Bill Simmons, ESPN's "Sports Guy" columnist, and I have been sharing much dialogue about season 5 of "The Wire." We disagree about the best scene in the history of the show. The truth is no one — with the possible exception of David Simon — has watched every episode of "The Wire" as many times as I have. Simmons, my favorite sports columnist, isn't qualified for this debate.
With that in mind, I offer the top 10 scenes in Wire history:
1. Avon and Marlo's sitdown at Jessup: Avon's dialogue is magnificent, and Marlo's body language is just as powerful.
2. Bodie and Poot killing Wallace: made me cry; saddest scene in TV history since Kunta Kinte took a beating for failing to answer to Toby.
3. Randy and Sgt. Carver at the hospital: Randy cried out as Carver walked out after failing to keep his word.
4. Omar and Levy at Bird's trial: I got the gun; you got the briefcase, explaining their roles in the drug game.
5. Omar and Brother Mouzone killing Stringer Bell: I couldn't sleep at night wondering how this show would go on without Stringer. I rewound the scene at least 100 times, swearing that Stringer's arm moved and that he was wearing a bullet-proof vest.
6. Burrell and Clay Davis: "I'm doing the Lord's work for you." Made me laugh out loud.
7. Deangelo, Bodie and Poot playing chess: "Da king stay da king." Deangelo explained why Avon will always be on top of the drug game (even from jail, and that's a prediction on how Season 5 will end).
8. Slim Charles and Avon talking after Stringer's death: Slim blasted Marlo and George W. Bush, explaining why it was necessary to war over a lie.
9. Rawls and McNulty in the hospital after Kima was shot: McNulty vomited, and Rawls explained that the shooting wasn't McNulty's fault.
10. Avon and Stringer on the balcony the night before Stringer is killed: This is The Sports Guy's pick for No. 1. It was good, but it's not the best because it's a re-enactment of Nino Brown and Gee Money's "Am I my brother's keeper" scene from "New Jack City.
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These are all good. I also like the one where Namon's mom calls him out as soft. A classic example of parenting...except the exact opposite.