The Wire. Oh Indeed.

5/6/2012

It's official. We're hooked. I guess it took a few weeks of laying low with a virus for us to finally rent The Wire. As you may recall me mentioning, we don't have cable in our house. It took us years to watch The Sopranos, and it was years after everyone else had. Rome didn't take us as long, but it was long after everyone else had mourned the loss of that two-season orgy.

But okay, we've finally landed on Planet Bawlmore...and we are out of our minds addicted. Hook, line, and sinker hooked. And we're only half way into Season Two. We cannot believe that D'Angelo is gone. My husband swears it's a hoax and he's being hidden somewhere. I am fascinated with my fascination with Omar. How is it that I am actually glad to see him on screen and kicking ass? Avon does not move me in the slightest. And I smell a stinker in Stinger Bell. Of course Wallace broke both our hearts. And all the cops? Damn, don't get me started.

This right here is all the lesson in fiction writing any fiction writer needs. What makes a guy who robs drug dealers sympathetic? Why do we root for D and not for Pooh? Why do we pivot on some pathos and have no sympathy for another sad sack? I scratch my Shingles scars daily pondering these questions and more. But one thing I do know is that fiction loves conflict. Fiction needs complexity and things need to get worse and worse, or the Novaks won't keep driving back to the local (and fabulous) video store, plunking S2 D3 down on the counter, and tapping nervously until the woman returns from the stacks and chuckles as she slides our next fix into our trembling hands (I'll take two red tops please).

For the love of God, don't tell me what happens. But do chime in if you've done the time on this show.

Sandy

5/6/2012 06:46:22

Saddest tv day ever when that series ended...wait til you get to the season on the educational system...it will tear your heart out.

Wire EDM services link

8/12/2012 15:49:14

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Ottoline

5/6/2012 07:58:33

So glad you are back, Laura, even if addicted. I must be the only remaining earthling who knows nothing about the Sopranos (no tv since 1996; but the tv-like possibilities of the web are eroding that resolve -- I watched all of Downton Abbey in one sitting). I sure don't need another addiction (the innertubes is way more than I can handle), but you make it sound so tempting. My insomnia can no longer be addressed by Palin problems (the action is waning dramatically since I concluded that it doesn't matter what emerges re SP: she is protected by the media blackout mandated by her wealthy, powerful enablers, so McCain can safely blather on about priorities re picking a VP, as he did on the Sun AM shows today (watched on the laptop: see what I mean? -- so easy to re-addict oneself), so I spent the previous night reading about the Charles Manson killings -- never paid much attention before. And what RIVETED me was the discovery that Tex Watson (who I had never heard of!), the man who was the ring-leader of both killing sprees (Tate, LaBianca) and who is imprisoned for life has been able, while in prison, to get married, conceive 4 children, write a book that is 197,000th on amazon, become an evangelist with a web site, perhaps pulling in money. The "riveted" part is because this is almost exactly what I see ahead for SP: the "Ahhhh have sinned! AH have sinned!!" mode of soliciting money that has worked so well for similar crooks, and for which SP has much appplicable experience, and will have more once the hoax is outed, if ever.

Sorry for the rant. If I had had more time, this would have been shorter. (Thx, Mr Twain.) Truly good to hear from you, Laura.

NiceAnnie

5/6/2012 10:19:09

best TV series ever. There's a scene in Season II (I think, anyway), in which 2 cops say only f**k, and I swear, every time they say it, it has a slightly different meaning. Best TV series ever.

MissSunshine

5/6/2012 10:46:23

I once read that The Wire is the television series you should see just before you die, because every other series just pales by comparison.

Seasons One through Three are the best, with Seasons Four and Five being excellent, but not fantastic.

I hope you take the time to listen to the commentary on the first episode of the first season by the writer/creator - this is one of the best commentaries I have had the pleasure of hearing.

nswfm

5/6/2012 12:07:30

Don't have TV either, but watch it while working out. Preferably TDS & The Colbert Report. Also watch some shows with friends. Like the first season of Downton Abbey in one evening. A late evening. Watching on DVD is a million times better than DVR which is how we are watching this season of Mad Men after watching the previous ones on DVD.

