@Bek359 he was established, but still not well know enough that the director could catch him out as British. The casting call specified American actors only and he passed.
He really wasn't known at all in the UK when he started working on the Wire. The Wire was the first thing he was known for and then Luther made him a big star in Britain.
The Wire is unlike any of the other shows in the common "greatest of all time" lists. Breaking Bad/The Sopranos/Succession/etc are all amazing character studies and studies of the human condition, but The Wire is that plus amazing social critique of the system as a whole.
You forgot Snowfall, Better Call Saul, Boardwalk Empire, Rome, Deadwood, and The Shield. All unforgettable shows like The Sopranos and Breaking Bad. The Wire still tops them all.
This is more than a tv show... it is a pure artistic expression of a time and a place that existed in our recent history.. it is a statement that will be appreciated by audiences for the rest of human history
It was confirmed by David Simon himself the creator of the show that he was actually forced by HBO to insert the flashback scene at the end of the episode of Mr. Gant, for the reason being that the audience would not recognize the character, and although he had to do it, I'm glad that he was disapproving of it b/c he understands that his audience would not need reminders of who is or who isn't in the scene.
Funny that you were geeking at Idris Elba being in this when he's British but with a good American accent, not even realizing that our main actor who plays McNulty, is also British. His American accent is scary convincing, I never would've known if my dad hadn't told me.
The creator and head writer of this show is David Simon, who started out as a newspaper reporter in Baltimore. The series Homicide: Life on the Street, also set in B'more, was based on a book he wrote and is, IMO, the greatest police procedural drama of all time.
Recently added to Peacock. For me, it's a tied with NYPD Blue. Although, I feel the police procedural material from The Wire is enough for me to put it above both Blue and Homicide.
And David Simon's writing partner, Ed Burns, was a Baltimore City Homicide and Narcotics detective, and later a middle school teacher. And the homicide detective character Ed Norris is played by none other than Ed Norris, who was the Baltimore Police Commissioner from '00 to '02 and the Maryland State Police Superintendent in '03 before being convicted of federal corruption and tax fraud. Funny enough one of the charges was mortgage fraud, which fans of the show will know plays a minor part in later seasons for a couple political figures. So much of this show is based entirely in truth and actual experiences. That's why it feels so authentic.
The non-fiction book is excellent as is the follow-up The Corners. IIRC, one of the cops in the Wire is played by one of the cops he shadowed for the book. [edit: lol I see someone has already pointed this out] One funny thing is seeing some of the anecdotes in the book get used for scenes in both Homicide *and* the Wire.
@JamesVSCinema no episode is wasted in this series. Hope you enjoy it and are able to avoid all spoilers. I think it's the greatest show and I'm a BB and Saul fan.
The.best.show.ever. I got goosebumps several times during your reaction. Im so dang hyped you are watching this show! Eff it…im paying for Patreon just to enjoy this show with you
First I watched Breaking Bad, thought nothing could get better. Then I watched The Sopranos and thought nothing could get better. Then I watched The Wire.. Man this show is special and my favorite piece of art/film ever made. Enjoy
You’re in for a treat. As a fellow filmmaker this show has taught me so much about what the medium is capable of. Without a doubt one of the finest pieces of art ever conceived. Hope you enjoy it my guy. Looking forward to your thoughts/commentary.
Dude, your film background is going to make this such a great watch for you. You're catching onto so many details and thematic nuances that basically every other reactor has overlooked or misunderstood.
Oh my God. James, I never thought I'd see this. To me, this is the single greatest TV series of all time. The craft involved in weaving this 5 season story is unsurpassed. By the end, I was quite literally shocked at the genius level crafting. Breaking Bad, once I saw it after this, came close, and it's better in some aspects, but this, this is just pure storytelling mastery. This is a 5 year puzzle, that takes its time, and it is so worth it. I won't spoil anything, but it's important to remember throughout the journey, 'all the pieces matter'. You're going to love this. Take notes... trust me. Layers upon layers.
