The Wire

[Eraserhead]

I started watching it recently to see if it lives up to the hype (never caught it while it was on TV, don't get HBO). I don't know if it's "the best show ever" but six episodes in and I'm definitely already addicted. Great program.

[Gustaf]

It actually is the best show ever. I envy you for still having it left.

[Smash255]

I started watching it recently to see if it lives up to the hype (never caught it while it was on TV, don't get HBO). I don't know if it's "the best show ever" but six episodes in and I'm definitely already addicted. Great program.

It is

[Filuwaúrdjan]

My understanding is that Smash appeared as the wigger drug dealer in season two.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Anyways, it's excellent. I wouldn't say it could be a candidate for 'best ever' because it doesn't explore inner lives and isn't particularly innovative in terms of form or structure (and I'm a sucker for both), but it's still amazingly good. One one of its best features is that it eschews the plodding direness of Realism (as in, attempting to show 'real' things happening to 'real' people in a 'realistic' manner to the exclusion of everything else) in favour of a set of very traditional narrative structures and is actually much more effective as social commentary as a result.

[Paul Kemp]

I just recently finished the whole show. Truly excellent. I won't get into it too much out of respect for those who haven't watched.

It certainly is one of the greatest shows of all time, alongside The Sopranos, Mad Men and Breaking Bad. I can't bother to pick a favorite out of them; they're all incredible on their own merits.

What does separate The Wire from them though is that while The Sopranos, Mad Men and Breaking Bad show you how fcked up you are yourself (or the "human condition" I suppose), The Wire shows you how fcked everything around you is.

[Gustaf]

Anyways, it's excellent. I wouldn't say it could be a candidate for 'best ever' because it doesn't explore inner lives and isn't particularly innovative in terms of form or structure (and I'm a sucker for both), but it's still amazingly good. One one of its best features is that it eschews the plodding direness of Realism (as in, attempting to show 'real' things happening to 'real' people in a 'realistic' manner to the exclusion of everything else) in favour of a set of very traditional narrative structures and is actually much more effective as social commentary as a result.

Those are fair points. May I ask what your picks would be for best show ever?

(Apart from The Singing Detective )

[morgieb]

Have it, not watched it. Appears I should once I finish school/BB.

[Eraserhead]

Okay, I'm only halfway through Season 2 but this show is absolutely incredible. The character death in the last episode I watched was quite the gut punch despite the fact that he wasn't exactly a great person. I just can't help but feel bad for him.

I wish I had more people to talk to about this show. Ugh.

[Warren 4 Secretary of Everything]

Is it better than House of Cards?

[Lief 🗽]

Is it better than House of Cards?

Yes. Very yes.

[publicunofficial]

Okay, I'm only halfway through Season 2 but this show is absolutely incredible. The character death in the last episode I watched was quite the gut punch despite the fact that he wasn't exactly a great person. I just can't help but feel bad for him.

I wish I had more people to talk to about this show. Ugh.

I know exactly which death you're talking about and I totally remember feeling the same way.

[Knives]

Buffy is better.

But yeah excellent show, but Buffy is better.

[Paul Kemp]

Okay, I'm only halfway through Season 2 but this show is absolutely incredible. The character death in the last episode I watched was quite the gut punch despite the fact that he wasn't exactly a great person. I just can't help but feel bad for him.

I wish I had more people to talk to about this show. Ugh.

Get ready for a lot more gut punches.

[Gustaf]

Okay, I'm only halfway through Season 2 but this show is absolutely incredible. The character death in the last episode I watched was quite the gut punch despite the fact that he wasn't exactly a great person. I just can't help but feel bad for him.

I wish I had more people to talk to about this show. Ugh.

Get ready for a lot more gut punches.

^^

It's not the most uplifting show out there. Then again, good art tends to be a bit depressing.

[Paul Kemp]

Okay, I'm only halfway through Season 2 but this show is absolutely incredible. The character death in the last episode I watched was quite the gut punch despite the fact that he wasn't exactly a great person. I just can't help but feel bad for him.

I wish I had more people to talk to about this show. Ugh.

Get ready for a lot more gut punches.

^^

It's not the most uplifting show out there. Then again, good art tends to be a bit depressing.

The endings of the fourth and fifth seasons involving Randy, Michael and Duquan were so heart-wrenching and powerful.

[Gustaf]

Okay, I'm only halfway through Season 2 but this show is absolutely incredible. The character death in the last episode I watched was quite the gut punch despite the fact that he wasn't exactly a great person. I just can't help but feel bad for him.

I wish I had more people to talk to about this show. Ugh.

Get ready for a lot more gut punches.

^^

It's not the most uplifting show out there. Then again, good art tends to be a bit depressing.

The endings of the fourth and fifth seasons involving Randy, Michael and Duquan were so heart-wrenching and powerful.

Oh, yeah. Ugh. That's beyond description.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

Is it better than House of Cards?

The answer is probably the same for both (I've only seen a few episodes of The Wire, though I'd love to see more) but I'm really tempted to say 'specify which country's House of Cards'.

[Eraserhead]

Finished. Amazing show. Certainly one of the best ever.