The Wire: It's all in the game

[Starscream]

Bad news: Channel 9 aired two episodes of S5 in July before they decided to take it off air.

Good news: ABC2 will be showing episodes from S1 starting on Tuesday 1st September at 9:30 PM (for those that missed it on the late night crappy timeslot when Channel 9 aired S1 to S4).

[AranchineD]

Why did I think GO! was showing this now...oh well.

Will try to catch it, considering Channel 9 did with it what they did with every semi-decent show in putting it on at 2:00 in the morning on a random day during the week I never really got into the storyline or characters at all only watching an episode every three weeks or something.

[Lazlow]

I didn't even know it had actually made it to Australian FTA?!! O_o

[aubergine]

WHEN THE HELL IS SEASON 5 ON DVD AHRGRGRGHHHHHAAHAHH ->'splosion!<-

[adam_91vn]

Why did I think GO! was showing this now...oh well.

Will try to catch it, considering Channel 9 did with it what they did with every semi-decent show in putting it on at 2:00 in the morning on a random day during the week I never really got into the storyline or characters at all only watching an episode every three weeks or something.

It was featured in there ads. I think it is still on GO!

[Silverwolf]

Crazy, I was thinking of how awesome this show was tonight.

[UC1]

Watching the whole thing again for the 3rd time! Such a good show.

[StorminNorman]

Finally got around to watching this on DVD the other day. Took a couple of episodes to really get into it, but I'm thoroughly enjoying it now. Up to about episode 8 of the first season. I picked up four seasons of it for $60 at JB Hi-Fi a couple of weeks back.

(I think my problem initially was that I kept expecting Homicide: Life On The Street II, and this show really isn't that.)

Also, I love the opening theme.

[JC Henderson]

Man you got a sweet deal on thoses seasons my JB did not have them so had to get them offline.

[Ashmaran]

Yeah I'm halfway through the 4th season now, and it's still good. I just know they're gonna take me for a ride with the 5th season DVDs, since the others have been so cheap.

[aubergine]

I paid full price for ALL the four seasons - oh I think I got s1 for $30 or something, but yeah, I felt it was good enough to pay $50+ for the others.

Bit of a bummer seeing it soon after for $16 per season! But screw it, if people are going to bother making television this good they deserve the money.

[Silverwolf]

I paid full price for ALL the four seasons - oh I think I got s1 for $30 or something, but yeah, I felt it was good enough to pay $50+ for the others.

Bit of a bummer seeing it soon after for $16 per season! But screw it, if people are going to bother making television this good they deserve the money.

But if you were buying the DVDs from JB, you are just giving JB more money!!

[werd123]

While I'm glad the show is coming on ABC2, I feel this is strictly a DVD-only show at times. This show is addictive, I sit down, watch one episode and end up watching 4 or 5.

[Jickle]

Possibly my favourite moment of the entire series is when you find out that a certain character is gay purely because you happen to spot them in the background during a scene set in a gay bar.

That and any scene featuring Clay Davis. Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeet.

[StorminNorman]

I was deeply amused by a guest appearance from Steve Earle, as a washed up junkie musician in one episode.

It was almost as though he was speaking from experience...

[JC Henderson]

I am new to the series but Snoop dog says hello to bubbles in 1 ep too or have I been horribly mistaken.

[Gameboffin]

I just bought the first fours seasons in the Kmart sale. Watched two episodes and am liking it so far. Will likely fill the void of waiting for the third season of Breaking Bad.

[aubergine]

You're in for a treat dude. In particular, the first 3 seasons are this epic arc, though it may not seem obvious while you're watching S2.

[Slippery]

I was deeply amused by a guest appearance from Steve Earle, as a washed up junkie musician in one episode.

It was almost as though he was speaking from experience...

