My man, L, inspired me to say something about HBO’s The Wire. L has to be the greatest fan of the show as well as its greatest proselytizer. He is also quick to admonish you for not being on top of the most recent developments of the series. When I told him I had missed most of season 4 and was unaware that the final season was beginning this Sunday, he told me, “You’re f-ing up, Mike!”– as if I had made a tragic blunder.
His enthusiasm about the show is definitely well founded and I can say without any reservations that it is the best show I’ve ever seen hit the tube (can we call TV “the tube” anymore?). If you don’t have HBO, rent the series. It’s a must see.
The show is real and gritty and the way it captures the complexity of the drug and violence problems facing the inner city, from the politicians on down to the addicts, is sheer genius. This guy from Time magazine, sums it up best. You’ve gotta read the whole thing but here’s just a taste:
The fifth and final season of HBO’s The Wire–TV’s greatest current work of social criticism, of drama, of, well, TV–is about the failures of the media. In that spirit, let me begin with an apology. The odds are good that you have not yet watched the first four seasons of The Wire, which returns on Jan. 6, and that means that I as TV critic have failed you. Mea culpa.
What are you missing? A bleakly funny critique of struggling postindustrial American cities; a novelistic, street-smart social drama; a passionate, un-p.c. look at race and class dynamics–all wrapped up in a sprawling story of police work and politics that makes CSI look like an Encyclopedia Brown mystery. [Source: Time]
So L, with this post (and my current efforts to catch up on season 4), I hope I have redeemed myself for my earlier blunder. Upon some reflection, I must admit…I was slippin’.
5 responses so far ↓
1
L
// Jan 5, 2008 at 1:23 pm
I’m stealing from my man, D, but the Wire is the closest thing one can come to visually experiencing the depth, expanse, and complexity of a good novel. In my opinion, many art forms borrow liberally in trying to impact audiences the way novels impact readers. Most media formats are too truncated and the ideas behind them too facile to pull it off. The Wire does. I am truly happy that it is coming back on tomorrow and truly sad that this is the beginning of the end.
2
Carmen D.
// Jan 6, 2008 at 3:00 am
Excuse me, but I AM the greatest fan of the Wire.
3
SL
// Jan 6, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Wow! Sounds like I have some serious catching up to do. Any ideas on why The Wire is often overlooked in award shows?
4
Mike
// Jan 6, 2008 at 11:50 pm
This is a good article on why it’s so great and why it’s also overlooked and unpopular.
Carmen, I guess you and L will have to fight it out for the greatest Wire fan title.
Just watched the first show of the new season. Looks like they’re including the media angle (the Baltimore Sun) this time.
5
Villager
// Jan 22, 2008 at 8:04 pm
I used my Netflix membership to have Season 4 of The Wire sent to my home last month. I watched all of the episodes in awe. The ability to tell a story about our urban educational system … and continue the ongoing story line about drugs, cops and politics in our communities.
I am looking forward to seeing Season Five when it comes to DVD.
peace, Villager
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