below him and because his own political ambition prevents him from taking a longer view of any of the problems he faces.

Cutty is certainly one of the most interesting, likeable, and principled characters in the Wire world. And although he has paid a price (being shot) he has so far achieved more of his own goals than virtually anyone else in the show, through strength, hard work, risk taking, and a willingness to admit his mistakes and learn from them.

Much the same can be said about Carver, so it's not surprising that they have become friends and allies.

[shefDave]

5-4-F2. What was the name of the character Bodie traveled to Philadelphia with?

Shamrock

RS 1. What was the name of the girl who Ziggy was tricked into thinking he got pregnant?

Prissy, something.
I don't remember her second name. I do remember Nick saying, "Jesus, Ziggy, everybody down The Point fucked her once" though.

CS 23. What (funny) advice does Judge Phelan give McNulty in S1, Ep1?

"When you start coming with the customers, that's when you need to get out of the business"
Or words to that effect.

Couple more:
What sentence did D'Angelo receive at the end of Season 1?
What sentence did Avon receive at the end of Season 1?

[descamisado]

Originally Posted by commasense

5-4-F4. Which police officer trailed Vondas as he he headed into a downtown hotel?
Beadie Russell.

Correct.

Originally Posted by Rubystreak

She said it was a Lexus, but the salesman said Cadillac. He didn't know!

Correct.

Originally Posted by shefDave

5-4-F2. What was the name of the character Bodie traveled to Philadelphia with? Shamrock

No.

[Rubystreak]

Originally Posted by shefDave

Shamrock

I think you're right. It's Shamrock. I don't know who 5-4 is thinking of, but I double checked TWOP to be sure. I love that Shamrock's name is Sean McGinty. Just one of those little touches.

Prissy, something.
I don't remember her second name. I do remember Nick saying, "Jesus, Ziggy, everybody down The Point fucked her once" though.

Yeah, Prissy Katlow. Apparently some people fuck her more than once, because Nick winds up in bed with her after Ziggy's arrest. She must be hot stuff, that Prissy.

[commasense]

Originally Posted by shefDave

"When you start coming with the customers, that's when you need to get out of the business"
Or words to that effect.

Very good. The exact line was "When you start coming with the customers, it’s time to get out of the business." (Yes, I wrote it down last time I re-watched it.)

Originally Posted by Rubystreak

Yeah, Prissy Katlow. Apparently some people fuck her more than once, because Nick winds up in bed with her after Ziggy's arrest. She must be hot stuff, that Prissy.

So that's who she was! When I first saw the scene where he's drinking with a girl in the playground and reminiscing about Zig, I assumed it was his "wife." So when the cops bust into his parents' house and he's not there, but in her bed, I just thought she was some random neighborhood girl. I didn't make the connection back to the paternity joke. Does he mention her name somewhere in that scene?

Originally Posted by shefDave

What sentence did D'Angelo receive at the end of Season 1?

Twenty years

What sentence did Avon receive at the end of Season 1?

Two years (or was it three?)

[Rubystreak]

Originally Posted by commasense

So that's who she was! When I first saw the scene where he's drinking with a girl in the playground and reminiscing about Zig, I assumed it was his "wife." So when the cops bust into his parents' house and he's not there, but in her bed, I just thought she was some random neighborhood girl. I didn't make the connection back to the paternity joke. Does he mention her name somewhere in that scene?

Yeah, Nick says it when she walks up to him in the playground, before they share their reminisces of how stupid Ziggy was. I remembered hearing it at the time and thinking, damn, that Prissy, she must be something of a ho after all. When I rewatched it with my husband, I pointed it out to him.

[AuntiePam]

I thought Avon's sentence was 7 years. In S2, he's been in prison for awhile -- a year, maybe -- and snitching on Tilghman served to move his first probation hearing up by 12 months. If his sentence had only been two or three years, he would have been out earlier, or up for parole earlier. My S1 DVD is on loan so I can't check for sure.

Funny about Prissy's name. Pris Catlow is awfully close to Chris Partlow. They're both pretty good at giving people something unexpected.

