The Wire

[Canibal-7]

This is the best HBO series of all time, no questions asked. The wire is definitely the best show ever made. most realistic stuff ever. It takes a couple of episodes to get into it because it's pretty slow compared to the average show but once you get into it, you just become addicted. unlike other police shows this one deals with ONE investigation during its 4 entire seasons while in other shows cases are closed in one episode. another good thing about THE WIRE is that we follow both cops and thugs without any superficial caricature we find on CSI and such,THE WIRE keeps it real all the way. incredibly well written, amazing photography and oustanding actors, this is the kind of show that should be covered with emmies...

Any other fans out there?

[Loppfessor]

Any other fans out there?

No, go away

[Canibal-7]

No, go away


Ain't you funny? Why don't you watch it, too poor to afford a TV?

[Loppfessor]

Ain't you funny? Why don't you watch it, too poor to afford a TV?


I'm amish....if my ma and pa find out I was on this computer I'll be banished

[Canibal-7]

I'm amish....if my ma and pa find out I was on this computer I'll be banished



Okay, are you retarded too?

[Medellia]

Wow this is gonna be a steller argument. A real battle of wits. :rolleyes:

[Loppfessor]

Wow this is gonna be a steller argument. A real battle of wits. :rolleyes:


quiet you! *shakes fist*


anyway I believe we were discussing award winning HBO shows and the people who post about them??

[Canibal-7]

Wow this is gonna be a steller argument. A real battle of wits. :rolleyes:


Actually, I wasn't looking for an arguement. But it's not my fault there are members with 2000 + posts on this site who have no respect for newer members. As for wits, I'm just reponding to remarks that seem to come from seven year old.

[Loppfessor]

Actually,But it's not my fault there are members with 2000 + posts on this site who have no respect for newer members.


Hey I resent that! I don't have "no respect" for ANY members here new or old....anyway please tell me your favorite episode of The Wire...spare no details...

[TurdBerglar]

my must we have to whip these assholes into acting the way we want them to act so much?

[Medellia]

my must we have to whip these assholes into acting the way we want them to act so much?
Because their assholes?

[TurdBerglar]

does your asshole liked to be whipped?

[Loppfessor]

Great now I got Devo playing in my head! thanks Turd

[Medellia]

does your asshole liked to be whipped?
Ewwwwwwww

[TurdBerglar]

Great now I got Devo playing in my head! thanks Turd



that's your problem. don't try to guilt trip me, cocksucker

[Loppfessor]

that's your problem. don't try to guilt trip me, cocksucker

Finally a canidate who's not afraid to tell it like it is. You got my vote!

[TurdBerglar]

so you're actually a cocksucker?

[Loppfessor]

so you're actually a cocksucker?


That's a damn lie!!

[TurdBerglar]

hey you admitted to it

[Medellia]

Will you two just get a room already?! :mad:

[TurdBerglar]

i have a room and im the only dude in it

[Beth]

i like the wire -- it's a good series. i think it's done by the some of the same people responsible for oz, homicide: life on the street, and law & order.

[abcdefz]

I really, really like this show. I didn't realize how sprawling it was going to be, but they're really going in depth. A little contrived to have
two policeman leave the force and wind up at the same school, but okay.

I'm on disc three of season four.

*spoiler*





















Chris just beat down that deadbeat dad in Michael's house so badly, I had to fast-forward it. That was brutal.

[Randetica]

hey i like this thread! canibal come baaack!!

[abcdefz]

This Ed Burns who produces the show... it can't be the same Ed Burns who's the jerk that tries to be Woody Allen, is it? The Brother McCullen sap?

[ericlee]

Man, that is a great series.

It's been a while since I watched it but, didn't Season 1 start with the Barksdale case, Season 2 was about the shipyard and Season 3 closed the Barksdale case?

I have no clue as to what Season 4 is about but I'm gonna have to get back into it.

[abcdefz]

Season 4 gets more into the school system, maneuvering by the new mayor, Marlon vs. Omar, etc.

[befsquire]

the new season starts next month on the 8th, i think.

[jabumbo]

i love this show so far, its great stuff. i like how they have so many different characters to keep things open to all sorts of possibilities


when i heard the new season was starting soon, i wanted to hurry up and catch up with the dvds so i could watch this one for real, but i only just started season 2, and i believe i saw season 4 in the stores already...

[abcdefz]

i believe i saw season 4 in the stores already...



Yeah; that's how I get to watch it.

Season five is the last one, I understand.

[jabumbo]

if seaon 5 starts on jan 8th, i don't think i can get through seaons 2, 3, and 4 fast enough.


why couldnt they wait until say, mid february?

[mathcart]

Sorry to bump the stupid shit at the beginning of this thread, but such is life, you have to take the awesome with the awesomely insipid...

So The Wire is the greatest television viewing experience (so much more than a "show") I've ever encountered (& some of you know my extreme fondness for another contemporary genius TV show- Lost). Season 5 was (ultimately) very satisfying and, I thought, incredibly well done- especially the way the series is wrapped up. The game is out there, the players are irrelevant to changing the enormous machinations of the system(s). Amazing meta-show, I've never seen anything that was so well acted, written, conceived and maybe most amazingly, ultimately satisfying even after making you confront the embedded corruption inherent in all levels of society. Maybe its because of that. Shit was crazy entertaining and at the same time the smartest thing I've ever seen on TV. That shit never happens.
(y)
Just wanted to discuss this with you nice people.
:)

[Gareth]

yep its good, i'm at the end of s04

[Bob]

i just finished watching season 5; do we know for sure that that's the last one? it seems like it would kind of have to be, based on how it ended but...i want more :(

i think i'm gonna watch season one again, this show was amazing

[jabumbo]

i finished season 3 a couple weeks ago and thought about jumping right into 4 but i opted to start renting some movies instead.


i do remember seeing that 5 is supposed to be the last season

[Bob]

well, it was a good ending at least. plenty of closure, mostly.

i do kind of lament that the final season had to have the worst rendition of the theme song, though. they should have just re-used season 4's.

[abcdefz]

R.I.P., The Wire.

[mathcart]

i just finished watching season 5; do we know for sure that that's the last one? it seems like it would kind of have to be, based on how it ended but...i want more :(

i think i'm gonna watch season one again, this show was amazing

Yup its over. Actually the weren't sure if they were even going to do a 5th season, it was touch and go for a while there, but they decided to do it and announced it would be the last. Simon has moved on and is doing a mini-series on the beginning of this Iraq war.
I recommend rewatching it, theres so much there its amazing- I'm up to season 3 again.
:D

[Bob]

yeah i'm downloading season one again. now that i'm more familiar with all the characters i think it should be really worth it to watch it again. it took me about half a season to realize who stringer bell was for some reason, and he was one of the best characters.

[jabumbo]

stringer was the best, and i was quite dissapointed to say the least at the end of season 3

[Lex Diamonds]

I've heard nothing but good shit about this show from the start and seeing you all raving about it in this thread prompted me to buy it. Series 1 came in the post today, I've never watched it so hopefully I don't think it sucks.

I need to finish The Sopranos first though, I've been sucked in and bought every series one by one so I never have to go a day without watching it. I'm just about to start Series 6.1, 6.2 is in the post from eBay. :)

[abcdefz]

yeah i'm downloading season one again. now that i'm more familiar with all the characters i think it should be really worth it to watch it again. it took me about half a season to realize who stringer bell was for some reason, and he was one of the best characters.


