Thanks For Killing Any Chance Of Decent Sleep, FOFC! (thread about HBO's The Wire)

[Izulde]

So I was in Blockbuster the other day and remembered FOFC talking about how great The Wire was.

Picked up the first disc of Season 1 to try it out. Figured I'd watch the first episode tonight and chill.

It's now 4:13 am and I'm cursing because I finished the disc and am hooked on what's happening. While it's too early for me to declare it best.series.ever or anything like that, this is easily among the top 3 ever for first three episodes of a series.

The dialogue just sizzles and snaps, the characters rock (even though half of them are giant fucking pricks) and the story hooks in like nobody's business.

Thus far, Lt. Daniels is my fave character, though props to Mr. Sneaky Detective who went out to GG and works on his artisan stuff.

[Alan T]

So I was in Blockbuster the other day and remembered FOFC talking about how great The Wire was.

Picked up the first disc of Season 1 to try it out. Figured I'd watch the first episode tonight and chill.

It's now 4:13 am and I'm cursing because I finished the disc and am hooked on what's happening. While it's too early for me to declare it best.series.ever or anything like that, this is easily among the top 3 ever for first three episodes of a series.

The dialogue just sizzles and snaps, the characters rock (even though half of them are giant fucking pricks) and the story hooks in like nobody's business.

Thus far, Lt. Daniels is my fave character, though props to Mr. Sneaky Detective who went out to GG and works on his artisan stuff.

How ironic that you posted this... Yesterday I noticed the Wire season 1 was on HBO On Demand this month. So I watched the first five episodes on my day off before my wife started to get grumpy.

I agree, that it probably isn't quite in the "best series ever" category yet, but it has been a very enjoyable series thus far, and if the last half of season one is just as enjoyable I will have to hunt down season 2 somewhere (or hope it comes on HBO on demand next)

[spleen1015]

What took you guys so long?!

:D

[Alan T]

What took you guys so long?!

:D


I think it was aired in the few years that I got seperated and then divorced. I did not really watch much tv for a few years there. I actually have played catch up over the last two years on many other shows (like Lost for instance) that aired during the same time.

[Izulde]

What took you guys so long?!

:D

Lack of regular HBO access over the last few years played the biggest role.

By the way, exactly how many seasons are out on DVD and is the series still running?

[Calis]

The good news for you guys is the series maintains that level(or at least close to it), throughout. You've got lots of good TV to watch.

Some people are not fans of Season 2 because it takes a pretty drastic turn in focus, but I actually enjoyed it quite a bit.

Now I have to watch it again. Definitely ranks as a show I could watch over again for the first time. I think it's one you'll rank higher as it goes on rather than lower as well.

edit: It's 5 seasons overall, and I believe all 5 are available on DVD now.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

4 > 2 > 1 > 3 > 5

personally

[Calis]

4 > 2 > 1 > 3 > 5

personally

That would be my list, except I might flip Seasons 1 and 3. I can't decide on those two.

[Logan]

I wish I had the pleasure of enjoying this show for the first time again.

If I had to rank them, I'd go 3 > 1 > 4 > 2 > 5, keeping in mind that those first 4 are as close as possible to all being tied and 5 is just a minor, minor notch below.

[spleen1015]

I would rank them as follows

4 > 1 > 5 = 2 > 3

I loved Clark Johnson in Season 5. That character is awesome.

[Logan]

spleen I think we need a PM discussion to figure out your beef with S3. :)

[Honolulu_Blue]

The Lady Wife and I have been watching this series on DVD for the last year or so. We're near the end of Season 4. We've been Netflixing them, but I recently bought the entire series last month from Amazon during one of those crazy-insane sales. (I bought the entire series of Deadwood the next day.)

The show really is incredible. In a way it's almost ruined TV for me. It's that good.

[spleen1015]

spleen I think we need a PM discussion to figure out your beef with S3. :)

There's really no beef. Every season was good stuff. It was really hard for me to rank them. Originally I had them 4 > 1 > 3 > 5 = 2 and I switched it.

[spleen1015]

Alan, Season 2 will be On Demand starting March 9th.

hxxp://www.hbo.com/apps/hodschedule/hod/categoryweeknum.do?WEEKNUM=4

[QuikSand]

It's pretty much to the point that for me, The Wire is one of those "two kinds of people" things. If you haven't watched it ... and by that, I basically mean if you aren't a diehard fan and dejected every day that it is no longer in production ... then I really don't know what you and I have to talk about, you're almost certainly not my kind of person. With time and the availability of reruns and DVDs and Netflix, it's pretty much to the point that there's no longer any excuse for missing the show.

I know that sounds like the usual "my TV show is great and you suck" puffery. I can live with that. My TV show is great, and if you don't love it too, you probably do suck.

[spleen1015]

It's pretty much to the point that for me, The Wire is one of those "two kinds of people" things. If you haven't watched it ... and by that, I basically mean if you aren't a diehard fan and dejected every day that it is no longer in production ... then I really don't know what you and I have to talk about, you're almost certainly not my kind of person. With time and the availability of reruns and DVDs and Netflix, it's pretty much to the point that there's no longer any excuse for missing the show.

I know that sounds like the usual "my TV show is great and you suck" puffery. I can live with that. My TV show is great, and if you don't love it too, you probably do suck.

This is how I feel about those folks who gave up on Lost. :D

[Bad-example]

It's pretty much to the point that for me, The Wire is one of those "two kinds of people" things. If you haven't watched it ... and by that, I basically mean if you aren't a diehard fan and dejected every day that it is no longer in production ... then I really don't know what you and I have to talk about, you're almost certainly not my kind of person. With time and the availability of reruns and DVDs and Netflix, it's pretty much to the point that there's no longer any excuse for missing the show.

I know that sounds like the usual "my TV show is great and you suck" puffery. I can live with that. My TV show is great, and if you don't love it too, you probably do suck.

+

[Alan T]

This is how I feel about those folks who gave up on Lost. :D


Lost was much easier to catch up on for me because the entire series (all 4 seasons or whatever it was) was available online on abc.com to view. I think I literally watched the entire history of Lost episodes over the course of 1 week or 10 days and I didn't regret it.

I guess I am just now getting around to the wire because this is the first time i have seen Season 1 on demand, and netflix/other places haven't had it watchable online. (I don't like watching movies or shows illegally online for personal reasons so never took up that option).

So far I am up to episode 6 and like I said before, hasn't given me any reason to not want to watch it any longer. There are several likable characters as well as several not so likable characters that you can't wait to see what happens to them next. I am a pretty easy tv critic though, so for me to not like a show means it has to be pretty bad. I fully expect based on the good things others have said to enjoy this show.

[spleen1015]

Lost was much easier to catch up on for me because the entire series (all 4 seasons or whatever it was) was available online on abc.com to view. I think I literally watched the entire history of Lost episodes over the course of 1 week or 10 days and I didn't regret it.

I guess I am just now getting around to the wire because this is the first time i have seen Season 1 on demand, and netflix/other places haven't had it watchable online. (I don't like watching movies or shows illegally online for personal reasons so never took up that option).

So far I am up to episode 6 and like I said before, hasn't given me any reason to not want to watch it any longer. There are several likable characters as well as several not so likable characters that you can't wait to see what happens to them next. I am a pretty easy tv critic though, so for me to not like a show means it has to be pretty bad. I fully expect based on the good things others have said to enjoy this show.

I think McNulty was what really made me want to watch this show. He gets the hooks in you very early in the series.

[Alan T]

I think McNulty was what really made me want to watch this show. He gets the hooks in you very early in the series.


Definitely.

[QuikSand]

heh, literally minutes after my post above, I got an email to my personal account from HBO:

*20% Off The Wire Merchandise and DVDs. Offer good online and at our store in NYC on 42nd and 6th. Orders must be completed by 11:59pm EST February 17, 2009 to qualify.

Sweet deal, baby. (I have no idea if buying stuff from their store makes any sense even at 20% off, I just thought the timing was funny)

[LloydLungs]

I would say if you're already hooked, you're going to be declaring "best series ever" as you get deeper into it. You haven't even scratched the surface yet. You won't believe the depth in this thing. You'll be seeing tiny minor stuff that might come back into play two, three seasons later. It's unbelievable given the instability of television how meticulously this whole thing was planned out.

Personally, it took me a while to get truly hooked. I could immediately appreciate that it was an extremely well done show, but I have trouble with shows with HUGE casts. I don't think I fully bought in until near the end of the first season.

The second season was so different, I went through almost the same process, but got hooked a few episodes sooner. By the time I started the third season, I was becoming the show's slave. By the fourth season, I was a drooling mess and changing my Netflix plan to make sure that I didn't have to wait even a single day between discs. And by the fifth season I just said "screw it" and bought the whole thing instead of bothering with Netflix. Now I'm currently going through my second run (I'm on the third season) and I honestly see myself watching this series pretty much on a loop for the foreseeable future.

I thought it went on a steady incline in quality from seasons 1 through 4. S4 is so good there are no words available for it, but it broke me. S5 is a small step back, but still great.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I really loved the Second season. Frank Sobotka is awesome.

[DeToxRox]

Season 2 starts off slow but it is awesome. Sobotka is the man.

Check The Shield next. It's the natural order of things.

And remember, Treme, David Simons new show comes out next year about life in New Orleans (specifically Musicians) post Katrina. It'll feature a lot of guys from the Wire.

[LloydLungs]

And remember, Treme, David Simons new show comes out next year about life in New Orleans (specifically Musicians) post Katrina. It'll feature a lot of guys from the Wire.

Being a lifetime New Orleanian, I cannot wait for this. I have yet to see a TV show get our city right -- most aren't even close -- but David Simon is going to do it.

I just walked right by Wendell Pierce coming out of a recent Hornets game. I managed to avoid acting like a huge dweeby fanboy. I think.

[DeToxRox]

Being a lifetime New Orleanian, I cannot wait for this. I have yet to see a TV show get our city right -- most aren't even close -- but David Simon is going to do it.

