I love these minimalist shots toward the beginning of the episode at the crime scene.

 

The empty chair and the fact that we don’t see the part of the room where Stringer usually stood are great insights into the grief and sense of loss hitting the Barksdale crew.

I really like the shot of McNulty and Bunk’s reflection as they walk into Stringer’s place. I enjoyed McNulty wondering who Stringer really was as this apartment only seemed to beg more questions.

The staging of this shot is very well done.

The large amount of red as well as the large, strong font really suggests an intensity in Marla’s campaign.

The light fell on McNulty’s face as he seemed to be realizing the person he wants to be and what changes he needs to make to do that. This whole episode seemed to deal a lot with McNulty finally finding himself and making the necessary moves to go in that direction.

This meet-up between Freamon and Prez reminded me a lot of the scene from (500) Days of Summer when Summer and Tom meet up after Summer has gotten married.

These shots from the news reel almost don’t seem real, as if they’re standing in front of a green screen or something.

Nice helicopter shot.

I love this shot of the white flag that has now been disregarded as they seize everyone in Hamsterdam.

Johnny finally met his end.

This is a really neat shot from behind Colvin’s head looking at everyone in attendance. They all seem very unified.

Colvin looks very alone here, especially being to the right and not centered.

The bulletin board of ties is a nice moment and running gag of sorts.

Here we finally see where all the cans end up. I like how McNulty tossed an empty, squished can up there, while Colvin threw his unfinished, un-squished can up there. It seems symbolic of their feelings about their police careers; McNulty has realized he needs to move on and Colvin feels that his time here ended early. And the endless amounts of cans we see in a pan shot following this reminds me of the rubble of Hamsterdam that we see at the end of the episode.

McNulty’s found where he belongs.

I love this shot of the remains of Hamsterdam and the little good that did exist in there.

Nice little easter egg to season 2.

Per usual of the season finale, they’re taking down the bulletin board.

The empty room shot.

Carcetti finally beginning his campaign. I love how his signs are amidst graffiti.

Marlo showing up at the hearing for the Barksdale crew reminds me of McNulty showing up at hearings in season 1.

Bubbles has a new sidekick. I love seeing them dig through the rubble.

This moment with Colvin and Bubbles at Hamsterdam was really nice. Both of them lost important things to this place.

Very powerful ending scene to the season.