Maybe because he was just sketched in at the beginning, then got so popular they kept expanding his role.

[mathcart]

I've heard nothing but good shit about this show from the start and seeing you all raving about it in this thread prompted me to buy it. Series 1 came in the post today, I've never watched it so hopefully I don't think it sucks.

I need to finish The Sopranos first though, I've been sucked in and bought every series one by one so I never have to go a day without watching it. I'm just about to start Series 6.1, 6.2 is in the post from eBay. :)

No you definitely should finish up the Sopranos first, if for no other reason (and I could give you tons of reason but I don't want to spoil nuthin' fuh ya- wow, got all joisey there for a minute!) its fascinating to see a show actually about gangsters (the Sopranos really was not) and how the game is played by all sides and how its rigged. Shit is amazing, hurry up and watch it, son.
(y)

[abcdefz]

Sopranos is so fucking overrated.

[mathcart]

Sopranos is so fucking overrated.

agreed!

[Planetary]

a-z and mathcart: you are morons...

[Documad]

I rewatched the whole series before the last season started. The last season was very very weak compared to all the prior years. I was particularly disappointed that McNulty came back and the whole story line about the serial killer almost ruined the show for me. That show was so realistic and to do an unreal comic turn at the last minute was a big disappointment. I normally enjoy shows about newspapers so I liked the stuff about the guy who made stuff up.

I heard that hulu is running Lou Grant now. I've gotta watch!

[mathcart]

I rewatched the whole series before the last season started. The last season was very very weak compared to all the prior years. I was particularly disappointed that McNulty came back and the whole story line about the serial killer almost ruined the show for me. That show was so realistic and to do an unreal comic turn at the last minute was a big disappointment. I normally enjoy shows about newspapers so I liked the stuff about the guy who made stuff up.

I heard that hulu is running Lou Grant now. I've gotta watch!

all right if were gonna get into this then I think its time to do this...

********SPOILERS*********

so I totally disagree, I think season 5 was just as good as any season to date. The whole point of focusing in on the media was not ultimately to show why the media is so out of touch and playing a dangerous game of proverbially swinging for the fences by pushing award journalism over solid reporting at the expense of not just their staff (profit margins V. senior reporters) but at the expense of the public trust. The point wasn't that they were making shit up- it was that they were mostly totally unaware of all the shit they missed, which was just about everything. everything. Look at all the things that went unreported- the numbers game played by both the police department, and the schools, which by the way are in total disarray- but no expose is forthcoming. The state of the schools the players into the drug game, and lets look at everything they missed there- every major event is missed by the media. I'm mostly paraphrasing at this point from Simon's own defense of the season (here (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-simon/the-wires-final-s_b_91926.html))
I guess all I'm saying is that this season was not at all disappointing (to me). I could see being pissed about the McNulty serial killer shit- except it was all redeemed by Lester's reaction to it. The system is so unresponsive and fucked up you can get what you need more efficiently by gaming it then actually going through the channels your supposed. I loved it.
:D

[mathcart]

a-z and mathcart: you are morons...

Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.... .....
:confused:

Talk to me after you've seen The Wire... then you can apologize cause you didn't know no better, son...

[Lex Diamonds]

No but really, The Sopranos is not overrated. I've started watching The Wire and it is fucking awesome but The Sopranos is just the best TV program ever made. Anyone who disagrees is a cock.

[Planetary]

Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.... .....
:confused:

Talk to me after you've seen The Wire... then you can apologize cause you didn't know no better, son...

suck my balls the wire might be good but the sopranos didnt win several grammys for nothing.

[mathcart]

No but really, The Sopranos is not overrated. I've started watching The Wire and it is fucking awesome but The Sopranos is just the best TV program ever made. Anyone who disagrees is a cock.

*I've always suspected as much*
(n)

[Lex Diamonds]

Today I had my first day off work for a while so I watched 2 episodes of The Wire and 3 Episodes of The Sopranos. I've watched nearly half of The Wire Series 1 and I've got to say it's pretty fuckin' good but it's just not quite The Sopranos. I don't know how you can think it's better.

[abcdefz]

No but really, The Sopranos is not overrated. I've started watching The Wire and it is fucking awesome but The Sopranos is just the best TV program ever made. Anyone who disagrees is a cock.



*crows*


It's so strained and predictable, even when it's trying to be somehow shocking. I've tried it twice and it's just boring. Couldn't get into it.

It's competent. I don't think it's awful. I just didn't find it compelling.

[abcdefz]

Today I had my first day off work for a while so I watched 2 episodes of The Wire and 3 Episodes of The Sopranos. I've watched nearly half of The Wire Series 1 and I've got to say it's pretty fuckin' good but it's just not quite The Sopranos. I don't know how you can think it's better.



I thought it was really, really solid until I was about a few episodes into season three, and realized the depth of vision of this thing. Each
season observes what's going on from a different sort of venue, while still having a lot of the same characters: one season is the wiretapping,
one is the dealers, one is the schools, one is the newspaper, etc. As it keeps unfolding, you realize how rich the thing is. It's like reading
some big old fat novel -- like War and Peace in Boston or something. If your experience is like mine, it'll sneak up on you.

[BangkokB]

I haven't read any of the yea or naysayers but I will say this The Wire is without a doubt the best series I've seen on HBO~And that's coming from someone that knows The Sopranos and OZ are both LAW! I've seen the season up until

Hampstervillle was a Great idea that was shut down by whom? The Federal Gov't dangling there carrot of $ if you don't goosestep to what we say. I just saw Skidrow w/ Pras and it seems that LA has the same thing to a lesser degree with Skid Row in LA. All bets are off once you enter SR. Good Documentary too if you cut it down into 1/2. Hearing homeless people say that they are happy there is something I can't wrap around my head. I've been on the verge of homelessness 3x and none of which were bliss

SPOILER
I hated to see Stringer Bell get whacked. That man showed that someone with drive and a boatload of street smarts could make the American dream happen

I can't get the season post that but rest assured I'm picking up every season they offer and I understand that closure is being offered within the next few months.

[mathcart]

I thought it was really, really solid until I was about a few episodes into season three, and realized the depth of vision of this thing. Each
season observes what's going on from a different sort of venue, while still having a lot of the same characters: one season is the wiretapping,
one is the dealers, one is the schools, one is the newspaper, etc. As it keeps unfolding, you realize how rich the thing is. It's like reading
some big old fat novel -- like War and Peace in Boston or something. If your experience is like mine, it'll sneak up on you.

listen to the man, LISTEN!!!
You need to get way deeper into it before it will blow your mutha f'n mind and you will realize that the Sopranos is total shit comparatively, and I really enjoyed the sopranos! I thought it was one of the best acted shows on TV- till I got into the wire and saw that the best acted and written show were one and the same!



Today I had my first day off work for a while so I watched 2 episodes of The Wire and 3 Episodes of The Sopranos. I've watched nearly half of The Wire Series 1 and I've got to say it's pretty fuckin' good but it's just not quite The Sopranos. I don't know how you can think it's better.

This is like going to eat a five course dinner at a restaurant with a very good reputation and then eating one bite of a breadstick (pre-salad!) and declaring loudly and publicly that it was in fact not the greatest dinner you've ever had.