I just walked right by Wendell Pierce coming out of a recent Hornets game. I managed to avoid acting like a huge dweeby fanboy. I think.

That's awesome. Bunk was probably my favorite character and I can't wait to see him on this show. I just hope HBO gives it a chance to succeed, though I think the subject matter will be enough to bring people in.

[bbor]

Best show ever.

I'm on season 4 of the shield now....i consider it as The Wire-lite.

[DataKing]

I absolutely loved The Wire. When I first discovered it I had a similar experience to Izulde...simply could not turn the thing off. I believe it was on HBO On Demand after the 2nd season had aired on HBO. I had heard good things about the show, and figured "what the heck...let's watch an episode and see what happens." Six hours later I was still glued to the same spot on the couch, debating whether to sleep for a few hours or watch more episodes before work the next day.

Sleep lost. :D

[Lorena]

Glad you started watching Izulde!

My favorite season by far was Season 4... just wow. My least favorite was Season 2 but it was still great. All the other seasons were a tossup.

The show really is incredible. In a way it's almost ruined TV for me. It's that good.

I totally agree, it's so awesome and the characters are so deep, that no show can ever compare. It's The Wire way up there and all others are several notches down.

I'll have to pick up The Shield sometime as I heard a lot of good things about it.

[sabotai]

I've watched through the series twice now. First time was through renting the DVDs off Netflix, the second time was after buying the entire series from Amazon when they had that insane sale.

My favorite characters are Lester Freeman and Omar Little (even if they are the popular choices). I also really liked Chris and Snoop.

[Logan]

Quik was it you who went to that meet and greet with cast members in Baltimore, maybe around S3/S4?

[Peregrine]

I've met a few of the cast members, here and there. Andre Royo (Bubbles) and Sonja Sohn (Det. Greggs) had an appearance at a wine store in the area to support a local charity - it was pretty neat to be able to talk to them some about the show. I still love the Wire, re-watch it frequently, and definitely believe it's the best TV show ever.

My advice if you're watching it on DVD is to turn the subtitles on - the first time I did this, it was a revelation, as there's so much of the dialogue that for me, is hard to understand, but with subtitles you get a lot more subtle nuances.

[Izulde]

I've met a few of the cast members, here and there. Andre Royo (Bubbles) and Sonja Sohn (Det. Greggs) had an appearance at a wine store in the area to support a local charity - it was pretty neat to be able to talk to them some about the show. I still love the Wire, re-watch it frequently, and definitely believe it's the best TV show ever.

My advice if you're watching it on DVD is to turn the subtitles on - the first time I did this, it was a revelation, as there's so much of the dialogue that for me, is hard to understand, but with subtitles you get a lot more subtle nuances.

I always turn on subtitles anyway because of my hearing impairment. :)

But it's a good tip.

[Izulde]

So I had my mom pick up the complete series in WI where the sales tax is half that here in Fayetteville and she'll be sending it to me later this week or earlier next week.

Should I wait until it arrives to keep going or should I hunt up episodes online?

[Alan T]

I always turn on subtitles anyway because of my hearing impairment. :)

But it's a good tip.


I always watch everything with subtitles too ironically enough.

So I finished the entire first season yesterday, roughly 48 hours after starting it. I'm ready for season two now :)

Unfortunately it doesn't come on demand until March, so I might have to wait until then. I could put it at the top of my netflix rental list, but I'm already roughly 9 months behind on movies there in my queue. What a pain! :)

[spleen1015]

You could always watch Season 1 again while you wait. :)

[Lorena]

Should I wait until it arrives to keep going or should I hunt up episodes online?

It's worth the wait.

You could always watch Season 1 again while you wait. :)

Definitely, you catch more things the second time around.

[Ryan W.]

4 > 2 > 1 > 3 > 5

personally

+1

[LloydLungs]

Definitely, you catch more things the second time around.

I definitely enjoyed it more the second time around. You have more context for some of the subtle stuff earlier in the season because you know what's coming later in the season (and series).

Really, I'd say I study The Wire more than I watch it. It reminds me of my old days in college as an English major. It's definitely a great example of a series you should own on DVD rather than rent.

[Peregrine]

I don't know how this happened, but I never saw these short "prequels" that the Wire did for promotions - pretty cool stuff. They are listed under Related Media on this page.

Amazon.com: The Wire: The Complete Series: Dominic West, Reg E. Cathey, John Doman, Aidan Gillen, Clark Johnson, Deirdre Lovejoy, Thomas McCarthy, Clarke Peters, Wendell Pierce, Lance Reddick, Andre Royo, Sonja Sohn, Agnieszka Holland, Alex Zakrzewski, Anthony Hemingway, Brad Anderson, Christine Moore, Clément Virgo, Daniel Attias: Movies & TV (http://www.amazon.com/Wire-Complete-Dominic-West/dp/B001FA1P1W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1234995937&sr=1-1)
(http://www.amazon.com/Wire-Complete-Dominic-West/dp/B001FA1P1W)

[DataKing]

I don't know how this happened, but I never saw these short "prequels" that the Wire did for promotions - pretty cool stuff. They are listed under Related Media on this page.
(http://www.amazon.com/Wire-Complete-Dominic-West/dp/B001FA1P1W)

Those were pretty good, and gave you a little better idea as to where some of the characters came from. I especially liked the one with a young Prop Joe.

[thesloppy]

I think the proper headline for this post would be:

http://edgeofthewest.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/wire1-rawls.jpg

"These are for you, FOFC"

[tucker342]

I still need to finish watching the entire series but it really is one of the greatest shows ever.

[Izulde]

I think the proper headline for this post would be:

http://edgeofthewest.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/wire1-rawls.jpg

"These are for you, FOFC"

Awesome. :D

[Alan T]

I did the only thing that I could think of. Convinced someone else to add the Wire season 2 into their netflix queue and then let me watch the DVD each time before they returned them.

Am watching Season 2 episode 1 and 2 today so I can get the dvd back to her to be sent back in time for more next week!

[StLee]

I think McNulty was what really made me want to watch this show. He gets the hooks in you very early in the series.

I'm the opposite. He was what made me not love the show 100%. I so badly wanted to see him get offed every freakin' season.

The character whose screen time always made me happy was McNulty's one-time partner, Bunk Moreland. Man, would I love to have a beer or 18 with him.

[lordscarlet]

I've only watched one season, but I think Omar intrigues me the most.

[Bad-example]

Bubs was the most compelling character for me. His struggles and sadness came through so vividly. An amazing performance in a show chock full of them.

How about that Clay Davis? Sheeeeeeee-it.

[cthomer5000]

It's pretty much to the point that for me, The Wire is one of those "two kinds of people" things. If you haven't watched it ... and by that, I basically mean if you aren't a diehard fan and dejected every day that it is no longer in production ... then I really don't know what you and I have to talk about, you're almost certainly not my kind of person. With time and the availability of reruns and DVDs and Netflix, it's pretty much to the point that there's no longer any excuse for missing the show.

I know that sounds like the usual "my TV show is great and you suck" puffery. I can live with that. My TV show is great, and if you don't love it too, you probably do suck.

Yes. I would gladly disown family members or loved ones who had a bad word to say about the show.

[Lorena]

Brother Mouzone and Omar for me.

[mauchow]

I've watched a full four seasons in less than a month and am already into season five a little bit. Incredible show. I am pretty sure it was FOFC who convinced me to watch this. I thank you, I do not curse you.

[lordscarlet]

I've only watched one season, but I think Omar intrigues me the most.

and by, "I've only watched one season" I mean, "I finished Season One last week."

[Izulde]

The complete series of The Wire finally came today! :)

The sad thing is I'm really, -really- tired and hungry after a long day, so I don't know if I'll have the energy to rewatch the first three episodes and then continue tonight.

[sabotai]

The sad thing is I'm really, -really- tired and hungry after a long day, so I don't know if I'll have the energy to rewatch the first three episodes and then continue tonight.

Famous last words...

[Izulde]

Boom!

There goes the weekend as I just finished Season 1.

Omar's shot up to the top of my fave char list, with Daniels #2.

I'm tempted to start Season 2, but I'm scared what will happen if I do.

[Izulde]

Well so much for that.

Locks up on episode 2 of Season 2 and that's it.

Looks like I'll have to take the damn thing back to Best Buy. Good thing I'm going home for Spring Break.

[Lorena]

It's hard to stop once your start.

[Izulde]

Yeah I know.

As a side note, I think I'm done buying DVDs from Best Buy. Disc 3 of Season 2 of The Tudors did the same thing, so it's either that or my PS3.

[Alan T]

HBO on Demand put all of season 2 on yesterday. I had gotten through the first 7 episodes already via netflix dvd. I finished up last night and today the rest of season 2.

Time for Season 3 next!

[Izulde]

Man, Season 4 just hit me hard so many times on so many different levels. That's some of the most intense, most powerful TV I've -ever- seen. It started off slow, but then it ratchets up and packs some -serious- punches.

[Lorena]

Man, Season 4 just hit me hard so many times on so many different levels. That's some of the most intense, most powerful TV I've -ever- seen. It started off slow, but then it ratchets up and packs some -serious- punches.

Did you finish it? By far my favorite season. I felt seriously messed up when it was over.

[Lorena]

and yes i agree that it was the most powerful tv ever. ever in the history of everness.

[Izulde]

Did you finish it? By far my favorite season. I felt seriously messed up when it was over.

Got Season 5 to go yet. But man, Season 4... I almost threw things at the TV at several moments or punched the wall.. and that's something I only do when my favorite sports teams are playing for high stakes.

[Lorena]

Got Season 5 to go yet. But man, Season 4... I almost threw things at the TV at several moments or punched the wall.. and that's something I only do when my favorite sports teams are playing for high stakes.

You're going thru these fast!

Yes I know what you mean, I felt the same way. Just.. wow.

