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The Wire -- progression of the series (no spoilers please)
Posted on 3/13/15 at 10:31 am
Posted on 3/13/15 at 10:31 am
OK, I am obviously late to the game, but I started watching "The Wire" since so many on this board rate the series high on their list of great shows. I am 8 episodes into Season 1 and while character development usually takes a little time, I am not totally committed to the show yet -- as opposed to some shows like Breaking Bad, Deadwood, Boardwalk Empire, Justified, etc... that had from the first episode.
Does this series get progressively better? Or was everyone else hooked from the beginning and I'm just not into this one?
Does this series get progressively better? Or was everyone else hooked from the beginning and I'm just not into this one?
14
Posted on 3/13/15 at 10:42 am to DivotBreath
It took me awhile to get hooked as well, but it is worth it. Stick with it
Posted on 3/13/15 at 10:46 am to DivotBreath
Stick with it, you'll get hooked
Posted on 3/13/15 at 10:48 am to Tigers2010
quote:
It took me awhile to get hooked as well, but it is worth it. Stick with it
Posted on 3/13/15 at 10:54 am to DivotBreath
Overrated by this board.
That said, it actually is a really good show and set a lot of important precedent for future television series.
I just don't agree with its GOAT status many here give it.
That said, it actually is a really good show and set a lot of important precedent for future television series.
I just don't agree with its GOAT status many here give it.
Posted on 3/13/15 at 10:56 am to DivotBreath
It does get better, and it gets to the point where you plan on watching 1 episode and you end up going to bed at 2am.
However, for me, the reason it is the GOAT is because of the social commentary it provides on inner-city America. The way it takes a a story, and tells it through the eyes of characters from all walks of life. By the end of the series you get a better understanding for just how broken the system is. You realize that all the TPOS that the OT loves so much never had a chance in life. And you realize just how embedded drugs are into the fabric of America, and why the war on drugs is unwinnable.
It does all that, and on top of that, it has one of the best stories, best characters, and best character development of any show ever made. It did all this before "dramatic series" was really even a thing. Sopranos is it's only real predecessor.
TLDR:
1. Social Commentary
2. Great Story/Characters
3. Trail Blazer for Dramatic Series
However, for me, the reason it is the GOAT is because of the social commentary it provides on inner-city America. The way it takes a a story, and tells it through the eyes of characters from all walks of life. By the end of the series you get a better understanding for just how broken the system is. You realize that all the TPOS that the OT loves so much never had a chance in life. And you realize just how embedded drugs are into the fabric of America, and why the war on drugs is unwinnable.
It does all that, and on top of that, it has one of the best stories, best characters, and best character development of any show ever made. It did all this before "dramatic series" was really even a thing. Sopranos is it's only real predecessor.
TLDR:
1. Social Commentary
2. Great Story/Characters
3. Trail Blazer for Dramatic Series
Posted on 3/13/15 at 10:58 am to DivotBreath
The thing about being hooked by those other shows you listed is that each one has characters and events that are totally fantastically unrealistic. They entrap you in wonderful stories that couldn't happen. You immediately fall in love with them from the get-go. However, that's not development, that's spectacle. Development takes time.
The shite in The Wire does happen. It's dark and gritty. The characters are all very thought out as are their stories. It just takes time unlock them all because there are so many. It's easy to say "McNulty can't keep a family because of his job", it's a lot harder to show him have to go through it all while balancing his work, which the show does very well.
At the very least finish season 1.
The shite in The Wire does happen. It's dark and gritty. The characters are all very thought out as are their stories. It just takes time unlock them all because there are so many. It's easy to say "McNulty can't keep a family because of his job", it's a lot harder to show him have to go through it all while balancing his work, which the show does very well.
At the very least finish season 1.
Posted on 3/13/15 at 10:59 am to HeavyCore
quote:
The thing about being hooked by those other shows you listed is that each one has characters and events that are totally fantastically unrealistic. They entrap you in wonderful stories that couldn't happen. You immediately fall in love with them from the get-go. However, that's not development, that's spectacle. Development takes time.
The shite in The Wire does happen. It's dark and gritty. The characters are all very thought out as are their stories. It just takes time unlock them all because there are so many. It's easy to say "McNulty can't keep a family because of his job", it's a lot harder to show him have to go through it all while balancing his work, which the show does very well.
The Wire has at least one fantastical character, but I agree with your point overall.
