So I finally started the Wire

[literally exaggerated]

So, after virtually everyone whose opinion I respect regarding these matters told me that the Wire was one of the best and most important shows ever, I finally decided to give it a try.

The first few episodes didn't grab me. Thats not to say I didn't think they were well done or engaging, merely that I think I was unprepared for the show. When people told me it was uncompromisingly realistic, I assumed they meant like Oz or the Shield. Gritty settings, complex, dark characters and lots of moral ambiguity. But both of those shows still made heavy use of cliffhangers, hooks, etc. to draw in the viewer. the Wire didn't do that. It just sort of presented a very real story in a horrible setting.

But, I stuck with it, and I just finished the 8th episode. I love this show. Absolute genius.

My thoughts at this stage:

Stringer Bell is really cool. I think he's definitely much more intelligent than Avon: taking business classes and trying to insitute the economic policies, manipulating the system and doing a good job of keeping one step ahead of the detail. Thus far, he's definitely my favorite character.

Omar isn't far behind however. He's the one character I'd heard about before watching the show (described to me as "the best character of all time" by a friend), and I definitely like him a lot. Super badass, complex and immensely charismatic. My one complaint is that of all the characters so far, he seems the least realistic. I mean, a badass robin hood figure who only robs drug dealers and helps out the neighborhood while walking around in a trenchcoat with a sawed-off, whistling the farmer in the dell and kicking ass in gunfights? Undeniably cool, but thus far the one who seemed the least like someone who I could actually meet.

Wallace is in a bad way. I have a feeling things aren't gonna end well for him. He got $500, and apparently blew it all on drugs in an extremely short amount of time. I really like him though, and think he's one of the more morally compelling characters in the show.

Herc and Carver are hilarious. But the two funniest scenes so far both involved McNulty and Bunk. One was when they discovered the bullet and the only they used word in a five minute scene was "fuck". The other was when Bunk cheated on his wife and McNulty went over to find him burning his clothes. For a show as dark as this one, it gives me 2 or 3 good laughs an episode.

[Red Jack]

THE WIRE is in the top five shows EVER to appear on television. When you get through all the eps you are sure to agree.

Do NOT let anyone spoil any plot points for you.

And those other shows are just violent, not realistic. The WIRE is the goods.

[Expletive Deleted]

THE WIRE is fantastic. And, startlingly, it just keeps getting better and better. I've got three episodes to go in season four and . . . no spoilers, but whoa. The show takes decompressed storytelling to extremes at times, but when those killer moments come, they validate the whole works ten times over.

[zombie]

I got into this show in the summer. Watched all three seasons, and have been trying to stay caught up with season four. It's fantastic, definitely one of my favourite shows ever.

Omar is beyond badass.

[Deathstroke]

The Wire is without a doubt one of the most finely crafted shows on TV anywhere.

The fact that other shows like The Sopranos and Six Feet Under get the lion's share of the acclaim and recognition is a travesty.

[Aggie]

The Wire is without a doubt one of the most finely crafted shows on TV anywhere.

The fact that other shows like The Sopranos and Six Feet Under get the lion's share of the acclaim and recognition is a travesty.

while both shows have their merits, and i love the both, i'm inclined to agree...and i should thank you while i'm at it jay, cuz you're the one who turned me on to it and i haven't looked back since...the wire is perfect television...complex characters, tight writing, great story arcs, and it's messy...no neat and tidy resolutions at the end of the day...just like real police work...you're villians can be heros and vice versa...best hour long show in the last 20 years.

[metr0man]

Yup. It takes a little while to get going. I also thought it was good but overrated in the beginning. About halfway through that first season I realized it had slowly ensared me.
I actually think the 1st season is still the best but later seasons are good too. I'm waiting for Season 4 to come on DVD to catch that though (it's still airing i believe)

[Deathstroke]

while both shows have their merits, and i love the both, i'm inclined to agree...and i should thank you while i'm at it jay, cuz you're the one who turned me on to it and i haven't looked back since...the wire is perfect television...complex characters, tight writing, great story arcs, and it's messy...no neat and tidy resolutions at the end of the day...just like real police work...you're villians can be heros and vice versa...best hour long show in the last 20 years.

You're welcome Aggie.

I remember when I watched the first episode, even I the King of Profanity, thought they used a bit too much cursing, but everything is just as it should be. It's better than the finest of wines.

[Deathstroke]

Yup. It takes a little while to get going. I also thought it was good but overrated in the beginning. About halfway through that first season I realized it had slowly ensared me.
I actually think the 1st season is still the best but later seasons are good too. I'm waiting for Season 4 to come on DVD to catch that though (it's still airing i believe)

Yes, it's still airing the fourth season, I believe it's only 4 or 5 episodes in, which means it's got 8 or 9 episodes to go.

[Forefinger]

I didn't finish the first DVD of the first season. I just didn't like it at all.

[meethraa]

The Wire is the good.

[Subotai]

I wrote a question to the TV editor in the Globe and Mail about it, asking why it didn't achieve more popular success. His response was "it exists on a higher plane than other shows."

Fair enough, but the critics really dropped the ball the first season or two of the show - and so did HBO, by not giving it the hype it deserved. IIRC many wrote it off as just another in a long line of cop shows.