[DeToxRox]

Season's 5-7 of the Shield were like that for me as well. I really can't decide which show is better of the two. Depends what day you asked me I suppose.

[sabotai]

I watched through these a few months ago. I think it's time for another "non-stop The Wire marathon from start to finish (in the background as I am on the PC and doing other things)"

[Radii]

Man, Season 4 just hit me hard so many times on so many different levels. That's some of the most intense, most powerful TV I've -ever- seen. It started off slow, but then it ratchets up and packs some -serious- punches.

Yeah no kidding. The end resolution for many characters at the end of season 4 is just crushing(not resolution for good necessarily, just where some leave off after 4 seasons). It was incredible viewing but there were many moments that left me feeling awful, in a good way if that makes sense(i know it does to people that have seen the series).

[Alan T]

Man, Season 4 just hit me hard so many times on so many different levels. That's some of the most intense, most powerful TV I've -ever- seen. It started off slow, but then it ratchets up and packs some -serious- punches.


Ahh you blew well past me! I'm still mid-season 3!

[Izulde]

I actually finished the series about 2 or 3 weeks ago. Really liked Season 5, though I suspect the reason a lot of people say it's the least of the five seasons is because it comes after the titanic force that is 5.

If I had to rank them:

4 > 1 > 5 > 2 > 3

1, 5 and 2 are really tough to choose between. 3 had a fantastic last two episodes, but overall just didn't grab me nearly as much as the other seasons did.

Best TV show ever? Yeah I'd say so or at least close to it.

In fact, it's challenging The Wonder Years as my favorite TV show of all time and I didn't think anything could do that.

Of course, part of my depression these last 2-3 weeks is due to not having any more of The Wire to watch. :(

Thought about moving on to The Shield, but I'm low on cash right now. May see if I can watch some episodes online, even though it's not the same.

[LloydLungs]

I actually finished the series about 2 or 3 weeks ago. Really liked Season 5, though I suspect the reason a lot of people say it's the least of the five seasons is because it comes after the titanic force that is 4.

Fixed and agreed, mostly. Though I also think that 5 suffers from being a bit rushed, with only 10 vs. 12/13 episodes. Otherwise it's still a very worthy season of The Wire.

[Izulde]

Fixed and agreed, mostly. Though I also think that 5 suffers from being a bit rushed, with only 10 vs. 12/13 episodes. Otherwise it's still a very worthy season of The Wire.

Thanks for the fix. It's what I meant to put. :) Been a long day.

[Lorena]

Thought about moving on to The Shield, but I'm low on cash right now. May see if I can watch some episodes online, even though it's not the same.

Have you considered checking the libraries in your area? I just did a quick search and found Season 1 of The Shield at the local library which I put in my Q.

[Logan]

Keep looking for Amazon/Best Buy type deals...I grabbed all seasons of The Shield for $20/each.

[mrsimperless]

This thread is evil. Episode #2 just finished...

Its not like the thread title didn't try to warn me.

[mrsimperless]

3 episodes to go in season 2. It's gettin reeeeeel nice n juicy. I'm overseas right now on business, so this is doing a good job of keeping me out of the pubs. =)

That said I'm not crowning this as king of TV just quite yet. I'm normally not into TV dramas and you wouldn't catch me dead watching a cop show, but this does have me hooked.

Thank you?

[LloydLungs]

That said I'm not crowning this as king of TV just quite yet. I'm normally not into TV dramas and you wouldn't catch me dead watching a cop show, but this does have me hooked.

I am also not into TV dramas or cop shows. And, although I loved seasons 1 + 2, FOR ME, it wasn't until season 3 that it started to completely, totally absorb me. It's almost like seasons 1+2 were a setup for the REALLY awesome stuff. King of TV... heck, king of dramas in general. I'd put it up there with anything.

[mrsimperless]

How far into season 3 are you talking about? I just started the first episode.

This show makes me excited for the song of fire and ice series on HBO. I love shows where its not black and white. You see it from all sides and you care about everyone. There is no good vs. evil, only people. We make too many of our day to day decisions based on the fact that we are right and they are wrong. More people need to understand that a mindset like that only adds to the feedback loop of ridicuality that plagues our species.

Or maybe I'm just drunk. Oh well, at least being in Glasgow I can know that instead of an alcoholic now I'm just normal.

[LloydLungs]

I'd say a few episodes into season 3. Every season takes a few episodes before you really get absorbed. This show takes its time with setup -- basically novel/book format adapted to TV. But you're right about how well it presents gray areas.

One thing I love about this show is that the creator does a really good job making a compelling, legitimate case for points of view different from his own. That is a really rare thing. This is actually done best in season 3 and to lesser, but still solid, effectiveness in season 5.

[mrsimperless]

Finished season 5 today. Absolutely amazing show and I'm ready for a rewatch already. I didn't quite get what people were saying about season 4... one of my least favorite seasons. Although I loved em all!

[Lorena]

Finished season 5 today. Absolutely amazing show and I'm ready for a rewatch already. I didn't quite get what people were saying about season 4... one of my least favorite seasons. Although I loved em all!

Aww :( We did sort of over hype it.

[Lorena]

Not to threadjack but, we'll be getting The Shield Season 1 tomorrow. Curious to see what all the hoopla's about.

[Izulde]

Not to threadjack but, we'll be getting The Shield Season 1 tomorrow. Curious to see what all the hoopla's about.

Let me know what you think. If it's any good, I may use my Best Buy gift card from Christmas to pick it up.

[Landshark44]

YouTube - The Wire Clip: Funny Bunk and Freeman Interrogation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EeFa8QOq_Y)

good short scene from season #2

[Izulde]

This may have been posted already in one of the other Wire threads, but apparently a journalist had a bunch of real life gangstas watch a season of The Wire and react to it:

What Do Real Thugs Think of The Wire? - Freakonomics Blog - NYTimes.com (http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/09/what-do-real-thugs-think-of-the-wire/)

Edit: I mis-spoke. There's 9 parts.

[Radii]

that was a great read Izulde, thanks for the link.

[Draft Dodger]

just finished season 3 a couple of weeks ago. love, love, love this series. I love it so much that I've deliberately been slow to watch them, as I feel there's going to be a huge void in my life when I finally finish.

[Doug5984]

I finished the entire series over the last few months, I was very sad when it finally ended and I knew there were no more- it is truly a great show. When I watched it- it just seems like exactly what is going on in New Orleans right now...

[QuikSand]

DAVID SIMON - Vice Magazine (http://www.viceland.com/int/v16n12/htdocs/david-simon-280.php)

[cartman]

Missed this thread the first time around, but I concur with the thread title. I too picked up the full series on DVD, and towards the end, I was watching 5 or 6 episodes in a row.

[Scoobz0202]

I am almost ashamed to admit that I have never seen this. For somebody who claims to love television and movies I should have watched this a long time ago. Only problem was my local video store never had the show. The cost of the DVDs just seemed like too much money for a tv show.

Somebody above mentioned the library, though. I just checked and with the libraries state wide system I can order every season of the show. I can't wait.

[cartman]

The cost of the DVDs just seemed like too much money for a tv show.

I too would have had to agree with this statement, but last year, and it must have been an expensive mistake, Amazon had the entire DVD set for sale this past January for $80.

But libraries are an even better deal, free!

[Scoobz0202]

I see Amazon has it for one hundred bucks right now.

Hopefully I get the DVDs sooner rather then later and if I enjoy it like a lot of you it might still be one hundred.

[cartman]

I see Amazon has it for one hundred bucks right now.

Hopefully I get the DVDs sooner rather then later and if I enjoy it like a lot of you it might still be one hundred.

Considering the pricing (still) for The Sopranos, this is a hell of a deal.

[Doug5984]

I got the entire series off of ebay for pretty cheap, maybe $70?

I originally got them all off of netflix, but it was such a good show I bought the box set so I could make my girlfriend watch them with me...it's just as good rewatching it and really seeing the character development. People I hated in season 1 ended up becoming some of my favorite down the line.

[Bad-example]

DAVID SIMON - Vice Magazine (http://www.viceland.com/int/v16n12/htdocs/david-simon-280.php)

An excellent read. Great find.

[QuikSand]

And with that article/interview, Simon now solidly earns a seat at my personal dinner table invite list among living people. I think I'll make him sit next to Malcolm Gladwell.

[mauchow]

$90 on Amazon. I can't pass that up.

[Peregrine]

I watch the DVDs all the way through at least once a year- I've definitely gotten more use from them than just about any other set I have bought.

[SunDevil]

Ok, I am off the fence. I just ordered the complete series from Amazon. We shall see what all the hype is about. :D

[mauchow]

I too have already seen the whole series but needed to have my collection to watch it over and over again. And maybe my wife will watch, too.

[Doug5984]

I'm reading Sudhir Venkatesh's "Gang Leader for a Day" it reminds me a lot of the wire, this is the guy that the freakonomcis guys got their info from on gangs in Chicago. A great read so far (about 1/2 way through) and reminds me a lot of the wire- might want to check it out.

[Logan]

Best Buy has the set for $90 as well if anyone wants to do an in-store pickup and not have to wait on shipping.

[Senator]

It's pretty much to the point that for me, The Wire is one of those "two kinds of people" things. If you haven't watched it ... and by that, I basically mean if you aren't a diehard fan and dejected every day that it is no longer in production ... then I really don't know what you and I have to talk about, you're almost certainly not my kind of person. With time and the availability of reruns and DVDs and Netflix, it's pretty much to the point that there's no longer any excuse for missing the show.

I know that sounds like the usual "my TV show is great and you suck" puffery. I can live with that. My TV show is great, and if you don't love it too, you probably do suck.

This intrigues me. I got an early Christmas present... this series, and I just finished 1X6 The Pager. Now, so far I like the show. Not just out of my mind about it, maybe it is too early.

But, I am wondering about this comment from Quik. I am curious is part of his love of this show because he is from Maryland. Not to say that is the only reason, or any reason at all, as for instance, I have no real love of the TV show Dallas. But, I have never known Quik to be so adamant about something.