James this will be amongst a sea of similiar comments but this is the greatest TV show of all time. It's a very slow burn but it's such an incredible piece of art. Can't wait for you to enjoy it.
I caught that too. Hell of a question. If this is a first time watch (no shade intended) it made me wonder if he has an editor (who might know the show) or not…
This just popped up in my recommended and I just subbed off the strength that you are watching The Wire. I have watched this entire series more than 15 times. It's really in a tier of it's own.
Anytime someone discovers The Wire it makes me wish I could travel back in time and experience it for the first time all over again. It's the only series I rewatch every year and it is amazing! I'm so excited to watch your reaction to it!
Snot Boogie is a real person who was killed in the late 80s/early 90s. The show creator was a writer for the Baltimore Sun and spent a year embedded with Baltimore PD. He chronicled that year in the book Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets which layer got picked up as an NBC show. Some things from the book appear in both shows.
I’ve watched all five series of this six times. It’s that good. I think it is the finest television ever made, bar none. Be aware it ran from 2002 to 2008, and also bear in mind the wider events occurring in that time frame. This thing has layers on top of layers.
First time I heard Idris Elba speak outside of The Wire, I was shook! His character's accent is so authentic to Baltimore, I would have never guessed he was actually English.
The Wire is the most intelligently written TV series I've seen. It rewards patience, because there are story and character arcs that take place over several seasons. Each season focuses on a different institution in Baltimore. Season 1 is about the police and the drug trade, season 2 is about the port, season 3 is about politics, season 4 is about the schools, and season 5 is about the press. A recurring theme over the whole series is institutional dysfunction. Some of it is due to corruption, but even more is due to broken systems. Dominic West, who played McNulty, is British. Like Idris Elba as Stringer Bell, his American accent is so good that you'd think he grew up in the U.S. When Daniels told McNulty to follow the chain of command, he was warning McNulty not to embarrass him by talking to the judge (or anyone else in a position of authority), the way he embarrassed Rawls. Bubbles and Kima aren't related. He's her confidential informant (i.e. her snitch). He was talking to her because he was pissed off about how badly the drug dealers beat Johnny over the counterfeit money. That beating sets off a story arc that lasts many episodes.
I'm glad you picked up on the conversation at the beginning having layers. There's a lot of that in this show. Remember that conversation as the series goes forward. "Why do you keep doing this thing knowing it's going to go poorly? We have to. This is America."
Excited for this journey. I missed The Wire when it was first on the air, so I am using your reactions as an excuse to watch each episode (before I watch your reaction video). I have heard nothing but great things about the series, so this should be a lot of fun. Ready for the ride!
the best description i ever heard of this show was from the essays on Thomas Flight's youtube channel, "most cop shows try to grab your attention, The Wire demands it." so true
One of the best shows ever created and truly a unique experience. It's spellbinding. You will remember things from this series for the rest of your life. So happy you're watching this and can't wait to hear your thoughts on it.
Don't sleep on the quote. It's the overarching theme of the episode, it relates to every group. Also, think of the wire as a literal wire connecting everything. Know too that the story doesn't conclude at the end of the first season. The real star of the show is the city of Baltimore not just one particular character. In the five seasons we explore the streets, ports, bureaucracy, schools, and the media and how each are interconnected. Simon was a reporter for the Baltimore Sun, Burns was a detective come city school teacher, hence the feeling of authenticity.
I am so hyped to see you go through this series. It's my favorite one ever, I have rewatched it countless times, and each time I notice more and more about it, that I didn't realize before. Can't wait for you to see this wonderful journey unfold.
Andre Royo, the actor who plays Bubbles, will end up being one of the most amazing actors in this show. And that's amazing given the number of amazing acting displays on this show. You're going to be impressed by pretty much everyone.
Boy am I ready for this. I love this show so much, it has given me so many rich characters to carry with me. The shots, the dialogue, the ambience is gonna blow your mind.
