Episodes
On the final episode of the podcast, Jemele Hill and Van Lathan give their take on where ‘The Wire’ ranks all time in television history, and hand out some Season 5 awards. To close the episode, Van delivers a very explicit sidebar on his prom night (1:07:00).
Published 12/21/20
Jemele Hill and Van Lathan break down the series finale of ‘The Wire’ with a deep dive on several important characters as they reach the final stages of their personal story arcs (07:00). Then, the two go over some of their favorite scenes (51:30) as well as what about the episode aged the best and worse (58:00).
Published 12/16/20
Jemele Hill and Van Lathan inch closer to the conclusion of 'The Wire' by eulogizing the character Snoop. Later in the show, they pick out their favorite scenes and decide who won the episode.
Published 12/14/20
Jemele Hill and Van Lathan inch closer to the series finale of ‘The Wire’ with a eulogy of Omar Little (09:00). Later, the two pick some of their favorite scenes from Season 5, Episode 8 (36:00) and discuss much more.
Published 12/09/20
Nearing the end of 'The Wire,' Jemele Hill and Van Lathan conquer another episode of ‘Way Down in the Hole.’ This week, the duo dives in to corrupt senator Clay Davis and analyzes his brilliant courtroom scene (8:20). Then Van leads Jemele through an epic sidebar (36:30), which involves stripping … and, to quote Jemele, “an eyeful.”
Published 12/07/20
Jemele Hill and Van Lathan push forward to the sixth episode of Season 5 of ‘The Wire’ with a character deep dive on detective Sydnor (14:00). Later, they recall some of their favorite scenes, including the surprise returns of some important characters (27:00)
Published 12/02/20
Jemele Hill and Van Lathan move along to the fifth episode of Season 5 with a character deep-dive on Chris Partlow after discovering he has a family at home (10:00). Later in the episode, the two take a deep look at how Omar survived his jump from the balcony (38:00), and of course Jemele and Van provide plenty of sidebars along the way.
Published 11/30/20
Jemele Hill and Van Lathan jump into the fourth episode of Season 5 of ‘The Wire’ with a deep dive on Prop Joe in response to the character’s death (09:00). Later, the two pick out some of the episode’s best scenes and have a sidebar conversation involving clowns and pranks (30:00).
Published 11/25/20
Pushing forward to Episode 3 of Season 5, Jemele Hill and Van Lathan critically analyze the Baltimore Sun plot line (1:21) and how it lacks compared to other stories in the show. Scott Templeton is deemed “the worst” by Jemele (16:16), plus an outrageous Van Lathan sidebar (47:00) and more, coming up on this episode of ‘Way Down in the Hole.’
Published 11/23/20
Jemele Hill and Van Lathan move along to Episode 2 of the final season of ‘The Wire’ with a deep dive on sober Bubbles (09:00). Later, they dive into some of the best scenes of the episode, including an appearance from Avon Barksdale (24:00).
Published 11/18/20
Jemele Hill and Van Lathan return to close out the fifth and final season of ‘The Wire.’ Jemele discusses why she thinks it’s the most disappointing season of the show (1:20) before the duo does a deep dive on a new character, newsroom editor Gus Haynes (14:30). Van jumps into a sidebar on a challenging newsroom experience (39:55) before crowning a winner of the episode (53:39).
Published 11/16/20
Jemele Hill and Van Lathan hand out several awards to close out Season 4 of ‘The Wire,’ including Rookie of the Year (40:30), Best Scene (35:00), MVP (1:09:00), and more. Stay tuned for another Van Lathan sidebar, involving corporal punishment and Janet Jackson (56:00). Hosts: Jemele Hill and Van Lathan
Published 11/04/20
RIP to a real one. On this episode of ‘Way Down in the Hole,’ Jemele Hill and Van Lathan eulogize Preston “Bodie” Broadus (15:20). They run through some standout scenes from the Season 4 finale (38:02) before Van receives a special phone call from actor J. D. Williams (1:08:15).
