Curios: The Desk Remains Triumphant

 The opening scene to “Old Cases” is one of [The Wire's] funniest jokes. In fact, it plays like a live-action version of one of the all-time classic jokes: “How many members of (target group x) does it take to screw in a light bulb.” In this case, “target group x” is the Baltimore Police Department, and the light bulb is a desk. The scene begins simply enough: Freamon idly sands his dollhouse furniture as Herc attempts to move a desk through a narrow doorway.  Carver comes in and tries to help from the other side, but they fail. McNulty and Sydnor join in the effort, followed by Daniels, but they still can’t move it. The men are at a loss, defeated by the desk; Herc throws in the towel. “At this rate,” he says, gasping for air, “We’re never gonna get it in.” “In?” Carver asks in disgust and disbelief. Frustrated, angry, and embarrassed, the men all storm out while the desk remains triumphant in the doorway.

"The Wire Blog: 1.4: The Desk Remains Triumphant", Peter Honig; July 16, 2012.