Sadly for our beloved Logtown fans, nobody suggested a new moniker for Young MC. So, he remains Young MC.

The job search has been producing nothing for Richie. He keeps hoping for an ad looking for a male pole dancer, but the demand for such things is light beyond his mother's trailer, where he is expected to perform for free, and receives very few tips, other than to grease the pole so he doesn't get pole-burn.

Facing a financial crunch, Richie has been saving cigarette butts and using the leftover tobacco to roll cigarettes. Early on, he was only smoking these every fifth cigarette, or every other hour, but the ratio has been closing in on 1:1 lately. Fletcher has arrived after another miserable day at work to play some Madden.

"Hey Richie, are you ready to play?"

"I'm not feeling like getting my ass handed to me again right now. I wonder if playing you has the same effect on my psyche as if I were married."

"I didn't think you'd be in a very good mood, so I brought you a gift."

"I hope it's a better gift than those chili farts you've been bringing with you the last few days."

"It is. Here."

Fletcher reached into his bag, and produced something that brought a huge smile to Richie's face. A carton of Marlboro Lights.

"Fletcher, I'd marry you if I weren't a non-practing homosexual."

"I know. You're welcome. You ready for Madden now?"

Before responding -- actually before listening to Fletcher's question, Richie had tore open the carton, pulled out a pack, tapped it on his palm, opened the wrapper, pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and taken a drag....

"Yes, and I'll play a full game, no matter what the score."

1. Peoria Opies  46.06  (+0.08)

2. Kurtis Blow's Ballers  45.93  (-0.22)

3. Big D's Monsters  44.45  (+0.45)

4. Vandelay Industries  43.86  (+0.14)

5. Noodle Arm Choirboys  42.68  (+0.46)

6. Mineral Wells Steam  41.84  (-0.20)

7. Chalkdust Torturers  40.68  (-0.21)

8. Arnie's Army  40.67  (+0.22)

9. LA Kobes  38.06  (+0.19)

10. The Catamounts  37.89  (+0.06) 

Wow. When I saw David Simon’s statements that all stories will be resolved, I didn’t realize how serious he was.

The Season 5 premiere of The Wire dug deep into the history of the show, and even though this is going to be a shorter season, this one’s going to be the bomb.

Ellis Carver is the SIC of the Western District, and it may be too much for him to handle. The school district’s budget problems are so bad it’s destroyed police morale. Budget cuts have eliminated overtime pay, court pay, vehicle repairs, and anything else that costs money.

The school district’s budget problems are so bad it’s destroyed police morale. Budget cuts have eliminated overtime pay, court pay, vehicle repairs, and anything else that costs money.

Our beloved Major Crimes Unit started by working for free on the tail of Marlo, and by the end of the episode had been disbanded as another cost cutting measure. Kima and McNulty got bounced back to Homicide, prompting Sgt. Landsman to see Jimmy and make a prodigal son comment. Sydnor and Freamon were sent to the DA’s office to assist in the grand jury proceedings against Clay “Sheeeeeit” Davis. And Herc, banished from the department as a result of Bubbles’ payback and a lost video camera, is working for Levy, the slimy attorney for the Barksdale clan.

We only saw two of the child stars from last season. Michael is still working for Marlo, and Dukie is still with him, now apparently relegated to being Bug’s ‘manny.’

The Baltimore Sun cast was also introduced, but since I’m not entirely sure of who is who yet, I won’t go into much detail. Budget cuts are hurting there, too. And some of the higher ups don’t seem that interested in being good journalists.

I was somewhat surprised to see Amy Ryan return in her role as Beadie, otherwise known as McNulty’s new woman. Glad to see her, though. I was afraid that she’d be too busy with her movie career after all the good press she got after Gone Baby Gone. Sadly, it looks like she’s going to be going down the same path as the first Mrs. McNulty.