OT: I'm binging on "The Wire" on Amazon.

[LionJim]

Good God almighty. I'm now halfway through Season 2. I'm sure there's some exaggeration for dramatic effect (Ziggy as a stereotype is as old as Adam), but the brutal and cynical reality is almost too much to bear. I feel like I gotta shower once I've finished an episode. Whew.

Pretty damn good acting, though, I must say.

 

[Alphabets]

Amazing show.

 

[kijanalives]

Good God almighty. I'm now halfway through Season 2. I'm sure there's some exaggeration for dramatic effect (Ziggy as a stereotype is as old as Adam), but the brutal and cynical reality is almost too much to bear. I feel like I gotta shower once I've finished an episode. Whew.

Pretty damn good acting, though, I must say.

Many fans of the show rank season 2 as their least favorite. If I had to rank them, I prob would too. But many of the characters and political alliances come back later in the series, albeit in small doses. From season 3 on, some of the best writing Tv has ever seen.

 

[BBrown]

Good God almighty. I'm now halfway through Season 2. I'm sure there's some exaggeration for dramatic effect (Ziggy as a stereotype is as old as Adam), but the brutal and cynical reality is almost too much to bear. I feel like I gotta shower once I've finished an episode. Whew.

Pretty damn good acting, though, I must say.

Probably my all time favorite series. JMO but I thought Season 2 was the weakest of the group.
Wait until you get the season where they are in school. Oh boy.

 

[Ranger Dan]

Very good show... top notch acting and wonderful, rich, multidimensional characters (even beyond the top billing). The major plot take a couple of 90 degree turns in later seasons, but somehow they end up bringing everything together. There are some completely "out there" stuff in later seasons, and I'm not sure whether this was needed. The quality of the characters, the acting, and the subject matter itself could have been enough.

 

[BBrown]

Many fans of the show rank season 2 as their least favorite. If I had to rank them, I prob would too. But many of the characters and political alliances come back later in the series, albeit in small doses. From season 3 on, some of the best writing Tv has ever seen.

Yea its kind of like the Wire's version of Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets. (It was an ok book and movie) but it laid tons of ground work for how the series would evolve.

 

[BBrown]

Very good show... top notch acting and wonderful, rich, multidimensional characters (even beyond the top billing). The major plot take a couple of 90 degree turns in later seasons, but somehow they end up bringing everything together. There are some completely "out there" stuff in later seasons, and I'm not sure whether this was needed. The quality of the characters, the acting, and the subject matter itself could have been enough.

I especially liked the introduction and rise to power of Carcetti. It was a not very subtle reference to Martin O'Malley.
The City Council was or is not that different than what Baltimore currently has.
I had so many favorite characters and actors. I loved Bubbles, Lester Freamon, Kima Greggs, McNulty and Cedric Daniels (Lance Reddick) scares the crap out of me.
Just a really well acted, directed and written show.

 

[Dr. Evel]

Bubbs and Omar are awesome, and that is among many, many cool performances. One of the best shows I've ever seen.

 

[AldenT]

Good God almighty. I'm now halfway through Season 2. I'm sure there's some exaggeration for dramatic effect (Ziggy as a stereotype is as old as Adam), but the brutal and cynical reality is almost too much to bear. I feel like I gotta shower once I've finished an episode. Whew.

Pretty damn good acting, though, I must say.

Glad you like it LionJim. As stated season 2 is pretty good and the worst of them...

My personal favorite show ever.

 

[21Guns]

Good God almighty. I'm now halfway through Season 2. I'm sure there's some exaggeration for dramatic effect (Ziggy as a stereotype is as old as Adam), but the brutal and cynical reality is almost too much to bear. I feel like I gotta shower once I've finished an episode. Whew.

Pretty damn good acting, though, I must say.

Nothing stereotypical about Ziggy: The character is brilliant and the actor who played him was exceptional.

Nothing stereotypical about The Wire, whatsoever. Basically, it's either the best, or second best(depending on who you poll, tied with Breaking Bad) television show in the history of American television.

 

[21Guns]

I have tried and failed to gain interest in the Wire.

I lived on Bolton Hill throughout the 90's. This was during Homicide: Life on the Street the precursor to the Wire. My wife and I were hooked on the show and watched every episode but then I just had enough of the gritty Baltimore crime thing.

Incredible.

There you have it: NO matter how hot a woman is, there is some guy, somewhere who is tired of her shit. LMAO.

 

[21Guns]

Amazing show.

Best show in the history of television.

Period.

 

[OspreyLion]

I watched when it first aired and watched it again last year. Loved it. Omar was my favorite.

