That's true. If they'd ended with that, it would've been a perfect arc. As much as I love 4, the relative weakness of 5 makes 4 (and 5) comparatively vestigial.

I think this is what I liked the most about it. Stringer was such a solid character, internal turmoil trying to get out of the game but being a thug at heart, man, I thought he was great. I think I need to stay out of this thread now until I finish the series.

season 3 is probably my least favorite (haven't seen 5 yet) but a least favorite wire season doesn't really mean that much in the end cause 1-4 are so great. i can see why some people love 3 to death though. to me, it's the least "sociological" for lack of a better term, and the most dramatic. of 1-4, it probably sheds the least amount of light on the state of a disenfranchised urban landspace in the US today of any of them, but then again you get the positively shakespearian avon/stringer conflict, which makes for compelling narrative.

i'd probably rank em 4=1>2>3

Who is ready for generation kill?

Did I mention in this thread that I met Hauk?

Me.

I think the exploration of Stringer's conflict, alone, makes it one of the best examinations of today's urban landscape.


I have actually given up on ranking the seasons, because this is simply one of those shows that must be taken in as a whole. Season 4 and 5 are practically the same arc, just as 1 and 3... and 2 weaves them all together. So it is hard to say one is better than the other, because they all serve their own function.

Not sure if anyone saw the news reports last night about Chicago spike in crime coinciding with a new police superintendent's time in office (six months), then with supportive comments by Daley, but the whole thing was as if lifted right out of the Wire.

Edit: Not sure how long it will be up, but video is available here under Chicago Police Supt. Faces Tough Questions.

These commercials are 10000% more enjoyable when you imagine they are post-Wire where-are-they-now vingettes about Levy and Prezbo, rather than fast-food ads.


(Can't find the Diddy / Jim True-Frost Burger King one)

Got my hands on screeners and just finished all 7 eps. A little slow at the beginning, a little reminiscent of "Jarhead" in the sense of Marines itching to not get left out of the battle, but overall really, really strong. Great cast, great performances. A few "Wire" alums are in it, most notably the guy who played Ziggy in S2, and he's a total stand-out.

Highly recommend this.

How does one (read: me) get his (read: my) hands on a screener?

So many people who like this show think they know everything about the drug trade and they sound like Michael Scott when they talk about it.

I'd love to watch it but I've got 3 orders for steamed crab coming through right now. I'm a little busy, DVR it for me if you can.

Know someone in the media. I only borrowed 'em, so I don't have them anymore. But they were widely distributed to critics, so I assume it's all on BitTorrent. The first five eps went out weeks ago, while the last two were sent to critics last week.

Finished season 2 a couple nights ago. Amazing season, blew me away. Loved the port theme and the guy who played "Frank". Totally believable actors. I thought it was as good as season 1. I'm two episodes into season 3 and it feels a bit tired compared to Season 1 and 2, but I guess that's to be expected.

david simon was on charlie rose the other night. they talked about "the wire" a little bit, specifically about how it was simon's view of the future for baltimore and he would be thrilled if it didn't turn out that way.

XM had Michael Kenneth Williams (Omar) on this morning for about a half hour. The guy is pretty hilarious and can flip the switch from being a bad ass MF to a wackjob goofball pretty effortlessly. he went on a semi staged rant on how the Wire was passed over for the Emmy's once again that was peppered with lolz. Also how his homies never let him hear the end of it when he mentions, that his first ever on screen kiss was with another man.

Michael Williams has a part in the upcoming film 'The Road,' based on Cormac McCarthy's book of the same name.

5 starts on minor cable channel FX tomorrow and more and more articles have appeared in the press this year to the extent that the DVD's of s2 and s3 are in the top 20 and 1 is top of Amazon.co.uk.

just finished season 1. poor wallace!

really unusual that the end of season one seems like the series finale. no buildup for season two. was this a creative choice or did they think maybe they wouldn't even be back for a second season? anyway...is season 1 by far the best or something? should i keep my expectations down going into season 2?

