Show Me A Hero begins with Nick Wasiscko (Oscar Isaac) getting out of his car and passing by the burial plot of his father. Interspersed without much words is a cutaway shot of Wasiscko's beeper going off to remind him to call 911. We see this scene two other times. The second time is at the beginning of part 4, when we then see Nick looking at a person and thinking it is his father; although we do not see Nick regurgitating his Maalox. The final time is at the end; which is the culmination of what would turn out to be his final day in life. You see, on October 29, 1993, Nick Wasiscko killed himself right near his father's burial plot. It was the culmination of a spiral which would have Mr. Wasiscko not be on a ballot on election day for the first time in 8 years. By that point in his life, although married to a smart person and effectively free from the grind of Yonkers politics, Nick Wasiscko was despondent over a perceived investigation into finances accrued during his time as Mayor: although nothing relating to corruption was ever found.
This reminded me of a technique Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu has used in his movies. In that, Innaritu begins his films with a scene or dream that may mean something. It is repeated at the end, only this time in an alternate fashion under a different point of view and/or an added context. I must say I was impressed with this storytelling technique; which I think is more of a Paul Haggis trademark than you would expect from David Simon. Initially, I did not place the scenes at the graveyard as being flash forwards until the final 20 minutes or so for Part 6. The giveaway for me was seeing Oscar Isaac wearing the same green turtleneck as you see when Show Me A Hero starts. That is when I realized the initial scenes at the graveyard would be repeated and enhanced at the end. And indeed it does, coupled with a David Simon trademark ending montage and where are the rest now texts interspersed.
This brings me to another observance about Show Me A Hero that rather stunned me. In past David Simon series such as Homicide, The Wire, Generation Kill and Treme; characters eventually move on, many living yet some having passed. Yet, particularly regarding The Wire, we are left with the realization that while there are changes, nothing really has changed. Think of it: the Baltimore Homicide unit still fights an uphill cause of righting the wrongs of the city; The Game still continues even though as Slim Charles says "It just got more fierce"; we are still in Iraq and in other military zones in the Middle East; and New Orleans is still in a lengthy process of recovering.
It is rather different in Show Me A Hero. That is because the public housing project in Yonkers works, even to this day with some 200 projects developed each year. Those still alive are still living in Yonkers and/or Westchester County, yet there lives are a heck of a lot better than decades prior. As well, the legal matters regarding the City of Yonkers were eventually settled....in 2007! None the less, they are settled. Possibly the one leading constant in the past 28 years has been Judge Leonard B. Sand still on the bench; albeit as a senior district court judge but still quite active.
In part 1 of this essay, I alluded to the Clarke Peters character, Robert Mayhawk, as plausibly being a fictional composite character of the many different community organizers and land developers that were involved in the early 1990s. I suppose I am correct in this assessment, as can be witnessed in the final end credits montage of the actor and his/her real life counterpart. There clearly is not one for Clarke Peters. I do feel however that Mr. Peters' role is an important piece of the puzzle when examining the matters pertaining to the housing project. As well, similar to Peters' roles as Lester Freamon in The Wire and Big Chief in Treme, there is a sense of moral clarity and realistic ideals that his character provides to others. I think of a scene in part 6, where Mayhawk, Oscar Newman (Peter Riegert) and others are hosting a seminar for proper neighbor policy. Clearly, many of the African-American homeowners are feeling belittled and/or insulted. Yet, Mayhawk responds with what TV Tropes likes to call an armor-piercing question. I'm paraphrasing here, but what is said is that in wanting a better life, most things would be different. Not necessarily better, but different. So with that in mind, is it better to be in a different environment with a promising future, or a bleak future with same results? Well, as we see towards the end, the homeowners understand these matters and are able to make different yet better lives for themselves. Obviously it is best shown with Doreen Henderson (Natalie Paul), who has indeed become an important figure in the community.
Show Me A Hero utilizes songs from two distinct singer songwriters. One is Bruce Springsteen, which at times seems like during the run of the miniseries we are hearing a greatest hits package. It is quite meticulously done and fits the scenes these songs are placed in. A more specific and yet important example is Steve Earle. Mr. Earle has appeared in supporting roles in The Wire and Treme; and in Show Me A Hero a deep cut from his album The Hard Way is played at the end of every installment. It is a song named When The People Find Out. Here is the initial recording from 1990.
In the last installment, a newer acoustic version is heard which is more somber. I personally prefer the newer version, which is far more biting and attentive to Earle's lyrical wisdom. Now, there is another song played on the last installment which I am not too sure what it is, though it sounds quite good.
One final impression Show Me A Hero had on me, and I think I am not alone in this regard. I found this miniseries to be more promising and important than a film Paul Haggis did 10 years ago. That movie of course was Crash, which I did like and still think was a surprise gem in 2005; I do not think it was worthy of a Best Picture Oscar, as I would have preferred Munich or Syriana as better movies that year. None the less, this is one of Mr. Haggis' best projects he has done recently. And one of two this year, the other being his involvement in the Alex Gibney documentary Going Clear; of which I mentioned in an earlier post.
Quite honestly, I am looking forward to what will be the next David Simon series or film he and his team at Blown Deadline have up their sleeve. Understandably, initiating a newer series or film or even book will take time; yet I look forward when the time comes. I feel the same way for Paul Haggis and his team at Pretty Pictures. Indeed, on a different matter, I am glad to see Mr. Haggis not need Scientology to advance in his endeavors.
Oh, one final thing. The person in elderly care in Part 1 of Show Me A Hero looked fairly familiar. I have now found out the actor was Rene Auberjonois; quite a nice cameo from one of the more iconic Hey, It's That Guy actors out there. Here is one of his more known roles.
In short, Show Me A Hero is on my shortlist for the best television in 2015; it is already for me the best miniseries. If this were a movie, it would definitely be among the best of this year. In fact, if Show Me A Hero cannot get Emmy nominations; I do not see why it should not receive Oscar nominations. It is that good.
All The Pieces Matter,
Robert
PS. Related to Scientology. I am becoming convinced that the Church of Scientology had a role in the death of Philip Seymour Hoffman. I will explain more soon.
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