 

[21Guns]

Had a thing for the redhead hottie who McNulty used to fool around with, the D.A. I think, cannot remember her name...

 

[BBrown]

Had a thing for the redhead hottie who McNulty used to fool around with, the D.A. I think, cannot remember her name...

Didn't she end up with Lt. Daniels? (sorry spoiler alert).

 

[sluggo72]

Good God almighty. I'm now halfway through Season 2. I'm sure there's some exaggeration for dramatic effect (Ziggy as a stereotype is as old as Adam), but the brutal and cynical reality is almost too much to bear. I feel like I gotta shower once I've finished an episode. Whew.

Pretty damn good acting, though, I must say.

FWIW, I think it is the best ever on TV!!! As a teacher, and math guy, wait to you get to the school part. Season 4, I believe

 

[LionJim]

I just had enough of the gritty Baltimore crime thing.

Yes, I've been asking myself if there's a tipping point for me. I guess it's good for me to look outside my comfortable Montgomery County bubble and be reminded of how amazingly f'd up it is up there a mere forty minutes away, but, man, I can see it becoming too much.

 

[BBrown]

Yes, I've been asking myself if there's a tipping point for me. I guess it's good for me to look outside my comfortable Montgomery County bubble and be reminded of how amazingly f'd up it is up there a mere forty minutes away, but, man, I can see it becoming too much.

LOL, So you don't think its even more f'd up 40 minutes south of Baltimore?

 

[BBrown]

I have tried and failed to gain interest in the Wire.

I lived on Bolton Hill throughout the 90's. This was during Homicide: Life on the Street the precursor to the Wire. My wife and I were hooked on the show and watched every episode but then I just had enough of the gritty Baltimore crime thing.

Its interesting though, for those of us who live in around around Baltimore, the city has def. cleaned itself up some after Homicide.
If you think Baltimore is rough now you should have seen it in the late 80's and early 90's. They really have cleaned up a lot of areas.
They just do it at a glacial pace.

 

[LionJim]

LOL, So you don't think its even more f'd up 40 minutes south of Baltimore?

LOL. You got me.

 

[LionJim]

Nothing stereotypical about Ziggy: The character is brilliant and the actor who played him was exceptional.

Nothing stereotypical about The Wire, whatsoever. Basically, it's either the best, or second best(depending on who you poll, tied with Breaking Bad) television show in the history of American television.

You're obviously more familiar with the show and its characters than I am, but I was responding to Niko's telling Ziggy not to throw the camera money around and then Z goes right out and buys a $2G leather coat when he owes money to the drug guys.

 

[BBrown]

Dude, I lived it in the 80's and 90's.

I helped a fraternity brother remodel a row home on Ostend St by the Market. Those row homes were going for 50k in the mid 80's. Now that's prime real estate.

You probably can't recall the huge "huffing" problem on Federal Hill? Low income teenagers were huffing anything in sight and frying their brains out.

If you think Baltimore was rough in the 80's you should have seen the South Bronx. Another neighborhood that I am familiar with. That is why when people ask about "security" I just chuckle.

I do remember the "huffing" problem.
I'm not real familiar with NYC. I have a good friend that lives in the East Village (Alphabet City) and he bought 2 condo's in the same building for a song in the 70's. They are now worth over a Million a piece. He tells me stories about how bad it was then. But now they've pretty much gentrified the whole area and its incredibly safe and nice.

 

[sluggo72]

You're obviously more familiar with the show and its characters than I am, but I was responding to Niko's telling Ziggy not to throw the camera money around and then Z goes right out and buys a $2G leather coat when he owes money to the drug guys.

did you ever see 'Goodfellows'?? they did the same.

 

[LionJim]

did you ever see 'Goodfellows'?? they did the same.

Yeah, that's exactly why I said what I did. Still, I'm very early in the Ziggy story line so I've got no reason to disagree with Gun's assessment of the entire show. The members of the Barksdale organization, they are unique and very well-developed characters.

 

[21Guns]

You're obviously more familiar with the show and its characters than I am, but I was responding to Niko's telling Ziggy not to throw the camera money around and then Z goes right out and buys a $2G leather coat when he owes money to the drug guys.

Absolutely. It was sad. Zig just could not live in the world that his father had created for him, and you wanted him to just be able to deal with life, and nobody could stop him from the hurt he caused himself. The Greek had the situation handled, yet Zig just couldn't stop himself.

 

[21Guns]

Didn't she end up with Lt. Daniels? (sorry spoiler alert).

LionJim is TRYING to enjoy the show Sir! Haha.....

