FIVE GO DOWN TO THE WIRE
Mar 28th, 2009 by Conor McCabe
It may seem a bit strange that in a series universally praised for its dialogue and characterization, the one line that really jumped out at me in the Wire was the one below. It’s only a short conversation between two characters, who are discussing a third, and although it provides a bit of insight on said character, really it’s a bit of a throwaway scene.
Anyways, the character, proposition Joe, says this line:
Immediately I thought of the wonderful Finbarr Donnelly and Five Go Down To The Sea, and their marvelous creation, The Glee Club.
There’s more than one reference to Irish culture in The Wire, but this one really tickled me, even though it’s obviously a coincidence. And Donnelly, on his part, sings a line or two from the 1941 hit, Pardon me Boys is that the chattanooga chu chu.
Proposition Joe clarifies when questioned that the Glee Club means:
Enjoy.
