Mike has a code and he isn't the worst in the world but his final scene in the prequel timeline with Nacho's dad, gave his whole self-justification and the futility of his code a necessary cutdown. It was cathartic for me with how often Mike is just lionized.
The writers described it as the one time that Mike didn’t have the final word; definitely deliberate, both him and Gus had the perfect end in BCS (including the finale send off).
That's what's great about this show, the writing, the characters. Everybody is in varied shades of grey. Everyone will do things for which you'll love them, and everyone will do things for which you'll hate them. It's not like so many other shows where the bad guys are unilaterally bad and have no redeeming qualities. And about the "fuck" scene at the dead girl's apartment, it came from this: >>As the excerpt outlines, the “fuck” conceit was inspired by Detective Terry McLarney, who Simon chronicled in his book, Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets. According to Simon, McLarney once joked that “[one] day we’re going to get to the point where we’re all going to be able to just use the word fuck to communicate.” And there would have been a lot more, though many F's were cut out of the final edit of the scene.
McNulty was definitely based on McLarney. The drinking, the fuck-the-bosses attitude, it's all there. Everyone should read David Simon's book; essential if you're a Wire fan.
If what's pulling you into the show is how connected and metaphorical it all gets, you're in for a treat, because season 1 just barely scratches the surface. It is very much a show about people and their humanity and how it's tested, but the main character could conceivably be the actual city, so you will see broader and broader connections as the show goes on and it pulls it off almost flawlessly. It helps the writers are talking about what they know. The showrunners are David Simon and Ed Burns, respectively a former homicide reporter in a Baltimore newspaper and a former homicide detective in the BPD who later went on to become a school teacher. Many characters are composites of people they know and odds are some of the anecdotes they tell are anecdotes pulled from real life, too. Omar, Avon, Jay Landsman, all have real life counterparts. As a fun fact, Jay Landsman was a real police sergeant and he actually auditioned to play himself but got turned down. He's given another role down the line.
Great reaction and analysis. The king stays the king, and Ronald McDonald stays Ronald McDonald. :) This show only get's better, including season 2. That season is a bit different, but it is still excellent and crucial to the overall story.
I didn't think I'd care too much for the multiple episodes at a time (makes it pretty long), but then I got to your analysis at the end and now I like it. Having a few episodes at a time will give you the ammo to use for "broad" analysis of the show; and you did a great job of that, it was like listening to someone who's seen the whole series and had plenty of time to reflect on it.
Re that “you people” from Levy near the end of E02: in the DVD commentary they mention that they talked about that *a lot* before deciding to go with it.
Fantastic reaction. Engaged, absorbing the details, thoughtfully reflecting and adding your own ideas, and doing it with humor and levity. Seems to be shaping up to be one of the better ones out there. Keep it up. Also, the season 2 criticism is nonsense. It's every bit as great/high quality as the other seasons-- calling it the best one can even be a reasonable argument-- it's just a little jarring for some people (especially if they were already struggling with the demands of the first season). Season 5 is the only one that is legitimately a drop in quality (and even then, arguably still pretty solid). I love the binge format, personally, but wouldn't it be less optimal for the algorithm/channel success?
Agree about seasons 2 and 5. I was someone who initially didn't care for it, but like you said it's just a little jarring as first -- it took me probably 4 or even 5 episodes before I felt like I actually really knew what was going. But on repeat watches, it's really pretty great. And season 5 suffers a bit from being forced to be a little shorter (10 eps) and follows the greatest season of anything ever (imo) -- but still some of the best moments in the whole series occur in 5.
While D'Angelo has indeed become disillusioned with the game, he didn't believe that they'd just kill him for no good reason. They had potential reasons, such as: 1) Him already going to trial and being a known entity to the cops, and likely very suspected by them after Gant's murder. 2) Him knowing of various murders such as the afforementioned Gant's, Brandon's, etc. Therefore the potential of him flipping in particular would be very damaging to the Barksdale org, so he's a potential major liability in that sense. 3) He was the one Orlando approached in an attempt to get him to deal his coke connect. While he did tell on Orlando the fact that Orlando still went for it may give others the impression that he was in cahoots with him. 4) He knows Weebay is likely the most trusted muscle the Barksdale org has, and was just assigned to "take a ride" with him. His fears were very valid even beyond the general disillusionment.
