I just came off a binge 4 day marathon where I watched the entire first season... and in my opinion it's comparable to Lost, the Sopranos, etc. Such a great show.
Basically its about narcotics cops in Baltimore and a big case they do, but more than that it's got a lot of cool police politics and it also shows you the drug dealers perspectives. I don't normally like cop shows as I think they are so formulaic and boring, but this one was just wow. I had no fucking idea what was going to happen and every episode was just so good.
It's heavily continuity based so missing an episode fucks you, and I like this because it assumes the watcher is intelligent and capable, rather than dumbass network television geared to entertaining your ass for one episode at a time with little carryover.
Anyway enough with me gushing, anyone else love this show?
Yeah, I used to watch it but they no longer send it -,.- I didn't like the 2nd season as much tho (maybe because they replaced the themesong with a cover of the old one ; )).
i downloaded the entire first season, took me about a day. the first season dvds are out. my roommates and i just started watching the second season, i heard the third one is really good too and the fourth season is starting up very soon.
the actors feel so genuine, in just about every TV show you can pick out one or two actors who can't act, but this show everyone just hits their role so well.
The wire is one of my favourite shows ever ! Great story, great actors, great direction, i remember when it was first broadcasted here, it was my only time of the week i would watch tv. Sadly, they didn't broadcast season 2 and 3 in France (fools), i started to dowload them a few days ago, i'll be able to catch up.
sorry to bump this thread but I didn't know where my post would go other than here:
yesterday one of the actors from The Wire: Season 2, james ransone, who played Ziggy Sobotka, came into the law office yesterday as the petitioner for an immigration case. despite his character being quite annoying on the show, he was quite a cool guy, totally unassuming. i got to talk to him for a little while when he was meeting with the lawyer that i'm a paralegal for.
for those that don't know, he was also in "Inside Man" by Spike Lee which also starred Denzel, Clive Owen, and a bunch of other big names.
after talking about the wire and how awesome it is and how it ruins all other shows (i find it hard to watch any other tv dramas because the dialogue sounds so unauthentic and forced), he started talking about working with Spike and Denzel...
james: denzel hates white people. seriously. he'll ask like this tiny white woman to carry his bags...
everyone else in office: [shocked] what?
james: yeah, you wouldn't think he's an asshole from seeing him in movies, but he is. spike lee isn't though, he's really awesome. spike would throw a party with his own money for the cast and crew every week, and is just all around a very loyal guy, having the same technical crew for the last five movies he's worked in. there are a lot of guys who aren't like that, who will work with you and just never speak to you again afterwards.
laywer: really? i'd never thought denzel was a jerk
james: there was this really bad tension whenever he's around, and everyone would visibly relax and mellow out after he left. the dude also had the biggest ass i'd ever seen.
everyone: [laughing]
james: like a fucking coffee table. [makes large ass gesture with hands]. there's a scene where i have to put a gun to denzel's head, and he's saying "dont put that gun near my head" and the director's obviously yelling "put the gun closer to his head!!"
his co-worker's brother or something also dated Naomi Watts for a little while, and he heard horrible things about her being a giant bitch.
anyway, thought you guys'd be interested, especially any Wire fans. what a cool guy. yeah, spike lee is awesome,
I actually got the first season of this on the reccomendation of this thread. I watched them all pretty fast. I pretty much loved every minute, I thought the 2nd season sort of meandered a little too long in the beginning and then wrapped up a little too fast by the end. But then I burned through the 3rd series like a fiend and now while I am watching season 4 I realize the true flaw in this show. It ends
I took for granted being able to watch multiple episodes in one sitting
i absoutely LOVE the way they ended the stringer bell arc, with him running up his real estate development. so much symbolism - he's trying to move up in society (running up the stairs) but he can't get past the upper level players, like clay davis (represented by brother mouzone and his shirt/tie etc), and stringer is still being haunted by his gangsta past (represented by omar) and the two finally close in on him
Anyways, what other shows do you watch? You say this ruins all other TV, but is there any other show (including HBO originals) that you watch with any regularity?
i watch "the office" (american version) because it reminds me so much of the american corporate environment, the boss is so much like my boss, and its generally my type of humor... i have "Arrested Development" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm" burned on DVD via Netflix
i usually only watch sports, but as for TV dramas, i watched "Lost" a little but stopped following it after season 1, i should catch up
HBO wise, i've seen a little bit of the Sopranos, and i have the rest of the Sopranos, Six Feet Under, and Deadwood all waiting to be watched
as of now though The Wire is among the best, if not THE best, i've seen so far... it honestly doesn't feel like TV, more like an extended movie or a graphic novel
"Arrested Development" and "Rescue Me" were the only two shows I watched with any regularity. I watched the first season of "Lost" but got pretty sick of it with season 2. "Sopranos" was great, but just seemed to go on for too long...
Obviously "Curb Your Enthusiasm" is incredible, though the American version of "The Office" is yet to grow on me.
Have you finished watching the entire series of "Arrested Development" yet? Genious.
I had to subtitle both seasons (1 and 2) for a television I work for and I absolutely loved every minute of this show. Amazing acting, very plausible characters, superb script... An A+ show.
I too think that the 1st season was a tad better than the second, but I still loved the second season. Drama and comedy moments perfectly intertwined... Super show, highly recommended !
It must have been cool talking to "Ziggy", HotBid. He played his role in the second season majestically and it was a difficult one. He was extremely expressive in illustrating his character's moral decline...
Enough said. Go rent the DVD's asap... You won't be sorry. Emmy material.
yeah, he talked about how different it was working on that show, how everything just felt special when they did it. he watched all the episodes of the later seasons and is a big fan.
when the lawyer asked him if he would ever return to the show, he said:
"no, my character is in jail for life" with a hint of sadness
and i stopped myself from correcting him that his character Ziggy actually would be serving a moderated sentence because of the plea bargaining by Nick and Frank, haha
edit: TO ZULU: nothing more to say about naomi watts, he just mentioned her really briefly... it doesn't surprise me that much because i just assumed most big name actresses were giant bitches. the reason she came up in conversation was because one of the lawyers i work for is australian so they were talking about australian actors. nicole kidman is apparently talented but boring and humorless (again not unexpected).
both "The Shield" and "The Wire" strive for "moral complexity," attempting to break the mold of the white knight all great cop/bad guy dynamic that just destroys the network cop shows. however, only one really achieves it.
my thoughts on "The Shield" is that its a show about a cop with unconventional and brutal methods, who bends the law but gets results and is ultimately vindicated. the straight laced cop looks stupid, and the badass guy is rewarded. every. week. it gets somewhat formulaic and never really achieves the true moral complexity that "The Wire" does.
generally speaking, "The Shield" is easier to watch. you basically have to pay a lot of attention to "The Wire" because it challenges its viewer quite a bit. you cannot simply have it in the background, because you'll get lost.
edit: also, a lot of people wonder why "The Wire" has ratings that aren't that great. in my opinion, there are two main reasons... one is that the very thing that makes it great--treating the audience lots of respect and challenging them--makes it difficult for the general tv population to watch. they can't just tune in to episode 6 and be happily entertained, they have to pay attention and follow it very religiously over the entire season (each season is one big case).
also, there's a racial factor. a large portion of the show is seen through perspectives of the drug and crime and corruption in baltimore, which is predominantly black (the population is mostly black too). there are a ton of black people on the show. the second season, which had a few more white people, had slightly better ratings. the creators and a ton of critics believe this may be a reason, whether white people subconsciously can't relate or don't want to and thus are disinterested.
Hellll yess. I got turned on to The Wire whilst reading a Bill Simmons article on ESPN.com. I've sinced watched the first three seasons, and it's a highly, highly entertaining show. I think seasons 1 and 3 were better than season 2 (I guess the ghetto element is more appealing to me than a corrupt dock).
And Omar - who knew a gay dude could be such a badass
Shows that require some sort of intellectual investment never seem to do that well. Look at how "Arrested Development", the most interesting comedy in years, got cancelled and sustained poorer than poor ratings. People couldn't just watch one episode and benefit from all the show offered, rather, to enjoy episode 23 it was important that the viewer had seen the majority of episodes 1-22 and was therefore tuned into both the inside jokes and the show's odd sense of humor.
Pretty much the opposite of a sitcom like Friends.
Do you watch "Rescue Me" at all? I love Dennis Leary, so it's a no-brainer for me - but it's probably my favorite show that I currently watch.
Sorry for the bump, but I just finished Season 4 a week ago, ending my month-long binge, starting with Season 1.
I heard of the show, spent 5 days dloading it all, and watched everything within like three weeks. My friend was coming back to Seoul for Christmas and I asked him to buy me the DVDs but they were all sold out!
I just had to post here because The Wire is a show that after you watch it, you have to really digest it. Watching it again, discussing it with other people, thinking about it in the shower, etc. I'm still bummed about + Show Spoiler +
Bodie dying.
Fucking awesome show, and I love your story with Ziggy Sobotka
PS: This show changed the way I talk, for about week or so. I found myself talking like Avon and grunting like Marlo.
yeah its just so real in the way it shapes its characters, and especially with the no mood music
big props to HBO, they always have their shows go out on top (unlike network television that lets its shows slowly rot away), i loved season 4 the most out of all of the seasons, and i have big expectations for season 5
On January 10 2007 22:14 Hot_Bid wrote: yeah its just so real in the way it shapes its characters, and especially with the no mood music
big props to HBO, they always have their shows go out on top (unlike network television that lets its shows slowly rot away), i loved season 4 the most out of all of the seasons, and i have big expectations for season 5
Especially as they'll address the media - which is something I feel is personally very fucking fucked up in America at the moment.
And who better than an ex-reporter? I'm just bummed for having to wait so long for it.
Man, I should have known there was a topic for The Wire somewhere on TL.
I honestly think it's the best show on tv, with only a few shows coming even close to it. I can't wait for season 5 to start airing in January, though it's going to suck having to watch it episode by episode (I came into the show late, and was able to watch 1-4 at my own pace.).
Two examples I can think of are: How orange soda is the drink of choice. The kid who lost the eye (when he was at the station), but they were out, so the dude brought him a Sunkist. Avon's lackey ordering 4 orange sodas when they were waiting for Marlo to show.
And even better, Rawles in the gay bar when the Brother's man is trying to scope out Omar.
I've been watching since day 1. Best show on TV, better than Sopranos. Season 5's gonna be the most interesting for me personally cus it's centered around the press.
Like The Wire? You should also watch the HBO mini series The Corner, also from the same creator David Simon. You'll spot many familiar faces.
On December 02 2007 05:51 xBTx wrote: Sry i was just wondering I saw if on BET the other day, but its an HBO program?
It was originally produced and aired by HBO. BET bought the rights to show reruns.
HOWEVER,
BET cannot show nudity or air words like "fuck." Worse, BET heavily cuts many scenes from the show, starting from Season 2. It becomes a totally butchered show and if you're going to watch The Wire, you have only once choice: The original versions from HBO (either through HBO OnDemand, DVDs, or piracy)
We here in the UK love the wire. One because it is the first show i have seen that gets the street on street level. The only thing i cant understand about u americans is why u cant buy at wholesale and sell your own product. In the UK a drug dealer only suppliers the drugs. They do not pay ppl a weekely wage to work corners they little would tick give drugs and await the money from teh dealer who would then repay him at a later date when they agreed. In the wire they get paid a wage for selling not for slingging thier own shit that they could fo bought from string or avon. Could someone tell me why u guys cant buy a pound of weed and sell it at 20 bags? and make the profit ur self?
I live in Baltimore, and it's TOTALLY not like that at all.
@ UK, it's not like that at all. The way we do it in USA is just how you described, and the only exceptions are large-scale dealings in Cocaine, which is the drug most involved in gang warfare. As long as you stay away from very limited choice areas that are controlled by the gangs, you are pretty much fine. The best choice is to obviously buy at wholesale and sell by half-gram or so, at a higher price per unit. The obvious downfall to this is that it's pretty hard to find someone who will sell you any drug other than Marijuana in any significant quantity, and if you do find someone, you can pretty much bet your ass that he's a shady character and probably wants to screw you over somehow. You really have to have friends who have your back in this kind of situation. But really, don't take "The Wire" as a "guide to American drug dealing" because 99% of the time, it's not like this at all. Drugs are becoming more mainstream and socially acceptable, and you don't have to go to the inner city and deal with a gang to get a g of coke anymore.
No, but I have been there many, many times. Thing about the "ghetto" is that all the bad areas are literally RIGHT next to really nice areas, so someone trying to do some shopping or hit some clubs would find it quite easy to make a wrong turn and end up in an area they probably didn't plan on being in.
I've been watching a lot of Homicide: life on the street lately if any of you remember it. It also takes place in Baltimore. That show is so great. I'll definitely look in to The Wire too.
ukbarksdale, it differs a lot from city to city here, but in my experience the police are pretty vigilant when you get into quantities a pound and up. Bartering and wrist slapping is commonplace dealing with numbers south of there, favoring bigger busts that yield bigger numbers, bigger arrests and oftentimes better funding. There comes a point where professionalism in the business of marijuana here means introducing measures and risks into an average day that many people simply aren't willing to deal with, ultimately making the lesser quantity easier to justify.
Obviously these things change as you get closer and closer to the heart of a major city, and tolerance can vary regionally, but this country's simply more spread out than those of Europe, and so the place of the middle man and his back and forth with the law change accordingly. Can't say if my words apply to anything other than marijuana as I simply don't have experience with anything else.
On September 05 2006 08:27 Hot_Bid wrote: It's heavily continuity based so missing an episode fucks you, and I like this because it assumes the watcher is intelligent and capable, rather than dumbass network television geared to entertaining your ass for one episode at a time with little carryover.
southpark simpsons futurama family guy american dad
Legit show. I'd never heard of it until my brother mentioned it to me a week ago, and since then I've frantically been trying to play catch-up in preparation for the new season. I'm through Season 1, which was completely outstanding and left me feeling a little sick to my stomach. I'm hoping to start Season 2 tonight, though I obviously won't be caught up in time to watch the first episode of the new season on January 6th.
On December 02 2007 05:51 xBTx wrote: Sry i was just wondering I saw if on BET the other day, but its an HBO program?
It was originally produced and aired by HBO. BET bought the rights to show reruns.
HOWEVER,
BET cannot show nudity or air words like "fuck." Worse, BET heavily cuts many scenes from the show, starting from Season 2. It becomes a totally butchered show and if you're going to watch The Wire, you have only one choice: Piracy
Incredible show. It just got better and better too: season 1 was good but by season 4 it was just flawless. Season 5 starts airing this month doesn't it?
Nice bump. Seriously though, nice bump..I got to read Hot_bids story about that ziggy dude from season two being a cool guy and denzel being as asshole..a shame that people let their success go to their heads and act like they can do whatever the fuck they want.
About the wire: Its an incredible show, I've watched all seasons and I love it to death. HBO is so good. They've got so many good shows its ridiculous, but the downside is that you can recognize like half the cast in several of their series from Oz, and it can sometimes crash.
I just finished watching Season 1 of The Wire and it's great. I love how the characters' decisions and motivations are all actually believable and there's not any ridiculous "magic policework" like miraculous discoveries, incredibly farfetched plot twists, or national criminal DNA databases. It's pretty realistic (though also a bit exaggerated and obviously fictional) which gives it a real gritty and down-to-earth quality. Fantastic show, can't wait to see the other seasons.
I've watched 3 seasons of Sopranos in the last 3 weeks. I finished the 1st season in about 1 week and 1/2 and then Season 2 in like 3-4 days and Season 3 in another 3-5 days. Sopranos is amazing. I plan to watch The Wire after this and probably another HBO Drama.
fuck I cant believe Omar got shot by a little punk while hunting marlo, it didnt ruin it for me but it was so fucking inexpected, I was expecting him to survive or to die in a better way
On June 26 2009 15:46 esla_sol wrote: battlestar galactica is another show where the writing and character development is amazing. definetly check it out if you enjoyed the wire.
Dont take me wrong but I watched BSG too and altho I loved every second of watching it, the finale was the worst I have seen in my life.
I just got through watching the first two seasons, and I just had to say thanks for recommending this show to us all. I would never have seen it without this thread in mind when I walked past the DVDs in my local store; they were so cheap ($20 aus for the season set) and I thought 'fuck it'. Glad I did... Great show.
yea. Season 2 is good by any Tv Show's standards, but compared to the rest of the seasons (especially 3 and 4) it's "not as good". It's like a 7/10 when every other season is a 9 or 10/10.
if you love the Wire, you guys should should check out The Shield. It's some of the greatest storylines and acting ever seen anywhere. The crazy thing is that I think the seasons just get better until it hits its peak with season five when Forest Whitaker joins the cast. "HE'S PISSING ALL OVER US" lol. Holy fuck, that guy is such an amazing actor. My favorite season was probably season 4 with Glenn Close and Anthony Anderson in the cast.
what I also think is great TV series right now is Dexter. It's a phenomenal cop show with a very sick twist.
yeah after season 1.....i couldnt really stand season 2. It was good and the characters are very well developed and the environment is very realistic ectect. but the pacing is too slow and at the end of the day, it feels like its "just another cop show" although it is probably the best one.
Oh good, this got bumped. I watched all five seasons and they were each pretty good. I don't think anything will top season 1 though. Season 3 was a little less entertaining than the rest, and Season 2 was a little on the negative side too. Still, a fantastic show that easily beats out anything else on TV.
The only shows that can compete are Dexter and probably House. And 24, if we get more seasons like 1, 5, and 7.
EDIT: I have not watched The Shield but I have heard the legends.
The best fucking show ever made, nothing else truly compares.
SHIEEEEEEET! What took you so long to find out. And youll understand that line around season 3 or 4. Welcome to The Wire. watch out for Omar at the door.
On August 05 2009 15:26 mog87 wrote: The best fucking show ever made, nothing else truly compares.
SHIEEEEEEET! What took you so long to find out. And youll understand that line around season 3 or 4. Welcome to The Wire. watch out for Omar at the door.
I think that line is even funnier when you remember Season 5's plot lines with the politicians lolololol. Clay Davis is fucking hilarious.
On August 05 2009 15:26 mog87 wrote: The best fucking show ever made, nothing else truly compares.
SHIEEEEEEET! What took you so long to find out. And youll understand that line around season 3 or 4. Welcome to The Wire. watch out for Omar at the door.
FTW
I thought the end of season 2 of dexter was fairly stupid, the whole burning apartment escape thing... unnecessary and I just couldn't make the disconnect.
edit: After watching The Wire it makes it hard to watch a lot of other TV shows, you notice so much stuff that wouldn't ever happen irl. God, The Wire is so good
the show was written/created by a former detective. features many real life baltimore police/hoodlums. second only to twin peaks in terms of television serial dramas
Fantastic show, one of my lectures did a talk in London recently about the social realism of it. Great shooting, really clever use of sound.
There's only one problem.
McNulty's accent is horrific. It's literally: *one word american accent* *8 words english* *one word american*. So horrific that I have to almost blank out the sound of his voice and imagine everything he said coming out of the mouth of a better actor. It's like reading a Dan Brown book, you have to black out anything he actually writes, and just pick up the storyline, or you will end up stabbing yourself.
On November 17 2009 00:59 Mischy wrote: Fantastic show, one of my lectures did a talk in London recently about the social realism of it. Great shooting, really clever use of sound.
There's only one problem.
McNulty's accent is horrific. It's literally: *one word american accent* *8 words english* *one word american*. So horrific that I have to almost blank out the sound of his voice and imagine everything he said coming out of the mouth of a better actor. It's like reading a Dan Brown book, you have to black out anything he actually writes, and just pick up the storyline, or you will end up stabbing yourself.
His line "what the fuck did I do" always reminds me of Han Solo. It is so similar, and both are complete ass holes as well XD
great show, with great acting, scripts, characters and feel. i especially thought stringer bell was amazing in it as a whole - and the actor who plays stringer bell is from london, never would have guessed it.
that said i found season 5 to be very shaky, but still better then most other shows i can think of
best show ever? maybe not, but it's definitely up there (i still can't see past band of brothers for that title)
The best television show ever. I just finished the series this weekend. It got REALLY good like halfway through season 3 when Marlo and crew get introduced and start to play a major role. They're just so inhumanly brutal, but at the same time believable and human. Stringer Bell was my favorite character. I thought it was ironic how as soon as he was able to step back and see how needlessly violent the drug trade was becoming and tries to reform he uh... had things start going badly for him
Chris and Snoop were perfectly done also. I loved how they were so cold and calculating, yet crude and primitive at the same time. One of my favorite scenes was when Chris kills Michael's stepdad. He's normally so quick, efficient, and uncaring, but he got really passionate about that particular murder. I think the writers were trying to suggest that Chris had also been the victim of pederasty as a child.
On an unrelated note, the pit where D'Angelo and his crew sell drugs in season 1 looks EXACTLY like the dorm I stayed in last year. Though I don't like in Baltimore, so I know it's not the same.
The show is ok. It drags on a bit too much and opening scores turn to shit past season 2. The best TV show ever still remains HBO's Rome in my opinion.
On November 28 2009 20:09 Manit0u wrote: The show is ok. It drags on a bit too much and opening scores turn to shit past season 2. The best TV show ever still remains HBO's Rome in my opinion.
Opening scores turn to shit past season 1, IMO. But I do consider The Wire to be the best TV show ever.
Star Trek TNG has more depth than any show ever made, like twice as much as even the best contenders. Even though The Wire is sick, TNG is clearly the best TV show ever made.
On November 29 2009 06:16 Mischy wrote: -Reactionary fanboyism alert- + Show Spoiler +
Star Trek TNG has more depth than any show ever made, like twice as much as even the best contenders. Even though The Wire is sick, TNG is clearly the best TV show ever made.
On November 29 2009 07:56 .risingdragoon wrote: how about talking about some of the facts and ideas in the show?
opening theme's what I skip through to get to the real show
Fact:
There's too much advertising in the show. Instead of focusing on some deeper segments of the plot, I can't stop thinking about Dunkin Donuts, MicroSoft Word '97, Halo 2 etc.
Fact2:
It's probably not the problem of the show but US in general but it pains me to see how they're "americanizing" all of the european surnames (namely: Carcetti and all people with polish heritage).
Pryzbylewski being the king of it. We don't have surnames like that. The closest thing I can think of in Poland to this surname would be Przybylski or Przybylewski (less likely).
I believe they change it so that they can pronounce it. But instead of being so ignorant, they could just ask someone and it's not so hard to pronounce as/close to original if you know what you're looking at: Przybylski = Psheebeelsky (should be close enough)
On November 29 2009 07:56 .risingdragoon wrote: how about talking about some of the facts and ideas in the show?
opening theme's what I skip through to get to the real show
Fact:
There's too much advertising in the show. Instead of focusing on some deeper segments of the plot, I can't stop thinking about Dunkin Donuts, MicroSoft Word '97, Halo 2 etc.
Fact2:
It's probably not the problem of the show but US in general but it pains me to see how they're "americanizing" all of the european surnames (namely: Carcetti and all people with polish heritage).
Pryzbylewski being the king of it. We don't have surnames like that. The closest thing I can think of in Poland to this surname would be Przybylski or Przybylewski (less likely).
I believe they change it so that they can pronounce it. But instead of being so ignorant, they could just ask someone and it's not so hard to pronounce as/close to original if you know what you're looking at: Przybylski = Psheebeelsky (should be close enough)
About 1: I dont even remember it so it cant have been THAT bad
About 2: Yeah I guess that is an american thing. Whenever I hear somebody speak "German" in an american tv-show it sounds like they just took an english text and translated it via google, resulting in completely fucked up grammar etc. I mean how hard can it be to get someone who speaks German in all of the United States of America?
