ot: hbo the wire

[Walker11]

I don't pay much mind to whether or not the Wire is an artistic masterpiece or handled subject matters in a way never seen in t.v. before. I can tell you that its a helluva entertaining t.v. show. Season 4 is possibly my favorite season of any show.

 

[M_Funkhauser43!]

Thanks for the thoughtful reply, which I find neither haughty or pretentious. I appreciate it.

First, who said I had a (coherent) argument!?

Second, fair point about the subject matter and its handling of it on large and serious and grand terms as new in a sense. Not sure if I buy the argument that the idea or depiction of civic corruption was mind-blowing to an HBO-watching American viewer in 2002, but, yes, the Wire did delve into a lot of new kind of stuff in a more series and sophisticated way than, say, Menace II Society, and created a truly great tapestry to set the drama to.

On the "big questions" point. I think I kind of have to hold my tongue. I agree the show was "asking" those questions, but I don't think it was answering them as straightfowardly as you perhaps do. (Don't mean that in a sarcastic way at all). I can feel great sympathy for Dookie without having to repudiate vast tracts of American political orthodoxy on both sides of the aisle.

I think other shows ask big questions, too. If you wanted to pigeonhole them, you could expatiate for days about how the Sopranos or Deadwood or Mad Men, etc. are tackling the theme of America in big ambitious ways, some more metaphorical than others.

But, in summary, I think you made some very good points and I agree with a lot of what you're saying.

I appreciate your comments. I just wanted to add I'm not arguing that tuning into The Wire suddenly makes people aware that civic corruption exists or that kids are being raised by addicts and murdering one another over drug money. My argument is that it's impressive to see a television show tackle these issues and ask its audience to stay tuned, whether or not they agree with the messages.

Also, I don't think I answered any of the questions that I argue the show poses. I just teased them out. I think the show is much more straightforward in answering them than I was in my post. Perhaps you don't agree with David Simon's politics, but The Wire seems to have been effective in eliciting a response from you to its messaging. Like I said, the show asks you to consider these issues and it looks like you've done so.

Furthermore, it bears mention that The Wire lost money for HBO during its run on television, but the execs there thought the subject matter was important enough to see the show through to its conclusion. There was never any inkling that the show would be become this popular after it finished airing. I think that speaks very highly to the artistic integrity of the show, once again, regardless of whether or not you agree with the points its creators are trying to make.

 

[NaughtybyNapier]

I appreciate your comments. I just wanted to add I'm not arguing that tuning into The Wire suddenly makes people aware that civic corruption exists or that kids are being raised by addicts and murdering one another over drug money. My argument is that it's impressive to see a television show tackle these issues and ask its audience to stay tuned, whether or not they agree with the messages.

Also, I don't think I answered any of the questions that I argue the show poses. I just teased them out. I think the show is much more straightforward in answering them than I was in my post. Perhaps you don't agree with David Simon's politics, but The Wire seems to have been effective in eliciting a response from you to its messaging. Like I said, the show asks you to consider these issues and it looks like you've done so.

Furthermore, it bears mention that The Wire lost money for HBO during its run on television, but the execs there thought the subject matter was important enough to see the show through to its conclusion. There was never any inkling that the show would be become this popular after it finished airing. I think that speaks very highly to the artistic integrity of the show, once again, regardless of whether or not you agree with the points its creators are trying to make.

Agree 100%. Right on.

Thanks for the respectful back-and-forth. Sorry one more time if I came off as rude or combative. I look forward to more badinage down the road. Nice talking with you. Take care, M-Funk!

 

[Deepster]

Count me in with the "greatest show of all time" crew.

Honestly, since watching the entire series, I haven't watched much TV. Everything else I tried paled in comparison and disappointed me (Weeds, Mad Men, Dexter). I loved everything about The Wire.

You come at the king, you best not miss.... - Omar

 

[Burnsbros23]

everything has already been said

 

[Huskies320]

Best show in the history of television

 

[crownfox2]

To M_Funkhauser 43 who messaged that the Wire was the only TV show where the morality of the police was questione I would suggest The Shield another top ten series. There is also coming up a new series based on the corrupt Ramparts Division in the L.A. Dept.

 

[caw]

There are a lot of things in The Wire that are done very well, almost perfectly. The ending was even well done and I love the season ending montages they go through.

I was not a fan of the newspaper aspect of the final season. It didn't mesh as well as previous seasons did for me. Of course, it could also have been because it followed season 4 which was amazing.

I think I liked it as 4, 3, 1, 5, 2

 

[BUHusky]

It's the greatest show of all time. And season 4 is the greatest season of television ever made. EOM.

 

[HartbeatHusky]

The Wire is one of the all time greatest shows ever. I didn't care for season 2 at first but after watching it again realized it was pretty good and tied some things together. The second to last and last seasons were amazing as was the first. HBO probably has created the best shows in recent memory with The Wire, Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire, and Game of Thrones.

 

[Coach McGurk]

as far as great HBO shows I think Rome and to a lesser extent Deadwood need to be included also....(and let us not forget the fraggles.... )
As for the wire, I used to curse that show....once and a while HBO would run marathons of it and it seemed like the worst show because I had no idea what was going on....(sort of the same way I felt about OZ)....you simply NEED to see every episode in order.
Great production value...the writing isn't dummed down to the audience...nothing is re-capped, nothing is broken down and simplified....it is sink or swim.
I don't know if it is the BEST show ever (arrested development?) but it is top 5 (perhaps top 2-3)
just look here...
http://the-best-tv-shows.com/

 

[OkaForPrez]

I'm 4 episodes into season 3.

I went back and read the "starting 5" thread that people were throwing out wire characters in recently, I can't believe Frank Szobotka didn't make that list. I thought his story and character were heart-breakingly awesome.

 

[NittanyHusky]

Absolutely the best show I've seen. Folks who aren't familiar with the political scene here in Baltimore don't realize how accurate The Wire's depiction of local politicians was. It really showed how intricately well David Simon knew this city inside and out which made the show just that much more realistic. I used to see them film around where I work all the time. Too bad I didn't know anything about the show back then.

 

[HartbeatHusky]

as far as great HBO shows I think Rome and to a lesser extent Deadwood need to be included also....(and let us not forget the fraggles.... )
As for the wire, I used to curse that show....once and a while HBO would run marathons of it and it seemed like the worst show because I had no idea what was going on....(sort of the same way I felt about OZ)....you simply NEED to see every episode in order.
Great production value...the writing isn't dummed down to the audience...nothing is re-capped, nothing is broken down and simplified....it is sink or swim.
I don't know if it is the BEST show ever (arrested development?) but it is top 5 (perhaps top 2-3)
just look here...
http://the-best-tv-shows.com/

Wow, forgot about Rome. Rome was awesome. Never really got into Deadwood but want to see it now.

 

[kemba]

By far my favorite show of all time. Almost through the whole series twice now.

 

[crownfox2]

Thanks Coach McGurk for jarring the old gray cells a remembering another all time best series....OZ

 

[ConnHuskBask]

Just starting to watch, what do people think?

I watched it this summer from Season 1 - Season 5 and I loved it. I would put it 1a/1b with The Sopranos as my favorite series of all time.

If I was you, I would ignore most of the banter in this thread and just watch it yourself. It's really compelling television and you can draw your own conclusions about the shows social commentary yourself without any preconceived biases from other peoples opinions.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Not much more I can say that hasn't already been said. To me, it is by far my favorite TV show. Nothing is really even that close. As someone else pointed out, there are very few completely good or bad characters. You end up endeared to hardened killers plenty in the show. It goes to why they are the way they are.

What really makes it stand above all others for me is how so many separate story lines are seamlessly tied together. I love seeing the same issues from every angle and then the interaction between all those different factions. It makes you realize just how similar all these different parts of city life (police, city hall, drug dealers can really be). It takes a couple of episodes to really get into it, after that I can almost guarantee you will be hooked.

 

[progrocks]

I have watched it three times through, once as it aired, then in marathon format from DVD, and recently weekly all the way through on directv. Just as good as the first time through. Watching it back in 2002 I was not influenced by any hype, I watched it because it was on HBO and that is what you did back then. About 6 episodes in I was like "holy crap, this is better than the sopranos" and I have been preaching the show ever since.

Only other shows I have watched over like that is arrested development, coupling (which I must have done about 7 times now), sports night, and the new doctor who.

Also, I have seen every episode of David Simon Tv and I love Homicide LOTS, thought that The Corner was okay, and am really enjoying treme so far. The man is great.

 

[Deadrody]

Count me in with the "greatest show of all time" crew.

Honestly, since watching the entire series, I haven't watched much TV. Everything else I tried paled in comparison and disappointed me (Weeds, Mad Men, Dexter). I loved everything about The Wire.

You come at the king, you best not miss.... - Omar

I feel 'ya

I do think some of the stuff on FX and AMC is starting to challenge HBO and Showtime for quality. Though I can't think of anything that comes close to the way The Wire told its story.

 

[Deepster]

Not much more I can say that hasn't already been said. To me, it is by far my favorite TV show. Nothing is really even that close. As someone else pointed out, there are very few completely good or bad characters. You end up endeared to hardened killers plenty in the show. It goes to why they are the way they are.

To this point, look at McNulty. There's no reason you should like the guy. Bad father, sort of a crooked cop at times, selfish, bad alcoholic, etc......but I loved the guy. Loved every single scene the guy was in.

 

[Deepster]

Hey. Since we have a bunch of Wire fans here.

WARNING: Spoiler....between the quotation marks below is white font, if you highlight what is between the quotation marks, you'll see my question. You can PM me your answer if you want.

"What is your take on the Daniels situation? They always allude to him doing something that was crooked, but that's the ONE storyline they don't tie up at the end for me."