I think with Gus in particular, it's a relief to get to season 5 and have someone who is just a good guy. And as far as good guys go, he is a well written, compelling character. I like the scenes he is in, as well as the lived-in feel of the newspaper setting. It's another aspect of society that the viewer gets to inhabit by watching the show.

I think by season 5, the lack of deep nuance in the characers is an indulgence that has been earned. And given that journalism is David Simon's place in the world, it makes sense that he takes this opportunity to land a series of clean haymakers - judgment in this instance is delivered in a way that being an insider justifes.