Police
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Enough has been written about The Wire. I even found myself sucked into a stupid debate about it on the Guardian's Organ Grinder blog where a pugnacious chap was basically accusing anyone who bangs on about it - a growing army - of being part of a sinister viral marketing campaign. Needless to say, he hadn't watched it, and had no intention of doing so. (That'll show 'em!) This is why printing the views of people on blogs and message boards in a national newspaper, as the Guardian regularly does, is democratic but it's not news. Suffice to say, I've just finished Season Three on DVD, which I am going out on a limb to say is my favourite season so far. Season Four, which has begun on FX, awaits. Rather than write any more about the best programme on television and do The Man's work, I'll just run some more nice pictures from HBO's website, whom I obviously work for.
... and finally
posted by Andrew Collins @ 4:52 PM
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That picture of the bloke with the phone - is that really Stuart the supergay from Queer As Folk?
A quick look at IMdb tells me 'yes' it is!
Ooh, IMDb looks all new and fancy too..
Yes indeed, Aidan Gillen from Queer As Folk stars at Councilman Tommy Carcetti, a key figure in Season Three and, I think, in Four, as the Mayoral race heats up. A Dubliner, he does a very good American accent, but then he's not alone, as Dominic West, de facto star of the series, is from Sheffield, and Idris Elba, aka Stringer Bell (pictured above), is from Hackney, and used to be in Family Affairs when I wrote for it. They love English and Irish actors on The Wire.
I think season 2 was my favourite, as it was something of a departure (mostly) from the streets of Baltimore.
I started watching season 4 immediately after season 3, but have had to take a break. You can have too much of a good thing it seems.
I understand they've commisioned a season 5, but aren't sure of whether it's going to be a full run...
Can anyone spot which of these photos is actually from the 1994 Man At C&A Catalogue?
Ah, Stringer.
And to think, it all started on a stoop with a conversation about "Who shot Snot?"
.......oh hell, I just know I'm going to end up having a Wire marathon come the weekend.
Now, did I remember to give HBO the number of my offshore account?
Is it better than the shield or homicide life on streets i really liked these shows but they suffered from random scheduling and I am reluctant to fill my flat with dvd box sets?
Amazon are selling series 1&2 for under £18 each, which if it's as good as everyone says it is, seems a bit of a bargain. I'm waiting for mine to arrive and am expecting great things...
bltp - it's slightly better than Homicide as Simon has never had to cave in to network pressure with The Wire like he did with Homicide. The Shield is gripping, sure but it's all about bringing Mackey down, whilst The Wire has (apologising in advance) more depth to it.
That said, all the above shows are worth getting. If you have a multi-region player I'll sell you my season 1-5 DVDs of Homicide (only because I'm hankering for the filing cabinet box set) or season 1 is now available on region 2.
Might I also mention here another impressive drama in the form of Heroes? It's not that profound or life-changing but it really is rather enjoyable.
Trust me, The Wire is truly worth your time. Though for my money the Sopranos still holds the title.
Heroes is excellent, in an escapist Dr Who type way.
One to put on radar the as well is 'Dexter'. It's about a police forensics expert who is also a serial killer, but has decided to use his psychosis for good. I'm not kidding! (and I'm starting to get hooked..)
cheers
Rob.
Just watched episode one of Season Four. I'm so excited. (There's a cast and crew Q&A at the end of Season Three on DVD - not to be watched first, as it gives away plot points - and if you can handle the awkwardness of the whole thing, David Simon's overseriousness and the Norman Tebbit-like chairperson constantly misreading names such as Carter for Carver and Mario for Marlo, there are some moments of great insight. And fantastic to see Idris Elba speaking in his London accent.)
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