Who else is a fan of this amazing American television series?
http://www.metacritic.com/tv/shows/wireseason4
Wiki intro:
QuoteThe Wire is an American television drama set and produced in Baltimore, Maryland. Created by writer/producer and former police reporter David Simon, the series is broadcast by the premium cable network HBO in the United States. The Wire premiered on June 2, 2002, with 50 episodes airing over the course of its first four seasons. HBO has ordered a fifth season, which Simon has said will be the show's last.[1][2]
The plot of the first season centers on the ongoing struggles between police units and drug-dealing gangs on the west side of the city, and is told from both points of view. Subsequent seasons have focused on other facets of the city. The large cast consists mainly of character actors who are little known for their other roles. Simon has said that despite its presentation as a crime drama, the show is "really about the American city, and about how we live together. It's about how institutions have an effect on individuals, and how... whether you're a cop, a longshoreman, a drug dealer, a politician, a judge [or] lawyer, you are ultimately compromised and must contend with whatever institution you've committed to."[3]
The Wire has received critical acclaim for its realistic portrayal of urban life and uncommonly deep exploration of sociological themes, and has been called the best show on television by TIME,[4][5] Entertainment Weekly,[6] The Guardian,[7] the Chicago Tribune,[8] Slate,[9] the San Francisco Chronicle[10] and the Philadelphia Daily News.[11] Despite the positive reviews, the show has failed to draw a large audience.
Stephen King article:
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1333799,00.html
"The Wire is a staggering achievement."
Etc.
Any fans?
I've never seen the show, but I did visit Baltimore last summer and really enjoyed my stay. I can see how the city would make a great setting for a TV series.
I saw the first season on DVD boxset last year and thought it was excellent. Gritty, urban crime dramas are one of my fave genres in TV.
But, I didn't think it was as good as other HBO series like The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Deadwood or Carnivale. :)
Its my favorite TV show. Looking forward to the new season, which I guess will be back to more of a straight cop show as perhaps Marlo is taken down. Really was sorry to see Bodie go, he was one of my favorites
Quote from: bwv 1080 on July 01, 2007, 03:52:20 PM
Its my favorite TV show. Looking forward to the new season, which I guess will be back to more of a straight cop show as perhaps Marlo is taken down.
It's funny but just about anybody who watches the show declares it as their favorite. And dude, that's a major spoiler for potential audiences!
Nope, but just ordered season one for about US$18 for two reasons. First, a co-worker has been bugging me to watch it, and second, after finishing reading There are No Children Here (wihch was an extremely good non-fiction read about two brothers growing up in the ghetto), I did a web search on the author and found him participating in a discussion of the show, so that really piqued my interest.
Due to potential spoilers, I may not be involved with this here thread much.
Finished season 2. GREAT stuff!!
Kevin, I'm so glad you enjoyed it! :D
The Wire is seriously brilliant TV... it's a intricate and compelling as a great novel. Probably my favorite all time TV show after Twin Peaks though I don't watch too much television.
I just stumbled across this article about the actress who plays Snoop today
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/15/AR2007031501664.html (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/15/AR2007031501664.html)
Good reading. I had no idea they picked her up off the streets... and she was in jail for murdering a girl!
Anyhow, if you haven't seen it, you should because rarely is fiction this honest and revealing.
I didn't read this thread for fear of spoilers, but would like to post that I'm into the second season of this crime show. My wife and I like it so much we watch it nearly every night. Great TV! My favorite character is Omar...so far.
"Oh, in-deed."
A question: how does this show compare to The Shield? Obviously it will be less violent and corrupt, but does it have any parallels?
Quote from: Lethe on February 01, 2008, 07:11:20 AM
A question: how does this show compare to The Shield? Obviously it will be less violent and corrupt, but does it have any parallels?
Can't help you there. Someone else probably can.
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on July 01, 2007, 03:38:49 PM
I saw the first season on DVD boxset last year and thought it was excellent. Gritty, urban crime dramas are one of my fave genres in TV.
But, I didn't think it was as good as other HBO series like The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Deadwood or Carnivale. :)
Six Feet Under is absolutely mine and my fiancee's favorite TV show of all time, by far. Brilliant in so many ways. I so wish it was still running.
Anyone been watching season 5 of The Wire?
The press theme seems good, Marlo is stepping it up, and I love the further look into politics. Overall a good season so far, though it seems slightly weaker than season 4.
What is this "fear of spoilers" business?.
Aren't people that think the show is "less" than what others think it is, entitled to their opinions?
Quote from: Iago on February 01, 2008, 10:18:12 AM
What is this "fear of spoilers" business?.
Aren't people that think the show is "less" than what others think it is, entitled to their opinions?
"Spoilers" as in ruining the upcoming shows for those who haven't seen them yet by discussing them.
