The Wire appreciation thread

My favourite character

omar2.jpg

cant believe he isnt in more films :confused:
 
It's not that i don't like it i just don't get where the hype comes from and was wondering if the pace and story get any better, do i have a good idea what to expect now that im nearing the end of season one?
 
It's not that i don't like it i just don't get where the hype comes from and was wondering if the pace and story get any better, do i have a good idea what to expect now that im nearing the end of season one?

It's not badly paced, you just don't like the pace.

The Wire is not your typical TV programme. It's more like a novel than anything else. There's a reason it rated badly and has ended up as something of a cult hit, and that's that most people don't like their TV like that.
 
The Wire struggled in terms of viewer numbers and was was nearly cancelled several times. Those are the ratings I'm talking about.
It's hard to talk about The Wire without ending up sounding a little elitist. But it is certainly deeper and more grounded in harsh, often disappointing reality than most TV drama. The complicated characters and their long, often frustrating story lines are not "normal" TV fodder. We've grown to expect faster paced action, based at least partly around the need for shows to fit around the aggressive ad break strategy in the USA.

Shows like The Shield fit that bill much more transparently... and unsatisfyingly for me. The Wire makes few concessions to the ADHD tendencies of either the modern audience or the advertising business, which is why some might see it as slow and others might see it as a work of absolute genius.

Both are right. The Wire is slow, complicated, and often avoids giving us an easy dramatic fix. But that's exactly what makes it a work of genius. I understand why many people will find it relatively unsatisfying, and I've struggled to convince any of the people I work with that it's worth sticking with*. But it's certainly right at the top of my list of great TV shows.



*Mind you, I've never convinced anyone to watch Sopranos either, so I may be working with a bunch of complete idiots! :-)
 
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This. I find a lot of people don't "get" it. It is like a novel where you can watch 4 episodes (read 4 chapters) for something to actually happen but when it happens! :eek: imo it's a lot more about enjoying the journey than seeing massive action scenes.
 
ah the wire, you break my heart

"when historians come to tell the story of America in our time, I'll wager they will not be able to ignore this remarkable and compelling portrayal of life in our cities.

I think for those that have't seen the wire, part one and two of this interview http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qulcqNMHVic
provide a lot of information regarding the themes of the show, without (as far as I can remember) giving away any spoilers
such an amazing show.

edit: ok I guess there are spoilers but nothing HUGE HUGE HUGE....
 
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Starting series 5 after a 8 month hiatus.

Part of me does not want to start as I know I wont stop, and it will put all other shows I have grown to love look poor. It will also be the last time I see it for the first time.

Wish me luck :(
 
Starting series 5 after a 8 month hiatus.

Part of me does not want to start as I know I wont stop, and it will put all other shows I have grown to love look poor. It will also be the last time I see it for the first time.

Wish me luck :(

I'm in the same boat. I finished season 4 a few weeks back and I'm a bit scared about starting season 5! Also watching 3-4 episodes of the wire back to back is pretty normal/worrying if you have work in the morning. It's like a drug!
 
I'm in the same boat. I finished season 4 a few weeks back and I'm a bit scared about starting season 5! Also watching 3-4 episodes of the wire back to back is pretty normal/worrying if you have work in the morning. It's like a drug!

I always enjoy it with some whiskey as well, helps me feel a part of it. Defiantly not good on a school night :D

2 episodes down, damn this show is good.
 
So i just finished watching it, though it was a bit too slow paced for me, overall it was quite good and at times great, not something id normally watch but im glad i did, the most interesting/entertaining parts were about Omar, McNulty, Barksdale and Stringer, though i was very disappointed how one of their stories ended, season three was probably the best and two the worst.
 
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