Anyways, the reason why I came to this thread: Today while "studying" in the library I realised something Carcetti = Obama. They have so many similarities. They are both the first person with their colour of skin to be in the political position they're in (in the case of baltimore at least the first white guy in a while) Both their mottos are Change, both believe they can change things and stop all the corruption etc. pp. but when they finally achieve their great goal and become president/mayor they soon find out it doesn't quite work out that way and you have to do compromises and its a little disappointing with both of em... something to think about lol
On November 29 2009 07:56 .risingdragoon wrote: how about talking about some of the facts and ideas in the show?
opening theme's what I skip through to get to the real show
Fact:
There's too much advertising in the show. Instead of focusing on some deeper segments of the plot, I can't stop thinking about Dunkin Donuts, MicroSoft Word '97, Halo 2 etc.
Fact2:
It's probably not the problem of the show but US in general but it pains me to see how they're "americanizing" all of the european surnames (namely: Carcetti and all people with polish heritage).
Pryzbylewski being the king of it. We don't have surnames like that. The closest thing I can think of in Poland to this surname would be Przybylski or Przybylewski (less likely).
I believe they change it so that they can pronounce it. But instead of being so ignorant, they could just ask someone and it's not so hard to pronounce as/close to original if you know what you're looking at: Przybylski = Psheebeelsky (should be close enough)
About 1: I dont even remember it so it cant have been THAT bad
About 2: Yeah I guess that is an american thing. Whenever I hear somebody speak "German" in an american tv-show it sounds like they just took an english text and translated it via google, resulting in completely fucked up grammar etc. I mean how hard can it be to get someone who speaks German in all of the United States of America?
Anyways, the reason why I came to this thread: Today while "studying" in the library I realised something Carcetti = Obama. They have so many similarities. They are both the first person with their colour of skin to be in the political position they're in (in the case of baltimore at least the first white guy in a while) Both their mottos are Change, both believe they can change things and stop all the corruption etc. pp. but when they finally achieve their great goal and become president/mayor they soon find out it doesn't quite work out that way and you have to do compromises and its a little disappointing with both of em... something to think about lol
That can't be right.
David Simon's The Wire is a depiction of the regional level institution and why it doesn't change. Specifically Carcetti is an example of the upward ambition coming into conflict with doing right by ordinary citizens who got him there. This is referenced very well in the show with jimmy telling wonda "if you lawyers didn't all want to be judges and instead grew some backbone..."
Obama doesn't need to aspire for anymore promotions cus there is no higher office than the presidency. And it hasn't even been a year yet.
I just watched the first three episodes again last night, and am going to slowly go through the whole thing again via Netflix (I'm honestly tempted to shell out the $125 to get the complete series on DVD so I can watch it all in a couple sittings). I have to say, a lot of shows can be enjoyable on a second viewing, but The Wire holds up so amazingly well. In just the first three episodes, I caught many little details that I had missed when I first started the show a few years back.
If anyone hasn't watched The Wire yet, drop what you're doing and pick this show up.
the wire also had some amazing shoot out scenes that were really thrilling, probably the most thrilling gun scenes to ever put in a tv show (or movie for that matter), also running and chase scenes are fricking amazing in the series, ahh its so good.
cause i just watched david simons the corner from the 2000s, its a hbo miniseries of 6 eps, kinda like a pilot to the wire? well it has some of the actors and content aspects of the wire but it shows only the drug part and not so much police work and it has like only 1 gun/run scene in the whole series and i was just blown away by how good that single action sequence was. no one got shot at the end, but the filming of it was purely genuine and it also always is like that in the wire.
yea now ill watch the 7 season monster series called homicide life on the streets, its like a million years old but its written and created by simon and his crew, so im sure its good.
i watched all 5 seasons of this recently. It's by far the best drama TV show i've ever seen, and i think it does a really good job of showing how cities run, and how people manipulate and strategize against each other.
Greatest show ever. I've rewatched the whole thing three times and going for a fourth soon. Each time I rewatch, there's always subtle stuff I missed before. This show is so incredibly deep.
On a related note I've seen Wire alumni around the place but Robert Chew who plays Prop Joe is nowhere to be seen in any shows! I miss the Fat Man.
best series ever created, no discussion needed imo,and it's going to be a long fucking while before anything even comes close to this one. and this comes from a LOSt fanboy who watched every LOST episode twice immediately when I downloaded to catch every detail and then spent hours discussing the show. then, a few weeks ago after the lost finale, I watched the 5 seasons of The Wire and was so blown away by this show I still can't believe it.
The shows plot is perfectly cut out, one plot element leads smoothly into the next without any logical stumblings along the way. There are literally NO throwaway scenes without meaning in the entire show, even the smallest, at a first glance meaningless, 30 second scene usually serves as a perfect comedic relieve at the exactly perfect time, something that you just don't find in any other series (remember all the entire throwaway episodes on X-Files?). There are also a shitload of "OMG THIS MUST BE THE BEST SCENE I'VE EVER SEEN ON ANY TV SHOW" moments in this series it's unbelievable (the chess explanation, the "fuck fuck fuckedy fuck" scene of Bunk and Jimmy... endless more).Important plot lines are usually brought to an ending in a very subtle, yet immensely powerful way. Just think of how ******SPOILER******** Omar died, ordering a pack of cigarettes, the camera resting its view on his face, 5 seconds complete silence and then a headshot which can only be described as uncanny, since it was both expected and unexpected at the same time. This also is literally the ONLY TV series I've ever seen where I can feel sympathy for every single motherfucking character on the screen (which doesn't mean that I "like" every character, it's just that you never get the feeling that any character has to die immediately because he's totally pissing you off, like we all did with Kate in Lost or with any character in most television series out there), be it "secretly gay, funny laugh" Rawls (by the way I wonder why his gayness was never mentioned again after we saw him in that gay bar in the background of the screen), "fat frog mouth" Burell or "blowjob in the office" Mayor Royce. And thats a big fucking deed in a show which lists 37 major characters in the cast. Not to mention the realism of the show of course.
Theres so much more to be said about the awesomeness of this show, but anyways... /fanboyrant
tl;dr; cliffnotes: whenever I see police depicted in other televion series nowadays (Dexter for example) I cringe , because it looks so fucking fake compared to The Wire.
With his party having won 6 of the City Council’s 15 seats, Mr. Gnarr needed a coalition partner, but ruled out any party whose members had not seen all five seasons of “The Wire.”
With his party having won 6 of the City Council’s 15 seats, Mr. Gnarr needed a coalition partner, but ruled out any party whose members had not seen all five seasons of “The Wire.”
I voted for him! The wire is the best show ever made!
With his party having won 6 of the City Council’s 15 seats, Mr. Gnarr needed a coalition partner, but ruled out any party whose members had not seen all five seasons of “The Wire.”
I voted for him! The wire is the best show ever made!
LOL that is fricking awesome. I wish there was a Wire maniac here that I could vote for.
took about 2 weeks, but just finished watching the whole series pretty awesome although there were a lot of points where i just wanted to punch certain people in the series
I sort of lost all interest after the focus of the series switched to the press. The first few seasons were definitely the best. I even thought the dock storyline was well done and thoroughly engaging.
On July 12 2010 03:20 zulu_nation8 wrote: I sort of lost all interest after the focus of the series switched to the press. The first few seasons were definitely the best. I even thought the dock storyline was well done and thoroughly engaging.
Wasn't that the last season?
Here is an interview with David Simon by Bill Moyers.
On July 12 2010 03:20 zulu_nation8 wrote: I sort of lost all interest after the focus of the series switched to the press. The first few seasons were definitely the best. I even thought the dock storyline was well done and thoroughly engaging.
That's sad. I'm almost finished with season 4, and every season, despite the changes in each, has been compelling as fuck.
Hope the fifth season can compare to the earlier ones.
I never actually put in the time to watch this show until I saw Treme - which is an incredible show as well - and then did a little reading up on it and found out that David Simon is amazing. No one else can produce shows that make me want to watch again and again just to make sure I don't miss anything.
edit: Why don't more people mention Oz when they're talking about this series? The Wire was higher quality I think, but Oz almost feels like it should be complementary to this series now. I really want to watch it again, it's been so long.
On July 12 2010 03:20 zulu_nation8 wrote: I sort of lost all interest after the focus of the series switched to the press. The first few seasons were definitely the best. I even thought the dock storyline was well done and thoroughly engaging.
That's sad. I'm almost finished with season 4, and every season, despite the changes in each, has been compelling as fuck.
Hope the fifth season can compare to the earlier ones.
I never actually put in the time to watch this show until I saw Treme - which is an incredible show as well - and then did a little reading up on it and found out that David Simon is amazing. No one else can produce shows that make me want to watch again and again just to make sure I don't miss anything.
edit: Why don't more people mention Oz when they're talking about this series? The Wire was higher quality I think, but Oz almost feels like it should be complementary to this series now. I really want to watch it again, it's been so long.
the fifth season was actually by far my favourite season.
I'd rank my seasons is two different ways. Which I enjoyed most, and which I think were the best.
Enjoyed would probably be like:
2 > 3 > 1 > 4 > 5
Best:
4 > 1 > 3 > 2 > 5
With that said, I enjoyed all seasons thoroughly. Seasons 2 and 3 were my favorite to watch; I enjoyed them more than season 4. But I don't deny that season 4 was just absolutely amazing. Season 5 was still good, and I actually dug the press thing, but wasn't too fond of the whole homeless murders arc.
The Wire is quite possibly the greatest television series of all time, and without a doubt the best in the past decade.
As far as seasons go, the fifth probably is the weakest, but it still blows away anything else on television. The fourth season is unbelievably strong, and would probably be my favorite. It's definitely the culmination of everything the show had been working on up to that point. I think the show itself follows the pattern of each individual season -- the penultimate episode is the climax, the final one the denouement. If you look at it that way, there's no way the fifth could live up perfectly to everything else.
For those interested in analysis of the show, check out this site. The guy is really insightful, and if you're going back and rewatching the series (which I highly recommend), reading the veterans reviews can be eye-opening.
On August 05 2010 07:22 Narwhal wrote: I loved the sopranos but I hated lost, is this as good as the sopranos? the king of drama?
I need to find anew show to get hooked on but so far I tried lost and a few others.
I'm glad this thread got bumped, I never saw it and The Wire is my favorite show. Narwhal, I like Sopranos, Deadwood, and The Wire enough to buy them (over a long period of saving... :oP) and out of them I most love lending The Wire to people and getting them hooked. Check it out!
On August 05 2010 07:27 Mataru wrote: As good as the sopranos? It blows the sopranos out of the water, easily. Best written and acted TV show I've ever seen.
I have to agree. I watched every episode of The Sopranos, and The Wire is far superior.
This show is amazing. I recently watched all 5 season. They are all good, but the homeless murder thing in season 5 really bothered me. I almost stopped watching after the first fake murder because I was just so appalled and disappointed with Jimmy. I'm glad I stuck with it because the season turned out to be good.
On August 05 2010 07:22 Narwhal wrote: I loved the sopranos but I hated lost, is this as good as the sopranos? the king of drama?
I need to find anew show to get hooked on but so far I tried lost and a few others.
I'm glad this thread got bumped, I never saw it and The Wire is my favorite show. Narwhal, I like Sopranos, Deadwood, and The Wire enough to buy them (over a long period of saving... :oP) and out of them I most love lending The Wire to people and getting them hooked. Check it out!
Thank you guys for the reply, I was going to try Deadwood as mentioned but I herd it was cancelled prematurely so I didn't want to commit to it knowing there was no ending - if that's true I don't know, I herd it was cancelled around a year ago.
poster above above , I find it hard to think it would "blow the sopranos out of the water" but I'm game to try it, imo you can't judge a drama series untill you watch at least half of the first season that is why I ask you fellows.
I'm waiting for Dexter new season but from hearing what the people have to say bluntly I am definitely going to give The wire a go! cheers.
To echo everyone else in here, yes The Wire was amazing. Those who liked The Wire might also want to check out Homicide: Life on the Street. It's an older show, it ran in the 90s (93-99 I think?). It was based loosely on a book by David Simon (creator of the wire) and he produced it and wrote many of the episodes. It also features several (minor) actors from The Wire, and also takes place in Baltimore. The Wire is the best cop show i ever saw, bar none, but Homicide is a close second.
this is kinda of topic, but if you haven't checked it out yet, "Breaking Bad" is also really awesome, mainly because of the performance of Bryan Cranston, but everything in the show is just as awesome. (nothing compared to the wire though )
On August 05 2010 04:22 Node wrote: The Wire is quite possibly the greatest television series of all time, and without a doubt the best in the past decade.
I couldn't put it better myself.
On August 05 2010 04:22 Node wrote:For those interested in analysis of the show, check out this site. The guy is really insightful, and if you're going back and rewatching the series (which I highly recommend), reading the veterans reviews can be eye-opening.
It's true the final season was the weakest. Still, this is one of the finest TV shows I've ever seen. Truly exceptional work.
If you have any interest in TV as a medium at all, you owe it to yourself to try this show. (Takes some time to follow it, be sure to watch an episode or two before you give up hehe.)
On August 05 2010 09:40 chocopan wrote: It's true the final season was the weakest. Still, this is one of the finest TV shows I've ever seen. Truly exceptional work.
If you have any interest in TV as a medium at all, you owe it to yourself to try this show. (Takes some time to follow it, be sure to watch an episode or two before you give up hehe.)
The last few episodes of the sopranos were a slight disappointment but it's how you take it that counts, in real life there usually is no happy OR sad ending to story's they just keep going.
On September 05 2006 19:19 Liquid`Jinro wrote: Yeah, I used to watch it but they no longer send it -,.- I didn't like the 2nd season as much tho (maybe because they replaced the themesong with a cover of the old one ; )).
On September 26 2006 10:02 Hot_Bid wrote: also, there's a racial factor. a large portion of the show is seen through perspectives of the drug and crime and corruption in baltimore, which is predominantly black (the population is mostly black too). there are a ton of black people on the show. the second season, which had a few more white people, had slightly better ratings. the creators and a ton of critics believe this may be a reason, whether white people subconsciously can't relate or don't want to and thus are disinterested.
People have told me that they've been turned off by the show because they can't relate. The show touches so many human issues, the lingo barrier should be no problem.
Anyways, The Wire is the best show ever made. I can still enjoy other shows, like LOST or Dexter, sort of. But, if I compare at all, I just can't help but think how contrived everything is on every other show. I think Breaking Bad and the latter parts of The Shield do pretty good jobs, but it's still nothing close to The Wire.
It's just so fucking brilliant with every single characters. So many great scenes.
Here's the scene that Honest Tea was talking about earlier. Even if you have no frame of reference and don't know the big underlying story in this scene, you should be identify and empathize with two childhood friends who have diverged in adulthood, but regress for a small moment to the friendship that was.
And the big underlying story, huge, huge spoilers for the first 3 seasons: + Show Spoiler +
Stringer and Avon are partners at the head of a large drug organization. Stringer has been playing the part of the businessman to varying degrees of success. Avon still clings to the street dreams of holding territory and obtaining glory. Both have made decisions which threatened the other's way of operating the drug organization. Both have decided to backstab the other. Stringer has informed on Avon to the police. Avon's question for Stringer's whereabouts the following day is so he can appease the fury of two very deadly hitmen who Stringer has crossed in the past. "It's just business."
^ That scene is one of the reasons why I believe The Wire is literature. It floored me when I first watched it, and it is rare for a scene to be able to do that with seemingly no action. The drama is in the subtext, which means more because so much time and complexity has led up to it. There are many incidences/scenes like this throughout the series.
This is from Season 1. Every one of these 3 "pawns" get capped by the end of the Season 5. The "king" gets trapped, and he loses, but new players emerge only to play the same game over the same board. The game never changes... brilliant.
season 4 was definitely the worst one. they took one of the weakest and least developed characters in the show (prezbyluski), and then turned half the show into being about a fuckin school. lol?!?!
my preference was season 1 > season 3 > season season 2 > season 5 > season 4
how the hell can u compare the wire to that useless show called lost...?? stupid show (lost ) that gives no answers and make people think it will all be over next season only to find out there are like 4 seasons more
On August 19 2010 20:36 CTStalker wrote: just to add my opinion into the mix:
season 4 was definitely the worst one. they took one of the weakest and least developed characters in the show (prezbyluski), and then turned half the show into being about a fuckin school. lol?!?!
my preference was season 1 > season 3 > season season 2 > season 5 > season 4
but the whole series was pretty awesome
Are you serious? Season 4 was the culmination of the series and the pinnacle of television as a medium, IMO. I think it was like the damning conclusion of the thesis of the series.
Season 1: "Cool damn show. Shit is kinda fucked, though." Season 2: "Damn, poor people are fucked. The police system is more messed up than I thought..." Season 3: "Okay, shit is fucked all over. Someone needs to fix this." Season 4: "Noone can fix this. We as a society don't have a chance. I wanna cry now."
the wire would be a great tv series to study in school.
i wish they added the greeks to season 5 a bit more and then they could have shown how the city affects things internationally, would've been cool because i thought season5 was kinda lacking compared to the rest. Still good though
On August 19 2010 20:36 CTStalker wrote: just to add my opinion into the mix:
season 4 was definitely the worst one. they took one of the weakest and least developed characters in the show (prezbyluski), and then turned half the show into being about a fuckin school. lol?!?!
my preference was season 1 > season 3 > season season 2 > season 5 > season 4
but the whole series was pretty awesome
Are you serious? Season 4 was the culmination of the series and the pinnacle of television as a medium, IMO. I think it was like the damning conclusion of the thesis of the series.
Season 1: "Cool damn show. Shit is kinda fucked, though." Season 2: "Damn, poor people are fucked. The police system is more messed up than I thought..." Season 3: "Okay, shit is fucked all over. Someone needs to fix this." Season 4: "Noone can fix this. We as a society don't have a chance. I wanna cry now."
Season 5: "This season is kinda dumb."
i don't really care about whatever sort of commentary on society they were going for, i'm talking about execution. the show went from incredibly compelling in the early seasons to verging on meandering (in season 4).
When watching it there was something there that I just couldn't put my finger on. Something I've sort of seen before.
Then I saw the credits after the show: Dennis Lehane. No surprise this show was awesome. I could bet my apartment that Chris, Loob and their boss (forgot his name) was all his idea. Very typical of him. Love his books, and really like how his dark and gritty writing was present in this show.
last week TheMango and i were in NYC and we bumped into the actor who plays Marlo. i recognized him from behind from his walk and confirmed it by looking at his face, we go up to him and shake his hand and say YO MAN WE LOVE YOUR SHOW. he seemed genuinely happy we recognized him hehe.
The last season (or rather the McNulty arc in the last season) for me was the only slight let down. I don't understand why Jimmy acted the way he did. I've never been an alcoholic, or that desperate to achieve an aim (in his case locking up Marlo), so maybe I just can't relate.
Season 4 is certainly my favourite. The way the youngsters became their elders over the two final seasons was the type of powerful allegory that made The Wire the best show on TV.
Season 4 was my favourite as well, you start the series off with a tight group of friends and by the end they all exchange roles and all but two split up, when i saw Wee-bay's son sitting on his new parent's stoop, shaking his head at the Gangsters passing by i got chills.
i'm really surprised how many people like season 4. thinking about it the way sammler describes it makes me appreciate it a little more i guess, but this how i thought about it when i was watching it: they took out the most compelling character completely (mcnulty), re-introduced a weak character who had almost been completely written off the show earlier (prez), and then turned half of what was once a gripping cop show into elementary hour.
i know the show wasn't that popular while it was airing, but i wonder how their season 4 ratings did. the next season they brought mcnulty back in the forefront drunker than ever and prez is re-written out of the show.
Because of it being easily typified as a cop drama and the season 1 focus on McNulty it can be difficult to view the show in other ways, but the creators see the show as less a cop drama and more of a meditation on modern cities and living. It's not that Prez is some replacement lead for McNulty, rather they chose to focus on different aspects of Baltimore, and he fit into the plot that way. It's pretty clear Prez's story arc in season 4 is not the driving force behind the season's power, rather he is an acute observer.
On August 20 2010 02:54 Hot_Bid wrote: last week TheMango and i were in NYC and we bumped into the actor who plays Marlo. i recognized him from behind from his walk and confirmed it by looking at his face, we go up to him and shake his hand and say YO MAN WE LOVE YOUR SHOW. he seemed genuinely happy we recognized him hehe.
I never saw the show on my own time, but when I was in film school my Screen Writing III professor would show the class clips and episodes all the time. Apparently the show had good writers. I've continued to hear good things about 'The Wire' ever since. Maybe I should watch a season...
On August 20 2010 05:34 CTStalker wrote: i'm really surprised how many people like season 4. thinking about it the way sammler describes it makes me appreciate it a little more i guess, but this how i thought about it when i was watching it: they took out the most compelling character completely (mcnulty), re-introduced a weak character who had almost been completely written off the show earlier (prez), and then turned half of what was once a gripping cop show into elementary hour.
i know the show wasn't that popular while it was airing, but i wonder how their season 4 ratings did. the next season they brought mcnulty back in the forefront drunker than ever and prez is re-written out of the show.
The creators had a plan of all 5 seasons before they even began filming. Their aim was to piece by piece examine how broken postindustrial urban society is, and they planned to do it by, I quote, "masquerading as a cop show"... and they had planned season 4 to be what it was before season 1 was shot.
But it's not a cop show. It's literally a 60 hour long visual novel examining the failed institutions of the 20th/21st Century, the "war" on drugs, and how they destroy lives, and Season 4 is the climax where one realizes that even from the age of schoolchildren, people who were born into that situation are damned to live out the same broken cycle all over again. It's a piece damning society, really.
Everyone dies or is locked up, and in Season 4 new players fill their roles and the allegorical chess game is always the same - the series has come full circle. The very best police (McNulty, Freamon), the ones who break hierarchy to get their job done - all they can do is lock up a kingpin (Avon), which creates a power vacuum and as a direct result more people die (the Vacants) as a new king asserts himself (Marlo). Youth like Randy, Dukie and Michael get caught in the crossfire, their cruel fates assigned to them from the powers that be - ruthless drug criminals and lame, impotent institutions (the Group Homes, the Police, in Dukie's case the schools themselves) which were meant to help them. Only by the extraordinary efforts of one man does anyone escape the cycle at all - and ironically it's the one kid who probably deserved it least (if there is such a thing as a kid not deserving to be saved... though would you really have wanted Namond to be the one saved, if you could have chosen Dukie or Randy?)
Prez in this season acts as the conduit through whose eyes we the audience can observe the messed up situation. He's not the main character, he's us, witnessing. And his storyline is one of very few hopeful ones - I wouldn't have cared if Prez got killed in Season 1, but I valued him as a person by this season's end. And in a show as gloomy as this one, hell I'll take all the hope I can get.
season 2 is definitely different bc it follows the docks.....but anyways the wire is one of the best shows...much better than Lost or anything like that....season 4 is my favorite...but season 1 with avon is sick. i would say the wire is better than the sopranos
Michael Lee becoming the new Omar was the final surprise scene of the series. The new defense lawyer and the judge was an interesting scene as well.
The two most compelling seasons were one and four. Season one was about the dysfunction of the police departments. Season four was about the dysfunction of the education system. Season four though is also one of the most realistic depictions along with season two depicting the blight of major manufacturing cities and commercial ports.
Just wondering how Cheese got free in that last episode to get popped.
On August 23 2010 17:41 TanGeng wrote: Michael Lee becoming the new Omar was the final surprise scene of the series. The new defense lawyer and the judge was an interesting scene as well.
The whole ending on the last episode was awesome. They basically recreated some scenes from the first season (word-by-word if I remember correctly) to show that the cycle continues.
On August 20 2010 05:34 CTStalker wrote: I know the show wasn't that popular while it was airing, but i wonder how their season 4 ratings did. the next season they brought mcnulty back in the forefront drunker than ever and prez is re-written out of the show.