Season 2 is actually very good. I even did not like it at the first viewing. But once i saw later seasons and understood i really loved it. I've watched the wire over 5 times in it's entirety and season 2 is very very good. The problem was like idiot viewers we often just want just more of the exact same thing. We were not very mature viewers. that's why people like procedurals: it's the same. But simon expands and evolves this story. I was not ready for premium tv, for real characters, nuance, like smart tv. But season 2 is very good. It's what the show needed. And it's a good story.
Landsman knew how far to take it with Rawls in advocating for McNulty and when to stop and take what little he was given. Pretty much a perfect pitch/erotic tangent.
Hahaha 1:15:11 yep. Standing ovation needed. The wire reactions? Subscribed. I like your analysis throughout, it’s awkwardly refreshing because you reference breaking bad and better call Saul what powerful shows those were..and I on the contrary watched the wire (when it was live) then breaking bad and Saul. I’d reference the wire throughout watching breaking bad. Anyway, Peter griffin says it best..
The "fuck" scene is very polarizing among fans. Some think it's super cringey, contrived, and 'writerly'. Showing off by the makers. Others love it, the comedy, the pacing and all that. I'm somewhere in the middle: I don't think it's as clever as it thinks it is, BUT I do think it serves its purpose very well -- to show that Bunk & McNulty are experienced investigators and have a lockdown on how they do their routine police work. They have a shorthand with each other; most people can relate to this. It's how you are with a parent, sibling, spouse, coworker, etc. Now the chess scene! THAT I think is brilliantly written & acted. It's probably my favorite scene in the series. A lot of fans disagree with me there, too!
You retracted how you said you had more respect for D when you remembered he killed someone. Just to add to the shades of grey, I'd say it's key to remember D said "he was coming at me trying to end me". Whereas the cops were just bored, frustrated and drinking when they went to the courtyard. They didn't kill anyone but they did end up committing grievous damage. I feel like it's worth mentioning intentionality. Nothings concrete but maybe you were right originally. Maybe D is more respectable than Herc, Prez, or Carv.
I was working as a tutor when I first binged this show, and I did, in fact, let a couple of accidental "m*****f*****"s slip during lessons... Great show.
What made me think Andor was gonna be a great show was of how much the scene with Chief Hyne rewording Syril Karn's report about the the "murdered" cops reminded me of Lt. Daniels coaching Prez on how to word the encounter with the kid (funny how Syril and Prez sort of look alike). All for the same reason too; retain what little power you have while it hangs by a thread between the fingers of a boss who is just as fragile and looking for a quick promotion through empty action. Great reaction/review. Didn't mind the binge format like you did with Andor, but every episode is dense enough with conversation and ideas that it might warrant and episode to episode upload, but just watching here. Editing videos together is a ton of work so whatever makes it easier for you. haha
There are whole articles written about the "fuck" scene. Something to do with one of the real Baltimore homicide cops said that they swear so much they could get to a point where they only use that word. It also makes a mockery of procedural shows like CSI etc. If you haven't read already, pretty much every storyline and most of the characters are based on reality. David Simon was a police reporter and ed Burns was a cop who used a wire to take down a drug baron ( who incidentally plays a character in season 3). The red hat trick was used by Burns' CI also...
Loved the reaction! I understand people's opinion regarding season 2 but for me 2 is one of my favorites right after season 4. I am sure you'll have a great time.
Don't listen to the haters and surface fans (matter of fact, avoid reading comments and reviews about the show). Season 2 is an absolute masterpiece and features the single best acting performance of this show. And yes, multiple episodes is the way to go since most of fans of the reactions have already watched the show and want to relive it through your eyes.
