George Pelecanos

Series Wrapup

Thanks for sending in your feedback! Now that we have the benefit of looking back on the complete series of We Own This City, we have the advantage of looking at this multi-layer problem as a whole. This show offers us viewers a chance to engage with and develop compassion for people we may not share experience with. That is prestige television at its best. And please enjoy the American accent lesson from an informed listener.

Read More

S01E06 – Part Six

David Simon ends his statement in a finale that leaves us both heartbroken and hopeful. The bad guys in blue are behind bars, but that’s not enough. The current broken system will churn out more. Does Jenkins, and people like him, truly realize that they are part of the problem? How far can this situation push until it breaks people like Nicole Steele? It makes us ask the question, what does it mean to truly do good and create a justice system based on rehabilitation and redemption?

Read More

S01E05 – Part Five

In the penultimate episode of We Own This City, we’re seeing the investigation probe deeper into the corruption of the police department and the boys in blue are getting antsy. Nicole Steele shares a new layer and insight to her personal experiences. Watch with dismay as the corruption in Baltimore extends all the way into President 45’s administration. When everybody points the finger at everyone else, how does anything get fixed?
Have feedback? Drop us a line at corners@baldmove.com. Looking for more on the subject? Check out Season 3 of Serial, start here.

Read More

S01E04 – Part Four – Feedback

Looking at the systemic problems impeding justice, we wonder: how do we create solutions? And that’s the rub, there are no immediate solutions. The way forward will be incremental changes over years. Sounds like too long? It is. This is a multigenerational problem. Hopefully the addition of shows like The Wire and We Own This City are changing minds and bringing more attention to issues that need to be dealt with.

And thank you to the Baltimore residents who write in to check the authenticity of the show and provide more context. And for confirming Jon Bernthal’s Baltimore dialect is accurate.

Read More

S01E04 – Part Four

With only two episodes left to go, we are soon approaching the end of We Own This City. We hear the title of the show said in this episode and it’s as infuriating as it should be. The show asks the question, when the bully cops go too far even by the other bully cops standards, why do those people who could do something, still do nothing? When this corruption and violence is the input of this horrid policing, then this unrest is the logical output.

Have some feedback? Send it in to corners@baldmove.com.

Read More

S01E03 – Part Three

This show makes us mad, in a good way. We’re getting a wider scope of the issues ingrained in the BPD and the bad police policy implemented decades ago that just kept getting worse over the years. Follow us on our episode breakdown by topic as we dissect the multiple characters, nuances, and layers of this show. One of our deep dives focuses on Hersl and the perverse incentives in this system. 

Read More

S01E02 – Part Two

It’s only episode two and We Own This City is laying out the big problems in the Baltimore Police Department. As to be expected, it’s a grim picture of corrupted departments and justice. What do you do with a law task force that has no regard for the law? In a situation that feels hopeless, maybe this show will offer a nugget of wisdom. 

Read More

S01E01 – Part One

Back with another powerhouse show, David Simon and George Pelecanos are giving us a look into the corruption of the Baltimore Police Force. If you’re an alum of The Wire, you’ll find similarities in this show’s structure. If you’re not, this podcast episode has helpful insight for understanding the multiple POVs and how this mechanic is what makes Simon shows’ storytelling unique and powerful. There’s a lot to unpack, and this is just the beginning. 

Read More

We Own This City Preview

David Simon and George Pelecanos, who brought you The Wire and The Deuce, are soon releasing their newest show: We Own This City. The show is based on the book We Own This City by Justin Fenton. Listen in to our spoiler-free first impressions and hopes for the show. It already looks good!

Read More