The writing staff of the fourth season was nominated for two awards at the 2008 Writer's Guild of America Awards - best dramatic series and best episodic drama for the episode "Final Grades" (story by David Simon and Ed Burns, teleplay by David Simon)
The fourth season of The Wire has almost been universally lauded and hailed as one of the best seasons of television ever produced. As of July 2010, it is the highest rated TV season of all time on Metacritic with a score of 98, outscoring even The Sopranos, another HBO series of far greater fame and notoriety
I believe this was the only awards the show won as well.
On August 23 2010 17:41 TanGeng wrote: Michael Lee becoming the new Omar was the final surprise scene of the series. The new defense lawyer and the judge was an interesting scene as well.
The two most compelling seasons were one and four. Season one was about the dysfunction of the police departments. Season four was about the dysfunction of the education system. Season four though is also one of the most realistic depictions along with season two depicting the blight of major manufacturing cities and commercial ports.
Just wondering how Cheese got free in that last episode to get popped.
he was out on bail he never went back to get sentenced
But yeah, still a great show. Has a real 1990's feel to it, even though it was made after 2k..
I watched The Misfits before I started watching The Wire, so my standard for being mentally satisfied have been kicked up a few notches. Can't wait for season 2 of The Misfits..!
On August 24 2010 17:02 SingletonWilliam wrote: I just finished season 1 and I'd love to read this thread but I'm super afraid of spoilers. Its gonna take me a while to catch up too :/
Its def top 4 for my all time favorite shows: 1. M.A.S.H. 2. Gossip Girl 3. Generation Kill 4. The Wire
If you tough season one was that good, this will be the best show in your list when you finished with
In our course on urban inequality at Harvard this semester, we want our students to understand the roots of the social conditions in America's inner cities. To that end, we get some help from Bodie, Stringer Bell, Bubbles and others from HBO's "The Wire."
Im "renting" the first season right now, ive always wanted to watch it since i finished watching Oz. (Another awesome show, it hasnt aged that well and is a little over the top but still so good.)
I was watching first episode of Boardwalk Empire today with my gf.. and Omar is in it for a few seconds and I was flipping out need to re watch this show... it's really really good
(FANBOY ALERT) This show is really something else. It is like the culmination of David Simon's life's work and a once-in-a-century kind of masterpiece. I've watched it multiple times and every now and then rewatch certain episodes from it because it is just that good. Though in my opinion you'll most likely only get exactly how good it is on the second time you watch it, that show is just filled with so much detail that once you're not wasting eneregy trying to follow the plot theres so much more to it, and you'll find still more if you watch David Simon's talks/interviews etc. Here's the best review of The Wire I've read: http://www.ejumpcut.org/archive/jc51.2009/Wire/index.html (FANBOY ALERT OVER)
The Wire is the greatest show ever, cus it's not just entertainment.
Unlike other shows, which as all entertainment goes, are inherently transitory, The Wire's real, and it shines a light on problems we don't want to acknowledge, problems in the schools, the policing, the politics, media. And it's digestable.
After watching The Wire i can't watch any other show. They all feel so fake.
I watched the Sopranos after hearing good things about it and trying to recapture "The Wire feeling" but i didn't like it much all i could think after last episode is all the characters in it are hypocrite.
The Wire is by far my favorite show ever. I mean, after watching it, 99% of programming seems trivial and mindless to the point that The Wire's quality has simply ruined television for me. The only shows that can possibly compare have to be The Sopranos, Deadwood, and possibly Breaking Bad and Dexter.
Yes that's the problem with the Wire, you can't really watch anything after that, except for fun. It's so deep, geez... I don't even want to start this discussion or I'm gonna watch them all again.
God, that interview with David Simon was excellent. He was so great at summing up his points. It was also interesting to find out that Randy was Cheese's son and that they didn't feel it was necessary to put it in season 5.
I just finished my second run through the entire series.
While the second season wasn't my favourite season overall (I can't decide between 3 and 4), my favourite episode is by far 2x11,I don't know why, but the way the episode played out and ended is just epic. Like super-chills-down-your-spine epic. My favourite character of the entire series is Frank Sobotka, maybe tied with Bubbles and Omar.
Also, from an objective and "intellectual" point of view and after hearing a couple of interviews with David Simon about what he wanted to achieve with this show, this show get's infinitely better when you watch it the second time.
I for one noticed a lot of stuff I didn't notice before. A lot of recurring themes of the show become more obvious, and a lot of metaphores (via dialogues speech lines etc.) really stand out once you're actually focusing on them as being a statement by David Simon and Co. as opposed to just an element which drive the plot.
You'll also see David Simon in at least one scene (I say at least since I didn't notice any other scenes, but there may be) and his voice will really stand out. Funny I didn't notice it the first time even though I knew how he sounded and looked like.
Awesome TV show. I'm German so there's almost no way to get friends of mine to watch this show (if most Americans or other English native-speakers weren't into it because it was too complex, guess how it turns out for someone who's barely able to understand a full dialogue in it's entirety) and that makes me really sad. Whenever I meet someone new, and I really mean anyone new, I try to lead the conversation towards TV shows and movies and I always try to get people to watch this show. But so far, I haven't succeeded.
Anyways, I'm looking forward to future projects of David Simon. Generation Kill was awesome too, and I started watching Treme a while ago.
Wow I saw this thread 1-2 months back and decided to give this tv show a try. Best show i've ever watched. I was sceptical after the first episodes but then I was just glued to my TV, I even skipped starcraft to watch The Wire, true story. If you're looking for something to watch I'd recommend this 10/10! :D
Would be quite fun if they made a new season now, but I guess that's not happening?
I'm going to have to agree with the thread's sentiment. This show is absolutely amazing. It has to be one of my favorites. I HIGHLY, HIGHLY, recommended.
On December 31 2010 10:00 CoMaS wrote: Isn't this show based of " The Corner " ?
Please elaborate. Like where did you read this and what's the corner? :p
"The Corner" was the show that David Simon, creator of "The Wire", made earlier in his career. Both shows are quite good, and I highly recommend checking out the former if you liked "The Wire" at all. The show is completely told from the perspective of 'the street', so it's a little bit different. Still compelling, still thought provoking--but different.
i currently have no tv series to watch, and saw this thread and any hbo series i've ever watched i liked. could sum1 give me a comparison of this show to others. from reading the OP it sounds a little bit like "the shield". note: i have not wikipediad the series yet to get a gist.
On December 31 2010 10:38 majestouch wrote: i currently have no tv series to watch, and saw this thread and any hbo series i've ever watched i liked. could sum1 give me a comparison of this show to others. from reading the OP it sounds a little bit like "the shield". note: i have not wikipediad the series yet to get a gist.
The Wire is unlike any other TV show. It's less of a show and more of a visual novel told in 5 chapters (seasons). Many characters show up across different seasons. In terms of scope it's kind of Dickensian as it tries to capture the real life experience of its characters, from the cops to the gangsters to the dockworkers etc etc. The show seems like a really good cop show at the start, but soon it becomes obvious that it's about much more. It's really about Baltimore, but also about any post industrial modern city and the problems of bureaucracy. Which means it's probably relevant to your own situation if you live in an urban area. Throughout the 5 seasons you will delve into the organisational hierarchy and internal issues of the police, gangsters, smugglers, blue collar workers, heroin addicts, drug-dealer-robbers, politicians and public education - a vertical slice of modern societal structure.
It's all done extremely well, and personally after watching The Wire I can't take any other show seriously at all. This show treats its audience assuming they are intelligent, it doesn't hand you anything on a platter so you have to pay attention. I forget which rewatch I'm on right now (probably 7th or 8th watch-through) but I'm STILL picking up little details which I never realized before. It's deep, and when you watch other shows after you can't help but notice all the little TV tropes they throw in to make it "better viewing" for the audience.
On December 31 2010 10:38 majestouch wrote: i currently have no tv series to watch, and saw this thread and any hbo series i've ever watched i liked. could sum1 give me a comparison of this show to others. from reading the OP it sounds a little bit like "the shield". note: i have not wikipediad the series yet to get a gist.
Most drama shows with development, like The Shield, have their plot that they're trying to drive forward - where every episode gives you a little cut of it, while trying to keep you interested with twists and a cool character or two. The Wire just doesn't feel like that at all. I don't think any Wikipedia entry or TL post will do it true justice though. Less reading more watching gogogo!
On December 31 2010 10:26 FireBlast! wrote: Some of the deaths are so heart wrenching.. + Show Spoiler +
People go on about Wallace, Dee, Bodie etc but when Stringer concedes to his fate,
it was actually unbearable, I couldnt watch.
I hear you; I deeply admire the character. I'm normally unemotional and untouchable, but I became a torn up mess for a few days after watching that. Pretty funny in retrospect, I remember crying to my friends- explaining how some character on some show they've never heard of dies, like they needed be upset about it too lmao.
On December 31 2010 10:54 snotboogie wrote: It's all done extremely well, and personally after watching The Wire I can't take any other show seriously at all. This show treats its audience assuming they are intelligent, it doesn't hand you anything on a platter so you have to pay attention. I forget which rewatch I'm on right now (probably 7th or 8th watch-through) but I'm STILL picking up little details which I never realized before. It's deep, and when you watch other shows after you can't help but notice all the little TV tropes they throw in to make it "better viewing" for the audience.
I still watch youtube clips of The Wire all the time. Just watched when + Show Spoiler +
Marlo dissolved the co-op
today. Powerful stuff within just a few seconds: + Show Spoiler +
Marlo's admission just to flex his dominance before giving a cover story that no one believes, but will heed to anyways. Marlo showing some respect to Slim Charles when he knows Slim Charles would reject his offer. Cheese's irreverence and Slim's reservation are also seen in this scene.
Im really quite satisfied with how it ended for omar, he couldnt survive that just wouldnt of seemed right. The most badass character shot dead by a kid not in some epic gun fight.. just seemed like the right end, no glory for a gunslinger.
Finished the first season recently, and figured I would love it based on the reviews I have read and being I live 10 minutes from Baltimore, sadly I found it very mediocre and at times quite boring... may be due to the fact I never really got into cop shows very much (Law & Order, CSI and the hundred clones).
Are the later seasons about the same as season one?
"Yo String! You come at the king you best not miss."
he said that to weebey not stringer u_u
On December 31 2010 14:46 Powerpill wrote: Finished the first season recently, and figured I would love it based on the reviews I have read and being I live 10 minutes from Baltimore, sadly I found it very mediocre and at times quite boring... may be due to the fact I never really got into cop shows very much (Law & Order, CSI and the hundred clones).
Are the later seasons about the same as season one?
The style is consistent throughout the series. The later seasons focus on other parts of the system, so there's a chance you'll like them more, but seeing how you didn't enjoy season one, I'd suggest you stop there.
The Wire is a brilliant show, very clever, subtle, gritty and poignant, with possibly the best script written for TV ever (it is based on a novel i think).
But i have to disagree with the fanboys shouting BEST SHOW EVAAAH. I don't think it is. It's gritty realism, non comercial value and lack of external soundtrack are a double edged sword. It sort of lacks excitement. I mean sure, if you can muster the will to watch an entire season in a day, it keeps you very well captivated. But the next day, you don't wake up with a sudden urge to just SEE The Wire. You just don't.
It should be taken for what it is. An amazing, objective introspect on the machinations of the Baltimore Police, with emphasis on the rigidity of it's chain of command, in juxtaposition with the drug cartels. Even the show's title acts like a metaphor for us, the viewers/spectators - seeing that world from a distant perspective through a lens, hearing it through the wire.
But for me it was not enough. Even though after i've watched the first season i was in absolute awe. But it was the kind of awe similar to when you view an object of art and greatly admire, appreciate it for it's value and majesty, but cannot really connect to it on a personal level. It doesn't grow on you; the emotion is absent.
Still, i recommend the first season for anyone to see. It is an acquired taste, and demands your full attention to catch all the subtleties. But trust me, it's worth it; and you will probably come out just a little bit smarter after the whole ordeal. Did i say ordeal? I meant pleasant experience.
On December 31 2010 15:44 AlexDeLarge wrote: The Wire is a brilliant show, very clever, subtle, gritty and poignant, with possibly the best script written for TV ever (it is based on a novel i think).
But i have to disagree with the fanboys shouting BEST SHOW EVAAAH. I don't think it is. It's gritty realism, non comercial value and lack of external soundtrack are a double edged sword. It sort of lacks excitement. I mean sure, if you can muster the will to watch an entire season in a day, it keeps you very well captivated. But the next day, you don't wake up with a sudden urge to just SEE The Wire. You just don't.
It should be taken for what it is. An amazing, objective introspect on the machinations of the Baltimore Police, with emphasis on the rigidity of it's chain of command, in juxtaposition with the drug cartels. Even the show's title acts like a metaphor for us, the viewers/spectators - seeing that world from a distant perspective through a lens, hearing it through the wire.
But for me it was not enough. Even though after i've watched the first season i was in absolute awe. But it was the kind of awe similar to when you view an object of art and greatly admire, appreciate it for it's value and majesty, but cannot really connect to it on a personal level. It doesn't grow on you; the emotion is absent.
Still, i recommend the first season for anyone to see. It is an acquired taste, and demands your full attention to catch all the subtleties. But trust me, it's worth it; and you will probably come out just a little bit smarter after the whole ordeal. Did i say ordeal? I meant pleasant experience.
really... I feel completely opposite then you.. I was extremely emotionally attached to most of the characters, even the worst of the bunch. The way the story played out, and the character development worked, I was drawn in... and then just hooked. I wanted to watch the next season, I wanted to find out what happened to each character. I was extremely sad whenever someone died, even characters that were almost irrelevant, cause the situation felt real, and personable.
On December 31 2010 15:44 AlexDeLarge wrote: It sort of lacks excitement. I mean sure, if you can muster the will to watch an entire season in a day, it keeps you very well captivated. But the next day, you don't wake up with a sudden urge to just SEE The Wire. You just don't.
I couldn't disagree more. There was rarely any tv moment more exciting than season 1 episode 10. That was just intense. But of course it depends heavily on the viewer, I am bored by most tv shows (Lost for example) due to lack of good story (oh hello thar plothole) or forced cliffhangers. A show that has an intelligent theme, is realistic and has action is therefor very exciting to me. The Wire meets all those and I was hooked. I didn't watch entire seasons as I had to wait week after week till new episodes arrive, yet I sure as hell had an urge to watch it as soon as possible.
Sadly, most shows try to be "awesome", for example 24, and are so ridiculously unrealistic that I lose interest really fast (because it bugs me too much or I have to laugh all the time). Most viewers won't notice this of course, as TV and movies generally have moved into this direction of fast brainless action. Redletter media said something about this in the epsiode 2 review (btw ep3 went just up!), but I can't remember the exact quote. It was something along the lines of "If the action becomes to unrealistic the viewer loses any connection and interest in the movie".
On that note: I enjoyed amc's rubicon a lot. It was also very slow and realistic, but sadly it got cancled after one hell of a season. Too bad, but the season still worth watching.
On December 31 2010 15:44 AlexDeLarge wrote: It sort of lacks excitement. I mean sure, if you can muster the will to watch an entire season in a day, it keeps you very well captivated. But the next day, you don't wake up with a sudden urge to just SEE The Wire. You just don't.
On that note: I enjoyed amc's rubicon a lot. It was also very slow and realistic, but sadly it got cancled after one hell of a season. Too bad, but the season still worth watching.
Totally agreed with your post and as far as Rubicon goes, damn, what a loss. I LOVED it. They could have gone so many places with a second season.
The Wire is not exciting? It's the most exciting show I've ever watched. It's real drama. Not the crap that other shows try to sell you. (won't name any, since flamewars will undoubtedly commence ). The kind of drama that gets in your head and makes you think.
My "favourite" moment, as in, it woke the most emotions inside me, was when Bubbles found out that Sherrod died, and the scene afterwards where he tried to kill himself. You really saw him destroyed. I shed a manly tear.
The best scene in the wire is when Bunk was trying to cover up the evidence of his one night stand. The comedy in the wire, unlike other crime dramas fits perfectly.
On December 31 2010 15:44 AlexDeLarge wrote: But for me it was not enough. Even though after i've watched the first season i was in absolute awe. But it was the kind of awe similar to when you view an object of art and greatly admire, appreciate it for it's value and majesty, but cannot really connect to it on a personal level. It doesn't grow on you; the emotion is absent.
The Wire is full of emotion, you feel for even the worst of characters: Warning, this season 3 scene contains big season 2 spoilers
Im really quite satisfied with how it ended for omar, he couldnt survive that just wouldnt of seemed right. The most badass character shot dead by a kid not in some epic gun fight.. just seemed like the right end, no glory for a gunslinger.
It's not about glory, it's about reality. There is no glory on the street.
Just finished the whole show for a second time, despite wanting to go to sleep 2 hours ago.
Was a LOT better this time around, which is hard to believe since it already blew me away in my first run-through. You catch a lot of small things that you didn't get before, more complex plot patterns are easier to understand since you already know what's gonna happen and figure it out from there.
My favourite episode still is Season 2: Episode 11. While that episode might be lacking the very essence of The Wire - which is it's intricate knowledge of sociological structures and it's ability to portray these - it is an unbelievably smart episode by the way it was written. Never have I seen (and probably won't ever again) a series run concluded so dramatically well presented and thought out.
My favourite Season was Season 4. It just delivered the full blow of sociopolitical insight. My biggest "chill-inducing" moment of the entire series is also in there - when (as mentioned a couple posts earlier in this thread) Bubbles finds his only real connection, his only hope o a meaningful life, dead on the floor, killed by his very own poison and afterwards try to hang himself in the offices of the homicide department.
The last episode again left me with that bitter taste of knowing that nothing is every going to be quite as good as The Wire.
Sure, David Simon and Ed Burns will collaborate on a couple of more things to come (currently Treme), but unless they return to Baltimore, I'm afraid they will deal with things with which they are not familiar enough to create something quite like The Wire.
If only there was some magical receipe to get your friends and beloved ones to watch this show one time in it's entirety. Even if you get them to start the show, they will quickly lose interest at something that superficially starts out like a shrewd cop show and only turns into something more by the beginning of the second season.
On a last note: I find it quite sad that this thread has 13 pages in it's entirety, when relatively simple (good, but simple) shows like The Walking Dead accumulate 40 pages after a 6 episode season.
Really by far the best tv show out there. There's a shift from cinema to these "megamovie"-tv shows, which i like quite a bit. Especially HBO produces many good shows. The Wire is a legend. The characters are just superace. Look at Bodie, Wallace, Omar, Proposition Joe and all the other good folks. Just incredible and intense.
In my opinion the best show on television, ever. So entertaining and captivating... Nothing I've ever seen on TV even comes close. Hot_Bid comparing it to Lost makes me a bit sick, it just does so little justice to the genious of The Wire.
The thing which even makes it more awesome for me, is I can really relate to some of the things in the show, being in law enforcement myself. (No, we don't have a black gay drug dealer robber walking around in the middle of the day with a big ass sawed off shot-gun. =)) Even worked with a wire-tap case or two, and it's just as exciting as shown in The Wire!
Especially the scenes with Rawls pushing the stat game, and all the bullshit and decieving around it, you can probably find it in any law enforcement agency in any country in the world. Always giggle a bit when they talk about it.
I also LOVE the drug/money theme which streches from the 12 year old corner boy to the Senator. Shiiiiiiiiiit!
How come we don't see any of these insanely gifted actors in any other big shows/movies? Maybe my judgement is a bit clouded by my opinion of The Wire, but still... I know Omar stars in Boardwallk Empire, but can't remember seeing too many of the others in big stuff.
Seen Rawls here and there, but there are so many others too.
How come we don't see any of these insanely gifted actors in any other big shows/movies? Maybe my judgement is a bit clouded by my opinion of The Wire, but still... I know Omar stars in Boardwallk Empire, but can't remember seeing too many of the others in big stuff.
Seen Rawls here and there, but there are so many others too.
Oh, i see the folks quite frequently. Especially Idris Elba (Stringer Bell) made a ton of movies and tv shows afterwards (the only one i liked was Luther though) I really loved Treme with Wendell Pierce and Clarke Peters. Insane show about post-Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans with a ton of music.
Can't believe this thread is still being posted in 5 years later.
The Wire is hands down one of the best shows ever. I would rank it on equal standing with the Sopranos.
Another good show that I've started watching is Oz, as well as Breaking Bad. A lot of the actors from Oz were also used in The Wire (I believe Oz came first if I'm not mistaken):
Wire : Oz Bode : Kenny Wangler Lt Daniels: Mobe (Undercover cop) Herc: Small 2-3 episode role Carver: Clayton Hughes there are some others I can't remember right now (and also Edie Falco from Sopranos). Anyone who liked the Wire I think would also like Oz.
On January 15 2011 04:34 SuiteLemunaid wrote: Can't believe this thread is still being posted in 5 years later.
The Wire is hands down one of the best shows ever. I would rank it on equal standing with the Sopranos.
Another good show that I've started watching is Oz, as well as Breaking Bad. A lot of the actors from Oz were also used in The Wire (I believe Oz came first if I'm not mistaken):
Wire : Oz Bode : Kenny Wangler Lt Daniels: Mobe (Undercover cop) Herc: Small 2-3 episode role Carver: Clayton Hughes there are some others I can't remember right now (and also Edie Falco from Sopranos). Anyone who liked the Wire I think would also like Oz.
I'm only into season 4 of Oz, but I'll add to the list: Avon plays in at least 1 episode as a CO and Lester Freamon is in a small scene where he portrays an influential member of the black community, talking to Warden Glynn (I won't specify the scene though, as it is semi-spoilerish).
Generation Kill is made by the same guy that made The wire, you should watch that, its a 12 episodes following american soldiers in Iraq http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0995832/
On February 20 2011 22:41 goldengold wrote: Generation Kill is made by the same guy that made The wire, you should watch that, its a 12 episodes following american soldiers in Iraq http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0995832/
Generation Kill only had 7 episodes. Nevertheless it was brilliant, just like The Wire. I've seen every episode of the wire 6 times now I think. Should soon be time for another run.
definitely one of the best shows ever made. Ruined a lot of shows for me too, I could never take the police department seriously in Dexter anymore because of how amazingly the politics of the police were conveyed in The Wire. I also thought Breaking Bad was the best show i've ever seen but The Wire trumps it by a long mile. So many memorable characters, characters you love and definitely characters you hate. They did a nice job of stringing together the different plotlines in one neat little bow in the end of every season. I gotta say S3 > S4 > S1 > S2 > S5 in that order, I loooved S3, Stringer Bell is easily one of my favourite characters.
since watching the wire and the sopranos, ive gone on a quest to watch all the revered hbo shows
i've watched the wire-> the sopranos -> rome ->the corner, now im watching oz. Interesting to see so many characters of oz going on to many things. Even the gay guy off american psycho plays a CO in oz.
All the shows have been amazing so far. personally the wire is probably my favorite show still, though sopranos season 1>any season of the wire imo. The great thing about the wire is that each extra season adds an extra layer of awesomeness to the show and makes each previous seasons even better.
One thing i would have liked is for them to have done a season or at least a segment on the greek and shown where the drugs actually come from or where/what country they are made in. but i guess the show only wanted us to see the inside of baltimore
If you are bored of the shitty unrealistic shows made for dumb people (CSI) you should definitely check The Wire out. Not many shows succeed at keeping the story as realistic as possible while keeping the attention of the viewers, but The Wire does it perfectly.
As for Oz: I think it was fine for a while but then it got pretty repetitive after 2 seasons.
On September 05 2006 19:19 Liquid`Jinro wrote: Yeah, I used to watch it but they no longer send it -,.- I didn't like the 2nd season as much tho (maybe because they replaced the themesong with a cover of the old one ; )).
Are you being serious? (About the song)
I'm rewatching The Wire right now. Every scene with Rawls is the best scene, especially at the department meetings.
Generation Kill is well worth a watch. Oz is a bit more cheesy and sleazy, but still good.
The Wire is the best analysis of a city and its dinamics ever done. You can't watch The Wire and think that Baltimore is not like that. And of course the characters are superbly complex. It's my favourite series with realistic-documentary focus, whereas The Sopranos is my favourite series with cinema focus.
