The Wire

[Monkey_Driven]

Just finished up season 3 and am downloading 4 as I type. That was some of the best television I have ever watched.

Spoiler: show

I was glad to see Stringer get iced and I have a bad feeling for Omar in season 4. He's definitely my favorite character in the series.

Season 4 is my favorite.

[Dscans]

I love Stringer's character but after the second viewing, I'm having trouble seeing him as believable. I can't picture him and Avon growing up in the same hood as kids. A more convincing, and realistic, scenario would have been to have Stringer grow up in the burbs, in Baltimore county, and turn to the game because it seemed like an easier way to make money. He just dresses a little too well, carries a little too much aplomb, for me to believe he's from the streets.

[@SkitchP]

I love Stringer's character but after the second viewing, I'm having trouble seeing him as believable. I can't picture him and Avon growing up in the same hood as kids. A more convincing, and realistic, scenario would have been to have Stringer grow up in the burbs, in Baltimore county, and turn to the game because it seemed like an easier way to make money. He just dresses a little too well, carries a little too much aplomb, for me to believe he's from the streets.

This is pretty racist, yo.

[Dscans]

I love Stringer's character but after the second viewing, I'm having trouble seeing him as believable. I can't picture him and Avon growing up in the same hood as kids. A more convincing, and realistic, scenario would have been to have Stringer grow up in the burbs, in Baltimore county, and turn to the game because it seemed like an easier way to make money. He just dresses a little too well, carries a little too much aplomb, for me to believe he's from the streets.

This is pretty racist, yo.

Well I have a friend who's half Hatian, so I can't be racist.

[numbers]

the whole point of the character is that Stringer is someone from the hood that sees himself as better than that, and he tries to live that more affluent life as part of his attempts to transition from gangster to businessman.

[Dscans]

the whole point of the character is that Stringer is someone from the hood that sees himself as better than that, and he tries to live that more affluent life as part of his attempts to transition from gangster to businessman.

I get that. I just can't picture him rising up in the streets. Can you see him getting his start with Wallace and Poot in the high risers? He just has too much class and grace, which I understand is part of his allure. Someone like Prop Joe is a business savvy dealer, more concerned with the dollar the street cred, but I can still picture him getting his start in the streets.
Don't get me wrong, Stringer is one of my favorite characters I wouldn't want to change him. I just think his background could be more congruous with his character.

Spoiler: show

in one interview, Simon said that Stringer had to die because he tried to reform the drug game which will not accept reform. I think his approach to the game would seem more plausible if he came at it as an outsider.

[elliseamos]

in the end stringer and avon don't end up in that different a situation.

Spoiler: show

b/c the lesson is things stay the same in this world. stringer wants to legitimize himself and his dealings, but he's just as ruthless as avon and gets taken out.

[@SkitchP]

the whole point of the character is that Stringer is someone from the hood that sees himself as better than that, and he tries to live that more affluent life as part of his attempts to transition from gangster to businessman.

I get that. I just can't picture him rising up in the streets. Can you see him getting his start with Wallace and Poot in the high risers? He just has too much class and grace, which I understand is part of his allure. Someone like Prop Joe is a business savvy dealer, more concerned with the dollar the street cred, but I can still picture him getting his start in the streets.
Don't get me wrong, Stringer is one of my favorite characters I wouldn't want to change him. I just think his background could be more congruous with his character.

Spoiler: show

in one interview, Simon said that Stringer had to die because he tried to reform the drug game which will not accept reform. I think his approach to the game would seem more plausible if he came at it as an outsider.

Yeah, but it wouldn't carry as much weight if he was an outsider. No matter how you try and approach "the game," there is very rarely a positive way out. Be it the thug, the businessman, law enforcement, or anyone else.

[elliseamos]

the whole point of the character is that Stringer is someone from the hood that sees himself as better than that, and he tries to live that more affluent life as part of his attempts to transition from gangster to businessman.

I get that. I just can't picture him rising up in the streets. Can you see him getting his start with Wallace and Poot in the high risers? He just has too much class and grace, which I understand is part of his allure. Someone like Prop Joe is a business savvy dealer, more concerned with the dollar the street cred, but I can still picture him getting his start in the streets.
Don't get me wrong, Stringer is one of my favorite characters I wouldn't want to change him. I just think his background could be more congruous with his character.

