TV: The Wire All Purpose Thread Part 3: World just keeps turning, right?

Caps Circle

Registered User
Jan 19, 2015
1,705
0
Chantilly, VA
The premise/ideas of season 5 are fascinating-- that's not why it gets flack-- The execution and focused direction was not as strong as in previous seasons (still very good though, IMO).

I don't know, I feel like the whole premise of the fake serial killer was way too far-fetched, and honestly it was a bit of a letdown after the gritty reality of the first few seasons. The idea of focusing on the media was a good one, but was not executed properly as you said.
 

Ceremony

blahem
Jun 8, 2012
113,012
15,084
Not really sure if anyone may help out, but I'll give it a try:

Having a study related excursion to Washington, D.C. & Baltimore next year. We need to do some individual research projects that include lots of field work &
I'd like to do some stuff on the problem areas/ghettos of Baltimore that are depicted in The Wire. Just supposed to be one day in Baltimore with the professors.
But afternoons are mostly free & I may have the opportunity to drive up to Baltimore here and there.

Issues may be around segregation, public housing, ethnicity, crime, education, ... Due to safety concerns the execution of this project is pretty
much restricted by the supervising professors. As they are responsible during that time, I've to guarantee for my safety (at least to a satisfying degree).

Anyone from there & experiences in that area that may help me out in regard to guided tours, "relatively safe" movement in those areas and so on?

I'm aware of how those safety concerns look like, and me being white makes it even harder. But guess you feel my ambition when it comes to research on that issue. Alternatives may be around the safer surroundings (key words: (political) administration, media, harbor, ...). We all know what the most interesting issue is.

Thanks in advance for any input. Never been to that area & still trying to figure out how to make it work.

I don't know anything of any detail about the areas but whoever runs theartofthewire on tumblr complied a map of all the locations in the show: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewe...ie=UTF8&mid=18ueVJ3iNOvtFvpAJI0lJuOziYBA&z=13
 

ap3x

Registered User
Jan 31, 2014
5,971
0
Stockholm
Don't know enough about Baltimore, but I promise that you can find the same in DC, especially Southeast. I would actually strongly recommend you go around there. It's safe enough during the day, I think, I have a friend who teaches in a school there and hasn't had many problems, but you could communicate with the police department for an escort. I would also suggest going through the schools, the kids there have... issues.

But I can't tell you anything about Baltimore.

I don't know anything of any detail about the areas but whoever runs theartofthewire on tumblr complied a map of all the locations in the show: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewe...ie=UTF8&mid=18ueVJ3iNOvtFvpAJI0lJuOziYBA&z=13

Thanks to you two. Just continue to collect some stuff on the issue.
 

Mrb1p

PRICERSTOPDAPUCK
Dec 10, 2011
87,764
53,495
Citizen of the world
The real star of the show was Elba
No other way around, he was the Wire. When he went down or when he wasnt on screen it was dull.

Omar, String and Bunk made this show.

Obviously Bubs was great also.

But Stringer, man. That was just perfect.

Kinda like Prop Joe also.
 

Chaels Arms

Formerly Lias Andersson
Aug 26, 2010
7,297
6,875
New York City
Not really sure if anyone may help out, but I'll give it a try:

Having a study related excursion to Washington, D.C. & Baltimore next year. We need to do some individual research projects that include lots of field work &
I'd like to do some stuff on the problem areas/ghettos of Baltimore that are depicted in The Wire. Just supposed to be one day in Baltimore with the professors.
But afternoons are mostly free & I may have the opportunity to drive up to Baltimore here and there.

Issues may be around segregation, public housing, ethnicity, crime, education, ... Due to safety concerns the execution of this project is pretty
much restricted by the supervising professors. As they are responsible during that time, I've to guarantee for my safety (at least to a satisfying degree).

Anyone from there & experiences in that area that may help me out in regard to guided tours, "relatively safe" movement in those areas and so on?

I'm aware of how those safety concerns look like, and me being white makes it even harder. But guess you feel my ambition when it comes to research on that issue. Alternatives may be around the safer surroundings (key words: (political) administration, media, harbor, ...). We all know what the most interesting issue is.

Thanks in advance for any input. Never been to that area & still trying to figure out how to make it work.

My opinion is that so long as you're only out and about during the day and stick to the more "commercial" areas you can pretty much feel safe in any major city in the US since there will almost always be some type of police presence in the area. Again, if you venture off into the slower residential parts of the neighborhood things may get shady but so long as you're not completely clueless you should be OK during the day. I wouldn't chance it in a strange area at night but that really goes for most cities in the US.
 

Habsfunk

Registered User
Jan 11, 2003
3,918
430
BC
Visit site
The real star of the show was Elba
No other way around, he was the Wire. When he went down or when he wasnt on screen it was dull.

If that's the case, why do most people consider season four the best season? The beauty of the Wire is the writing was so strong it could stand killing off its biggest star.
 

Mrb1p

PRICERSTOPDAPUCK
Dec 10, 2011
87,764
53,495
Citizen of the world
If that's the case, why do most people consider season four the best season? The beauty of the Wire is the writing was so strong it could stand killing off its biggest star.