Oh man, I just have the last three episodes left of the 5th season, and damn this was one of the best shows I've watched in a while by a loooonnnnngggg shot. I love how they take so much time to go into the intricacies of so many different characters and story lines. Nothing really feels like it gets skimmed over and everything seems completely believable.
It is much slower paced that alot of the stuff on TV now so that definitely makes it much harder to get friends to watch it because they want something crazy to happen every episode or else they lose interest fast.
HBO always seems to do good work, but The Wire has to be sitting in the top 3 for a long long time IMO.
I'd go one more and say 'better'. I'd go so far to say 'best.' Every character feels real, the script and acting are fantastic, and the plot is so engrossing.
Season 2 is a bit of a step down from 1 I think, but season 4 is the best thing that has ever been on TV, and season 3 is almost as good.
One of the corner boys being rounded up for not moving locations to hamsterdamn is cuffed and thrown face first into the back of the police van, to which he exclaims, "You can't do this, this is America."
The police responds with, "No. West Baltimore."
Also, one time we were going to play some sports drinking games but our cable went out. We had the dvd set of the Wire on hand so we decided make the best of it. Take a shot of beer/wine every time there was a drug deal or someone said fuck.
Everyone was passed out before we made it to the end of the first disk.
Started watching this show recently receiving the seasons from Netflix. Half way through season 2 now and this is hands down one of the best shows I have ever watched. Omar is probably one of my favorite characters in TV. His character on Boardwalk Empire is solid as well.
On March 11 2011 23:42 hugman wrote: I think the 5th season went a little off the rails, but it was still worth watching. Season 1,2 + the end of season 3 were my favourites though
I agree. My biggest problem was with Jimmy McNulty:
He was always put down in the show as a cop that had a problem with listening to authority if he disagreed and in season 2 we learn that he is more then willing to fuck over his bosses if he feels like it needs to be done to get his way.
But to fake a serial killer? That is pretty outlandish for any character to do but especially for Jimmy considering how it is such a leap. He would do a lot of things but this? It just didn't fit him, it was too outlandish for his character imo.
I still like the season and the addition of the newspaper was pretty intresting. Really makes you doubt how effective media can be and how the truth can often get distorted and there need to be no foul intentions and grand global conspiracies to make that happen.
On March 11 2011 23:42 hugman wrote: I think the 5th season went a little off the rails, but it was still worth watching. Season 1,2 + the end of season 3 were my favourites though
I really enjoyed S5, S2 I felt dragged out a bit too much in the beginning. Season 3/4 was my favourite though.
On March 14 2011 05:35 Haggis wrote: I miss the wire. <3 the Bunk
I was just wondering if I was gonna make it through this whole thread without seeing any love for The Bunk!
Just finished The Wire off the glowing reviews from this thread, and I am 100% with you lot. Best friggen show ever. The fact that by the end of the last series there were so many major characters that I knew and cared about was amazing. Eventually I'll manage to convince my friends to watch it already so I'll have someone to gush to.
Sadly also agreed on The Wire ruining TV for me though. Trying to watch 24 (season 3) and Spooks (season...the latest one) at the moment and just can't get into them nearly as well as I did before. Kinda hoping these are just bad seasons...I do want to be able to watch some mindless stuff too >.<
On March 14 2011 05:35 Haggis wrote: I miss the wire. <3 the Bunk
I was just wondering if I was gonna make it through this whole thread without seeing any love for The Bunk!
Just finished The Wire off the glowing reviews from this thread, and I am 100% with you lot. Best friggen show ever. The fact that by the end of the last series there were so many major characters that I knew and cared about was amazing. Eventually I'll manage to convince my friends to watch it already so I'll have someone to gush to.
Sadly also agreed on The Wire ruining TV for me though. Trying to watch 24 (season 3) and Spooks (season...the latest one) at the moment and just can't get into them nearly as well as I did before. Kinda hoping these are just bad seasons...I do want to be able to watch some mindless stuff too >.<
After getting somewhat of an overdose of realism from "The Wire" a lot of shows after it do seem too simplistic or too unrealistic. I certainly can't watch any cop shows anymore, The Wire just makes them seem laughably implausible.
"Welcome to CSI, let's use this multi-billion science gimmick to solve the killing of this hooker"
No CSI, let's not. Let's talk about police budgets
On March 14 2011 05:35 Haggis wrote: I miss the wire. <3 the Bunk
I was just wondering if I was gonna make it through this whole thread without seeing any love for The Bunk!
Just finished The Wire off the glowing reviews from this thread, and I am 100% with you lot. Best friggen show ever. The fact that by the end of the last series there were so many major characters that I knew and cared about was amazing. Eventually I'll manage to convince my friends to watch it already so I'll have someone to gush to.
Sadly also agreed on The Wire ruining TV for me though. Trying to watch 24 (season 3) and Spooks (season...the latest one) at the moment and just can't get into them nearly as well as I did before. Kinda hoping these are just bad seasons...I do want to be able to watch some mindless stuff too >.<
After getting somewhat of an overdose of realism from "The Wire" a lot of shows after it do seem too simplistic or too unrealistic. I certainly can't watch any cop shows anymore, The Wire just makes them seem laughably implausible.
"Welcome to CSI, let's use this multi-billion science gimmick to solve the killing of this hooker"
No CSI, let's not. Let's talk about police budgets
Check out "The Shield" if you want a decent cop show that is comparable but very different than "The Wire".
On March 14 2011 05:35 Haggis wrote: I miss the wire. <3 the Bunk
I was just wondering if I was gonna make it through this whole thread without seeing any love for The Bunk!
Just finished The Wire off the glowing reviews from this thread, and I am 100% with you lot. Best friggen show ever. The fact that by the end of the last series there were so many major characters that I knew and cared about was amazing. Eventually I'll manage to convince my friends to watch it already so I'll have someone to gush to.
Sadly also agreed on The Wire ruining TV for me though. Trying to watch 24 (season 3) and Spooks (season...the latest one) at the moment and just can't get into them nearly as well as I did before. Kinda hoping these are just bad seasons...I do want to be able to watch some mindless stuff too >.<
After getting somewhat of an overdose of realism from "The Wire" a lot of shows after it do seem too simplistic or too unrealistic. I certainly can't watch any cop shows anymore, The Wire just makes them seem laughably implausible.
"Welcome to CSI, let's use this multi-billion science gimmick to solve the killing of this hooker"
No CSI, let's not. Let's talk about police budgets
Check out "The Shield" if you want a decent cop show that is comparable but very different than "The Wire".
I allready watched the shield and it is indeed, also a very good show.
The Wire is my #1 show of all time but The Shield ranks pretty high aswell.
This thread has so many posts where people say mindblowing stuff about how amazing the wire is that it would be great to add them to the OP.
Why?
To get more damn people to watch this classic.
It's so good that I need to get other people to watch it and then have them talk about it so I can get a little taste of what is was like for me the first time I watched. I just didn't know TV could be that good.
On March 14 2011 05:35 Haggis wrote: I miss the wire. <3 the Bunk
I was just wondering if I was gonna make it through this whole thread without seeing any love for The Bunk!
Just finished The Wire off the glowing reviews from this thread, and I am 100% with you lot. Best friggen show ever. The fact that by the end of the last series there were so many major characters that I knew and cared about was amazing. Eventually I'll manage to convince my friends to watch it already so I'll have someone to gush to.
Sadly also agreed on The Wire ruining TV for me though. Trying to watch 24 (season 3) and Spooks (season...the latest one) at the moment and just can't get into them nearly as well as I did before. Kinda hoping these are just bad seasons...I do want to be able to watch some mindless stuff too >.<
After getting somewhat of an overdose of realism from "The Wire" a lot of shows after it do seem too simplistic or too unrealistic. I certainly can't watch any cop shows anymore, The Wire just makes them seem laughably implausible.
"Welcome to CSI, let's use this multi-billion science gimmick to solve the killing of this hooker"
No CSI, let's not. Let's talk about police budgets
Check out "The Shield" if you want a decent cop show that is comparable but very different than "The Wire".
I allready watched the shield and it is indeed, also a very good show.
The Wire is my #1 show of all time but The Shield ranks pretty high aswell.
Nothing can touch the shield D:
Only show you can watch all the way through like 6 times and still see new things and appreciate new aspects on the 7th viewing :D.
What a great reminder to re-watch this again. So many great characters, it's no surprise everyone has different favorite character. Reading through some of the old scenes still gives me chills. Honestly a masterpiece of a show.
If you haven't seen it, watch it. Don't rush through it though, it is sad to get near the end and realize there aren't more episodes to look forward to.
One of the best shows of all time. The realism,the characters,the plot,everything is mindblowing. And yes,as someone said,it ruined many shows for me,the bar is too high now.
This is such an amazing series. Honestly 100% the best THE BEST series I've ever watched in my entire life.
However, this isn't for everyone. This show is slow slow slow and has close to no cliffhangers. It's not like the crap you watch today where every show ends in a cliffhanger and explosions are everywhere. If you want to watch a quality TV series that has a plot so strong you keep watching, this is totally for you. This show doesn't rely on gimmicks that other shows do to keep its viewers watching. I absolutely love this series!!!
On May 16 2011 08:30 Thrill wrote: Reckon there's any chance of this ever being released on bluray? Or was it shot with stone age equipment?
It was shot in what looks like 4:3, not exactly a prime candidate for upgrade. I think the relative "graininess" is also something that helps, rather than hurts the visuals anyway.
Gota say the strangest thing for me by the end was that I really liked Marlo, after in the beginning thinking of him as a 'worthless usurper' to the 'true' gangstas. But by the end man I thought he was awesome :>
PS I personally like the idea of just the 5 seasons. Maybe 'cause I'm British and used to small amounts of series in my favourite shows.
On June 05 2011 19:37 sc4k wrote: Gota say the strangest thing for me by the end was that I really liked Marlo, after in the beginning thinking of him as a 'worthless usurper' to the 'true' gangstas. But by the end man I thought he was awesome :>
PS I personally like the idea of just the 5 seasons. Maybe 'cause I'm British and used to small amounts of series in my favourite shows.
I never really liked Marlo but that whole under-acting never really goes down well with me so it's hardly his fault. I much prefer the grandiose larger then life Omar.
I got the boxset an age ago and found it hard to get into after so much hype from my mates. But midway through the first season I got completely hooked and watched every season in a couple of weeks when I was a student.
I really miss it to be honest, so many awesome characters - am tempted just to rewatch it with the directors commentary. Has anyone done this? Is it worth it?
On August 25 2011 05:01 Haggis wrote: I got the boxset an age ago and found it hard to get into after so much hype from my mates. But midway through the first season I got completely hooked and watched every season in a couple of weeks when I was a student.
I really miss it to be honest, so many awesome characters - am tempted just to rewatch it with the directors commentary. Has anyone done this? Is it worth it?
I've only seen the first episode with commentary by David Simon, and it was worth it.
The thing that pains me the most about The Wire is that it may be hard to get into for a lot of people because they are used to the formulaic episodic structure of 99% of TV Dramas. David Simon explained an idea that I could not previously put into words for friends I wanted to get into it, which is that the show is essentially written and structured like a novel rather than a TV --- each season being a volume, and each episode a chapter. When you read a novel, the first few chapters can be quite dull and uneventful, but you know that it's part of a grand scheme and it will pay off later as the story unfolds. That's what The Wire does, but the general TV audience is not used to it, so unfortunately many people cannot get into this brilliant show.
On September 27 2011 00:09 Trang wrote: The thing that pains me the most about The Wire is that it may be hard to get into for a lot of people because they are used to the formulaic episodic structure of 99% of TV Dramas.
I agree and it saddens me, but it's pervasive throughout all of society. People don't want nuance, they want blunt ideas smashed over their heads, usually with terrible overacting. The Wire should go down as one of the best and most important shows in television history. It's really on another level from other shows from the era, including greats like The Sopranos or Friday Night Lights, and it's incomparable to the trash crime shows NBC and CBS have. It's not just a show about crime, it's about institutional madness that occurs within political spheres and bureaucracies from the local level to the federal. And the overarching lessons from the show are unfortunately still in place in areas like inner city Detroit, New Orleans and Baltimore.
Of course, our undergraduate students will read rigorous academic studies of the urban job market, education and the drug war. But the HBO series does what these texts can't. More than simply telling a gripping story, "The Wire" shows how the deep inequality in inner-city America results from the web of lost jobs, bad schools, drugs, imprisonment, and how the situation feeds on itself.
Those kinds of connections are very difficult to illustrate in academic works. Though scholars know that deindustrialization, crime and prison, and the education system are deeply intertwined, they must often give focused attention to just one subject in relative isolation, at the expense of others. With the freedom of artistic expression, "The Wire" can be more creative. It can weave together the range of forces that shape the lives of the urban poor.
...
"The Wire" is fiction, but it forces us to confront social realities more effectively than any other media production in the era of so-called reality TV. It does not tie things up neatly; as in real life, the problems remain unsolved, and the cycle repeats itself as disadvantages become more deeply entrenched. Outside the world of television drama, sociologists aim to explain what causes certain social conditions and then assess the merits of competing theories. The solutions, however, are usually less clear. "The Wire" gets that part right, too.
-From the people teaching the Harvard course using the show.
Funny to hear that other people watched the entire thing in a few weeks too. A truly fantastic show, I honestly look back at the time that I watched it with nostalgia, sort of the same nostalgia you get from playing an MMO or some other game for a long time. I remember when I finished watching the series I sort of felt like something was missing for awhile.
Recently re-watched The West Wing after it was released on amazon and itunes in HD and 16. Would love to see a bluray release or similar spruced up digital release for The Wire.
I dunno, everyone i've met that has watched the show has loved it. I think there is so much there that it gonna be something for everyone to like.
Reading up on the series after watching i've discovered there is so much cinematic effects and themes that you miss just watching the show. Apprantly they built the story arcs on the greek myths and stuff like that.
David Simon is a genius. Probably has been mentioned, but uou people should watch Generation Kill as well. It's a great series by him about the war in Iraq. Also Treme is done by him as well, but i haven't checked that out yet im sure it's great though.
Oh god, this thread brings back memories from Spring '09, when i watched the whole series in a few weeks.
I would not say that it is on another level from The Sopranos, which is a very intelligent series (aside from that one terrible terrible season), just with another focus. And with a perfect ending.
For 'veterans', where everything that plays out throughout the seasons gets factored in.
If this had been already posted, apologies.
Anyhow, one of the best series I have ever seen.
Oh great, thanks for this! I was just starting to rewatch The Wire again, and was planning on reading stuff of this kind at the end of each episode to appreciate the show even more.
On September 27 2011 00:44 skyrunner wrote: Also Treme is done by him as well, but i haven't checked that out yet im sure it's great though.
Treme has been awesome so far. Renewed for season 3 should be starting up again in April '12. Completely different vibe to The Wire but does that same thing by making the city as much of a character as the cast, and drives home a lot of points about society, politics, etc. With the way it's going I could see it getting 4-6 seasons.
This is one of my top 5s of all time--up there with Battlestar Galactica (TNS) and other classic serialized dramas like The West Wing.
Did you all catch the news about Snoop being arrested? This is a sad story--I didn't realize that the actress who played Snoop (also nicknamed Snoop in real life) had been convicted of second-degree murder at the age of 14! Her character in the show is absolutely chilling. Quiet and cold-blooded.
fucking damn. Finally got around to watching this and i dont question for one second why this is the #1 series of all time.
Spoilers if you didnt see this series still. You better get to it cus the hype isnt bullshit. + Show Spoiler +
Just finished season 4 thinking it was the last season but damn... the last episode got me all depressed and shit lol. Bodie man... that kid was a true ass nigga. He was one of the most fleshed out characters with so much growth throughout the series and they just do him like that. Man.... Just doesnt seem right. You first see him as some hard headed kid with the right heart for the game and all, but he never crossed no body and he showed loyalty throughout. He finally gets the sympathy and respect of the police and the viewers and he goes like taht ... damn... He went down fighting though. Fuck. Anyways damn this show is good. All believeable characters. No episodic bullshit. I cant complain about anything exept omar's character. You cant hold it down on your own damn self against organized groups like he did when every damn person in the area know you by face and name.
On April 11 2012 01:29 gameguard wrote: fucking damn. Finally got around to watching this and i dont question for one second why this is the #1 series of all time.
Spoilers if you didnt see this series still. You better get to it cus the hype isnt bullshit. + Show Spoiler +
Just finished season 4 thinking it was the last season but damn... the last episode got me all depressed and shit lol. Bodie man... that kid was a true ass nigga. He was one of the most fleshed out characters with so much growth throughout the series and they just do him like that. Man.... Just doesnt seem right. You first see him as some hard headed kid with the right heart for the game and all, but he never crossed no body and he showed loyalty throughout. He finally gets the sympathy and respect of the police and the viewers and he goes like taht ... damn... He went down fighting though. Fuck. Anyways damn this show is good. All believeable characters. No episodic bullshit. I cant complain about anything exept omar's character. You cant hold it down on your own damn self against organized groups like he did when every damn person in the area know you by face and name.
Omar is the best character in the series, no question. Take that back. :3
I'm also watching this for the first time, season 5 right now.
I gotta say season 2 was a bit under the others but yeah it's a great show. Characters development is really something else when you compare it to todays shows.
On April 11 2012 02:42 scDeluX wrote: I'm also watching this for the first time, season 5 right now.
I gotta say season 2 was a bit under the others but yeah it's a great show. Characters development is really something else when you compare it to todays shows.
Rewatch season 2 after watching the whole show and you will appreciate how it is unique and really additive to the series as a whole. I've watched the show... a stupid amount of times through and season 2 is my favourite.
On April 11 2012 01:42 n3gative wrote: omar's the fan favourite, best character is stringer bell.
Yea, Stringer for sure...though I like Prez's character arc.
But Stringer is complicated. One of my favorite scenes is in Season 1 when McNulty follows him only to end up at the community college. In the U.S., a lot of conservatives argue that ghetto youth need to simply pull themselves up and not be lazy. Stringer epitomizes this very struggle-from that moment at the community college (and with the subsequent scene of his attempt to run a legitimate copying business) that he is trying to use capital generated illegitimately through the drug trade to become a legitimate businessman. The struggle is tough.
On April 11 2012 02:48 Zorkmid wrote: Terrific show. Halfway through season 2. Great acting, great storyline. Unpredictable and HILARIOUS! Also, It's scary how much I look like McNulty.
I'm glad you find it HILARIOUS. I watched it alone the first time. Now I'm re-watching it with my fiancee and we laughed a lot during Season 1. So much black (dark) humor that I got the first time around, but that I can laugh aloud at with my gf in the room.
For people who don't know about the previous work of the creators of The Wire, check out the mini-series called "The Corner."
It has a lot of the same actors and it's a brutally honest depiction of junkies and those around them. In certain respects it might be even better than The Wire.
Currently watching this amazing show at my usual slow pace (middle of season 4). Although he's interesting, I've always hated Stringer personally. He's fake, naive and stupid. I'd say my favourite character is McNulty, every scene with him and Bunk is an instant classic.
On April 11 2012 01:42 n3gative wrote: omar's the fan favourite, best character is stringer bell.
Yea, Stringer for sure...though I like Prez's character arc.
But Stringer is complicated. One of my favorite scenes is in Season 1 when McNulty follows him only to end up at the community college. In the U.S., a lot of conservatives argue that ghetto youth need to simply pull themselves up and not be lazy. Stringer epitomizes this very struggle-from that moment at the community college (and with the subsequent scene of his attempt to run a legitimate copying business) that he is trying to use capital generated illegitimately through the drug trade to become a legitimate businessman. The struggle is tough.
What a brilliant character.
I love the scene where he is at the photocopying business and he rants to his men about price elasticity. So awesome.
Me and my room mates have started watching the series together and we're up to Season 2. Can't wait until we start watching it again.
On April 11 2012 02:42 scDeluX wrote: I'm also watching this for the first time, season 5 right now.
I gotta say season 2 was a bit under the others but yeah it's a great show. Characters development is really something else when you compare it to todays shows.
Rewatch season 2 after watching the whole show and you will appreciate how it is unique and really additive to the series as a whole. I've watched the show... a stupid amount of times through and season 2 is my favourite.
Yep. The thing about Season 2 is that it's really kind of like a "setup" season: So much of Season 2 is important to S4 and S5. Without it those Seasons just don't get that "Perfect" gleam. So many brilliant characters (Ziggy!) in that season.
On April 11 2012 01:42 n3gative wrote: omar's the fan favourite, best character is stringer bell.
Yea, Stringer for sure...though I like Prez's character arc.
But Stringer is complicated. One of my favorite scenes is in Season 1 when McNulty follows him only to end up at the community college. In the U.S., a lot of conservatives argue that ghetto youth need to simply pull themselves up and not be lazy. Stringer epitomizes this very struggle-from that moment at the community college (and with the subsequent scene of his attempt to run a legitimate copying business) that he is trying to use capital generated illegitimately through the drug trade to become a legitimate businessman. The struggle is tough.
On April 11 2012 03:28 skatbone wrote: Yea, Stringer for sure...though I like Prez's character arc.
But Stringer is complicated. One of my favorite scenes is in Season 1 when McNulty follows him only to end up at the community college. In the U.S., a lot of conservatives argue that ghetto youth need to simply pull themselves up and not be lazy. Stringer epitomizes this very struggle-from that moment at the community college (and with the subsequent scene of his attempt to run a legitimate copying business) that he is trying to use capital generated illegitimately through the drug trade to become a legitimate businessman. The struggle is tough.
What a brilliant character.
On April 11 2012 14:12 Waxangel wrote: the print shop is a front -_-;
No man, Prop Joe definitely just fixes clocks for real too.
On April 11 2012 01:42 n3gative wrote: omar's the fan favourite, best character is stringer bell.
Yea, Stringer for sure...though I like Prez's character arc.
But Stringer is complicated. One of my favorite scenes is in Season 1 when McNulty follows him only to end up at the community college. In the U.S., a lot of conservatives argue that ghetto youth need to simply pull themselves up and not be lazy. Stringer epitomizes this very struggle-from that moment at the community college (and with the subsequent scene of his attempt to run a legitimate copying business) that he is trying to use capital generated illegitimately through the drug trade to become a legitimate businessman. The struggle is tough.
What a brilliant character.
the print shop is a front -_-;
Even though it's a front, he runs it as a legitimate business, yelling at his staff for not acting like professionals. If it was Avon running the place, I'm sure he wouldn't have cared if the business was doing well or not.
On April 11 2012 01:42 n3gative wrote: omar's the fan favourite, best character is stringer bell.
Yea, Stringer for sure...though I like Prez's character arc.
But Stringer is complicated. One of my favorite scenes is in Season 1 when McNulty follows him only to end up at the community college. In the U.S., a lot of conservatives argue that ghetto youth need to simply pull themselves up and not be lazy. Stringer epitomizes this very struggle-from that moment at the community college (and with the subsequent scene of his attempt to run a legitimate copying business) that he is trying to use capital generated illegitimately through the drug trade to become a legitimate businessman. The struggle is tough.
What a brilliant character.
the print shop is a front -_-;
Even though it's a front, he runs it as a legitimate business, yelling at his staff for not acting like professionals. If it was Avon running the place, I'm sure he wouldn't have cared if the business was doing well or not.
That's what makes Prop Joe my favourite drug dealer. He's thorough, humble, and consistent. He plays the game as honestly as a drug lord has any right to while still staying in the business. Even his dodgy moves are within the "rules" per se.
Plus he's just a really likeable dude, despite his job description.
On April 11 2012 01:42 n3gative wrote: omar's the fan favourite, best character is stringer bell.
Yea, Stringer for sure...though I like Prez's character arc.