Steve Earle is seen again, if you're willing to wait a few seasons

[NiB]

Brought 4 seasons for $80 (including the 1st 2 seasons of Weeds in an buy 2 get 1 free deal)

Watched first 3 seasons and am now into ep 1 of s4

It has overtaken The Shield for me as the best cop show I've ever seen. The first 3 seasons as one giant arc was great and the conclusions regarding Avon,Stringer, and Colvin were plotted brilliantly

[Sweating Bullets]

Say it ain't so NiB! Season 2 of The Wire was good but not great imo.
I am still meaning to watch Season 4 of The Wire but I still think The Shield is better watching purely because Vic Mackey is crazy!

[Slippery]

Seasons 1, 4 and 5 of the Wire are easily the best.

Season 2 especially fell a bit short, and doesn't tie in to the over-arching story as well as the rest.

[aubergine]

I thought Season 3 was a masterpiece of tension and made Season 2 worthwhile, as it was set up there.

[NiB]

I thought Season 3 was a masterpiece of tension and made Season 2 worthwhile, as it was set up there.

S3 was like a book that i just couldn't put down....outstanding drama from the masters (HBO)

[Antwandemarco]

Hmm i actually liked season 4 best, and then probably season 2 after that. I really liked the way season 2 explored another facet of baltimore - the white working class dudes. Thought it was an interesting place to take it.

[adam_91vn]

Say it ain't so NiB! Season 2 of The Wire was good but not great imo.
I am still meaning to watch Season 4 of The Wire but I still think The Shield is better watching purely because Vic Mackey is crazy!

The shield was awesome but for me it does not even compare to the Wire.

Maybe I shold watch the wire again have not watched it for a while but still give it a lot of praise :o

[Starscream]

Hmm i actually liked season 4 best, and then probably season 2 after that. I really liked the way season 2 explored another facet of baltimore - the white working class dudes. Thought it was an interesting place to take it.

Exactly.

Why is there not enough S2 love?

The change up in S2 is one of the best I have ever seen.

People don't like S2 because the Barksdale plotline became the B plotline, while the docks was A plotline.

Of all The Wire seasons, S3 was the one I didn't rate the highest.

[JC Henderson]

Season 2 gets thumbs up from me just on the strength of having the best version of the opening theme

[Starscream]

Season 2 gets thumbs up from me just on the strength of having the best version of the opening theme
Which is the original version of "Way Down In The Hole" by Tom Waits.

[aubergine]

I really liked the way season 2 explored another facet of baltimore - the white working class dudes. Thought it was an interesting place to take it.

You just liked the big penis, admit it.

[Gilder]

I really enjoyed season 2, I was a huge fan of Ziggy and crew. I'm a bit over half way through season 4 and it is becoming my favourite season so far.

Each season just seems to get better than the last.

[Woody]

I've just finished season 4 and would say it has probably been my favourite so far, although I really did love season 2.

They had a big article in the Green Guide yesterday about the Wire coming to ABC2, good to see it getting some recognition!

[Starscream]

If you miss any of Tuesday's episodes, Saturday 10 PM has an encore screenings.

Good job ABC2.

[Manny M]

I'm just getting into Season 5 now... but really find myself a little over the same old, same old... especially with Jimmy back to his old ways (I liked the straight Jimmy). I'm sticking with it in the hope it gets better.

Season 3 was definitely the pinnacle of the series for me. While 2 was interesting in that it really took a lot of the focus off the Barksdale gang (and introduced the Greeks, who surprisingly spoke a lot of Greek with no subtitles), and Season 1 was a brilliant pilot season, 3 just took it all when it came to plot twists and interesting turns. Season 4 didn't do much for me though... the whole teacher arc just bored the shit out of me for the most part, and I was loathe to see Michael turn out how he did.

My favourite character has to be Omar. His 'dont give a ****' attitude is great, and it's interesting to see one sole character having so much of an effect over the gangs.

My least favourite has to be bunk. He's a useless fat ass who smokes way too many cigars and does nothing but talk to everyone in an overdone 'Barry White' monotone that always comes off as condescending. The ep where he tried to strongarm Omar was just laughable.

