Life after The Wire :(

Sinfonia

So I decided to start watching The Wire about 3 weeks ago, and I have already finished all 5 series - I actually wish I hadn't gone through it all so quickly, because now there is no more, but I couldn't help myself!!!
Such a fantastic show!
Problem is, I need a new show now...
I've started watching The Shield (first two episodes) - seems ok so far, and I've heard good things about it. Plus it seems like the closest thing to The Wire I'm gonna find, but I'm assuming it's gonna be pretty inferior.
Is anyone familiar with The Shield? What did you think of it? Is it worth getting into?
What other shows might quench my Wire addiction?

ixoy

'The Shield' is great but I wouldn't compare it to 'The Wire' as they're two very different shows in the way they approach things. 'The Shield' is far more of an adrenaline rush and its plot tend much more towards the twisty double-dealing angle whereas 'The Wire' is more thoughtful, introspective and covers a much broader canvas.

Don't get me wrong - 'The Shield' is one of my favourite shows but don't think of it like 'The Wire'. If you want a cop show that's a little closer, I suggest you check out 'Homcide: Life on the Street' which is based on a book by David Simon, creator of 'The Wire'. It isn't the same either - it's much more character focused and doesn't really go into the city angle but you will see recognisable themes, such as the frustration with police beauracy and City Hall, etc. A recommended show, particularly for its earlier seasons.

spadder

I presume you have seen all "the Sopranos",if not that's a must see. Try the HBO "Rome" series, very good too.

JPA

Homicide: Life on the Street and The Corner are 2 David simon influenced show which are worth checking out. Homicide has 7 seasons and a movie so it should keep you busy. It's a tad boring though compared to the Wire.

The Shield is good but not really like the wire much.
Rome, Oz and Deadwood are also high quality HBO shows worth watching. Not like The Wire at all but gritty and enjoyable.

Jay Ru

Generation Kill starts next week!

ojewriej

Ixoy is spot on about The Shield. Great show, but nothing like the wire.

Don't ever be tempted by The Unit, which you might after watching The Shield, as few people are involved in both of them. It's pure crap.

godtabh

Jay Ru wrote: »

Generation Kill starts next week!

I'm looking forward to this.

But I'm not long for the next Wire. I dont think anything like it is likely to come along any time soon and if I keep comparing to and expecting the next wire each show I watch from this day forward will be load of toss.

I've gone completely away from the wire and getting into some scifi stuff.

redbhoy1888

Im actually trying to delay watching Season 4 of The Wire as long as I can coz I know when its finished thats it.Groundbreaking tv that everyone Ive recomended it to love also.

Also saw a mention of The Unit earlier,took me a season and a half to finally consign it to the bin.Awful stuff...but not nearly as bad as an abortion called Over There.Anyone else ever see that?I bought the box set like a mug!!

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

there are 5 seasons of the wire....

redbhoy1888

Yes dude I know, I meant when the WHOLE thing is over its over.And I also knew it wouldnt be long til someone pointed out the blind obvious.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

well then you should have said that.

5starpool

Just finished watching season 5 tonight. Great show. Disappointed that it is finished, but at least it didn't drag into mediocraty for the sake of more seasons.

Hitman Actual

5starpool wrote: »

Just finished watching season 5 tonight. Great show. Disappointed that it is finished, but at least it didn't drag into mediocraty for the sake of more seasons.

Oh, the coincidence, I just finished it on Monday night. A little bit sad to have finished it, but I definitely need a second run through to get all the details out of it anyway, methinks. I'm also happy in a way that they've stopped it now as well... 5 unique seasons of genius is good enough for me.

Edit: And now it means I can browse this and other forums without fear of spoilers. In one forum I saw a thread titled

RIP Omar Little, and I've been waiting since halfway through season 4 for it to happen.

ojewriej

redbhoy1888 wrote: »

Also saw a mention of The Unit earlier,took me a season and a half to finally consign it to the bin.Awful stuff...

This is how long it took me to finally admit it's awfull as well. I was really trying to give it a chence.

redbhoy1888

I think when you discover something really good,The Wire,Battlestar Galactica etc etc you kinda convince yourself that yes tv actually is quite good and nearly everything gets a go.As for The Unit it was hyped as the newest latest best thing ever and I got suckered.Band Of Brothers it was not!!

Jay Ru

Jay Ru wrote: »

Generation Kill starts next week!

Just acquired the first two episodes. So far I am impressed.

ojewriej

More like Desperate Housewives.

Speaking of Band of Brothers - the follow up to that (don't remember the title) is going to be out next year. It should be good, love BoB, watched probably 10 times

Bounty Hunter

kearnsr wrote: »

But I'm not long for the next Wire. I dont think anything like it is likely to come along any time soon and if I keep comparing to and expecting the next wire each show I watch from this day forward will be load of toss.