Finally catching up with the hype. I bought Season one yesterday and intend to start watching it after I finish with Heroes.

damn moneybags (that's your street name). you know, they have it at the local video store!

Good time as any to start, plenty of articles in the Guardian this past 18 months!

lol uk

38,000 people watched here last night. Probably got that many column inches this past week.

What's so lol about it deej? The Wire not being on a terrestrial channel let alone a major digital one is stupid as hell. I'm glad there are people and papers who go on and on about trying to make people watch it.

It was actually me watching Newsnight review which alerted me to the show. Then I thought "oh yeah, there's a big ass thread on the SOMB about that". Went into zavvi to get my sister a birthday present and I saw it on offer for £25. Thought I may as well give it a shot.

For the next ones

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s?ie=UTF8&tag=...=Mozilla-search

Just started watching Season One of this last night with my girlfriend. Three episodes deep. We're both digging it so far.

I have two more shows to go in Season 3 and I can tell you they are all good so far.

4 is the best IMO followed by 2 then 3 then 1.

exactly. ive been saying this

altho id put 5 last, and i think 1 and 3 are about equal

4
2
1
3
5

edit: 3's main problem is that it's the least realistic of the seasons. The storylines are too self-consciously grand and epic.

good to hear

sounds like they pulled the plug at the right time

Season 2 will have a different focus, just be prepared for that.



Yeah, but what a storyline!! Season 3 was the first year I watched and while struggling to figure out relationships & whatnot, right around episode 5--holy fuck, Colvin legalized drugs!--I was hooked. In fact, that very ploy was something proposed by the then-actual-mayor of Baltimore several years ago (who appears in a cameo toward the end of the season).
Clem, which season is being broadcast over there now--1?

4
1
2
5
3

Hampsterdam was actually one of the less exaggerated storylines that season (I'm think more along the lines of Omar vs. Stringer).

I LOVED Colvin's brown bag speech. Still one of my favorite political speeches, fictional or otherwise.

Series 5 started last night on FX. Inbetween 4 and 5 being on here a small section of the media came round to it and plugged it hard. Search UK News sources on Google on The Wire to see for yourself how much press it's got. The DVD's for the first three seasons are the best selling three on Amazon.co.uk.

Heroes season 1 finale was super disappointing.

Just finished watching the first episode of the Wire and it reminded me that I've actually seen a bit of this show before. First episode was pretty gripping television. This should keep me interested for the next couple of months, that's for sure.

Season 3 was amazing.

Get ready for 4. Which is by far the most frustrating (not for the quality of the show) season, but for the reality of the situation portrayed. It is so damn depressing. Oddly enough, it might just be my favorite.

Yeah. Season 4 is a masterwork. I think that w/o that season, The Wire would still be looked at as a great show, but Season 4 pushed it into 'genius masterpiece' territory.

Two more episodes left in the first season. Damn, this show is good.

Wow. Just finished Season One. Man oh man. Seriously, the best TV I've ever seen. That last episode hits you like a jackhammer. That final montage? Just wow.

The Wire's montages are some of the best parts of the show.

I'm in the same boat as you, though I'm only on episode 5 I think. I came straight off watching Heroes season 1 to this. Although they're obviously completely different shows, the gulf in quality between the two is remarkable. I need to stop watching so much shit and stick to the good stuff.

very true

The montage in the series finale was seriously powerful. As a Maryland native, I can tell you that there is some major unexplainable truth in that montage.

i didn't really care for that episode (or that entire season, relatively), but that montage was incredible. dukie killed me.

anyone got any idea when S5 comes out on DVD?

August 12.

And now I just finished Season Two. Oh man. I love it! I need more. What a great show.

oh, no shit? i had no idea it was that close. netflix here i come.

actually i should be even more stoked as i'm about to move into a new place w/ two of my best friends, both of which haven't gotten into this show yet but would love it. gives me a good excuse to rewatch the entire thing anew.