Any fans of 'The Wire' here? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

nik- · 03-03-2008, 09:28 AM

There's threads about Lost and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles here, but surprisingly none about The Wire.

There's one more episode left in the series, has anyone been watching it? If so what do you think about season 5 so far and how they're wrapping things up.

*spoiler if you haven't seen to Season 5 episode 9*

I thought the way they killed Omar was perfect tbh. Many were expecting an all out battle between him and Marlo's crew but it's just not realistic. It also really drives home the level of violence when the newspaper has to choose between him getting killed and a fire as their story and they choose the fire. It's a shocking thing to have a character you've been attached to for 5 years just dismissed. I thought it was well done.

Marlo and crew are obviously going away and Michael has escaped. I think the last episode is going to focus on McNulty's downfall (perhaps back on the boat patrol?) and then drive home the point that everything continues as it always has (the drugs, the murders, the crime)

*end spoiler*

Fans out there? Thoughts?

BlackEleven · 03-03-2008, 09:38 AM

I'm a big fan of the show. I know there are a couple others as well as this show has been mentioned in TV threads a couple times.

I'm downloading ep9 right now, waiting to watch it. I have to say, so far, I'm enjoying the season immensely. Great show, too bad its almost over. I could get into more details, but I don't know if we should discuss spoilers in this thead or not...?

nik- · 03-03-2008, 09:41 AM

I think if you clearly mark an upcoming spoiler and then make the text white it should be ok, like I did in my post. You just highlight the blank area to read it.

BUT DON'T READ MINE! since you haven't watched episode 9 yet

JiriHrdina · 03-03-2008, 10:18 AM

Best show on TV right now and I dare say perhaps the best show of all time. It's amazing how many characters and elements they are able to add to the show and it still works. Started off as a 'cop show', but has become so much more than that now.

LOVE The Wire.

@theCBE · 03-03-2008, 10:40 AM

I love The Wire. I can't think of another show that I have watched that has been so consistently good every single season. One of my favourite shows, and I have watched a lot of them. With HBO on demand you can get the episodes a week before they are supposed to air, so the finale will probably end up on the net next pretty soon. I will probably watch it in the next couple days.

nik- · 03-03-2008, 10:59 AM

They're delaying the finale on Demand to air the same day as the network unfortunately

CaramonLS · 03-03-2008, 11:03 AM

I watched the first half of the first season and just couldn't really get in to it. What am I missing here? - This coming from a huge fan of cop shows and The Shield.

BlackEleven · 03-03-2008, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

I watched the first half of the first season and just couldn't really get in to it. What am I missing here? - This coming from a huge fan of cop shows and The Shield.

Well the fact you enjoy other cop shows, doesn't necessairly mean you'll enjoy the Wire. I find it to be quite a bit different that your typical cop show in that if focuses a lot on the characters (and not just the police) than other cop shows, which tend to be very plot driven. But if could be that all you're missing is a little patience

I admit its a bit hard to get into initially, which is why I think the show never did really well ratings wise. When I recommend the show to people, I always tell them to wath at least 5-6 episodes before they give up on it completely. Once you get to know all the characters it really makes the show that much better. That and the plot arcs across a whole season, so it can take a while before you see the implications of the actions of some of the characters.

The show is not for everyone, that's for sure (my girlfriend hates it), but I find the show gets better and better as it goes on, so hopefully it just takes a few more episodes before you start to enjoy it.

JiriHrdina · 03-03-2008, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

I watched the first half of the first season and just couldn't really get in to it. What am I missing here? - This coming from a huge fan of cop shows and The Shield.

It does take a while - it has a completely different pacing than most shows, particularly cop shows. I even found that each season it takes a bit to get back into it.

It may not be for you though - it's a different show and certainly not for everyone. But I do think if you give it another chance you will be glad you did.

Homer_J · 03-03-2008, 02:35 PM

My wife & I just finished season 2 and we are hooked (I avoided reading most of this thread in case of spoilers). What an amazing show. So many great characters and great plots. It moves a little slower than most police dramas, but keeps you entertained at the same time. I enjoy the Shield, but The Wire takes cop shows to an entirely different level.

I can't wait to start season 3, as I've heard it only gets better.

T I M · 03-03-2008, 05:02 PM

Not entirely sure about ranking it as the best TV show ever, in my eyes that's still The Sopranos. Best current show I'd have to agree with.

Season 2 wasn't a favorite of mine, they spent too much time at the docks. Glad they got back to the drug trade from season 3 on. RIP Omar.

Johnny 99 · 03-03-2008, 06:57 PM

Absolutely the best show I've ever seen. The last episode should be interesting, as they've already wrapped up most of the character's storylines - Bubbles getting clean, Marlo going down, etc. McNaulty will be going down for sure! Daniels looked pissed.

