“The Wire” is a great show!
I recently bought HBO Max for a month to re-watch Silicon Valley with my wife (actually my favorite comedy show btw!). With more than two weeks left for my subscription to end, I decided to give “The Wire” a try.
My friend from Baltimore recommended it fully, but he admitted he was a bit biased because the show’s set in Baltimore. Another group mate said it’s good, but it’s a bit slow – so good if I like slow stuff. Upon entering the second season, I’m totally hooked.
First off, the writing is great! All dialogues are well written and the characters are well built. Show feels like real life – which is a good way to tell a good show from a bad one. Bad shows generally try to force things to happen. Good shows, on the other hand, lets the plot develop naturally (Breaking Bad, I’m looking at you). Everything is set in the gray area, and it’s really funny at times. It’s very easy to relate with the characters, and it’s easy to see how every character has their own set of ambitions.
If a bad guy is bad, he has reasons to be bad. Everyone has a story. Evil is not evil just for the sake of being evil. You follow both cops and drug dealers, and see why they are what they are. Bureaucracy exists, and upper level management want what they want. There is nobody who’s the hero. Everything is gray. “The Wire” unfolds as everyone is going after their personal agenda, whatever they may be.
I’m only at season 2, but I can already tell it’s going to be a great ride. This is one of those shows you want to pay full attention to when you watch it, because yes it does pay off.