I don't whether it's because of this thread or not Badunk, but every time I see your name on this forum, I read it as "Bunk".
I need a new obsession.
I need a new obsession.
Television The Wire
- Thread starter VanNistelrater
- Start date
Apart from not being fat, black, American and a detective, I am exactly like him.
Finished the third season yesterday.
This shit ain't no bad shit, motherfeckers. Definitely one of the best I have ever seen.
This shit ain't no bad shit, motherfeckers. Definitely one of the best I have ever seen.
Sheeeeeeeeeeit!!!
That's some pace your setting.
When yo in da game, yo in it til da end!
3rd's my favorite. But 4th is probably the most worthy and commendable. Partly for the themes and concerns it addresses, but also because of the bold swerve it takes out of it's comfort zone, relegating McNulty to a virtual cameo part and resting it's success on a bunch of previously unseen kids.
2 did this too, but was still ostensibly about the main cop characters tapping people.
2 did this too, but was still ostensibly about the main cop characters tapping people.
I actually liked the newspaper angle in season 5, just a shame it had to be connected with the McNulty/homeless stuff.
In the process of re-watching season 5, am about halfway through. I know that when I try to 'rate' them, I always find 5 to be the weakest, notably because of the ridiculous fabricated serial killer plot, but re-watching it is actually a much more enjoyable ride than I thought it would be.
Though the serial killer plot is stupid, and especially once you've finished watching it all and you're analyzing all seasons, but while it's unfolding, it's not as shocking as I remembered it to be, notably because they manage to convey the frustration the police department is going through. And because McNulty has been portrayed in such a way for 4 seasons prior to that. The most shocking thing about it actually is Lester's participation in the scheme. Bunk's reaction is perfect and very well acted, there's no hesitation on his part, it's just such a ridiculous plan that he never goes along with it, whereas Lester doesn't even bat an eyelid at McNulty and dives in head first. It's incredibly out of character, and it's one of the only real faults in character depiction they are guilty of over the seasons I feel.
My other gripe is Marlo's plot, but that's mainly cos he's such an annoying character and I feel like punching him. I don't quite believe he'd really manage all he does (assassination of Prop Joe, contact with the Greeks), and I found Avon's willingness to help him from jail all a bit too convenient, considering he's in there cos of him. Of course there's the Westside v. Eastside thing, and the money, but it just felt a bit too easy for me.
Finally, the Scott character from the Baltimore Sun is too cliché for me.
However, there's a lot to enjoy all the same: the political machinations within the department preceding Burrell's departure, Carcetti's struggling as mayor, the suit against Clay Davies, the frustration of the police department (I think one of my favourite characters in the series is Ellis Carver for how carefully they've made him mature over the seasons), the depiction of a news room and how a newspaper works, and Bubs' story.
It's probably the weakest, but saying that considering how much stuff there is to enjoy in it is only a testament to the brilliance of the series as a whole.
Though the serial killer plot is stupid, and especially once you've finished watching it all and you're analyzing all seasons, but while it's unfolding, it's not as shocking as I remembered it to be, notably because they manage to convey the frustration the police department is going through. And because McNulty has been portrayed in such a way for 4 seasons prior to that. The most shocking thing about it actually is Lester's participation in the scheme. Bunk's reaction is perfect and very well acted, there's no hesitation on his part, it's just such a ridiculous plan that he never goes along with it, whereas Lester doesn't even bat an eyelid at McNulty and dives in head first. It's incredibly out of character, and it's one of the only real faults in character depiction they are guilty of over the seasons I feel.
My other gripe is Marlo's plot, but that's mainly cos he's such an annoying character and I feel like punching him. I don't quite believe he'd really manage all he does (assassination of Prop Joe, contact with the Greeks), and I found Avon's willingness to help him from jail all a bit too convenient, considering he's in there cos of him. Of course there's the Westside v. Eastside thing, and the money, but it just felt a bit too easy for me.
Finally, the Scott character from the Baltimore Sun is too cliché for me.
However, there's a lot to enjoy all the same: the political machinations within the department preceding Burrell's departure, Carcetti's struggling as mayor, the suit against Clay Davies, the frustration of the police department (I think one of my favourite characters in the series is Ellis Carver for how carefully they've made him mature over the seasons), the depiction of a news room and how a newspaper works, and Bubs' story.
It's probably the weakest, but saying that considering how much stuff there is to enjoy in it is only a testament to the brilliance of the series as a whole.
yeah but that connected it to the Bubbles redemption arc.
"Ain't no shame in holding onto grief, as long as you make room for other things too"
Season 3 definitely had my favourite intro.
And season 2 my fav closing montage.
And season 2 my fav closing montage.
People actually have other favorite intros other than the first one? Sheeeeeeeiit.
It's probably the least catchiest one tbf tbh.
First everytime. ffwd through the rest.
The song on that is by Steve Earle, who plays 'Walon', Bubbles' sponsor.
He also does the intro song for Season 5.
Damn straight.
I've just finished season 1 and I do like the into.
Can't remember the others all that well, I usually ffwd all intros after the first episode to be honest.
Can't remember the others all that well, I usually ffwd all intros after the first episode to be honest.
I like the season 2 version, sung by Tom Waits (who also wrote the song), but I'm not that annoyed by the others, I listen to it during the first episode and then fast forward through the opening credits for the rest of the season.