While you were talking about the editing I was setting up to comment about how it shows to parallels between the two institutions of police and dealing - then you went *past* that and pointed out how the story is also reflected in the buildings. Hell of a catch :)
One of the things I admire about this show is that every season has consequences. How they end and where every single character ends up, plays a role in the next season. They do this amazing thing of having a different cover of the opening theme each season, telling the audience that this is the same thing, but things have changed. Don't expect this to be like the last. Bloody brilliant writing, filled with so much 90s/00s nostalgia. You're going to enjoy this.
"Gotta let him play, This America, man." -- I am stoked you started this. This series moves fast and talks fast and drops a lot of vernacular from the cops to the criminals. I catch something new on each watch and come up with new revelations each completion of every season as well as the whole series. Requires multiple rewatches imo. I try to watch once a year. So freaking hyped.
Oh we been waiting for this one for the longest! Just remember that all the pieces matter. The more things change, the more they stay the same! Let’s go!!!
YES SO EXCITED FOR YOU TO START THE WIRE. I watched this for the first time almost a year ago and fell in love with it, such incredible characters and writing. Also a great show for the fall season.
What this whole series reminds me of? Shakespeare. Particularly with the way characterd have summations of the setting/context in small, but eloquent vignettes.
Okay, when I saw you were reacting to The Office, I was really tempted to go to Patreon to get the full length reactions. But now you're also reacting to The Wire? Sheeeeeeeeeet! Sign me up baby, let's go!
The show that started it off for all the following binge-worthy shows. The Wire paved the way for streaming services to call for quality HBO serial productions like Breaking Bad, GoT, Tudors, Sopranos etc.
I've not commented on your videos before, even though I've been a fan for a while now. Just have to say how excited I am for you to watch this show. It is my all time favorite and I think you will love it.
Breaking Bad is a heavy drug fuelled weekend filled with madness with the boys The Wire is an evening with your favourite person drinking something vintage in front of a fire Both have their place but 2 completely different vibes and pace
For a little while, I worked at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore ~15 years ago. Many of the scenes of the "nicer" part of the Baltimore, like the city offices were filmed in the building behind where I worked. The show Veep was filmed in the hotel next to to my building. That area is nice, but if you walk a few blocks east or west, its like a warzone. Rundown buildings, heroin addicts, trash, homeless people, etc. What you see in that show is real.
Glad to see you starting on the greatest artwork of all time. Honestly it's not a show I'd recommend to a lot of reactors because they might not do it justice-- but I think you'll "get it" and will be a cool ride
James, I can’t wait seven days between episodes! Please release more often, I love this show and have been looking forward to your reactions to the Wire ever since finding your channel a couple of years ago.
So excited that you are on this now. For me, The Wire and Deadwood set the high bar of how good TV can be. Hasn't been surpassed since. Though the Vince Gilligan shows are up there.
My all-time favorite show. It's definitely time-stamped (2002-2007), but it remains such a perfect piece of Television, with the best cast on TV and incredible writing... you are in for a treat!!!
Whoo! This is a nice surprise! The 16:9 HD remaster that you're watching is good and was even supervised by David Simon. Yet the original vision was a 4:3 documentary quality. You can see the discrepancy in some shots where there's too much empty space. But some shots get better with 16:9 and even Simon admits that.
Thomas Flight has a couple GREAT video essays about The Wire and in those videos he described the show PERFECTLY: "The Wire is not a show that GRABS your attention, The Wire REQUIRES your attention and rewards you for it ten times over" In my opinion The Wire IS the best show ever. The writing on this show is god-tier
Thanks, James! Always great, with my popcorn and snax. Don't worry, you'll never get a single second of spoilers from me. Discovery is magical. Cheers.
I joined the Patreon to watch BCS reactions, and now I may join again to watch James' reactions to this fantastic series. I have a hard time comparing The Wire to other shows because this show feels more like a documentary than anything else. While it is set in Baltimore, the issues presented can be found in nearly every major American city.
