The character in The Wire that catches people’s attention the most is Bubbles. Bubbles is a troubled man who faces hardships and is very affected by his addiction. The audience sees many sides of Bubbles and they desire justice for him in every episode. During the beginning of the season, the audience sees Bubbles mentoring his young intern, Sherrod. Sherrod is a struggling kid and Bubbles takes him under his wing, gives him a place to sleep and provides him with an opportunity to make some money. This relationship is noteworthy because Bubbles is currently troubled by his own issues and addiction. Not only does Bubbles mentor Sherrod, he also re-enrolls him back into school so that he can better his math skills in the hopes that it will make him a more effective businessman on the streets. A man who has no reason to help a struggling teen does so and it shows great character. The audience begins to have respect for a person who, at first glance, may not have deserved it.
Another relationship that becomes toxic, but entails many respectable underlying characteristics is between Bubbles and Thomas Hauk, aka Herc. Bubbles agrees to help locate Herc’s stolen camera and help find a witness to Fruit’s murder. However, the audience sees the relationship unfold when Herc repeatedly lets Bubbles down by not living up to his word. Herc promises to stop the man that constantly harasses and abuses Bubbles. Unfortunately, Herc ignores Bubbles when he calls for help. However, the worst part of the relationship is how many times Bubbles goes crawling back to Herc because of the promises bestowed upon him. Herc manipulates Bubbles into agreeing to help him out, yet Herc never once returns the favor. The most Herc does for Bubbles is bring him some fried chicken and soda, but only because Herc needs another favor. Bubbles’ faith in humanity is a very respectable characteristic that should not be overlooked. It shows how much trust he has in people and how willing he is to give someone multiple chances. The audience sees this when Bubbles takes in Sherrod and gives him an opportunity to make something out of his life. Later, that same notion is evident when Bubbles continues to see the good that can come from trusting a police officer. Bubbles shows that even though he has a terrible addiction and is treated poorly, he still believes in humanity and all that it may possess.
November 27, 2015 at 11:41 pm
Great read group! My group also found Bubbles to be the most intruiging character. I like how you talk about Bubbles being a person of trust and giving chances. Even though we the audience see all the repeating hardship he endures on a day to day basis we are still rooting for him because he is a good person.
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November 28, 2015 at 1:39 am
Our group also chose Bubbles as the character we found most intriguing. He is one of the most heartbreaking characters to watch because he’s a kindhearted man and tries to do good, but he clearly is just a victim in a system that marginalizes poor people of color. It’s especially emotional for the viewer because Bubbles takes the time to mentor Sherrod and tries to help him better himself. Bubbles has deep struggles with addiction and leads a very difficult life, but he still wants to do good things for other people and show them compassion.
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November 28, 2015 at 2:19 am
I enjoyed reading this post because personally Bubbles is my favorite character. I thought your group hit it on the head when talking about the trust Bubbles puts into police and how it shows he has faith in humanity. This faith has constantly been his downfall whether it was with sherrod or Herc but that is what makes Bubbles such a likable character in the show. Great job Group.
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November 28, 2015 at 2:23 am
I enjoyed reading this post because personally Bubbles is my favorite character. I thought your group hit it on the head when talking about the trust Bubbles puts into police and how it shows he has faith in humanity. This faith has constantly been his downfall whether it was with sherrod or Herc but that is what makes Bubbles such a likable character in the show. Great job Group.
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November 28, 2015 at 2:25 am
I enjoyed reading this post because personally Bubbles is my favorite character. I thought your group hit it on the head when talking about the trust Bubbles puts into police and how it shows he has faith in humanity. This faith has constantly been his downfall whether it was with sherrod or Herc but that is what makes Bubbles such a likable character in the show. Great job Group.
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November 28, 2015 at 3:12 am
I really enjoyed reading your post as our group selected Bubbles as the character we found most interesting! Its no wonder Bubbles was such a popular choice. Despite his own heightened problems including addiction, he manages to help out other members of the community and maintain honesty in most situations.
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November 28, 2015 at 5:18 am
I have been intrigued by Bubbles all season also, so I enjoyed your blog. Your assertion that Bubbles has faith in humanity despite his many issues, makes me hope for a happy ending for him. It also shows that environment and other people sometimes perpetuate the cycle for addicts.
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November 28, 2015 at 7:44 am
I love what you said about the relationship between Bubbles and Herc. Does Bubbles being a homeless man working with the cops what makes him the most intriguing to you?
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November 28, 2015 at 7:44 am
Our own group agreed that Bubbles was the most fascinating character in The Wire. Bubbles is a fallen hero because he tries to do good for the community even though he has his own problems and vices. He is interesting because the viewers want Bubbles to succeed but continually see the hardship he faces. We can only hope that he is able to endure and overcome the difficult times – such as a hero would.
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November 29, 2015 at 7:18 pm
I pity drug addicts, but I don’t think they are inferior people who don’t deserve respect. Although Bubbles is an addict, he possess great moral strength that many sober people don’t have. Bubbles takes drugs like so many other people, in an effort to escape the harsh realities of this world.
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November 30, 2015 at 5:38 am
Although our group did not pick bubbles as the most attention grabbing character in the series, I agree that he is the most interesting character. I find him to be such a fascinating character, because of the role he plays in the show being a lonely drug addicted person. It’s not normal to see a drug addictive homeless man with little more than a cart of knock off store goods as a large role character. Its so interesting because I don’t see him as a drug addict, and only when its brought up do I diagnose him that way.
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November 30, 2015 at 8:24 am
Bubble is a character that I like. Although, he has his own demons which is the drug addiction, he works hard just to get by. I admired that. Given his limited resources available to him, he does his own business by reselling everyday items. I think he is a character that has a potential for greatness had he fallen into drugs.
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December 4, 2015 at 11:59 pm
I agree that Bubbles is a really interesting character, one of my favorites. I think the inclusion of his character in The Wire gives the audience a look into someone they would judge in the real world. I think people typically assume that homeless people are crazy or criminals but to see Bubbles and his compassion for others is a great insight. Well done.
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December 5, 2015 at 12:02 am
I really like this character analysis. I think the inclusion of the character Bubbles in The Wire gives the audience insight into something that we would usually judge in a negative way. I think that typically most people assume homeless individuals are either criminal or crazy and seeing the compassion of Bubbles challenges that view and gives us insight. Well done.
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December 5, 2015 at 12:12 am
https://americanhotblogs.wordpress.com/2015/11/27/the-most-intriguing-character-in-the-wire/
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December 10, 2015 at 3:25 am
Although our group did not pick this character, I agree that he is one of the most intriguing characters in the The Wire. He is a perfect example of a black man who is just trying to live his life everyday but because of his skin color he is already pointed out and defined as the typical stereotype of a black man. With the heart and being that he has and is, he shows the true struggles of being a black individual.
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December 11, 2015 at 4:07 pm
I really like how this blog humanizes Bubbles, and doesn’t consider him just a drug addict. I like that you talk about his dimensions and who he is and treats others, including Sherrod, and the police. He is a very trusting character.
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December 15, 2015 at 1:27 am
I appreciate you looking at the lowliest character on Season 4 of The Wire. You really give Bubbles depth of personality and humanize him. Though addiction is an ugly disease, people ARE more than their addictions. He trusts people to a fault, but that is what makes him unique. I really identify with that. Sometimes I give people the benefit of the doubt or trust too much to my own demise, but faith in humanity is needed in times like we are living in now. Thank you for reminding me of that.
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