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Even if you read Justin Fenton’s We Own This City: A True Story of Crime, Cops, and Corruption and know how everything ended in real life, chances are you watched the HBO adaptation for the performances and to see how the limited series’ creators David Simon and George Pelecanos interpreted everything.
Ultimately, Simon and Pelecanos created a fair and fascinating examination of modern-day policing. They also showed how the Baltimore police department’s in-house corruption destroyed lives and left an already beleaguered city in worse shape, following Freddie Gray’s death at the hands of officers.
Never was this message more clear than in Monday’s heartbreaking series finale, in which homicide Det. Sean Suiter possibly took his own life. Although the coroner’s office ruled it a homicide, an independent review decided the investigator staged his self-inflicted death to protect his legacy and ensure that his family would be cared for financially.
Without saying whether or not Suiter fell prey to Sgt. Wayne Jenkins’ sticky fingers and grimy ways, the series finale painted an ambiguous scenario where Jenkins’ former partner felt like he was guilty by association and didn’t want to snitch or lose his job in order to bring Jenkins to justice. If Suiter did steal or take stolen money, we will never know. But Jamie Hector did a thoughtful and compelling job of bringing Suiter’s very nuanced and tragic story to life.
In a cruel twist of irony that played out in the final 10 minutes of the finale, Jenkins was able to use Suiter’s death as a way to blame the deceased husband and father for planting drugs on a suspect.
Like Hector, Jon Bernthal never disappointed as Wayne. With a exaggerated cockiness that barely hid a mountain of insecurity and self-deception, Bernthal presented a top cop who sold drugs, stole money and cheated on his wife but never thought he was in the wrong.
Wayne drank his own tainted Kool-Aid for so long, he was actually and noticeably shocked when he got arrested, tried and sentenced. His fellow officers and subordinates were punished as well, but Wayne’s sentence was the harshest because he cooperated the least. Knowing all of this, Bernthal still managed to make his character sympathetic, and that is no small feat in a story full of compromised politicians and police officials alike.
Last but not least, Wunmi Mosaku’s DOJ attorney Nicole Steele punctuated how broken the justice system is when she attempted to create a consent decree for the Baltimore Police Department and realized body cameras — if the city even bothered to pay for them — would do little to nothing to stop the baked-in brutality and corruption. Steele resigned as a result, and even though the character was a composite, it would’ve been nice to learn what became of the well-intentioned attorneys who inspired the role.
What did you think of the We Own This City finale? Grade the limited series in our poll, and share your thoughts on the drama and its closer in the comments.
Deep show and true life loved it can’t wait to repeat it thank you as an ex police officer i can only say people have no idea how much this type of stuff really goes on , plus the war on drugs is a total disaster
Outstanding finale and, as I commented on May 2, it wouldn’t surprise me if this series becomes must viewing for police recruits, if not all police staff. The series also cannot help but make me wonder about something. Since most cops like cop shows or movies I wonder if those who watched it, and perhaps have undertaken the same dirty deeds as those depicted, now have second thoughts about what they’ve taken part in. Or perhaps they will continue the same corruption since they feel they’re either too sucked into their rotten system to turn back now, or feel invincible and believe only the stupid ones will eventually get caught. Food for thought. As far as other aspects of the series, Jon Berthal delivers a great performance which is Emmy worthy, I believe. Kudos as well to Jamie Hector. It is the character of Hector’s Sean Suiter who I found quite disturbing, especially – SPOILER ALERT HERE – his demise. To me the episode clearly indicated his death was a suicide, yet from what I have researched on the story many doubts still remain. For those who want to see more on this, I recommend checking out, on HBO demand, the documentary “The Slow Hustle,” which focuses on Sean Suiter and directly relates to the events depicted in the series. While it may not deliver a true conclusion, the doc gives much pause to the suicide theory.
I would like to know what happen to the doj attorneys in Baltimore. The ending left unanswed questions. Wayne , Suiter and the bail bondsman.
Thought that was interesting that they clearly went with the suicide theory. I thought they might have being a bit more nuanced and vague about what happened to him especially since HBO showed the documentary and they were on the fence about whether he took money or not from Jenkins.
Very good show all round. Jenkins is still serving time – he tried to request early release because of COVID but no bueno. The 2 cops that cooperated that got 7 years have already been released. The others are still in jail. Donny Stepp cooperated and got a lighter sentence but don’t think he is out yet. The latest update from the others in law enforcement is that Marilyn Mosby is up on charges for I think tax evasion. The whole system seems to be corrupt from the top down.
I agree the question of suicide or not should have been portrayed as more vague, & let the viewer decide. I just read this morning that family and friends of Sean Suiter are very upset by the finale, & understandably so. A real shame. God Bless the family & what they have to endure.
Wow, amazing series. Jon Bernthal actually made me believe, at least for a minute, that Wayne Jenkins wasn’t dirty. An outstanding actor.
I am not from the US, but I am really curious to know how Baltimore and their judicial system is faring now.
I’ve read that police transparency and accountability remain concerns for Baltimore and it’s residents. If that’s true, sounds like the city still has a long way to go. Frustrating and sad.
The war on drugs is Bs. Its a losing battle and they know it. They are only filling their pplz into prisons.
The land of the free (lol) has the highest prisoner rate in the world.
Shouldnt police protect their citizens? Not just make bs arrests to make them look good. And whats even worse is that the Police in their ivory tower only care about their stats and politics.
Personally i think that it became so much worse is because you can legally buy weapons in the US. Im all for weapons to defend urself… in 1776 ! not 2022. They should have changed the constitution long ago and changed their laws.
There’s really no reason why anyone should own an assault rifle or want one either. What could people possibly think they need to defend themselves against with such a weapon? Its more for lunatics to get their kicks if anything.
Exactly … no wonder there are school shootins in the US.. like every year ! Isnt it enough already.! Lets see what happens when a victim of bullying has enough and reached his breaking point.
The police can’t always get there on time and criminals do not respect gun laws. You are making things worse.
I found this series very uncomfortable to watch in light of police acts in recent years. Should tell you how well the show is done if anything if it can cover such sensitive issues and really make you feel for the (innocent)victims of police corruption.
The biggest problem Baltimore has had is the DA’s office refusing to prosecute anyone. Hollywood delivers the left-wing narrative the places like tvline and deadline worship. Go ahead, defund the bad guy police and see how you like life.
Oh look, another person that has no clue what they’re talking about. The just regurgitate right-wing talking points based in misinformation and lacking any semblance of reality.
Baltimore for years has been a place for some of the most intriguing mini aeries about the environments people live in and for a government funded institution to prey on the people they take an oath to protect, well thats a story writers would have a hard time creating. SMH
I enjoyed the story.My Godfather Stephen Tabeling would have never allowed is vigilante action..He was a well distinguished ..Baltimore City Policeman.