What makes the Wire so great to me is that it's a TV series that feels like a book. The focus on themes, the constant foreshadowing, the extreme amount of detail, it's basically a visual novel.
It kind of seems like game of thrones (more so the book series) set in 21st century Baltimore, working as police, politicians, and criminals. It has the wide cast of characters with very poetic and quotable dialogue. Their plots weave in interesting ways, they have their own arcs and morals, and the show discusses the gray morals on both sides of the law. What elevates The Wire is its look into the system itself that has put the characters where they are and shows the cycle
This show is not everyone! I noticed that the novel readers appreciate more the wire because it's a paced like a great novel! No fancy characters, no fast and stupid plots! We need accept the fact that the wire wasnt made for everyone! I appreciate it because I am a nigga with a library card
i too am a nigga with a library card & i too fuckin love this show & it only stands to reason that the VERY FIRST SCENE . could be possibly the most brilliant scene in the show
The American social order is a MF. And this coming from a wtye guy. George Collins was right. There is a club if u not in it u fooked. He's right. This is america
This scene does 3 things: 1.) introduces McNulty as the protagonist 2.) establishes the concept of ‘’street names’’ 3.) establishes the theme of the show, that its about ‘’playing the game’’ and everyone from drug dealers, land developers, unions, police chiefs, lawyers, journalists, superintendents, the church, teachers, judges, students, police sergeants, mayors, longshoreman, drug lords, councilmen, kids, the city, the media, and the government are all playing it.
"The Sopranos" perfected the traditional drama, while "The Wire" blazed an entirely new trail. No need to compare them when they are the Alpha and Omega of television.
the sopranos is a glorified show. apart from the cast, the show is fuckin terrible with retarded writing. great actors who made the show come alive. without the cast the sopranos woulda been nothing. the wire and boardwalk empire both shit on the sopranos.
@@chrisdawson1776 it wasn't as good as previous seasons but I will take McNulty fake serial killer story arc to Vito....... or Phil everything is cool, oh show is gonna end let's just kill everyone for lulz ×_×
McNulty: "If Snot Boogie always stole the money why did you always let him play?" Corner Boy: "You got to. Its America, man." The Wire is the greatest dramatic series ever. Every American should watch it and listen to what its writers have to say. This opening scene prefaces the entire theme of the show with poetic clarity by using the metaphor of an alley craps game gone too violent to describe the elusiveness of the American Dream in the twenty-first century United States. Just like so many Americans in our capitalist society Snot Boogie continually plays a game he knows he probably won't win only to get beaten down every time he tries to outsmart the rules. He futilely continued to do so because the dream of cheating the system to win was more powerful than the violently real consequences of getting caught. His peers let him continually try knowing this because in America everyone, even a cheater, deserves a chance to win. That combination of economic idealism and social egalitarianism defining the American Dream so permeates every fiber of our civilization that even a bunch of disenfranchised West Baltimore corner kids observed its ethic in a craps game.
Ramon Suarez Wow.. That's some great analysis right there. Unfortunately I have not seen past the first 20 minutes of the show, but I plan on watching the entire thing in a few weeks. I am worried I won't be capable of deciphering hidden metaphors like this one here. I may need you at my side! Haha!
Ramon Suarez I agree. I always thought Breaking Bad, The West Wing and The Sopranos were the top 3. But, 2 years ago, I watched the whole series on On-Demand and without a doubt, the best series of all-time
When I watched this scene for the very first time, I immediately understood that this TV-show was going to be exactly as good as everyone said it was. And I wasn't mistaken.
After watching breaking bad i thought that was the best show ever. But the wire? Hands down the greatest show i have ever seen..Its a whole another level. Not even close, nothing compares...The character studies, web after web of detail. This show is a masterpiece. Mind blown.
Cryer24597 I finished the whole season of the Wire. Was pretty much avg at best. Actually pretty shitty. Good acting. But thats about it..lol. And there are many more better shows on TV. Not just Breaking bad.
Maybe you just have a shitty taste because if you didn't appreciate the first season of The Wire you will never get to appreciate the whole show and that's kind of sad, this confirms that The Wire is not for everyone, you have to actually pay attention to the storylines and how they are all CONECTED, shame some prefer explosions, stupid action and shitty cliffhangers like in Breaking Bad
The Wire immediately distinguishes itself from its peers by making the very first scene in the series one in which a cop talks, and more importantly *listens* to a citizen. But it doesn’t even dwell on the status. They’re not cop and citizen but characters - two human beings from different sides of the track. It stops and asks questions about the failure of the state and how that failure impacts everyday Americans. Far too many shows in the "crime drama" genre would instead glance over or diminish these hardships, but David Simon was so resolute and confident in this show's message that he managed to stare the problem right in the face, for over 4 minutes, and has two characters waxing philosophy over what is still a highly contentious issue to this day.
I hate when my friends talk about TV shows, "this one is great", "this is the best", "this is the best ever made", and im just sitting there with a poker face, because they haven't watched The Wire. And no matter how much I force them to watch it, they don't because it's not famous, therefor they think it's not that great :/
+off topic sorry dude it's hard to imagine that there is anything better than this masterpiece. It's just that the Wire is totally different from everything else i've watched, that makes me to believe this.