But Stringer is complicated. One of my favorite scenes is in Season 1 when McNulty follows him only to end up at the community college. In the U.S., a lot of conservatives argue that ghetto youth need to simply pull themselves up and not be lazy. Stringer epitomizes this very struggle-from that moment at the community college (and with the subsequent scene of his attempt to run a legitimate copying business) that he is trying to use capital generated illegitimately through the drug trade to become a legitimate businessman. The struggle is tough.
What a brilliant character.
the print shop is a front -_-;
Even though it's a front, he runs it as a legitimate business, yelling at his staff for not acting like professionals. If it was Avon running the place, I'm sure he wouldn't have cared if the business was doing well or not.
On April 12 2012 09:59 gameguard wrote: prop joe had pretty much no fatal flaw other than his dumbass fuckup nephew lol. Slim charles was the shit also.
I mean there was alot of funny scenes throughout the seasons but my favorite one was snoop in home depo. "You earned that dollar like a mufucker" LOL
"Man, fuck a charge, this here’s a gun powder activated, 27 caliber, full auto, no kickback, nail-throwing mayhem man. Shit right here’s tight."
My favorite show by far. There is pretty much nothing to hate about it.
I cant really convince my friends about it, since it deviates to much of their normal tv habbits (every episode has to make sense on its own 45min span, purely black and white charaters, clear defined moral preachings, etc)
Wierdly, the only show I found even half as entertaining was twin peaks
On April 12 2012 21:27 manloveman wrote: My favorite show by far. There is pretty much nothing to hate about it.
I cant really convince my friends about it, since it deviates to much of their normal tv habbits (every episode has to make sense on its own 45min span, purely black and white charaters, clear defined moral preachings, etc)
Wierdly, the only show I found even half as entertaining was twin peaks
Most people aren't used to the slow developing stories with in depth analysis of situations. I've never seen any show close to The Wire's realism and storytelling.
just finished watching all seasons a few days ago. feels sad. just as it does with any great show that ends. the show had some of the best characters i've ever seen on tv.
On April 12 2012 22:45 cygnus-AT wrote: just finished watching all seasons a few days ago. feels sad. just as it does with any great show that ends. the show had some of the best characters i've ever seen on tv.
Don't fret too much, time for your first rewatch! =p
Seriously though, there's new stuff I was picking up even on my third time through <3
yesterday I watched the episode where Prop Jo get shot, DAMN !. I was just thinking about him mid-episode about how he has been around a long time controlling the drug seller group since avon and stringer were gone and how he was pretty much a "main" character. That took me by surprise. Honestly I prefered him to Marlo
I ran through season 1 and 2, and now I'm on 3 (simple logic, really ). I love the fact that some of the main players on both "sides" are kept around for the first three seasons at least. As always, HBO does a fantastic job in creating a credible look and feel, and the story is very intriguing.
have to say, its by far my fav TV show ever made. It's so well done I have the whole 5 seasons on dvd and watch them all every few months. There is just so much depth to the show and the acting.
On April 13 2012 07:00 baldgye wrote: have to say, its by far my fav TV show ever made. It's so well done I have the whole 5 seasons on dvd and watch them all every few months. There is just so much depth to the show and the acting.
On April 13 2012 07:00 baldgye wrote: have to say, its by far my fav TV show ever made. It's so well done I have the whole 5 seasons on dvd and watch them all every few months. There is just so much depth to the show and the acting.
On April 12 2012 21:27 manloveman wrote: My favorite show by far. There is pretty much nothing to hate about it.
I cant really convince my friends about it, since it deviates to much of their normal tv habbits (every episode has to make sense on its own 45min span, purely black and white charaters, clear defined moral preachings, etc)
Wierdly, the only show I found even half as entertaining was twin peaks
Most people aren't used to the slow developing stories with in depth analysis of situations. I've never seen any show close to The Wire's realism and storytelling.
On April 12 2012 21:27 manloveman wrote: My favorite show by far. There is pretty much nothing to hate about it.
I cant really convince my friends about it, since it deviates to much of their normal tv habbits (every episode has to make sense on its own 45min span, purely black and white charaters, clear defined moral preachings, etc)
Wierdly, the only show I found even half as entertaining was twin peaks
Most people aren't used to the slow developing stories with in depth analysis of situations. I've never seen any show close to The Wire's realism and storytelling.
3 letters CSI!
CSI is a joke compared to The Wire in how murder cases are worked lol...
Here is a link to the scene with Snoop in the hardware store. Definitely one of my favorite scenes. There is so much at play in this short scene its amazing. Things to check out: the way the other store patrons stare at her and she walks through, the employee's eyes when she is talking about a .22 cal, the transaction, and her talking to Chris. I loved the way that she repeated everything the employee told her in one sentence to Chris. She got schooled.
On April 12 2012 09:59 gameguard wrote: prop joe had pretty much no fatal flaw other than his dumbass fuckup nephew lol. Slim charles was the shit also.
I mean there was alot of funny scenes throughout the seasons but my favorite one was snoop in home depo. "You earned that dollar like a mufucker" LOL
For like two weeks last year, all me and a friend (he lived in the flat next door) did was smoke weed and marathon The Wire. I have no regrets because it was such an incredible show, we were both poor so we could only afford weed and 1 meal a day, probably wasn't very bright, but I'd do it again.
Also, I liked how gritty the characters were, if that makes any sense.
On April 13 2012 07:50 jnsjr wrote: Here is a link to the scene with Snoop in the hardware store. Definitely one of my favorite scenes. There is so much at play in this short scene its amazing. Things to check out: the way the other store patrons stare at her and she walks through, the employee's eyes when she is talking about a .22 cal, the transaction, and her talking to Chris. I loved the way that she repeated everything the employee told her in one sentence to Chris. She got schooled.
You know, I had absolutely no idea that Snoop was female. I had to look it up, and you are right. I must say she has a pretty deep voice and carries herself very manly . My mind is a little blown now.
god this show is by far the best tv show out there. I watched the entire thing in a week for the first time a couple months ago and I was blown out the water. IF YOU HAVNT SEEN THIS SHOW GO WATCH IT NOW.
Im watching Louis Theroux in Philly, and 5 minuts in, a cold chill down the spine. Everything these officers see, is pretty much excactly like the "the wire". Corner boys, "the game" all sound natural to me, and I know instantly what all the terms mean.
Even though they dont say it directly, the first units followed are doing the good ol' Rip'n Run.
If you wonna see just how real The Wire is, check out this docu. Atleast the beginning of it, which is where im at now.
On April 29 2012 02:33 manloveman wrote: Im watching Louis Theroux in Philly, and 5 minuts in, a cold chill down the spine. Everything these officers see, is pretty much excactly like the "the wire". Corner boys, "the game" all sound natural to me, and I know instantly what all the terms mean.
Even though they dont say it directly, the first units followed are doing the good ol' Rip'n Run.
If you wonna see just how real The Wire is, check out this docu. Atleast the beginning of it, which is where im at now.
Thats whats i love the most about the Wire. The had such huge background work to make it as realistical as possible. Gunna have to watch it again now thinking about it!
This show is the best. I have friends who are refusing to watch it because it isn't in HD (and because they are assholes), any word on it ever getting released in HD or is that not possible?
On April 29 2012 02:37 Zim23 wrote: This show is the best. I have friends who are refusing to watch it because it isn't in HD (and because they are assholes), any word on it ever getting released in HD or is that not possible?
What.
How can they refuse to watch the best show that ever was just because it isnt in HD ?
On April 29 2012 02:37 Zim23 wrote: This show is the best. I have friends who are refusing to watch it because it isn't in HD (and because they are assholes), any word on it ever getting released in HD or is that not possible?
I have a friend who refuses to watch it because it's a "Cop Show" :/
On September 05 2006 08:27 Hot_Bid wrote: I just came off a binge 4 day marathon where I watched the entire first season... and in my opinion it's comparable to Lost, the Sopranos, etc. Such a great show.
Basically its about narcotics cops in Baltimore and a big case they do, but more than that it's got a lot of cool police politics and it also shows you the drug dealers perspectives. I don't normally like cop shows as I think they are so formulaic and boring, but this one was just wow. I had no fucking idea what was going to happen and every episode was just so good.
It's heavily continuity based so missing an episode fucks you, and I like this because it assumes the watcher is intelligent and capable, rather than dumbass network television geared to entertaining your ass for one episode at a time with little carryover.
Anyway enough with me gushing, anyone else love this show?
I can't believe Hot_Bid compared The Wire with Lost?!
On April 13 2012 07:50 jnsjr wrote: Here is a link to the scene with Snoop in the hardware store. Definitely one of my favorite scenes. There is so much at play in this short scene its amazing. Things to check out: the way the other store patrons stare at her and she walks through, the employee's eyes when she is talking about a .22 cal, the transaction, and her talking to Chris. I loved the way that she repeated everything the employee told her in one sentence to Chris. She got schooled.
You know, I had absolutely no idea that Snoop was female. I had to look it up, and you are right. I must say she has a pretty deep voice and carries herself very manly . My mind is a little blown now.
Snoop is not a character. Snoop is Snoop. She served time when she was 14 or so for murdering someone. so yeah she's hard.
On September 05 2006 08:27 Hot_Bid wrote: I just came off a binge 4 day marathon where I watched the entire first season... and in my opinion it's comparable to Lost, the Sopranos, etc. Such a great show.
Basically its about narcotics cops in Baltimore and a big case they do, but more than that it's got a lot of cool police politics and it also shows you the drug dealers perspectives. I don't normally like cop shows as I think they are so formulaic and boring, but this one was just wow. I had no fucking idea what was going to happen and every episode was just so good.
It's heavily continuity based so missing an episode fucks you, and I like this because it assumes the watcher is intelligent and capable, rather than dumbass network television geared to entertaining your ass for one episode at a time with little carryover.
Anyway enough with me gushing, anyone else love this show?
I can't believe Hot_Bid compared The Wire with Lost?!
To be fair, the first season of Lost, to some extent the second season, are the best and only one's slightly comparable to The Wire. Those two seasons were out when Hot_Bid made the thread.
The Wire gets better in my opinion after the second season though that blows everything else out of the water.
On September 05 2006 08:27 Hot_Bid wrote: I just came off a binge 4 day marathon where I watched the entire first season... and in my opinion it's comparable to Lost, the Sopranos, etc. Such a great show.
comparable to uhh... Lost?
The amount of sheer powerful realism, overwhelming character development/scope and the absence of a full-on protagonist/antagonist which creates an aura to help any viewer to sympathize with any character he/she wants in this show makes Lost look like a bunch of marines /danceing in Novice Bel'shir Beach.
This show has been the all-around best 'visual production' including any movie or series for me.
Heh after watching all of Breaking Bad I got an itch to watch the Wire through again for the third time. Truly the greatest show ever made nothing else has been able to touch it. Still pickin up stuff I missed even the third time trough. And season 2 is definelty better on subsequent watches.
On September 05 2006 08:27 Hot_Bid wrote: I just came off a binge 4 day marathon where I watched the entire first season... and in my opinion it's comparable to Lost, the Sopranos, etc. Such a great show.
Basically its about narcotics cops in Baltimore and a big case they do, but more than that it's got a lot of cool police politics and it also shows you the drug dealers perspectives. I don't normally like cop shows as I think they are so formulaic and boring, but this one was just wow. I had no fucking idea what was going to happen and every episode was just so good.
It's heavily continuity based so missing an episode fucks you, and I like this because it assumes the watcher is intelligent and capable, rather than dumbass network television geared to entertaining your ass for one episode at a time with little carryover.
Anyway enough with me gushing, anyone else love this show?
I can't believe Hot_Bid compared The Wire with Lost?!
I watched the first 3 seasons of this a while ago and forgot about it. I really liked them but I know how shows start to decline in quality towards the end. Are seasons 4 and 5 as good as 1-3?
On May 02 2012 11:40 Absurdly wrote: I watched the first 3 seasons of this a while ago and forgot about it. I really liked them but I know how shows start to decline in quality towards the end. Are seasons 4 and 5 as good as 1-3?
Yes! Seasons 4 and 5 are all about Marlo taking over. Snoop and Chris too, and the kids in those seasons are great.
On May 02 2012 11:40 Absurdly wrote: I watched the first 3 seasons of this a while ago and forgot about it. I really liked them but I know how shows start to decline in quality towards the end. Are seasons 4 and 5 as good as 1-3?
On April 29 2012 02:37 Zim23 wrote: This show is the best. I have friends who are refusing to watch it because it isn't in HD (and because they are assholes), any word on it ever getting released in HD or is that not possible?
I have a friend who refuses to watch it because it's a "Cop Show" :/
I generally don't like 'cop shows' and 'The Wire' is my all time favourite show. Go figure.
Just finished the last season, and it really is as amazing as everyone says. I had trouble to get into it the first half of the first season. The reasons are rather obvious, like the slow pace of the show. And being a white male from europe, I had absolutely no relation to the whole black ghetto drug-setting. And other profan reasons, like it was (is) really hard for me to understand the slang of all the black gangsters and young kids in the show, there are a whole lot of scenes where I just had to guess what they were saying. But I'd rather sell my firstborn child than watch a subbed german version. But when you finally getting used to the pace of the show, the experience is just amazingly rewarding.
I really enjoyed the Carcetti storyline, it is amazing to observe how a guy with good intentions gets more or less corrupted by his own ambitions and the inner workings of the system, you can hardly blame him in the end. There is one scene in the fifth season where his wife looks with disbelief at her husband when she recognizes how he has changed, coupled with a scene a couple of episodes before, where she tells him "You will do the right thing." Those scenes are so subtle and quiet, but they capture the process so well.
The character I enjoyed the most was probably Stringer Bell, the actor did an outstanding job on him. I found Omar to be a little over the top, but very enjoyable still.
And I had a real WTF moment when I realized that Snoop is a girl.
Yeah the Carcetti character and storyline were indeed amazing. And good for you for sticking with it. It is no doubt the best show I've ever watched, followed by Breaking Bad and then probably Lost I guess, although I'm hesitant to put Lost that high, even though I did enjoy it a lot.
On April 29 2012 02:37 Zim23 wrote: This show is the best. I have friends who are refusing to watch it because it isn't in HD (and because they are assholes), any word on it ever getting released in HD or is that not possible?
I have a friend who refuses to watch it because it's a "Cop Show" :/
I generally don't like 'cop shows' and 'The Wire' is my all time favourite show. Go figure.
The Wire isn't a cop show..
Well, there are cops in the show. When I hear cop shows I picture NYPD blue and shit. No thanks.
Just watched the show. It was really really good. I would recommend it to anyone who likes good t.v. Best thing about it to me is that its so dam realistic. Characters like those really exist out here. Show is so raw imo.
one of the best shows ive ever watched. im on season 4 which is incredible maybe even better than season 1. The characters are unique and the themes of the show are so thought provoking. Not to mention its hilarious and really funny to watch.
Just started watching the series for the second time, i wanted to see if The Wire or Game of Thrones is my alltime favourite tv-show. Hard to say, i can't decide.
i thought it was very obvious. They forshadowed it at least 2 times. The biggest one being the scene where that kid doesnt run away like all the others when omar walks by.
On May 12 2012 07:44 Malinor wrote: Just finished the last season, and it really is as amazing as everyone says. I had trouble to get into it the first half of the first season. The reasons are rather obvious, like the slow pace of the show. And being a white male from europe, I had absolutely no relation to the whole black ghetto drug-setting. And other profan reasons, like it was (is) really hard for me to understand the slang of all the black gangsters and young kids in the show, there are a whole lot of scenes where I just had to guess what they were saying. But I'd rather sell my firstborn child than watch a subbed german version. But when you finally getting used to the pace of the show, the experience is just amazingly rewarding.
thats a bit extreme, subs are a good thing why didnt you just get english subs? I watched a good part of the first season with english subs until i felt like i understood well enough to not need them
On May 12 2012 07:44 Malinor wrote: Just finished the last season, and it really is as amazing as everyone says. I had trouble to get into it the first half of the first season. The reasons are rather obvious, like the slow pace of the show. And being a white male from europe, I had absolutely no relation to the whole black ghetto drug-setting. And other profan reasons, like it was (is) really hard for me to understand the slang of all the black gangsters and young kids in the show, there are a whole lot of scenes where I just had to guess what they were saying. But I'd rather sell my firstborn child than watch a subbed german version. But when you finally getting used to the pace of the show, the experience is just amazingly rewarding.
I really enjoyed the Carcetti storyline, it is amazing to observe how a guy with good intentions gets more or less corrupted by his own ambitions and the inner workings of the system, you can hardly blame him in the end. There is one scene in the fifth season where his wife looks with disbelief at her husband when she recognizes how he has changed, coupled with a scene a couple of episodes before, where she tells him "You will do the right thing." Those scenes are so subtle and quiet, but they capture the process so well.
The character I enjoyed the most was probably Stringer Bell, the actor did an outstanding job on him. I found Omar to be a little over the top, but very enjoyable still.
And I had a real WTF moment when I realized that Snoop is a girl.
you're right about that. the director even said he did that on purpose as he wanted to romanticize Omar.
On May 12 2012 07:44 Malinor wrote: Just finished the last season, and it really is as amazing as everyone says. I had trouble to get into it the first half of the first season. The reasons are rather obvious, like the slow pace of the show. And being a white male from europe, I had absolutely no relation to the whole black ghetto drug-setting. And other profan reasons, like it was (is) really hard for me to understand the slang of all the black gangsters and young kids in the show, there are a whole lot of scenes where I just had to guess what they were saying. But I'd rather sell my firstborn child than watch a subbed german version. But when you finally getting used to the pace of the show, the experience is just amazingly rewarding.
I really enjoyed the Carcetti storyline, it is amazing to observe how a guy with good intentions gets more or less corrupted by his own ambitions and the inner workings of the system, you can hardly blame him in the end. There is one scene in the fifth season where his wife looks with disbelief at her husband when she recognizes how he has changed, coupled with a scene a couple of episodes before, where she tells him "You will do the right thing." Those scenes are so subtle and quiet, but they capture the process so well.
The character I enjoyed the most was probably Stringer Bell, the actor did an outstanding job on him. I found Omar to be a little over the top, but very enjoyable still.
And I had a real WTF moment when I realized that Snoop is a girl.
you're right about that. the director even said he did that on purpose as he wanted to romanticize Omar. So the romanticizing ended at some point, which was necessary.
Nice to know. But I think he brought his storyline to a good end + Show Spoiler +
in making Omar's death so futile and senseless. You can only run around in the streets with a pumpgun for so long.
thats a bit extreme, subs are a good thing why didnt you just get english subs? I watched a good part of the first season with english subs until i felt like i understood well enough to not need them
I am not gonna lie, that didn't even occur to me. It has been so long since I have watched an english show with subs, I mostly find that I only stare at the writing all the time, which detractes from the viewing experience. But you are right, in this case this would have probably been a reasonable thing to do. I just wasn't that into the show in the beginning and probably was to lazy to search. Later on I found out that I understood the storylines and conversations without catching everything they say. Which really is a sign of great cinematography in a show so dialogue driven.
i thought it was very obvious. They forshadowed it at least 2 times. The biggest one being the scene where that kid doesnt run away like all the others when omar walks by.
the action itself. The camera didn't even show the kid with the gun, they didn't show him enter and/or hide in the store, they didn't show him walk up to Omar. He was off-screen the entire time. One second Omar was buying Newports, the next second there's a screaming Korean lady.
On May 02 2012 11:40 Absurdly wrote: I watched the first 3 seasons of this a while ago and forgot about it. I really liked them but I know how shows start to decline in quality towards the end. Are seasons 4 and 5 as good as 1-3?
Season 4 is amazing.
Season 5 is kind of a decline.
The plot to season 5 is kinda retarded but it's still the wire, and the ending is PERFECT.
One of the most over-hyped shows I've ever watched. It was okay. First two seasons were good, but it got old and really started to decline fast. I almost didn't even finish the last episode due to loss of interest.
I think Omar is everyones favorite character, but the scene with him and Brother Mouzone talking to each other down the barrels of their guns is fucking baller. Such a good show, i didnt watch it for ages because i assumed it was a standard precedural cop show and they bore the tits off me.
On May 12 2012 17:29 Uncultured wrote: One of the most over-hyped shows I've ever watched. It was okay. First two seasons were good, but it got old and really started to decline fast. I almost didn't even finish the last episode due to loss of interest.
On May 12 2012 07:44 Malinor wrote: Just finished the last season, and it really is as amazing as everyone says. I had trouble to get into it the first half of the first season. The reasons are rather obvious, like the slow pace of the show. And being a white male from europe, I had absolutely no relation to the whole black ghetto drug-setting. And other profan reasons, like it was (is) really hard for me to understand the slang of all the black gangsters and young kids in the show, there are a whole lot of scenes where I just had to guess what they were saying. But I'd rather sell my firstborn child than watch a subbed german version. But when you finally getting used to the pace of the show, the experience is just amazingly rewarding.
I really enjoyed the Carcetti storyline, it is amazing to observe how a guy with good intentions gets more or less corrupted by his own ambitions and the inner workings of the system, you can hardly blame him in the end. There is one scene in the fifth season where his wife looks with disbelief at her husband when she recognizes how he has changed, coupled with a scene a couple of episodes before, where she tells him "You will do the right thing." Those scenes are so subtle and quiet, but they capture the process so well.
The character I enjoyed the most was probably Stringer Bell, the actor did an outstanding job on him. I found Omar to be a little over the top, but very enjoyable still.
And I had a real WTF moment when I realized that Snoop is a girl.
you're right about that. the director even said he did that on purpose as he wanted to romanticize Omar.
I read Omar is a mashup of 3-4 real life people. There was someone who David Simon described as being a really little guy who wore a trenchcoat and carried a shotgun, and he would see the dealers take off running then 30 seconds later the little guy would walk around the corner.
On June 25 2012 00:55 Deadlyhazard wrote: I quit watching a couple episodes into season 2...it seems to drag a bit.
Season 3 changes location and is better, you should keep watching.
Well to the OP, all seasons of the Wire start off slowly; each season introduces a new setting, and a new way of doing things both by the drug trade and the police, so you might think it's dragging on a little. That's deliberate. The Wire has to teach you to be able to watch it.
For instance, if you recall season 1, if you're used to cop shows, you're probably prone to pigeonholing people as 'good guys' or 'bad guys', and the Wire goes out of its way to confuse viewers who instinctively think like that. Prez fucks up twice, badly, in two episodes, before being shown to be a competent backroom investigator. D'Angelo starts off by getting away with murder through witness intimidation, before it's clear that he's more contemplative and less prone to violence than either his underlings or superiors. And everyone's favourite lovable rogue, Omar, spends his first two episodes being merely a sinister presence in a van who'll shoot a kid in the leg in order to rob a drug stash. The whole point of introducing characters like this is in order to stop you cheering mindlessly for one group of guys or the other, and just to get you to watch the characters for what they are. You have to be trained to watch the show, and it takes time to do that, just as it takes time for you to get introduced to the operations around the docks and the working class characters, that show up in Season 2.
As to sc4k, I'll take issue with the notion that season 3 is obviously better. There's some strange phenomenon where Season 2 starts off, after the first viewing of the whole run, as being people's least favourite season, but after people watch The Wire through the whole run 2 or 3 times, it gets re-evaluated as one of the better ones. I don't know whether it's because the Sobotka family story is more gripping, in hindsight, when you know how it turns out, or because when you initially start watching season 2, it's not entirely obvious that The Wire is not so much a cop show but a kind of television essay on social institutions and how they function. That's probably made clearer once you start on seasons 3 and 4, and it might help to watch season 2 with that in mind from the beginning.
But anyways, yes. Keep watching, but not because The Wire 'gets better'. It's just that at some point, you might realise that the stuff you thought was too boring or slow, earlier on, was actually awesome, all along!
On April 29 2012 02:37 Zim23 wrote: This show is the best. I have friends who are refusing to watch it because it isn't in HD (and because they are assholes), any word on it ever getting released in HD or is that not possible?