Oh, and props to Lester, who is just so naturally a very cool character.

[Starscream]

Everyone should watch the extras on the DVDs just to hear that added insight.

S4 is one of the best as it shows where the Stringers and Barksdales come from, i.e Michael and Marlo and how the education system is failing in the USA - Preparing them for the street.

That said, the real star of The Wire is Baltimore. It's more than just a "cop show".

[VanAce]

I just watched it for the first time last night on ABC2 and I found it to be really good. I can see why it has become on of those shows with a big cult following. i will be watching it again next week for sure.

[aubergine]

Still waiting for season 5 to come out in Aus.

[Starscream]

Still waiting for season 5 to come out in Aus.
You could have already imported a PAL version from the UK for about £17!

[aubergine]

It's the principle of the thing.

And I'm LAZY. But mainly the principle.

[Slippery]

You sir are cutting off your nose to spite your face

[aubergine]

Thing's too big anyway, and my face is a jerk.

[Manny M]

Just finished Season 5.

****ing Daniels... stiff prick.

[Australian Ninja]

Still waiting for season 5 to come out in Aus.

ebay has some S5 selling that ship from QLD, I assume they would be the UK DVDs, but not sure. ($50)

Seeing as I have yet to watch S4 on DVD, I'll wait for S5 to come out at Kmart or Sanity - just to see if the price is better than ebay. Saw some sellers with S5 for around $40-50 + $10 postage. Quite reasonable. There is also a big box set with all 5 seasons going for $110 - but seeing as S1-4 can be bought for $20 each it's not a great deal.

I've never been in to cop shows at all, with the exception of The Shield and The Wire. I had seen any of The Wire until I found the (old forum) topic, and people were right into it, so thought I'd give it a shot - and bought S1-4 about 6 months ago for $80 total - having never seen a single episode at the time.

So thanks to all the people who have recommended the show at ye olde hyper forums:)

[autologic]

Yeah, I ordered the UK S5 off ebay a few days back. Can't wait.

[StorminNorman]

Just finished series 1 today. Seriously fantastic show.

[jawsy]

I just finished Season 4 and was nearly in tears over the fallout for Michael, Randy and Dukie, not to mention Bodie. It's been killing me for about an hour now. Not even the 'they don't exist' argument is making this any easier for me.

[NiB]

I just finished Season 4 and was nearly in tears over the fallout for Michael, Randy and Dukie, not to mention Bodie. It's been killing me for about an hour now. Not even the 'they don't exist' argument is making this any easier for me.

I just want season 5 out on DVD...I need closure

[Starscream]

Import it already.

[Slippery]

I just finished Season 4 and was nearly in tears over the fallout for Michael, Randy and Dukie, not to mention Bodie. It's been killing me for about an hour now. Not even the 'they don't exist' argument is making this any easier for me.

The end of season 5... I look forward to your take on that.

[autologic]

So glad I imported Season 5 a couple of weeks back. I finished like two days after it arrived, so brilliant.

[Woody]

So for those suckers like me who haven't imported, GO! are showing season 5 starting next Wednesday at 9:30

[Gilder]

So I just finished season 4 and I am devastated.

I'm going to need a break before I can cope enough to watch season 5.

[NiB]

So glad I imported Season 5 a couple of weeks back. I finished like two days after it arrived, so brilliant.

I thought GO! was starting at season 3 ? Considering that ABC has the first 2 seasons screening on ABC2.....this is just ****ed

[Readman]

The other night, I had a dream that Omar was killed. Weird, ey.

Great show but.

__________________________________________________ ________________________
-..***~~~***..-

This is Readman signing out!!