[descamisado]

Originally Posted by Rubystreak

I think you're right. It's Shamrock. I don't know who 5-4 is thinking of, but I double checked TWOP to be sure. I love that Shamrock's name is Sean McGinty. Just one of those little touches.

The two sources I double-checked say something else. Either one of us could be wrong but I would never attempt to correct you in that tone of voice.

[Rubystreak]

Originally Posted by 5-4-Fighting

The two sources I double-checked say something else. Either one of us could be wrong but I would never attempt to correct you in that tone of voice.

What tone of voice? What just happened? Please don't say I was giving you attitude. I 100% definitely was NOT trying to do that. All I meant to say was, I didn't know who you were thinking of. I'm thinking of when Bodie didn't realize there were different radio stations. Maybe you were thinking of another time? And I just watched the scene again, in case I was wrong. It's definitely Shamrock. If you don't have the DVD to check: TWOP and The Wire Wiki.

[descamisado]

Originally Posted by Rubystreak

What tone of voice? What just happened? Please don't say I was giving you attitude. I 100% definitely was NOT trying to do that. All I meant to say was, I didn't know who you were thinking of. I'm thinking of when Bodie didn't realize there were different radio stations. Maybe you were thinking of another time? And I just watched the scene again, in case I was wrong. It's definitely Shamrock. If you don't have the DVD to check: TWOP and The Wire Wiki.

I will try to see the episode again.

Although I don't research when I answer, I do try to double-check before I submit a question.

I also sincerely apology for hearing something that, from this post, I see was not intended.

[Rubystreak]

Originally Posted by 5-4-Fighting

I will try to see the episode again.

Although I don't research when I answer, I do try to double-check before I submit a question.

Which sources did you have that said someone other than Shamrock? Who did they say it was? I'm curious.

I also sincerely apology for hearing something that, from this post, I see was not intended.

I'm just glad you aren't pissed at me when I seriously wasn't trying to be snotty.

[descamisado]

Originally Posted by Rubystreak

Which sources did you have that said someone other than Shamrock? Who did they say it was? I'm curious.

I'm just glad you aren't pissed at me when I seriously wasn't trying to be snotty.

I see where my confusion (and possibly co-correctness came from).

I've taken part in discussions of The Wire over at the HBO Community Boards for a few years and read their Episode Guides. Sometimes the threadshitters post a lot of nonsense (and spoil like you wouldn't believe), so it's kind of hard to separate the good stuff from the bad. However, since I was already a participant/reader of those, that's who I consulted before posting questions.

They refer exclusively to Bodie's Philadelphia accomplice as "Dragon" (my answer) at both places.

I had never consulted wiki and, now that I've read the link you supplied, I realize they refer to his as "Shamrock aka Dragon."

[commasense]

Originally Posted by AuntiePam

I thought Avon's sentence was 7 years. In S2, he's been in prison for awhile -- a year, maybe -- and snitching on Tilghman served to move his first probation hearing up by 12 months. If his sentence had only been two or three years, he would have been out earlier, or up for parole earlier. My S1 DVD is on loan so I can't check for sure.

You may be right, I was guessing. (My S1 DVD is on loan, too!) But IIRC, he only serves two years, right?

Still unanswered:

AP 1. How many ports did the van travel to? (The very first question!)

CS 15. Ex-Baltimore mayor Younger Tommy tells Carcetti his parable about having to eat a big bowl of shit. What two words modify "bowl" in his story?

CS: 21. What is the real-life relationship between the actress who played Grace, Cutty's ex-girlfriend, and the one who played her drugged-out sister, who tells Cutty where to find Grace?

And we never even touched on Rubystreak's survey question:

Originally Posted by Rubystreak

What's your favorite version of the theme song? I like Tom Waits the best, Blind Boys of Alabama second, and the S4 choir version least.

Actually, I like the S4 version best, although I can't say why. It's just so different from the others. Blind Boys, then Waits, and Steve Earle's S5 version last.

New questions:

CS 25. How do the BPD refer to the central dispatcher on the radio, and what does it mean?

CS 26. What is the name of the drug co-op?

CS 27. Name at least two minor members of the co-op who are discussed outside the meetings.

CS 28. Who is the vice principal at Tilghman Middle, and what is the actress' name?