Just an intriguing post from an intriguing guy. So far, I want more Omar kissing guys, that is my desire as a consumer.

[Peregrine]

Good to see Time give The Wire the respect it deserves:

The Wire - Best Movies, TV, Books and Theater of the Decade - TIME (http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1949837_1948607,00.html)

[QuikSand]

But, I am wondering about this comment from Quik. I am curious is part of his love of this show because he is from Maryland. Not to say that is the only reason, or any reason at all, as for instance, I have no real love of the TV show Dallas. But, I have never known Quik to be so adamant about something.

Missed this earlier... part of the reason I started watching was definitely the Baltimore/Maryland references. And as a political insider here, I can tell you that they go a lot deeper than just seeing familiar places and names... there are just *tons* of things in the show that are clearly drawn from or upon real people and events. However, I wouldn't say that's central to my enjoyment of the show. Maybe it's the delta between rating the show A++ versus A+, but I think it's probably on that magnitude.

As far as "when did you get hooked," I think my spot was somewhere in mid-season one when it started crystallizing for me, so roughly where you are. I know a number of people who watched one or two episodes, and basically gave up, usually amidst comments that were carefully stated to avoid sounding racist. For those among them I give a damn about, I generally encouraged them to give it at least 4 episodes before giving up. But your call here, needless to say. I hope you do like it.

[Izulde]

Good to see Time give The Wire the respect it deserves:

The Wire - Best Movies, TV, Books and Theater of the Decade - TIME (http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1949837_1948607,00.html)

Awesome!

[Peregrine]

I was listening to the radio last night and they were interviewing Sonja Sohn - I hadn't known this, but based on her experience with the show, she took some time off acting and started a charity to work with inner-city youth in Baltimore, and try to use the show to teach people lessons and get them off the street. Pretty cool!

ReWired for Change (http://www.rewiredforchange.com/)

[Senator]

Season 1 completed. Thanks to a pretty vicious stomach virus, for the first time in decades, I had 2 days lying sick in bed and so I was able to remain undisturbed, (except for the trips to the vomitorium).

Watched #6 - #13 all in a row. Unbothered! (Hey, married guys with toddlers understand).

Enjoyed it very much. Omar is the boogeyman.

[SunDevil]

Finished the first season. It was good. Looking forward to watching the other seasons now.

[BishopMVP]

I know David Simon (a.k.a. each succeeding 'season' is better because it's all one story and each segment builds on the prior plot) would hate me for trying to condense it, but imo S1=B+, S2=B-, S3-4=A, S5=A-, and that's probably the consensus viewpoint. I don't want to simply add to an echo chamber of people saying how awesome The Wire is, but I too was dismissive/skeptical when seeing singular scenes/episodes early on. You both have seen S1 and enjoyed it, so trust us - despite S2's early change of direction the whole series only gets better with time and builds to an epic climax while simultaneously doing more to educate people how others live than a lifetime of PBS documentaries. Throw in the 'insider' political references, the multiple meta connections to real life, and the Dickensian aspect of the plot it's worth finishing.

[Doug5984]

Season 2 was my least favorite- but still very good. Seasons 3, 4, & 5 were the best.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

I loved Season 2! Just wanted to get that out there. Second favorite to 4.

[spleen1015]

The thing the drew me in at first was McNaulty. That character was the hook for me from the very first episode.

[Tigercat]

I can't wait for Treme, Simon's next HBO show. This one is New Orleans told primarily through the musicians of the Treme neighborhood. Lots of the musicians I work with have already filmed small parts in it. (Mostly playing themselves, which is really cool.)

[Scoobz0202]

Starting episode eight of season one right now. So far it has been pretty damn good. I'm not ready to crown it anything as I haven't even finished a season. I'm definitely willing and ready to continue, though, and look forward to the rest of this season and beyond.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Thanks to a number of situations, I still haven't completed season 5. I must do this soon. Based on seasons 1-4, I totally agree with those who claim "The Wire" was the best TV show of the '00's, if not of all time. Whenever I would go on a "The Wire" binge and watch multiple episodes, other TV shows would just pale in comparison.

Apparently, "The Wire" has become such phenomenon that colleges like Duke, Berkeley, and Harvard are offering entire courses on the series.

Blackboard - Curriculum - Deconstructing ‘The Wire’ - NYTimes.com (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/03/education/03wire-t.html)

[AgustusM]

I thought this was great from the Vice Article, especially because it was the one scene in the show I wasn't buying.



So out of all these people, did you pick and choose traits and stories from their realities for Omar? For instance, Omar carries a shotgun. He’s gay. He’s got all these really great characterizations.

Listen, when he jumps out the window during that shootout, that was something Donnie Andrews actually did. He jumped out of the sixth floor of the Murphy Homes when he was caught in an ambush and out of ammunition. Did he think about it? No, but he did it and he survived and he was able to limp away. It happened. He also jumped off the Poplar Grove rail bridge another time. It’s legend. There are people who will tell you about it in West Baltimore other than Donnie. It’s not just something he’s making up. If you make that jump, you’re dead. If I make that jump, I’m a puddle on the ground.

But he did it.
He needed to make the jump and he wasn’t gonna die that time.

I love that Omar’s jump was based on a real story, because that was one of the things in the series where people were like, “Ah, that would never happen. He’d be dead.”
And we actually only had Omar jump from the fourth floor.

[QuikSand]

and the Dickensian aspect

*snorts laughing*

[SunDevil]

Mother fucking son of a bitch. Season 5 is my least favorite by far. And to have a fucking 8 year old pull the trigger on my favorite character is fucked up.

Mother fucking son of a bitch.


Great series, but again I did not really like season 5 that much. I really liked all the other seasons. I should of watched this years ago.

Oh thanks FOFC I have not slept that much for the last 5 days.

[Peregrine]

I have to agree that I found Season 5 to be my least favorite by far. Still, it's better than anything else.

[Carman Bulldog]

I concur. Season 5 was my least favourite. It just seems that it requires a bit more of a leap of faith than other seasons and I found the manufactured serial killer plotline a little convoluted.

[Pyser]

it was always gonna be an 8 year old. go back to the shootout on the street with omar in what, s2?

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

The Serial Killer plotline was not their best work, but I can understand what Simon was getting at with it. That aside, Season 5 had some fantastic moments.


The way Omar got killed was poetic.
The conversation between Michael and Snoop in the car.
Michael letting Bug out of the car.
The very end with McNulty bringing the homeless guy back.
The whole, sad sense that what we've just witnessed it but one iteration of a neverending cycle.

[Scoobz0202]

Even though it's on DVD I have been watching this really slow.

Just got done with episode 10 of season one ("The Cost"). It's hard to explain. Going into this episode I would have say the show is damn good. Damn good. I having a hard time explaining this so pardon me if it's not eloquent.

Going into this episode would I say it is my favorite show of all-time? Too early to tell. But it definitely hasn't surpassed the Sopranos at the top, thats for sure. Mad Men, probably not. Deadwood? Close.

After the episode? I dont know. I don't believe there was any scene in the Sopranos that had me feeling like I am right now after just watching the end of "The Cost." I'm just... Wow.

[cartman]

After the episode? I dont know. I don't believe there was any scene in the Sopranos that had me feeling like I am right now after just watching the end of "The Cost." I'm just... Wow.

Don't know what else to say, but you ain't seen nuthin' yet.

[Scoobz0202]

That's a given, I'd assumed. Hell, it may have just been the shock. With the slow pacing in this show I was never expecting things to turn like that. The way it was shot was great, as well. It felt so.. gritty. Real.

[hoopsguy]

This is next on my "to see" list after blasting through Seasons 1-3 of Mad Men over the last month. I'm very much looking forward to it, although I'm not sure my wife is too thrilled about the prospect of me staying up late every night for two months to watch these episodes :)

[Scoobz0202]

Already halfway through season two... Love it.

Sobotka is fucking awesome. The scene where they are getting served to go to the Grand Jury and he stands up and "tells" Bunk that the Union's been through worse was fucking awesome.

Unsure how this one is going to end.. is it possible for the good guys and Sobotka to come out smelling like roses? :)

Ziggy, though. The boys gotta get his shit together or I see his role coming to an end...

[DataKing]

Alot of people kind of pooh-poohed on Season 2, but it was one of my personal favorites, largely because of Sobotka.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

I've always felt the same way. My second favorite season after 4. The dock stuff was great, D'Angelos arc was great. Trying to avoid being spoilery.

[Scoobz0202]

It might just be my high from season one still but season two has pretty much had me from the get go. It may just be the little moments though. I have already fist pumped or let out a woot when McNulty pulling his little games with Homicide, when the Major requested Daniels, and when Daniel's made his request that he gets to form his own squad.

I've enjoyed the storyline with the docks. Like i said, Sobotka is the man.

I didn't mention Dee, though. He is actually one of my favorite characters. I actually enjoy him more then Omar. Loved the scene towards the end of season one when he was being interrogated and he originally gave up the whole crew basically. He finished and he looked tired and just said, " You guys don't understand.. " and then went on to tell how he was born to be involved in the family business. He had no choice.

[Izulde]

Season's 5-7 of the Shield were like that for me as well. I really can't decide which show is better of the two. Depends what day you asked me I suppose.

Although I haven't finished 7 because the lack of subtitles is bugging me, I definitely see what you mean about Seasons 5 and 6.

That said, while I've enjoyed The Shield, it's nowhere close to The Wire for me overall. At its best points, The Shield can challenge The Wire, but The Wire is a much more polished, much more brilliant piece of work.

I'm not saying The Shield isn't good. It is, and I particularly enjoy the acting. But comparing The Shield to The Wire is like comparing an All-Star to One Of, If Not The Greatest To Ever Play The Game.

[Izulde]

It might just be my high from season one still but season two has pretty much had me from the get go. It may just be the little moments though. I have already fist pumped or let out a woot when McNulty pulling his little games with Homicide, when the Major requested Daniels, and when Daniel's made his request that he gets to form his own squad.