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/3169/thedancingcatofmartinez.gif

[adam_91vn]

Harvard Approves

http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/tv/harvard_class_on_the_wire_TxvbS2nzKJOzClVuOxRDmI

[mal68]

Nearly finished season 5, without doubt one of my top 3 favourite shows of all time, just brilliant

[adam_91vn]

For anybody that has not seen it yet.

The Wire Season 5 has a release date in Australia. Feb 2010

[[m]averick]

I have season 1 and 2 on DVD. Should get around to watching this.

[NiB]

For anybody that has not seen it yet.

The Wire Season 5 has a release date in Australia. Feb 2010

Praise Jebus !

[Starscream]

Praise Jebus !
At least two years since it was first screened on US HBO!

[NiB]

I flicked on Go on Wed night and saw 5 mins of an episode I thought was a repeat....pretty sure it was a random S5 episode, I panicked and switched off.

Having the Wire spoiled would be excruciatingly annoying

[Joel]

watching through for the 3rd time, **** yeah

[VanAce]

I've been watching on ABC2 since they started playing it. My brother bought home the first season on DVD which he got for only $20 at JB.

[Slippery]

Yeah JB has the first four seasons for $20 each.

[Australian Ninja]

Yeah JB has the first four seasons for $20 each.

As do 90% of retailers that stock the first four seasons, do don't pay more than that for any of 1-4

[Joel]

any fan of the wire will enjoy this interview with david simon:
http://www.viceland.com/int/v16n12/htdocs/david-simon-280.php?page=1

[aubergine]

For anyone else who's been waiting for a local release of Season 5, for about four years it seems like, JB have posted a release date of Feb 2010. (http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/drama-romance/the-wire-season-5-4-dvd-set/474309)

[adam_91vn]

For anyone else who's been waiting for a local release of Season 5, for about four years it seems like, JB have posted a release date of Feb 2010. (http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/drama-romance/the-wire-season-5-4-dvd-set/474309)

:p

http://www.hyper.com.au/forums/showpost.php?p=1148417&postcount=57

[topaz]

So glad Season 5 is finally being released, I was planning to import but now I just need to wait another month. Seasons 1-3 were amazing; Will start on S4 very soon.

[JimmyKane]

Started watching Season 1.

Very good. Every part of this show matters.

[Australian Ninja]

For anyone else who's been waiting for a local release of Season 5, for about four years it seems like, JB have posted a release date of Feb 2010. (http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/drama-romance/the-wire-season-5-4-dvd-set/474309)

That's me. It's available to pre-order at JB now for $50, ships 3rd FEB http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/drama-romance/the-wire-season-5-4-dvd-set/474309

But I'll wait another 3-6 months and get it cheaper. Unless I don't, it's worth the price.

[autologic]

I paid about $50 to import my copy of S5. I figured since I got all the other seasons for peanuts it wasn't a big deal. Though it's worth it anyway.

[pauljdavidson]

I just borrowed the first 4 seasons of this from a mate at work after he talked me into it. I gave it a go yesterday and im just up to the fourth episode of season 1, but wow, this is great stuff so far!

[JimmyKane]

McNulty is secretly an alien.

[JC Henderson]

Just finished up the final season. Christ what a good show and I have all the sad feelings of it being over like I did with the Sopranos. God bless HBO and the talent it invests in.

[aubergine]

Saw Season Five on the shelf at Kmart today for $50.

What a ****ing wait that has represented. A black man was elected President waiting for that DVD to come out.

[dimorphic]

Saw Season Five on the shelf at Kmart today for $50.

What a ****ing wait that has represented. A black man was elected President waiting for that DVD to come out.

Carcetti is white.

Oh.

[aubergine]

Wire S5 was $35 at Kmart last week, not sure if still
on sale.

[Mykle]

Just watched S2, without having seen S1 (vid store didnt have it in). Have I missed absolutely crucial stuff? Loved it anyway, great show.

[aubergine]

Just watched S2, without having seen S1 (vid store didnt have it in). Have I missed absolutely crucial stuff? Loved it anyway, great show. Yes. It is all crucial. You can get it for $20 at Kmart at the moment and probably at other places too.