Yeah. HBO told him to do it because they thought people wouldn't remember who that was. I think I heard Simon say If they aren't paying that close attention then this shown isnt for them.
This is epic, James! The Wire is my all time favorite show (w/ the exception of True Detective Season 1). I couldn’t think of a better creator to react to this, good looking out!!
The Wire is some of the best written and realistically complex television ever made. And I only made it partway into season 3. Its so real that it weighed me down far too much. But it is so incredibly informative and challenging. I read up on the other seasons because this show is Important. Necessary. Art.
James not realizing every star on this show was practically their defining role 😭 makes for a perfectly blind reaction though
@BravoVince-z4r iirc Idris was already an established star in Great Britain, but was a relative unknown in America, so it worked out.
@Bek359 he was established, but still not well know enough that the director could catch him out as British. The casting call specified American actors only and he passed.
@@shaneg9081Dominic West is British too, and he was a perfect McNutty. The accent shows sometimes though but I’ll allow it 😅
He really wasn't known at all in the UK when he started working on the Wire. The Wire was the first thing he was known for and then Luther made him a big star in Britain.
@@Bek359 No, he wasn't. I'm British and I know that he was not a"star" In GB when he did The Wire.
The Wire is unlike any of the other shows in the common "greatest of all time" lists. Breaking Bad/The Sopranos/Succession/etc are all amazing character studies and studies of the human condition, but The Wire is that plus amazing social critique of the system as a whole.
The other shows you named are phenomenal at showing you the difference in the trees. The Wire shows you the entire forest.
Thats a good distinction. The main characters of those amazing shows are people. The main character of this amazing show is Baltimore.
Yup. Its the bigger picture social critique that makes this the greatest of all time to me
You forgot Snowfall, Better Call Saul, Boardwalk Empire, Rome, Deadwood, and The Shield. All unforgettable shows like The Sopranos and Breaking Bad. The Wire still tops them all.
Succession was great too.
The beginning of greatness, a mastercraft of storytelling and film-making if there ever was one.
Our boy will enjoy this one, that's for sure.
Also should point out that Bunk isn't the character who says "Sheeeeeeeit." You will meet that fine upstanding gentleman very soon.
Oh, you mean the most reputable pillar of Baltimore Society? I can't wait for him to arrive!
@@richardohanlon3036 Be sure to have your copy of "Prometh-us Bound" at the ready.
He was doing the Lord's work
@@ThatMessiFan10 For YOU and ME and the REST OF THE TEAM.
@@stephendavis6267He needs Clarences people to back tf up
This is more than a tv show... it is a pure artistic expression of a time and a place that existed in our recent history.. it is a statement that will be appreciated by audiences for the rest of human history
And mostly pre-www, it's somehow quaint and sane.
It was confirmed by David Simon himself the creator of the show that he was actually forced by HBO to insert the flashback scene at the end of the episode of Mr. Gant, for the reason being that the audience would not recognize the character, and although he had to do it, I'm glad that he was disapproving of it b/c he understands that his audience would not need reminders of who is or who isn't in the scene.
Funny that you were geeking at Idris Elba being in this when he's British but with a good American accent, not even realizing that our main actor who plays McNulty, is also British. His American accent is scary convincing, I never would've known if my dad hadn't told me.
Spot on!
I watched Dominic West do an interview before I knew he was British and it blew my mind. He is very convincing
I was also surprised when I learned he wasn't American but now I can hear the accent slightly in scenes where he's raising his voice
And he literally lives in a castle. He's more than just a bit posh.
I watched The Crown before I watched this and Dominic West plays Prince Charles lol so watching him as Mcnulty was so weird. Great actor!
The creator and head writer of this show is David Simon, who started out as a newspaper reporter in Baltimore. The series Homicide: Life on the Street, also set in B'more, was based on a book he wrote and is, IMO, the greatest police procedural drama of all time.
Recently added to Peacock. For me, it's a tied with NYPD Blue. Although, I feel the police procedural material from The Wire is enough for me to put it above both Blue and Homicide.
