The Wire Season 1

Well, in this case I know quite a lot, because I just finished the 3rd series of The Wire.

It also took me a long time to start watching it, but after the first two episodes of the first season I just couldn't stop. Especially the first two seasons - about the drug ring of Avon barksdale and about the Baltimore docks - are very good. The characters are very well written. I must admit that I am not really fond of one of the main detectives - Jimmy McNulty, who is an arrogant and addicted to his work macho. He is interesting, but not alluring, like a man character like this could be. Maybe that was the idea.

I had to get used to the language - a real slang from the streets of West Baltimore, it's all authentic as the script writing crew consist of, for example a former Baltimore police detective.

And of course the music and the sound track (sound effects mixed with the video) are great.

It is definitely worth watching.

Despite seeing numerous recommendations from friends and critics alike, it has taken me a long time to get around to watching The Wire Season 1. Perhaps this is because, in my mind, it occupied the same territory as most other American cop shows - however I could not have been more wrong. The Wire is actually less of a 'cop show' and more of an engrossing study into American life in an under-privileged city, exploring a recurring theme of the effects of institutions on their constituent individuals.

I would say The Wire is one of the best and most engrossing TV series I have ever seen. Rather than an episodic series of single-shot stories it slowly and patiently unfolds one long and involved story over the course of all 13 episodes. The plot centres around one large drugs and murder investigation, with the story being followed from both the police and the target's viewpoints.

What this creates is a wholly and utterly believable world, with both admirable and lamentable qualities being exhibited almost contemporaneously by both 'sides' (the police and the drug dealers). There is some fantastic characterisation as the show explores the parallels between the two organisations and the effects that these institutions have on their members and their intertwining relationships. Ironically for a show concerning a large drug investigation I have found it to be one of the most addictive tv shows I've seen - I just couldn't wait to watch the next episode!

I would highly, highly recommend The Wire to anyone - fantastic script, brilliantly acted, thoroughly engrossing television.