I don't know.

Season four was strong because it had more focused on the corner rather than the actual police work, IMO.

Season two and five are also easily the worst, coincidence :sarcasm:


The Wire is still a good show without Idris, but I think his presence on screen really made the show what it is. Millionaire, thug, violent, ruthless, kind, visionary, etc.

I just love that character, and he might just be my favorite character ever.
 

ap3x

Registered User
Jan 31, 2014
5,971
0
Stockholm
My opinion is that so long as you're only out and about during the day and stick to the more "commercial" areas you can pretty much feel safe in any major city in the US since there will almost always be some type of police presence in the area. Again, if you venture off into the slower residential parts of the neighborhood things may get shady but so long as you're not completely clueless you should be OK during the day. I wouldn't chance it in a strange area at night but that really goes for most cities in the US.

Yeah, sounds legit. Problem is, it's hard to estimate to which degree those areas help me to collect data that I need in the first place.
Tough to acknowledge borders in regard to safety, especially as I'm on my own.

And what the restriction to daily visits concerns: Generally yes, but quite hard to not underestimate pot. safety concerns at the same time -
meant in terms of feeling "too safe".

That aside, thanks for your input. Thankful for experiences/opinions of any kind.
 

Deebo

Registered User
Jan 28, 2005
8,327
1,822
Toronto
Frank was personally successful due to those drug operations. It's not like he was the Robin Hood of the show.

He was a very morally gray human being. Wanted to help his employees and the business he worked in but also had his own personal stake in it, too. A son and a nephew who he wanted to be successful, as well as keeping himself in power so he could run the docks the way he wanted to.

I don't know, he seemed to live very modestly. He didn't give his son or nephew the hours they wanted because the union gave hours based on seniority. He wanted to stay in power for another term so he could continue the work he was doing to get the canal dredged. He used the smuggling money to support his union - money for injured workers and those who were struggling to makes ends meet or using it to hire lobbyists.

Nothing on the show suggests he was keeping any of the money for himself.
 

discostu

Registered User
Nov 12, 2002
22,512
2,895
Nomadville
Visit site
I don't know, he seemed to live very modestly. He didn't give his son or nephew the hours they wanted because the union gave hours based on seniority. He wanted to stay in power for another term so he could continue the work he was doing to get the canal dredged. He used the smuggling money to support his union - money for injured workers and those who were struggling to makes ends meet or using it to hire lobbyists.

Nothing on the show suggests he was keeping any of the money for himself.

He wasn't doing anything too greedy, but, he did pull strings for his brother to get a union job (one that he didn't want and decline).

You could see the beginnings of a slippery slope. It's great that he wanted to do good for people that needed it. But, he's putting himself in the situation where he is the arbitrator of who needs it. That's how corruption starts.
 

Comfort Eagle

Registered User
Feb 28, 2008
499
207
Southeastern,MA
So, I've been watching this show for about a month or so now on Amazon Prime. It was recommended by a friend, and others on another forum I frquent.

I must say that this show is just utterly amazing, and I wonder why it didn't win awards when it was current.

I'm on season 4 now, and it just seems to get better and better. It's funny but I find myself worrying about Bubbles as if he were a member of my family. Strange, but true. He better not die on the show...
 
  • Like
Reactions: jasonleaffan

discostu

Registered User
Nov 12, 2002
22,512
2,895
Nomadville
Visit site
So, I've been watching this show for about a month or so now on Amazon Prime. It was recommended by a friend, and others on another forum I frquent.

I must say that this show is just utterly amazing, and I wonder why it didn't win awards when it was current.

I'm on season 4 now, and it just seems to get better and better. It's funny but I find myself worrying about Bubbles as if he were a member of my family. Strange, but true. He better not die on the show...

Peak TV. There were a lot of really good shows out there, and The Wire was barely known.

I only discovered the show shortly after it finished airing. In many ways, being underappreciated may have helped it's artistic integrity.

In an alternate universe where the show was a smashing success in its first year, HBO probably isn't eager to ignore half the cast and focus on dock workers, or kill off key characters in season 3 and focus on a bunch of kids the next season.
 

Mr Fahrenheit

Valar Morghulis
Oct 9, 2009
7,764
3,254
Peak TV. There were a lot of really good shows out there, and The Wire was barely known.

I only discovered the show shortly after it finished airing. In many ways, being underappreciated may have helped it's artistic integrity.

In an alternate universe where the show was a smashing success in its first year, HBO probably isn't eager to ignore half the cast and focus on dock workers, or kill off key characters in season 3 and focus on a bunch of kids the next season.

The Wire: Special Edition :sarcasm:
 

Shareefruck

Registered User
Apr 2, 2005
28,875
3,570
Vancouver, BC
Peak TV. There were a lot of really good shows out there, and The Wire was barely known.

I only discovered the show shortly after it finished airing. In many ways, being underappreciated may have helped it's artistic integrity.

