Dead Soldiers

Omar's latest raid goes wrong and Colvin does the groundwork for his new initiative in the Western.

This is an excellent episode with some classic series moments.

My favourite scene is the Irish wake that doubles as a tribute to Robert F. Colesberry. Everything from Delaney Williams great delivery of a wonderfully written speech, the Pogues songs, and the epic drunkenness of everyone is fabulous.

Stringer's 40° day rant is another highlight that continues the hilarity that is those meetings the character has with the street level dealers.

The story continues to slow burn a number of plot threads and character arcs that are pretty compelling when you consider the likely consequences. Colvin's drug 'enforcement' strategy is the most intriguing idea, especially as we see the political sensitivities at the top of the command structure.

I think the comstat scenes are always good value and they are great in this episode. Frankie Faison is on top form throughout, even in one scene where we just hear his voice faintly over the phone.

Another very intriguing thread is McNulty's investigation. You want to see the truth about D'Angelo uncovered, particularly when it's written that nobody really cares.

There are numerous character moments that standout, like a certain narcissistic councilman's fondness for looking at himself in the mirror, the very different twin sisters played unbelievably by the same actress, and folk hero Omar's personal vendetta becoming very costly.

As ever the visual storytelling is excellent, with numerous cinematic moments brilliantly shot and edited. My favourite is the transition from one very different funeral to another and the familiar figure hiding in the shadows.

For me it's a 9.5/10 but I round upwards.