Laura Novak

5/7/2012 00:48:13

The F scene is in the first season. Bunk and McNulty are in the apt. of the woman D'Angelo was sent to trial for killing for Avon. Only he didn't. So he was taking some heat for Avon for a long time before he went in for the final time.

So what is it about Omar that makes me/us root for him? Everyone loves Bubs, right? But Omar? And Wee Bei with his fish tanks! It's all fascinating. I will try to go back one day and listen to that commentary. Thanks for pointing it out.

MissSunshine

5/7/2012 02:06:42

I am thrilled to live in the age of DVD series. Really the best way to see a complex and subtle series is on DVD, with a whole season to be able to see several episodes at a time, not waiting a week between episodes.

One of the reasons I love The Wire so much, is that it is an intelligent story written for intelligent people, not the 8-12 year boys most tv seems to pander to.

Sometimes an expression or tone of voice is all the writers give you to figure out what the REAL story is. And if you have been paying attention, you know the answer!!

One of my favorite scenes is when when the unit is being disbanded. The brass will cut the unit down to only two people. As they inform the head detective, only the tiniest little smile lets you (he turns his head to hide his reaction) know he can still run an effective unit with "throw away" personnel - and why that is.

The most badass character in the series is Omar, with a close second by Brother Mouzone, and it is a very satisfying scene where they meet and come to an understanding, each with his own code of ethics, and how that plays out.

Congratulations! Not everyone understands the how genius this series is.

My sister said it was "too dark" for her, and another friend I recommended the series to, said that she didn't like any of the characters - who was supposed to be "the good guy"? McNulty was a drunk. She didn't "get" Bubbles. (I told her Bubbles was the most heroic character. And he is.) Omar was gay. Detective Daniels was "too cold". (I adore Daniels.) None of the commanding officers seem to be heroic, etc. I was very disappointed in her reaction.

SDoggett

5/7/2012 02:52:31

like you - no cable or satellite in my home. netflix rentals are how i view these excellent shows.

best television series to date - i enjoyed every minute of every season. and was very sad when the series ended. superb story lines and excellent characters.

if you haven't tried "six feet under", check this one out. another very well done series and the best ending to a television series i have ever seen.

V-A

5/7/2012 08:48:11

Thanks for the tip on The Wire. We're tv-less, too. And currently as embroiled as you, but in the Danish series, The Killing. (NOT the U.S. remake which sucks in comparison. I only lasted 20 minutes.) I bought it and the all-region codes dvd player I needed to watch it. So when I'm done and jonesing, I'll know where to turn.

turnleft

5/7/2012 13:31:04

We did not have cable when the series was on. We bought the first series box set and the addiction ensued. We have now watched the entire series twice. The Wire is our favorite lazy day marathon viewing. Omar is my favorite! We did Rome and Deadwood series too.

MissSunshine

5/7/2012 20:38:39

My favorites in this order:
The Wire - the best of the best.
Deadwood - everyone's dirty, and half of the dialog is F-, and you won't get all the humor of this dry series unless you watch it twice. So watch it twice. Finish the last disc (only two seasons) and start with the first disc again. You will find lots of little moments you may have missed the first time around.
Rome - not as deep as the first two, but has some brilliant, brilliant acting and a wonderful cast.
Six Feet Under - it went off the rails a few times, but I really wish more series would end in such a satisfying, complete way.
The Sopranos - an excellent series, but the last scene kind of spoiled it for me. Is Tony dead? What just happened? I was mad for a week afterward.

V-A

5/7/2012 23:04:50

Depending on whether you enjoy your visits to the video store or not and how much you spend, you may want to get a Roku device and stream from netflix. Only problem is how addictive it is. We've taken that route, and it takes all my self-control not to wallow in grade B documentaries and old tv series every night because it's so accessible. And of course, you are supporting a small business, which is very Berkeley/Oakland of you.