I heard that it will never be released in HD. When it was filmed, there was widescreen and HD available, but the producers decided to use 4:3 to make it seem more "realistic".
edit: here's the source
And perhaps the final contrast to the rest of high-end episodic television, The Wire for each of its five seasons has been produced in good old fashioned 4 x 3 standard definition. DP Dave Insley recalled, "The reason the show has stayed 4x3 is because David Simon thinks that 4x3 feels more like real life and real television and not like a movie. The show's never been HD, even 4x3 HD and that (SD) is how it is on the DVDs. There is no 16x9 version anywhere."
If i had to call one season to be inferior to the others it would be the first, only because the building of characters is so good and takes over to the other seasons.
s2 gets better with every viewing... I remember it taking me a while to get used to the change in scenery and characters but after watching it 4-5 times, it's definitely one of my favorite (but then again I feel like they're all my favorite lol)
On June 25 2012 02:38 asongdotnet wrote: s2 gets better with every viewing... I remember it taking me a while to get used to the change in scenery and characters but after watching it 4-5 times, it's definitely one of my favorite (but then again I feel like they're all my favorite lol)
I don't think S2 is my favourite, but the penultimate episode of season 2 is my favourite episode of the entire show. The way the last few minutes of that episode are pulled off is just amazing.
I think seasons 2, 3 and 4 are all roughly equal to me as brilliant television. Then 1 comes after that as a strong but not amazing season, and 5 is just pretty good.
you are crazy season 1 is epic season 2 is meh the rest are allright some times good sometimes not so good the whole show is amazing tho in comparison to most other shows out there most def reccommend to any who hasnt seen it
On June 25 2012 02:48 ShadoBiO,o wrote: The Wire, huh? Will look into it. I need something before Breaking Bad starts
If you like Breaking Bad and their excellent story arc and character progression, The Wire is most definitely recommended. Like others have said, The Wire is in a league of their own. Slower paced than Breaking Bad, yes, but it pays of big time in terms of depth for both characters and story.
my story is the same as many here, thought season 2 was the weakest season on my first watch. on my second and third watches it's easily one of my favorites. you really don't give a shit about these whack ass dock workers until you understand how the story is going to unfold.
On June 27 2012 04:57 oscar62 wrote: my story is the same as many here, thought season 2 was the weakest season on my first watch. on my second and third watches it's easily one of my favorites. you really don't give a shit about these whack ass dock workers until you understand how the story is going to unfold.
I thought it was one of the best on my first watch through. Only bested by season 4 imo.
On June 27 2012 04:57 oscar62 wrote: my story is the same as many here, thought season 2 was the weakest season on my first watch. on my second and third watches it's easily one of my favorites. you really don't give a shit about these whack ass dock workers until you understand how the story is going to unfold.
I thought it was one of the best on my first watch through. Only bested by season 4 imo.
Also, the drunk duck...
Haha yes, me as well. Though I would put s3 slightly above it as well.
On June 25 2012 02:48 ShadoBiO,o wrote: The Wire, huh? Will look into it. I need something before Breaking Bad starts
If you like Breaking Bad and their excellent story arc and character progression, The Wire is most definitely recommended. Like others have said, The Wire is in a league of their own. Slower paced than Breaking Bad, yes, but it pays of big time in terms of depth for both characters and story.
I also want to have fun comparing these 2 shows. While I think both are absolute amazing shows, I think you're right. Breaking Bad is a bit faster paced. However, The Wire was so masterful in how everything developed slowly, but resolved in a powerful instant.
One thing that seperates the two shows is how the character's play off each other. Breaking bad was mostly business and planning, the conversation revolved around the plot. In The Wire, it was much more idle. As in, you could go through a lot of scenes just seeing how people lived an what motivates them before seeing something actually happen. I pretty much loved watching the gangsters talk casually, especially snoop. I don't think Breaking Bad ever hit that note quite as well. There is one bad episode where it's just walter and jessie trying to catch a fly the episode, and it's so painfully boring. It was just too slow paced for breaking bad.
just finished watching this show for the first time and now i don't think i'm even excited for the next breaking bad episode. are there any other shows that come close to this one in quality and subject matter?
Maybe Oz. And I'm just saying that because everything is so far off from The Wire that might be the closest. The Sopranos is usually the show compared with The Wire though.
Quit watching this Show after the first season dragged out so much...I want to like this show so bad since everyone only has Good things to say about this but i can't
Breaking bad also Dragged in it's first Season but It got Very fucking absolutely smashing perfectly paced as it moved into later seasons...does this do the Same?
On July 30 2012 01:19 thrawn2112 wrote: just finished watching this show for the first time and now i don't think i'm even excited for the next breaking bad episode. are there any other shows that come close to this one in quality and subject matter?
The Wire leaves everyone like that for a few months.
After a while you accept that, sure, you will never again experience the brilliance that is The Wire, but you should at least attempt to make your existence on this plane somewhat tolerable, numbing the pain from the hole in your soul with cheap entertainment.
*Other than that, Oz is probably a good show, pretty addictive, also HBO.
On July 30 2012 01:30 pyro19 wrote: Quit watching this Show after the first season dragged out so much...I want to like this show so bad since everyone only has Good things to say about this but i can't
Breaking bad also Dragged in it's first Season but It got Very fucking absolutely smashing perfectly paced as it moved into later seasons...does this do the Same?
I don't understand what you mean by dragged because the first season was fucking amazing and I didn't feel that at all. The first couple of episodes of season 2 were the only slow ones for me.
On July 30 2012 01:19 thrawn2112 wrote: just finished watching this show for the first time and now i don't think i'm even excited for the next breaking bad episode. are there any other shows that come close to this one in quality and subject matter?
watch game of thrones. might not be the same genre but fucken great actors. cant find a bad one. pretty epic too. hbo
This show fell short of my high expectations after all the hype I had been subjected to in every single discussion having anything to do with any television show. Its fans take even the slightest excuse to start talking about this show however off topic it may be.
Still, it's a great show that kept me entertained for the span of all five seasons. In top 10 tv-shows that I've seen.
On July 30 2012 01:19 thrawn2112 wrote: just finished watching this show for the first time and now i don't think i'm even excited for the next breaking bad episode. are there any other shows that come close to this one in quality and subject matter?
The Sopranos comes somewhat close to The Wire in awesomeness, its similar in many ways but it focuses almost entirely on the criminals, whereas The Wire splits between the criminals and the fuzz.
On July 30 2012 01:30 pyro19 wrote: Quit watching this Show after the first season dragged out so much...I want to like this show so bad since everyone only has Good things to say about this but i can't
Breaking bad also Dragged in it's first Season but It got Very fucking absolutely smashing perfectly paced as it moved into later seasons...does this do the Same?
I'm afraid that's a bad sign. I always recommend this show with a warning that if you don't like it by the end of the first season, it's very unlikely you'll like the rest of the series.
You'll encounter a variety of different characters and other institutions, sure, but the police are always at the core of the show throughout. The pacing is always the same as well (aside from the final season), it's a show that takes its time but blows you away in the end.
I would not say it's like Breaking Bad at all in it's pacing. Breaking Bad has this feeling throughout as if it's gradually building towards a total shitstorm of a climax when Walter's bubble finally pops. As if the bar is being raised each season.
The Wire is not that show. It's more of: each season all of the institutions introduced within the show have their objective. That objective reaches its conclusion in the finale. Then there's a montage to reflect on everything and the credits roll, and you're left with a feeling of: "...and the world keeps on turning". You know, as if that entire season didn't make much of a dent in anything. It was just another case, or it was just another election, or just another school year, and in the future another will take its place. It feels like real life.
==
Also that Wire Musical is the funniest shit I've seen all month xD.
lol @ the fat Stringer Bell "I hate 40 degree days" and Snoop in a dress wtf
On July 30 2012 01:19 thrawn2112 wrote: just finished watching this show for the first time and now i don't think i'm even excited for the next breaking bad episode. are there any other shows that come close to this one in quality and subject matter?
Treme is done by the same guy, it's quite good as well and much in the same style, though not a crime show as such. The shield is kind of in the same genre and is quite decent.
Having just watched the whole thing, I can safely say that while it may not be the "best" TV show ever (it's certainly really, really good), it's by far the most important TV show ever.
If you go into it expecting a straight up crime drama, you're not going to get one, especially after seasons 1 and 2. The point of the show is 100% social commentary.
On July 30 2012 01:30 pyro19 wrote: Quit watching this Show after the first season dragged out so much...I want to like this show so bad since everyone only has Good things to say about this but i can't
Breaking bad also Dragged in it's first Season but It got Very fucking absolutely smashing perfectly paced as it moved into later seasons...does this do the Same?
I had the same experience, sort of. The first half of Season 1 was really slow and I was ready to give up on the show. But the slow pace is pretty much necessary for the show as a whole.
Just don't expect this to be a traditional crime drama. If that's what you're looking for, watch the Shield, which is a great show in its own right.
The Wire is sad, depressing, and slow. It's not a police show with a message tacked on, it's a message with a police show tacked on. And it's really, really good.
On July 30 2012 01:30 pyro19 wrote: Quit watching this Show after the first season dragged out so much...I want to like this show so bad since everyone only has Good things to say about this but i can't
Breaking bad also Dragged in it's first Season but It got Very fucking absolutely smashing perfectly paced as it moved into later seasons...does this do the Same?
I had the same experience, sort of. The first half of Season 1 was really slow and I was ready to give up on the show. But the slow pace is pretty much necessary for the show as a whole.
Just don't expect this to be a traditional crime drama. If that's what you're looking for, watch the Shield, which is a great show in its own right.
The Wire is sad, depressing, and slow. It's not a police show with a message tacked on, it's a message with a police show tacked on. And it's really, really good.
Great way of putting it.
The show branches further and further into urban american societal ills as it goes on.
On August 02 2012 01:41 yeint wrote: Having just watched the whole thing, I can safely say that while it may not be the "best" TV show ever (it's certainly really, really good), it's by far the most important TV show ever.
If you go into it expecting a straight up crime drama, you're not going to get one, especially after seasons 1 and 2. The point of the show is 100% social commentary.
Season 4 was absolutely heartbreaking.
I think calling it a 100% social commentary is too simplistic.
It weaves the social commentary into the story, it doesn't just spew out the social commentary. The story of Avon and Stringer Bell is absolutely a crime drama, and a very moving one at that.
The moment when they stand on the rooftop, looking out over the city.
They talk, and you can feel their history, in some way you can see why these two became friends and ended up together. On the other hand, Avon talks about the good old day, the gangster days. Stringer talks about how they can own the city, he talks about the future, about going legit, about money.
You see why they were friends and why they can't be friend any longer. It wasn't forced by the plot. You understand these characters as if they are real people. On some level you understand that they couldn't possibly remain friends, partly for the same reason why they made such a good team to begin with.
That scene has everything and is one of the best in the series imo.
You see their friendship. You see why they can't remain friends. You know that each has betrayed the other.
On July 30 2012 01:19 thrawn2112 wrote: just finished watching this show for the first time and now i don't think i'm even excited for the next breaking bad episode. are there any other shows that come close to this one in quality and subject matter?
boardwalk empire. Set during the prohibition era in Atlantic City and the story centers around the beginnings of the criminal empires of Nucky Thomson - Atlantic City, Rosstine (?) - New York City, and Al Capone - Chicago. Overall, great writing and characters. Not as good as the Wire but close. Some notes about the cast/crew that might pique your interest: Martin Scorsese produced the show, and directed some episodes in the first season. MIchael Kenneth Williams (actor who plays omar) also plays a pretty pivotal role in season 2. Steve Buscemi plays Nucky Thomson, the protagonist of the show and he fits the role like a glove.
Another show that's great is Mad Men. Not crime-related but the writing's still better than most of the crap that's out now.
Honestly, a part of me wishes they would actual go and do this. In any case, it's good to see some of the old cast members back together.
i thought this was real until I read your post. It's like being told santa doesn't exist all over again
On July 30 2012 01:30 pyro19 wrote: Quit watching this Show after the first season dragged out so much...I want to like this show so bad since everyone only has Good things to say about this but i can't
if you don't like the first season, chances are high you wont like the rest of the series. Who cares though? Everyone's entitled to his opinion and it's not really entertainment if you have to strain to enjoy it.
On July 30 2012 01:19 thrawn2112 wrote: just finished watching this show for the first time and now i don't think i'm even excited for the next breaking bad episode. are there any other shows that come close to this one in quality and subject matter?
Just finished the show for the 4th time, and I still get a little teary eyed at the end. Not because of the way the whole thing ended (it was a pretty neutral / true to the statement of the show ending), but because I feel like I'm not gonna see the characters again. Really shows how good the characters were in this show.
By the way, it still gets better every time. Due to the fact that the show is so complex, you never memorize the exact contents of each episode (except for favourites), so it's always a little like watching it the first time. Also, with every run of the show so far I've always noticed a lot of stuff that I hadn't noticed before (mostly references to upcoming or past events in the show). And the penultimate episode of season 2 is still my favourite
The second season is very down-to-earth. We forget a little about the extraordinary destinies of the drug lords we usually follow, and we get to see those who wake up early to earn their salary. Very simple, inoffensive people, who took part in the worst schemes without knowing it. I also found it very touching. Generations of workers sacrificed on the altar of progress; but really, what can we do for them?
On August 11 2012 12:36 heishe wrote: Just finished the show for the 4th time, and I still get a little teary eyed at the end. Not because of the way the whole thing ended (it was a pretty neutral / true to the statement of the show ending), but because I feel like I'm not gonna see the characters again. Really shows how good the characters were in this show.
By the way, it still gets better every time. Due to the fact that the show is so complex, you never memorize the exact contents of each episode (except for favourites), so it's always a little like watching it the first time. Also, with every run of the show so far I've always noticed a lot of stuff that I hadn't noticed before (mostly references to upcoming or past events in the show). And the penultimate episode of season 2 is still my favourite
nothing beats the moment when omar get off'ed. it was beyond amazing the first time i watched...1 second and it was all over...my favourite tv character of all time was dead...
On August 11 2012 12:36 heishe wrote: Just finished the show for the 4th time, and I still get a little teary eyed at the end. Not because of the way the whole thing ended (it was a pretty neutral / true to the statement of the show ending), but because I feel like I'm not gonna see the characters again. Really shows how good the characters were in this show.
By the way, it still gets better every time. Due to the fact that the show is so complex, you never memorize the exact contents of each episode (except for favourites), so it's always a little like watching it the first time. Also, with every run of the show so far I've always noticed a lot of stuff that I hadn't noticed before (mostly references to upcoming or past events in the show). And the penultimate episode of season 2 is still my favourite
nothing beats the moment when omar get off'ed. it was beyond amazing the first time i watched...1 second and it was all over...my favourite tv character of all time was dead...
You knew it was going to happen... but for it to happen in such an anti-climactic way...
Damn them.
Maybe it's just me, but I think S2 was disliked because of the increase in white characters. I don't mean that in a racist way, it's just that the acting was good for every single character in season 1 (even the whiney one that gets merk'd) that made the S2 characters seem rather weak.
On August 11 2012 12:36 heishe wrote: Just finished the show for the 4th time, and I still get a little teary eyed at the end. Not because of the way the whole thing ended (it was a pretty neutral / true to the statement of the show ending), but because I feel like I'm not gonna see the characters again. Really shows how good the characters were in this show.
By the way, it still gets better every time. Due to the fact that the show is so complex, you never memorize the exact contents of each episode (except for favourites), so it's always a little like watching it the first time. Also, with every run of the show so far I've always noticed a lot of stuff that I hadn't noticed before (mostly references to upcoming or past events in the show). And the penultimate episode of season 2 is still my favourite
nothing beats the moment when omar get off'ed. it was beyond amazing the first time i watched...1 second and it was all over...my favourite tv character of all time was dead...
You knew it was going to happen... but for it to happen in such an anti-climactic way...
Damn them.
Maybe it's just me, but I think S2 was disliked because of the increase in white characters. I don't mean that in a racist way, it's just that the acting was good for every single character in season 1 (even the whiney one that gets merk'd) that made the S2 characters seem rather weak.
On episode 7 of S2, and am still having a hard time getting over them offing D'Angelo, one of my favorite characters. TBH it was so quick, I was expecting him to not be dead. But guess he is
Dayyyuuuummmmmnnnnnnnnn
SO far, favorite quote is from McNaulty "How bout dinner and movie friday? Then I'll walk you to your door, and you can tell me to go fuck myself like you should've the first time"
I just finished this series and I feel like I can't watch any other TV show anymore except for Breaking Bad or GOT that are still on air atm.... The series just blowed my mind, it's definitely the best TV series of all time in my books.
On September 01 2012 22:17 ReaperX wrote: I just finished this series and I feel like I can't watch any other TV show anymore except for Breaking Bad or GOT that are still on air atm.... The series just blowed my mind, it's definitely the best TV series of all time in my books.
Good thing those guys made things other than The wire...
On July 30 2012 01:19 thrawn2112 wrote: just finished watching this show for the first time and now i don't think i'm even excited for the next breaking bad episode. are there any other shows that come close to this one in quality and subject matter?
Homicide: Life on street. Its considered a prequel to The Wire and its about the homicide division of Baltimore police. Its made by the same guys who made The wire.
Yes, watched this 2 months ago in less than 2 weeks, among the very best series ever =) Season 3 in particular is absolutely stellar. Cheers to Omar, Bunk, Lester, Kima, Stringer Bell, Bubbles and all the other amazing characters this show brought to me.
On September 01 2012 22:17 ReaperX wrote: I just finished this series and I feel like I can't watch any other TV show anymore except for Breaking Bad or GOT that are still on air atm.... The series just blowed my mind, it's definitely the best TV series of all time in my books.
Good thing those guys made things other than The wire...
Just watch generation kill and treme.
Also boardwalk empire and misfits are amazing.
Generation Kill is also exceptional. I haven't watched Treme at all since I want to wait until all seasons have aired so I can watch it in one run.
Generation Kill is great. Ill also recommend The Corner, its only six 1 hour episodes and its pretty much a prequel to The Wire where everyone is Bubbles. Its slow though.
Treme is good, but it lacks a central plot. The Wire had a very good central conflict, which all the other subplots connected to beautifully. Treme kind of flounders a little bit more, where some subplots seem to be floating about on their own.
But it still is a great, great show. The characters are really good (Bunk and Freaman from The Wire continue being excellent in their new roles), it does a great job of giving you the feel of New Orleans, and the music is definitely a major part of the show as well. Great show, but The Wire seems like it has a little more going for it, more intrigue.
All I can say is wow. By far the best show I've ever watched. I can't even go back to Breaking Bad... The characters in this show... Avon, Stringer Bell, Wallace, D'Angelo, Omar, Bodie... Nick, Ziggy, Frank, The Greek, Beadie... Proposition Joe, Marlo, Brother Mouzone, Cutty, Carcetti... Dukie, Michael, Randy, Namond, Snoop, Chris, Sherrod, Wee-bay... McNulty, Carver, Greggs, Prez, Bunk, Bubbles, Daniels, Freamon...
These are just a few of the best cast I have ever seen. Best casting of all time. I've never been so attached to so many characters... I can't even pick a favorite character, or just a few favorite characters. Dukie, Michael, Namond, Randy, Snoop, Bubbles, Prez, Bodie, Carcetti, McNulty, Greggs, Stringer Bell, Wallace, D'Angelo, Omar, Ziggy are probably my favorites.
Season 4 is definitely my favorite thus far. A lot of people didn't love season 2. I felt it was a 10/10 just like seasons 1 and 3. Season 4 is an 11/10. After watching this show, I don't know what to do. I think I might be done with television. Breaking Bad season 3 was great, but other than that nothing even comes close for me. Game of Thrones maybe...but The Wire is just better. Flat out better. The Wire is like Game of Thrones in a real world. With real characters.
This show really showcases how fucked up the world is. The ghetto is fucked up and I feel for anyone who has to deal with it. The good people and the bad people. The drug users and the dealers. I'm sure there are some truly evil people in the ghetto, but almost everyone has a reason. Parents, gangs, etc. Even then I feel for the gangs and the parents.
Thank you, creators and writers of The Wire. I love you guys.
Halfway through season 5 in my second watching of the Wire. Did anyone else find season 5 a little disappointing? The general storyline is just a bit weak and unrealistic IMO. Love the newsroom stuff though.
On October 06 2012 00:12 Jockmcplop wrote: Halfway through season 5 in my second watching of the Wire. Did anyone else find season 5 a little disappointing? The general storyline is just a bit weak and unrealistic IMO. Love the newsroom stuff though.
Pretty much everyone, season 4 is the show's peak and best season and season 5 is probably the worst (though it has plenty of outstanding bits so there's absolutely no way anyone should not watch it), and I was honestly a bit disappointed especially by the finale episode.
Just finished watching every season. Definitely a gem that i should've watched way earlier. Amazing cast, amazing plot(s) all around, amazing characters. Sick show.
To those who have finished the Wire and want a bit of the same vibe, go watch Oz, it was the big HBO serie before the Wire, uses a lot of the same actors and features the same kind of gritty realism. The Sopranos is also very good, but very different, although it still has a certain amount of realism it goes more for a cinematic, at times almost Godfather like vibe. If I where to make a list of HBO series it'd prolly look like this (might you I did not watch Deadwood or True Blood yet (and have no intention of watching True Blood)):
1:The Wire 2:Oz 3:The Sopranos 4:Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones might rise in time, but I personally found the first season to be somewhat lacking at times, Sean Bean really stole the show but we all know how that ended, season 2 got the plot moving along a bit more, and it's growing on me, but I think it will still require a lot of work to go up in my list. On Metacritic the 5th season of Breaking Bad and the 3rd (iirc) of The Wire are tied for the highest score for a season ever, and although Breaking Bad had it's lulls I would call it, along side the Wire, the best television series ever made.
Also, has anyone seen this and actually been to Baltimore? Being european and never having been to America, does it improve the experience if you have physically been in the city this series basically revolves around?
Yesterday while surfing the internet i faced with these two videos and got emotional and shit. I just got these words of Avon shockin in my head: "You can't play out for shit like this man, this is life..."
I could never get into this. I absolutely loved Deadwood and Rome is literally my favorite show ever, but I just wasn't really hooked by this show at all.
On February 04 2013 18:40 GGTeMpLaR wrote: I could never get into this. I absolutely loved Deadwood and Rome is literally my favorite show ever, but I just wasn't really hooked by this show at all.
This isn't anything like Rome, so it might be normal. It's a mostly black / detective series with a film noir touch. It deals with society in a way no series has ever done before.
This show was awesome. I have never seen a show portray some of the inherent problems of society in such a good way, without judgement and from multiple angles. The characters were really good too. You really felt like you knew them at some point. I was kinda sad about Bodie : (
I started with this show like 4 weeks ago, right now I am halfway through Season four and a little bit disappointed. Season one was great, season two was pretty weak compared to Season 1+3+4. Probably because it had the least likable characters in it. The thing with Season four is, after the third one (which is probably the best season of any tv show ive ever seen) I was soooo hyped because almost everyone told me season four would be even better. Season four is good, dont get me wrong, but not as good as expected. Seems like something is missing...
My favourite Characters are: Stringer, Bodie, Omar, Brother Mouzone, Marlo Stanfield and The Bunk.
Characters I do/did not like at all: The whole Sobotka-Clan, The Greek + his Crew, Burrell.
All in all, the best show ive ever seen. Like a modern Game of Thrones.... but better.
aw man prop joe died? He was one of the best characters on the show ;;
On April 11 2013 03:28 JoeCool wrote: I started with this show like 4 weeks ago, right now I am halfway through Season four and a little bit disappointed. Season one was great, season two was pretty weak compared to Season 1+3+4. Probably because it had the least likable characters in it. The thing with Season four is, after the third one (which is probably the best season of any tv show ive ever seen) I was soooo hyped because almost everyone told me season four would be even better. Season four is good, dont get me wrong, but not as good as expected. Seems like something is missing...
haha so true. I remember what got me into the show was I saw that season 4 had like a 98% on metacritic (the highest of any season of any tv show) so my intrigue grew to wondering just how good the show was.
