The Wire

[Moscow Mule]

I've watched all 5 series now. Very compelling telly.

[Board Game Geek]

Minestrone posted : I watched series 1 and chucked it after that. I think it is pretty average and way overrated, heard many people say it gets better but if the thing has not got my attention after 12 hours I ain't putting in anymore time.

I'm really sorry to hear that Mine, and I have heard similar comments from other friends as well.

I can't speak for you, but they made the mistake of watching the show in the expectation that it was similar to CSI or any of the other pulp cop dramas.

I managed to convert a few of them to watch the show from a different viewpoint. Eg, put the popcorn down, sit upright and attentive, and focus and concentrate on the show, as opposed to their "veg out on the sofa and watch it out of the corner of the eye".

I did explain to them that the Wire does not assume the audience are 5-year olds, with a similar attention span, and will treat them as adults, and expect them to engage accordingly.

One mate said "after a hard day at work, I just want to relax and watch something easy".

Fair enough. I bought him a Teletubbies DVD and he is well happy with it.

Yes, the Wire demands work to watch it, but it pays off dividends.

[minestrone]

People are always telling me that it demands attention but I never really thought that. I thought the characters were pretty flat as well, some people consider that means they are more complicated to understand, na, flat to me.

So that either means that I am obtuse or I am super intelligent.

The point I really knew I was not going to watch it all was the scene in the first series where they are going over the room to find where the shooter was and every character just said **** for about 2 minutes as they discovered each new clue, I thought it was pretty gimmicky, like the show it just never worked.

[Board Game Geek]

The point I really knew I was not going to watch it all was the scene in the first series where they are going over the room to find where the shooter was and every character just said flip for about 2 minutes as they discovered each new clue, I thought it was pretty gimmicky, like the show it just never worked.

I interpreted it, based on personal experience, as a moment when two buddies who have known each other for many years, have a surreal moment together and bounce off each other.

Surely you must have some friends who are closer to you than others, and you have your own idiosyncrantic language with them ?

I know at least one friend who, had I started the "flip" scene with, would have immediately picked up on the pathos and replied accordingly and carried out the whole routine.

Gimmicky ? No. I've seen it happen, and participated in similar behaviour.

I must disagree with the actors being flat.

If they were supposed to be dynamic and loud, like CSI, or god forbid, Hill St Blue (which is cop pantomime basically), then the story would not have worked as well.

So that either means that I am obtuse or I am super intelligent.

Neither. You just interpreted the show in a different way from others.

[Foxy Moron]

Too many Barbed Wire coments on here

IGMC

[Badger]

Yes, the Wire demands work to watch it, but it pays off dividends.

So would you say it's similar to Damages, in that it makes you think beyond the dialog?

[Board Game Geek]

I've not seen Damages yet, so I cannot comment.

But yes, the Wire made me think beyond the dialogue, to the point where I was trying to think of how the main protagonist was going to survive in a department rife with corruption, when it seemed he was awkward git who rubbed people up the wrong way.

Or where I started to appreciate that real policing is not as glamourous as it is often portrayed, and I began to appreciate even more how the various departments work (or work against) each other.

After each epidsode, I'd leave with at least 5-6 questions on my mind, and material for discussion with my fianceé.

[ookook]

People are always telling me that it demands attention but I never really thought that. I thought the characters were pretty flat as well, some people consider that means they are more complicated to understand, na, flat to me.

So that either means that I am obtuse or I am super intelligent.

The point I really knew I was not going to watch it all was the scene in the first series where they are going over the room to find where the shooter was and every character just said flip for about 2 minutes as they discovered each new clue, I thought it was pretty gimmicky, like the show it just never worked.

You're entitled to your view but I think you'll find the majority of people who appreciate excellent writing, characterisation and complex storylines tend to rate this up there with some of the best television series ever made.
TBH I'm hard pressed to think of another drama series that I've enjoyed so much.
The characters are not flat - they are extremely well rounded and complex. Do you have an example of a series / show that you do think shows excellent writing and well rounded characters (just out of curiosity)
Plus Omar rules....

[minestrone]

Anyway, Diagnosis Murder is on BBC1 just now, that is a real cop series. I often come away from an episode with at least 5-6 questions on my mind

[Foxy Moron]

Does Dr Sloan actually treat any patients?
Why isn't he fired?
How are we supposed to believe Chatchy has a medical degree?
Why doesn't the bloke from Battlestar Gallactica use his flying motorbike?