I am nine episodes through season 5 and I am of the very same opinion. The newspaper/media angle is very interesting and it introduced one of my favourite Wire characters too (Gus Haynes).
In fact, I think the weakest aspect of season 5 are the characters we already knew such as McNulty and the Police Dept., Marlo's crew etc. Also, the lack of a gangland drug war in this season, which fuelled every one of the other seasons, definitely holds it back.
Yeah motherfecker your a-ight, it is only business.
I am going at a pretty fast rate but that is what I do with every TV Show. Anyway it is great and all seasons 'till now have been beautiful. Also I want more from the Greek and his people, though I doubt that it will happen.
Found this track earlier on Youtube, some may like it:
Agree with this. The size of the bollocks it took to do this, especially after having just...
killed off Stringer Bell...
Impressive. I was shocked when that happened - couldn't imagine the show being the same afterwards, and even after it happened I kept thinking there must be some sort of catch and that all wasn't as it seemed.
(I'm guessing the spoiler wasn't necessary now that the show is long finished, but there are people here that are going through it now so wouldn't want to spoil that!)
I think relegating McNulty to a cameo role in season 4 was more out of necessity than choice. He wasn't able to commit to spending 6+ months in Baltimore during shooting and he ended up flying back and forth from the UK for his scenes only.
Finished the third episode in the fourth season. It look that much things have changed from the last season, and personally the most interesting thing look the race for mayor.
And McNulty not being in a big role is a bad thing, my favorite character in the show.
And McNulty not being in a big role is a bad thing, my favorite character in the show.
You'll have forgotten all about that by the end of it.
Correct, he wanted to spend more time with his family. The original plan was to have him heavily involved in the schools plot because he was a cop on the streets where they hung around.
4 episodes to go. A massive decline in quality in the last 2 seasons (especially in the last season). The good part is that the Greek and his people are back.
I finished it the other night, though season 5 is the weakest, I still really enjoyed watching how they closed the storylines for all the characters and the conclusions for some of the characters almost brought tears to my eyes even though I'd already seen it. Great great series, one I'll be delighted to watch again and again.
Just watched the latest episode on Atlantic and it pissed me off how McNulty got Lester involved in the homeless killings then had a go at him because Lester's suggestions didn't lead to more resources to help nail Marlo.
I finished the first season last week. (I've already watched the whole thing). But when I went to watch season 2 it was the worst fecking quality I've ever seen, I don't know how I watched it the first time round.
Got myself a good version of season 2 to watch now, so should be hitting it up pretty soon. Took an age to get at times as I think TalkTalk throttle my connection at peak times or some such shit.
Wasn't a huge fan of season 2 the first time around, but I think that may have been that it was completely different from season 1 and that threw me a bit.
Got myself a good version of season 2 to watch now, so should be hitting it up pretty soon. Took an age to get at times as I think TalkTalk throttle my connection at peak times or some such shit.
Wasn't a huge fan of season 2 the first time around, but I think that may have been that it was completely different from season 1 and that threw me a bit.
Season 4 is easily the best of them. You can't please some people!
Can't find a massive decline anywhere. The pace changes somewhat, but I thought this series was brilliant from the first episode up until the last. That said I saw it twice and from start to finish, so I don't have a mental division from one series to another. It's basically a long brilliant story to me.
I'm near the end of Season 2 at the moment, watching for the third time, and I still struggle to pick a clear favourite season.
5 was definitely the weakest, but it was by no means shit (aside from the serial killer nonsense). The lying reporter annoyed me, though.
5 was definitely the weakest, but it was by no means shit (aside from the serial killer nonsense). The lying reporter annoyed me, though.
Aye, forgot about that nonsense, it's probably the only thing I wish was completely absent from the series.
That said, we never know... Could it be based in something half-true? Or is it as stupid as it looks?
That said, we never know... Could it be based in something half-true? Or is it as stupid as it looks?
You never know with this show, the creator David Simon worked for the real Baltimore Sun and Ed Burns who was also heavily involved in writing/creating is a former homicide detective.
The fake serial killer story was poor, but every cloud has a silver lining.. that scene with the FBI profiler was hilarious.
The lying reporter was meant to annoy you though. I hated Ziggy in Season 2, but again, I was probably supposed to.
Yeah, annoying but good/believable/necessary characters.
I loathed Ziggy and I was probably supposed to but there wasn't anything to balance that hate. That's where season 2 falls flat. Just feels weird. Usually there's some kind of balance, for example the villain is the super annoying character but in the end he get's his comeuppance.
God dammit Ziggy, you sick feck!!! 
and his duck was awesome. Great character, but annoying as hell.
Felt the journalist fabricator character was a little too one dimensional and driven entirely by his motives, so lacked the complexity of many of the other key characters. He wanted to get a reputation to move to a better paper and was willing to make things up and lie to get it, that is pretty much the sum total of the character.
and his duck was awesome. Great character, but annoying as hell.
Felt the journalist fabricator character was a little too one dimensional and driven entirely by his motives, so lacked the complexity of many of the other key characters. He wanted to get a reputation to move to a better paper and was willing to make things up and lie to get it, that is pretty much the sum total of the character.
Yeah, you're right, pretty unbelievable. He was far too compassionate.