You gotta let the genius wash over you for a while and savior that shit. Enjoy- your wrong but you just don't know it yet, its ok, enjoy the ride of not knowing, thats fun too.
(y)

[abcdefz]

Yeah -- but don't watch it because "it's good for you."

You already see there's quality to it, so cool. Relax and enjoy that and then get back to us in a couple months. ;)

[BangkokB]

Dude, I've watched it all up to where Stringer gets whacked and I have to say that it shows ideas that work. Hampsterville was brillant

Let's Say Drugs dealers are F'ing up a neighborhood- Move them all to a neighborhood that people could care less about. That's a win/win situation. People are gonna do drugs if they're hard core. There are not enough Rehab Facilities to take the ones that want help in. Then figure in the ones that don't really ever want any sort of help and it's an almost zero sum game. Wouldn't it be nice to see police actually fight real crime rather than chasing down a crack head with a stem~ Throw him/her in the mill. That'll learn'em. What do you see as the solution? I think more Rehab's are the ticket but since that doesn't seem like that is ever going to happen then Drug Zones seem to be the bandaid. Locking up someone for their personal life choices doesn't ring the right bells for me.

As for me: If someone chooses to go down that path then Godspeed but most choose to be there. Let them live their life in whatever it is peace they can find

[mathcart]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
so much for alerting people to SPOILERS!
be careful what you read kids, its dangerous up in this piece!
(n)

[BangkokB]

Hey Mathcart,
If it makes you feel better, the Irish cops are mostly drunks with jobs.

Well, the cops in general are typically drunks as well. Nice spot it casts on that shadow huh?

"Beer, Drugs, Flatt & Scruggs"~ Hank III owns you

[Lex Diamonds]

*crows*


It's so strained and predictable, even when it's trying to be somehow shocking. I've tried it twice and it's just boring. Couldn't get into it.

It's competent. I don't think it's awful. I just didn't find it compelling.
Maybe you just have to "get" it. Not saying you're not clever enough or anything, I guess it's aimed at a different type of person. For me the mundanity and the trivial nature of some of the conversation juxtaposed with the extreme violence and brutality is part of the genius. The little touches like ridiculous dialogue about the Hunchback of Notre Dame and all the malpropisms are what makes it so special. Plus I love the cinematography. Goodfellas is my favourite film of all time and David Chase himself has admitted to it being his main influence in making The Sopranos. Maybe that's why I love it so much.

I really like the Wire so far, don't get me wrong, but stylistically it's not touching The Sopranos. No doubt the storyline is more complex and probably very rewarding in the long run, but it doesn't seem quite as satisfying for straight up entertainment, laughs, et cetera. Anyway, like you all say I will possibly change my tune in time, so let's wait and see.

[abcdefz]

Padster, trust me -- I "get it." It's too simple not to "get."

And.... a TV version of Goodfellas... that's a pretty fair estimation. Goodfellas without the mastery.

That's still a little off as far as comparisons go, but close enough for our purposes. It's a predictable, fair-to-okay show, but hardly compelling --
let alone worth all the praise it got.

[Planetary]

Padster, trust me -- I "get it." It's too simple not to "get."

And.... a TV version of Goodfellas... that's a pretty fair estimation. Goodfellas without the mastery.

That's still a little off as far as comparisons go, but close enough for our purposes. It's a predictable, fair-to-okay show, but hardly compelling --
let alone worth all the praise it got.

wtf what a moron the sopranos is ace. im going to watch it now. bye

[abcdefz]

You deserve each other. (y)

[Lex Diamonds]

You deserve my bawls!

[abcdefz]

I don't really want to put up with your crying, Padster.

[Lex Diamonds]

Hmm, wiseguy, eh?

[abcdefz]

That's Brian DePalma.

[abcdefz]

The Wire a la Simpsons (http://periscopestudio.com/?cat=23).

[BangkokB]

Let's put this train back on the track and bring this back to The Wire

Stringer Bell showed that someone at a piss ant Community College with the proper drive and the financial muscle could take the street smarts use the dope $ and add it with the "edjumacation" and turn it into building of the city.

Betrayal at all angles from the Cops to the Street Hustler

Great Social Commentary...And sorry it was called Hampsterdam not Hampsterville

Great Social Commentary about the Unions as well.

I really want to see Season 4 and the closure of Season 5. Great Show

[Lyman Zerga]

i so fucking wish i had HBO and paddy's bawls but guess i dont deserve either

[mathcart]

Let's put this train back on the track and bring this back to The Wire

Stringer Bell showed that someone at a piss ant Community College with the proper drive and the financial muscle could take the street smarts use the dope $ and add it with the "edjumacation" and turn it into building of the city.

Betrayal at all angles from the Cops to the Street Hustler

Great Social Commentary...And sorry it was called Hampsterdam not Hampsterville

Great Social Commentary about the Unions as well.

I really want to see Season 4 and the closure of Season 5. Great Show

You will not be disappointed!

I kinda think "Hamsterdam" was perfect.

I'm jealous that you will be watching it for the first time- its so damn good!

Very good point about Stringer- in fact thats something I really give credit to the wire for- the characters are real and in a way that the extraordinary things they do do not spring out of necessarily extraordinary lives- to them they are regular people surviving the system they inhabit. Read: regular people in highly irregular circumstances doing (from the outside) extraordinary things to survive their day to days. Brilliant.
I think a lot of shows tend to have a low estimation of humanity by only ascribing interesting or "special" stories to so called "main characters". Many of the characters in the Wire (though clearly not all) would fall through the cracks and not be cared about on other shows.
To some up a long winded point- For every McNulty theres a Sidnor, for every Michael theres a Dookie, for every Bodie theres a Wallace. The world is so richly drawn and so respectful of all its characters and their potential (for both right and wrong).
I've said it before and I'll say it again, I ain't never seen anything like it before!


(y)

[mathcart]

The Wire a la Simpsons (http://periscopestudio.com/?cat=23).

UMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMm???????????????

(don't know HOW to react to this!)

:confused:

[BangkokB]

I loved when Stringer asked his teacher if he was selling a product that was inferior to other brands~What should he do. And the teacher said rename it. So that cheap shitty crack/heroin was given a new name and that was that.

Stringer's Sales meetings were LAW! He was the Zig Ziggler of Dope Sales but he wanted to go past that and take it to the straight business level. Then he learns they're just another felon wearing a disguise. Once again: Another Great Social Commentary. He was wanting to go the straight and narrow but that ladder was broke

[mathcart]

Stringer's Sales meetings were LAW! He was the Zig Ziggler of Dope Sales but he wanted to go past that and take it to the straight business level. Then he learns they're just another felon wearing a disguise. Once again: Another Great Social Commentary. He was wanting to go the straight and narrow but that ladder was broke

Nice Analogy.
The Stringer-lead Barksdale crew meetings were gold- one of my favorite scenes came out of 'em!(Is you taking notes on a criminal conspiracy?!?)
AWESOME!
(y)

[abcdefz]

I loved when Stringer asked his teacher if he was selling a product that was inferior to other brands~What should he do. And the teacher said rename it. So that cheap shitty crack/heroin was given a new name and that was that.




Yup. That was beautiful. (y)

[DandyFop]

So I just got the first season of and finished it in like 3 days...I don't know. I mean I definitely like it obviously if I am going to spend 13 hours of my life watching it but so far it kinda just feels like a very extended episode of Law & Order.