Quote from: Lethe on February 01, 2008, 07:11:20 AM
A question: how does this show compare to The Shield? Obviously it will be less violent and corrupt, but does it have any parallels?
I've seen the first two seasons of
The Shield on DVD boxset and preferred it to
The Wire of which I've only seen the first season.
The Shield is a bit cartoonish at times and tongue in cheek but enjoyable entertainment, if very violent at times.
The Wire is darker and more brooding.
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on February 01, 2008, 10:28:59 AM
I've seen the first two seasons of The Shield on DVD boxset and preferred it to The Wire of which I've only seen the first season.
The Shield is a bit cartoonish at times and tongue in cheek but enjoyable entertainment, if very violent at times. The Wire is darker and more brooding.
Ahh lucky :P I own the Shield up to season 4, and while it remained quite good, the first two seasons are by far the best. I guess I'll try the Wire if I see it cheap.
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on February 01, 2008, 10:28:59 AM
I've seen the first two seasons of The Shield on DVD boxset and preferred it to The Wire of which I've only seen the first season.
The Shield is a bit cartoonish at times and tongue in cheek but enjoyable entertainment, if very violent at times. The Wire is darker and more brooding.
I like darker and more brooding. ;D
Quote from: Lethe on February 01, 2008, 10:49:08 AM
Ahh lucky :P I own the Shield up to season 4, and while it remained quite good, the first two seasons are by far the best. I guess I'll try the Wire if I see it cheap.
I'm up to season 5 of The Shield, and I prefer it to The Wire's 1st season (the only season I've seen so far).The Shield is more entertaining and engaging, while The Wire is more intellectually appealing ........
The guy behind "The Wire" is a former journalist, and he has quite the ego, and here he explains the differences between "The Wire" and "The Shield."
Quote
So much of American drama – Look at "The Shield." Not to get into "The Shield" specifically, but nothing is more the quintessential American dramatic impulse than to make the individual bigger than the institutions which he serves. Vic Mackey, he is the id that rages well beyond the L.A.P.D. It's "What is he capable of? What is he not capable of?"
"The Wire" has not only gone the opposite way, it's resisted the idea that, in this post-modern America, individuals triumph over institutions. The institution is always bigger. It doesn't tolerate that degree of individuality on any level for any length of time. These moments of epic characterization are inherently false. They're all rooted in, like, old Westerns or something. Guy rides into town, cleans up the town, rides out of town.
There's no cleaning it up anymore. There's no riding in, there's no riding out. The town is what it is.
Quote from: Dm on February 01, 2008, 11:16:21 AM
I'm up to season 5 of The Shield, and I prefer it to The Wire's 1st season (the only season I've seen so far).
The Shield is more entertaining and engaging, while The Wire is more intellectually appealing ........
I haven't seen too much of The Shield, but it seemed to me like an average television show, designed for entertainment and to allow the viewer to turn her brain off for an hour. It's a feel good show.
The Wire paints a bleak view of reality... but an honest view. The cops don't catch the drug dealers, one detective doesn't make a huge case due to his brilliant insight. The Wire shows the truth about the drug war: we catch the kids on the streets, but never move up the ladder to the kingpins. It shows the reality of inner city schools, politics, journalism, and the death of the working class.
Comparing the Shield to the Wire is like comparing Nora Roberts to Leo Tolstoy. Nora's books may make you feel good, but they don't contain any substance.
... or it's like comparing Yanni to Beethoven.
Quote from: andy on February 02, 2008, 10:30:26 AM
... but they don't contain any substance. ...
Yeah, a person seeking a reality-based show with substance will be disappointed with The Shield ...... And, as you suggest, it really depends on what the viewer is in the mood for ........ :D
Nobody goes into The Wire expecting what it delivers. After you start watching it, however, it rewires your expectations and desires of what television can do.
On the season three DVDs, there is panel recording with David Simon where he points out that the various CSI shows had more murders in one season than the cities in which they were set had in the same year. The Wire's genius is in its anti-sensationalism. I'm one of many viewers who just can't watch other cop shows any more. The Wire just undermines them all.
Quote from: KevinP on February 02, 2008, 10:30:26 PM
On the season three DVDs, there is panel recording with David Simon where he points out that the various CSI shows had more murders in one season than the cities in which they were set had in the same year.
:D
Quote from: Dm on February 02, 2008, 11:49:27 AM
Yeah, a person seeking a reality-based show with substance will be disappointed with The Shield ...... And, as you suggest, it really depends on what the viewer is in the mood for ........ :D
Yeah, sometimes a show like The Shield is good, like after a long day of work when you just need to relax, but sometimes, it's good to get a dose of The Wire... reminds me how good I have it. There's a place for both, and I'm glad that networks like HBO are stepping up and making intellectual shows to bridge the gap.