Spoiler: show

in one interview, Simon said that Stringer had to die because he tried to reform the drug game which will not accept reform. I think his approach to the game would seem more plausible if he came at it as an outsider.

Yeah, but it wouldn't carry as much weight if he was an outsider. No matter how you try and approach "the game," there is very rarely a positive way out. Be it the thug, the businessman, law enforcement, or anyone else.

unless you're greek.

[@SkitchP]

the whole point of the character is that Stringer is someone from the hood that sees himself as better than that, and he tries to live that more affluent life as part of his attempts to transition from gangster to businessman.

I get that. I just can't picture him rising up in the streets. Can you see him getting his start with Wallace and Poot in the high risers? He just has too much class and grace, which I understand is part of his allure. Someone like Prop Joe is a business savvy dealer, more concerned with the dollar the street cred, but I can still picture him getting his start in the streets.
Don't get me wrong, Stringer is one of my favorite characters I wouldn't want to change him. I just think his background could be more congruous with his character.

Spoiler: show

in one interview, Simon said that Stringer had to die because he tried to reform the drug game which will not accept reform. I think his approach to the game would seem more plausible if he came at it as an outsider.

Yeah, but it wouldn't carry as much weight if he was an outsider. No matter how you try and approach "the game," there is very rarely a positive way out. Be it the thug, the businessman, law enforcement, or anyone else.

unless you're greek.

The Greeks were the outsiders in the game, hence their ability to stay out of it to a large degree.

[elliseamos]

Yeah, but it wouldn't carry as much weight if he was an outsider. No matter how you try and approach "the game," there is very rarely a positive way out. Be it the thug, the businessman, law enforcement, or anyone else.

The Greeks were the outsiders in the game, hence their ability to stay out of it to a large degree.

[dimejinky99]

K. No set dusted off.

We're going in again:)

Wish season 1 moved a little quicker. Takes 6 episodes to build up some steam. But fuck it.
Still the best show ever. (Along with deadwood and west wing)

[tommymtcom]

K. No set dusted off.

We're going in again:)

Wish season 1 moved a little quicker. Takes 6 episodes to build up some steam. But fuck it.
Still the best show ever. (Along with deadwood and west wing)

Man, oh man. I would kill to see Deadwood wrapped up properly.

[Soma.]

Deadwood was brilliant and is too often overlooked, in my opinion.

[dimejinky99]

K. No set dusted off.

We're going in again:)

Wish season 1 moved a little quicker. Takes 6 episodes to build up some steam. But fuck it.
Still the best show ever. (Along with deadwood and west wing)

Man, oh man. I would kill to see Deadwood wrapped up properly.

That was a tragedy wasn't it? It's probably better than the Wire In terms of dialogue. Just such a pisser for t not to have an ending.

[BootsToAsses]

A friend from work gave me the complete set to watch as I've never seen them and she believes The Wire to be the greatest show ever. I'm still firmly in the Sopranos camp when it comes to best show ever.

Anyways, I finished season 1 last night. Took a while to get going, but I'm enjoying it. Hoping for bigger things in season 2.

Considering the entire first season is about the hunt for Avon Barksdale, I don't feel he was portrayed as THE guy. Seems to me that Stringer is the true brains of it all. Is this something I was supposed to pick up on and something that will be addressed down the line?

Starting season 2 tonight, I'll post thoughts.

[dimejinky99]

It is better than sopranos. You're gonna get jolted a bit tonight but hang with it.

[numbers]

The Wire doesnt have the lazy writing moments that The Sopranos had, there are no episodes entirely devoted to dream sequences.

[dimejinky99]

Jesus.. Imagine being in one of mcnultys dreams?
Jameson, hookers and a swimming pool full of corpses.

[Soma.]

The Wire >>>> The Sopranos. Numbers' point is a very good one, but not for the reason he followed up with. The dream sequence episodes were absolutely brilliant and added a shitload of depth to the series overall. It was the stagnant meandering between key events that set Sopranos back in the latter seasons.