Laura Novak

5/8/2012 01:11:04

I think we tried Six Feet Under a few years back. The photos on their wall disturbed me, but perhaps we need to try it again. And I can see owning The Wire and watching all over again. The nuances in the relationships is fascinating. But why oh why do we love Omar? Even the video store woman said to me: Wait till you meet Omar. So why do we love him? And just as with a mob boss who sees a psychiatrist, we have a murderous thieving drug dealer who avenges the horrible death of his gay lover/boy toy. Fascinating.

The acting in Rome was brilliant, wasn't it. And how tame the Sopranos looked in terms of sex and violence by comparison. All those amazing sets for only two seasons! And I remember Polly Walker when she was in a David Suchet Poirot!

V-A, we do get Netflix by mail. But we also use the local store. They are so knowledgeable about films and yes, we try to support them in this way.

I too didn't want the Sopranos or the crazy Romans to go away. I cannot bear getting to the end of The Wire!! Renting a new one for tonight while our son studies for exams!!! Laptop in the bedroom up close!!

Margie

5/8/2012 05:51:48

I never heard of The Wire! Thanks for letting me know about it! I'm not much of a TV watcher... but we did find out about Six Feet Under a few years back. We *netflixed* it (I just created a word! :) ) and watched three episodes per night till we finished it. It was SO addicting, so good! I quickly realized that the most disturbing part for me was the beginning of each show when somebody died, so I'd just sit there with my hands over my eyes till I could hear that part was over....lol... We're onto Northern Exposure now, which is also very good but we're not finding it quite as addictive as Six Feet Under. Isn't it fun to find a great show and have something fun to look forward to every night? :)

omomma

5/9/2012 02:29:45

I'm still missing Bunk, after all these years, mostly because Wendell Pierce is an outstanding actor. Not that all the others weren't. I think everyone is drawn to Omar because of the courtroom scene, where he verbally takes down a lawyer while wearing the mandatory court tie unlike anyone has ever worn a tie before or since. Again, a powerful portrayal by a first-rate actor, Michael Kenneth Williams. It wasn't just the writing for The Wire. There were all of those amazing actors, just amazing.

Nancy

5/10/2012 04:14:12

Check out "Treme" for a 'Bunk' fix (on HBO also). Series written by David Simon and also starring Clarke Peters.

Barbara Alfaro link

5/9/2012 09:17:25

Oh Laura, this is so funny cause I was an extra in one of the early episodes of The Wire. And what was a hoot was though I was well into my fifties I was described as "a bar girl." Look for someone looking terribly sad because she had all those theatre credits and got to be an EXTRA on The Wire. I looked the same as now only no silver hair and moderate amount of wrinkles.

Laura Novak

5/10/2012 01:19:19

Barbara, what a priceless story! Can you tell us which episode so that when we BUY the series,which I'm sure we'll do, we can look for you.

I love the court room scene with Omar. Indeed, he wore the tie the way he wanted to. And he discussed Roman versus Greek gods with the guard before he went in to finger Bird. "It's all good," he told the guard who thanked him. Last night we saw him bring human food treats for his uncle's dog. It's those little things that make him more human and bend our feelings in his favor.

Barbara Alfaro link

5/10/2012 01:50:44

I haven't a clue which episode it was. I never saw the show as I didn't have HBO; I still don't. I've never seen a single show in the series. I do remember that I was sitting with a bar guy? at a small table. I think I was wearing a baseball hat (and clothing). I think there was a fight scene or almost fight scene between the principals. I remember the language was pretty gritty and, there were so many takes, I thought if I heard the f word one more time, I'd scream!

Nancy

5/10/2012 03:31:37

Hi Laura,
This is a pretty fun and interesting take on The Wire:http://hoodedutilitarian.com/2011/03/when-its-not-your-turn-the-quintessentially-victorian-vision-of-ogdens-the-wire/

MoBo

6/19/2012 07:51:31

Keep us updated as you continue watching.
I may be the only person that thinks season 2 and 4 were the best.

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The Wire. Oh Indeed.

Laura Novak

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