The Wire, 20 years later

Unlike a lot of TV - it's a quiet, slow show that really takes some time to get going. And, the longer it goes on, the more unconventional it gets. It takes a bit to calibrate to this, because, for example, you'll have long scenes with the "bad guys" of the show just talking - you see more to them than just the doing of vile shit, like on a Criminal Minds.

 

I had the advantage of being able to watch almost the whole first season on an overseas flight, like a 10-hour movie. I absolutely urge you to stick with it, and if you can, watch a couple of episodes at a time to really see the skillful weaving of the storylines.

 

Alan Sepinwall did a rewatch on one of his old sites where he did separate recaps for new viewers and rewatchers. I found that it helped explain in the first few episodes who everyone one. Simon’s model is typically no exposition, which can be frustrating with a sprawling cast. The Wire wasn’t as bad with this as Treme, but it was close.

 

I had a partner 15 yrs ago STILL having his secty take shorthand! I’ve got partners still talking into dictaphones!! Some people just want everything to stay the same.

 

On a side note, I've been rewatching some True Blood, and it just doesn't hold up for me.
The gratuitous sex scenes still bring a sparkle to the eye, but the story doesn't.

 

Just finished the final season last night. It was fantastic.
So many characters my wife and I were invested in.

If people don't like it, no biggie. I don't like Frank Sinatra. I think his voice is tinny.

 

Sonja Sohn (Kima) is on the new Will Trent series. Wendell Pierce (Bunk) is on some new cop series too.

 

Herc is the mob boss on Tulsa King.

 

Never not funny.

 

Pierce plays Greer in Amazon Prime's Jack Ryan.

 

Bunk always has the best lines.
McNulty: Bunk, why are you burning your clothes?
Bunk: They smell like pussy.

 

You don't find the story about the kid at the craps game interesting? It sets up everything for the show.