In my opinion it's the 2nd greatest season of tv of all time. Used to be first until I watched the last season of Better Call Saul. The wire obvs the best show ever. Still unmatched as a series
As you can see this show has some of the best writing ever! And they did it for 4+ seasons. The actors are A-1 too even the minor roles that only appear in 1 episodes are believable
Lovin it so far man, you have good insight and pick up on things quick. Lotta symbolism in this show, and lots of great commentary on society as a whole that rings true still.
Wood Harris (Avon) isn't less than Idris as a name as far as American black cinema/slignt ties to hip hop culture goes, just to say; going back to the 90s.
@@BingeBuffoon Oh- I get it; just wanted to shout him out as in the current year it's obviously common to flash to Elba- it's an inversion I think actually serves the show now- given the presence he's meant to exude as the second-in-command and other air around him you described.
Beware of Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul spoilers 50:38 - 52:35.
Big love.
Enjoying your reactions. A man must have a code...
Mike has a code and he isn't the worst in the world but his final scene in the prequel timeline with Nacho's dad, gave his whole self-justification and the futility of his code a necessary cutdown.
It was cathartic for me with how often Mike is just lionized.
^GREAT point. Shades of very grey.
The writers described it as the one time that Mike didn’t have the final word; definitely deliberate, both him and Gus had the perfect end in BCS (including the finale send off).
just to let you know: i do like the longer format.
but that is just my humble opinion. i'd watch them either way
That's what's great about this show, the writing, the characters. Everybody is in varied shades of grey. Everyone will do things for which you'll love them, and everyone will do things for which you'll hate them. It's not like so many other shows where the bad guys are unilaterally bad and have no redeeming qualities.
And about the "fuck" scene at the dead girl's apartment, it came from this:
>>As the excerpt outlines, the “fuck” conceit was inspired by Detective Terry McLarney, who Simon chronicled in his book, Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets. According to Simon, McLarney once joked that “[one] day we’re going to get to the point where we’re all going to be able to just use the word fuck to communicate.”
And there would have been a lot more, though many F's were cut out of the final edit of the scene.
McNulty was definitely based on McLarney. The drinking, the fuck-the-bosses attitude, it's all there.
Everyone should read David Simon's book; essential if you're a Wire fan.
Oh, try not to read too much about the show. You WILL come across horrible spoilers.
Yeah...I already saw one (out of context) thing. So, I'm done.
@@BingeBuffoon It was Fuzzy Dunlop all along
You aren't an official inductee into the Wire brotherhood until you've watched the "Fuck" scene.
🤘
I like the binge format. Three episodes at a time seems good.
If what's pulling you into the show is how connected and metaphorical it all gets, you're in for a treat, because season 1 just barely scratches the surface. It is very much a show about people and their humanity and how it's tested, but the main character could conceivably be the actual city, so you will see broader and broader connections as the show goes on and it pulls it off almost flawlessly.
It helps the writers are talking about what they know. The showrunners are David Simon and Ed Burns, respectively a former homicide reporter in a Baltimore newspaper and a former homicide detective in the BPD who later went on to become a school teacher. Many characters are composites of people they know and odds are some of the anecdotes they tell are anecdotes pulled from real life, too. Omar, Avon, Jay Landsman, all have real life counterparts. As a fun fact, Jay Landsman was a real police sergeant and he actually auditioned to play himself but got turned down. He's given another role down the line.
Yes. Binge multiple episodes please. Just not this far apart between uploads.
Great video! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience with us.
Keep ‘em coming, man. Enjoyed your Andor reactions and I’m onboard for all of this if you stick with it all 5 seasons. 👍👍
Great reaction and analysis. The king stays the king, and Ronald McDonald stays Ronald McDonald. :) This show only get's better, including season 2. That season is a bit different, but it is still excellent and crucial to the overall story.