I am downloading the first ep of season 2 so we'll see where this takes me

[Gareth]

persevere
s02 might take a while to get into though cos it's not really like s01
it's all about the greek

[Bob]

persevere
s02 might take a while to get into though cos it's not really like s01
it's all about the greek

yeah i think season 2 was my least favorite of them all. i didn't like the dockworkers as...well i guess they aren't bad guys, or maybe i guess that's why i didn't like them so much, i dunno. anyway whoever the bad guys are, they pale in comparison to the barksdales (who are also not all "bad guys" in the traditional sense, which is one of the things that makes the show great, but i'd say they were worse than the stevedores).

also fuck ziggy, i hated that character

seasons 3 and 4 go back to being amazing, though. season 5 gets kind of silly but it's still pretty good.

[Gareth]

yeh...there are some truly ruthless bastards that you can easily hate (stringer bell....and those others guys later on) but you get to know most of the so-called bad guys and it's hard to actually call them "bad guys" (like omar and even bodie).

[BangkokB]

I loved Season 2: It showed a flawed character that was doing all the wrong things for all the right reasons. The Bald headed Union Guy was truly altruistic and wasn't trying to line his own pockets: His goal/dream was to make sure that everyone had a job in the long haul~Thus the paying the Lobbyist that entered that circle. He just wanted his people to be able to work.

Season 4~ I wasn't much a fan of though and yet both of my parents were teachers. And still the dots didn't connect. It was good at showing how the inner city kids are playing against a stacked deck from the time they first get in school but I knew that going into it.

Season 5 ~ Nice wrap up. Showed the reprecutions of newspapers where big bank buys little bank and the attitudes that prevailed. When there isn't a story you have to create a story: I've seen that happen myself here in BKK when it's a slow news day the papers tend to make up news. Whatever gets the paper off the rack into your hand is the mantra.

Barkdale Crew were the Shit. I wasn't a fan of Marlo or Marlon or whatever his insignificant name was. Avon had more Charisma. Stringer Bell though was the tie that binds. Great to see that the Corp. fell apart after Avon sold him out


The Greek still walks about and according to him "I'm not even Greek"
"Does he have hands? Does he have a head?....Then he's not Mine"

[Bob]

yeh...there are some truly ruthless bastards that you can easily hate (stringer bell....and those others guys later on) but you get to know most of the so-called bad guys and it's hard to actually call them "bad guys" (like omar and even bodie).

yeah bodie was my favorite character i think. even when he was (end of season 1 spoiler) killing wallace he was still halfway likable because at least he felt bad about it.

i think frank sobotka was a good character but the rest of season 2's characters....eh.

[Gareth]

it was hard watching f.sobotka getting caught in that crap cos you knew he wasn't in it for the money but at the same time he was so tangled up that he couldn't just opt out. funny seeing one of the stevedores as a homeless bum three seasons later though. nice touch.

[BangkokB]

I'm terrible with names so work with me on this

I liked how the guy the cops had a hard on for in Season 1 explained to "his crew" the game of chess when they were playing checkers. And the smart one,?, caught on about a pawn becoming a queen if it made it to the end of the board and that was where the power was at. That gave him a goal and he nearly surpassed bloodlines. Hard to like as a person but he was focused and had his eye on the prize even though he was hard headed~Which was probably advantageous for him

[mathcart]

I'm terrible with names so work with me on this

I liked how the guy the cops had a hard on for in Season 1 explained to "his crew" the game of chess when they were playing checkers. And the smart one,?, caught on about a pawn becoming a queen if it made it to the end of the board and that was where the power was at. That gave him a goal and he nearly surpassed bloodlines. Hard to like as a person but he was focused and had his eye on the prize even though he was hard headed~Which was probably advantageous for him

Among the most definitive scenes on Season 1- when D'Angelo (D) is teaching Wallace and Bodie "chess" (the Game!). Very well written!
(y)

[abcdefz]

I just finished disc two of season five early early early this morning. I'm pretty blown away by what's going on all around, though the whole
serial killer spiral thing is kind of sensational. (If anyone addresses that, please mark spoilers so I or anybody else don't wade into
something.)

I think Bob mentioned that this version of "Down in the Hole" is the worst, etc. Man, it's lame. You guys
are going out with this!?

Anyway, its' still terrific stuff. Plus, Netflix apparently started shipping it to me a week early, so hoorah. (y)

[jabumbo]

looks like i have to move this up on my queue now!

[abcdefz]

(y)

Netflix kills me sometimes. I'm not even a high-volume renter anymore, and yet they still throttle me. :mad:

[DandyFop]

i just finished it a few days ago...I don't know, the 5th season was fairly dissapointing to me. I really liked the 4th...but yeah. Eh.

[Bob]

I think Bob mentioned that this version of "Down in the Hole" is the worst, etc. Man, it's lame. You guys
are going out with this!?

yeah, it's really disappointing. season 4's was so excellent, i was hoping for something super-excellent, but nope

[mathcart]

I think Bob mentioned that this version of "Down in the Hole" is the worst, etc. Man, it's lame. You guys
are going out with this!?
(y)

i just finished it a few days ago...I don't know, the 5th season was fairly dissapointing to me. I really liked the 4th...but yeah. Eh.

Always good to note who has the total opposite tastes as your own. As for the haters-
1. Earle rocks
2. S 5 is as good as the rest of the season- certainly it gets a huge amount of points for juggling all those layers of awesomeness!
3. Suck it monkeys!
(n)

[abcdefz]

Steve Earle has done some really terrific stuff. This is not among them.

Hell, if the Stones, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, the Beatles, the Clash, Springsteen, the Beastie Boys, Alfred Hitchock, Scorsese, Picasso,
Matisse, and Lord knows who all else can whiff one from time to time, it doesn't mean their best stuff isn't still great. This "my revered
artist is infallible" stuff gets pretty old.

[abcdefz]

i just finished it a few days ago...I don't know, the 5th season was fairly dissapointing to me. I really liked the 4th...but yeah. Eh.



I think the 4th is probably the best, but I love all the Hamsterdam stuff in 3.

[BangkokB]

I can't believe this thread is still going: I'm glad though. Terrific Show and I hope that it doesn't age a day.

To the Naysayers about Season 5: I liked how it was a total anticlimax. Omar(?) was killed by a school kid, Marlo or Marlon~I told you before I'm terrible with names~ finally became the King...But that wasn't his dream~That was Stringer Bell's Dream-Who by then was dead. Then there's the kid that it was implied was possibly sexually molested by his father/stepfather was being trained to be back up for Marlo/Marlon's crew as muscle and ended up becoming another Omar in the End. Then there was the kid that had a junkie for a dad that sold his clothes in Season 4 and in the end it showed him pushing the needle.

It wasn't Pretty. It showed the open scabs of society where generation to generation tend to not stray far from the course. And that brings in the philosophical question of genetics versus social conditioning.

Please don't get me wrong: Prezbelski was one of my favorite characters and I felt for him but season 4 didn't do it for me.


And if you ever find yourself in any sort of legal jam that sells papers: Trust me on this~ They will beat that horse til it's dead then beat it some more to make it gallop around the room as long as it sells some papers. Once people are bored with it then you never hear about it again. EVEN IF IT'S ALL BULLSHIT. There's your retraction

[abcdefz]

Well, I finished watching season five. Definitely the least of the five seasons, but still worth watching.