+dokanyon The Wire is kinda famous now. I mean when it aired, few people watched. THen it garnered a following slowly. I mean it has 170000+ votes on IMDb which is quite high. People were like this is the best show u've never seen and then that message spread and more people got hooked to it.
I gotta ask though, does the New York accent the detective has get better throughout the season or do you just not notice it with time? Because I'm not even American and it sounds really weird to me...
What is so great about this being the first scene is the way it ties into the final scene of the series where McNulty looks out into the skyline of Baltimore. We never hear anything more of the death of Snot Boogie, because as it shows in the end, there will always be a Snot Boogie. That is the way urban America is. There is always another Avon, Stringer, Prop Joe, Marlo, etc. Just like Omar says comparing the Greeks and the Romans: "Same dude, just a different name." Baltimore is no different from the start of the series as McNulty looks out onto Snot Boogie lying dead on the pavement, all the way until he looks out onto the city with that homeless man in his car. We learn throughout the series why that is the case.
@@eucariote79 if you're watching the FIRST SCENE on TH-cam and sifting through comments you should expect it. What this guy said was very accurate and beautiful
you gotta let them know that they have to commit to about four or five episodes before it actually gets good. then again the show really is not for everybody.
No, it's good right from the start. They need to learn they have to pay attention, and after four or five episodes, they begin to appreciate the little subtleties that make it so good.
I remember thinking when I first watched this scene, that without Mcnaulty I wouldn't have a clue what that guy was saying. 5 seasons of slang later it's completely clear. I guess if I can understand Snoop I can understand anybody.
Yo, I’ve watched this show four times through over the course of the past two years.. first time I saw it, (just like you) I could not understand fuck all that this guy was saying, now I register every syllable clear as day! That’s amazing, I didn’t even notice until I read your comment… Great observation my man.
When I first saw the show, I actually didn't understand a lot of what he was saying. I'm watching this again after watching the show and i understood everything now
@@badluckdanielit’s a metaphor of a the main first season theme. The whole first season focuses on D’Angelo trying to escape the game, and everyone knows he’s gonna fuck up, but he gotta keep playing, there are no alternatives. Eventually, the same people who wouldn’t let him off the game kill him. There’s not redemption really. “This America” is a powerful line because it sounds as “this is a democracy” but what it really means is “this is an inescapable system”. And that’s it. This obviously extends to every criminal in the series, they don’t decide to be where they are, doing what they do. They got to. A similar point could be made for the existence of the police as a whole, mcnulty is in a way in same position of D’Angelo, only on the other “team”.
These are the type of TV shows you never get to watch because they are unpopular and so nobody ever tells you to watch it until someone on the internet shares how great and real this show is. That's when I come and join the club, to have shivers run down my spine from a single line in an underrated episode of an underrated show again, because it's oh so rare to have that going with the mainstream bullshit like Lost and Prison Break and much more. Same goes for music..really
A show doesn't have to win an Emmy or Golden Globe to be popular, it was acclaimed for all five seasons how does not winning those two awards change any of that?@@lwong3601
The thing that's scariest about this show is that it's not as much of a drama as it is a documentary. I've lived my whole life here in Baltimore and I've driven by too many murder scenes going to and from wherever. Doesn't matter if you stay your ass to the "safe" parts of town, trouble finds you. I'm a bartender and someone got shot in the alleyway behind my bar last week and one of my customers says to me "Well, this is Baltimore. Gotta expect that kind of stuff."
I love having the wire on a perminant loop. Ive got HBO Max on my Xbox, I watch it almost every night before bed. To get to the begining after the finale litterally makes everything full circle. The Wire is not a television show, it is a visual book, like a a Cormac MaCarthy novel.
I am from Australia and the first time I watched this show I was overwhelmed by the amount of esoteric slang and sometimes couldnt understand a damn word. By season 3 I could understand 99% of the slang used without subtitles. The accent seems completely normal to the ears now.
This is the best opening scene out of any television show. I mean this single scene set the tone and mood for the next five seasons: death, poverty and decay in urban America are all discussed, only to be further probed and explored all the way to the very end. This is how every show should start.
Breaking Bad is an amazing TV show but at the end of the day is still just entertainment. The Wire is the greatest work of fiction I have ever seen through a TV medium.
@speedking7224 I'd say bb is more about Walt slowly succumbing to the massive ego he's always had. He was always capable of being a monster, all it took was a little nudge. Over the course of the show, he becomes the villain without you realizing it, all while making you root for him. You get so caught up in hoping he'll win and leave the game that you don't entirely realize how much of a monster he is until either very late in the show or after you finish it.
