The reality of The Wire

[Insidious Von]

Nothing much has changed in Baltimore since The Wire first aired, in fact it's gotten worse. The city has the second highest murder rate (after Chicago) in the USA, per population it is easily No.1.

Finally, I'm getting the chance to stream this engrossing show and, yes, it is better than The Sopranos. The later was a cash cow for HBO, the former was considered a ratings failure. The Sopranos hooks you in from the very first scene, The Wire builds slowly. The opening episodes were all exposition to set up the characters, it's difficult to get through since nothing much is happening. Once the narrative is established it's incredibly addictive.

Lieutenant Cedric Daniels is a revelation and Michael B Jordan will break your heart.

 

[ICEman72]

You haven't watched the series before? I envy you right now. You're in for a treat as it picks up. My first time through I didn't like season 2 very much. After the second time through it became tied with season 4 as my favourite.

The writing and character development is second to none in this show and I think it really ruined me for regular television. Nothing compares, not even The Sopranos. In my opinion, the Wire is the best show of all time.

 

[Insidious Von]

Denzel Washington took part in the casting of the black actors for American Gangster, he knew what Idris Elba could do. I became a fan after watching his take on Captain Kirk in Prometheus. Never got around to watching The Wire through, I'm at the point now where The Cleaner (Brother Muzzone) appears for the first time. In Pulp Fiction, Harvey Keitel was The Cleaner - Bad Mother Fucker was on his best behaviour.

Stringer Bell is such an arrogant prick, he thinks he's one step ahead of everyone else.

 

[dirkd101]

The Wire is a phenomenal series. I have watched it a few times and like it so much I bought it.

Enjoy it IV.

 

[Insidious Von]

The garbage dump scene with The Pretenders (Space Invaders) made me buy The Sopranos.

I'm ordering this series from Amazon after this:

 

[Insidious Von]

 

[etal]

Fuckiddy fuck, fuck fuck

 

[shack]

In Pulp Fiction, Harvey Keitel was The Cleaner

I thought he was "The Wolf".

 

[Insidious Von]

I thought he was "The Wolf".

Different name, same shit. The Wolf and Brother Muzzone are cleaners.

Stringer Bell iz so stooopid! He's such a fuck up, his arrogance blinds him to that fact - some of the best work I've ever seen Idris Elba do.

Dris's range is remarkable:

 

[bankerboy80]

I just finished watching the wire and agree it is an amazing series. The casting was amazing. I wish I saw the series sooner.

 

[benstt]

Different name, same shit. The Wolf and Brother Muzzone are cleaners.

Harvey Keitel played The Cleaner in Point of No Return. Killed off people after a botched assassination, and got rid of the evidence. The Wolf was more of a general problem solver who helped them get rid of a body.

 

[Insidious Von]

Haven't seen the first film you mentioned benstt but all that you mentioned is what a cleaner does. They solve problems, whack the duck ups and clean up crime scenes.

The more I watch The Wire, the sadder it makes me. How could they fuck up a city that had every advantage? It's a major geographical hub, located within an area of breathtaking natural beauty. The best seafood outside of Boston and the birthplace of Edgar Allan Poe, Babe Ruth and Thurgood Marshall. In a perfect world Baltimore would be the Toronto of the USA - a warning to us.

 

[SkyRider]

How could they fuck up a city that had every advantage?

I would tell you but the usual suspects would accuse me of being a racist bigot.

Murders in Baltimore so far this year is now north of 300.

 

[Insidious Von]

I disagree Rocco.

I've never had any problems with blacks. In fact during a particularly dark incident in my life, they came to my defense. Poverty plays a larger role in crime than race.

Just when I thought I had the show figured out, it draws me in. Cutty, with those wild eyes of his, was supposed to be the second coming of Bad Mother Fucker. Bringing down great vengeance and fury upon Barksdale family rivals - then he connects with his humanity. Caught me completely by surprise.

Marlo is a crocodile.

 

[SkyRider]

http://www.newsweek.com/baltimore-burning-its-not-matter-money-we-tried-329515

A big part of the problem actually started in the 1960's when Lyndon Johnson's "War on Poverty" destroyed the black family unit. It's the Democrat's fault.

 

[Insidious Von]

Oh ok. You read Newsweek Rocco, that explains a lot.

What do I do now? No more Idris Elba, he was outstanding as Stringer Bell. Cutty's story line should keep me going, I hope Major Colvin isn't written out of the series.

Now for some Tuco Ramirez. JUDAS!...JUDAS!...you wont enjoy that money not a penny of it!

 

[Insidious Von]

Probably the best eats Bourdain has ever had.

 

[richaceg]

c'mon peeps...you weren't hook in the first season?

 

[Insidious Von]

Michael B Jordan is the only actor to appear in both The Wire and The Sopranos. S1, E7: Down Neck was his very first acting credit.

 

[Insidious Von]

Some fans are pissed that a black man got cast in a lead role in The Dark Tower. Bullshit, Big Dris can do anything, his Captain Kirk was excellent and so will his Roland Deschain.