Strongly agree. I rank Sopranos just alongside it and BB not too far off it but there is something about The Wire, along with all the other accolades that you could possibly put forth, that just puts it out in front. Its hard to describe what it is. It might be just the sheer authenticity and credibility of the way its made. Based on real people in real situations and showing the dilemma from both sides of the coin. The fact that the writer wanted his show to actually make a difference really stuck out with me.
Television The Wire
- Thread starter VanNistelrater
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Strongly agree. I rank Sopranos just alongside it and BB not too far off it but there is something about The Wire, along with all the other accolades that you could possibly put forth, that just puts it out in front. Its hard to describe what it is. It might be just the sheer authenticity and credibility of the way its made. Based on real people in real situations and showing the dilemma from both sides of the coin. The fact that the writer wanted his show to actually make a difference really stuck out with me.
You know what it is, as you alluded to, is the sheer authenticity of the situations depicted. I grew up in similar situations and let me tell you.. the way they depict the hood struggle is excellent. I never would have thought a show could do that to be honest, especially from a big name company like HBO who are so disconnected from the lower class.
There was times, probably due to my upbringing (who knows), that I wanted the police to fail. I wanted Omar to constantly succeed, I wanted Avon to constantly succeed and go unpunished etc. . It was a sense that the judicial, social and legal system consistently neglects you until you do something illegal. They give you no other choice and when you take it they punish you. Sorry I went off on a rant, but this show I can watch so many times over and appreciate so many different aspects of it, thats a true testament to the depth of quality The Wire has.
I seriously recommend it to anyone.
It's genuinely astounding how well executed it is. How they managed to absolutely nail so many different points they wanted to portray and comment on and at the same time create totally gripping and thrilling storylines and remain as entertaining as something like Breaking Bad.
To think it was always on the brink of being cancelled.
Yeah. One of the best things for me, was never knowing which side to favour. I'd be flipping from one side to the other, constantly. Also, I could never actually pin down my favourite character. Every time I'd see Omar, I'd know it was him but then Bubbles or Bunk or Lester would steal the show. McNulty was just such a likeable character and even Carcetti drew you in, even though he was probably meant to be unlikeable. Tbh, any of the main characters could be the favourite and all for different reasons.
I don't think I've ever been as invested in the lives of so many different characters at the one time, in the one show.
Amen.
I never knew about the threat of cancellation, though. That's pretty shocking.
Its the stoicism in the delivery of thought that attracted me right off the bat. Shows like Breaking Bad are good but they also have a lot of reaction inducing and popcorn material for regular TV audience, the stoicism in The Wire was so good that it often bordered on the verge of a documentary, you'd see horrible psychopathic murder sprees, a kid's life being ruined etc and it'd still look like it was delivered in a very matter of fact way as if to say, "So it goes".
The only character that had a little flair that didn't fit in was probably Brother Muzzone and I still loved his scenes, especially with Method Man and Omar.
Imo the Shiled is great but The Wire is amazing. Nothing comes remotely close. Side characters have more depth and a better arc than main characters of a lot of good/popular other shows. It's the kind of show you can watch once every year for a decade because the way it tells its story is so great that it doesn't rely on suspence at all.
I'm somewhat choosy when it comes to TVs shows but it still depresses me when I think about how even really good shows seem like cheap Junk Food in comparison and how The Wire seperates itself simply by intelligent writing/not giving a feck about viewers who are looking for superficial entertainment.
I'm somewhat choosy when it comes to TVs shows but it still depresses me when I think about how even really good shows seem like cheap Junk Food in comparison and how The Wire seperates itself simply by intelligent writing/not giving a feck about viewers who are looking for superficial entertainment.
Totally agree. There's a great gallows humour that flows between the cops, things that you and I would be horrified by but that they see every day. Good people, who one one hand care deeply about the job but on the other, so desensitized that they just go about it like a job. You imagine that's how homicide cops would be in real life. The funny things is, McNulty both epitomizes and bucks that trend simultaneously. He's has a sick sense of humour and matter of fact attitude, yet he cares the most and takes the most risks trying to get justice.
The other side is just the same. You have young kids seeing death and depravity, cold enough to end a life in a heartbeat and go about their every day, yet still troubled by the normal things young people worry about.
Have started rewatching in HD. Looks great, though the audio could use some work.
Some were discussing humour in the show, the end of this scene is a great example of the show's type of comedy:
I think I'm gonna watch this again now it's available in HD. Only watched it just over a year ago but I've got the urge to watch it again more so than Breaking Bad which I actually watched before this.
Because it's lightyears ahead of it. But the HD conversion is brilliant. Kudos to Simon and HBO on that.
It's good (in HD) is it? Because I've read a few articles this afternoon moaning about it looking all stretched and crappy.
I've got 2 episodes left to watch and find out its just been remastered 
Finished watching this last year. Great show but I really wasn't a fan of the show being shot in a 4:3 aspect ratio. Might give this HD remastered version a watch but it won't be the same as watching it for the first time.