Published 11/02/20
Jemele Hill and Van Lathan break down Episode 12 of Season 4 of ‘The Wire’ with a character deep dive on detective Ellis Carver. Later in the episode, the two pick some of their favorite scenes and Van delivers a sidebar on riding horses.
Published 10/28/20
Jemele Hill and Van Lathan are just two episodes away from wrapping up this season of ‘Way Down in The Hole.’ As they unpack Season 4, Episode 11, they take a look at the beloved character Bubbles. Then they reflect on a tearjerking scene and talk about a Dem Franchize Boyz song that has aged incredibly well.
Published 10/26/20
Jemele Hill and Van Lathan move along to Season 4, Episode 10 of ‘The Wire’ with a character deep dive on Clay Davis, which leads to a rare Jemele Hill sidebar on “ain’t shit” men. Later in the episode, the duo picks out some of their favorite scenes and discuss who was right, Bodie or Poot, in reaction to Little Kevin’s death. Hosts: Jemele Hill and Van Lathan
Published 10/21/20
On today’s episode of ‘Way Down in the Hole,’ Jemele Hill and Van Lathan analyze an iconic, yet slightly uncomfortable scene that takes place in a Ruth’s Chris Steak House. The two recap Episode 9 before getting into some trivia, which includes a 'Wire' star who almost beat Daniel Craig out to be James Bond, and more.
Published 10/19/20
Jemele Hill and Van Lathan move on to Episode 8 of Season 4 of ‘The Wire’ with a deep dive into Michael Lee (18:30). Later in the episode, they pick out some of their favorite scenes (35:00) and Van provides a can’t-miss sidebar involving Jheri curls and father-son relationships (1:00:30). Hosts: Jemele Hill and Van Lathan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Published 10/14/20
Jemele Hill and Van Lathan inch closer to the end of the fourth season of ‘The Wire’ as they recap Episode 7 (5:36). Van shares one of his favorite scenes in ‘Wire’ history (32:22) and reminisces on the time he saw ‘Brokeback Mountain’ in theaters (40:23) before the duo fill us in on some notable moments to file away for later (54:09).
Published 10/12/20
Jemele Hill and Van Lathan break down Episode 6 of the fourth season of ‘The Wire’ with a deep dive on De’Londa Brice (08:50). Later, they shine a light on some of their favorite scenes from the episode (41:00) and look at what aged the worst (48:00). Hosts: Jemele Hill and Van Lathan
Published 10/07/20
Voodoo, zombies, and a haunting suspicion that Chris Partlow is the mastermind behind the eerie disappearances in West Baltimore are just some of the topics mentioned in Episode 5 of Season 4 of ‘The Wire.’ Jemele Hill and Van Lathan continue their marathon of the show, digging into the dysfunctional systems that fuel the story line (3:32). They also take a closer look at Chris (12:07) before comparing his presence to some notable horror-movie figures (16:20).
Published 10/05/20
Jemele Hill and Van Lathan jump into the fourth episode of Season 4 of ‘The Wire’ with a deep dive on Randy Wagstaff (11:40). Later, the two pick out some standout scenes (33:45) and determine who won the episode (1:11:40).
Published 09/30/20
Jemele Hill and Van Lathan discuss Season 4, Episode 3 of ‘The Wire.’ The two look back on their own middle school experiences (32:00), then break down Duquan "Dukie" Weems (11:20). They debate which scene absolutely stole the show (34:24) before Van divulges the one time he tried to dress like Tupac (49:12).
Published 09/28/20
Jemele Hill and Van Lathan move on to Episode 2 of the fourth season of ‘The Wire’ with a character deep dive on Namond Brice (13:10). Later in the episode, they pick out some of their favorite scenes (35:35) and, of course, take some time for a Van Lathan sidebar.
Published 09/23/20