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Discussion => Off topic => Topic started by: grdr on December 27, 2012, 06:30 pm

Title: The Wire (TV series)
Post by: grdr on December 27, 2012, 06:30 pm
So how much people actually watched these series ? Do you think it's the best TV show ever ? If you are into drugs you must watch it. Here's short intro:

"The Wire is an American television drama series set and produced in and around Baltimore, Maryland. Created and primarily written by author and former police reporter David Simon, the series was broadcast by the premium cable network HBO in the United States. The Wire premiered on June 2, 2002, and ended on March 9, 2008, comprising 60 episodes over five seasons.
Each season of The Wire focuses on a different facet of the city of Baltimore. In chronological order they are: the illegal drug trade, the seaport system, the city government and bureaucracy, the school system, and the print news media. 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. Whether one is a cop, a longshoreman, a drug dealer, a politician, a judge or a lawyer, all are ultimately compromised and must contend with whatever institution they are committed to."[1]
Despite only receiving modest ratings and never winning major television awards, The Wire has been described by many critics as one of the greatest TV dramas of all time.[2][3][4][5][6][7] The show is recognized for its realistic portrayal of urban life, its literary ambitions, and its uncommonly deep exploration of sociopolitical themes."

Probably the best show ever in my opinion. if you haven't seen it please buy or download if you don't want to pay and at least watch Season 1 you will thank me later I can promise that.
Title: Re: The Wire (TV series)
Post by: chil on December 27, 2012, 06:39 pm
You get your first discordant opinion from me  :)

I watched S1-S3, and even though it was enjoyable, i found it to be terribly overrated. It looked like a 90s TV show and I couldn't understand why everyone was saying it's the most realistic crime series ever. But anyway, good but not that outstanding. And yes, quite fun to have some point of view form the drug trade side.
Title: Re: The Wire (TV series)
Post by: grdr on December 27, 2012, 08:05 pm
You get your first discordant opinion from me  :)

I watched S1-S3, and even though it was enjoyable, i found it to be terribly overrated. It looked like a 90s TV show and I couldn't understand why everyone was saying it's the most realistic crime series ever. But anyway, good but not that outstanding. And yes, quite fun to have some point of view form the drug trade side.

Interesting, also what kind of shows do you watch now and what's your favourite ? I started watching american horror story now in s02 awaiting for the rest of the episodes. very interesting show for me.
Title: Re: The Wire (TV series)
Post by: Adasel on December 27, 2012, 09:14 pm
Not to be too much of a patriot and a "racist" here, but all i know is i watched one episode late one night and i was just blown away.  Okay, here is the "semi" racist part, there is, or was an actor in the wire who was british and starred in a t.v show in the uk called Ultraviolet, and was the captain in Prometheus. 
Title: Re: The Wire (TV series)
Post by: lesseroftwoweevils on December 27, 2012, 10:08 pm
The Wire has its flaws and is admittedly a little slow out of the gate, but it's by far the most realistic portrayal of the inner city drug trade in the United States. Everything down to the street lingo (which even native speakers will have trouble deciphering) is pitch perfect, and it really takes you into that world better than any show I've ever seen.
Title: Re: The Wire (TV series)
Post by: chil on December 28, 2012, 01:30 pm
You get your first discordant opinion from me  :)

I watched S1-S3, and even though it was enjoyable, i found it to be terribly overrated. It looked like a 90s TV show and I couldn't understand why everyone was saying it's the most realistic crime series ever. But anyway, good but not that outstanding. And yes, quite fun to have some point of view form the drug trade side.

Interesting, also what kind of shows do you watch now and what's your favourite ? I started watching american horror story now in s02 awaiting for the rest of the episodes. very interesting show for me.

Imo, The Wire doesn't come close to truly outstanding shows such as Mad Men, Breaking Bad or even Six Feet Under, whether it's in terms of writing, acting, or production.

Title: Re: The Wire (TV series)
Post by: zapatista36 on December 28, 2012, 03:42 pm
The Wire is one of the greatest shows I've ever watched. Of course the characters are despicable, it just shows how deep corruption runs at every level and how much they're prepared to live with. But the Baltimoredrug scene 's shown for what it is and not glamorised in any way

But shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitttttt - man gotta have a code.

