The Wire - The best TV show ever?

[Shaki]

Since it's a show that finished it's final season a few years ago anyone who hasn't already watched it should know they'd likely see a spoiler if they come in the thread.

Probably true. I made the mistake of looking at a Wire related YouTube clip when I was half way through the series and saw 2 spoilers in the related videos section. My own stoopid fault.

Anyway, the best TV ever in my opinion. I'm due a re-watch with the series companion book I got for Xmas. Unfortunately someone's already chosen it as their specialist subject on Mastermind.

[Paranoid Android]

I made a similar mistake while waiting for season 5 to come out on dvd and had

Omar being killed

spoiled for me

I watched Generation Kill not that long ago too, it was excellent.

[KarmaTsunami]

Generation Kill is great. Have you seen The Corner?

[Paranoid Android]

Yeah I have, it was excellent too. The first couple of episodes I found a bit slow but by the end I was completely engrossed. A real heartbreaking story. The epilogue with the real people the stories are about was a great way to end it. I haven't read the book but I've read the homicide book which is a great read and much more of a page turner than I ever would have imagined. The first season of Treme was excellent too. David Simon and friends should be cloned so they can make all TV programmes.

[Shaki]

Yeah I have, it was excellent too. The first couple of episodes I found a bit slow but by the end I was completely engrossed. A real heartbreaking story. The epilogue with the real people the stories are about was a great way to end it. I haven't read the book but I've read the homicide book which is a great read and much more of a page turner than I ever would have imagined. The first season of Treme was excellent too. David Simon and friends should be cloned so they can make all TV programmes.

Yes but then how would fans of his work feel superior to the slobbering cretins who own all the CSI box sets?

[Christy]

Midway through Series 5, my third front-to-back Wire marathon.

Favourites are 2>3>4>1>5, but I love them all.

Characters are: 1) Omar (obviously), 2) Bubbles (steals the show in the last series, in particular), 3) Cutty.

[Paranoid Android]

Yes but then how would fans of his work feel superior to the slobbering cretins who own all the CSI box sets?

ok, 1 free day a week where other tv can be shown.

Christy, that's interesting that you picked Cutty as such a favourite character. What do you like about him so much? The first time I watched it he was actually one of my least favourites but he has grown on me a lot after re-watching. Still I wouldn't rank him as high as the others I already mentioned.

It is amazing how many great well written characters there are in one show. One character who doesn't get enough credit is Frank Sobotka. Only in one season but he was great. I might have found the adjustment to the new characters tougher in season 2 if he wasn't so great.

I also love how some characters that become very important later on make minor appearances earlier in the show, like Clay Davis, Colvin, Prop Joe etc. On some shows you feel they just create new characters on a whim if things are getting dull. The way the wire slowly introduces many of the characters is one of the best examples of how well written the show is.

[Christy]

I loved Cutty because his story, along with Bubbles's, was probably the biggest success in the entire run. The way he left the game, with Avon's 'he a man today' quote to Slim Charles, then his search to find his place in the world. Brilliant. And of course, Michael's lack of trust towards him (obviously stemming from Bug's dad), when Cutty's intentions are strictly altruistic.

And he's called Dennis Wise. Ace.

Sobotka was a great character but, the more times I watch Series Two the more his constant shoutiness bugs me. A minor quibble in what was definitely my favourite series.

[Moose]

Midway through Series 5, my third front-to-back Wire marathon.

Favourites are 2>3>4>1>5, but I love them all.

Characters are: 1) Omar (obviously), 2) Bubbles (steals the show in the last series, in particular), 3) Cutty.

I'd agree with you a bit there. My top 5 would probs be 1) Omar; 2) Lester; 3) McNutty; 4) Cutty; 5) Carver & Hauk combined. My flatmate criticised my inclusion of 3 and 5 on the list but come on, McNulty is the man (maybe I need a character to have a catchphrase as I'm simple: "What the fuck did I do?"). Carver and Harc aint just comic relief in my opinion, I like the way they have developed throughout the seasons and are sort of growing up, while still being very irresponsible at times. I like the way Carver is really committed to Colvin in Season 3 as well; but ultimately criticised by him. Its good to have these young ambitious characters and watch the way they work through the ranks. There chat is ace too.

I'll point out that I'm only 3 episodes into season 4 but basically know what happens in terms of who dies, who gets busted etc but I'm still really enjoying it. Unfortunately my laptop is busto and I don't have the money to buy the boxsets so if anyone wants to lend my seasons 4 and 5 I'd be most obliged.

So far, season 3>2>1 but I also love them all.

[Christy]

Lester and Bunk interrogating the sailors at the start of season 2 is the best part of the whole series.

"ENGLISH, MOTHERFUCKER!"

I'm gonna take the opposite end and claim the series's ending montage, with Nick Sobotka looking out to sea to Steve Earle's 'I Feel Alright' as the series highlight.

O, and Kristin Proctor's outstanding breasts.

[geo1903]

I've watched The Wire a while back and since seen The Corner, both which I enjoyed, obviously.