I didn't think I'd care too much for the multiple episodes at a time (makes it pretty long), but then I got to your analysis at the end and now I like it. Having a few episodes at a time will give you the ammo to use for "broad" analysis of the show; and you did a great job of that, it was like listening to someone who's seen the whole series and had plenty of time to reflect on it.
Now you are seeing why this show is such a masterpiece. The writing is A-1
1:01:10
"... They said he is one"
😂😂
Re that “you people” from Levy near the end of E02: in the DVD commentary they mention that they talked about that *a lot* before deciding to go with it.
Fantastic reaction. Engaged, absorbing the details, thoughtfully reflecting and adding your own ideas, and doing it with humor and levity. Seems to be shaping up to be one of the better ones out there. Keep it up.
Also, the season 2 criticism is nonsense. It's every bit as great/high quality as the other seasons-- calling it the best one can even be a reasonable argument-- it's just a little jarring for some people (especially if they were already struggling with the demands of the first season). Season 5 is the only one that is legitimately a drop in quality (and even then, arguably still pretty solid).
I love the binge format, personally, but wouldn't it be less optimal for the algorithm/channel success?
Agree about seasons 2 and 5. I was someone who initially didn't care for it, but like you said it's just a little jarring as first -- it took me probably 4 or even 5 episodes before I felt like I actually really knew what was going. But on repeat watches, it's really pretty great. And season 5 suffers a bit from being forced to be a little shorter (10 eps) and follows the greatest season of anything ever (imo) -- but still some of the best moments in the whole series occur in 5.
Appreciate the support!
While D'Angelo has indeed become disillusioned with the game, he didn't believe that they'd just kill him for no good reason. They had potential reasons, such as:
1) Him already going to trial and being a known entity to the cops, and likely very suspected by them after Gant's murder.
2) Him knowing of various murders such as the afforementioned Gant's, Brandon's, etc. Therefore the potential of him flipping in particular would be very damaging to the Barksdale org, so he's a potential major liability in that sense.
3) He was the one Orlando approached in an attempt to get him to deal his coke connect. While he did tell on Orlando the fact that Orlando still went for it may give others the impression that he was in cahoots with him.
4) He knows Weebay is likely the most trusted muscle the Barksdale org has, and was just assigned to "take a ride" with him.
His fears were very valid even beyond the general disillusionment.
Season 2 is actually very good. I even did not like it at the first viewing. But once i saw later seasons and understood i really loved it. I've watched the wire over 5 times in it's entirety and season 2 is very very good. The problem was like idiot viewers we often just want just more of the exact same thing. We were not very mature viewers. that's why people like procedurals: it's the same. But simon expands and evolves this story. I was not ready for premium tv, for real characters, nuance, like smart tv. But season 2 is very good. It's what the show needed. And it's a good story.
I am far from patient...but I am appreciative - great stuff and I am going to love enjoying The Wire all over again with you!
Landsman knew how far to take it with Rawls in advocating for McNulty and when to stop and take what little he was given.
Pretty much a perfect pitch/erotic tangent.
Hahaha 1:15:11 yep. Standing ovation needed.
The wire reactions? Subscribed.
I like your analysis throughout, it’s awkwardly refreshing because you reference breaking bad and better call Saul what powerful shows those were..and I on the contrary watched the wire (when it was live) then breaking bad and Saul. I’d reference the wire throughout watching breaking bad. Anyway, Peter griffin says it best..
I like the binge approach, but I’ll watch your reactions either way. Thx!
have you watched Attack on Titan Mr. Binge Buffoon?
Nah bruh you did a fantastic job, I enjoy the review for me it could be longer.
Any idea when you'll be starting season 2?
The "fuck" scene is very polarizing among fans. Some think it's super cringey, contrived, and 'writerly'. Showing off by the makers. Others love it, the comedy, the pacing and all that.