I've enjoyed the storyline with the docks. Like i said, Sobotka is the man.

I didn't mention Dee, though. He is actually one of my favorite characters. I actually enjoy him more then Omar. Loved the scene towards the end of season one when he was being interrogated and he originally gave up the whole crew basically. He finished and he looked tired and just said, " You guys don't understand.. " and then went on to tell how he was born to be involved in the family business. He had no choice.

1, 5 and 2 are all very, very close to me. I originally had it 4 > 1 > 5 > 2 >3 I think, but I could just as easily go 4 > 2 > 1 > 5 > 3, for example.

I've got the urge to start re-watching it now.

[Scoobz0202]

I didn't mention Dee, though. He is actually one of my favorite characters. I actually enjoy him more then Omar. Loved the scene towards the end of season one when he was being interrogated and he originally gave up the whole crew basically. He finished and he looked tired and just said, " You guys don't understand.. " and then went on to tell how he was born to be involved in the family business. He had no choice.

Very next episode after I said this.. :(

[panerd]

Very next episode after I said this.. :(


I think Wallace and D'Angelo were the roughest to take. There are quite a few more big shockers in seasons 3-5 obviously but Wallace getting "got" was just ice cold. And the actors who played Bodie and Poot showed realistic emotion that really made that scene gutwrenching.

[cartman]

hey panerd, SPOILER!!!

[Pyser]

stuff about Wallace and D'Angelo...

speaking of which, both are in season 4 of Friday Night Lights....which between seasons 3 and 4 obviously became a HUGE fan of the wire

i cant stress enough how good fnl is this season, and you should all check it out when nbc starts running the season soon (the whole show, really, but wire fans will definitely appreciate season 4 especially)

[LloydLungs]

i cant stress enough how good fnl is this season, and you should all check it out when nbc starts running the season soon (the whole show, really, but wire fans will definitely appreciate season 4 especially)

Wow, that's great to hear. I liked FNL seasons 1 and 3, but while many parts of it were superbly done, the writing could also be quite amateurish at times. Although I find that The Wire makes just about all other dramas seem a little bit amateurish sometimes, even the really good ones.

Really anticipating season 4 now...

[Scoobz0202]

I was watching the first few episodes of season one with a buddy of mine. I pretty much forced him to start watching it and it was pretty awesome how there were subtle things that I didn't even really pay attention to but happen later on.

McNulty and Landsman were talking about where they would least like to be stationed at and what do ya know...

[Scoobz0202]

Finished season two last night. Simon and Co. really know how to close seasons out don't they. They have it mastered.

Really enjoyed it. I see now where people rank the seasons and they say there is not much difference from their top and their bottom. Because I'm unsure if season two or season one was better but if I had to choose I would so far have it as:

1 > 2

The first two-thirds of each season were pretty equal. I may give season two a slight advantage to one as I felt like I was instantly drawn to season two more then one. That very well could have been left over emotion from the end of season one, which is why I give season one the edge over two. I felt the last few episodes of season one just nailed me right in the nose with emotion. Had I waited a year in between seasons I may not have been into season two's start.


Frank Sobotka. What can I say. Awesome fucking character. His demise pissed me off. The second I saw the FBI faxing in the documents stating that Frank was coming in the next morning I knew it was coming. I was hoping not, but you had to see it coming. Great scene, btw.

Frank's nephew, Nick, really grew on me as the season progressed. His development as the season went on was great.

Ziggy going into the electronics place and shooting Double G and his employee was powerful stuff. When Ziggy got rolled on the money I thought back to him looking at the guns in the pawn shop and was wondering if he was going to pull out a gun and try and intimidate him. Never did I expect him to do what he did. I also felt the scene where Frank went to visit Ziggy was very powerful.

One character that I found myself hating more then The Greek and Co. when they killed Frank was Major Valchek. What a fucking piece of shit. From a character standpoint, he is brilliant. Just a damn good character. But as a viewer I was hoping, pleading to the tv, that he would ultimately lose his battle to Frank. I started to get agitated watching him with his smug ass attitude arrest Frank.

The Omar-Brother Mouzzon(sp?) storyline was great. I felt the Brother was kind of a one-dimensional character and really would like to see him more fleshed out, because I feel he could be fun to watch. I'm looking forward to seeing if Omar gets his revenge on Stringer fucking with him.

Avon's bound to find out about Dee, right? RIGHT?!



Who played Nick's father? He wasn't shown much but I did really enjoy the scenes with him.

Now I am just waiting on season three, which will hopefully be tomorrow. I have been ordering these through the library's online catalogue. It's been In Transit for a day or two so I am hopefully going to get a phone call tomorrow. If not tomorrow, for sure on Monday.

[Radii]

I want to reply scoobz but I cannot remember exactly where the story left off after season 2 vs what happens in 3 so I will not!

But, keep posting, The Wire is so great that I always enjoy seeing other people's impressions and seeing any chatter about the show. Bill Simmons was talking to... someone, a TV Critic type on his podcast recently and they brought up The Wire, and they just treated the show differently than any other show they discussed. They didn't want to reveal spoilers even though the series ended years ago. One of them made a comment something like "any time someone I know starts to watch The Wire I'm genuinely happy for them, and also a little jealous, because I've already seen it so there's no way to have that incredible experience of going through the series for first time again."

That's pretty much how I feel about it at this point, I never get tired of seeing others post their impressions as they watch the show for the first time.

[Izulde]

That's pretty much how I feel about it at this point, I never get tired of seeing others post their impressions as they watch the show for the first time.

Same here and I don't feel that way about any other TV show.

[Scoobz0202]

I want to reply scoobz but I cannot remember exactly where the story left off after season 2 vs what happens in 3 so I will not!

But, keep posting, The Wire is so great that I always enjoy seeing other people's impressions and seeing any chatter about the show. Bill Simmons was talking to... someone, a TV Critic type on his podcast recently and they brought up The Wire, and they just treated the show differently than any other show they discussed. They didn't want to reveal spoilers even though the series ended years ago. One of them made a comment something like "any time someone I know starts to watch The Wire I'm genuinely happy for them, and also a little jealous, because I've already seen it so there's no way to have that incredible experience of going through the series for first time again."

That's pretty much how I feel about it at this point, I never get tired of seeing others post their impressions as they watch the show for the first time.



Franks Dead. Ziggys in Prison. Nick turned himself into the police with the hope of giving all the dirt on The Greek and Co. The Greek and Co. have gone "into the wind." They were last shown at the airport. They left their last package (millions in heroin) at the docks due to too much pressure on them.

Omar figured out on his own that String was setting him up to kill Brother Mouzone. He vows to get revenge although I have seen nothing other then his pledge.

Prop Joe and Stringer have joined together. Stringer did it at first behind Avon's back but he has finally persuaded Avon that it is in their best interests. Prop Joe supplies the dope, Stringer gives Prop some of the terrace. Prop Joe gets the supply from the Greek and Co. There is a slight delay Prop Joe has said. That is obviously because of the Greek fleeing. Supposedly within a week or so a new crew will be getting ahold of Prop Joe from the Greeks crew. Last I have seen is that McNulty and Kima got a picture of Prop Joe and Stringer meeting up in an alley. They are obviously interested in investigating this new alliance. So far Stringer is the only one that I am aware that knows what really happened to Dee. The only person to know in the Barksdale crew, of course. The family and the crew all still think it was suicide.

That kind of give you an idea?

[Scoobz0202]

One of them made a comment something like "any time someone I know starts to watch The Wire I'm genuinely happy for them, and also a little jealous, because I've already seen it so there's no way to have that incredible experience of going through the series for first time again."



Even though I just finished season two and still have a ways to go that thought crossed my mind. That there is only five seasons, and that sometime in the near future this will come to an end. I just don't want it to end...

[Logan]

The TV critic you're talking about is Tim Goodman, I think from the San Francisco Chronicle. Might be worth checking out some of his old columns for the "deconstructs" of each episode.

[Izulde]

I had someone tell me the other day that I looked like a white version of Omar.

[Senator]

LMFAO

[cartman]

IZULDE COMIN'

[Izulde]

*whistles and carries his shotgun*

[21C]

I don't know if this has been posted before or not but this site has three scripts from the show including the one for the finale and the original series bible that David Simon used to pitch the show to HBO:
The Wire Bible (http://www.kottke.org/09/04/the-wire-bible)

[Scoobz0202]

Due to the winter storm that few days turned it about a week and half. Finally got it on Tuesday and started watching on Wednesday.

On episode five right now. Halfway through it actually. Paused it to post this.

I find it hard to describe the show. Each season so far has been so different from the previous, yet so alike. It's almost like the foundation, the structure, for how each season progresses is the same for every season, but only on a very basic level. The layers of each season make them so different from each other.

After reading so much about the show already I have my expectations set for each season. That is kind of unfortunate but I really don't think it could have been avoided. If I had avoided reading about the Wire then I probably never would have watched it.

Coming into season three I was kind of expecting a let down. But I really am starting to see how each person can connect with each season differently and how when people say that such and such season is their least it is still a fantastic fucking season. I haven't noticed a big personality in season three like we with Frank Sobotka in season two. But, it doesn't need one. If you were to give each show a ranking one through ten and then rank them based on that I really feel like its:

10.0 > 9.9 > 9.8 > 9.7 > 9.6


So far I think this has been one of my favorite seasons, it may be equal to one. So far. The characters are getting deeper and deeper. It's had me questioning MY loyalty to certain characters. McNulty and Kima going behind Daniels back. Are they right, or do they need to check themselves? Herc and Carv, are they just thugs? Is the creative way the Major (drawing a blank on his name right, but that's not a knock. He is one of my favorite characters this season) has of combating the drug problem by corralling all the dealers morally right?