The beginning of an epic, legendary 5 season journey. I still from time to time binge watch all five seasons from my on demand service.. and every time I see some little nuances that I didn’t catch before. All the actors from this show have all long since moved on to other projects but from 2002-08 they came together to make what is in my opinion one ofTHE GREATEST SHOWS in television history, and one that still holds relevance all these many years later. Everyone clamoring for a reunion show or movie, meh, it just wouldn’t be the same in my opinion. Lets just enjoy what we had and be grateful that we all had window to look into both the criminal and judicial system s and all there inner workings with some great acting, and character arch’s. There will never be another show like it.
When television history is written, little else will rival The Wire. Extraordinary depth with a brilliant cast.. Pure intoxication for the faithfull. "Two big thumbs up" Amin, Scotland
From a technical standpoint this is the best shot scene ever on television, and so representative of the human experience in inner city America, rips my heart out every time I see it, simply breathtaking....
***** ru kidding me?!--the opening of the blue lights reflecting in the blood trails, the close up off the dead kid's eyes at the end... amazing lighting, camera work... And in general, HBO productions are IMHO as good or better than anything on the big screen these days!
The Wire and The Sopranos were the golden age of TV. I have seen many great shows come and go since then, but none have yet to hold a candle to these two shows. Breaking Bad? OK very smart and entertaining show, still nothing like those two shows. I still don't understand the amount of respect that show gets over The Wire and The Sopranos. Anyway, thanks HBO for the good times!
I would say the golden age is still rolling. GOT is a pretty great fantasy show. I Breaking Bad is a great show. I don't think Breaking bad gets a ton of respect over those two shows. It usually gets compared to those two. All three are considered to be the best shows of all time so, I don't think Breaking bad gets more respect. I know Breaking Bad is more popular probably cuz it's well marketed and it's in an age where social media is rampant and that helped spread the word.
awesome420ication The Wire's political commentary is just too deep compared to Breaking Bad IMO making it ultimately the better show. If GoT is going down the road I think it is with the White Walkers/Global Warming comparison it could also surpass Breaking Bad for depth again just my opinion.
Riaz Ali Why cant people just accept that other shows can be well written? Yes the sopranos and the wire were great shows, but they're over so time to move on. Breaking bad deserves the praise. Hopefully a show like Mr Robot gets the praise these shows get as the seasons go on because it deserves it
By far one of the most break through, scary, real, regional (they nailed it locally) "in your face" kind of series EVER to come this way in a lifetime. They managed to capture a "summary" in each season of the deacy of the streets, public school system, docs/union, politicsetc..of what was Baltimore. Made people sit up and take notice. Excellent their will never be another like it
I'm glad someone uploaded this on TH-cam, I always use this scene to introduce someone to this show. It really sets the tone for the entire show and becomes even more poignant by the end of it all. The Wire is simply amazing, extremely well written, cast, shot, edited. The Sopranos is very good, but sure as hell not as ambitious in terms of reach as The Wire.
It took a second watch for me to truly appreciate and acknowledge The Wire as the greatest television show ever created. The story could be complex and challenging on a first watch but watching it again, knowing all the characters, it makes you see the show to a more detailed level.
it literally has raised the bar for television from the typical soaps and cliffhanger based shows. Watching the wire is like reading the Watchmen comics. They are both so well written and expressed beautifully artistically with their symbolism of life.
The first time I heard this scene, I thought he was talking about free will and having to live and die with our choices. It wasn't until I listened to David Simon's audio commentary that I got it. The Wire is about America's failure to be economically fair for everyone. This scene makes it clear in no uncertain terms that if people are not allowed the opportunity they need in order to live, they'll do whatever they can or capitalize on whatever opportunity they can, even if it kills them.
It's like a good book. They just throw you into the story and it's up to you to figure out what's going on. They don't over explain everything like they do on stupid TV.
The wire tried to show us all a lot of the things in this show can happen. I think that’s why they didn’t put any music in the background while moments happened they wanted to perfectly portray what happens
This is the best show that has ever been created. I used to think the sopranos was good, but this makes it look like a college students class project. It's just that good. The Wire is the most incredible series mankind has ever seen, if you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor and indulge in some of the greatest cinematography to ever grace the earth.
@@wesleymoody1754 ziggy added realism to this season. we all know a ziggy in our lives lol. but indeed he was fuckin annoying. greatly portrayed by that actor though
love how mcnulty eybrows raise when da guy says: "got to, this america man", also how da guy says "what?" when mcnulty asks him why let snot play if he steals every time. like its so obvious dat u have to let him play. jeez...every detail in this show is perfect......the best tv ever
The best way to describe The Wire: every season is like a great novel. The first 1-2 episodes (chapters) start off slow, introducing the characters & conflicts. But by the 3rd episode, every little detail starts to come together, starts to make sense, & you'll be hooked all the way to the last page. There's also a huge cast of believable characters with great arcs, & social commentary. You see how the war on drugs affects police, dealers, junkies, schools, politics, media & blue collar workers.
I've never seen an opening scene capture the essence of an entire series like this one. It touches on everything that the Wire was about: the culture of violence, opportunism, and hope defining the darkside of the American Dream.
