Don't you think there was more to it than simply entertainment and drama?
Television The Wire
- Thread starter VanNistelrater
- Start date
Don't you think there was more to it than simply entertainment and drama?
I was constantly expecting there to be, but it never came. Sure, there were some moments like Carver wanting to adopt that young kid (forgot his name), and the story of Bubz was excellent but in general it was more about manipulation in the system and that just bored me.
It never came? Was this around the same time you saw the lack of interesting characters and emotional value?
I think from your criticisms, comparisons to 'heart in mouth moments' of Breaking Bad, and citing Marlo as 'one of the best characters', the show really isn't one for your palette. I don't like saying things like this either, but it sort of feels like you didn't get it.
Also, strange that you cite The Sopranos in comparison too, that's very 'samey and repetitive' -- maybe even slower paced than The Wire!
You lack emotional value.
The Wire is just an obscure hipster show, it's got nothing on The Shield.
I didn't say Marlo was one of the best characters, but certainly one of the most interesting. Wasn't my favourite that's for sure.
It was a dirty underground drama, that's about it. Felt like I was watching another 5 part ITV series where each episode revolves around a different story yet sticks to the same old format.
You'll lack yer maw cause I set Chris and Snoop on her. So sorry
They could've done a lot of things a lot better in my opinion, that's all I'm saying. Dee's sudden death seemed pointless, but I suppose it shows the ruthlessness of the game. It was quite repetitive for me.
And no @DWelbz19 The Sopranos wasn't that repetitive. It stuck to the same entertaining format that we all love, being the Italian American mafia, yet had an insight into the other side of their life. It also had brilliant one off episodes like pines barren (was that the name?) and emotional value like Tony's dilemma with druggy Chris. You could say the same about Avon's dilemma with a disillusioned Dee but they just didn't pull it off for me.
Edit: almost forgot Omar. He was the best character in my opinion.
Don't get me wrong, it was a great show - just not as good as some and definitely overrated.
And no @DWelbz19 The Sopranos wasn't that repetitive. It stuck to the same entertaining format that we all love, being the Italian American mafia, yet had an insight into the other side of their life. It also had brilliant one off episodes like pines barren (was that the name?) and emotional value like Tony's dilemma with druggy Chris. You could say the same about Avon's dilemma with a disillusioned Dee but they just didn't pull it off for me.
Edit: almost forgot Omar. He was the best character in my opinion.
Don't get me wrong, it was a great show - just not as good as some and definitely overrated.
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Legendary! I loved the Marlo/Omar beef, Marlo always wanted the street admiration that Omar had, it was a fitting end to the best show of all time!
Are you talking about the emotional components? I was talking more about the social commentary aspect. Here's one of the writers talking about it a couple of years ago:
I see his point, but to me it wasn't that deep. Yeah, it documented what's going on in the poverty stricken inner city areas of industrial cities like Baltimore well, but it still all felt quite cliche and fictional, and at times far fetched.
I really did like it, but I was expecting a lot more based on what I've heard. Perhaps I'd appreciate it a lot more if I watched it with a fresh mind.
You didn't even listen to 1/3 of his point! I can't understand the idea that it was cliché or far-fetched...it was a wonderful example of unflinching realism, IMO. What do you disagree with from the below?
Or what's your take on his conversation with Obama?
http://time.com/3761066/obama-the-wire-david-simon/
To be honest mate I stopped listening half way through. It's late, I'll reply tomorrow
Chris is in for life and Snoop got got yo
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There's plenty of criticisms to be made of The Wire if you're so inclined but "lacks interesting characters" is an odd one.
I can't think of a show that has more.
I can't think of a show that has more.
Perhaps lack of emotion was a bit rash, I just finished watching and felt underwhelmed but thinking back Doukie living on the streets and shooting up, Michael putting his little brother who he was so close to with his auntie, McNulty bringing the homeless man he used back to Baltimore were all pretty deep. But it was all in the last episode. It still just seems a bit rushed at times throughout the series, a bit easy, and just lacking something for me. I can't quite put my finger on it.
I'd still give it a solid 8/10. My favourite story line was definitely the one with the young lads, Michael and Doukie's tragic events, Randy getting let down by Carv and being put back into a home. Great writing and story telling. It obviously portrays the underground streets of America's cities well and the issues within the system but I didn't feel moved or even like I'd learnt something I didn't know already.
Can I go now?
I'd still give it a solid 8/10. My favourite story line was definitely the one with the young lads, Michael and Doukie's tragic events, Randy getting let down by Carv and being put back into a home. Great writing and story telling. It obviously portrays the underground streets of America's cities well and the issues within the system but I didn't feel moved or even like I'd learnt something I didn't know already.
By that I mean ones who you can follow and relate to throughout the whole series. A lot of interesting characters came and went like the Sobotka's, or just simply had a bit part like say the Greek's - or just weren't in it long enough like Chris and Snoop and the young lot. The last series was definitely the best.
Can I go now?
feckin' Spurs fans...
The last series was the best...yeah, I think it's fair to say The Wire just wasn't your thing @LennonNL. Each to their own.
I did love it though, perhaps I was just expecting too much based on years of hype. It was just a good drama to me.
Between that and series 4. 3 was mostly average, 2 was very good, 1 was like any other TV crime show.
Put the spade down dude.
Lacked interesting characters? Baltimore felt fictional? Thought season 2 was very good on his first watch? There's something very wrong with you @LennonNL
What's up with season 2? Bit slow moving but the Sobotka's were much more interesting than all that Carcetti shite that took over the show.
The Wire sucks chode, come get me ya cnuts
Nearly everyone has issues with season 2 when they first watch it because of the sudden shift to the docks. It's a brilliant season but it usually gets appreciated on the second watch.
So what did you think when it all started revolving around Carcetti? I know it still linked to the police but the docks linked to the homicide detectives too. It wasn't that much of a sudden change.
It's a slow burner for sure. But the second half of the season pays off really well.
Yep, I liked series 2.
The more I'm talking about it with you lot the more I'm realising I really quite liked it, but I just found myself bored a lot whilst watching. That to me is a bit of a problem. Will probably watch it again in a year or so.
By that time people knew that the show was about the city and each season was a different perspective. The initial dislike for season 2 came because people didn't expect the story of S1 to be dropped. They saw something different and looked at it with distrust. It was just not an approach you often see in a TV show.
The Wire is only great if you look at it as a whole. The individual seasons are not that impressive if looked on their own. People only start getting the bigger picture in Season 3, I think.
best one yetIt's really hard to read an opinion like that and not chalk it up to some character defect that means the subtle genius of the show went over their head. That's why I'm settling for implying it 
Mind you, well worth it for the gif reacts.
Mind you, well worth it for the gif reacts.