Without spoiling anything specific, it does really come together at the end. Without a doubt, season 4 really sells its message the strongest and is the most emotional.
However, I just liked season 3 the most. To me that season just seemed like the most exciting, we still had the Barksdale crew together (way better than Marlo and his goons), and it's by far the most dynamic season (hell we start it off with the projects going down).
On April 11 2013 03:28 JoeCool wrote: I started with this show like 4 weeks ago, right now I am halfway through Season four and a little bit disappointed. Season one was great, season two was pretty weak compared to Season 1+3+4. Probably because it had the least likable characters in it. The thing with Season four is, after the third one (which is probably the best season of any tv show ive ever seen) I was soooo hyped because almost everyone told me season four would be even better. Season four is good, dont get me wrong, but not as good as expected. Seems like something is missing...
My favourite Characters are: Stringer, Bodie, Omar, Brother Mouzone, Marlo Stanfield and The Bunk.
Characters I do/did not like at all: The whole Sobotka-Clan, The Greek + his Crew, Burrell.
All in all, the best show ive ever seen. Like a modern Game of Thrones.... but better.
After rewatching season 2 became one of my favorites. You should rewatch the series after a while.
am I the only one who never liked this show? I got to mid season two before realizing that every epi I've been bored out of my mind. I love breaking bad, spartacus, dexter, 24, game of thrones, Oz, walking dead,.. yet never come close to enjoying this. I find it really weird how it gets unanimous praise from everyone, to me it seems like a boring documentary.
On April 11 2013 08:19 Assault_1 wrote: am I the only one who never liked this show? I got to mid season two before realizing that every epi I've been bored out of my mind. I love breaking bad, spartacus, dexter, 24, game of thrones, Oz, walking dead,.. yet never come close to enjoying this. I find it really weird how it gets unanimous praise from everyone, to me it seems like a boring documentary.
My feelings exactly I watched to about the same point as you and just gave up. I don't get it either just not our cup of tea I suppose
On April 11 2013 08:19 Assault_1 wrote: am I the only one who never liked this show? I got to mid season two before realizing that every epi I've been bored out of my mind. I love breaking bad, spartacus, dexter, 24, game of thrones, Oz, walking dead,.. yet never come close to enjoying this. I find it really weird how it gets unanimous praise from everyone, to me it seems like a boring documentary.
Season two was pretty boring but the other seasons are great.
On April 11 2013 08:19 Assault_1 wrote: am I the only one who never liked this show? I got to mid season two before realizing that every epi I've been bored out of my mind. I love breaking bad, spartacus, dexter, 24, game of thrones, Oz, walking dead,.. yet never come close to enjoying this. I find it really weird how it gets unanimous praise from everyone, to me it seems like a boring documentary.
It took me a while to get into, I gave up on the series once myself. Once I rewatched it I liked it way way way more than Dexter, Breaking bad, walking dead, and game of thrones
On April 11 2013 08:19 Assault_1 wrote: am I the only one who never liked this show? I got to mid season two before realizing that every epi I've been bored out of my mind. I love breaking bad, spartacus, dexter, 24, game of thrones, Oz, walking dead,.. yet never come close to enjoying this. I find it really weird how it gets unanimous praise from everyone, to me it seems like a boring documentary.
Skip the rest of season 2 and start season 3. This isn't one of those 'overhyped' shows.
On April 11 2013 08:19 Assault_1 wrote: am I the only one who never liked this show? I got to mid season two before realizing that every epi I've been bored out of my mind. I love breaking bad, spartacus, dexter, 24, game of thrones, Oz, walking dead,.. yet never come close to enjoying this. I find it really weird how it gets unanimous praise from everyone, to me it seems like a boring documentary.
Skip the rest of season 2 and start season 3. This isn't one of those 'overhyped' shows.
nono, finish season 2. The wire is one of those shows you don't wanna skip anything lol, b/c even if certain portions are not applicable to the plot, it's important for the overall themes prevalent in the Wire. Each season of the wire covers a specific portion of the institutions of baltimore as a theme. The first season covers the ground(the drug dealers and detectives), the second covers the management(the union, police majors, and distributors) the third covers reformation and its implementation in government(how politics and personal ambitions crush reform in society), the fourth covers education and poverty(how things get so fucked up), and fifth covers the media and sensationalism. While 1 part of baltimore may be more boring or exciting, understanding the whole is what makes the wire unique among shows.
It definitely takes a while to warm up to. I tried to watch the first episode maybe three or four times before finally sticking through it. For all of season 1 and 2, I could see why people liked it, but still didn't really 'get' it.
Once the focus shifts away from the police department in season 3, everything that happened before sort of clicks into place, and it's just a whirlwind of literary and theatrical brilliance all the way to the end - Season 4 in particular.
I've seen just about every other show that most people consider 'brilliant,' but compared to The Wire, nothing else even comes close.
Whats with all the season 2 hate. Definitely superior to 3 and 4 and ESPECIALLY 5 (duh).
Season 1 = perfectly moulded. Just faultless. Season 2, some cracks began to show, but still great. HELLOOO, All Prologue anyone? I think season 2 is probably not as well liked because of ziggy, to which I can only say. "Got tired. Tired of being the punchline of every joke..." COMMENCE SOBBING.
Season 4 was pretty great as well, season 3 was quite good, Season 5... Ah...
On April 11 2013 08:19 Assault_1 wrote: am I the only one who never liked this show? I got to mid season two before realizing that every epi I've been bored out of my mind. I love breaking bad, spartacus, dexter, 24, game of thrones, Oz, walking dead,.. yet never come close to enjoying this. I find it really weird how it gets unanimous praise from everyone, to me it seems like a boring documentary.
I watched the whole thing then realized that's it's like Mark called it "the frankly overrated Wire."
probably overrated overall, but still an incredible show. definitely one of my favorites. about a month ago, i met jamie hector (the actor who plays marlo stanfield) in a bar randomly and he struck up a conversation. so damn random and so awesome. he's a really nice guy, which is weird considering i had only seen him before as the ultra cold-hearted marlo
On April 11 2013 08:19 Assault_1 wrote: am I the only one who never liked this show? I got to mid season two before realizing that every epi I've been bored out of my mind. I love breaking bad, spartacus, dexter, 24, game of thrones, Oz, walking dead,.. yet never come close to enjoying this. I find it really weird how it gets unanimous praise from everyone, to me it seems like a boring documentary.
season 1 was the best season 2 was meh all the seasons after attempted to repeat season 1, but although being better than season 2 never reached the season 1 quality.
About half way through season 2 i was thinking the same thing, but it really gets very good towards the end of the season. It has some of the most memorable moments in the whole of the wire in that season.
On April 11 2013 12:12 Jockmcplop wrote: About half way through season 2 i was thinking the same thing, but it really gets very good towards the end of the season. It has some of the most memorable moments in the whole of the wire in that season.
Almost everyone that I've talked to that has watched the entire series has always mentioned how it took them awhile to get through Season 2. After the first season the second one drops the ball early on, I just chalk it up to McNulty starting out as coast guard or whatever he was. I suffered it myself but then after Season 2 ended I once again fell in love with the show and watched Seasons 3-4-5 in rapid succession.
I do not think the Wire is overrated at all. I think it is by far the best show I've ever seen. But it is a challenging show to watch. You have to give it 100% attention, and even then you'll miss things. If you miss too many things, then you won't appreciate other things and then the show may become boring. A lot of things happen of camera and you have to pick up on them based on very quick dialogue.
So it's a hard show to watch. But well worth the effort in my opinion.
Honestly, The Wire wasn't my cup of tea at all, but after watching all 5 seasons I definitely recognize it as the best written, thought out, planned TV show I've ever watched.
But then again, I watched all 5 seasons over like 2 weeks, if you watch it over a really long period of time you might not pick up on some of the cool stuff (just like every tv show I guess).
Just started season 2 for the first time - so good! HBO makes me wet. Between The Wire, Treme, and Boardwalk Empire, I feel extremely spoiled. I love their period dramas which don't follow some shitty formula (unlike 95% of shows), and make a point of just showing normal people in a real surrounding. Coming from the other side of the globe, I love hearing real accents, seeing real (beat-down) suburbs, seeing the food, cars, women, hearing the music. Such a difference from most of the American shows I see, which all tend to be the same: white people with perfect lives and teeth making shitty jokes. Gritty reality wins every time!
Oh and if you've watched Treme - seeing Wendell Pierce (Bunk in The Wire) once again playing the ladies man with a slight drinking problem is awsome. Also seeing Michael K. Williams (Omar in The Wire) also playing a hard-core motherf*cker gangsta in 1918 America in Boardwalk Empire tickles my fancy.
I get how season 2 is definitely less liked than the rest. It's a little more boring than the others, but I thought the whole perspective on what goes on at the docks and how the corruption spreads there was really interesting. It's a very important and influential subject in our lives, while most people never really give it any thought. Besides, season 2 gets really good near the end.
The Wire is television art in its highest form. Like fine dining at a world class restaurant. To appreciate it you must first rid clean your palate. Too much junk food consumption and soon you can't appreciate real food anymore, let alone masterly crafted cusine.
I gave up on the wire the first time I watched it, 4 episodes into the first season. I didn't get what the fuss was all about. Started it again after a few month but this time with no expectations, no distractions and no judgements. Just let the story unfold and afterwards reflect on what you just saw. By the end of the first season I was convinced that this is the best television I have ever seen.
Just started watching this show, 20 seconds in i figured i need subtitles, 20 minutes in i figured, well nothing actually, so many characters. Im trying to tell them apart, but kinda hard to notice who's important. After the first episode here s what i managed to understand:
We have the Irish detective guy who looks to be the main protagonist, who has the kinda funny fat black partner and asshole boss. Then we have the lesbian detective whokinda looks like a lead character too, commands the redneck and the other guy who just want to crack heads. Somewhere higher up is the black guy from Fringe in a suit. Then we have the street guys, the kid who got charged with murder then demoted to lowtown, and he has a badass uncle or somthing. And we have the 2 random junkies on the street.
On June 08 2013 02:07 Geo.Rion wrote: Just started watching this show, 20 seconds in i figured i need subtitles, 20 minutes in i figured, well nothing actually, so many characters. Im trying to tell them apart, but kinda hard to notice who's important. After the first episode here s what i managed to understand:
We have the Irish detective guy who looks to be the main protagonist, who has the kinda funny fat black partner and asshole boss. Then we have the lesbian detective whokinda looks like a lead character too, commands the redneck and the other guy who just want to crack heads. Somewhere higher up is the black guy from Fringe in a suit. Then we have the street guys, the kid who got charged with murder then demoted to lowtown, and he has a badass uncle or somthing. And we have the 2 random junkies on the street.
Whom did i miss?
You missed Lester Freemont, the awesome detective who has peculiar hobbies and is straight up more clever than any other character.
There is no "main character" in this show. Every character has his story, and each of this story converge to picture Baltimore. The city is actually the main "character" of the show. Most of the characters you saw in the first episode will be throughout the whole show, and many more will be added. Each will have his own story, and it is never shallow.
I encourage you to keep watching this serie, as it is a very powerful show, and my very favorite TV show (and i watch a lot of them). Many thinks it is the best show ever made, and they are right.
best show ever made no doubt,i usually add nigga/'know what im sayin and up in this bitch at the end of all of my phrases after watching a few episodes though.
know what im sayin
ps:re watching the hbo show oz atm,the number of acters who played in both shows is huge,http://www.cosmodromemag.com/content/the-wire-oz-clusterfuck
I just cant get past the second season, its the most dull thing. Would I be amiss to just skip the season all together? I've been stuck on the second season for half a year now.
On June 08 2013 04:16 Dazed_Spy wrote: I just cant get past the second season, its the most dull thing. Would I be amiss to just skip the season all together? I've been stuck on the second season for half a year now.
just power on through,theres a few links back to it in the later seasons,it would be a shame not to get them
Anybody who thinks the second season is dull must also have shouted at David Chase for not including enough whackings in The Sopranos. JESUS CHRIST ALMIGHTY YOU PEOPLE
On June 08 2013 04:16 Dazed_Spy wrote: I just cant get past the second season, its the most dull thing. Would I be amiss to just skip the season all together? I've been stuck on the second season for half a year now.
Season 2 gets better the further you get into it. But still, I didn't find it dull in the slightest, so maybe that's bad advice.
On June 08 2013 04:16 Dazed_Spy wrote: I just cant get past the second season, its the most dull thing. Would I be amiss to just skip the season all together? I've been stuck on the second season for half a year now.
Still dumbfounded that people don't like season 2. Apart from the first few slow episodes, it's such an amazing season. Ziggy, Frank, and Nick were insanely good characters. Plus Omar/Bodie/Stringer/Avon have large parts. Power through man!
On June 08 2013 04:16 Dazed_Spy wrote: I just cant get past the second season, its the most dull thing. Would I be amiss to just skip the season all together? I've been stuck on the second season for half a year now.
Still dumbfounded that people don't like season 2. Apart from the first few slow episodes, it's such an amazing season. Ziggy, Frank, and Nick were insanely good characters. Plus Omar/Bodie/Stringer/Avon have large parts. Power through man!
Not to mention the police truck :D. That little personal beef was pretty hilarious.
I loved the second season..... Third one was better though. but i really dont understand the dislike many people express towards the second season.
What about Proposition Joe and The Greek? The part where the Airport employee asks him "business or pleasure?" And he answers "Business always Business" after all shit that happened literally made me cringe :O.
If there is one weak season, for me it's season 5. It still puts every other recent show I've seen to shame. My personnal favorite is the third, Hamsterdam was incredibly ballsy, and perfectly done. In a few decades, people will remember that our era was filled with awesome series, and I'm pretty sure The Wire will be the crowning jewel
Season 5 Is one of my favourites. It wasn't the first time i seen it but it is one of the most relevant in today's world i feel.
I love how Prop Joe gets "touched" and because of all the buyouts not a single person reports it. There is literally no one left in the newsroom who knows the city long enough to know when actual news is happening.
I thought S2 and 5 were the weakest but after watching them again they are just as good as the rest. There is no weak season IMO. There is only the one you find as your favourite.
After watching the entire show again for the 4th time (i think). I still don't have a favorite season. They are all brilliant.
On June 08 2013 02:07 Geo.Rion wrote: Just started watching this show, 20 seconds in i figured i need subtitles, 20 minutes in i figured, well nothing actually, so many characters. Im trying to tell them apart, but kinda hard to notice who's important. After the first episode here s what i managed to understand:
We have the Irish detective guy who looks to be the main protagonist, who has the kinda funny fat black partner and asshole boss. Then we have the lesbian detective whokinda looks like a lead character too, commands the redneck and the other guy who just want to crack heads. Somewhere higher up is the black guy from Fringe in a suit. Then we have the street guys, the kid who got charged with murder then demoted to lowtown, and he has a badass uncle or somthing. And we have the 2 random junkies on the street.
Whom did i miss?
There is no protagonist
Everyone has shades of evil/good. Except maybe Omar?
On June 08 2013 05:01 corumjhaelen wrote: If there is one weak season, for me it's season 5. It still puts every other recent show I've seen to shame. My personnal favorite is the third, Hamsterdam was incredibly ballsy, and perfectly done. In a few decades, people will remember that our era was filled with awesome series, and I'm pretty sure The Wire will be the crowning jewel
hell yes,hamsterdam was fucking genius I just had to watch the whole season in one sitting to see how shit is gonna go down because the concept was fucking insane hahaha,i was like heads will roll the best thing about it was watching peoples faces when they were told about it
On June 08 2013 04:16 Dazed_Spy wrote: I just cant get past the second season, its the most dull thing. Would I be amiss to just skip the season all together? I've been stuck on the second season for half a year now.
You would be very very remiss. You gotta get into the Nick/Ziggy/Frank dynamic. I know it kinda sucks because they are new characters but they are the heart of this season.
On June 08 2013 02:07 Geo.Rion wrote: Just started watching this show, 20 seconds in i figured i need subtitles, 20 minutes in i figured, well nothing actually, so many characters. Im trying to tell them apart, but kinda hard to notice who's important. After the first episode here s what i managed to understand:
We have the Irish detective guy who looks to be the main protagonist, who has the kinda funny fat black partner and asshole boss. Then we have the lesbian detective whokinda looks like a lead character too, commands the redneck and the other guy who just want to crack heads. Somewhere higher up is the black guy from Fringe in a suit. Then we have the street guys, the kid who got charged with murder then demoted to lowtown, and he has a badass uncle or somthing. And we have the 2 random junkies on the street.
Whom did i miss?
The first time I watched season 1 I had trouble telling the difference between some of the black characters. I think I might be racist .
On June 08 2013 04:16 Dazed_Spy wrote: I just cant get past the second season, its the most dull thing. Would I be amiss to just skip the season all together? I've been stuck on the second season for half a year now.
For several fans of The Wire who (naturally) think its the greatest show of all time, including myself, season 2 is either THE best or the second best one.
On June 08 2013 04:16 Dazed_Spy wrote: I just cant get past the second season, its the most dull thing. Would I be amiss to just skip the season all together? I've been stuck on the second season for half a year now.
For several fans of The Wire who (naturally) think its the greatest show of all time, including myself, season 2 is either THE best or the second best one.
Maybe you're just not that much of a fan? =)
I consider it the greatest show ever made and I'd rate them something like this.
On June 08 2013 05:32 Numy wrote: Omar still kills people though. He just has a code that he won't break. I imagine him as a modern day Knight, kind of at least.
I think of him as Robin Hood in the hood
Best TV series of all time++ Watched it 3 times now. 4th viewing should be coming up in a year or so!
Man why the fuck did Bodie have to get shot, he was my favorite character... And they over did it with the snitch storyline too. So mad at the s4 ending. :<
Should I watch season 5? Feeling kinda reserved.
Don't get me wrong, season 4 was great, enjoyed it a lot, but damn, am I mad at some parts of it.
Man why the fuck did Bodie have to get shot, he was my favorite character... And they over did it with the snitch storyline too. So mad at the s4 ending. :<
Should I watch season 5? Feeling kinda reserved.
Don't get me wrong, season 4 was great, enjoyed it a lot, but damn, am I mad at some parts of it.
On June 08 2013 04:16 Dazed_Spy wrote: I just cant get past the second season, its the most dull thing. Would I be amiss to just skip the season all together? I've been stuck on the second season for half a year now.
For several fans of The Wire who (naturally) think its the greatest show of all time, including myself, season 2 is either THE best or the second best one.
Maybe you're just not that much of a fan? =)
I consider it the greatest show ever made and I'd rate them something like this.
1. s4 2. s3 3. s2 4. s1 5. s5
Season four seems to be almost everybodys favourite, IMO Season three is by far the best. Then comes 1&4, then 5 and then 2. I feel like season two is the only season you could skip without missing too much. It was okay, but well...
I've started watching it, finishing up Season 1 now. It's very good, but I still feel like I'm missing something. Perhaps a rewatch is warranted to get all the nuances.
Excellent show, though. If you can get past the amount of characters introduced so quickly, you'll enjoy it. And that's after only a season.
Man why the fuck did Bodie have to get shot, he was my favorite character... And they over did it with the snitch storyline too. So mad at the s4 ending. :<
Should I watch season 5? Feeling kinda reserved.
Don't get me wrong, season 4 was great, enjoyed it a lot, but damn, am I mad at some parts of it.
watch it. season 5 is not as amazing on its own but it brings the series together nicely.
Man why the fuck did Bodie have to get shot, he was my favorite character... And they over did it with the snitch storyline too. So mad at the s4 ending. :<
Should I watch season 5? Feeling kinda reserved.
Don't get me wrong, season 4 was great, enjoyed it a lot, but damn, am I mad at some parts of it.
watch it. season 5 is not as amazing on its own but it brings the series together nicely.
Agreed. Plus there is one arc that is alone worth it. + Show Spoiler +
Season 5 is the most underrated in my opinion. In fact I don't know why people don't like it. McNulty's plot is incredible.
I guess some people were disappointed by the journalism part, which is indeed a bit shallow compared to the school part in season 4, or Hamsterdam in season 3. But everything else was amazing, and the last episode was everything I wanted it to be.
Just watched till Season three. Completely Blows away anything that I have ever seen.. Omar has to be THE most Badass character ever seen in a Television Show..He has so many sides to his character too.
Just started watching a couple weeks ago. I'm 2-3 episodes into season 3. So far I'm really enjoying it, and there are a lot of "tarantino-esque" dialog segments that stand on their own and stay with you ("snot," chicken nuggets, chess). I don't really watch a ton of tv series so I can't really say if it is the "best tv show of all time."
My one complaint is that the violence seems really toned down and almost fake, to the point of cheesiness sometimes. I guess just coming off of Game of Thrones, where they'll show someone's head being cut off, the violence in this seems so dialed back for a show that is so into "realism." Like when + Show Spoiler +
a guy gets shot in the back of the head in season 3, you just see like a little puff of blood. No exit wound or anything
. It almost feels like it wasn't in the budget to do really realistic blood/gore. I know something like GoT sort of goes over the top, but a lot of the bullet wounds and stuff in this look really corny (just little holes with blood, you never see any exit wounds).
You have to realize that The Wire was made in 2002, more then a decade ago, and Game of Thrones has a 6 million dollars budget per episode on their hands. I can't find the finance on The Wire, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't come close to that figure. The violence is there to move the plot, not to look realistic.
On June 20 2013 20:54 Resent wrote: I loved season 2, i can see why it is generally not so popular, though. 4th was my favourite, followed closely by 2nd.
Really hard to rate them all together though, they were all exceptional in different ways/aspects.
Initially 2 was hard to get into for me as well, but second time I watched it, I enjoyed it a lot. 3rd still my favorite tho, Hamsterdam is just so... "this is why we can't have nice things" is basically what it all says.
On June 20 2013 23:47 Tilorn91 wrote: You have to realize that The Wire was made in 2002, more then a decade ago, and Game of Thrones has a 6 million dollars budget per episode on their hands. I can't find the finance on The Wire, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't come close to that figure. The violence is there to move the plot, not to look realistic.
Eh? The violence always struck me as extremely realistic anyways....
On June 20 2013 23:47 Tilorn91 wrote: You have to realize that The Wire was made in 2002, more then a decade ago, and Game of Thrones has a 6 million dollars budget per episode on their hands. I can't find the finance on The Wire, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't come close to that figure. The violence is there to move the plot, not to look realistic.
Eh? The violence always struck me as extremely realistic anyways....
It is ..More like the Violence in Game Of Thrones is kinda overdone to get an emotional response out of the Viewer..The violence in the wire is as someone rightly said , just to move along the Plot..and whatever deaths do happens...Happen quick and fast without epic Background music and Slow motions.
Third season takes the crown for me as it was the most dynamic and easily the most exciting. Not to mention, Barksdale characters >> Stanfield. Marlo and his goons just felt far more 1-dimensional and overly violent. It's like Chris and Snoop are killing every god damn thing come season 4, lol. Also, the whole Hamsterdam experiment was intriguing to watch. Breaking the rules for what is perceived to be the greater good is always fun in a story.
I can definitely understand why the majority prefer the 4th season though. Out of all of them, I do feel like that was the one that hit the hardest and really got its message across the best. Though it does take a really long time to start getting good, it does nail it in the end.
Though I ranked the 5th last it is still better than like 95% of TV out there. It only occupies the bottom spot because it feels rushed (and it was sadly ;; ). You just don't quite get the time to become attached to the Baltimore Sun characters, nor the institution they're apart of. Which is a shame, as I think the media was a great institution to close the series out on. At least the finale did a good job in touching on nearly every character throughout the series.
4>2>1>3>5 for me. 4 was probably my favorite season of anything ever, so fucking sad that season. I don't understand everyone's problems with 2, I thought it was great. 1 was great, didn't really like the idea of Hamsterdam in 3, and 5 was kind of awkwardly done.