This is how I felt when The Soprano's ended, Thought nothing would ever reach its level of quality... but then the Wire came along. Honestly think that these shows stand head and shoulder above everything else. People have there favourites between the two (obviously the posters here may swing towards The Wire) but I really think they are both a level above their nearest rivals: Lost, 24 etc...

cant wait to see what next reaches the lofty heights that Soprano's and The Wire made it to.

redbhoy1888

ojewriej wrote: »

More like Desperate Housewives.

Ha Ha The Unit=Desperate Housewives with guns!!

I Like that!

ojewriej

Bounty Hunter wrote: »

cant wait to see what next reaches the lofty heights that Soprano's and The Wire made it to.

I'm watching The Shield S6, and I've got to say I think it's a great show.

If you'd start nitpicking on the characters and plot, it'd probably loose to Sopranos and The Wire, but even so, the enjoyment level is similar. Faster pace makes a nice change, and there is a lot of suspense as well.

rochie16

Post-Wire, the only show i've seen which can hold a candle to it is Deadwood. Brilliant acting and probably the finest dialogue i've encountered on television.

MikeHoncho

rochie16 wrote: »

Post-Wire, the only show i've seen which can hold a candle to it is Deadwood. Brilliant acting and probably the finest dialogue i've encountered on television.

Yeah I love Deadwood. It does'nt last very long though. Only 30 episodes or so.

Boom_Bap

I've just started Season 2 of The Wire and i'm trying to pace myself and absorb everything. Quality show so far.

JLemmon

Twin Peaks was great, went abit mad later on but worth checking out
Carnivale on HBO a few years ago, 2 series sadly, was good also.
On the comedy side look up Arrested Development, Seinfeld, Curb your Enthusiasm
On series 2 of The Wire at the mo not looking forward to the end, gonna have to slow down on my viewing habits :-(

kryptyk500

It is difficult not to compare other shows to the Wire, but revently I've been very impressed by 'Friday Night Lights'. The first season in particular is very good.

I've watched a couple of episodes of Damages which I enjoyed and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.

For comedy I'd recommend the US version of The Office. Steve Carrell is excellent.

luckat

Watching Season 5 now, and it makes me feel right at home, all the stuff about dodgy politicians - the smiles and excuses are familiar from our own dear tribunals.

It's also very funny.

In fact, to come down a bit, I've ordered Iphigenia, Michael Cacayannis's film, which is enough to wring tears from a stoner.

coupland

Check out 'Brotherhood'...a slow burner with some great performances...

For something lighter but well realised, check out 'Friday Night Lights'

Plaudits also go to Dexter, Californication, Entourage, House, The Shield

For those who download....check out jPod

BTM

Weeds Season 4 was brilliant. The writing has gotten much better.

Breaking Bad (starring the dad from Malcolm in the Middle) was fairly good. 7 eps in S1 due to the writers strike. New series commissioned for next year.

Comedy - if you haven't watched Spaced you really should.


But no, nothing really compares to the Wire. Will try out the Homicide book. Might help with the withdrawals.

MagicMarker

Oz.

charlie_says

Get generation kill people (all available on the net), it is an excellent show. I only wish they did another season of after the invasion when it really started to pear shaped.

quad_red

Just watched the final episode there.

Wow.

Never seen anything like it.

Brilliant.

<mumbles ala the Bunk>

npresto

I just finished the entire 5 Seasons last night.

It took about a month to get through but was worth every minute.

I don't think I'll ever see a tv series as good as it again.

I'm going to watch it again in a few years but will continue to spread she word about this fantastic show.

johnny_ultimate

Finished the Wire a few weeks ago, and while disappointed there is no more, thought it came to a perfect conclusion.

Say what you will about series five being a little weaker than the others, it really all comes together in the last few episodes and the final montage is the only way it could have ended!

.

As said here, moved onto the Shield after picking up the first boxset in the Zavvi sale, and while the contrast is pretty obvious, first two episodes seem to suggest it will be a worthwhile watch, even if it isn't the epic, one-of-a-kind modern fable that Simon created (although they seem to get more done in a single episode of the Shield than a season's worth of the Wire!). Looking forward to watching Generation Kill soon though.

claiva

watched the last episode of series 5 last night. thought it cleared everything up nicely. devastated that its over for me now.
i've now watched the majority of the series' six feet under, the sopranos, lost and the wire on dvd, the rest on telly and i'm sick that theres nothin new to watch (other than lost). I saw the first ep of Generation Kill last week which looked promising, is it any good ?

i have to say thought that there could easily have been another couple of series of the wire. there was so many brilliant characters that could have easily had a series all to themselves.

I hated McNulty for most of series 5, and then liked him again at the end. the way the writers did that was amazing.

Favorite character = Omar. Nuff said. True dat.
You feel me ?
RIP ....The Wire.:(

Vinta81

Omar was my favourite too!

Indeed...indeed!

toiletduck

I'm just finished it now. Wow. Will definitely check out some of the above mentioned shows.

rovert

Jay Ru wrote: »

Generation Kill starts next week!

Does anyone have the European release date for the Blu Ray version of this series?