All u all gotta watch it
Title: Re: The Wire (TV series)
Post by: warmkitty on December 28, 2012, 05:34 pm
Excellent series. I only realised quite close to when she got killed that snoop was actually a female - duh !
Title: Re: The Wire (TV series)
Post by: psychedelicmind on December 28, 2012, 05:46 pm
I watched the entire series a couple of years ago. I thought it was a great show, but some series were a lot better than others. Series 2 didn't do much for me at all.

Personally, I preferred the Soprano's. :)
Title: Re: The Wire (TV series)
Post by: farmer1 on December 28, 2012, 06:05 pm
The Wire is probably the best thing I have watched on film. Excellent series.
Title: Re: The Wire (TV series)
Post by: Adasel on December 28, 2012, 06:11 pm
Quote
Imo, The Wire doesn't come close to truly outstanding shows such as Mad Men, Breaking Bad or even Six Feet Under, whether it's in terms of writing, acting, or production.

I have to say, that my patience is awesome, but i had a great deal of trouble trying to get used to Mad Men.
While the acting, the costumes and the sets were superb, I think that was the only thing that kept me watching, for four episodes at least.
Other than that i thought, personally, that it was the most boring piece of television i have ever experienced.
It reminded me of the time i was "forced" to sit through Lost In Translation.
A movie with a couple of actors and literally NOTHING happens, fucking NOTHING!!.
Oh wait, i almost forgot another movie like that, Prometheus.
For me Mad Men was the same just on the telly instead of the big screen   :P
Title: Re: The Wire (TV series)
Post by: gloomybear on December 28, 2012, 06:54 pm
Sometimes I wish that I could wipe my brain so that I could watch The Wire again, it's that good. The Shield was good too..a lot more action but less..something..
Title: Re: The Wire (TV series)
Post by: warmkitty on December 28, 2012, 07:12 pm
Quote
Imo, The Wire doesn't come close to truly outstanding shows such as Mad Men, Breaking Bad or even Six Feet Under, whether it's in terms of writing, acting, or production.

I have to say, that my patience is awesome, but i had a great deal of trouble trying to get used to Mad Men.
While the acting, the costumes and the sets were superb, I think that was the only thing that kept me watching, for four episodes at least.
Other than that i thought, personally, that it was the most boring piece of television i have ever experienced.
It reminded me of the time i was "forced" to sit through Lost In Translation.
A movie with a couple of actors and literally NOTHING happens, fucking NOTHING!!.
Oh wait, i almost forgot another movie like that, Prometheus.
For me Mad Men was the same just on the telly instead of the big screen   :P

Gotcha on lost in translation - what was all that about ?
I felt the same way about oz - i tried watching it , i think i watched 2 episodes but just gave up.
Breaking bad was good as well.
Title: Re: The Wire (TV series)
Post by: Adasel on December 28, 2012, 10:56 pm
I have heard a lot about breaking bad through the "nerd vine", i will have to check that out!!
And, thank you for agreeing with me on Lost In Translation, what a load of shit.
Title: Re: The Wire (TV series)
Post by: chil on December 28, 2012, 11:52 pm
Quote
Imo, The Wire doesn't come close to truly outstanding shows such as Mad Men, Breaking Bad or even Six Feet Under, whether it's in terms of writing, acting, or production.

I have to say, that my patience is awesome, but i had a great deal of trouble trying to get used to Mad Men.
While the acting, the costumes and the sets were superb, I think that was the only thing that kept me watching, for four episodes at least.
Other than that i thought, personally, that it was the most boring piece of television i have ever experienced.
It reminded me of the time i was "forced" to sit through Lost In Translation.
A movie with a couple of actors and literally NOTHING happens, fucking NOTHING!!.
Oh wait, i almost forgot another movie like that, Prometheus.
For me Mad Men was the same just on the telly instead of the big screen   :P

Oh man, comparing Mad Men to Prometheus, I'm not sure we're gonna be friends.  :)

You should have had the patience to watch, at least, until to the end of season 1. Yes, Mad Men is very slow-paced, but things happen. They happen in the realm of the characters' emotions, and they are very subtle. Most of them are repressed, and seeing how they deal with these repressed emotions in the 60s era is what drives the show. However, in the following seasons, the show becomes less and less slow. Damn, in Season 5, Roger takes LSD, under the guidance of Timothy Leary. Pretty fun. Also, this show is really about understanding the mindset of the american sixties, which makes it super interesting, but to each its own I guess. Definitely not action TV.