And David Simon's writing partner, Ed Burns, was a Baltimore City Homicide and Narcotics detective, and later a middle school teacher. And the homicide detective character Ed Norris is played by none other than Ed Norris, who was the Baltimore Police Commissioner from '00 to '02 and the Maryland State Police Superintendent in '03 before being convicted of federal corruption and tax fraud. Funny enough one of the charges was mortgage fraud, which fans of the show will know plays a minor part in later seasons for a couple political figures.
So much of this show is based entirely in truth and actual experiences. That's why it feels so authentic.
The non-fiction book is excellent as is the follow-up The Corners. IIRC, one of the cops in the Wire is played by one of the cops he shadowed for the book. [edit: lol I see someone has already pointed this out]
One funny thing is seeing some of the anecdotes in the book get used for scenes in both Homicide *and* the Wire.
So glad you're watching this man, it is an incredibly series, super keen to hear your insights!
Happy to hear!! I’m really stoked about this one!
@JamesVSCinema no episode is wasted in this series. Hope you enjoy it and are able to avoid all spoilers. I think it's the greatest show and I'm a BB and Saul fan.
This is the greatest show to ever exist. This is when HBO was in its prime. Huge fan of band of brothers and Oz as well
The.best.show.ever. I got goosebumps several times during your reaction. Im so dang hyped you are watching this show!
Eff it…im paying for Patreon just to enjoy this show with you
Literally same lol this show is too good to wait for.
First I watched Breaking Bad, thought nothing could get better. Then I watched The Sopranos and thought nothing could get better. Then I watched The Wire.. Man this show is special and my favorite piece of art/film ever made. Enjoy
Right?! I return to this show every two or so years. One weekend, fridge stocked, phone on silent. Start to finish. Full immersion 😊
You’re in for a treat. As a fellow filmmaker this show has taught me so much about what the medium is capable of. Without a doubt one of the finest pieces of art ever conceived. Hope you enjoy it my guy. Looking forward to your thoughts/commentary.
I cant even tell you how hyped I am for this!
The entire show summed up with one word: Layers.
Dude, your film background is going to make this such a great watch for you. You're catching onto so many details and thematic nuances that basically every other reactor has overlooked or misunderstood.
Oh my God. James, I never thought I'd see this. To me, this is the single greatest TV series of all time. The craft involved in weaving this 5 season story is unsurpassed. By the end, I was quite literally shocked at the genius level crafting. Breaking Bad, once I saw it after this, came close, and it's better in some aspects, but this, this is just pure storytelling mastery. This is a 5 year puzzle, that takes its time, and it is so worth it. I won't spoil anything, but it's important to remember throughout the journey, 'all the pieces matter'. You're going to love this. Take notes... trust me. Layers upon layers.
The day has finally come! If this isn’t the best show ever made, it’s right the hell up there.
James you've been a top 3 favourite reaction channel of mine for a while now. You might just be the goat after this one dude.
"WMD! Got that WMD!"
Got dat Pandemic!
Got that pandemic yo!
Spider bags!!!
Plymouth Rock, got that Plymouth Rock
The background chatter makes some of the best moments in this show lol
Writing, production, casting, acting, direction, everything is top tier.
i just started making random noises when I saw this i'm so hyped for James to be watching my favourite show
Lmfaoooo I’m imagining those random noises sounding like The Sims
James this will be amongst a sea of similiar comments but this is the greatest TV show of all time. It's a very slow burn but it's such an incredible piece of art. Can't wait for you to enjoy it.
"Where does his motivation lie?" he asks in the first episode.
It's a long story.
"There you go, giving a fuck when it aint your turn"
McNulty is good police.
I caught that too. Hell of a question. If this is a first time watch (no shade intended) it made me wonder if he has an editor (who might know the show) or not…
WE WATCHING THE WIRE??? You're gonna love this show man
This just popped up in my recommended and I just subbed off the strength that you are watching The Wire. I have watched this entire series more than 15 times. It's really in a tier of it's own.
