I gave up on the shield after so many zany escapes, it's like oh how will they all escape today?

Whereas to me the Wire is just real.

This has come up before, and I will repeat, The Shield is based on The LA Rampart scandal. The list of offenses by the CRASH team in LA rings very close to the STRIKE team.

I like this comparison. I still can't decide what I like better, I feel as if they could be companion pieces. Neither show really ends on a cliffhanger, but for The Shield you're thinking "put in the next episode", whereas for The Wire, you're like "let me think about that for a while, and read the episode summary to figure this out."

That's why when I wanted to introduce my friends to a new show, I decided on The Shield first, for the pacing. We're on Season 4 after about a week, I'll show them The Wire after they finish Season 5.

Thought I'd resurrect this old thread instead of starting another.

People seem to rave about The Wire. I've watched the first 3 eps. of S1 and I just can't get into it. I'm not a huge fan of police dramas in the first place, so it may just be the genre. Maybe it's "too real", but nothing seems to happen to make me want to watch the next ep. Does this get better? Does it have any good arcs? I hate to invest any more time if this doesn't get any better.

It gets significantly better. The arcs usually last the entire season, while there are side stories going on.

I felt the same way when I first started it.. Since then I have watched the complete series start to finish 4 times..

Best show to ever air on TV.. Do yourself a favor and stick with it.. You won't be sorry.

It's like reading a book. Each episode is a chapter, so you have to stick with it for the payoff.

I think there is a definite point up until which you have to watch in the first season. I don't want to spoil it so I'll just say you just have to give the first season an solid watch and if you're not hooked you're not going to get hooked.

Hehe... Omar Little.

The characters are all rather complex; early on it is hard to get attached to any of them and follow the plot details at the same time. People bitch about one-dimensional characters (see the Walking Dead threads) but you really need them at first for the viewers to identify with what is going on.

Once they start to become familiar (ep. 4 or 5) you'll sink into the rather rich storylines really easily. You'll also pick up all terminology needed to follow 1990s gangster rap songs with ease.

For those who already finished the show; head on over to IMDB and check out the show's trivia section. You'll gleam a ton of great insights.

Once you get invested in this show, you'll feel haunted. The show, the characters, the situations, will stick with you for a very long time. Rejoice in being a human being, watch this show.

Like everyone else said, you NEED to keep watching. I felt similar to you after the 1st few episodes. My wife felt the same way when I had her watch it but once you get deep into the 1st season you are hooked. Trust us.

People who post on internet forums like dvdtalk regarding television shows are not going to say that "the wire" is one of the best television shows of all time and not mean it. People who watch shitty television probably don't spend time on forums like this. Just keep watching, I will be racist and say that it took me a while to distinguish all the gang characters seeing as most are black and I am white, but then again it took a while to know all the cops as well. This show has one of the largest ensembles of interesting characters with pretty cool names as well.
Anyone who has watched the wire will always remember the names: Stringer bell, Proposition Joe, Snoop, Lester, Bunk, McNulty, Bubbles, fucking Omar, Bodie, Marlo Stanfield, Slim Charles, Cheese, and Avon Barksdale........and there are many more.........

Once you keep watching you will be routing for some of the drug dealers as well as the cops. You will also dislike some of the cops and drug dealers. This is one of my top shows of all time as well. Keep fucking watching.........

I am in the minority. I was hooked after episode one when I watched it way back in 2003. I was a huge fan of Homicide (both the show and the book...which the first episode of The Wire comes from as part of the cold open) so The Wire was like an extension of that show.

But I do firmly believe you either get The Wire or you don't. if you don't like it after episode 2 or 3, don't bother.

As for The Shield, great show from beginning to end. Completely different compared to The Wire, but very similar in a lot of ways.

I can second (or third or whatever) keeping with "The Wire." I never watched it during its run, even though I had HBO. But not long ago I caught the entire first season on demand and watched it over about three or four days. I am now watching season 2 and enjoying it very much. Also, I can't stand procedurals in general, and find shows like CSI: Whatever utterly unwatchable. "The Wire" is most definitely not one of those. I wouldn't call it the greatest show ever, but being one of the few dramas I have ever truly enjoyed says a lot coming from me.

Wait till season four.

I watched the entire 1st season a few years back and never could get into it.

Thanks, I've only had time for one more ep, but I did feel it got a little better. I will definately finish the season. Like I said, police dramas are not my forte, but I LOVE shows with great arcs and complex characters. The concensus is this has both. Thanks for all the input.

The moment in season 1 that hooked me was



Thats when I was in love. Amazing show.

I'm not big on dramas in general, movies or tv. Especially procedurals. But this is probably my favorite show ever. At least finish the first season. If you don't like it you don't like it.

For me it was when

I think that was the point were the whole show started to come together.

Since posting this I've watched the entire series and I've watched season 1, 3 and 4 twice. I'm so happy 2007 me decided to change his mind on watching the rest of the series.

You know I forgot I even purchased this until I saw this thread. I've been sitting on this since BB had the 50% off HBO sale a few years ago

I think this holiday season I will finally start watching this.

^ I may do the same. I notice all seasons are available on Amazon's VOD for a decent price. I'll likely go that route. Ashamed that I have not yet watched this show.

I've been watching this on DirecTV's 101.
So far I'm liking S2 better than S1.
I just realized tonight that Stringer Bell is played by the guy that played Luther on BBC, lol.

Lester is such a bad ass. I have been re-watching The Wire on 101 each Sunday. It is currently in the middle of season 2 and it is so much better the 3rd or 4th time. Amazing show from start to finish.