The Wire was such an ensemble show, it wasn't about any one character or group of characters, it was about the City. The closest we got to a "main character" was McNulty I suppose, but there are several episodes where he doesn't appear (especially in season 4) and you don't even notice because you are so engrossed in what's going on. The Sopranos was definitely a character piece, and it was about Tony Soprano. Dont get me wrong, the supporting cast was mint, but the show hinged on James Gandolfini, and boy did he deliver. So in that respect it was a totally different animal to the Wire, but still awesome. Game of Thrones, like the Wire, is very much an ensemble piece, and is beautifully written and acted, though its scope is a little bigger than the Wire and a lot of people can easily get confused with who is who, their relationships to each other or whatnot, I read somewhere that Game Of Thrones has 40 major characters, which is about right, and you need to have read the books, or a 100 page glossary to know who is who and what is what. Me loving the show, I have done all that, and know the ins and outs of a ducks arse when it comes to Westerosi trivia, but it can easily turn casual viewers off, so thats where it falls short. In closing, The Wire wins, because it's writing and acting is second to none, it beautifully encapsulates the City and culture it is portraying, and you really get immersed in whats going on, more so than anything else I have ever watched, which is why its No.1!
Yes the The wire is head and shoulders over everything else, I love how they don't dumb anything down all the dialogue is written so well, and the premise of showing the inner workings of all these different instituitions and how they are all linked and all work the same way, basically someone is always getting shat on by someone above them. I've actually just started watching the whole thing again after watching it about five years ago. Just finished the second season where they introduce the Docks and the East Baltimore Drug ring. I thinks season 3 is the politics dont know which series is the school but theres the newspaper aswell they must be 4 and 5.
Nicely summed up. The Wire is simply a true reflection on the state of Baltimore - and each seasons concentrates on different parts of the city, such as The Streets, The Docks, Education system - but when all brought toether gives the viewer an incredible vision of the city. I was blown away when it ended - and went straight out and bought the full box set. Probably watched it 5 times over now and each time I spot something different from the last time. Haven't seen it for nearly 9 months, so maybe it's that time again!! There are a few characters that I'd say are main, but the beutiful thing is they aren't scared to kill some of these off. McNulty you've mentioned, Bubbles, Stringer Bell, Avon Barksdale, Omar, Marlow Stanfield etc. But not one of them is the 'MAIN' character - The main character is BALTTIMORE
Bodanki ad all the other Wire fans have you seen 'The Corner'? It's a mini series from the creators of 'The Wire' - very good indeed, not as good as the wire but still well worth watching. It's a bit odd becasue dome of the charachters are in both - for example Morgan Freeman playes a Junkie in the corner Plays the part very well though! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corner-HBO-...TF8&qid=1410427573&sr=1-1&keywords=the corner
Omar was ****ing boss Loved the way he would just walk round the street, shotgun in hand, whistling, and all the drug dealers are all "Aww ****, it's Omar!" "Omar y'all" "Yo, Omar be comin" and everyone scatters
Didn't really get into The Sopranos admittedly i only watched the first couple of episodes, just seemed very dated (think it was last year i tried it) and quite linear. I didn't realise The wire was a book first might have to check that out. I disagree with you on GOT i think its alot easier to follow i gauge this on my girlfriend who managed two seasons of it before becoming confused and uninterested where as with the wire she couldnt get through the first episode. All the GOT characters and settings have such obvious cultural and racial stereotypes it quite easy to work out where you are and who your following. In the wire they all have that grim dark backstabbing ****e shovelling demeanour and setting. if that maked sense!
Eh? No show encapsulates that better than Game of Thrones, with the exception of the the Stark family and Stannis, every character in the show is dodgy and grim as ****. King Robert said it best "We haven't had a real fight in nine years. Back-stabbing doesn't prepare you for a fight. And that's all the realm is now: back-stabbing and scheming and arse-licking and money-rubbing. Sometimes I don't know what holds it together."
My favourite charachter defeinately. Omar's whistle Legendry [video=youtube;ueDjiAm5rzE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueDjiAm5rzE[/video]
Ill check out "the corner". Have you guys seen Boardwalk empire, very similar to the wire just set in the 1920s showing how basically the whole of the west coast America is corrupt. Its even got Omar in it although hes called Chalky white and hes the leader of the Black community, hes still a total badass though!
I still have The Wire as my No.1 Order would probably be.... The Wire GOT The Sopranos The Walking Dead
Love me some Walking Dead....its AMC and there's no swearing or nudity, but I just love Zombie Apocalypse flicks...... Shane was the man!! ****ing damn u Rick Grimes!
It still amazes me that there are a lot of people out there that are relcutant to give 'The Wire' a go. The amount of people I've asked if they've seen it and replied 'NO - it just looks like a typical American cops n' Robber show'....drives me ****ing mad
Yeah I've got the box set so that will be on the agenda soon - I did watch about 6 episodes and was very impressed, but thought I'd put it down till I had more time (i.e. 1 or 2 episodes a night). Omar is in that he's called 'Chalky' if my memory servess me correct.
I should add This Is England to the list and to be fair it would go in above GOT, yes it's a mini series but the Brit stuff sometimes gets overlooked and This Is England is the finest TV this country has ever produced. Ne one out sometime this year.
What i meant Bodanki is the characters are all quite similar whether they be suits or street guys, In GOT they're all quite different culturally. I didnt realise the new series of Board walk was out thought it was next week damn! Michonne is the real boss in Walking she'd murder greasy Rick and fat shane. I'd just replace sopranos with Board walk and try to fit Breaking Bad in there somewhere maybe at the expense of walking dead.
ye hes got a real southern Black accent total badass, its weird becasue the actors background is as ballet dancer! Seems swan lake trained him to be a total thug on screen.
Speaking of grim, we have This is England series. My good I felt like vomiting during that scene in the first series (you know which one I mean, with Trev and Lol's dad) eeeeewwwwww.
Ye This is England was abit too grim dark for me, Its good just not something i'd watch again i prefer something with a bit of Dark humour The Wire, Breaking Bad etc..