I've collected a few series of The Shield over the last few months and just started watching it lately. After reservations of the first couple of episodes (mainly due to the lameness of Knucklehead Vic) I'm finding it very watchable and indeed look forward to each episode, I think I'm halfway through series three now.

Maybe not as good as The Wire but certainly well worth watching I'd say. Recommended.

[ca_gere]

Gather round and let me tell you a little story called 'I met lestor freeman'...

I met lestor freeman. Well I saw him in a bar. My sister, who worked at the bar actually spoke to him, I didn't get the chance.. She told him how much she liked him in the wire and how stylish he looked. He was an utter gent and told her that he loves coming to Scotland. End of cool story bro.

Season 2 is much better after a 2nd viewing. Its quite dense with union information that I didn't quite get first time around. Season 5 goes a bit csi/lost/24 with the whole serial killer thing but it is mcnulty heavy and that's a good thing. It's probably my least favourite but I couldn't pick a favourite.

As for characters I'd probably side with christy. Cutty is a character I was always happy to see on screen. I think his arc is an understated one and quite heart warming. White mike is the worst character. Just a bit pointless. Ziggy is the most annoying but he serves a purpose and it's a great acting performance.

Actually, carver is maybe my favourite. Just an all round cool guy. The way he tries to protect the corner boys without losing his hard ass control over them is great.

[captain burrito]

Anyone seen "Bored to Death"? It stars Jason Schwartzman as a struggling writer who moonlights as a private detective. Zach Galifianakis and Ted Danson are the other main characters and it's pretty great, especially if you like pulp detective novels and/or 50s film noir.

[Moose]

Gather round and let me tell you a little story called 'I met lestor freeman'...

I met lestor freeman. Well I saw him in a bar. My sister, who worked at the bar actually spoke to him, I didn't get the chance.. She told him how much she liked him in the wire and how stylish he looked. He was an utter gent and told her that he loves coming to Scotland. End of cool story bro.

He's english too aint he? What a cool motherfucker.

[Paranoid Android]

O, and Kristin Proctor's outstanding breasts.

YES OH YES!

Talking of season two highlights you can't forget Omar in court.

"I've got the gun, you got the briefcase. All in the game though, right?" Awesome.

Carver's story arc is great. The changes in him never feel rushed or unbelievable. That scene when he as to walk away from Randy "You gonna look out for me?"

How do people feel about Kima? I really liked her in the first season especially but I think she becomes a little superfluous at times later on.

And the big question. favourite version of the opening song? I'd probably go for the Tom waits original. But I really like season 1 and 5 versions too.

[Shaki]

He's english too aint he? What a cool motherfucker.

He's American.

[Paranoid Android]

I think the lived in England for quite a while, France too I think. I remember seeing him interviewed on the culture show once when he was in Edinburgh.

I was amazed the day I found out Stringer Bell is English. Did anyone ever see the bbc cop show "Luther" he was in? If so was it any good?

[Shaki]

How do people feel about Kima? I really liked her in the first season especially but I think she becomes a little superfluous at times later on.

.

Kima was pretty wild and unpredictable to start and then 'knuckled down' with her job and became a bit boring. That kind of illustrates what I think is so good and realistic about the whole series. Characters drift in and out and disappear from the central story line - just like real life!

I felt a bit cheesy writing that.

[Shaki]

I think the lived in England for quite a while, France too I think. I remember seeing him interviewed on the culture show once when he was in Edinburgh.

I was amazed the day I found out Stringer Bell is English. Did anyone ever see the bbc cop show "Luther" he was in? If so was it any good?

Compared to The Wire, which of course all things must be these days, it was laughably bad. Probably at the lower end of the BBC British Crime Drama scale of quality.

[Paranoid Android]

Speaking about Kima, isn't her girlfriend an annoying moany bitch? Marla Daniels too. These girls need to shut up and let their (wo)men get on with being good PO-lice.

I was very happy both were largely written out as the story went on.

[Surfer_Rosa]

I think the lived in England for quite a while, France too I think. I remember seeing him interviewed on the culture show once when he was in Edinburgh.

I was amazed the day I found out Stringer Bell is English. Did anyone ever see the bbc cop show "Luther" he was in? If so was it any good?

It was fucking terrible. See also KING DRIIS - HOLD ON on Vimeo

[Captain America]

Speaking about Kima, isn't her girlfriend an annoying moany bitch? Marla Daniels too. These girls need to shut up and let their (wo)men get on with being good PO-lice.

I was very happy both were largely written out as the story went on.

Natural Pooo-lis

Jay was one of my favourite characters. Bodie was the best though in the later series.

[Scorge]

Recently rewatched all five seasons. To be honest I don't think it matters which particular season you have as a favourite, the entire body of work is really good and all fits together well (except maybe season 5 where it feels like everything has been rushed slighty and the main thread of the story feels ever-so-slighty OTT).

The scene where D'Angelo explains chess in relation to the game is the overall highlight for me.

[Free Korps]

saw "bubs" in Fringe season 3 premiere last night, good to see him get some work - he's driving a cab in an alternate universe, always knew he'd stay clean & get a job! ;-)

[captain burrito]

I believe Omar is starring alongside Steve Buscemi in Boardwalk Empire, playing a character called 'Chalky White'.