I grew up in Rural MN but have lived in the inner city of Milwaukee for 5yrs. All these "best of" lists are relative. Me, I think if you have ever lived in the big American inner-city, there is no more accurate and awesome show than The Wire...shows the dysfunction and failure of the large urban institutions. BB is great, loved it, but all my friends who claim that BB is better than The Wire, have never worked/delt with the obese urban institutions that The WIre so greatly portrayed.
You're talking about Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I've worked with "inner-city" communities on the east coast, and worked with a police oversight commission overseeing abuse reports and racial discrimination. But even before I did all that, I found the Wire to be a contrived, magical fantasy-land; a collection of fanciful tales filled with wonder and whimsy. This scene in particular outlines the shortcomings of the rest of the series. Sure, you could say it's the best portrayal of these issues on a (premium network) television show. In my opinion, that's not saying much.
theEarlofChip There is validity to what Chris Macy says. The murder and crime rate in MKE is no joke. Depending on where you are at, it can be extremely dangerous.
Sconi71 I'm sure there's validity, and I didn't mean to say that mke is a happy suburban 2.5 kids land or anything like that. Maybe what really annoys me is this widespread idea that it's "realism". _Relatively_, for a TV drama, sure it is.
You sure seemed really butt hurt about a fictional cop getting shot on The Wire six years ago. But I bet you have no problem with all of the murders committed by police and them getting away with it recently. Why are cops' lives more important and valuable than the citizens they supposedly protect? They get into that profession knowing full well there's a higher risk of death, why when it actually happens they are outraged? Why are you not saying that if a cop shoots or kills a regular person who was unarmed and posed no threat should be executed? Also, the guys in The Wire are not "Scarface wannabes" or "scareface wannabees" as you said (learn how to spell asswipe) they were the real deal and highly intelligent. As a matter of fact, I don't think your dumb ass even watched the show judging by your comments. You probably heard about it and because of the hype surrounding it, decided to look up some videos of it and watch a few of them and think you know what you're talking about, like the pretentious asshole you are.
Very funny how California's corrupt democratic bureaucracy is looking more and more like that of Detroit, Baltimore, Chicago; anywhere where there is severe societal decay in America.
I feel like Snot Boogie is an allegory for Omar especially since if you look on the wiki Snot Boogie's first name is also Omar and Omar would also die over considerably stupid circumstances.
My interpretation of this was that Snot Boogie represents the Corrupt/Inefficient Systems in place and the other dice players represent the rest of poor American communities (especially Black). Whenever the System (SnotBoogie) steals from the other players (the communities) he always gets basically a slap on the hand and is allowed to play the game and steal every time from these same players (communities). And this analogy is repeated throughout the series. David Simon and Ed Burns are awesome.
How many times have you Wire Fans watched all episodes and seasons. I just got the boxset last year and I already went through it twice! Saw all the documentaries, not listened to all commentaries but majority of them. This is honestly one of the best television shows period!
The Brain breaking bad is good but not better than the wire. There are unnecessary scenes in BB unlike The Wire. Every scene plays a major part in the story
What an amazing show! Took me a month or so to watch the first half or so of the first season but then I got so into it and 2 weeks later I'm done with season 4.
![[Extendo] The Downfall Of Mayor Royce #TheWire #HBO #SceneRemix #SlowItDown #SitItOut](/img/n.gif)
I love how you can watch this scene and immediately understand the tone and message of the entire series.
"It's all in the game yo"
You got to, this America man....
Really, tell me how.... I'm just discovering it exists...
@@Grace4ever22 just watch it dude
A bloody tragedy. Great show for sure.
Im almost proud of the Wire not winning any awards. It's indirectly proved a pretty damning point about awards ceremonies.
Aged like wine
It was just before it's time... TOO SMART 💯💯💯
Michael K Williams won NAACP image award for it.
Emmys are bull sh!!t anyway
It was too real. Probably pissed off a lot of people.
What makes the Wire so great to me is that it's a TV series that feels like a book. The focus on themes, the constant foreshadowing, the extreme amount of detail, it's basically a visual novel.
indeed, i felt it too.
Well said
It kind of seems like game of thrones (more so the book series) set in 21st century Baltimore, working as police, politicians, and criminals. It has the wide cast of characters with very poetic and quotable dialogue. Their plots weave in interesting ways, they have their own arcs and morals, and the show discusses the gray morals on both sides of the law. What elevates The Wire is its look into the system itself that has put the characters where they are and shows the cycle
@@benjamincox4211 yup, they give us the full breakdown of how and why the world is on the fast road to hell. Absolute masterpiece storytelling.
Dialogue too, I learned many new definitions of words
This show is not everyone! I noticed that the novel readers appreciate more the wire because it's a paced like a great novel! No fancy characters, no fast and stupid plots! We need accept the fact that the wire wasnt made for everyone! I appreciate it because I am a nigga with a library card
You're the most dangerous thing in America! XD
rudy rada in other words choppin down snow
NWLC. There should be a movie about you, I'll call it "straight outta Narnia".
100% original my idea I swear
i too am a nigga with a library card & i too fuckin love this show & it only stands to reason that the VERY FIRST SCENE . could be possibly the most brilliant scene in the show
Seems like you're a real dangerous man.