I'm somewhere in the middle: I don't think it's as clever as it thinks it is, BUT I do think it serves its purpose very well -- to show that Bunk & McNulty are experienced investigators and have a lockdown on how they do their routine police work. They have a shorthand with each other; most people can relate to this. It's how you are with a parent, sibling, spouse, coworker, etc.
Now the chess scene! THAT I think is brilliantly written & acted. It's probably my favorite scene in the series. A lot of fans disagree with me there, too!
Glad you are continuing!
Fuck yeah. Just finished your first reaction vid. Perfect upload timing my dude!
Love your reactions and perspective on the show. Really sharp!
You retracted how you said you had more respect for D when you remembered he killed someone. Just to add to the shades of grey, I'd say it's key to remember D said "he was coming at me trying to end me". Whereas the cops were just bored, frustrated and drinking when they went to the courtyard. They didn't kill anyone but they did end up committing grievous damage. I feel like it's worth mentioning intentionality. Nothings concrete but maybe you were right originally. Maybe D is more respectable than Herc, Prez, or Carv.
An absolutely fantastic point.
I like this format better with multiple episodes in one video
Remember The Titans was only 2 years before this season of The Wire!
Woah. Well, he was playing a high school kid in that movie. So, my comment still kinda makes sense.
I was working as a tutor when I first binged this show, and I did, in fact, let a couple of accidental "m*****f*****"s slip during lessons... Great show.
What made me think Andor was gonna be a great show was of how much the scene with Chief Hyne rewording Syril Karn's report about the the "murdered" cops reminded me of Lt. Daniels coaching Prez on how to word the encounter with the kid (funny how Syril and Prez sort of look alike). All for the same reason too; retain what little power you have while it hangs by a thread between the fingers of a boss who is just as fragile and looking for a quick promotion through empty action.
Great reaction/review. Didn't mind the binge format like you did with Andor, but every episode is dense enough with conversation and ideas that it might warrant and episode to episode upload, but just watching here. Editing videos together is a ton of work so whatever makes it easier for you. haha
Season 1 opening song is Blind Boys of Alabama covering Tom Waits. They use Waits' version in season 2 (hope that's not considered a spoiler!).
There are whole articles written about the "fuck" scene. Something to do with one of the real Baltimore homicide cops said that they swear so much they could get to a point where they only use that word. It also makes a mockery of procedural shows like CSI etc.
If you haven't read already, pretty much every storyline and most of the characters are based on reality. David Simon was a police reporter and ed Burns was a cop who used a wire to take down a drug baron ( who incidentally plays a character in season 3). The red hat trick was used by Burns' CI also...
Loved the reaction! I understand people's opinion regarding season 2 but for me 2 is one of my favorites right after season 4. I am sure you'll have a great time.
I really like this format of including several episodes. great reactions man
Don't listen to the haters and surface fans (matter of fact, avoid reading comments and reviews about the show). Season 2 is an absolute masterpiece and features the single best acting performance of this show. And yes, multiple episodes is the way to go since most of fans of the reactions have already watched the show and want to relive it through your eyes.
In my opinion it's the 2nd greatest season of tv of all time. Used to be first until I watched the last season of Better Call Saul. The wire obvs the best show ever. Still unmatched as a series
As you can see this show has some of the best writing ever! And they did it for 4+ seasons. The actors are A-1 too even the minor roles that only appear in 1 episodes are believable
Bringing in crime novelists was a masterstroke here. Richard Price, George Pelacanos and Denis Lehane
Lovin it so far man, you have good insight and pick up on things quick. Lotta symbolism in this show, and lots of great commentary on society as a whole that rings true still.
Wood Harris (Avon) isn't less than Idris as a name as far as American black cinema/slignt ties to hip hop culture goes, just to say; going back to the 90s.
Certainly, a legend in his own right - I wasn't trying to diminish his role or anything like that when talking about Idris.
@@BingeBuffoon Oh- I get it; just wanted to shout him out as in the current year it's obviously common to flash to Elba- it's an inversion I think actually serves the show now- given the presence he's meant to exude as the second-in-command and other air around him you described.