I am looking for a pic, sorry, flags now will litter the field...

 

[21Guns]

Wait till you get to season 4. The show itself is the greatest in American tv history, but season 4, in my view, is the best SEASON out of the 5, although it is nearly impossible to separate them, they are just so amazing.

 

[simons96]

you should check out recent interviews with David Simon (I've posted a few here)

what he achieves in The Wire transcends TV. He patiently and methodically addresses every institution involved in the "problems" of the inner city, and dismantles all of our illusions about the approaches to "solve" these problems. This show is one of the most relevant and cynical criticisms of the toxic bullsh*t that gets peddled on a community under the guise of "helping" it.

wait until Season 5. you'll watch a lot of things that are all too real to us, and want to heave a brick at the TV.

 

[21Guns]

One of the funniest things was the character of Jay...I think the actor who plays Jay Landsman, said that the ACTUAL Jay Landsman tested for the ROLE of Jay Landsman and didn't get it, but got a different part instead haha. Edit: Delaney Williams, who is outstanding in the role of Landsman, who was lauging about how the actual Jay Landsman was not right for the part of himself.

 

[LionJim]

One of the funniest things was the character of Jay...I think the actor who plays Jay Landsman, said that the ACTUAL Jay Landsman tested for the ROLE of Jay Landsman and didn't get it, but got a different part instead haha. Edit: Delaney Williams, who is outstanding in the role of Landsman, who was lauging about how the actual Jay Landsman was not right for the part of himself.

One thing about the Amazon stream is that they have IMDB trivia up and easily accessible while you watch the video. Yes, they mentioned that little gem. Thanks for the input.

 

[wbcincy]

Many fans of the show rank season 2 as their least favorite. If I had to rank them, I prob would too. But many of the characters and political alliances come back later in the series, albeit in small doses. From season 3 on, some of the best writing Tv has ever seen.

Hmmm, I didn't realize how many folks felt that way. Season 2 was actually my favorite season. I really enjoyed the docks and the longing for what it once was and willingness to do just about anything to bring that back. Spending most of my life in rust belt areas that long since saw their best days pass, I could associate with it.

 

[LionJim]

Hmmm, I didn't realize how many folks felt that way. Season 2 was actually my favorite season. I really enjoyed the docks and the longing for what it once was and willingness to do just about anything to bring that back. Spending most of my life in rust belt areas that long since saw their best days pass, I could associate with it.

Yes, Chris Bauer as Frank Sobotka, heartbreaking. And what is the linchpin for his undoing? He gave too nice a gift to his local parish. SMH.

You see and feel the same thing in "Breaking Away," a proud man watching his livelihood vanish before his eyes.

 

[21Guns]

Off topic, but "Breaking Away" is a fantastic movie. There are those, who have compared Bloomington Indiana, to State College, Pennsylvania, in a similar manner as to the makeup of the town from inside, compared to from the migrant student population from the 5 major cities in the radius of this area.

 

[AldenT]

you should check out recent interviews with David Simon (I've posted a few here)

what he achieves in The Wire transcends TV. He patiently and methodically addresses every institution involved in the "problems" of the inner city, and dismantles all of our illusions about the approaches to "solve" these problems. This show is one of the most relevant and cynical criticisms of the toxic bullsh*t that gets peddled on a community under the guise of "helping" it.

wait until Season 5. you'll watch a lot of things that are all too real to us, and want to heave a brick at the TV.

Good post. Simon is amazing; the star of the show is Baltimore in all her "glory". Best show ever.

 

[21Guns]

Certain characters actually have the "Baltimore accent" also. The real Jay Landsman, and the school principal from season 4 come to mind right away.

 

[simons96]

Good post. Simon is amazing; the star of the show is Baltimore in all her "glory". Best show ever.

if you can deal with Marc Maron, this was an amazing interview he did with Simon back in April:

LINK

has a lot of criticisms of the current media we can appreciate, and does talk a bit about The Wire

 

[21Guns]

Before this scene, I actually had not heard of a "pit sandwich" before...

 

[AldenT]

if you can deal with Marc Maron, this was an amazing interview he did with Simon back in April:

LINK

has a lot of criticisms of the current media we can appreciate, and does talk a bit about The Wire

Thanks simons.

 

[21Guns]

"If you can deal with Marc Maron"...

Who, exactly can do this?

 

[BBrown]

Before this scene, I actually had not heard of a "pit sandwich" before...

View embedded media

Oh Man the "pit" sandwiches are awesome. You can get beef, ham or turkey or, my favorite, the Holy Trinity of all 3. with fresh grated horseradish and BBQ sauce. Awesome.