That single line, "This' America, man," tells you everything this series is.
Facts!
It’s kinda dumb. In America we ban people who are repeat offenders lol
@@babyimHOME you're the dumb one..he means the idea of america
@@babyimHOME that wasn’t the point tho
The American social order is a MF. And this coming from a wtye guy. George Collins was right. There is a club if u not in it u fooked. He's right. This is america
This scene does 3 things:
1.) introduces McNulty as the protagonist
2.) establishes the concept of ‘’street names’’
3.) establishes the theme of the show, that its about ‘’playing the game’’ and everyone from drug dealers, land developers, unions, police chiefs, lawyers, journalists, superintendents, the church, teachers, judges, students, police sergeants, mayors, longshoreman, drug lords, councilmen, kids, the city, the media, and the government are all playing it.
Very observant of you. The sacred and the propane
CHARLES SCHWAB OVA HERE
Perfectly put
He told us a couple or tree things
There* was actually fourth. It was a very funny line that set up the next scene perfectly.
*typo
"The Sopranos" perfected the traditional drama, while "The Wire" blazed an entirely new trail. No need to compare them when they are the Alpha and Omega of television.
the wire is so much better imo, Tony the rageaholic gets tiring plus the last season was trash.
Just finished The Wire today. I liked but no character relationship was as deep as The Sopranos's. So, The Sopranos >>>>>> Wire for me.
the sopranos is a glorified show. apart from the cast, the show is fuckin terrible with retarded writing. great actors who made the show come alive. without the cast the sopranos woulda been nothing. the wire and boardwalk empire both shit on the sopranos.
@@Kruppt808 Lmao Wire’s last season was even worse keep your mouth shut
@@chrisdawson1776 it wasn't as good as previous seasons but I will take McNulty fake serial killer story arc to Vito....... or Phil everything is cool, oh show is gonna end let's just kill everyone for lulz ×_×
McNulty: "If Snot Boogie always stole the money why did you always let him play?"
Corner Boy: "You got to. Its America, man."
The Wire is the greatest dramatic series ever. Every American should watch it and listen to what its writers have to say. This opening scene prefaces the entire theme of the show with poetic clarity by using the metaphor of an alley craps game gone too violent to describe the elusiveness of the American Dream in the twenty-first century United States. Just like so many Americans in our capitalist society Snot Boogie continually plays a game he knows he probably won't win only to get beaten down every time he tries to outsmart the rules. He futilely continued to do so because the dream of cheating the system to win was more powerful than the violently real consequences of getting caught. His peers let him continually try knowing this because in America everyone, even a cheater, deserves a chance to win. That combination of economic idealism and social egalitarianism defining the American Dream so permeates every fiber of our civilization that even a bunch of disenfranchised West Baltimore corner kids observed its ethic in a craps game.
The Wire is not a miniseries
Ramon Suarez miniseries LOL , 5 season with 10 episodes in each , during 1 hours
I fixed the stupid typo since the only two responses fixated on it.
Ramon Suarez Wow.. That's some great analysis right there. Unfortunately I have not seen past the first 20 minutes of the show, but I plan on watching the entire thing in a few weeks. I am worried I won't be capable of deciphering hidden metaphors like this one here. I may need you at my side! Haha!
Ramon Suarez I agree. I always thought Breaking Bad, The West Wing and The Sopranos were the top 3. But, 2 years ago, I watched the whole series on On-Demand and without a doubt, the best series of all-time
you got to. its america, man
come to Finland
@@lane6635 very deep and inspiring response
@@lane6635 kulttuurin mies
When I watched this scene for the very first time, I immediately understood that this TV-show was going to be exactly as good as everyone said it was. And I wasn't mistaken.
Same here bro
for real
After watching breaking bad i thought that was the best show ever.
But the wire? Hands down the greatest show i have ever seen..Its a whole another level.
Not even close, nothing compares...The character studies, web after web of detail. This show is a masterpiece. Mind blown.
+navos2003 Im watching it now. Halfway through season # 1 & it is no where near better than season # 1 of breaking bad..lol.
I agree, Breaking Bad was my favorite show until I discovered The Wire
Cryer24597
I finished the whole season of the Wire. Was pretty much avg at best. Actually pretty shitty. Good acting. But thats about it..lol. And there are many more better shows on TV. Not just Breaking bad.
+Cryer24597 yup!
Maybe you just have a shitty taste because if you didn't appreciate the first season of The Wire you will never get to appreciate the whole show and that's kind of sad, this confirms that The Wire is not for everyone, you have to actually pay attention to the storylines and how they are all CONECTED, shame some prefer explosions, stupid action and shitty cliffhangers like in Breaking Bad
The Wire immediately distinguishes itself from its peers by making the very first scene in the series one in which a cop talks, and more importantly *listens* to a citizen. But it doesn’t even dwell on the status. They’re not cop and citizen but characters - two human beings from different sides of the track. It stops and asks questions about the failure of the state and how that failure impacts everyday Americans.
