The Wire

[mostlikely2]

I have this theory about television, specifically popular television drama. Shows that are wildly popular -- not cult programs, but seriously nationwide popular -- have a thing that they give us. You go back to the same restaurant twice a month because you expect a certain dish or a certain flavor, right, so what keeps people coming back? What is

Comments

[dudepower1982]

Emotionless is the last word I'd use to describe Lost...and Buffy seemed to become fallible way back in Season 4 (its worst, in my opinion).

[zulkey]

I think "The Wire" is like "Law and Order" but with all the little niceties taken out. And it feels good to watch something that pays off with devoation. And I love that there are hardly any bad guys. Everyone's a good guy sometimes.

I think the dominant theme is the machine of a city.

[septicemic]

I've only seen the first season, so standard disclaimers apply, but:

For me, The Wire is about forgotten people, helpless people, people nobody looks at; and how America, despite the hype about the tempest-tost homeless, doesn't save them. The point is to be angry. The point is what D'Angelo does at the end of "Cleaning Up": shouting the name of a thrown-away child, even after everyone else has left the room.

The titular wire is hooked up to a pay phone, but it's also a wire we're walking, and we think there's a net somewhere down below, but there isn't. That's what it's about.