Posted on 3/13/15 at 11:01 am to Big Scrub TX
you're right about the point where it hooks you.
Posted on 3/13/15 at 11:06 am to DivotBreath
I will say that if you're not hooked by episode 8, then it may not be for you. Since you're this far though, I'd give it the rest of S1.
And keep in mind that if you continue, each season focuses on a different aspect of Baltimore:
S1 - drug trade
S2 - docks/port system
S3 - government beaurocracy
S4 - school/education system
S5 - print media
Plots are intertwined throughout the series, but each season definitely shifts gears fairly dramatically.
And keep in mind that if you continue, each season focuses on a different aspect of Baltimore:
S1 - drug trade
S2 - docks/port system
S3 - government beaurocracy
S4 - school/education system
S5 - print media
Plots are intertwined throughout the series, but each season definitely shifts gears fairly dramatically.
Posted on 3/13/15 at 11:09 am to CocomoLSU
quote:
I will say that if you're not hooked by episode 8, then it may not be for you. Since you're this far though, I'd give it the rest of S1.
He just has to realize that it is not an episodic series. It's one huge tapestry with very little loose ends tied up.
Posted on 3/13/15 at 11:24 am to CocomoLSU
Thanks for the replies. I will definitely ride it out through Season 1 and then determine if I want to stick with it or jump to something else. I guess I am just surprised that so far it is not a show that makes me want to keep watching another episode when I know I should call it a night. I usually do not have that discipline when I get hooked on a show.
Posted on 3/13/15 at 11:26 am to DivotBreath
quote:
Or was everyone else hooked from the beginning and I'm just not into this one?
I can't say from the beginning - but fairly early - before episode 8.
quote:
Does this series get progressively better?
You're going to get lots of opinions on that - the most polarizing will be Season 2 and Season 5, IMHO - many people found the shift from black drug dealers to white dockworkers a little jarring.
But, very similar to a novel, the show builds - adding new characters and locations every season, while, generally, revisiting the old characters and locations (as applicable, and with exceptions) and you see an organic evolution in the neighborhood, the department, the criminal organization.
But - where you're at now - having seen little of Omar, city hall, etc., I would soldier on - recognizing that Season 2 will be jarring - some people love it - others hate it (very similiar to the BB episode "Fly") - I'm kind of in the middle, strangely enough. The show really is worth the effort. It is a GOAT candidate.
What do you have to lose except time?
This post was edited on 3/13/15 at 11:30 am
Posted on 3/13/15 at 11:28 am to Big Scrub TX
quote:
The Wire has at least one fantastical character, but I agree with your point overall.
Omar? All of that is based on 2 different real stick-up men. They toned down the spiderman leap to make it more "realistic" (the actual jump seemed impossible, so they lowered it for the show
). His orientation and composite nature were about the only things fictional.
Posted on 3/13/15 at 11:34 am to Ace Midnight
Spoilers but I think he's referring to a certain man Omar encounters in Seasons 2-3. That guy is clearly fantastical.
Posted on 3/13/15 at 11:34 am to DivotBreath
Ordered The Wire blu-ray set yesterday. Released June 2. Which means I'll have 28 days to watch the whole series before my new job starts.
No problem.
No problem.
Posted on 3/13/15 at 11:37 am to Big Scrub TX
quote:
The Wire has at least one fantastical character
Actually, almost everything Omar does ACTUALLY HAPPENED. Including the infamous leap. That is a 100% true story. The "real" Omar did that.
Posted on 3/13/15 at 12:15 pm to DivotBreath
Season 1 pulled me in from the get go, it is imo the best season of any TV show ever.
Posted on 3/13/15 at 12:25 pm to DivotBreath
The first couple of seasons start out slow. Stick with it though.
Posted on 3/13/15 at 12:44 pm to DivotBreath
quote:
I am 8 episodes into Season 1 and while character development usually takes a little time, I am not totally committed to the show yet -- as opposed to some shows like Breaking Bad, Deadwood, Boardwalk Empire, Justified, etc... that had from the first episode.
Does this series get progressively better?
I share your mindset. I watched S1 and 2 then quit..took a long break, watched 1 and 2 again, lost interest, watched 4, then quit.
I will say that the pacing/style/etc of the show doens't change. It moves along in each season just like it does in season 1. There are different storylines per season (like cocomo said earlier) and different characters obviously, but if your biggest knock is that it hasn't grabbed you after 8 episodes, it likely won't.
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