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Poor, unloved Season 2...

Robert F. Chew (Proposition Joe) has died from heart failure.

http://www.deadline.com/2013/01/robe...-actor-was-52/

RIP big guy

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I'm part of the way into the fourth season, and I find the show so good, it's almost ruined other fiction for me, it's incredible. I think it fully deserves all of the hype that surrounds it. I don't watch it addictive of like I do most of the serial sci-fi soaps and such that I've gotten into in the past, but I've found that the show is so rewarding since I've stuck with it. Not everything is going to be for everyone, and I'm sure that there are those who don't find the show worthy of its reputation, but I for one do. And I like listening to Simon speak as well, he's incredibly articulate. I'm not in all line with all of his own politics myself, so I wonder show that'd affect some peoples' viewing of the show, but that is something I myself can easily back-burner and enjoy the incredibly rich storytelling and multilayered themes.

And it only gets better with time.

This may be one of the few shows that I revisit in the future.

I feel like I'm due for a rewatch - it's been a couple years.

I've always been reticent to buy TV shows on DVD, largely because I just think that the nature of TV is such that it has less replay value than cinema. But I think the truth is that after a few years, some stuff is worth revisiting, and The Wire would definitely be high on the list. Apparently, the complete series DVD set has horrendous packaging, and apparently that's a common problem with those complete series sets.

My chick and I are about halfway through S3. So far I dig the show, but maybe I was expecting more than what I'm seeing.

S1 was good, but I spent half the damn season trying to remember who everyone was. Felt like they slow burned the first 3/4 of the season, then ramped up all the action in the last 3 eps.

S2... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Didn't give a shit about any dock people or their problems. Ziggy is one of the worst characters I've ever seen on a show. The only interesting stuff was the Barksdale dealings...

... which we're now back to on S3. And Hamsterdam? Gimme a fucking break. The season is much better than the last, but we're treading worn ground and not much has changed from what we saw in S1.

If you're not digging season 3 then I doubt you'll really feel season 4 either.

Season 2 is amazing on rewatch. The first time you're trying to adjust to the new setting and story. The second time you can concentrate on what's going on.

Agreed on Season 2. Even though I loved it the first time through, rewatching it is even better.

If a person isn't liking the show by the end of Season 3 then the show is not for you.

Yup - I was surprised at how much better season 2 was second time around. It's pretty amazing.

And Nick Sobotka's girlfriend's tits are maybe the best I've ever seen.

agreed - they are spectacular

I just can't get past ziggy in S2, nobody can be that colossally stupid and not be forced to wear a helmet 24/7.

The best, Jerry.

Socially awkward. Chester Sobotka was actually very intelligent - computer savvy, technology-proficient.

Finally started watching The Wire over the weekend OnDemand, as many of my friends recommended it as they said it is one of the greatest Cable TV drama's.

Like many in this thread, it just hasn't clicked for me? I just finished episode 6 and not one episode has been remotely interesting to me. It sucks because I usually like slow shows that build the characters and the story and doesn't hit you over the head with everything in the first episode.

Someone wrote the Mt. Rushmore of Cable TV Drama's was The Soprano's, Mad Men, Breaking Bad, and The Wire. I LOVED the first three, but The Wire just isn't clicking for me.

When did it click for you guys? First episode? 2nd episode? Mid-Season?

Hell, I don't know. I'm in the process of watching it again for the I don't know which time and I'm up to the middle of the 3rd season. It just clicks right away for me but I know what's coming. I think by the time you get up to episode 6 and you've gotten the base of the show, you have the wire, all the main players have been introduced.

I'm bumping this since it has been a long time since this was discussed. We now have the HD set out and with the years that have passed, I'm wondering how the opinions of some might have changed.

When people say that the show requires patience, is deeply layered, like a novel etc, it kind of implies those that don't like the show are somehow lacking in those qualities for them to appreciate it.
I saw the first two series, thought they were OK but gave up. Had nothing to do with lack of patience, not liking deeply layered novel like structure etc.
It was simply a show genre(police, procedurals etc.) that just didn't appeal to my interests that much.
It's why statements thrown around claiming best show ever etc., are silly since art is a subjective experience.
If The Wire leaves you cold then that is perfectly OK, understandable and you are not somehow lacking the necessary attributes to appreciate it..

No, it's about more than that, a lot more. And if that's all you saw in it, then you absolutely do lack "the necessary attributes to appreciate it".

And you prove my whole point about certain people making assumptions about people because they happen to not share their same enthusiasm. The show sits in a certain genre which will appeal to some and not others. You just have to deal with that and not feel uncomfortable that people don't share your enthusiasm. Taste is subjective, not exclusive and domain of only some.