McNulty going to Dee's baby mama's and putting the seed in her head about Dee's possible murder really has me anticipating a big barksdale explosion. Right now Avon is starting to get really frustrated with this Marlo character, and his first hit on Marlo's crew was a failure. But Avon does not seem level headed right now. Making rash decisions. With his current mindframe how would he handle a little doubt about Dee's death?

What actually made me pause and post was actually something extremely minor compared to all the major happenings with the show. It was just that I think I watched my favorite Bunk moment. He met Omar, on Omar's behest, and was not happy with Omar's attitude. He snapped on Omar. This line was powerful. Great TV.

"And now all we got is bodies and predatory motherfuckers like you. And, out where that girl fell I saw kids acting like Omar. Calling you by name. Glorifying your ass. Makes me sick, motherfucker, how far we done fell."

[cartman]

scoobz, without going into too much detail, you are gonna like the rest of the episodes

[Landshark44]

i loved me some season 3.......

[Pyser]

hamsterdam! bunny colvin! love it.

[rowech]

Odd this was bumped up...I've just finished watching the 1st season. Just depressing. I walk away thinking (knowing?) the drug trade and everything that goes with it cannot possibly be stopped.

[Landshark44]

marlo-wasn't in seasons 1 or 2

telling the security guard.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=409Pjtq7jzY

"you want it to be one way, but its the other way"

awesome

[Radii]

The whole Hamsterdam thing is one of my favorite storylines of the entire series(perhaps my favorite that wasn't Omar-centric, but I'd have to think long and hard about that to really decide), helping to make Bunny Colvin my favorite police officer in the series... yes, even more than Bunk, and I loves me some Bunk.

The Bunk/Omar scene you referenced was really powerful.

[Radii]

marlo-wasn't in seasons 1 or 2

telling the security guard.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=409Pjtq7jzY

"you want it to be one way, but its the other way"

awesome

That's season 4 right(just for ppl who havne't gotten there yet)?


In general if you're still watching the series I'd avoid youtube. The titles of the related videos gave away some shit I didn't want given away when I was like halfway through.

[Scoobz0202]

With one episode left in season three it's like this:

3 > 1 > 2

WOW



I SAID GOD DAMN!

Prez? Can nothing go right for that guy? The second I saw the badge of the shot cop my heart just dropped.

Stringer!? HOLY FUCK! A part of me is disappointed. He was such a fucking great character. Another part of me is ecstatic. You got what was coming mother fucker. Omar and Brother! As one!? Against stringer!? Wow!

What's weird, is that even through all these murders, Wallace, Frank, Stringer, Dee... the one that hit me the most wasn't even a murder. Kima getting shot. From the experienced crowd, who have probably read and discussed The Wire with multiple people, is that one of the more powerful scenes to other people or is it just one of those things that maybe connected with me different then others?

Hamsterdam is just an unreal character study. Some of the shots are just so beautiful and tragic. The emotion that comes from so many different people through this... study.. is great tv.

I can understand that if you had to rank the seasons season three may be at the bottom. Like I said earlier, with The Wire I can see how even the lowest on your scale is amazing tv. But to say season three just isn't near the level of other seasons just so far seems shocking. I still have yet to see four and five obviously, but damn, this has been some good shit. And I haven't even watched the finale yet.

[Scoobz0202]

dola -

I really feel like with this show that if it is this amazing to me now, I wish I didn't know the spoilers that I do know. I guess that was doomed to happen but there were three things I knew about this show going into it. Well, two actually, one I found out today before it happened lol.

I'm sure the moment I spoke about being the most powerful to me (in the previous post) would not be had I now known these spoilers. Although, so far, I have hit the first two and still been blown away.



1. A couple years ago I watched a youtube video of the Wallace shooting. I had probably read about the wire and this scene but have been discussed so I watched the video. I forgot about it, even as I was watching season one. I remembered I had seen it as they were walking up the stairs. I don't think it really hurt the show in any way for me because it had been so long and I didn't remember the dialogue or anything. I just knew what was happening. And by then, it was too late to be spoiled. The whole episode was leading up to it.

2. The second one that I have now past that I knew was bound to happen was Stringer dieing. This one actually pissed me off, because I am a fucking idiot and found that out today. I googled "Devonne The Wire" because when marlo shot her and Avon asked String if he was still ready to make peace I wondered what that meant because I didn't remember a Devonne. I thought maybe I was missing something so I googled her. I came across another forums board discussion and the first post even had fucking spoiler tags. It said something like, "The moment that I felt was the most powerful was... " and then the tags. WHY DID I CLICK SHOW SPOILER!? Why did I expect that that moment was in the first two seasons??? It said. "When stringer was killed." My own damn fault, and then it happened the very next episode.

3. I know Omar is going to die. I even know when he is going to die. Or at least the episode. I knew before the show started Omar was going to die because before I started watching the show a couple months ago I had read it as I was scanning some basic Wire info. Then today when I did that dumb ass google search on Devonne one of the links from the search had a post from somebody that said, " I couldn't believe it when Omar died in the last episode of season four. " I was like like MOTHER FUCKER!!!!!!



Still, I have never watched a show like this but those three moments suck to have known about, especially the last two. My own damn fault tho. Why the fuck would I google a show I am currently watching. Lesson learned.

[Jas_lov]

As good as Season 3 is, I think 4 is the best. Also, I wouldn't believe everything you read.

[Radii]

Replied to your spoiler stuff in spoilers, but nothing you don't already know :)



Stringer!? HOLY FUCK! A part of me is disappointed. He was such a fucking great character. Another part of me is ecstatic. You got what was coming mother fucker. Omar and Brother! As one!? Against stringer!? Wow!

The scene, I believe it was an opening to one of the episodes, where Omar and Mouzone have their little chat with guns drawn at each other is one of my favorites of the entire series. I watch that scene on youtube pretty much any time I think about The Wire. In fact, I'M going to go do that right now!


What's weird, is that even through all these murders, Wallace, Frank, Stringer, Dee... the one that hit me the most wasn't even a murder. Kima getting shot. From the experienced crowd, who have probably read and discussed The Wire with multiple people, is that one of the more powerful scenes to other people or is it just one of those things that maybe connected with me different then others?

Its not something I remember seeing discussed often. Wallace and Dee are the two that were really gutwrenching for me through season 3. Stringer was... monumental... a huge moment... but it wasn't nearly as painful to see as those two. I never felt nearly attached enough to Kima. The most painful moment for me didn't involve a well known character dying, but its later, so come back to that after you're done :)



2. The second one that I have now past that I knew was bound to happen was Stringer dieing.

I knew about that one b/c I accidentally spoiled myself too. Quite sad.



I cannot wait for the end of season 4 discussion :) Its my favorite, and the favorite of many here i think.

[Scoobz0202]

Season Four will probably be a few weeks. I checked the Library status today and in about week I went from 8 to 4th in line with about 4 or so copies of it available. Those are all checked out with the latest being due march 1st. So I'm guessing first week of march I'll be getting it. Will definitely update, but it will probably be a few weeks ;)

[Logan]

Re: the second to last episode of Season 3:

"Get on with it motherfu-!" is just an amazing line.

[BishopMVP]

The Bunk/Omar scene you referenced was really powerful.late s4 or early s5? spoilerI actually liked the scene where Omar redeems his "Get out of jail free card" even more. "If this one isn't on you then another dozen are." "Yeah, but you leave this one on me you'd be letting another man get away with a body. Every man got to have a code."

btw... i debated telling scoobz his spoiler is wrong re: Omar dying, but I figure its better to let him be pleasantly surprised

[BishopMVP]

Re: the second to last episode of Season 3:

"Get on with it motherfu-!" is just an amazing line.Agreed 100%.

[Dodgerchick]

As good as Season 3 is, I think 4 is the best. Also, I wouldn't believe everything you read.

Replied to your spoiler stuff in spoilers, but nothing you don't already know :)





The scene, I believe it was an opening to one of the episodes, where Omar and Mouzone have their little chat with guns drawn at each other is one of my favorites of the entire series. I watch that scene on youtube pretty much any time I think about The Wire. In fact, I'M going to go do that right now!



Its not something I remember seeing discussed often. Wallace and Dee are the two that were really gutwrenching for me through season 3. Stringer was... monumental... a huge moment... but it wasn't nearly as painful to see as those two. I never felt nearly attached enough to Kima. The most painful moment for me didn't involve a well known character dying, but its later, so come back to that after you're done :)




I knew about that one b/c I accidentally spoiled myself too. Quite sad.



I cannot wait for the end of season 4 discussion :) Its my favorite, and the favorite of many here i think.

Yes, definitely my favorite too. It's really hard to rank seasons because even the "worst" season (which is season 2 for me) is better than any tv drama I've ever seen.

[Dodgerchick]

If I had to rank them

4 > 3 > 1 > 5 > 2

But it might change after re-watching them a second time.

[Peregrine]

I've really stopped trying to rank them - I remember reading where David Simon has been amazed at people constantly attempting to rank the seasons, when his whole intent was to create one seamless big story, not a bunch of little ones.

[Doug5984]

I saw the new teaser trailer for Treme
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I can't wait for this- I know it won't be as much of a crime drama but I'm still hoping it's as good as all his other stuff.

[Izulde]

Awesome. Thanks for that, Doug.

[Scoobz0202]

Just finished episode five of season four.



A much slower pace for sure. You can tell the character development has taken a much larger role this season. Also, the development and focus on the city itself and its institutions has been a larger focus more and more every season. The two major ones this season have given me a mixed reaction. The school system is one that right away I knew I would enjoy. I was right. Inner city schools is something that done right can make for great tv and who better then The Wire. The political campaign is something that I haven't much cared for. Carcetti is a fun character, I enjoy most of his scenes, but as a whole it hasn't really reeled me in. I will say that with each episode, and the closer they get to the election, it becomes more and more intriguing.

