TV Club

Week 9: Mixed Feelings About Kima

Dear David,

I guess I’m a glass-half-full kind of guy. Wasn’t this last episode also about escape and redemption? Didn’t we see Namond on an upward trajectory? I didn’t even mind his hectoring, after-school-special speech or his hair; I was just relieved that he is so thoroughly out of his mother’s house. Does ABC still broadcast after-school specials, by the way? I fear the reference dates me. Just as references to Schoolhouse Rock date me; they make me seem as old as David Simon, for whom Schoolhouse Rock was obviously very meaningful, or else he wouldn’t have lifted their scripts for Gus’ speeches.

Adrian Leblanc’s book was, indeed, wonderful. And it was also true. I assume you have seen the coverage of Love and Consequences, the “memoir” of a half-white, half-Native American girl not named Margaret Jones who grew up in South-Central, except that she didn’t? A writer like that belongs in the Baltimore Sun newsroom.

And yes, Dr. Snitch, I’ll admit to mixed feelings about Kima. McNulty’s great sin here was to try to squeeze more policing money from the city; he wasn’t manufacturing crimes for money or fame. I know I’m defending the behavior of a character I don’t like in a subplot I think is generally ridiculous, but I can’t help but notice that your great hero, Bunk (or is your great hero Clay Davis?), didn’t snitch.

Maybe it’s just that I’m more street than you are. You’ll learn more about my background in what we call the “hood” when Riverhead publishes my new memoir, about my life as a gay black stickup artist.

Best,
Jeff