Jay Landsman (The Wire)
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- This article is about the fictional character. For the actor, see Jay Landsman.
| Jay Landsman | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| First appearance | The Target (episode 1.01) |
| Statistics | |
| Gender | Male |
| Age | 40s |
| Occupation | Sergeant in the homicide unit of the Baltimore Police department |
| Title | Sergeant |
| Portrayed by | Delaney Williams |
| Created by | David Simon |
Jay Landsman is a fictional character played by Delaney Williams on the television series The Wire.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
[edit] Season 1
Landsman is a squad sergeant in the homicide division of the Baltimore police department. His commanding officer was originally William A. Rawls. Landsman's squad consists of several of the shows characters - in season one it comprised Detectives Jimmy McNulty, Bunk Moreland, Michael Santangelo, Ray Cole, Ed Norris and Vernon Holley. Landmsan finds the misfortune of the cops in his unit a constant source of amusement but is also protective of them at times. He is loyal to Rawls and also doggedly pursues the high case clearance rates that Rawls aims for but is realistic about the capabilities of his detectives.
When McNulty went around the chain of command and incurred Rawl's wrath by being detailed to another unit Landsman appeared unsympathetic. He insisted that McNulty's work looking at old homicide cases for the detail be put to his advantage to make up for losing a detective. To this end, he insisted that McNulty look into the Deirdre Kresson murder case; McNulty was reluctant because the case appeared unrelated. Landsman was sure a link would be found and his intuition later proved correct. However, Landsman did argue McNulty's case with Rawls and managed to get Rawls to agree that McNulty could return to homicide with a clean slate if the investigation was wrapped up quickly. Despite Landsman's best efforts McNulty remained out of favour with Rawls because he refused to end the case he was working on prematurely.
Landsman always maintained a black and twisted humour about the work of his squad. When Rawls gave Detective Santangelo an ultimatum of clearing a case by days end Landsman recommended a psychic to Santangelo. He claimed that the woman, Madame LaRue, was especially gifted in "matters of death investigation". Santangelo took this advice by burying a doll in a grave awaking later that night to be given evidence in the murder that had occurred. When "Sanny" saw that he had been given information regarding a open homicide, he thanked Landsman who then told him that the gypsy routine was a joke and that it had been Bunk Moreland and Jimmy McNulty who saved his career.[1]
Landsman's squad handled the case of the killing of Wendell "Orlando" Blocker and wounding of detective Kima Greggs and he was personally involved in the investigation.
[edit] Season 2
Landsman's squad was altered as Rawls transferred Santangelo and McNulty out of the unit because they had displeased him by working with the Barksdale detail. Lester Freamon returned to homicide after a thirteen year absence and joined Landsman's squad.
When Rawls was forced to take on the multiple homicide case of fourteen unidentified dead women he entrusted it to Landsman. Landsman gave the case to Freamon and Bunk telling them they were his best detectives. When his detectives started working with Cedric Daniels Sobotka detail Landsman saw the potential to offload the responsibility of the case but Daniels initially refused.
Landsman was responsible for the interrogation of Chester "Ziggy" Sobotka after he killed George "Double G" Glekas. Although Ziggy quickly confessed Landsman failed to inform Daniels' specialised detail about the murder in time for them to become involved. Daniels was irate with Landsman for his lack of forethought when it allowed his targets to dispose of evidence at the Glekas crime scene.
[edit] Season 4
Landsman is not above getting involved in politics. When his detective Ed Norris informs him that he is investigating the murder of a states witness Landsman passes the knowledge on to Major Valchek in secret. Valchek leaks the information to Tommy Carcetti who uses it against the current mayor in a key debate.
Landsman's squad is boosted by the return of Lester Freamon and the addition of Kima Greggs when a new unit commander drives them out of the major case unit. Landsman and his detectives constantly tease Greggs when she first joins the unit. Political pressure forces Landsman to assign Greggs to the witness murder instead of Norris. When this information is leaked to the press Landsman attends a press conference with Greggs and Norris to diffuse the story by claiming that they were working it together. Greggs feels used by her superiors and this creates friction between her and Landsman. Landsman is forced to intercede in the investigation a second time when Norris threatens to break the case on the eve of the election. Rawls tells him that whatever the outcome of the case one of the candidates will be put out and it is better to leave it pending until after the election. Landsman is told to reassign Greggs and Norris to polling station duty for the day to prevent progress in their investigation.[2]
[edit] Origins
The character is based on and named after a real homicide detective sergeant whom David Simon had met while researching the book Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets. The character is often given dialogue that the writers recall the real Landsman using. Delaney Williams was chosen for the part because of the creaters experience of working with him in small roles on Homicide and The Corner.[3] In season 3 the real Jay Landsman joined the cast and now plays Dennis Mello.
[edit] References
- ^ Character profile - Sergeant Jay Landsman. HBO (2004). Retrieved on 2006-07-22.
- ^ Org Chart - The Law. HBO (2004). Retrieved on 2006-07-22.
- ^ David Simon. (2005). 'The Wire "The Target" commentary track [DVD]. HBO.