What kills me is switching to the commentary or some of the extras and hearing Dominic speaking with his British accent. Damn, that
guy did a good job.

[Bob]

Well, I finished watching season five. Definitely the least of the five seasons, but still worth watching.

What kills me is switching to the commentary or some of the extras and hearing Dominic speaking with his British accent. Damn, that
guy did a good job.

irish i think, but yeah. actually re-watching season one, i noticed his accent kind of slips out occasionally. it's nothing you'd notice if you didn't know he had one, but when you're listening for it, you can kind of hear it every now and then.

for the most part though, yeah, he did a great job of transforming himself from an irish guy to a blue-collar baltimore guy

[abcdefz]

Irish, then.

Everybody with hair sounds alike to me.

[Drederick Tatum]

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=87940925

March NPR interview with David Simon. they talk about events in season five so if you're not up to there yet maybe avoid.

[Bob]

i've been watching all the episodes again and there's something about season 3 that bothers me. in season one, the barksdale organization, and avon in particular, is super cautious, avon doesn't go anywhere near guns or drugs or money, he doesn't talk on the phone, and they couldn't even find a picture of the guy at first.

but in season three he's personally going on drive-bys, while out on parole. that doesn't seem right

[beastieangel01]

Due to so many people recommending it I finally started on the Wire.

I've seen the first three episodes of season one. It's fine so far, but not enough that I'm hooked. I keep forgetting about it and say "oh yeah, okay, I guess I should watch another episode."

I really hope it hooks me soon.

[mathcart]

Due to so many people recommending it I finally started on the Wire.

I've seen the first three episodes of season one. It's fine so far, but not enough that I'm hooked. I keep forgetting about it and say "oh yeah, okay, I guess I should watch another episode."

I really hope it hooks me soon.

Yeah- it'll take a little while to fully reveal itself to you- STICK THE FUCK WITH IT!!!!! (its so god-damn worth it!) I can't tell you how jealous I am of people seeing it for the first time!
This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQbsnSVM1zM&feature=PlayList&p=511F8E9A4F82B39E&playnext=1&index=19) is what did it for me (may be after the episode you've seen- but its early on!) I was all in after that little flake of genius!
Moral of the story stay true and you will be richly rewarded!
(y)

[Bob]

Yeah- it'll take a little while to fully reveal itself to you- STICK THE FUCK WITH IT!!!!! (its so god-damn worth it!) I can't tell you how jealous I am of people seeing it for the first time!
This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQbsnSVM1zM&feature=PlayList&p=511F8E9A4F82B39E&playnext=1&index=19) is what did it for me (may be after the episode you've seen- but its early on!) I was all in after that little flake of genius!
Moral of the story stay true and you will be richly rewarded!
(y)

yeah that's one of the first scenes i remember that stuck with me.

it took me a while to sort of recognize all the characters while i was watching the first season. i remember enjoying it even more the second time i watched it. but yeah stick with it

[beastieangel01]

Yeah- it'll take a little while to fully reveal itself to you- STICK THE FUCK WITH IT!!!!! (its so god-damn worth it!) I can't tell you how jealous I am of people seeing it for the first time!
This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQbsnSVM1zM&feature=PlayList&p=511F8E9A4F82B39E&playnext=1&index=19) is what did it for me (may be after the episode you've seen- but its early on!) I was all in after that little flake of genius!
Moral of the story stay true and you will be richly rewarded!
(y)

I like that scene but that's not what did it for me. It was more the moral choices and conflicts and how it explored them.

Just finished the first season and omfg.

SPOILER FOR ANYONE WHO HAS NEVER SEEN IT (although I'm sure if you are reading this thread you have):
I cried like a bitch when Wallace was shot and I have never cried during a show or movie, period.

[Bob]

I like that scene but that's not what did it for me. It was more the moral choices and conflicts and how it explored them.

Just finished the first season and omfg.

SPOILER FOR ANYONE WHO HAS NEVER SEEN IT (although I'm sure if you are reading this thread you have):
I cried like a bitch when Wallace was shot and I have never cried during a show or movie, period.

yeah, the show has a lot of gut wrenching moments like that. not always crying sad moments, but just moments that make you kind of sit there and go "ugh, oh shit". season 4 is especially rough at times because it's about the schools, so it's about the kids in the west side. i don't want to give anything away but needless to say it isn't a happy life for some of them

but that's what makes the show as good as it is

[jabumbo]

so many people die in that show, i sort of got over the missing characters. although one thing near the end sort of jacked me and i was sort of surprised that it bothered me as much as it did.

[BangkokB]

And what was that?
The credits

I miss Bodie and wish Stringer Bell would have lived but that's just me I suppose

[Bob]

so many people die in that show, i sort of got over the missing characters. although one thing near the end sort of jacked me and i was sort of surprised that it bothered me as much as it did.

which thing is that?

[BangkokB]

jabumbo puts words together but they make no sense

[Drederick Tatum]

bet it's Omar getting shot

[Bob]

bet it's Omar getting shot

maybe. my guess would be dukie shooting up. he tried so hard :(

[abcdefz]

The last season was a little disappointing, but it's still a terrific series.

[mathcart]

I'll stand by the last season, but that is just rehashing old ground! I actually think the killing of characters was always shocking to me because of how well drawn they were- it wasn't like fictitious characters dying because of how real the world they inhabited was and how invested I was in it. Shit mattered. Brilliant show
(y)

[jabumbo]

drederick nailed it (y)

[rirv]

I got the whole box set for Christmas and am about to finish season three tonight, three seasons in eight days. I feel like I'm living in Baltimore. It really has lived up to everything I've heard about it. I know you all realise that Dominic West is British, but I just found out that the dude who plays Stringer Bell is too. West's accent is all a bit dodgy to me and because I've seen him in one of my favourite films - True Blue (it's shit, but I like it) - and also in the theatre in London I kind of looked out for weakness, but Idris Elba who plays Stringer nailed it so hard I didn't even consider that he was anything but some East Coast gangster.

I don't what I'm going to watch when I finish all five seasons...

[Adam]

I've only read rirv's comment so far cus I don't want spoilers.

I also started watching this last week. I've watched all the way up to s02e02 so far. I like a lot.

[jabumbo]

i hate how this thread keeps popping up.


i can't afford the time or money to watch it again, but every time i see this stupid thread, it makes me wish i could.

[Gareth]

i want to discuss it here but i don't want to spoil

[Adam]

i want to discuss it here but i don't want to spoil

do it dude.

I have a memory of a fish with a brain that has been battered by too much dope so I won't remember. Plus you could always put a spoiler alert in the thread

[Bob]

I don't what I'm going to watch when I finish all five seasons...

start with season one again, that's what i did (followed by 2, 3, 4, and 5, and they were still great)

i didn't know that stringer was british, i never would have guessed in a million years. every now and then mcnulty lets his accent slip a little, but stringer, wow, i had no idea.

[mathcart]

I don't what I'm going to watch when I finish all five seasons...

start with season one again, that's what i did (followed by 2, 3, 4, and 5, and they were still great)

Agreed- its amazing how much you miss the first time around- shows so damn dense it really rewards multiple viewings!
(y)



i didn't know that stringer was british, i never would have guessed in a million years. every now and then mcnulty lets his accent slip a little, but stringer, wow, i had no idea.