Like everyone says though, the worst Wire season still stomps on 99% of TV
Just finished season 5, proper ending through and through. But now, as always when finishing a great series, there's a giant void in my free time! What to watch, what to watch...
On June 26 2013 19:59 Tilorn91 wrote: Just finished season 5, proper ending through and through. But now, as always when finishing a great series, there's a giant void in my free time! What to watch, what to watch...
On June 26 2013 19:59 Tilorn91 wrote: Just finished season 5, proper ending through and through. But now, as always when finishing a great series, there's a giant void in my free time! What to watch, what to watch...
Breaking Bad!
final 8 episodes start in August
Waiting breathlessly for a long time now. Haven't watched Deadwood and Firefly yet, they have been sitting on my hdd for a long time now.
On June 26 2013 19:59 Tilorn91 wrote: Just finished season 5, proper ending through and through. But now, as always when finishing a great series, there's a giant void in my free time! What to watch, what to watch...
On June 26 2013 19:59 Tilorn91 wrote: Just finished season 5, proper ending through and through. But now, as always when finishing a great series, there's a giant void in my free time! What to watch, what to watch...
Oz, if you want something kinda similar.
Watched all of Oz as well, even tho the last season or two were totally batshit crazy (aging pills?).
On June 26 2013 19:59 Tilorn91 wrote: Just finished season 5, proper ending through and through. But now, as always when finishing a great series, there's a giant void in my free time! What to watch, what to watch...
Oz, if you want something kinda similar.
Oz is garbage and not similar at all. If a police show is what your're looking for you should try The Shield. It's not as realistic but it's fucking intense and not in a stupid way like Oz. It gets really good around season 4 if I remember correctly. The last seasons are some of the best tv ever.
On June 26 2013 19:59 Tilorn91 wrote: Just finished season 5, proper ending through and through. But now, as always when finishing a great series, there's a giant void in my free time! What to watch, what to watch...
Oz, if you want something kinda similar.
Oz is garbage and not similar at all. If a police show is what your're looking for you should try The Shield. It's not as realistic but it's fucking intense and not in a stupid way like Oz. It gets really good around season 4 if I remember correctly. The last seasons are some of the best tv ever.
oh yeah! I always forget about The Shield. Good series overall, though very repetitive at times.
The season with Forest Whitaker is easily the best, and probably the best role I've seen him in.
==
@ Oz, I thought it started very well but dies around season 4 or so and ends up being totally ridiculous at the end. You kind of see everything the show has to offer too early. Like the greatest episode is probably the 2nd.
After the fourth season of The Wire, the possibility emerged that the show would be cancelled before the fifth and final season.
Luckily, it wasn’t. However, Simon emailed TV critic Alan Sepinwall the pitch he would have used to persuade HBO CEO Chris Albrecht to keep the show on the air (via All The Pieces Matter: A Critical Analysis of HBO’s “The Wire”):
I’m going to tell him, ‘Chris, one day in the distant future, you will find yourself sitting across from a man who doesn’t understand who you are, what you did, what you accomplished. He will stare at you, uncomprehending, as you explain the fundamental actions, accomplishments and motivations of your life, until finally, you look him in the eye and say, ‘I was the guy who kept The Wire on HBO for its full five-year run.’ And that man will then cock his eyebrow, nod, and reassess the paragon of enlightened humanity before him. ‘That’s really great, sir,’ the man will say finally. “But it’s 2 a.m., so you need to finish that drink and go home.’”
On June 21 2013 06:35 Little-Chimp wrote: 4>2>1>3>5 for me. 4 was probably my favorite season of anything ever, so fucking sad that season. I don't understand everyone's problems with 2, I thought it was great. 1 was great, didn't really like the idea of Hamsterdam in 3, and 5 was kind of awkwardly done.
Like everyone says though, the worst Wire season still stomps on 99% of TV
2 was the union one right? I think most people hated it the most because nobody can relate to it anymore. It also centered a lot around "woe is us" and "this guy is a complete and utter moron." I'm a cynic.
Just finished the series last night. I don't really know if I can rank the seasons. I actually feel season 5 could have been amazing, if they just would have had 2-3 more episodes to make it complete like the other seasons. The absurdity of how big McNulty's and that reporter's lies got was pretty hilarious. I think it was the series' best attempt at comedy (it had me laughing, at least).
-I wasn't really sure if Omar was going to make it, but being killed by a little kid caught me off guard (but that is probably the point). -I wish we could have seen a little bit of Avon in season 5, just for a bit. Maybe there were issues with the actor? -I felt like Marlow had it coming, but nothing ever happened to him. That seemed like the biggest loose end to me. You really start to hate him after 2 seasons, and he never gets his. I knew the series wasn't going to have a "happy ending," but I thought someone was going to get Marlow at the end.
On June 26 2013 19:59 Tilorn91 wrote: Just finished season 5, proper ending through and through. But now, as always when finishing a great series, there's a giant void in my free time! What to watch, what to watch...
Breaking Bad!
final 8 episodes start in August
Waiting breathlessly for a long time now. Haven't watched Deadwood and Firefly yet, they have been sitting on my hdd for a long time now.
Oh man Firefly is awesome. Can't wait for the finale of Breaking Bad either. It's the only show that has come close to The Wire for me (maybe season 3 of Walking Dead as well).
I think that the people who really don't like season 2 can't relate to it very well. Living in Baltimore, the slow death of the Port and the death of the Steel Industry is relevant to most of the community. Baltimore is and always has been a working class town. It isn't a technological hub, there isn't any sort of banking sector, there aren't many Fortune 500 companies employing upper/middle class college educated people. It is a town built on hard working, blue collar folks. Factories, mills, and the port were the lifeblood of the city.The loss of all this has had a huge impact on the city, driving out many working lower/middle class families. It has pushed some into dirtier lines of work, and opened up avenues for organized crime to take advantage of.
"They used to make steel there, no?" I think most Baltimorians can understand this quote. Many people in the area are related to or know someone that worked at Bethlehem Steel, which was a major employer back in the day. The people who used to work at the mills, and as stevedores, and other working class jobs have either left the city or turned to other avenues of income. They're people that have no reason to come back to the city, leaving houses that will never again be lived in, and communities that have been stripped of working class families and ideals.
On July 06 2013 00:17 HardlyNever wrote: Just finished the series last night. I don't really know if I can rank the seasons. I actually feel season 5 could have been amazing, if they just would have had 2-3 more episodes to make it complete like the other seasons. The absurdity of how big McNulty's and that reporter's lies got was pretty hilarious. I think it was the series' best attempt at comedy (it had me laughing, at least).
-I wasn't really sure if Omar was going to make it, but being killed by a little kid caught me off guard (but that is probably the point). -I wish we could have seen a little bit of Avon in season 5, just for a bit. Maybe there were issues with the actor? -I felt like Marlow had it coming, but nothing ever happened to him. That seemed like the biggest loose end to me. You really start to hate him after 2 seasons, and he never gets his. I knew the series wasn't going to have a "happy ending," but I thought someone was going to get Marlow at the end.
In a way Marlo got his. I mean Omar didn't get his revenge by killing him, but he did manage to assassinate his rep. Which, if you look at Marlo's character throughout the series was what he valued above all else.
The final scene with him is brilliant in that he can't get back in the game if he wants to avoid prison, but he still wants to feel the streets and the legacy he left behind....and there's nothing there. Instead people refer to Omar as the legend.
==
@ season 2.
I just think people dislike this one because it's the biggest departure from the show. Every other season has the dynamic between the dealers and the police as its backbone, whereas in season 2 it all takes somewhat of a peripheral role.
Personally, I liked it and still narrowly rank it above season 5. That scene where Sabotka walks to his death gives me chills.
If you want something similar to The Wire, I really recommend the HBO miniseries "The Corner" and the long running show "Homicide: Life on the Street". They're both by David Simon and they both have influenced The Wire.
Also, if you're a reader, you should check out the books for "Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets" and "The Corner". David Simon is a very good writer, and the books themselves are very gripping.
On July 06 2013 15:54 armada[sb] wrote: I think that the people who really don't like season 2 can't relate to it very well. Living in Baltimore, the slow death of the Port and the death of the Steel Industry is relevant to most of the community. Baltimore is and always has been a working class town. It isn't a technological hub, there isn't any sort of banking sector, there aren't many Fortune 500 companies employing upper/middle class college educated people. It is a town built on hard working, blue collar folks. Factories, mills, and the port were the lifeblood of the city.The loss of all this has had a huge impact on the city, driving out many working lower/middle class families. It has pushed some into dirtier lines of work, and opened up avenues for organized crime to take advantage of.
"They used to make steel there, no?" I think most Baltimorians can understand this quote. Many people in the area are related to or know someone that worked at Bethlehem Steel, which was a major employer back in the day. The people who used to work at the mills, and as stevedores, and other working class jobs have either left the city or turned to other avenues of income. They're people that have no reason to come back to the city, leaving houses that will never again be lived in, and communities that have been stripped of working class families and ideals.
I agree with this. Season 2 is integral because it shows the slow death of the city and why Baltimore is as jacked up and hopeless as it is. It also shows much more detail of politics in the trenches. There are themes of police vs unions, how politics gets as petty and dirty as who gets primo location for stained glass at a church, and the subtle racial difference of how white people deal with criminal investigations (in contrast to the black reaction of the first season).
Where the show is ingenious is that it explores this completely different aspect of the show world while advancing and deepening the characters. Bringing in the mysterious Greeks through the port provides the perfect way to import drugs after the problems of the first season with supply. You get a better look at the higher-ups of the BPD and how they fight their own little turf wars for allocated resources.
Ironically, it also follows with Daniels' advice to Carver in the first season that the men take their cues from the leader. Valchek plays his game to get the Major Crimes unit to fight his personal little war for him, and accordingly, McNulty and Daniels (and subsequently Herc) also start playing games to manipulate police resources for their own gain. They're less petty than Valchek, but they're playing the same game.
EDIT: But I will say admittedly that the season is much drier than the others and there are a few too many coincidences. Also, the show does such a good job of attaching viewers to the drug trade that it does seem strange that drugs are secondary and background to the season overall.
honestly, if it wasn't for season 2, i probably would not have finished the series. I like the investigative parts and the authenticity of the first season, but frankly I didn't feel like there was a story to be told behind it. The show to me was more of a window to the streets rather than a purposeful narrative. Coupled w/ the jarring reset @ the beginning of S2, I didn't see a reason to keep watching. Until I got to All Prologue. That was the episode that got me hooked on the wire. It has all the best scenes of that season there, from Omar @ trial to the death of D.
Finally got around to watching this show and I just finished the last season after 2-3 weeks of watching it.
Certainly one of the best shows ever made.
The peak of the show for me was S3, but it's pretty difficult to rank the other seasons beyond that because they're all just so good in their own right.
It almost feels like 5 separate mini-series more-so than a show with 5 seasons. I found it a little hard to get into each new season for the first couple episodes.
Each season ends as pure gold and when the next season starts, and it takes a while to get used to the fact that it's a very different show than the gold of the season you just watched. But eventually, that new season comes into it's own and becomes a new gold standard of its own. All 5 seasons are outstanding.
just finished the second season, I know it's a huge risk spoiler-wise for me to be here but I just gotta vent somehwere
goddamn
Frank Sabotka has got to be one of the most tragic characters of all time
I sat staring at the screen while he drove to meet the Greeks. I knew that he was going to die, the episode was building it up, but ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffucking hell. GOD.
Everything he did, he did for his people. and it ultimately led to his death, his son's breakdown and the Union's destruction.
On July 20 2013 21:36 hooahah wrote: just finished the second season, I know it's a huge risk spoiler-wise for me to be here but I just gotta vent somehwere
goddamn
Frank Sabotka has got to be one of the most tragic characters of all time
I sat staring at the screen while he drove to meet the Greeks. I knew that he was going to die, the episode was building it up, but ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffucking hell. GOD.
Everything he did, he did for his people. and it ultimately led to his death, his son's breakdown and the Union's destruction.
I am truly jealous of everyone here who is doing their first run through the show. I've watched basically every show worth watching (including the Sopranos)
And nothing compares to how good/real/gritty The Wire is. Gonna have to start my like 7th run through now.
I just keep rolling on videos on youtube over and over again. It's been like 2 years i have watched the whole series but every week i open some scenes to watch over and over again.
Season 2, I just don't really love the dockyard characters like I do the dealers.
Season 5 gets more hate than it deserves imo. Yes the serial killer storyline is a bit stupid, but the ending to most of the characters stories are beautiful.
First time going through this series Finishing up the last episode of season 4 OMG I am getting sad its about to come ot an end such a great show. I love the Little shorty on Marlos crew specially when she picks up the nail gun from the home repair place so great!
It's amazing how this show makes you sympathize with characters you used to hate. I hated Stringer Bell for ordering the hit on poor innocent Wallace, but I rooted for him because he was trying to get rid of the corner hustling bullshit (which gets way too many people killed) in favor of legitimizing his drug trade profits.
just finished season 3. Goddamn, I love this fucking show.
Loved seeing Avon and Stringer falling apart. Bunny is the man, as is Cutty. Depressing how secretly everyone thought that Bunny's solution was for the better, but they had to publically condemn him.
All in all, I actually liked season 2 better, but that's purely because of Frank Sabotka.
I hope the Greek makes a reappearence sometime soon, that fucker has hell to pay
On July 20 2013 21:36 hooahah wrote: just finished the second season, I know it's a huge risk spoiler-wise for me to be here but I just gotta vent somehwere
goddamn
Frank Sabotka has got to be one of the most tragic characters of all time
I sat staring at the screen while he drove to meet the Greeks. I knew that he was going to die, the episode was building it up, but ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffucking hell. GOD.
Everything he did, he did for his people. and it ultimately led to his death, his son's breakdown and the Union's destruction.
I am truly jealous of everyone here who is doing their first run through the show. I've watched basically every show worth watching (including the Sopranos)
And nothing compares to how good/real/gritty The Wire is. Gonna have to start my like 7th run through now.
7 times? I remember way too much of the episodes to run through them again. Wish I could wipe my brain after a left myself a note about what to watch then re-watch.
On July 20 2013 23:07 Aeroplaneoverthesea wrote: 4 > 3 > 1 > 5 > 2
Season 4 is perfect.
Season 2, I just don't really love the dockyard characters like I do the dealers.
Season 5 gets more hate than it deserves imo. Yes the serial killer storyline is a bit stupid, but the ending to most of the characters stories are beautiful.
On August 27 2013 22:52 Steveling wrote: Yes, sometime in the future people will keep resetting their brains for 1)the wire and 2)lord of the rings books. You know it.
By the time it is invented I feel like the youth will be resetting it for things that are worth much less than those two options. Probably pokemon orange, Jersey shore, and Harry Potter lol.
God holy sugar that is some good shit. Two of the most off beat and orthodox characters you'll see having a good ol' fashion standoff. I would say they don't make em like they used to but this is recent enough to be able to say that when 'they' care enough, they can make em like they used to.
welp, finished season 4. What a fucking masterpiece.
The thing that really impresses me is that this season had very little 'action'. Yeah it had murders, plotting and all that but it was mostly about politics and the school system (and it's lackings). Hell, Prez (the 'braindead tool' that blinded a kid back at the very beginning of season 1) got legit screentime. Way more screentime than McNulty, pretty much the Hollywood face of the series. yet this season is considered THE season of the series, and honestly it probably deserves that title.
man, fucking Bodie...dropped just like that. He sort of deserves it for what he's done to Wallace, yet...shit.
Bubbles...what a wreck of a man.
Herc - fucking idiot. Knew he was an idiot from the start, but he tried to go big without anything to base it on and ended up screwing himself and Carver in the process. Just goes to show that there are no shortcuts in life.
Bunny always tries to change the world up for the better, and every time he gets stomped back by it. But at least this time he managed to save Namond. Namond...thought he was the biggest fucking idiot in the series. Moreso than even that one guy in season 2 whose name I've forgotten, but as the season went on, Namond got likeable. Sort of. When he finally managed to break loose of his mother, I was legit happy for him. Some people in the series do get a good ending, appearently.
On June 08 2013 05:20 Tilorn91 wrote: I just lost all interest once + Show Spoiler +
Stringer got shot and Avon went to jail...
They were a reason more or less for me to watch, so far S4 is just more of the same, phone taps, corners, McNulty being an ass etc etc...
I know this post is 3 months too late but season 4 couldn't be less about this things. Not even sure why it's called "The Wire" anymore, since that stopped at episode 2 of the season. McNulty appeared for like 5 minutes total.
On November 09 2013 19:19 hooahah wrote: Finished season 5.
Great show. Season 5 wasn't up to par with the rest, but overall absolutely amazing series.
My favorite season is a toss up between 4 and 2 - 4 for the brilliant school storyline, 2 for the Sabotka family. Which makes it + Show Spoiler +
all the more harder to know that the Greek got off scott free, that fucking asshole fffffffffffFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
glad you enjoyed the series so much. like everyone else in this thread, i get extremely jealous when i see people digesting the whole series for the first time, definitely wish i could wipe my brain haha.
On November 10 2013 16:29 FractalsOnFire wrote: I prefer this show over Breaking Bad. I love the politics, the bullshit and the social commentary.
Me too..Breaking bad is all fiction and is well written and well acted so I like that show quite a lot too..But The Wire is one of the only shows that Explains both sides of the coin..Why the police did what they did (Hamsterdam..Damn what an Idea), and why the drug dealers do what they do..This kind of social commentary and insight is what makes the Wire possibly THE Best show to have ever existed.
On November 17 2013 00:34 FractalsOnFire wrote: What's with all the hate on Season 5 I see?
They had to cut s5 down from the 13 eps that were planned (and what a show of this quality deserved) to the 10 we got. It's still top-tier TV ofc, but I think you really feel how rushed it is in some regards.
I had a hard time really getting into the Baltimore Sun characters. The stevadores, teachers/students, politicians, and ofc the police all had a way of really pulling you into their world. I didn't get that as much from the journalists. I mean the only character that stuck with me from that bunch was the douchebag who lied his ass off at every turn to get ahead. He was just shameless xD. It's sad too, I feel given more time, focusing in on the news had a lot of potential to be just as great as the previous institutions they introduced. It doesn't totally fall flat, but ultimately the story just isn't as compelling for them.
Also, though the phony-serial killer plot from McNulty was entertaining to watch, it really felt like a bit of a reach. The resolution to the copycat killer in the end happened a little too fast as well.
Then there's Omar....to which I have mixed feelings as to how he went out. It was at least cool how he kinda fucked over Marlo in the end by ruining his rep though :D
I have to give it to them on the final ep at least. Even under the rushed constraints that was one of the most satisfactory endings to any show I've ever seen.
I just finished season 4. This show pulls on the heart strings way more than something like Game of Thrones. Bodie dying made me legitimately upset. Marlo is one fucked up dude to kill off people he's working with just because he's suspicious. At least Stringer had a reason to do that shit. The Barksdale crew had loyalty and comradeship but Marlo is just an asshole. I haven't seen season 5 yet, but with the show ending I hope he gets his just desserts.
On November 17 2013 00:34 FractalsOnFire wrote: What's with all the hate on Season 5 I see?
They had to cut s5 down from the 13 eps that were planned (and what a show of this quality deserved) to the 10 we got. It's still top-tier TV ofc, but I think you really feel how rushed it is in some regards.
I had a hard time really getting into the Baltimore Sun characters. The stevadores, teachers/students, politicians, and ofc the police all had a way of really pulling you into their world. I didn't get that as much from the journalists. I mean the only character that stuck with me from that bunch was the douchebag who lied his ass off at every turn to get ahead. He was just shameless xD. It's sad too, I feel given more time, focusing in on the news had a lot of potential to be just as great as the previous institutions they introduced. It doesn't totally fall flat, but ultimately the story just isn't as compelling for them.
Also, though the phony-serial killer plot from McNulty was entertaining to watch, it really felt like a bit of a reach. The resolution to the copycat killer in the end happened a little too fast as well.
Then there's Omar....to which I have mixed feelings as to how he went out. It was at least cool how he kinda fucked over Marlo in the end by ruining his rep though :D
I have to give it to them on the final ep at least. Even under the rushed constraints that was one of the most satisfactory endings to any show I've ever seen.
Really? I felt for Gus, dunno about that Alma chick but I thought there was enough there to at least feel for the editor.
Is it cause Omar was suddenly ganked by a little kid? instead of the same as Stringer where it was all pre planned?
On November 17 2013 06:01 FrostedMiniWheats wrote:
On November 17 2013 00:34 FractalsOnFire wrote: What's with all the hate on Season 5 I see?
They had to cut s5 down from the 13 eps that were planned (and what a show of this quality deserved) to the 10 we got. It's still top-tier TV ofc, but I think you really feel how rushed it is in some regards.
I had a hard time really getting into the Baltimore Sun characters. The stevadores, teachers/students, politicians, and ofc the police all had a way of really pulling you into their world. I didn't get that as much from the journalists. I mean the only character that stuck with me from that bunch was the douchebag who lied his ass off at every turn to get ahead. He was just shameless xD. It's sad too, I feel given more time, focusing in on the news had a lot of potential to be just as great as the previous institutions they introduced. It doesn't totally fall flat, but ultimately the story just isn't as compelling for them.
Also, though the phony-serial killer plot from McNulty was entertaining to watch, it really felt like a bit of a reach. The resolution to the copycat killer in the end happened a little too fast as well.
Then there's Omar....to which I have mixed feelings as to how he went out. It was at least cool how he kinda fucked over Marlo in the end by ruining his rep though :D
I have to give it to them on the final ep at least. Even under the rushed constraints that was one of the most satisfactory endings to any show I've ever seen.
Really? I felt for Gus, dunno about that Alma chick but I thought there was enough there to at least feel for the editor.
Is it cause Omar was suddenly ganked by a little kid? instead of the same as Stringer where it was all pre planned?
Yes it's because Omar was taken out by Kenard. Like I said mixed feelings. It has its pros because it did play into the conclusion well, in that Omar's death is passed around the hood as legend when in actuality a mere child took him down. Meanwhile, Marlo's impact on the streets is fading. The con being that...a fucking kid took out Omar. Badass, damn near immortal Omar, just shot in the head in an instant by Kenard..
I wasn't hoping for a more cinematic death like Stringer's, that scene could've gone down exactly the same...except have Micheal do it instead of Kenard. Would've worked too, since Micheal kinda plays the successor to Omar in the end and in a scene prior Micheal knows Omar doesn't recognize him from an earlier ambush so he could've got the drop on him. To me that feels like a more worthy adversary and would've been a symbolic way of passing the torch to Micheal.
Although, I did notice upon multiple viewings that way back in s3 Kenard is actually one of the kids imitating Omar's shootout just after he robs a stash. Skip to s5, and Kenard expresses his disappointment at the "gimpy" state Omar is in prior to killing him in the convenience store. I can't decide if it's mere coincidence or a subtle message in bringing Bunk's warning to Omar full-circle in that his actions are also destructive to the community despite his noble qualities. The kid admiring Omar ultimately kills him in the future. Just a thought :p
Omar's weakness was children. He always underestimated them. Remember some scenes where he keep saying "He just a kid" or something like that. I remember seeing Michael takling to Marlo and Omar calls Mike just a kid too. And not looking at kids as a form of threat cost him his life. Like Avon said, "be a little slow, be a little late, just once..."
My thesis advisor gave her first 1,0 (the best possible grade within the german grading system) ever for my BA thesis on... The Wire. Thanks David Simon!
Now if only all of your other series weren't so subpar!
Just watched the first season, i'm blown away by it this is so much better than any serie i've watched, at the start it was a bit confusing but damn... i understand why it's regarded as one of the best tv serie of all time.
EPT
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. Would love to see a bluray release or similar spruced up digital release for The Wire.