My List of thoughts throughout the season:

- The newer characters this season are superb. Snoop has been in it before but not much screentime. The opening scene to the season was fucking awesome (Snoop goes into the hardware store to buy a nail gun). Out of the children my two favorites are probably the obvious ones. Michael and Dukie. Michael seems so much deeper then the other kids. Much more intelligent. His care for his little brother, and his desire to steer clear of free money from the local drug dealers. His pushing away of help though has me wondering about his past. Not from the dealers but from Prez and Cutty. And out of the new focuses this season my fourth favorite is Cutty. He has grown on me with each episode since he was introduced in prison.

- Good to see Prez back. He never really stood out as a favorite of mine, but like damn near every character in this show, he has his moments.

- McNulty has not had near the face time as usual. Goes to show that he really isn't the main character as the show has been as good as usual without him getting much action.

- Found a character that I think I dislike just as much as Valchek. Lt. Marimow or something. The LT who came in and basically tore up the Major Crimes unit in a matter of a couple days.

- Clay Davis. Shiittttttt

- Calvin's back. Good to see. Seems like all the "good guys" are back. I can see this season getting real good.

- Really enjoying Marlo's character. He just has fucking swagger. There is a scene where his crew is handing out free money to the kids for clothes and stuff and Marlo is just standing by the car. Just the act of standing he puts off this aura that is fun to watch.

- Omar's "robbery." I just watched them do the setup but nothing else. There's no way the cops will fall for this, right? Unless Bunk or them don't get involved, but they have to know Omar isn't that stupid.

- Omar and another character, Slim Charles, I really enjoy. I think I enjoy them due to their limited screen time. They shine in their moments on screen, but I think a little goes a long way. Moreso Omar. I think if he was a main focus it would take away from the show. I mean, the dudes the least realistic thing about the show.

So far, so good. The show is definitely slower paced then previous ones, but I am really enjoy the development of certain characters. The school system is fun to watch. Not much to really discuss though.

[3ric]

Bought the first season on DVD, and finished the first episode yesterday. I think I'm hooked already.

[Dodgerchick]

I saw the new teaser trailer for Treme
<object height="340" width="560">


<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gVfIYXaeolU&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="340" width="560"></object>

I can't wait for this- I know it won't be as much of a crime drama but I'm still hoping it's as good as all his other stuff.

Doesn't show much but I'm looking forward to it! I believe the actors that play Bunk and Lester will be in it.

[Tigercat]

I saw the new teaser trailer for Treme

I can't wait for this- I know it won't be as much of a crime drama but I'm still hoping it's as good as all his other stuff.

I'm looking even more forward to this now that I know for sure that Simon has filmed my co-workers and colleagues in it as themselves! He's really endeared himself to the musicians by doing so. Being able to see a master story teller work in real life friends and colleagues into a TV show? That is going to be amazing. Two more months!

[QuikSand]

Picture of Health: "The Wire" as window into urban America's health - Your daily dose of information on better living - baltimoresun.com (http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/health/2010/03/the_wire_johns_hopkins_public.html)

[Peregrine]

NYTimes article about Simon and the making of Treme.

Magazine Preview - The HBO Auteur - David Simon - NYTimes.com (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/21/magazine/21simon-t.html?hpw)

[Bad-example]

(03-31) 09:13 PDT NEW ORLEANS, (AP) --

An HBO spokesman says David Mills, a veteran television writer who worked on "ER" and "The Wire," has died in New Orleans.

HBO spokesman Diego Aldana says Mills died Tuesday night but didn't know the cause of death.

Mills also wrote for "The Corner" and "Homicide: Life on the Street" among other shows.

He is co-writer and co-executive producer of the new HBO series "Treme."

The drama is set to premiere April 11. The series is set in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and is being filmed in the city.

[Izulde]

Sad news. :(

[QuikSand]

Damn.

[Tigercat]

Treme premieres tonight, HBO obviously, 10e/9c. Be there or be a trout fornicator.

[panerd]

Treme premieres tonight, HBO obviously, 10e/9c. Be there or be a trout fornicator.


Really looking forward to this. The Wire is probably my favorite show of all time. I couldn't get into Generation Kill or the Corner (though I think the problem with The Corner is that I had already seen the Wire.) This seems more like the Wire so I think I will enjoy it though it will be hard to take Bunk and Freaman as anything but gritty Baltimore PD. (I had the same problem with Freaman in Damages)

[Doug5984]

There have been quite a few articles on NOLA.com about the wire, about the locals reactions and such- I don't think I've ever looked forward to a show quite as much as this one.

Seeing John Goodman wearing a Saints t-shirt in the trailer already makes it a great show for me.

[Logan]

I'm not quite as excited for Treme as I was awhile back, maybe because I've been kinda disappointed with The Pacific. Not sure if I'm going to commit to two hours of HBO so I might just DVR Treme and try to catch it in a couple days.

[stevew]

Treme couldn't keep my interest. I had to bail after about 40 minutes.

[Logan]

That's not a good sign.

[DeToxRox]

Thoroughly enjoyed it. A lot of my friends who were Wire fans seemed to like it too. Will be watching every Sunday at 10.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Haven't seen it yet, but I remember the Wire didn't HOOK me until Keema got shot well into the first season. They've certainly earned enough credit with me that I will watch the whole season.

[Tigercat]

Just like not everyone is going to be able to get into an ensamble crime drama show, I am sure not everyone will be able to get into a drama show about music and culture.

Personally, I thought it was amazing. Not amazingly entertaining, hardly any pilot accomplishes that with straight up drama.

But to have that many compelling narratives weaved into an authentic story with very authentic references, it is an amazing accomplishment. And I can't begin to describe how many times the dialogue and narrative was authentic to New Orleans culture. It wasn't perfect of course, but it as was as close as such a drama show can get.

[Bearcat729]

For those with Directv

RT @DIRECTV: Starting July 18 we'll be showing all 60 episodes of The Wire on The 101 Network - uncut and commercial free.

[Doug5984]

It was kind of slow at times for me- but I still loved it. The wire didn't hook me right away, there are so many characters that it really takes some time to develop that connection.

My favorite part was about Kermit wanting to do nothing other than stay in NOLA and BBQ, that about sums it up.

Also in the preview for next week when they said all the crime was moved to Houston, that was classic. (Thanks Houston)

I spent quite a bit of time in New Orleans 4 months after the storm, practically every weekend for the next year- and every other weekend since then (long distance relationship), so I can tell a lot of it looks truly authentic, the problems with restaurants and such- they were operating on such small staffs and supplies that it was a tiny menu and very limited hours. Some of the houses are too nice in the show (ALL the ones I saw were bad for a while- and there was no green grass for prolly a year)- but I won't let my nit-picking take away from it at all.

So far Simon has done a great job, it hasn't been the least bit cheesy like other shows try to make NOLA.

I wonder if he will some how incorporate the re-opening of the dome, that was truly a great event for New Orleans.

[path12]

Love New Orleans, so am excited for this. I thought the first episode was good, not great, but will definitely keep watching. First episodes are always hard for me until I get to know the characters more.

The Krewe guy in costume was an amazing scene.

[Logan]

To Mr. Simon, I apologize for my two day long period of doubt.

Yeah, it didn't grab me right away but I really wouldn't expect it to. You can just tell that these characters and storylines will all be very deep and meaningful, as that's what he does best.

I know John Goodman has always been a big dude, and maybe I just haven't seen what he's been involved in for awhile but damn has he gotten even bigger.

[DeToxRox]

Treme already picked up for a second season:

April 13, 2010
Whoa! HBO renews 'Treme' after one episode

Treme HBO has renewed its new critically acclaimed new drama series "Treme" for a second season.

The move is a significant leap of faith for the network -- the show just premiered Sunday night to 1.4 million viewers in its combined airings. By comparison, the final season of modestly rated "The Wire" averaged 890,000 for premiere episodes.

But HBO president Michael Lombardo tells THR that the network loves "Treme" so much that a pickup was inevitable.

"We would have picked up this show last week," Lombardo said. "We've seen the first nine episodes it's as strong as any show we've seen. Much like 'The Wire,' the audience is so passionate and so invested. We're about servicing our subscriber base and I believe that people will become addicted to this show. We have to be a place where this kind of excellence is given space to continue."

The David Simon and Eric Overmeyer series chronicling life in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina will resume production this fall, with season two debuting next spring -- about the time another project, "Game of Thrones," will be ready to hit the air.

"They should be ready about the same time," Lombardo said.

Lombardo confirmed that the "Thrones" pilots had some re-shoots, but assured the show's quality is high.

"It looks beautiful, the compelling scripts are just fantastic, we're doing reshoots but nothing major," he said. "The show is there."

[Draft Dodger]

just finished my last episode of the Wire last night. I tried to go nice and slow, because I just loved this series. really going to miss it (although I'll definitely be checking out Treme)

[Doug5984]

I really liked the 2nd episode of Treme, although Bunk and Freeman will always be Bunk and Freeman to me.

[spleen1015]

The Wire's 2nd season has been on HBO on demand lately. Just finished the 11th episode. 2 big things happen in the 10th episode that are just pure awesomeness.

Zigg freaking out and smoking Double G and Prez getting pissed and punching Valchek.

[Peregrine]

My first time watching the first episode of Treme, I wasn't quite into it. Watched it again though, and the second episode, and really bought in. This is going to be some good stuff, and some good music.

[Izulde]

Is Treme available for online viewing anywhere?

[Alan T]

I still haven't made it through the first episode of Treme without falling asleep. The second episode was ok so far. It definitely is no where near Wire level for me at least yet. I'll give any show more than two episodes though, so we'll see how it goes.

[spleen1015]

I've watched the first 3 episodes of Treme and I love it. My wife is warming up to it.

I really liked the 2nd episode of Treme, although Bunk and Freeman will always be Bunk and Freeman to me.

:D

It is hard to not watch them here and see their old characters. They do an awesome job here as well.

"You don't Mother Fucker the National Guard." Cracks me up!

[Logan]

I still haven't gotten past the first episode, but did see a preview with Presbo in it!