Most likely watching the Sky Atlantic/Amazon Prime (not actually) "HD" versions. Because neither of those criticisms apply to the remasters, they are quips if you really look, but we're talking mics/cameras and random crew members occasionally being in scenes.
Just like the best shows I have ever watched, when I finished watching The Wire, I felt like not watching anything else for a while. I felt depressed, it's the best compliment I can make.
When I heard Elba was british, I couldn't believe it, his accent is just fecking spot on.
When I heard Elba was british, I couldn't believe it, his accent is just fecking spot on.
Ah man I'm hooked again now. Already watched through it all twice but had to give it another go now it's been remastered in HD. It's just on another level to anything else we've seen to date. It makes Breaking Bad seem shite in comparison in my opinion. The dialogue is unparalleled, character development, pacing (bar season 5), unpredictability and humour are all top notch too.
Watched season 1 for the first time over the last week or so. Loved it! Brilliant show.
Just wait until you get to season 4. The best thing I've ever watched (and I include movies in that.)
The remasters look fantastic!
Season 4 is one of the best seasons of ANY tv show I have ever seen. Love this show.
Season 4 is one of the best seasons of ANY tv show I have ever seen. Love this show.
Rewatching at the moment with the remastered versions being released, onto S2E09 and it does look great in HD.
I think I come to a different decision every time I try and rank the seasons, they'll all a cut above anything else.
I think I come to a different decision every time I try and rank the seasons, they'll all a cut above anything else.
It not only looks great, they sound great too... the remastered surround sound sounds dead good.
"UPDATE:HBO announced today, December 2, "The Wire: The Complete Series" will be available to purchase on Digital HD January 5, 2015. The premium cable network will also be airing a marathon of the newly remastered series on HBO Signature starting December 26, with one season a day until December 30. The series Blu-ray will not be available until Summer 2015, but all 60 episodes will be available in HD on HBO Go starting December 26."
I know remastering is a good thing, but does anyone genuinely watch Fawlty Towers and think "I like this, but the camera quality and aspect ratio is seriously impeding my enjoyment of the comedy"?
I don't think it's ever occured to me while watching anything.
I don't think it's ever occured to me while watching anything.
It only occurs to you when you watch the remaster how much better it looks and sounds because you have the original to compare it to.
It didn't occur to me when I was watching the original because that was all I knew and besides the content was incredible.
Nah, but it's nice to watch again in HD.
Although, didn't someone actually refuse to watch it due to 4:3?
I noticed the black bars on the side, but that was it really. Didn't care about them, but can't argue against HD when it's available! Also a great excuse for a re-watch.
Surely not on a great place like the caf. We're all very intelli.. oh,
I was needing an excuse to rewatch! This might be it. Might skip Season 5 though.
i love season 5 and i'm not ashamed to say it
after the cumulative brilliance of the previous 4 seasons i quite like the change of pace and more outrageous story lines, its still wonderfully put together if a little OTT at times
after the cumulative brilliance of the previous 4 seasons i quite like the change of pace and more outrageous story lines, its still wonderfully put together if a little OTT at times
Season five gets better with every watch, there's still a lot of brilliant stuff going on you just have to overlook the silliness of the faked murders.
Plus Gus is a great character.
Plus Gus is a great character.
I think the genre of what you're watching is impossible. Fawlty Towers is comedy, so sound editing and cinematography aren't that important. For drama, I think the quality of the more technical aspects of film and series making can play a bigger role; I remember acquiring a very early copy of Se7en on DVD and the quality was absolute shit, I was quite happy when a revamped edition was released on Bluray. I wouldn't really have cared about watching Home Alone on a crappy overused VHS though.
Having said that, the technical aspects of The Wire have never really bothered me.
I dunno what the problem is, if somethings great, it's gonna be great whether your watching off a recorded VHS that's been viewed a 100 times or blu-ray.....it's just obviously nice to have the superior quality option on top of high quality writing/acting regardless of production values.
I refuse to watch anything that isn't at-least on 1080p quality.
Hi Mate,
Is there a way I can legally download the remastered digital versions? thought they would be available from the Google Play store but I can't see them,
Cheers
Highly unlikely. I'm sure it'll be on Sky Atlantic at some point like pretty much every other HBO show.
No legal way yet except if you have HBO. Frankly. I own the original box set, I'll be damned if I'm rebuying it again, so I just downloaded it. Looks gorgeous.
Not legally, as others have said.
^ Thanks for that.
Yep. Own the original box set and was hoping to watch the HD versions, had a couple of issues with torrent sites, so I was hoping to legally download it from the 5th, but no joy.
Wish HBO Go was available in the UK!
Yep. Own the original box set and was hoping to watch the HD versions, had a couple of issues with torrent sites, so I was hoping to legally download it from the 5th, but no joy.
Wish HBO Go was available in the UK!
They're on iTunes in HD.