Go watch Breaking Bad and tell me this is not the best show ever.
Title: Re: The Wire (TV series)
Post by: Adasel on December 31, 2012, 01:10 pm
Quote
Oh man, comparing Mad Men to Prometheus, I'm not sure we're gonna be friends.  :)

You should have had the patience to watch, at least, until to the end of season 1. Yes, Mad Men is very slow-paced, but things happen. They happen in the realm of the characters' emotions, and they are very subtle. Most of them are repressed, and seeing how they deal with these repressed emotions in the 60s era is what drives the show. However, in the following seasons, the show becomes less and less slow. Damn, in Season 5, Roger takes LSD, under the guidance of Timothy Leary. Pretty fun. Also, this show is really about understanding the mindset of the american sixties, which makes it super interesting, but to each its own I guess. Definitely not action TV.

Go watch Breaking Bad and tell me this is not the best show ever.

Ok, comparing Mad Men to prometheus was a bad move, i agree.
I even tried to watch prometheus a third time this weekend, unfortunately i was drinking and it had the same effect as before.
I got mad men season 1-3 on box set so i will give it another try.
Also, has anyone seen BroadWalk Empire??  I am unsure as it is Steve Buscemi playing a semi-serious character, but my nephew thinks its the best thing since sliced bread.
Title: Re: The Wire (TV series)
Post by: skulldrag on January 02, 2013, 02:56 am
The early seasons...yes very dated, I suppose since I watched the who series last year over a few weeks, but it was my favorite show I have ever seen...

If you are "from" a bigger city like Baltimore, its easier to relate, and it is a lot more true to form than most would think... the gov. (still here), police chief, all of it was deadly accurate, enough to cost people jobs.... you know.. just saying if you happen to be around there.,..

Regardless, I thought it was excellent, the 1st 2 seasons, where rough, but it really got going until the last season, which of course the had to try and wrap up 50 different stories over the years..

Also, the real life "Omar" just died about 3/4 weeks ago...HE changed his whole life, before the show, but after gave him more ability to do "good", the "code" was all true.
Title: Re: The Wire (TV series)
Post by: Adasel on January 05, 2013, 04:17 pm
I'm gonna have to check this series out.
Although, i am from South West england so i doubt i can relate to the area lol
Title: Re: The Wire (TV series)
Post by: hoobydoobydoo on January 05, 2013, 05:10 pm
I really liked the Wire but I would not call it the best show ever by any means.

My favorite part of the show is the rise and fall of Tommy Carcetti from upstart young politician with all sorts of ideals and morals to corrupt politician who only cares about his next political office.

I think in general there is a lot of goodstory line in this show, a lot of realism about how people work on the streets, and many other things which make the show good.  But it did drag at times and the last season was kind of a disappointment IMO.

Love Breaking Bad.  Awesome show.  Will be sad to see it end this season although I am not sure there is much else they can do.
Title: Re: The Wire (TV series)
Post by: greendye on January 05, 2013, 05:58 pm
The Wire has some of the most authentic writing I've ever seen on any form of media.  Season 4 is up there with the greatest television season of all time.  But season 5, the one about the newspaper, kinda sucks.  The creator, David Simon, seemed like he kinda got up his own ass towards the end of that season.  I think it had something to do with the fact that he used to work for the very newspaper he was portraying in the show.

But yeah, great show.  Takes a little while to get in to, but it's worth it.
Title: Re: The Wire (TV series)
Post by: Adasel on January 05, 2013, 06:14 pm
Sorry if this is going "off topic", but does anyone here watch or like Dexter ??
Title: Re: The Wire (TV series)
Post by: hoobydoobydoo on January 05, 2013, 06:28 pm
Sorry if this is going "off topic", but does anyone here watch or like Dexter ??

I almost added that show to my post.  I really liked the first two seasons of Dexter.  The remaining ones were still good but I never felt like they lived up to the first two which had me completely engaged in what would be happening next.
Title: Re: The Wire (TV series)
Post by: zapatista36 on January 05, 2013, 08:15 pm
Love Dexter - first season blew me away,  successive seasons still riveting, still love em. Haven't watched s7 yet - like to watch a season in as short a time as possible, haven't the patience for weekly serials beyond 1 or 2 shows. So I've got this and s3 of Boardwalk Empire next
Title: Re: The Wire (TV series)
Post by: Adasel on January 05, 2013, 09:01 pm
I dont want to spoil things too much but, season 4 of Dexter for me has been the greatest by far.
John Lithgow FTW ladies and gentlemen.
I was recently bought seasons 5 and 6 on DVD, so no spoilers please lol.