Far too many shows in the "crime drama" genre would instead glance over or diminish these hardships, but David Simon was so resolute and confident in this show's message that he managed to stare the problem right in the face, for over 4 minutes, and has two characters waxing philosophy over what is still a highly contentious issue to this day.
The way McNulty understands the game is genius. Thugs have some sort of respect for him
@@yaro42 always, but tragically cost Bodie's life's :'(
"Got to. This America man."
You know a show is good when the first scene establishes everything you need to know about it
I hate when my friends talk about TV shows, "this one is great", "this is the best", "this is the best ever made", and im just sitting there with a poker face, because they haven't watched The Wire. And no matter how much I force them to watch it, they don't because it's not famous, therefor they think it's not that great :/
+dokanyon do you think they will have the patience for it? that's another big part of it
+off topic sorry dude it's hard to imagine that there is anything better than this masterpiece. It's just that the Wire is totally different from everything else i've watched, that makes me to believe this.
+dokanyon The Wire is kinda famous now. I mean when it aired, few people watched. THen it garnered a following slowly. I mean it has 170000+ votes on IMDb which is quite high. People were like this is the best show u've never seen and then that message spread and more people got hooked to it.
I gotta ask though, does the New York accent the detective has get better throughout the season or do you just not notice it with time? Because I'm not even American and it sounds really weird to me...
+unFayemous he is irish
Best TV show of all time. The level of education to be had from it is beyond belief.
there is also BBC Between the Lines - which also had the epic qualities of a Greek Tragedy played out in police procedure..
“You got to man, this is America”. McNulty’s smile says it all. Best line in the series
Nah, "Ayo check it out that little nigga gettin his ASS beat haHA!" is the best line
Just finished watching every episode of The Wire, so good, recommend it to anyone, best show ever.
were did you watch it at i cant find it anywere everything makes me eather download or buy
Watch series
@@SPACEMONKEY288 subscribe to my channel to watch full episodes of the wire along with other sitcoms like fresh prince of bel air and martin
Snot boogie the greatest character who never lived
dies before the first scene even begins and is still more memorable than most other characters out there
Greatest opening scene of any TV show ever. Flat down.
What is so great about this being the first scene is the way it ties into the final scene of the series where McNulty looks out into the skyline of Baltimore. We never hear anything more of the death of Snot Boogie, because as it shows in the end, there will always be a Snot Boogie. That is the way urban America is. There is always another Avon, Stringer, Prop Joe, Marlo, etc. Just like Omar says comparing the Greeks and the Romans: "Same dude, just a different name."
Baltimore is no different from the start of the series as McNulty looks out onto Snot Boogie lying dead on the pavement, all the way until he looks out onto the city with that homeless man in his car. We learn throughout the series why that is the case.
dont spoil it, man.
@@eucariote79 if you're watching the FIRST SCENE on TH-cam and sifting through comments you should expect it. What this guy said was very accurate and beautiful
@@eucariote79 nicely done
In this moment, just at the beggining, watching them sitting there, and the way they talk... I knew I started watching something special
I've recomended this series to so many people. This is the first scene they see and every time so far they come back to me and say "I don't get it".
you gotta let them know that they have to commit to about four or five episodes before it actually gets good. then again the show really is not for everybody.
*****
True dat!
I don't get it. What am I missing?
No, it's good right from the start. They need to learn they have to pay attention, and after four or five episodes, they begin to appreciate the little subtleties that make it so good.
CyanideSovereign you need better friends. Lol.
I remember thinking when I first watched this scene, that without Mcnaulty I wouldn't have a clue what that guy was saying. 5 seasons of slang later it's completely clear. I guess if I can understand Snoop I can understand anybody.
Yo, I’ve watched this show four times through over the course of the past two years.. first time I saw it, (just like you) I could not understand fuck all that this guy was saying, now I register every syllable clear as day! That’s amazing, I didn’t even notice until I read your comment… Great observation my man.
When I first saw the show, I actually didn't understand a lot of what he was saying. I'm watching this again after watching the show and i understood everything now
I still dont. Why they kept let him play?
@@badluckdaniel that's all they know. The game. Street life they don't know anything else, to some it up in short there will always be a snot boogie.
@@badluckdanielit’s a metaphor of a the main first season theme. The whole first season focuses on D’Angelo trying to escape the game, and everyone knows he’s gonna fuck up, but he gotta keep playing, there are no alternatives. Eventually, the same people who wouldn’t let him off the game kill him. There’s not redemption really.
“This America” is a powerful line because it sounds as “this is a democracy” but what it really means is “this is an inescapable system”. And that’s it.
This obviously extends to every criminal in the series, they don’t decide to be where they are, doing what they do. They got to. A similar point could be made for the existence of the police as a whole, mcnulty is in a way in same position of D’Angelo, only on the other “team”.
This is the scene where Avon's and Stringer's friendship started to rupture.