[Mykle]

Yes. It is all crucial. You can get it for $20 at Kmart at the moment and probably at other places too.

Righto then, I'll pick it up this weekend, cheers.

[JimmyKane]

Finally at the last episode of Season 1. I felt like applauding at the end of the second last episode.

[Lazlow]

So I caught some random episodes on ABC2 or Ch9... and have come to the conclusion this is one of those shows you have to follow religiously to make any sense out of.

That and a firm grasp of ebonics.

[Ali G]

So I caught some random episodes on ABC2 or Ch9... and have come to the conclusion this is one of those shows you have to follow religiously to make any sense out of.

That and a firm grasp of ebonics.
Definitely. I often had to rewind so I could listen to something again to understand it (not just because of how they speak, either).

[Banjo Tooie]

WHERE THE **** IS WALLACE, STRING!

caps

[Araenel]

Definitely. I often had to rewind so I could listen to something again to understand it (not just because of how they speak, either).

If you can understand Snoop first time, everytime, you're probably black and from Baltimore yourself.

[Ali G]

If you can understand Snoop first time, everytime, you're probably black and from Baltimore yourself.
Oh yeah, definitely - I turned the subtitles on heaps of times.

[JimmyKane]

WHERE THE **** IS WALLACE, STRING!

caps


I know right?

;_;

ftr I always watch with subtitles. Same with West Wing.

[Woody]

Not strictly the Wire, but I picked up Generation Kill for $20 recently from JB. For those not in the know, it's the project David Simon worked on after (during?) The Wire. Just finished watching the first two episodes, and so far so good!

[D.C.]

I couldn't get into GR. Struggled through the first few episodes and realised that it way to aimless for my liking.

[Banjo Tooie]

Waiting on Treme. Shit's gonna be magic.

[topaz]

Finished watching S5 yesterday, great stuff and conclusion. I think S4 is my favourite season; the transformation the kids undertake throughout the season was amazing and very heartbreaking. I ran through those 13 eps in like three days. Now to watch some audio commentary.

....and Season 2 was effing great btw :P

[Starscream]

Finished watching S5 yesterday, great stuff and conclusion. I think S4 is my favourite season; the transformation the kids undertake throughout the season was amazing and very heartbreaking. I ran through those 13 eps in like three days. Now to watch some audio commentary.

....and Season 2 was effing great btw :P

Unfortunately S4 was the season that actually made people tune it to The Wire.

Shame that David Simon didn't run with the storyline of Randy Wagstaff being Cheese's illegitmate son as well.

[Mykle]

So I bought S1 ($20) and I'm halfway through. So far, much, much better than S2, which is what I started with. Omar is one of the best characters on TV. Oh indeed.

[aubergine]

I found S2 to be the least compulsive but a necessary building block for the third season, which I thought was a masterpiece of tension.

It's a shame you go to watch S1 already knowing it's conclusion. If the whole series had stopped at the end of S1 it would have completly stood on it's own as a modern masterpiece.

[Starscream]

There was talk of doing The Wire "prequel" movie for fan service at one stage IIRC.

[Ali G]

It seems I'm one of the only people who rates S2 highly, I was actually pretty disappointed that almost all of the characters didn't turn up in the rest of the series (although I suppose they had fleshed that part of the city out as much as they could over one season anyway).

My order would probably go something like this:

S4 > S2/S3 (can't decide) > S5 > S1.

There was talk of doing The Wire "prequel" movie for fan service at one stage IIRC.

There's three 'prequel' shorts on Amazon (scroll down a bit) (http://www.amazon.com/Wire-Complete-First-Season/dp/B0002ERXC2/ref=pd_cp_d_1), so that's probably all that eventuated.

[StorminNorman]

I found S2 to be the least compulsive but a necessary building block for the third season, which I thought was a masterpiece of tension.