This show was never commercially successful because it was just so damn different - for example, the main character of the whole show, McNaulty, had about ten minutes of screen time in season four.

I can't wait to see what will happen - Carcetti announces a run for governor, Daniels takes down McNaulty, and maybe even Marlo goes free because of the illegal wiretap. I loved Herc telling Levy that he has "no idea where they got the numba from".

JiriHrdina · 03-03-2008, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny 99

This show was never commercially successful because it was just so damn different - for example, the main character of the whole show, McNaulty, had about ten minutes of screen time in season four.
.

Love that - how many shows have the courage to do that?

Disappointed this season that not a single second of The Prez yet. Almost every other character has made at least an appearance - except for that badass from New York that was part of killing Stringer. That guy is cool.

Actually was upset when Stringer got killed - I thought he was a great character.

nik- · 03-03-2008, 07:16 PM

I was expecting a return of Brother Mouzon, but it doesn't look like it's going to happen. That last show has a lot riding on it

JiriHrdina · 03-03-2008, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik-

I was expecting a return of Brother Mouzon, but it doesn't look like it's going to happen. That last show has a lot riding on it

That's the guy. Man that dude is totally bad-ass.

Are there any other characters (alive anyways) that haven't re-appeared this season?

I was also upset when Prop Joe got killed - he was also darn cool. All my favourite characters are getting capped.

Except the bunk-man. Bunk is the coolest.

nik- · 03-03-2008, 07:43 PM

There was one I was thinking about that hadn't been around this season, but I can't for the life of me think of it now.

Did you notice that one of the homeless guys under the bridge who all got interviewed (the guy with the dog) was one of the dock workers from season 2.

MarchHare · 03-03-2008, 08:01 PM

Yes, The Wire is the best show on television at the moment, and quite possibly ever. It's not a cop show, though, despite what you may think. It's actually a critique of urban America, and the different institutions that are failing the public they are supposed to serve. Each season examines a different facet of society as well as building upon what was already covered in the previous seasons:

Season 1: the legal system (the police department, prosecutors, and judges)
Season 2: organized labour and the employed poor (the stevedores' union)
Season 3: politicians (Royce, Carcetti, and Gray)
Season 4: the public education system (the four kids, Prez and Bunny)
Season 5: the media (Gus, Scott, Alma, et al.)

My predictions for the last episode:

McNulty and Freeman get away with it. Too many people have too much riding on the bogus serial killer story for it to be exposed as a fraud. Rawls and Daniels can't speak up lest it look like they were misspending all the money City Hall was throwing their way to catch the serial killer. Carcetti needs the Marlo arrest to stand so he gets his much-needed drop in crime, not to mention he latched onto the theme of homelessness to fuel his campaign for governor. The Sun can't expose it because they're trying to win a Pullitzer based on Scott's reporting of the story (and his phone conversations with the "killer").

However, McNulty is stricken with grief and kills himself. One of the last scenes will be at that Irish bar for a policemen's wake with McNulty's body on the pool table. Lester ends up demoted back to the pawn shop unit as Daniels tries to quietly make the whole mess disappear.

Michael becomes the new Avon/Stringer/Prop Joe/Marlo and ends up running the West Baltimore drug trade. Even though Marlo falls, the cycle begins anew.

Bubs kicks his habit in one of the few positive outcomes for any character, but this is contrasted with shots of Dukie becoming a heroin addict.

Gus exposes Scott's fabrications, but management at The Sun won't take appropriate disiplinary action because they want so badly to win a Pullitzer. Gus resigns in protest (or accepts a buy-out).

The Bunk is still The Bunk.

MarchHare · 03-03-2008, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik-

There was one I was thinking about that hadn't been around this season, but I can't for the life of me think of it now.

Did you notice that one of the homeless guys under the bridge who all got interviewed (the guy with the dog) was one of the dock workers from season 2.

Yup, he was the guy that formerly operated the crane. Nick also made an appearance yelling at Carcetti when he announced the waterfront revitalization project.

JiriHrdina · 03-03-2008, 10:10 PM

Speaking of cool characters appearing out of the blue - surely most of you noticed Detective Munch popping up a couple episodes back.

nik- · 03-04-2008, 05:18 PM

Just an FYI, Bill Simmons has an entire episode of his Podcast dedicated to The Wire. Him and Jason Whitlock talking about the show.

It includes talk of Season 5 Episode 9, so if you haven't seen up to there be careful.

There's about a 10 minute gap in there where they get in a compliment circle, but overall it's pretty good.

BS Report from 3/4
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnradio/...ive?id=2864045