But, at least we'll get the five seasons. And yes, it is one of the top 5 shows ever (at least among shows that drew a full season - many fine shows never got past their fourth episode). Other over-rated drama (I'm looking at you, ER) doesn't begin to compare.

[Deathstroke]

I wrote a question to the TV editor in the Globe and Mail about it, asking why it didn't achieve more popular success. His response was "it exists on a higher plane than other shows."

Fair enough, but the critics really dropped the ball the first season or two of the show - and so did HBO, by not giving it the hype it deserved. IIRC many wrote it off as just another in a long line of cop shows.

But, at least we'll get the five seasons. And yes, it is one of the top 5 shows ever (at least among shows that drew a full season - many fine shows never got past their fourth episode). Other over-rated drama (I'm looking at you, ER) doesn't begin to compare.

I don't think all the critics dropped the ball on the show in the first couple of seasons. I remember USA Today practically wetting themselves in their reviews of the show.

[Expletive Deleted]

Yes, it's still airing the fourth season, I believe it's only 4 or 5 episodes in, which means it's got 8 or 9 episodes to go.Everything up through Episode Ten is available . . . through the usual channels. If you know what I mean.

[the film freak]

I borrowed the first two seasons from a friend but I haven't watched them yet because I've been so busy.

[Subotai]

I don't think all the critics dropped the ball on the show in the first couple of seasons. I remember USA Today practically wetting themselves in their reviews of the show.

Mainstream/national media did give the show props - although they were always happy to give considerably more ink to The Sopranos, even though the show was up and running, safe from cancellation. But in small-town and regional media, the name The Wire rarely or never appeared.

Sopranos is an easier show to like, perhaps, quirky mob characters with their neuroses. But despite its collection of Emmy awards and other accolades, it can't touch The Wire.

[Deathstroke]

Everything up through Episode Ten is available . . . through the usual channels. If you know what I mean.

Yes, but I don't use those means.

[Tobias March]

What's the name of the character Idris Elba plays again? So happy he found a home after the excellent vampire/cop procedural Ultraviolet.

[Expletive Deleted]

What's the name of the character Idris Elba plays again? So happy he found a home after the excellent vampire/cop procedural Ultraviolet.Stringer Bell.

[literally exaggerated]

Stringer Bell, and thus far he's by far my favorite character. Just seems much, much smarter than almost anyone else in the series, especially Avon.

[Aggie]

I wrote a question to the TV editor in the Globe and Mail about it, asking why it didn't achieve more popular success. His response was "it exists on a higher plane than other shows."

Fair enough, but the critics really dropped the ball the first season or two of the show - and so did HBO, by not giving it the hype it deserved. IIRC many wrote it off as just another in a long line of cop shows.


critics love the show...it's the numb nuts in the academy of arts and science who have a clue how brilliant...but to be honest, i think the lack of recognition makes it that much better...it's less mainstream and more counter-culture.


Stringer Bell, and thus far he's by far my favorite character. Just seems much, much smarter than almost anyone else in the series, especially Avon.

you've got a long way to go into the series before you can make that statement...and i'll leave it at that...:)

[Gary Joyce]

Just picked up the season 1 dvd watched three episodes in one go and gonna sit and watch more tonight.

[FanboyStranger]

I had the same reaction throughout the first few episodes-- it's good, but not as great as everyone says it is. The problem I think is that there were so many new characters being introduced that the viewer didn't really have the time to latch onto any of them, except McNullty, who always had that "born loser" vibe. (I love what they've done with him this season, though. It's cracks me up every time I see him walking his beat with a huge smile on his face. Bet on the Omar thing dragging him back in.) By episode six or seven, however, I had a grasp on the main characters, and the show had become probably my favorite show of all time. (Although I could have used a flowchart to keep all the little 'hoppers straight. They've done a better job keeping all the kids distinct this season.)

[riftt]

stringer was a bitch...marlo >>>> avon, and chris >>>> stringer

[Dipset Byrd Gang]

Avon is the truth. I wish he was still on the show.


Avon and Webe>>>>>Stringer and D'Angelo

[literally exaggerated]

So I finished season 2. Damn. I think I might like season 1 very slightly better, but if so its by a goddamn hair. That was a fucking incredible season of television.

The Sobotkas, especially Frank, were incredibly compelling. The whole season I could see how Frank was gonna end up, but how it ended up going down...heartbreaking. I can't think of any other show that has tackled the death of american urban working class more deftly than this one. Chris Bauer was incredible.

Valchek is such a fucking douche. I cheered when Prez clocked him.

Stringer is an incredibly evil dude. For all his pretentions of business and whatnot, he's even more ruthless than Avon. Which is why I love him. My favorite character, still, though I think he fucked up trying to use Omar like that.

Speaking of Omar, his court scenes were absolute genius.

I'm consistently amazed by, for how dark and gritty this show can be, how absolutely fucking hilarious it is at the same time. McNulty crashing his car, then taking the turn again and crashing it another time, nearly had me in tears. And pretty much anything Bunk, Herc or Carver says or does gets at least a chuckle from me.