Anytime someone discovers The Wire it makes me wish I could travel back in time and experience it for the first time all over again. It's the only series I rewatch every year and it is amazing! I'm so excited to watch your reaction to it!
Snot Boogie is a real person who was killed in the late 80s/early 90s. The show creator was a writer for the Baltimore Sun and spent a year embedded with Baltimore PD. He chronicled that year in the book Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets which layer got picked up as an NBC show. Some things from the book appear in both shows.
i’m so hyped for this show there’s not much reactors who watch it glad u started it
I’ve watched all five series of this six times. It’s that good. I think it is the finest television ever made, bar none. Be aware it ran from 2002 to 2008, and also bear in mind the wider events occurring in that time frame. This thing has layers on top of layers.
Ditto. Indeed.
Only 6? Fuckin' amateur!
:)
I have watched the first three seasons many times. Four still has me too heartbroken. 💔
"James comin'!"
Ah, sheet. We haven't even gotten all the major characters yet.
Bubbles, Kima and Omar are 3 of my favourite tv characters ever...I cannot wait to see who you like
First time I heard Idris Elba speak outside of The Wire, I was shook! His character's accent is so authentic to Baltimore, I would have never guessed he was actually English.
Same! This was the first thing I ever saw him in and I had NO IDEA that he was British!
I cannot tell you how excited I am for this series and to hear your insights.
The Wire is the most intelligently written TV series I've seen. It rewards patience, because there are story and character arcs that take place over several seasons. Each season focuses on a different institution in Baltimore. Season 1 is about the police and the drug trade, season 2 is about the port, season 3 is about politics, season 4 is about the schools, and season 5 is about the press. A recurring theme over the whole series is institutional dysfunction. Some of it is due to corruption, but even more is due to broken systems.
Dominic West, who played McNulty, is British. Like Idris Elba as Stringer Bell, his American accent is so good that you'd think he grew up in the U.S.
When Daniels told McNulty to follow the chain of command, he was warning McNulty not to embarrass him by talking to the judge (or anyone else in a position of authority), the way he embarrassed Rawls.
Bubbles and Kima aren't related. He's her confidential informant (i.e. her snitch). He was talking to her because he was pissed off about how badly the drug dealers beat Johnny over the counterfeit money. That beating sets off a story arc that lasts many episodes.
My favorite show all time. Looking forward to watching you take this journey.
So glad you’re doing this series! I think the realistic, documentary-style feel of the show turns some people off, so I’m glad you seem to enjoy it.
I'm glad you picked up on the conversation at the beginning having layers. There's a lot of that in this show. Remember that conversation as the series goes forward. "Why do you keep doing this thing knowing it's going to go poorly? We have to. This is America."
Sometimes you can put the deeper message out in the open right at the beginning.
so cool that childish gambino influenced this show
Excited for this journey. I missed The Wire when it was first on the air, so I am using your reactions as an excuse to watch each episode (before I watch your reaction video). I have heard nothing but great things about the series, so this should be a lot of fun. Ready for the ride!
the best description i ever heard of this show was from the essays on Thomas Flight's youtube channel, "most cop shows try to grab your attention, The Wire demands it." so true
Best. TV. Ever. You have an amazing ride ahead of you. It’s a crime this never won any Emmy’s.
Excited to explore more!
@@JamesVSCinemaI’m excited to watch you watch. Kind of jealous you get to experience it all for the first time.
One of the best shows ever created and truly a unique experience. It's spellbinding. You will remember things from this series for the rest of your life. So happy you're watching this and can't wait to hear your thoughts on it.
GOAT. I've watched this four times and still it is so good!!
one of my favorite shows of all time. genius, masterful in all aspects.. very excited for u to get into this one!