I'm kind of finding the same with Season 2. It just seems to... meander about with no real direction. I'm at episode 10 now and it only just feels like things are getting interesting.

I mean, it's been enjoyable to watch, and there's some great characters in it, but it just feels really... aimless.

[Starscream]

It seems I'm one of the only people who rates S2 highly, I was actually pretty disappointed that almost all of the characters didn't turn up in the rest of the series (although I suppose they had fleshed that part of the city out as much as they could over one season anyway).

My order would probably go something like this:

S4 > S2/S3 (can't decide) > S5 > S1.

I rate S2 as my favourite (by a very slim margin over the other seasons) because it's just different from "The Street"


There's three 'prequel' shorts on Amazon (scroll down a bit) (http://www.amazon.com/Wire-Complete-First-Season/dp/B0002ERXC2/ref=pd_cp_d_1), so that's probably all that eventuated.
Those were meant as a promo for S5 but it seems they didn't follow through with the "prequel" movie.

[NiB]

Finished season 5 last night

It's sad that I may have just finished up the greatest TV series I'll ever watch, to call it a cop show is an insult...after season 5 I'll never think of the herald sun in the same light again. Good to see how most characters arcs played out in the last episode and loved how organic it all felt.

[Starscream]

Finished season 5 last night

It's sad that I may have just finished up the greatest TV series I'll ever watch, to call it a cop show is an insult...after season 5 I'll never think of the herald sun in the same light again. Good to see how most characters arcs played out in the last episode and loved how organic it all felt.

It's a show about a city and the main star is Baltimore.

[JC Henderson]

It's a show about a city and the main star is Baltimore.

Really? I was always under the immpression that it could be any main city and it is the systems that we get caught up in as humans that shape us.

[Starscream]

There is that parallel. ;)

[Mykle]

So I've now watched up to the end of S4. Best show on TV, hands down. Holy shit people, I had read and heard all the hype, but never imagined it was this good. I think, at it's core, it's a show about the inadequacy of modern society, built on the illusion that through public policy, rational analysis and critical thinking we have some control over our environment. But the world isn't an equation - you can't fix these problems by putting the right data into an equation. We're just as vulnerable as any human society has ever been. What improves the world is, simply, giving a **** about an individual (aka love). Think about how each of the boys in S4 ended up, who was saved, and why.

[Woody]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRqMR0MQ6IE

Just a little clip about Treme

[Slippery]

So I've now watched up to the end of S4. Best show on TV, hands down. Holy shit people, I had read and heard all the hype, but never imagined it was this good. I think, at it's core, it's a show about the inadequacy of modern society, built on the illusion that through public policy, rational analysis and critical thinking we have some control over our environment. But the world isn't an equation - you can't fix these problems by putting the right data into an equation. We're just as vulnerable as any human society has ever been. What improves the world is, simply, giving a **** about an individual (aka love). Think about how each of the boys in S4 ended up, who was saved, and why.

What about Randy? People (other than Herk) gave a shit about him.

[StorminNorman]

Just read on the ABC's facebook feed that David Mills, one of the writers of The Wire, has died. No link because I'm on my phone, but it's pretty sad news.

[aubergine]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/04/01/2862055.htm

[Bob the Destroyer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRqMR0MQ6IE

Just a little clip about Treme

Jesus, its like the cast of The Wire took a year long break and then moved to a new series together. Gonna be weird seeing the Bunk as a tromboner

[Super Sleuth]

I just finished season 2.

Absolutely stunning show. I can't believe I put off watching it for so long.

I've watched seasons 1 and 2 in 1 and a half weeks time. I never watch tv. Unreal.

[^gR]

two favourites..mm. Port and School rocked, altho the Street was pretty good too. Havent seen 5th season yet :s

probs gonna go with school. Great show. Between the Wire and the Shield..best 2 cop shows goin around, put everything else to shame :)