I know you all realise that Dominic West is British, but I just found out that the dude who plays Stringer Bell is too. West's accent is all a bit dodgy to me and because I've seen him in one of my favourite films - True Blue (it's shit, but I like it) - and also in the theatre in London I kind of looked out for weakness, but Idris Elba who plays Stringer nailed it so hard I didn't even consider that he was anything but some East Coast gangster.

Word- it's incredible! I heard an interview with him where he admited that when hardcore fans [read young and black] of the show come up to talk to him he just puts on his Stringer Bell accent so as not to blow their minds. C'mon how gangsta is that?!?
:cool:


I feel like I'm living in Baltimore.
I miss that feeling. Damn. But thats about the best review I've ever seen!
:D

[Adam]

But thats about the best review I've ever seen!


that bad is it?

[mathcart]

I'll stand by it- although it would clearly make no sense if you weren't emotionally invested in being a part of the wire's Baltimore.
So either you haven't seen it- in which case you don't get why it was a great comment
OR
you was clowin'...
in which case:
haha very funny muthafucka
(y)

Just contemplating the ifs...

[Adam]

Yeah, I was joking.

[beastieangel01]

just finished season 2 last now. off to season 3 this weekend!

[rirv]

Finished the final series this morning. MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS.

I think the first two seasons were my favourite - I really liked season 2, Sobotka, The Greek and Vondas, Stringer, Brother Mouzone - I thought they were awesome characters. Perhaps McNulty's big scam in the final season was a bit too much - but the FBI profile of the "serial killer" was quite funny. Anyway, hugely enjoyed it. I think what I like most about it is the fact that it gives the viewer way more credit than other shows in that it lets you make up your own mind what to think about things with the way there is no music giving you a clue as to the emotion of the scene. This way you can feel sympathy for a muderous bumloving gangster like Omar. Like someone before, jabumbo?, I was genuinely upset when you see Dukie shooting up in the final sequence, but then Bubs was sitting down to dinner with his sister too so... I think the only characters in whole thing I didn't feel any empathy for at all were Avon Barksdale, Marlo, Chris and Snoop. Fuck 'em.

Maybe wait a few months before I start watching it again.

Also, I thought they were going to do more with Rawls being a closet homo. I thought I'd made it up in my head when I saw him in the gay bar, but I just looked it up and he was there.

Probably the most layered TV show I've ever seen. It moves slowly enough to build a picture of every character so you really feel involved.

[jabumbo]

yeah, i thought marlow was just a punk ass bitch, really. some of his trolls occasionally got some respect from me, but it usually got erased when they pulled some other crazy stunt.


i'd love to watch the whole series again myself, but i don't know if i can push off other shows/movies long enough to do it....

[na§tee]

your propaganda has succeeded. because of this thread and the massive hype at work/THE WORLD i may buy these dvds tomorrow at the massive zavvi closing down sale. yup yup.

[roosta]

hhmmmm...

everyone goes on about how good this is...but ill probably never watch it...i find it hard to trawl through shows when they're on DVD..i need to get drawn in off a few episodes...theres only a handful of shows i could watch in sessions like that.

[jabumbo]

hhmmmm...

everyone goes on about how good this is...but ill probably never watch it...i find it hard to trawl through shows when they're on DVD..i need to get drawn in off a few episodes...theres only a handful of shows i could watch in sessions like that.

thats funny because i am the exact opposite. i never watch shows regularly on tv anymore. but if i rent a series i full, i will sit down and watch a couple episodes in a row and if its something i like, i will completely immerse myself and watch it in chunks as if it were a mini-series

[Adam]

This thread again. Just finished the lot. Gotta say I was disappointed in season 5. I've just watched the last 4 episodes in a row, and I second guessed most things before the last two episodes. Well it was kinda obvious...

Seasons 1 & 2 has to be my favourite. I will have to say its the best (non comedy) thing made for TV I've ever seen.

I would watch it again in a year or so.

Anything I say anything here has probably has already been said (I haven't read the whole thread), so I'll just leave it. But for anymore na§tee's out there who is thinking of watching it - do it. Its worth the time investment and I would even consider it on DVD.

[Bob]

it's funny you should bump this, lately i've been having an urge to watch it again (this will be the third time)

the show just creeps into your soul and lays eggs, it just sticks with you in a really inimitable way

[jabumbo]

anthony bordain claimed it to be the best crime drama ever

[Gareth]

hhmmmm...

everyone goes on about how good this is...but ill probably never watch it...i find it hard to trawl through shows when they're on DVD..i need to get drawn in off a few episodes...theres only a handful of shows i could watch in sessions like that.

the wire will draw you in after after a few eps
and make you want to watch eps back to back to back...

[Pootytang]

For those of you interested, you can buy the whole season right now on amazon for $81.99 with free shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/Wire-Complete-Dominic-West/dp/B001FA1P1W?tag=slickdeals

[Adam]

For those of you interested, you can buy the whole season right now on amazon for $81.99 with free shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/Wire-Complete-Dominic-West/dp/B001FA1P1W?tag=slickdeals

Or for people in the uk, they've been seen at sainsburys between £3 and £10 per season.

Or download them for free!

[jackrock]

i didn't know that stringer was british, i never would have guessed in a million years. every now and then mcnulty lets his accent slip a little, but stringer, wow, i had no idea.
Watch Rock N Rolla. He'll blow your mind.

McNulty was almost Bond. lol.

[funk63]

MY PRESIDENT IS BLACK

[Bob]

Watch Rock N Rolla. He'll blow your mind.


i watched a bunch of trailers but the jerk won't say anything. oh well now i'm going to have to watch the whole movie (which it turns out i actually want to do, thanks for telling me about it)

[rirv]

I saw someone (I think it was Charlie Brooker) say one reason The Wire came across so well is that it doesn't hit you over the head with it's plot and details. Whereas in other dramas you get lines like "Well he would say that being MY BROTHER." or a character will explain exactly what they are doing in a conversation. It forces you to really watch it to pick up all the clues yourself through each scene - giving the viewer a bit of credit, rather than thinking they're a dunce. Listen Carefully as Season One's tagline was.

[trailerprincess]

I'm bumping this as have finally gotten around to watching it. I bought the 1-5 box set and am now just at the start of season 3. So far, I absolutely love it. Stringer Bell is hawt (he was in Family Affairs ffs!!), the writing is amazing ('he's slower than a white man in slippers') and is disturbing in its realism sometime (I watched the episode last night when Bubbles goes to Hamsterdam at night - freaky)

My fave bits so far - when Orlando tries to do that drug deal with the undercover po-lice who all seem to be LL Cool J lookalikes and the 'muthafucker' scene in season 1 between Bunk and McNulty. I am NOT liking crazy sleazy politician man.

[Drederick Tatum]

I saw someone (I think it was Charlie Brooker) say one reason The Wire came across so well is that it doesn't hit you over the head with it's plot and details. Whereas in other dramas you get lines like "Well he would say that being MY BROTHER." or a character will explain exactly what they are doing in a conversation. It forces you to really watch it to pick up all the clues yourself through each scene - giving the viewer a bit of credit, rather than thinking they're a dunce. Listen Carefully as Season One's tagline was.

the best television shows are always the ones which treat you as an adult.

