Ujio

I agree with what both of you are saying. I think it's a little bit of both. But it's how he delivers the pitch. He could be desperate or panicking inside, and yet, he is still so entertaining and charismatic. I don't know how many times he got out of sticky situations like this with his eloquence and charisma alone. By the by, on a completely superficial note, has anyone noticed that both Goggins and Olyphant (almost) have knock-knees and that they both walk in a similar manner? Somehow, I think that adds to their swagger, which I find very sexy... I'm really going to miss the characters when it's all over. There should be a season 6 wish list thread!

While I didn't get to watch the show in real time (I'm so sorry, David Simon!), my husband and I enjoyed slow-binge-watching this top-notch quality drama over a four-month period. Where to begin? I don't think a TV show has ever made me cry as hard as the fourth season finale did. I came to care so much for all the characters, especially the kids, that what happened to Randy, Michael, and Duquan broke my heart. To take four unknown child actors and let them develop and evolve organically was a very gutsy move on TPTB's part. What a satisfying payoff they got in the end! So, yes, season 4 I rank highest. I may be in the minority here, but I was thoroughly mesmerized by the characters of season 2 as well. It took time at first to get used to the environment/characters so different from those in season 1, but once I got into it, it felt magical. I also like how self-contained the season is. Seasons 1 and 3 are about the same for me, what with the focus on the Barksdale/Stanfield organizations. Season 5 was not as bad as some have made it out to be. I'd braced for much worse, so I was pleasantly surprised. The crazy plots did not bother me one bit (as Rinaldo says above, Hamsterdam was equally outrageous), but the Baltimore Sun storyline didn't seem as nuanced as some others, perhaps because Simon himself has admitted to the fact that he felt very strongly about the subject matter. But the final montage just about makes up for whatever was lacking in season 5. I don't think I'd ever seen, nor will I ever see as satisfying a finale as The Wire's. So it's season 4, 2, 3=1, and 5 -- in that order -- for me. I'd love to hear what everyone else has to say!

Pretty good end to a disappointing season. It was only in the last several episodes that the show started to show some signs of life, but I guess it's better late than never. Boyd pitching the Vegas deal to the Mexican henchmen was just classic. He is so charismatic, I'd fall in love with him listening to him recite the phone book. I think Ava and Boyd still love each other, so we should see a lot of angst from Boyd, Ava, and Raylan next season. This finale was definitely a game-changer, and IMO it was really handled well. It made me want more -- and long for a satisfying closure. Can't say I felt that way earlier in the season. I'm glad the show redeemed itself. I wonder if Kendal will ever re-enter Raylan's life...

Well, I was expecting Rubicon-level slowness, so I was actually pleasantly surprised! It kept my attention. The show has good acting all around as well as beautiful scenery. It's pretty "classy," for lack of a better word, and I, for one, cannot wait to see how the details work out (of course, we all know the big picture of what happens). I sure would not want to be in Abe's position. I felt claustrophobic just thinking about it. I stuck with it until the (premature) ends of Rubicon and Copper. I think we will give this one a shot, too. Hopefully, this show will enjoy a long, satisfying run. Last but not least, how adorable is that kid??? Expression on that kid's face when Abe's father said that he knew Abe had lied was priceless. Perfectly on cue, too. Impressive!