Port in a Storm
| "Port in a Storm" | |
|---|---|
| The Wire episode | |
 |
|
| Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 12 |
| Directed by | Robert F. Colesberry |
| Story by | David Simon Ed Burns |
| Teleplay by | David Simon |
| Featured music | "I Feel Alright" by Steve Earle "Have You Ever Seen the Rain? by Joan Jett |
| Original air date | August 23, 2003 |
| Running time | 63 minutes |
| Guest appearance(s) | |
"Port in a Storm" is the 12th and final episode of the second season of the HBO original series, The Wire. The episode was written by David Simon from a story by David Simon & Ed Burns and was directed by Robert F. Colesberry. It originally aired on August 24, 2003.
The title refers to the turmoil taking place at the port, as foreshadowed by the previous episode title Storm Warnings. The "storm" includes the death of Frank Sobotka, the progression of the trials of several port characters as well as U.S. Marshals taking over the checker's union hall.
The title is also a reference to the proverb: "Any port in a storm". The proverb tries to say that in an emergency, people will take any help from any source, regardless of the unpleasantness of it. This could refer to Bubbles asking Kima for help (and vice versa), Nicky talking to the Greeks for advice and then turning to the detail, Avon accepting Prop Joe's stash, Sergei flipping with the police, and the special crimes unit using the resources of the FBI.
In this quote The Greek refers to the fact that everything they do is for the business they are running, from the manipulation of the ports to their own names and lives. They are twisting the world to meet their own ends but they are also an institution in themselves, connected to the other institutions such as the FBI, the shipping docks, immigration, etc. It also hints at the fact that the crime business cycle will continue.
Hank Williams' "A Mansion on the Hill" plays when Beadie and Bunk visit the Philadelphia port security office. A cover version of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" by Joan Jett plays at the bar where the detail drown their sorrows. The Steve Earle song "I Feel Alright" plays over the closing montage. Earle has a small recurring role as a drug counselor named Walon, but does not appear in this season. Earle also sings Tom Waits' "Way Down in the Hole" for the fifth season opening credits of the show.
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