The Wire comes to BBC2 (Spoiler free, please)

[chico enrico]

I have only strted watching it recently.

series one is brilliant,

but what I have seen of series two so far (5 episodes) is such utter unmitigated, moribund SHIT i half expect to see mike myers or jim carey make an appearance.

It's like the scriptwriters of the first series have had some big fall-out with HBO and are doing their upmost to fuck them up.

i really don't think i can keep watching (unless someone perhaps tells me that peerlessly irksome piss-insect 'Ziggy' gets bettered to fuck with hammers then dipped in a vat of sulphutic acid whilst still alive.

And some semblance of characterisation/narrative emerges.

 

[Orang Utan]

you are as wrong as wrong can be - it's the best series

 

[goldenecitrone]

you are as wrong as wrong can be - it's the best series

Nah, that's series 4.

 

[Belushi]

Season Two is my favourite, think I identify with it more than the others.

I can see why its the least favourite for many wire fans, its the most different form the other seasons.

 

[Jon-of-arc]

I have only strted watching it recently.

series one is brilliant,

but what I have seen of series two so far (5 episodes) is such utter unmitigated, moribund SHIT i half expect to see mike myers or jim carey make an appearance.

It's like the scriptwriters of the first series have had some big fall-out with HBO and are doing their upmost to fuck them up.

i really don't think i can keep watching (unless someone perhaps tells me that peerlessly irksome piss-insect 'Ziggy' gets bettered to fuck with hammers then dipped in a vat of sulphutic acid whilst still alive.

And some semblance of characterisation/narrative emerges.

I really didn't "get" series 2 the first time round. It's actually among the best of the whole run (up there with 1, 3 & 4...). It's interesting that they depart so significantly from the setting and charecters of series 1. Completely unexpected. It also (according to simon/wiki,) explores the theme of the "betrayal of the American working class", how "unencumbered capitalism is not a substitute for social policy" - surely ideas of concern for almost any self respecting urbanite.

The new charecters (especially ziggy, Frank and the duck...) are some of the strongest, yet also most understated, of the entire series. The fact is that Ziggy is supposed to be annoying, so the writers/actors have done their job effectively.

It is also possibly the most difficult to understand of all seasons. Narrative is strong, but now more than ever, it is not spoon fed to viewers. I would concede the point that they might have been ever so slightly off-balance on that front for series 2 (this is my third viewing, and the first time I have truly felt that I understand entirely what is happening at any point - and that's only because I know what is coming...)

But stick with it. More than any other season, the modern "greek tragedy" aspect (another thing simon wished to achieve with the show...) of the Wire is most apparent for this series. It truly is TV at its best.

 

[skyscraper101]

word ^^^

 

[Crispy]

really powerful ending to S2 - much more so than S1

 

[kyser_soze]

Nah, that's series 4.

Season 3

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

I have to admit, having struggled with series 1 to begin with, and then adored it, I'm now struggling with series 2. Dunno why. On episode 2 so far. I guess every series must be a bit like that, difficult early learning curve

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

But obviously I'm going to keep on with it.

 

[belboid]

season 2 is probably my favourite, that fucking duck!

season 4 comes close tho

 

[kyser_soze]

I didn't start really getting into S2 until about E7 first time around - I still place it 3rd behind S3 & S1 - but it is worth sticking with, and re-watching.

 

[Melinda]

But obviously I'm going to keep on with it.

You especially are going to *love* it.


Props to Jon of arc for his S2 breakdown!

 

[ovaltina]

So where abouts is BBC2 with the screenings then? I'm flogging the box sets on Amazon and want to get the timing right to maximise my profits

 

[D'wards]

So where abouts is BBC2 with the screenings then? I'm flogging the box sets on Amazon and want to get the timing right to maximise my profits

Showing 3 a week, shown 3 thus far.

I like this series so far, but admit i do miss Avon and String being the main focus a bit.

Omar has just shown up though, always helps

 

[fen_boy]

Showing 3 a week, shown 3 thus far.

I like this series so far, but admit i do miss Avon and String being the main focus a bit.

Omar has just shown up though, always helps

Was the 3rd one on last night? - if it wasn't then my pissing sky plus has missed it.

I found S1 difficult to start with and then loved it. I've really enjoyed the change of pace and setting in S2 so far.

 

[Jon-of-arc]

word ^^^

Props to Jon of arc for his S2 breakdown!

*blushes*

 

[El Sueno]

They're re showing the first three episodes either late Sat or Sun night on BBC2.

Yup they're doing a triple-bill 'refresher course' tonight/tomorrow morning, S2 episodes 1-3, at some ungodly hour... kicking off 1.20am.

 

[ddraig]

Yup they're doing a triple-bill 'refresher course' tonight/tomorrow morning, S2 episodes 1-3, at some ungodly hour... kicking off 1.20am.

cool!
that muight help me understaaaand

 

[London_Calling]

The trip by Bodie (and driver guy) to Philly for the drugs dry run was quite interesting. Served no purpose at all from a narrative pov – just a little thing all by itself, yet there was fun to be had.

We all understood the stuff about the radio station and Baltimore and also maybe that this was probably the first time Bodie had heard a non-Black voice on the radio. Not only that but it sounded to me like Garrison Keillor's ’A Prairie Home Companion’ NPR show, which would be amusing and informative. It isn’t broadcast until the evening – and to the mid-west – but that’s part of the point, I imagine. It must have been like an alien broadcast; they were still tuned in to Keillor outside the car park in Philly when you assume Philly must have plenty of Black music stations.

 

[chico enrico]

ok, you've convinced me . i shall persevere. would have done anyway as i've paid $10 to be able to stream every episode.

still reckon Sopranos is a lot better tho. but that's probably cos it relates a lot more to , like, my life and stuff than the wire.

 

[BlackArab]

My suggestion for Wire newbies. If you've never seen Apocalypse Now, do so before series 3.

 

[Orang Utan]

The trip by Bodie (and driver guy) to Philly for the drugs dry run was quite interesting. Served no purpose at all from a narrative pov – just a little thing all by itself, yet there was fun to be had.

We all understood the stuff about the radio station and Baltimore and also maybe that this was probably the first time Bodie had heard a non-Black voice on the radio. Not only that but it sounded to me like Garrison Keillor's ’A Prairie Home Companion’ NPR show, which would be amusing and informative. It isn’t broadcast until the evening – and to the mid-west – but that’s part of the point, I imagine. It must have been like an alien broadcast; they were still tuned in to Keillor outside the car park in Philly when you assume Philly must have plenty of Black music stations.

you think about The Wire waaay too much

 

[London_Calling]

You didn't like me pointing out that S5 thing, did you. Oh well, I think you're wonderful.

 

[Orang Utan]

You didn't like me pointing out that S5 thing, did you. Oh well, I think you're wonderful.

i didn't like how proud you were about it, no

 

[London_Calling]

"proud" that's in interesting interpretation of something you specifically asked for. Actually, it was a bit of a shame you didn't deem to acknowledge the post as you must have known it took 10 minutes or so to jot down a response to your request. Just comes across as a bit ignorant, you see, not even acknowledging, let alone thanking someone for taking the trouble.

 

[Orang Utan]

knickers! twist!

 

[Orang Utan]

anyway, here's a 'parody' (with S5 spoilers in it):

 

[Crispy]

this thread is for first-time watchers! GTFO, you old hands

 

[London_Calling]

email/pm's in support of commenting on the show are well appreciated. Cheers.

Sad though that people feel they have to do that than say so in the thread itself. But understood.