[Adam]

... and the 'muthafucker' scene in season 1 between Bunk and McNulty.

You mean at that murder scene where all the say is 'shit' but you follow what is going on? That is my favourite scene.

They do say shit - and not muthafucker don't they? Ugh, gonna have to watch that scene now to confirm. And maybe you are talking about another one I can't remember?

[trailerprincess]

It's the one where they are looking at the crime scene where that girl was shot by Wee-Boy through the window.

I'm 99% sure it's variations of fuck!

[Adam]

It's the one where they are looking at the crime scene where that girl was shot by Wee-Boy through the window.

I'm 99% sure it's variations of fuck!

you're right - it was fuck.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQbsnSVM1zM&eurl=http://technorati.com/videos/youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DKQbsnSVM1zM

[trailerprincess]

'Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet' : gawd bless Clay Davis

Anyways, have finished now so in my personal opinion

Season 4
Season 1
Season 3
Season 2
Season 5

[Adam]

So in 6 days you did the last 3 seasons?

[trailerprincess]

Yep. In my defense I was not well all this weekend so was on the sofa most of the weekend. Also when I am watching a series, I don't watch any other TV so can also watch a couple of hours when I get home from work.Plus - it was sooooo good.

[Bob]

'Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet' : gawd bless Clay Davis

Anyways, have finished now so in my personal opinion

Season 4
Season 1
Season 3
Season 2
Season 5

i agree completely

[mathcart]

'Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet' : gawd bless Clay Davis

Anyways, have finished now so in my personal opinion

Season 4
Season 1
Season 3
Season 2
Season 5

I find it impossible to do this. S4 is probably my favorite but its like the difference between 99.998 & 99.997%
Not to mention that each season have "favorite" moments. On balance I was not disappointed by one second of that show!
(y)

[Bob]

i've started watching all the seasons again, and there's something in season two that i've never figured out (despite having seen it four times now)

SEASON TWO SPOILERS, FAIRLY BIG ONES, STOP READING IF YOU'VE NEVER WATCHED IT!!!!









one of the plot points is that one of the FBI agents, koutras (or some similar spelling), was tipping off the greeks about the investigation. but i can't figure out why he was doing it or how fitzhugh (mcnulty's buddy) figured out that he was doing it. in one of the final episodes of the season, fitzhugh tries to get in contact with the guy over the phone and the person on the other end of the line tells him that he's working for counterterrorism in D.C., and it's supposed to be this big revelation, but i still can't figure out what that has to do with him ruining the case. i assumed he was corrupt or something at first, but i'm really not sure. the show's making me feel kind of dumb that i can't figure it out, what was going on there?

[rirv]

The way I figure it is thus:

The FBI thinks his man is in San Diego and is using him for hook ups. When he realises there is a leak I think he just has a hunch about it and checks it out and finds that his man is now in counter terrorism.

The reason the counter terrorism man is tipping off the Greek as I understand is because the Greek lets him know if any bombs or jihadi type shit is going to find its way into the docks so he keeps him sweet.

[mathcart]

I thought this was yet another example of the subtle brilliance of the show. Simon is yet again adding complexity to a usually 2-D world. The fbi agent is in bed (so to speak) with the greeks but is also a hot item at the bureau- having recently been promoted. I think this is what I enjoyed most about the Wire- when it shows just how complicit EVERYONE is in the SYSTEM. or something.
(y)

[Bob]

The way I figure it is thus:

The FBI thinks his man is in San Diego and is using him for hook ups. When he realises there is a leak I think he just has a hunch about it and checks it out and finds that his man is now in counter terrorism.

The reason the counter terrorism man is tipping off the Greek as I understand is because the Greek lets him know if any bombs or jihadi type shit is going to find its way into the docks so he keeps him sweet.

that's sort of more or less what i figured, yeah. i've just recently finished the sopranos and that kind of corroborates the theory (more spoilers, but for a different show: there, an FBI agent gives tony tips in exchange for counterterrorism tips, which makes him not "corrupt" exactly, but yeah, i see it)

i guess it's supposed to be kind of an opaque plot point but it was presented like it was supposed to be fairly straightforward, i got confused is all

[Adam]

For UKer: Just been announced its gonna be shown on BBC2 soon.

I didn't realise it hadn't been on terrestrial in the UK. So if you ain't seen, you should take this opportunity.

[jackrock]

Just finished the series myself.

One of the great (unknown) things about the show is how real poh-leese from Baltimore played cops on the show, same with gangsters.


I thought this was funny as well:
- Reg E. Cathey auditioned for the roles of Cedric Daniels and Lester Freamon. He was later cast in the show's fourth season as Norman Wilson.
- Lance Reddick auditioned for the roles of Bunk Moreland and Bubbles before being cast as Cedric Daniels.
- Anwan Glover auditioned for the roles of Marlo Stanfield, Fruit and Drac before being cast as Slim Charles.
- Gbenga Akinnagbe auditioned for the role of Marlo Stanfield before being cast as Chris Partlow.
- Jamie Hector auditioned for the role of Cutty Wise before being cast as Marlo Stanfield.
- Jermaine Crawford auditioned for the role of Michael Lee before being cast as Dukie Weems.
- Tristan Wilds auditioned for the role of Randy Wagstaff before being cast as Michael Lee.
-Seth Gilliam auditioned for the role of Stringer Bell before being cast as Ellis Carver.
-Isiah Whitlock Jr. auditioned for the role of Lester Freamon before being cast as Clay Davis.

[mathcart]

Just finished the series myself.

One of the great (unknown) things about the show is how real poh-leese from Baltimore played cops on the show, same with gangsters.


I thought this was funny as well:
- Reg E. Cathey auditioned for the roles of Cedric Daniels and Lester Freamon. He was later cast in the show's fourth season as Norman Wilson.
- Lance Reddick auditioned for the roles of Bunk Moreland and Bubbles before being cast as Cedric Daniels.
- Anwan Glover auditioned for the roles of Marlo Stanfield, Fruit and Drac before being cast as Slim Charles.
- Gbenga Akinnagbe auditioned for the role of Marlo Stanfield before being cast as Chris Partlow.
- Jamie Hector auditioned for the role of Cutty Wise before being cast as Marlo Stanfield.
- Jermaine Crawford auditioned for the role of Michael Lee before being cast as Dukie Weems.
- Tristan Wilds auditioned for the role of Randy Wagstaff before being cast as Michael Lee.
-Seth Gilliam auditioned for the role of Stringer Bell before being cast as Ellis Carver.
-Isiah Whitlock Jr. auditioned for the role of Lester Freamon before being cast as Clay Davis.

Thats so damn crazy to thing about! Thanks for posting it- was really fun (and mind bending!)
(!)
Where did you come across this?
(y)

[jackrock]

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0306414/trivia

[mathcart]

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0306414/trivia

AHA!
should of guessed- it was predictable really!

[Bob]

Just finished the series myself.

One of the great (unknown) things about the show is how real poh-leese from Baltimore played cops on the show, same with gangsters.


