I am re-viewing season 2 right now and have been enjoying it much more this time around than I did the first time.

The episode where Omar testifies against Bird, baits him into an explosion, and jousts with Levy (the drug lawyer) in the courtroom is fantastic. D'Angelo also has some great scenes throughout this season before he is killed.

In general, I think this season also provides an excellent point of comparison to Breaking Bad. In some senses, you could call Frank Subotka The Wire's version of Walter White in that both characters represent the declining fortunes of White America. Both characters are fiercely intelligent and defiant, yet larger social forces have conspired to prevent them from realizing their potential. While Walter White's character is beautifully written, I actually find Subotka more engaging. Some of the scenes in which he is compelled to violate his moral code in hopes of saving his union are absolutely gutwrenching. Like many members of the white working class in an age of deindustrialization, Frank has lost control of his fate, and the sense of desperation and doom enveloping him are palpable throughout the season. Absolutely fantastic stuff.

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I just finished a complete Breaking Bad rewatch.

I think The Wire (HD Version) is next. I'm interested in seeing the video quality.

I think this show, particularly, will benefit from a rewatch since there are so many characters to keep track of. Sometimes I'd have to see a guy 3 or 4 times before I even remembered their name or who people were talking about.

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Absolutely. The re watch is better for the reasons you stated.

For instance, in the pilot when Wee Bey tells D'Angelo not to talk in the car, I thought that was Stringer. There are a lot of litte things like that.

Id recommend keeping Wikipedia at the ready too.

Agreed. Great stuff.

I do think the scene where Frank screams about the history of politicians attacking unions is a TAD over the top.

But yes, great tragic character.

I've always absolutely loved season two. I thought that it had a richness, diversity and honesty that has never really been on television since the early seventies. If not more so.

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There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

Spot on.

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Sex isn't dirty, sex isn't a crime. It's a loving act between two or more consenting adults.

-Hank Kingsley

3 eps into my rewatch and I just forgot how great this show was right from the jump.


There you go, givin' a fuck when it ain't your turn to give a fuck.

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The Prez- Projects scene really gets it going. The reaction to that by the police was phenomenal

My buy-in originally was ep3's classic chess scene.

I never get tired of watching those performances.

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Oh, yeah that's a fucking classic.

Really only the pilot is a bit slow because there is so much setup

I'm mid-way thru season 2 on my rewatch and I don't remember seasons 3, 4, or 5's - but 2's version of the theme song has to be the best.

I can't even listen to season 1's.

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I want to feel like this show is timeless but then I just spent 5 minutes watching Ziggy explain how digital photography works.

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Yeah wait til they get to picture messaging

Just finished up my rewatch of Season 2 - got to see them explain what a text message was.

I take back anything bad I ever said about Season 2. That's a solid season of TV right there. Not the best Wire season but there's absolutely nothing wrong with it with the possible exception of Ziggy.

You have to put up with a lot LOT of annoying Ziggy shit for that to pay off but it does pay off to some degree. That part is still not great though.

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One other thing - I watched an entire season of Orange is the New Black and never realized that Nicky was Pornstache.

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I've been doing a rewatch and this show is just tremendous.

I still love seasons 3&4. I was shocked at how much more I enjoyed season 2.

With that in mind, I was looking forward to the rewatch on season 5 since I hated it the first time. I figured I might come to the realization that I missed something.

But, halfway through 5, I still have the same huge problems with what McNulty is doing and Lester just coming on board like its a good idea. There's still good stuff here but it's just a bridge too damn far.

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The newspaper story is also just a notch below The Wire standard. It was too late for that to be interesting. 2007 newspapers were long dead. 10 years earlier would have been better



Best show ever though

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Package up my ass, gump!

None of you all bitches would dare step to Kenard.

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Back off, Warchild. Seriously.

The President of the United States of America interviews David Simon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWY79JCfhjw&feature=youtu.be

Obama's understanding of The Wire seems pretty reductive.

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I havent watched it yet. I only know that Omar is his favorite character.

The Bunk > Omar

c'mon, Obama!

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Im not as big a Bunk fan as most.


Stringer is the best

It's McNutty and Stringer and then everyone else.

Avon was great too. And Levy was the true kingpin.


How likeable was Slim Charles?

All great characters. Almost everyone on the show was great. I loved Frank Sobotka and Butch. The only one I never liked was Poot. I couldn't get over hairline to forehead ratio.

Yeah, Poot came thru in the scene with Bodies in season 4 comparing Marlo killing Kevin to them and Wallace

World goin one way, people another

But yeah I see your point

You could easily do a top 25 ranking

One of the best parts of the show was that nobody, in my opinion overstayed their welcome. Just about everybody had the right amount of screen time. Hell, you could've done the whole show from Bubbles perspective and it still would have delivered the goods.

One of the best scenes was when they revealed Rawls in the gay bar. Great piece of television right there.