Don't sleep on the quote. It's the overarching theme of the episode, it relates to every group. Also, think of the wire as a literal wire connecting everything. Know too that the story doesn't conclude at the end of the first season. The real star of the show is the city of Baltimore not just one particular character. In the five seasons we explore the streets, ports, bureaucracy, schools, and the media and how each are interconnected. Simon was a reporter for the Baltimore Sun, Burns was a detective come city school teacher, hence the feeling of authenticity.
Thanks for the spoilers you bum
I am so hyped to see you go through this series. It's my favorite one ever, I have rewatched it countless times, and each time I notice more and more about it, that I didn't realize before. Can't wait for you to see this wonderful journey unfold.
So stoked you're watching this ! its one of the GOATs
Andre Royo, the actor who plays Bubbles, will end up being one of the most amazing actors in this show. And that's amazing given the number of amazing acting displays on this show. You're going to be impressed by pretty much everyone.
Royo and Williams should have won Emmys for this show.
I opened up TH-cam and there on the top row of recommended videos was this. It's like Christmas morning.
Boy am I ready for this. I love this show so much, it has given me so many rich characters to carry with me. The shots, the dialogue, the ambience is gonna blow your mind.
This is going to be epic! Stoked to see your reactions to this. Top tier show. it’s a grower, not a shower
While you were talking about the editing I was setting up to comment about how it shows to parallels between the two institutions of police and dealing - then you went *past* that and pointed out how the story is also reflected in the buildings. Hell of a catch :)
The actor playing McNulty, Dominic West, is British too.
James is starting the Cadillac of shows! I'm hyped.
You mean a Lexus, but you ain’t know it
Yes. I've just started watching this with my wife, we're 7 episodes in, I watched this about 15 years ago. You're in for such a ride.
One of the things I admire about this show is that every season has consequences. How they end and where every single character ends up, plays a role in the next season. They do this amazing thing of having a different cover of the opening theme each season, telling the audience that this is the same thing, but things have changed. Don't expect this to be like the last.
Bloody brilliant writing, filled with so much 90s/00s nostalgia. You're going to enjoy this.
"Gotta let him play, This America, man." -- I am stoked you started this. This series moves fast and talks fast and drops a lot of vernacular from the cops to the criminals. I catch something new on each watch and come up with new revelations each completion of every season as well as the whole series. Requires multiple rewatches imo. I try to watch once a year. So freaking hyped.
I'm so glad you're doing the Wire! One of the greatest shows ever!
Oh we been waiting for this one for the longest! Just remember that all the pieces matter. The more things change, the more they stay the same! Let’s go!!!
Just as i was excited for BCS, this show is literally even better. Definitely joining patreon for this one!
I'm so happy to see you reacting to this. One of the all time greats. You're gonna love it.
YES SO EXCITED FOR YOU TO START THE WIRE. I watched this for the first time almost a year ago and fell in love with it, such incredible characters and writing. Also a great show for the fall season.
I love hearing your comments on the camera shots!
The Miami Vice TV show from the 80's is my personal fav show of all time, this comes in as second. Goddam this sht good.
Top 2 show of all time but I think it has the best dialogue of any show I’ve watched period. Pumped for this journey.
My favorite show of all time. Excited for this!
This is such a great snapshot of a moment in time. I remember having pagers and then transitioning into phones.
What this whole series reminds me of? Shakespeare. Particularly with the way characterd have summations of the setting/context in small, but eloquent vignettes.
Okay, when I saw you were reacting to The Office, I was really tempted to go to Patreon to get the full length reactions.
But now you're also reacting to The Wire? Sheeeeeeeeeet! Sign me up baby, let's go!
One of the greatest scenes on tv is with Bunk and Mcnulty going over a crime scene
"You killed a mouse with your service weapon?"
Im fkn dead
The show that started it off for all the following binge-worthy shows. The Wire paved the way for streaming services to call for quality HBO serial productions like Breaking Bad, GoT, Tudors, Sopranos etc.
I re-watch this show every other year it seems… timeless!
Oh you in for a TREAT - the show and everybody in the show are BRILLIANT!!!😎❤
I've not commented on your videos before, even though I've been a fan for a while now. Just have to say how excited I am for you to watch this show. It is my all time favorite and I think you will love it.