[Izulde]

I sadly haven't watched any of the Treme episodes. Are they online anywhere?

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Not legally, it's currently airing on HBO.

[Izulde]

Okay, thanks. Guess I'll have to wait then.

[Tigercat]

I got a good laugh in the third episode, one of my co-workers is the accordion player that plays with the street musicians. Half of his lines were dedicated to not knowing who Tom Mcdermott was, and Tom plays at our place 12+ days a year (including tomorrow.)

The show is still a little on the slow side, but that was to be expected. The Mardi Gras Indian storyline has been as good as I hoped it would be. That is a world that even a lot of locals don't even have a clue about. Interesting that one of the biggest ongoing villains thus far is Entergy. :D

[BishopMVP]

For paintball fans in the NYC area this weekend... Hip Hop Press: Celebrity Paintball With Jamie Hector in NYC Honoring Those Who Make A Difference (http://www.hiphoppress.com/2010/05/celebrity-paintball-with-jamie-hector-in-nyc-honoring-those-who-make-a-difference.html) On Saturday June 12, 2010 Jamie Hector and other cast members from HBO's The Wire will work to raise funds by way of a Paintball Tournament. Jamie Hector/Marlo, Sonya Sohn/Kima, Michael K Williams/Omar, J.D. Williams/Bodie, Felicia Pearson/Snoop, Anwan Glover/Slim Charles and many others will form The Wire team and play against the winners of the tournament.

[Logan]

Back to being caught up with Treme and I'm really liking it. It's hard at times because I have to keep reminding myself that they don't seem to care at all about a plot, but I'm starting to like the characters more. Still having trouble figuring out the exact background of Lester's character.

Interesting conclusion to the most recent episode (which you could see coming a mile away) and I'm looking forward to seeing what's next (I avoid the previews so if anyone is following and brings it up, please spoiler it).

[Doug5984]

I've been watching the show- and I love it. It makes me want to go to NOLA every weekend.

[panerd]

.

http://images0.cafepress.com/product/200057180v-1_240x240_Front_Color-White.jpg

[RainMaker]

Just finished season 5. Have to say I was pretty disappointed in the season. It's still better than just about everything out there, but it came on the heels of what I consider the greatest season of any show ever (season 4).

[Honolulu_Blue]

I just finished season 5 as well. I wasn't disappointed in it. This show never disappointed. It was just amazing throughout. While the seasons are all pretty separate in terms of what they deal with - drug trade, dock yards, legalization of drugs, schools, newspaper - I have a hard time breaking the show apart and ranking it season-by-season. I just see it as a whole that is simply astounding.

[Dodgerchick]

After season 4, how else can it be topped? The show is basically competing against itself.

[spleen1015]

The first 6 episodes of S4 are on demand, watched 2 last night.

This show is still awesome. Nothing better.

[QuikSand]

I just saw a DirecTV promo saying they were going to be running the entire show on Channel 101. I am brand new to DTV so I don't know what that means (pay, free premium stuff, whatever) but FYI. Of course, if you're hanging around here, you've already watched it.

[MrBug708]

Found the right thread I see Quik :)

[cartman]

Every DirecTV subscriber gets Channel 101

[MikeVic]

Finished this series finally. I loved the ending of the series as a whole. Didn't like the media portion of season five at the start, but it grew on me.


The way Omar died was just bullshit though. Yeah I can see saying it's poetic or whatever, but I hated it.


If I were to rank the seasons... 3=4 > 5=1 > 2... Season two didn't appeal to me because of the dock stuff, and I actually stepped away from the series for a year because of it. So that season is far down the list. Loved the boxing guy in season three, loved the school stuff in season four.


One of the saddest things for me in any show is seeing Duquan during that ending scene hanging out with the junk people and on drugs. My heart literally sank and I thought "no way... he's actually smart, he's supposed to make it, what the hell!"



edit to add: I'm guessing we're supposed to walk away thinking Michael = new Omar and Duquan = new Bubbles? That's what I got at least.

[Pyser]

im not spoiler alerting this, the shows been over for years

but omars demise was entirely foreshadowed in s3. go back and watch the little kids pretending to be omar after the street shootout.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Image is too big for embedding, but D&D alignments for characters.

http://mightygodking.com/images/ac-wire.jpg

[Tigercat]

Got to talk to Simon for a while at the airport last week. (He was flying out to Baltimore.) He walked up right next to me and I asked if he was David Simon the director, didn't mean to necessarily say director but I was caught off guard a bit. "No, but I am David Simon the writer." Anyway, he was a really cool, down to earth guy. And of course no one else realized who he was while I was talking to him. The luxury of being behind the scenes I guess.

[Sgran]

Is there room for me in the cult? I'm not a fan of TV, but the Wire really is something special. Finally get to post my season preference: 3-1-4-5-2
I enjoyed season 5 because you finally got to see how these characters become who they are. Although no one becomes a cop.
By the way, there's a character I lost track of. Cutty takes two kids to the fights: Michael and the kid with big lips. What happened to the latter?

[3ric]

Is there room for me in the cult? I'm not a fan of TV, but the Wire really is something special. Finally get to post my season preference: 3-1-4-5-2
I enjoyed season 5 because you finally got to see how these characters become who they are. Although no one becomes a cop.
By the way, there's a character I lost track of. Cutty takes two kids to the fights: Michael and the kid with big lips. What happened to the latter?

Didn't that kid drop out of boxing because Cutty banged his mother without knowing the kid was her son?

[QuikSand]

Image is too big for embedding, but D&D alignments for characters.

http://mightygodking.com/images/ac-wire.jpg

That's brilliant.

[sabotai]

By the way, there's a character I lost track of. Cutty takes two kids to the fights: Michael and the kid with big lips. What happened to the latter?

Looking through wikipedia entries of the characters, his name was Justin and he was a dealer for Marlo Stanfield. Not much else about what happened to him since he only appeared in a handful of episodes.

Stanfield Organization - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanfield_Organization#Justin)

[BishopMVP]

David Simon responds to the BPD commisioner's criticism of the Wire -

Baltimore Crime Beat: "Wire" creator responds to top cop's criticism - Baltimore crime news: Police, courts and police stories in the city and central Maryland - baltimoresun.com (http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/crime/blog/2011/01/simon_responds_to_bealefelds_c.html)

[cthomer5000]

movie looks terrible, but wire fans will enjoy one scene in the trailer for reasons that will be extremely obvious when you see it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9VspqcwtJQ

[QuikSand]

that was a long wait, but the payoff was THERE

[panerd]

that was a long wait, but the payoff was THERE

SHHHIIIITTTTTT

[Radii]

movie looks terrible, but wire fans will enjoy one scene in the trailer for reasons that will be extremely obvious when you see it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9VspqcwtJQ

I totally expected a "sheeiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit" in there somewhere, what I got was quite unexpected but outstanding nonetheless.

[samifan24]

I just started watching the show via Netflix in the last month and am just starting season two tonight. I never watched it when it was on originally because I was in college and never had access to HBO (I still don't). I'm loving the show so far through the first season and one episode of season two although I'm still getting acclimated to the dramatic shift in the second season. I know all five seasons cover different things but it takes some getting used to to see all the characters in different situations.

[cthomer5000]

that was a long wait, but the payoff was THERE

Yeah i saw this in the theater (before 'Black Swan', strangely...not sure who thinks the same audience is watching those two movies) and it got a genuine laugh out of me because it was pretty unexpected.

[Radii]

The Wire’s Isiah Whitlock Jr. on the enduring legacy of “Sheeeeeeeit.” (http://filmdrunk.uproxx.com/2011/01/isiah-whitlock-jr-clay-davis-talks-legacy-of-sheeeeit)

Not as good as a lot of other content posted here recently, but I still can't get enough wire content, hooray!

http://cdn.fd.uproxx.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/clay-davis_campaign-poster.jpg

[Sgran]

His tagline is fun, but only because the character is so terrific. He is such the perfect sleezeball politician from the inner city. I was happy every time Clay Davis appeared. They way he plays Stringer is nothing short of instructional.

[samifan24]

I just finished the series. The best show I've ever seen. Wow.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I actually recognized her when I saw the story because she's appeared on No Reservations with Bourdain on the Baltimore episode.

My Way News - 'Wire' actress among 30 arrested in Md. drug raids (http://apnews.myway.com//article/20110310/D9LSFUF00.html)

BALTIMORE (AP) - Police in Baltimore say an actress who appeared on the HBO series "The Wire" was among dozens of people arrested in an early morning drug raid.

Police say Felicia "Snoop" Pearson, who played a killer of the same name on the hit television series, was among about 30 people arrested. Police declined to say what charges she faces.

Drug Enforcement Administration agents, Baltimore police and others carried out the raids Thursday in the city.

Pearson was convicted of second-degree murder as a teenager. In 2008, she was arrested on a minor drug charge when police went to her home to pick her up for refusing to cooperate as a witness in a murder trial. Court records show she was found not guilty on the charge.

[Dodgerchick]

The Wire, The Complete Series on special on Amazon's Gold Box. Get yours if you haven't already - http://www.amazon.com/gp/goldbox?ref_=pe_36900_20856780

[Logan]

Some good stuff in here: http://wireinspire.tumblr.com/

Here's my favorite:

http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ljhn0vVv3U1qiguseo1_500.jpg

[spleen1015]

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lj8kjpypB01qiguseo1_500.jpg

[spleen1015]

Thanks for that Logan. Awesome stuff.

[Izulde]

The Wire Being Remastered, Rebroadcast in HD (http://hbowatch.com/the-wire-being-remastered-rebroadcast-in-hd-by-hbo/)

Rumored only for now, though in the comments, someone swears that this is true based on working with company supposedly doing VFX work.

[QuikSand]

Now and then: Places from &apos;The Wire&apos; - Baltimore Sun (http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/tv/z-on-tv-blog/bal-baltimore-places-from-the-wire-20141226-photogallery.html?utm_content=buffer7658b&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer)