[Brinbe]

Question: When does it get interesting? I kind of struggled to get through the first episode.

Well, it gets better as you go on, but try and stick with it till ep 10 at least... if it's still not interesting after that, it's just not for you.

And to answer the OP's Q, yes, The Wire is easily that good.

[blainethemono]

Question: When does it get interesting? I kind of struggled to get through the first episode.

The first 4 episodes set everything up, and then it starts to get really good after that. I liked it from the very beginning though, but a lot of people dont seem to really get into it until episode 4.

There are dozens of crime novels that surpass the quality and consistency of The Wire easily. Coincidentally, they're mostly by people who wrote for The Wire.

Any recommendations? I've read David Simon's book Homicide: A Year On The Killing Streets and it was great. Non fiction though

[The Hermit]

I am about to finish season 1 which I started this week and so far the hype is justified.
Its so realistic and detailed that you forget its a show... and the characters are amazing

[johnsmith]

The last season is sooooooo bad. I couldn't finish the series. It takes a lot for me to give up on a series once I get invested in it. I watched Entourage through to the end, and still watch Weeds. Scrubs is pretty much the only other show that got so bad in the last season I gave up on it. So yeah, the last season of this show is as bad as Scrubs.

[Discotheque]

The last season is pretty horrible. I don't know what went wrong. Some of the stuff though like, Omar's arc was great however.

Overall I like The Sopranos more but The Wire is probably my second favorite drama of all time.

[Cipherr]

Absolutely. To get the most out of it, you need to give it your undivided attention.

This this this this this. Its a show you should watch slowly over a long stretch if need be. You need to be able to give it your attention at every moment. The show is very dense, meaning even the times when you think nothings going on, (so you walk away to do something) you end up missing something thats very important. You don't want to try and watch this show while refereeing the kids in the living room.

[johnsmith]

Also I think it's very overrated. I'd put Mad Men and Deadwood above it easily. Game of Thrones too, but that's only been 2 fantastic seasons, could still go south later on.

[animlboogy]

Any recommendations? I've read David Simon's book Homicide: A Year On The Killing Streets and it was great. Non fiction though

I'd start with Clockers by Richard Price. It's a modern classic, and is like a first cousin to The Wire. When you read it, it suddenly makes The Wire's first season seem almost like an homage to it. Skip the Spike Lee adaptation, though.

Drama City by George Pelecanos is another good one, with a smaller scope than Clockers/The Wire.

[Discotheque]

Also I think it's very overrated. I'd put Mad Men and Deadwood above it easily. Game of Thrones too, but that's only been 2 fantastic seasons, could still go south later on.

....you lost me at Game of Thrones. The books are great entertainment but the acting/directing of this series has been pretty hit or miss for the most part and the writing too.

Rome's better than Game of Thrones even with it's rushed ending.

[Weenerz]

It isn't that good, it's better.

[Brinbe]

Any recommendations? I've read David Simon's book Homicide: A Year On The Killing Streets and it was great. Non fiction though

The Corner

[PhoenixPause]

keima was turrible, cedrick was bad when he wasn't yelling or acting cool.

Keima was terrible, huh? Cedrick was good as well and displayed a ton of range beyond "stoic police captain." Regardless, (erroneously) pointing out two characters out of an impressive ensemble cast does not disprove my point.

[animlboogy]

Also I think it's very overrated. I'd put Mad Men and Deadwood above it easily. Game of Thrones too, but that's only been 2 fantastic seasons, could still go south later on.

Apples and oranges, really. It's like comparing a true crime novel with a John Updike novel with a Western with a fantasy novel.

[blainethemono]

The Corner

I've been meaning to read that one for a while. I've never seen the series either

[Discotheque]

Keima wasn't a good actress. But she wasn't awful either. Just aiight. Anyways after a series rewatch (starting 4 soon) I appreciate 2 a lot more now. I think I might like it more than season 1.

[Shalashaska]

Out of curiosity for what are considered the best shows of the 2000's I did a bit of searching last night. I'd say 90% of the lists I ran into, including imdb's top 100, have it at #1. I had heard of it before but not to the level that i'd expect it to be so widely acclaimed. What exactly makes it so popular. Another show that was frequently in the top 3 was Arrested Development which i've heard good things about. The Office, Mad Men, Sopranos, Dexter, Breaking Bad, Supernatural, Deadwood were also frequently listed. To be honest the only shows i've seen in the last few years with any form of regularity are Lost and Prison Break in their entirety, 3 seasons of 24, 2 and a half seasons of Heroes, 7 seasons of Smallville, and Survivor. What are the absolute must watch shows that I should feel bad for not having seen?

We have common likes in TV shows. I used to think what I watched was great, then I found out about the shows you listed that were mentioned frequently. I then learned what great TV was.

To answer your original question, The Wire is an incredible show and is a must watch. I've seen all or some of the shows that you found mentioned many times (except Supernatural) and have enjoyed them and definitely recommend watching them.

[Kung Fu Grip]

This show is the greatest show ever made for tv. There is no competition for The Wire. People can bitch about the effusive praise it receives, but it deserves every fucking ounce. It's the single most complete portrait of the modern American city that has ever been painted in tv or movie. I wish I could experience it over again for the first time :(

I just got done with season two. This show is truly something special. I seriously can't find anything wrong with it. The characters, the settings, the writing, its all perfect.

Funny thing though. I didn't like season 2 when i first started watching it. The character changes were waaay to big for me. But as the episodes went on it was just brilliant how everything came together. I came to love Frank  Sobotka and his whole dock operation.

Dat resume-

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Sobotka

[bjork]

Never watched an episode, but I can't imagine any show that uses a Tom Waits song for its opening credits being bad.

[theignoramus]

I'd start with Clockers by Richard Price. It's a modern classic, and is like a first cousin to The Wire. When you read it, it suddenly makes The Wire's first season seem almost like an homage to it. Skip the Spike Lee adaptation, though. Drama City by George Pelecanos is another good one, with a smaller scope than Clockers/The Wire.

why. I've seen the film many times and I'd never just flippantly tell someone interested in urban crime stories to skip it.

[(._.)]

nah not really. then agaim i gave up on it pretty quickly. made it about 4 episodes deep. overrated show written by writers who don't know anything about narcotics.

[cacophony]

I got 1.5 seasons in and was bored to tears every episode. It's so fucking slow.

[Net_Wrecker]

It's funny how many people call The Wire slow and I still find myself surprised. It didn't feel slow to me at all. In fact, I remember so many names being thrown around in those first few episodes that I wished they would take a minute to properly introduce characters like most series' do. Thank God they didn't though because it's much better for jumping head first into a story that keeps building and building to magnificent payoffs.

I'd like to sit the people down who call The Wire slow in front of some real glacier-paced movies to see how fast they lose interest.

[blainethemono]

nah not really. then agaim i gave up on it pretty quickly. made it about 4 episodes deep. overrated show written by writers who don't know anything about narcotics.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Burns

Burns is a former Baltimore police detective for the Homicide and Narcotics divisions, and a public school teacher. He often draws upon these experiences for his writing.

Burns was a producer, writer, and co-creator (also with Simon) of the HBO series The Wire. They originally set out to create a police drama loosely based on Burns' experiences working on protracted investigations of violent drug dealers using surveillance technology. He had often faced frustration with the bureaucracy of the police department, which Simon equated with his own ordeals as a police reporter for the Baltimore Sun. Writing against the background of current events, including institutionalized corporate crime at Enron and institutional dysfunction in the Catholic Church, the show became "more of a treatise about institutions and individuals than a straight cop show."

[mysticwhip]

Keima was terrible, huh? Cedrick was good as well and displayed a ton of range beyond "stoic police captain." Regardless, (erroneously) pointing out two characters out of an impressive ensemble cast does not disprove my point.

cool,cool but I don't find any of the acting to be super impressive, maybe the kids but nothing really great as some of the Bryan Cranston or Aaron Paul performances in BB.

[zero_suit]

It's funny how many people call The Wire slow and I still find myself surprised. It didn't feel slow to me at all. In fact, I remember so many names being thrown around in those first few episodes that I wished they would take a minute to properly introduce characters like most series' do. Thank God they didn't though because it's much better for jumping head first into a story that keeps building and building to magnificent payoffs. I'd like to sit the people down who call The Wire slow in front of some real glacier-paced movies to see how fast they lose interest.

Maybe they expect something dramatic to happen every episode.

[(._.)]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Burns

lol wow, im wrong as hell here.

here i was thinking it's so uninteresting because the writers didn't know anything. show has no excuse now.

[Emerson]

lol wow, im wrong as hell here. here i was thinking it's so uninteresting because the writers didn't know anything. show has no excuse now.

No explaining bad taste, as they say.

[Amir0x]

lol wow, im wrong as hell here. here i was thinking it's so uninteresting because the writers didn't know anything. show has no excuse now.

why double down on your wrongness? Just admit you have terrible taste and move on, no harm no foul. Everyone gets one free pass

[ZAK]

I thought it was pretty damn good, but it wasn't perfect.

[PastorOfMuppets]

Everytime the Wire is brought up anywhere - forums, real life etc. the OVERWHELMING opinion is that it's an amazing show.

I would go so far as to say that because of the subject matter and how it tackles it, it's the most important TV show in American history as well. I'd say there isn't a single thing on TV that has ever come close to the Wire.

However, the comic book series Scalped sort of attempts to address the similar issues but from the viewpoint of Native Americans living on reserves.

[Pecan1]

Im reaching a point in life were i feel like i meet and talk to talk to alot of people like this

Originally Posted by (._.): nah not really. then agaim i gave up on it pretty quickly. made it about 4 episodes deep. overrated show written by writers who don't know anything about narcotics.

Youre just wrong dude everything about that is wrong. I'm curious as to how you came to making that assumption? Do you just will yourself into believing stuff all the time?


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...091002676.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXGsGdur17s

[BobDylan]

The Wire is my favorite show of all time. I first saw it because a few of my friends were talking about how good it was. It took a few episodes to pull me in but by the end I was in awe. It's amazing in every way. The rewatch value is incredible as well. I have gone through the whole thing 3 times and each watch was completed in a pretty short amount of time. No show I have ever seen has come close.

[Shalashaska]

I would recommend The Shield to anyone who enjoys The Wire. They're probably the two best cop dramas ever created. Though, The Wire is about so much more than the police work that is featured.

I would as well, though I recommend watching The Shield first. I watched The Wire and then The Shield and thought it moved waaaay too fast. Kinda regret not going the other way around, I loved The Shield but coming right off of The Wire wasn't the smartest thing I have done.

[Jay Sosa]

No. It's the worst show in TV history.

[CrankyKong]

I could never understand what the black guys were saying.
Took me three seasons to figure out what a re-up was.

[shorty_symd]

I didn't like the show that much and I only made it until halfway throough S3 before I gave up due to boredom.

If you are interested then at least check out Season 1 because I enjoyed that season. Spent a Sunday just watching 4 or 5 episodes straight.

[Hellcrow]

I could never understand what the black guys were saying. Took me three seasons to figure out what a re-up was.

Had to watch the whole series with subtitles, but that is common with HBO series. If you are not sure about slang, google it.

[Spiffy_1st]

I finished season 2 and then had a break to watch some good shows instead. The last time I posted this I was told it gets good at season 3, so I guess I'll try getting back into it.

I feel like I'm missing the point to most of it, I don't care about anything that happens. Maybe I haven't experienced the harsh realities of life to relate.

[Scullibundo]

Sopranos >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The Wire. Don't even waste your time coming at me bros.

[shorty_symd]

I finished season 2 and then had a break to watch some good shows instead. The last time I posted this I was told it gets good at season 3, so I guess I'll try getting back into it. I feel like I'm missing the point to most of it, I don't care about anything that happens. Maybe I haven't experienced the harsh realities of life to relate.

ha! I was exactly in the same situation. Decided to take a break after S2 (because it sucked) to watch other shows and I eventually went back to S3.

[BigDug13]

The first couple episodes are a bit tough to get into for starting fresh. But it hooks you in quick. One of those shows that on rewatch, I ended up making it a marathon of several episodes unintentionally.

You should add The Shield to your list as well. One of the best cop shows and probably The best Dirty Cop show ever.

[Zzoram]

The Shield seems to get overlooked way too often on these "best TV" lists.



The Shield is great. I personally like it more than Breaking Bad, it is more emotional and realistic. Also, The Shield has incredible pacing. There is always something happening and it always ends up being significant in some way.

[Socreges]

SuperSonic, let us know what you think.

[Freewheelin']

Sopranos >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The Wire. Don't even waste your time coming at me bros.

The Wire >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Avatar

I havent seen the Sopranos

[Scullibundo]

The Wire >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Avatar I havent seen the Sopranos

Agreed. That Nickelodeon show is terribly overrated.

[SteveWD40]

It takes time to get into, you sort of have to watch 2-3 episodes at once to start off with.

When you do though, it delivers some of the best social commentary around about how broken the "systems" are in our society, not just in Baltimore either.

[Mileena]

You should probably watch Breaking Bad

[Trent Strong]

The weird thing is, the guy who played Omar was really good in The Wire, but he's terrible on Community and Boardwalk Empire. Just terrible.

[Discotheque]

The weird thing is, the guy who played Omar was really good in The Wire, but he's terrible on Community and Boardwalk Empire. Just terrible.

Community's shit anyways and actually I think he's pretty good in Boardwalk, or at least he's improving. The episode that actually focused on him for once in his family life got some great stuff from him.

[Scullibundo]

The weird thing is, the guy who played Omar was really good in The Wire, but he's terrible on Community and Boardwalk Empire. Just terrible.

The fuck is this? He is great in Boardwalk. Chalky is amazing.