I thought this was funny as well:
- Reg E. Cathey auditioned for the roles of Cedric Daniels and Lester Freamon. He was later cast in the show's fourth season as Norman Wilson.
- Lance Reddick auditioned for the roles of Bunk Moreland and Bubbles before being cast as Cedric Daniels.
- Anwan Glover auditioned for the roles of Marlo Stanfield, Fruit and Drac before being cast as Slim Charles.
- Gbenga Akinnagbe auditioned for the role of Marlo Stanfield before being cast as Chris Partlow.
- Jamie Hector auditioned for the role of Cutty Wise before being cast as Marlo Stanfield.
- Jermaine Crawford auditioned for the role of Michael Lee before being cast as Dukie Weems.
- Tristan Wilds auditioned for the role of Randy Wagstaff before being cast as Michael Lee.
-Seth Gilliam auditioned for the role of Stringer Bell before being cast as Ellis Carver.
-Isiah Whitlock Jr. auditioned for the role of Lester Freamon before being cast as Clay Davis.

jesus, some of those are weird. i couldn't imagine anyone playing bubbles other than the guy who did, much less daniels. i can imagine him being made up as a heroin addict but i think it would have been a very different character (more scary than charming)

and i DEFINITELY can't see carver as stringer bell, that would have been weird.

i hear the girl who plays snoop is basically exactly like that in real life. that must have been weird. she's weird

[jackrock]

Snoop and Chris were awesome characters. It was funny to see them talking to each other about normal things. Well, as normal as it gets for them anyways (how to tell New York niggas from Baltimore niggas.)

Have you seen RocknRolla yet?

[Bob]

Snoop and Chris were awesome characters. It was funny to see them talking to each other about normal things. Well, as normal as it gets for them anyways (how to tell New York niggas from Baltimore niggas.)

Have you seen RocknRolla yet?

yeah, i rented it a while ago. it was good, i liked it, but it was no lock stock and two smoking barrels, which i couldn't help but compare it to.

it was weird hearing idris elba's normal accent. not as weird as seeing him in "the office" though

[jackrock]

At least he still plays a badass in the office.


We just realized how much Bodie and Cedric look like the actors who played Ninja turtles. Top 10 significant moment in my life.

[Drederick Tatum]

Bill Moyers interview with David Simon. http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/04172009/watch.html

[paul jones]

I've just started watching The Wire.Minutes ago I just finished watching episode 2 of season 1 and I'm hooked

[Bob]

I've just started watching The Wire.Minutes ago I just finished watching episode 2 of season 1 and I'm hooked

you lucky bastard

[paul jones]

you lucky bastard

yeah.A friend has loaned me season 1 on DVD and when I'm done with that I'm gonna borrow season 2 and on and on after that.

I'm just gonna go watch episode 3(y)

[mathcart]

http://www.kottke.org/09/04/the-wire-bible

evidently someone scanned a few early scripts the first one includes the jackpot- Simon's pitch to HBO and an early "bible" of the players (note the discrepancies)! The pitch is almost spot on in setting out what it was and did. David Simon is a visionary.

(y)

[nodanaonlyzuul]

I just finished it.

I'm sad it's over :(

Such a beautiful, brilliant show.

[saz]

david simon on bill maher (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE6v-ZxlYlo)

[Gareth]

Snoop and Chris were awesome characters. It was funny to see them talking to each other about normal things. Well, as normal as it gets for them anyways (how to tell New York niggas from Baltimore niggas.)?

heh if they asked me that question ("shakin it jiggle it...who made that track? i'm asking who young leek be?"), i could have answered.
which means they wouldnt shoot me in the face and i'd still be alive.

[paul jones]

I've just started season 2 on DVDVVDDVD

watched 1st 2 episodes last night

hilarious(y)(y)(y)(y)

[Bob]

heh if they asked me that question ("shakin it jiggle it...who made that track? i'm asking who young leek be?"), i could have answered.
which means they wouldnt shoot me in the face and i'd still be alive.

i think you just figured out where you need to pack up and move to!

[nodanaonlyzuul]

heh if they asked me that question ("shakin it jiggle it...who made that track? i'm asking who young leek be?"), i could have answered.
which means they wouldnt shoot me in the face and i'd still be alive.

haha me too! I knew immediately. I kind of like that song. :o

[mathcart]

david simon on bill maher (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE6v-ZxlYlo)

that was very good! Should really start watching again. Maybe in light of that discussion a season 5 refresher may be in order.
(y)

[Gareth]

i think you just figured out where you need to pack up and move to!

you know...i was watching "breaking bad" for the first time recently
and realised that i work with quite a few people with expertise in chemical compounds and what not
i'm sure they'd know how to set up a meth lab
i could go into business with them

[Gareth]

haha me too! I knew immediately. I kind of like that song. :o

don't be ashamed! that song is awesome
you can be a hopper in my bmore drug empire, no one would mistake you for a NYer

[Bob]

the wire's lack of music has kind of spoiled me on other cop shows. like i'm watching law and order now, and i can't help but notice that every time an emotional scene comes up, a little violin piece kicks in to put me on notice that i should start feeling emotions about the scene that's currently happening

but the wire doesn't do that. apart from radio songs and the rare montage, the show has no music to tell you how to feel about the scenes that are taking place, it just lets the scenes speak for themselves. i respect that

[djB]

Does anyone else think that Carcetti looks like Yauch!?

[Gareth]

apart from radio songs and the rare montage, the show has no music to tell you how to feel about the scenes that are taking place, it just lets the scenes speak for themselves. i respect that

the montage at the end of s3 or s4 (can't remember) feels a little weird
the greek song when frank sobotka walks...at the end of s2 works though
hmm...and they always sing that song at the wake when a cop dies

[jabumbo]

i've started watching "rescue me" lately (on season 2 right now) and almost every episode has some sort of musical montage it seems like, and its really weird to me. i mean, it does a good job tying the stories down, but i can basically tell what is going to happen

[Adam]

So I am watching this again - on S01E11 but as I got this thread up the disc started skipping.

Anyway, its so much better a 2nd time around - left it 6 months or so :-)

[jabumbo]

maybe some day i'll try and watch the whole series again. although, i'd want to have an essentially endless set of episodes/discs at my disposal when i started so i wouldn't have to not watch any for a few days because i was waiting for the next disc to show up in the mail.

[Freebasser]

The missus bought me all 5 seasons for xmas, and I watched the first episode about 3 weeks ago and loved it, but didn't have the time to continue watching because of work issues. Anyhoo... Lady Luck shined down upon me last week and gave me a sprained ankle and a 4 day weekend as a result. Cue lots of lying around in bed and thus lots of time spent watching The Wire.

Episode 2 and then episode 3, and then before I knew it I'd polished off Season 1, then 2 then 3 then... you get the picture. I finished all 5 seasons in a week.

It just got better and better. Season 4 is some of the best television ever produced, which is weird because it mainly focuses on a whole bunch of new characters. Anyway, I was loving it all up until season 5... pffffttt... when McNulty put his 'killer' plan into action it just went so bad. It felt so rushed and unrealistic. It went from being a brilliant piece of TV to just another cheesey cop show.

I'm just glad that the final episode closed all the story arcs in such a great way - it brought about a little redemption. One of the most impressive things about the show was they way they brought back recurring characters and kept the same actors every time. I loved the little cameos from the dock workers (including Nick Sobotka - although that's one shitty witness protection programme right there) in Season 5, and the stripper from Season 1 who was riding Freamon in the last episode.

[Planetary]

I can't get into it!

maybe it's cause i always start watching it in the early hours then fall asleep.

i'll have to dedicate it some real time, but i always feel i should be doing something productive as long as im not tired.