In an alternate universe where the show was a smashing success in its first year, HBO probably isn't eager to ignore half the cast and focus on dock workers, or kill off key characters in season 3 and focus on a bunch of kids the next season.
Interesting thought, but I don't think that'd be the case, personally.

David Simon strikes me as a stubborn enough guy that he'd rather pull up stakes and watch the whole thing burn than go along with anything less than strictly what he wants, though. So even though HBO might have that inclination, they'd probably end up just begrudgingly going along with him if the show was a massive hit.

It's only a danger if the showrunner is a pushover and just wants to get the show out no matter what.
 

Tkachuk4MVP

32 Years of Fail
Apr 15, 2006
14,793
2,675
San Diego, CA
So, I've been watching this show for about a month or so now on Amazon Prime. It was recommended by a friend, and others on another forum I frquent.

I must say that this show is just utterly amazing, and I wonder why it didn't win awards when it was current.

I'm on season 4 now, and it just seems to get better and better. It's funny but I find myself worrying about Bubbles as if he were a member of my family. Strange, but true. He better not die on the show...


Felt that way about a lot of the characters, it's what makes the show so gripping and difficult to watch at the same time.
 

Terry Yake

Registered User
Aug 5, 2013
26,599
15,008
stringer and omar

best characters on the show. i had a soft spot for bubs too
 

Riggins

Registered User
Jul 12, 2002
7,766
4,452
Vancouver, BC
Just started recently and binged season one and really enjoyed it. I'm hating the first couple eps of season 2. Forget this white trash at the docks, take me back to the hood! Is it worth continuing season 2 or can I jump straight into 3 without missing much?
 

Shareefruck

Registered User
Apr 2, 2005
28,875
3,570
Vancouver, BC
Most people have that same initial jarring/tedious/bored feeling when they move onto Season 2, but I would encourage you to make a serious effort to get over those obstacles-- Given half a chance, it actually ends up being one of the most rewarding seasons of the series (better than season 1, IMO).

Also, there are important game-changing plot points (even regarding the hood) that carry over to the third season-- you'd be kicking yourself to jump ahead and spoil them, because they're done wonderfully. Also, you can't appreciate the full scope of the city's problems if you focus only on the hood aspect, so you really don't want to be watching this show with that type of mentality anyways.

Just suck it up and do it the right way. It'll be worth it. If you're going to skip a season, skip the fifth one. The first four are absolutely flawless, despite initial struggles.
 
Last edited:

Chaels Arms

Formerly Lias Andersson
Aug 26, 2010
7,297
6,875
New York City
I basically agree with Shareefruck. Season 2 was rough on my first go through and I definitely wanted to skip through it at points. The main advice I'd give you is to just pay attention to the characters on their own merits and accept right now that the season is not going to progress the Barksdale crew storyline. The worst part of that season is waiting for things to happen on the Avon and Stringer front and then getting disappointed. It's actually damn good television if you're willing to put all the season 1 stuff on hold. Pablo Schreiber and Chris Bauer put in two great performances there.

Season 5 is the season you can avoid without missing out on too much.
 

Chaels Arms

Formerly Lias Andersson
Aug 26, 2010
7,297
6,875
New York City
Peak TV. There were a lot of really good shows out there, and The Wire was barely known.

I only discovered the show shortly after it finished airing. In many ways, being underappreciated may have helped it's artistic integrity.

In an alternate universe where the show was a smashing success in its first year, HBO probably isn't eager to ignore half the cast and focus on dock workers, or kill off key characters in season 3 and focus on a bunch of kids the next season.

The Wire is also the ultimate binge experience as well. Being able to power through seasons one and two and then just feast on the perfection of seasons three and four is huge.
 

Big Poppa Puck

HF's Villain
Dec 8, 2009
20,530
932
D-Boss' Dungeon
Just started recently and binged season one and really enjoyed it. I'm hating the first couple eps of season 2. Forget this white trash at the docks, take me back to the hood! Is it worth continuing season 2 or can I jump straight into 3 without missing much?

It's the 2nd worst season, but I'd tough it out.

If you're going to skip anything skip most of season 5. All you need to watch is the last 2-3 episodes of that.
 

ap3x

Registered User
Jan 31, 2014
5,971
0
Stockholm
Most people have that same initial jarring/tedious/bored feeling when they move onto Season 2, but I would encourage you to make a serious effort to get over those obstacles-- Given half a chance, it actually ends up being one of the most rewarding seasons of the series (better than season 1, IMO).

Also, there are important game-changing plot points (even regarding the hood) that carry over to the third season-- you'd be kicking yourself to jump ahead and spoil them, because they're done wonderfully. Also, you can't appreciate the full scope of the city's problems if you focus only on the hood aspect, so you really don't want to be watching this show with that type of mentality anyways.

Just suck it up and do it the right way. It'll be worth it. If you're going to skip a season, skip the fifth one. The first four are absolutely flawless, despite initial struggles.

Agreed. Having my difficulties to feel ppl that consider that season boring. Start adapting your expectations & you'll enjoy it.
 

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Ad

-->