LMAO
These are the type of TV shows you never get to watch because they are unpopular and so nobody ever tells you to watch it until someone on the internet shares how great and real this show is. That's when I come and join the club, to have shivers run down my spine from a single line in an underrated episode of an underrated show again, because it's oh so rare to have that going with the mainstream bullshit like Lost and Prison Break and much more. Same goes for music..really
5 seasons and widespread critical acclaim... Doesn't sound like unpopular to me.
BushcraftBritannia with no emmys nor golden globe awards
A show doesn't have to win an Emmy or Golden Globe to be popular, it was acclaimed for all five seasons how does not winning those two awards change any of that?@@lwong3601
The thing that's scariest about this show is that it's not as much of a drama as it is a documentary. I've lived my whole life here in Baltimore and I've driven by too many murder scenes going to and from wherever. Doesn't matter if you stay your ass to the "safe" parts of town, trouble finds you. I'm a bartender and someone got shot in the alleyway behind my bar last week and one of my customers says to me "Well, this is Baltimore. Gotta expect that kind of stuff."
I love having the wire on a perminant loop. Ive got HBO Max on my Xbox, I watch it almost every night before bed. To get to the begining after the finale litterally makes everything full circle.
The Wire is not a television show, it is a visual book, like a a Cormac MaCarthy novel.
I am from Australia and the first time I watched this show I was overwhelmed by the amount of esoteric slang and sometimes couldnt understand a damn word. By season 3 I could understand 99% of the slang used without subtitles. The accent seems completely normal to the ears now.
+Potato Sack Yea that's ebonics man. It takes a while to get used to.
I understood everyone till they introduced Snoop. That Baltimore drawl was rediculous.
Arie Fraiser yea me tOOoO.. Lol. way bmore ppl pronounce the 'Ooh' like sNOOp lol
***** No he died because he was retarded and could't seem to stop robbing his friends.
***** Simple childhood nickname.
This is the best opening scene out of any television show. I mean this single scene set the tone and mood for the next five seasons: death, poverty and decay in urban America are all discussed, only to be further probed and explored all the way to the very end.
This is how every show should start.
This opening is so groovy yet fully encompasses what the show is about.
Breaking Bad is an amazing TV show but at the end of the day is still just entertainment. The Wire is the greatest work of fiction I have ever seen through a TV medium.
Lol this is Non fiction
Breaking bad is a character study of a man pushed around and emasculated by his wife and society who takes back control.
@speedking7224 I'd say bb is more about Walt slowly succumbing to the massive ego he's always had. He was always capable of being a monster, all it took was a little nudge. Over the course of the show, he becomes the villain without you realizing it, all while making you root for him. You get so caught up in hoping he'll win and leave the game that you don't entirely realize how much of a monster he is until either very late in the show or after you finish it.
The beginning of an epic, legendary 5 season journey. I still from time to time binge watch all five seasons from my on demand service.. and every time I see some little nuances that I didn’t catch before.
All the actors from this show have all long since moved on to other projects but from 2002-08 they came together to make what is in my opinion one ofTHE GREATEST SHOWS in television history, and one that still holds relevance all these many years later.
Everyone clamoring for a reunion show or movie, meh, it just wouldn’t be the same in my opinion. Lets just enjoy what we had and be grateful that we all had window to look into both the criminal and judicial system s and all there inner workings with some great acting, and character arch’s.
There will never be another show like it.
You have to admire the way wire matures you by just watching it...
When a show makes you feel invested from the first few seconds
"It's not a war, wars end"
I love how this shows what great police McNulty is. Contacts and PIs - able to talk to the street.
When television history is written, little else will rival The Wire. Extraordinary depth with a brilliant cast.. Pure intoxication for the faithfull.
"Two big thumbs up"
Amin, Scotland
2:46 "Used a whole fuckin' can of lighter fluid and the damn thang still wasn't workin'" I love that part 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
From a technical standpoint this is the best shot scene ever on television, and so representative of the human experience in inner city America, rips my heart out every time I see it, simply breathtaking....
***** ru kidding me?!--the opening of the blue lights reflecting in the blood trails, the close up off the dead kid's eyes at the end... amazing lighting, camera work... And in general, HBO productions are IMHO as good or better than anything on the big screen these days!
Prob the greatest opening scene in television history.
This reminds me a lot of when Bodie found out about little Kevin. Just completely confused and done with the game.
Best fuckin series of the century
Ok ok. You sold me. I'll watch it.
Greatest opening scene in television history, Idc
This was the beginning of my addiction, the opening scene
Damn, this looks really good. Got to watch this.
Did you watch it?
The Wire and The Sopranos were the golden age of TV. I have seen many great shows come and go since then, but none have yet to hold a candle to these two shows. Breaking Bad? OK very smart and entertaining show, still nothing like those two shows. I still don't understand the amount of respect that show gets over The Wire and The Sopranos. Anyway, thanks HBO for the good times!
💯. Real shit bro!
