Which series should I start watching?

[daflyboys]

Re: Which series should I start watching?

Advice to watch The Wire or The Shield is not optimal because those series are completed. I would watch Mad Men (and Breaking Bad for that matter) in preparation for the next seasons' start ups. However, you'll probably have time to watch them all.

[N51_rob]

Re: Which series should I start watching?

The Wire and it's not even close.

You best watch The Wire.

The Wire for sure. It is the greatest show of all time to me. The acting, the heart, the authenticity. I can't say enough, and whoever has seen the entire series will say they love it too.

Now to watch it with your gf and how you described how she has reacted to the other shows then its up in the air. But if you are looking for a continuing story, all 5 seasons are tied in.

It's about the city of Baltimores police, crime, drug dealers, drug addicts, gangstas, politicians all rolled up in one. What makes it special is all the characters involved, which is many. It's not just about cops, its about real cops, bad cops, cops that want to be by the book, and some that are just crooked and dont' care about the city.

Its not your everyday cop show where they have case at the beginning and magically solve it in 1 hour. The criminals are intelligent and disciplined and are always a step ahead of the cops. I can go forever about this show, do yourself a favor and get season 1. I can't guarantee she will like it, but from what you've seen so far I'm sure it'll be one of your favorites.

The Wire was one of the most underrated dramas (Award wins speaking) on TV. I have a friend that works the southern district in baltimore and she says that her cop friends all swear by it. It really is a great, great series, if you can make it through the slow start to season 1, it really just goes from there. I love season 3. But only in the context of the whole series, it really became 2 different shows after that season. Great television. Towards the end it had far surpassed the sopranos.

[Laffer]

Re: Which series should I start watching?

I love Mad Men and Dexter, but The Wire is something special. The best entertainment experience money can buy.

[Stumbleweed]

Re: Which series should I start watching?

I love Mad Men and Dexter, but The Wire is something special. The best entertainment experience money can buy.

This.

Based on your criteria, I'd go with:

The Wire -- criteria doesn't matter on this one, just the best TV show ever produced, period... if your girl can't handle violence and despair, tell her to go home and hug a teddy bear and watch it without her.

Dexter -- seasons 2 and 3 could be considered a lull (I liked both and really enjoyed Jimmy Smits' role in Season 3), but it's completely insane this year and Season 1 was one of the best rollercoaster rides of a TV series I've experienced.

Mad Men -- slow show but lots of character development, no sex scenes at all really.. meets your criteria for sure..

Breaking Bad -- not "racy" per se aside from the premise, no sex scenes at all really, but morally disturbing on many levels... amazing show with great cinematography that keeps you on the edge of your seat..

[jeremym480]

Re: Which series should I start watching?

I appreciate all the help guys. It seem's the general consensus is to go with The Wire.... However, I decided to go with Dexter. Mainly because it available on Blu-Ray. But, instead of purchasing it like I planned I decided to resubscribe to Blockbuster online and go that route.

I normally don't rent movies or anything, I usually just buy it. Hell, I checked my old queue and the last movie I rented was Jackass 2 in January 07. lol. Anyways, I think that renting may be the best option since the first three season's are around $95 (on Amazon) and if for some reason I don't like it I can just start watching another series.

Anyways, like I said, I appreciate all the help guys. Hopefully, The Wire will be released on Blu Ray soon and I'll buy it just because of your reviews here.

[Stumbleweed]

Re: Which series should I start watching?

Yeah, and as others have mentioned, Dexter is in HD on Netflix on demand also.. if you didn't want to go all-out and buy the series without having watched it. But yeah, unless you just hate the aesthetic of the show or something, I don't see how you wouldn't enjoy Dexter, especially that first season.

Watch "The Wire" on your own when you find the time... so rewarding and amazing.

[Cebby]

Re: Which series should I start watching?

I appreciate all the help guys. It seem's the general consensus is to go with The Wire.... However, I decided to go with Dexter.

I want to send you aboard the failboat, but you made a much worse decision than any boat of fail could deliver.

[jeremym480]

Re: Which series should I start watching?

I want to send you aboard the failboat, but you made a much worse decision than any boat of fail could deliver.

Wait I'm NOT an Auburn fan.......... j/k

Besides, what's wrong with Dexter?

I guess I should have said "I'm starting with Dexter" because I'm renting them one Blu-Ray at a time so, I can always start another one at anytime. The only other series in my list thats on Blu Ray as of now is Mad Men and I may look at it next. Well, unless The Wire is released on Blu-Ray.... And even if it's not I may end up watching it on DVD...

[Pete1210]

Re: Which series should I start watching?

The Wire.

[Stumbleweed]

Re: Which series should I start watching?

FYI, the Wire is not a show that was shot or upscaled to HD and will likely never have a Blu-Ray release at the behest of its creator, David Simon. You should still watch it next though, you won't miss the HD.

[Cebby]

Re: Which series should I start watching?

Besides, what's wrong with Dexter?

Dexter isn't a bad show. The first two seasons are entertaining, but I think it drops off a lot after that.

The bigger thing is that The Wire is the greatest non-pornographic thing to ever be put on film.

The only remotely negative thing I can say about The Wire is that there are no introductions or voiceovers, so getting into each season's new characters takes an episode or two the first time you watch it.

[SidVish]

Re: Which series should I start watching?

Definitely The Wire. Once you start you won't be able to stop watching.

Thanks for the recommendation Cebby.

[jeremym480]

Re: Which series should I start watching?

FYI, the Wire is not a show that was shot or upscaled to HD and will likely never have a Blu-Ray release at the behest of its creator, David Simon. You should still watch it next though, you won't miss the HD.

I didn't know that.... I was lead to believe it because theres was a link on Amazon that says to click it and they will notify you when it comes out on Blu-Ray. But, maybe it says that about everything on DVD.

Dexter isn't a bad show. The first two seasons are entertaining, but I think it drops off a lot after that.

The bigger thing is that The Wire is the greatest non-pornographic thing to ever be put on film.

The only remotely negative thing I can say about The Wire is that there are no introductions or voiceovers, so getting into each season's new characters takes an episode or two the first time you watch it.

Cool. I appreciate the insight. I got a lot more from the post than your first where you basically called me the biggest loser on the loser boat.

I think I'll watch season one of Dexter then move on to The Wire, where I'll probably watch all the season's if it's as good as you guys claim (which I believe it is). Then I'll finish Dexter after that so, hopefully I'll be set TV wise til the spring.

[Cebby]

Re: Which series should I start watching?

I didn't know that.... I was lead to believe it because theres was a link on Amazon that says to click it and they will notify you when it comes out on Blu-Ray. But, maybe it says that about everything on DVD.

The creator said that it isn't going to be put out in HD

I think I'll watch season one of Dexter then move on to The Wire, where I'll probably watch all the season's if it's as good as you guys claim (which I believe it is). Then I'll finish Dexter after that so, hopefully I'll be set TV wise til the spring.

As long as you give The Wire 3 episodes, you'll finish the show in 2-3 weeks.

[jeremym480]

Re: Which series should I start watching?

The creator said that it isn't going to be put out in HD

Yeah, initially I didn't know that until Stumble informed me and I did a little more research. Then I found out that David Simon decided (years ago) that he liked the 'gritty look' of SD and didn't want to have that looked changed part-way through the show's run. That's why its basically the only HBO show not in HD.

But, I like I said I'm going to watch the 1st (of three) Blu-Ray of Dexter then start The Wire. I may finish Dexter after season 1 or I may just go ahead and watch the entire series if it's as good as you guys say.