I love the intro music… I could cry James thank you for feeding us amazing content.
This show is phenomenal, you'll love it James.
Oh man. I have been hoping you'd do this series. It is my favorite TV Show of all time. Even years later, it is still relevant.
Breaking Bad is a heavy drug fuelled weekend filled with madness with the boys
The Wire is an evening with your favourite person drinking something vintage in front of a fire
Both have their place but 2 completely different vibes and pace
Well said
My man is starting the greatest show of all time. Enjoy.
yup
For a little while, I worked at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore ~15 years ago. Many of the scenes of the "nicer" part of the Baltimore, like the city offices were filmed in the building behind where I worked. The show Veep was filmed in the hotel next to to my building. That area is nice, but if you walk a few blocks east or west, its like a warzone. Rundown buildings, heroin addicts, trash, homeless people, etc. What you see in that show is real.
Glad to see you starting on the greatest artwork of all time. Honestly it's not a show I'd recommend to a lot of reactors because they might not do it justice-- but I think you'll "get it" and will be a cool ride
Yes! Perhaps the greatest peice of art ever made. Looking forward to watching you watch this.
James, I can’t wait seven days between episodes! Please release more often, I love this show and have been looking forward to your reactions to the Wire ever since finding your channel a couple of years ago.
So excited that you are on this now. For me, The Wire and Deadwood set the high bar of how good TV can be. Hasn't been surpassed since.
Though the Vince Gilligan shows are up there.
First thing I said when I saw this video was "Hell yeah!" and what is the first thing I hear when I hit play? "Hell yeah!"
My all-time favorite show. It's definitely time-stamped (2002-2007), but it remains such a perfect piece of Television, with the best cast on TV and incredible writing... you are in for a treat!!!
Been waiting for you to watch this, have fun on the journey James!
Whoo! This is a nice surprise!
The 16:9 HD remaster that you're watching is good and was even supervised by David Simon. Yet the original vision was a 4:3 documentary quality. You can see the discrepancy in some shots where there's too much empty space. But some shots get better with 16:9 and even Simon admits that.
Thomas Flight has a couple GREAT video essays about The Wire and in those videos he described the show PERFECTLY: "The Wire is not a show that GRABS your attention, The Wire REQUIRES your attention and rewards you for it ten times over"
In my opinion The Wire IS the best show ever. The writing on this show is god-tier
that opening shot is legendary
Season 4 is genuinely one of the best seasons out of any show ever
Thanks, James! Always great, with my popcorn and snax. Don't worry, you'll never get a single second of spoilers from me. Discovery is magical. Cheers.
I joined the Patreon to watch BCS reactions, and now I may join again to watch James' reactions to this fantastic series. I have a hard time comparing The Wire to other shows because this show feels more like a documentary than anything else. While it is set in Baltimore, the issues presented can be found in nearly every major American city.
this is my fav series all time. i re watch it once a year. it’s top tier storytelling.
Shocked you have never seen this. Probably the greatest show ever.
Fun fact, this is the only episode that uses a flashback and if I remember right, the creator, David Simon, said that was his only regret on the show.
Yeah. HBO told him to do it because they thought people wouldn't remember who that was. I think I heard Simon say If they aren't paying that close attention then this shown isnt for them.
This is epic, James! The Wire is my all time favorite show (w/ the exception of True Detective Season 1). I couldn’t think of a better creator to react to this, good looking out!!
Dude! You have no idea how excited I am to see you reacting to this. One of the greatest shows ever.
The Wire is some of the best written and realistically complex television ever made. And I only made it partway into season 3. Its so real that it weighed me down far too much. But it is so incredibly informative and challenging. I read up on the other seasons because this show is Important. Necessary. Art.
You trippin! 4th season was the best!
@Buckeye0103 I know. But it just got so heavy, it started to affect my mental health. I definitely recommend it for anyone who can stomach it though.