I've just finished Season 2 for the first time

Brancott · 20-04-2015 11:56am #1

I'm very late to this party.
Only started watching about 2 months ago, I nearly gave up during Season 1, didn't really grab me at first & of course the tech makes it dated but I stuck with it & got the pay off eventually.
One thing I'm really missing is realtime social media commentary for the water cooler moments, I guess you all had that 12 years ago.
I blasted through Season 2 in a fraction of the time, loved the Greek & Spiros, loved them putting the crew back together, only actor I didn't like was the guy who played Ziggy, he was crap but I could look beyond that.

I decided to google "rate the best seasons of The Wire" I managed to dodge spoilers.
Looks like I'm in for a big treat as Season 4 was number 1 followed by Season 3 as number 2.
Oh goody, getting to watch Season 2 in HD was a big treat too.
I'll enjoy reading this forum once I'm done.

TrueDub · 20-04-2015 12:40pm

Have a look at http://www.alansepinwall.com/further-reading/ when you've finished.

Alan Sepinwall is a US TV critic who wrote recaps and analyses of loads of TV series - his stuff on The Wire is amazing. My tip is to read the veterans recaps when you've finished the complete series.

Thidp · 20-04-2015 2:57pm

Seasons 3 and 4 are indeed the best ones.

The Wire is the best show ever in my opinion, and I already watched the other two that usually are mentioned... Breaking Bad and The Sopranos.

Enjoy it!

galljga1 · 20-04-2015 3:00pm

Couldn't get past 3 episodes. Will give it another try now that Justified is over.

mass_debater · 20-04-2015 7:15pm

I'm on my second run through it, I'm using widescreen HD as an excuse to revisit. Season 2 is so much better the second time, I didn't really enjoy it the first watch. The show gets so much better after season 2, the next 2 seasons are absolutely outstanding, enjoy.

Brancott · 21-04-2015 11:11am

mass_debater wrote: »

I'm on my second run through it, I'm using widescreen HD as an excuse to revisit. Season 2 is so much better the second time, I didn't really enjoy it the first watch. The show gets so much better after season 2, the next 2 seasons are absolutely outstanding, enjoy.

I think it's the introduction of the new characters that's jarring at first, the Sobotka's & the whole docker union.
The Barksdale story seems to get forgotten once the D'Angelo thing happens.
Once Lester Freeman starts doing his thing the series grabs momentum & we're back on familiar turf.
It's a great season that doesn't suffer from 2nd season syndrome.

Trond · 22-04-2015 5:27pm

mass_debater wrote: »

I'm on my second run through it, I'm using widescreen HD as an excuse to revisit. Season 2 is so much better the second time, I didn't really enjoy it the first watch. The show gets so much better after season 2, the next 2 seasons are absolutely outstanding, enjoy.

Ive watched it numerous times at this stage and Season 2 of probably my favourite now. It was nowhere near on my first watch.

Brancott · 14-05-2015 9:16am

Well last night I watched the final 2 episodes of Season 3, what a finale.
Kinda knew that either Stringer or Avon were going to betray each other, that last scene on the balcony between them was striking, once Avon inquired about the time of his meeting the following day you knew the hit was in.
Littlefinger plays a great conniving character in every role he plays.
Surprised there wasn't more about Rohls in the gay bar but I suppose that's there for the future.
McNulty character goes full circle, can't see that lasting.
Season 4 being acquired as we speak.

Thidp · 14-05-2015 1:23pm

Episode 3x11, Middle Ground, is by far the best of the series in my opinion.

The first scene, that dialogue between Omar and Mouzone is pure genius. Stinger and Avon at the balcony, the last scene in the empty building... amazing.

Brancott · 28-05-2015 11:28am

The binge continues, last night I finished the final episode of Season 4.
Now I wouldn't rate that higher than Season 2 or 3.
Losing both Stringer & Avon leaves big holes to fill & I'm not sure it does that.
It lacks familiarity at the beginning due to the introduction of the schoolkids & I found the whole school angle a bit slow.
Chris & Snoop start to become a bit pantomime with the killing as time goes on too.
Seems they just top everyone on a whim, becomes a bit Tarantinoesque.
Making McNulty a good guy & then losing him for half the season was a poor move.

2 things that struck me as poor writing.
(1) Marlon Stanfield, the city's most dangerous drug lord, is able to conduct his affairs in a public place.
Only once do they avail of lip reader & once they lose the camera that's the end of that.
(2) Chris & Snoop are hauled in as the major suspects in a 20+ body count from the vacants.
They even find their gun which surely could be matched to the bodies.
After they give blood samples they are released back onto the streets to kill Brodie.
These guys were worse than Bundy & Dhalmer & they get out pending trial, go figure.

Now that's the nitpicking over with, let focus on the good.
Prop Joe - man just makes the show tick
Omar - the man is gold, gotta love the swagger
Carver - grew a heart this season
Bunny - he really is the man with the plans
Freeman/Bunk/Keema/Daniels - steady & dependable
Bubbles - this was his finest season, outstanding acting

Tying Spiros/The Greek to Prop Joe at the end brought the seasons full circle, that was well done.
The politics at the top of the police force was handled well, Burrel & Rawls make a good double act.
Knowing that Major Crimes was being reformed & McNultys back on board gives you a real buzz for Season 5 which is being acquired as we speak.

Keedowah · 28-05-2015 11:50am

No mention of Senator Clay Davis yet? Sheeeeeeettttt!

ibstar · 28-05-2015 11:55am

Watched all seasons and thought they could have made it in 4 seasons, or 3 with some room for extra episode per season.

Mr_Muffin · 28-05-2015 11:58am

I love season 2. The setting is ideal and characters fantastic.

Brancott · 28-05-2015 12:10pm

Mr_Muffin wrote: »

I love season 2. The setting is ideal and characters fantastic.

I agree, bearing in mind I haven't seen Season 5 I'd rate them as follows:

(1) S2
(2) S3
(3) S4
(4) S1

Thidp · 01-06-2015 12:18am

For me:

Season 3
Season 4
Season 1
Season 2
Season 5

hynes29 · 02-06-2015 12:56am

I've no clue why everybody hates S1, it was one of the best for me. That's the kind of setting the series is made for, drug dealing in the pits and just giving a general sense of what life is really like there, raw Baltimore. It was perfect for me, maybe a drag at times but I loved it.

Ping Chow Chi · 13-07-2015 11:57am

Watched S2 for the second time this month - it really is a lot better the second time around.

crustybla · 29-03-2017 8:03pm

TrueDub wrote: »

Have a look at http://www.alansepinwall.com/further-reading/ when you've finished.

Alan Sepinwall is a US TV critic who wrote recaps and analyses of loads of TV series - his stuff on The Wire is amazing. My tip is to read the veterans recaps when you've finished the complete series.

TrueDub,

Thanks so much for this link! I've only finished watching all 5 seasons today and this has enhanced my viewing pleasure no end. I read Alan Sepinwall's synopsis after each episode and sometimes it explained little things that would have otherwise gone over my head.

I'm gutted I'm finished it now.:(:(:(

I've just finished Season 2 for the first time

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