The Military Workshop
1st Lieutenant
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2005
- Messages
- 4,778
Hi Guys,
For Xmas I got the complete series of The Wire. 60 hours for $99 which is a bargain. Not finished it yet !
Had seen some of you guys give it a good review but had never seen an episode before.
Whilst it is set in the US city of Baltimore as an ex cop from Hong Kong, including the Intelligence Section of the Narcotics Bureau (which had use of 10 wire-taps to target traffickers ) I found this to be a great series. Most US forum members will have seen the series but if you have not I highly recommend it and the boxed set is a bargain.
Bits that I enjoyed are :
a) the scene where the new team is formed and there are two old Detectives who have been dumped there. After the briefing their first question is about claiming over-time. So very true.
b) Pressure from above to get a quick case when it might affect the overall case that has been built up over a long period. In Hong King we called those cases "instant noodles" usually needed when the top needed something good in the newspaper the next day.
c) The Baltimore Police / City Hall politics appears a lot more complictaed than Hong Kong (when I was there). Certainly there was pressure to get certain statistics. Loved the scenes in the COMSTAT where the Deputy Commissioner grills the commanders on their stats. Very brutal and reminded me of a few commanders I saw who you did not want to get caught out by.
d) The breadth of characters is very good. From the various police / detectives to all levels in the drug trade. I think Omar was a standout especially in the scenes with Brother Mouzone. Bit of a worry when an ex cop is on the side of Omar, but then again he is ripping off drug dealers.
e) Wikipediea has great information on the series and all characters etc but best to read after seen it !. I note the actors include former Commissioners of Police and other police plus even a former drug boss arrested by one of the creators of the series. .
For those who have not seen it highly recommended.
Wiki intro was as follows :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wire
The Wire is an American television drama series set and produced in and around Baltimore, Maryland. Created and primarily written by author and former police reporter David Simon the series was broadcast by the premium cable network HBO in the United States. The Wire premiered on June 2, 2002 and ended on March 9, 2008, comprising sixty episodes over five seasons.
Each season of The Wire focuses on a different facet of the city of Baltimore. They are, in order: the illegal drug trade, the port system, the city government and bureaucracy, the school system, and the print news media. The large cast consists mainly of actors who are little known for their other roles. Simon has said that despite its presentation as a crime drama, the show is "really about the American city, and about how we live together. It's about how institutions have an effect on individuals. Whether one is a cop, a longshoreman, a drug dealer, a politician, a judge or a lawyer. All are ultimately compromised and must contend with whatever institution they are committed to.
Despite never seeing a large commercial success or winning major television awards, The Wire has been described by many critics as the greatest TV show ever made The show is recognized for its realistic portrayal of urban life.
Regards
Brett
For Xmas I got the complete series of The Wire. 60 hours for $99 which is a bargain. Not finished it yet !
Had seen some of you guys give it a good review but had never seen an episode before.
Whilst it is set in the US city of Baltimore as an ex cop from Hong Kong, including the Intelligence Section of the Narcotics Bureau (which had use of 10 wire-taps to target traffickers ) I found this to be a great series. Most US forum members will have seen the series but if you have not I highly recommend it and the boxed set is a bargain.
Bits that I enjoyed are :
a) the scene where the new team is formed and there are two old Detectives who have been dumped there. After the briefing their first question is about claiming over-time. So very true.
b) Pressure from above to get a quick case when it might affect the overall case that has been built up over a long period. In Hong King we called those cases "instant noodles" usually needed when the top needed something good in the newspaper the next day.
c) The Baltimore Police / City Hall politics appears a lot more complictaed than Hong Kong (when I was there). Certainly there was pressure to get certain statistics. Loved the scenes in the COMSTAT where the Deputy Commissioner grills the commanders on their stats. Very brutal and reminded me of a few commanders I saw who you did not want to get caught out by.
d) The breadth of characters is very good. From the various police / detectives to all levels in the drug trade. I think Omar was a standout especially in the scenes with Brother Mouzone. Bit of a worry when an ex cop is on the side of Omar, but then again he is ripping off drug dealers.
e) Wikipediea has great information on the series and all characters etc but best to read after seen it !. I note the actors include former Commissioners of Police and other police plus even a former drug boss arrested by one of the creators of the series. .
For those who have not seen it highly recommended.
Wiki intro was as follows :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wire
The Wire is an American television drama series set and produced in and around Baltimore, Maryland. Created and primarily written by author and former police reporter David Simon the series was broadcast by the premium cable network HBO in the United States. The Wire premiered on June 2, 2002 and ended on March 9, 2008, comprising sixty episodes over five seasons.
Each season of The Wire focuses on a different facet of the city of Baltimore. They are, in order: the illegal drug trade, the port system, the city government and bureaucracy, the school system, and the print news media. The large cast consists mainly of actors who are little known for their other roles. Simon has said that despite its presentation as a crime drama, the show is "really about the American city, and about how we live together. It's about how institutions have an effect on individuals. Whether one is a cop, a longshoreman, a drug dealer, a politician, a judge or a lawyer. All are ultimately compromised and must contend with whatever institution they are committed to.
Despite never seeing a large commercial success or winning major television awards, The Wire has been described by many critics as the greatest TV show ever made The show is recognized for its realistic portrayal of urban life.
Regards
Brett