I would say the golden age is still rolling. GOT is a pretty great fantasy show. I Breaking Bad is a great show. I don't think Breaking bad gets a ton of respect over those two shows. It usually gets compared to those two. All three are considered to be the best shows of all time so, I don't think Breaking bad gets more respect. I know Breaking Bad is more popular probably cuz it's well marketed and it's in an age where social media is rampant and that helped spread the word.
awesome420ication The Wire's political commentary is just too deep compared to Breaking Bad IMO making it ultimately the better show. If GoT is going down the road I think it is with the White Walkers/Global Warming comparison it could also surpass Breaking Bad for depth again just my opinion.
Riaz Ali i have seen the three and I think breaking bad is the best. But that's just my opinion. I like the three shows though.
Riaz Ali Why cant people just accept that other shows can be well written? Yes the sopranos and the wire were great shows, but they're over so time to move on. Breaking bad deserves the praise. Hopefully a show like Mr Robot gets the praise these shows get as the seasons go on because it deserves it
By far one of the most break through, scary, real, regional (they nailed it locally) "in your face" kind of series EVER to come this way in a lifetime. They managed to capture a "summary" in each season of the deacy of the streets, public school system, docs/union, politicsetc..of what was Baltimore. Made people sit up and take notice. Excellent their will never be another like it
Greatest opening to a show ever. Had me hooked right from the start.
Did that actor with Dominic West appear in any other episodes? He did a great job of laying out the soul of this show.
One of the greatest introductions of all time to one of the greatest shows ever
I'm glad someone uploaded this on TH-cam, I always use this scene to introduce someone to this show. It really sets the tone for the entire show and becomes even more poignant by the end of it all. The Wire is simply amazing, extremely well written, cast, shot, edited. The Sopranos is very good, but sure as hell not as ambitious in terms of reach as The Wire.
20 years ago today, time goes too quick
And thus began the greatest story in modern American literature.
It took a second watch for me to truly appreciate and acknowledge The Wire as the greatest television show ever created. The story could be complex and challenging on a first watch but watching it again, knowing all the characters, it makes you see the show to a more detailed level.
Jesus this temps me to watch the whole series for a 3rd time.
Takes me back to the first time I saw this opener. I'd heard high praise, but it took 3 episodes to understand the greatness.
There are 2 types of people in the world.
Those who think the wire is the best show ever made, and those who have never seen the wire.
it literally has raised the bar for television from the typical soaps and cliffhanger based shows. Watching the wire is like reading the Watchmen comics. They are both so well written and expressed beautifully artistically with their symbolism of life.
14 years ago man… has anything changed ?
This is my favourite oppening to a tv show ever.
The greatest show ever.
The first time I heard this scene, I thought he was talking about free will and having to live and die with our choices. It wasn't until I listened to David Simon's audio commentary that I got it. The Wire is about America's failure to be economically fair for everyone. This scene makes it clear in no uncertain terms that if people are not allowed the opportunity they need in order to live, they'll do whatever they can or capitalize on whatever opportunity they can, even if it kills them.
The Wire is without a doubt the best show ever made.
gonna rewatch this show. since its well worth a second time. also these intros are legit
It's like a good book. They just throw you into the story and it's up to you to figure out what's going on. They don't over explain everything like they do on stupid TV.
This scene and music is just a pure classic.
The wire tried to show us all a lot of the things in this show can happen. I think that’s why they didn’t put any music in the background while moments happened they wanted to perfectly portray what happens
This is the best show that has ever been created. I used to think the sopranos was good, but this makes it look like a college students class project. It's just that good. The Wire is the most incredible series mankind has ever seen, if you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor and indulge in some of the greatest cinematography to ever grace the earth.
42 dislikes are from Snot Bogies' relatives.
First time I watching this scene, I knew The Wire was different.
All y'all who go hard on season 2 let everyone know you're new money wire fans. Season 2 is legit and super important!
great characters in season 2 bro. it connects all the seasons together
Death Rager i could do without Ziggy but yeah session two is legit.
@@wesleymoody1754 ziggy added realism to this season. we all know a ziggy in our lives lol. but indeed he was fuckin annoying. greatly portrayed by that actor though
The three kids sitting at 0:22 are the same ones as in the ending scene. Brilliant, as always.
HBO rules!! the best TV serie ever made
You knew the show was going to be special from the opening scene.
I swear this character reappears in S4 E9, where he walks off with Randy from a dice game and Randy explains where he learnt how to play.
i like how after all 5 seasons they still got the clip of bodie throwin the rock at the camera in the intro...idk y its just so fitting
First thing I thought of after Takeoff. So fucking needless. RIP
This is the greatest opening to a T.V. Show EVER.
_You got to.. This America, man._
love how mcnulty eybrows raise when da guy says: "got to, this america man", also how da guy says "what?" when mcnulty asks him why let snot play if he steals every time. like its so obvious dat u have to let him play. jeez...every detail in this show is perfect......the best tv ever
best opening scene ever
The beginning is a great metaphore regarding to how the game is becoming cold and traditions are being tossed to the side and a new era is coming.
good old times ...
The best way to describe The Wire: every season is like a great novel. The first 1-2 episodes (chapters) start off slow, introducing the characters & conflicts. But by the 3rd episode, every little detail starts to come together, starts to make sense, & you'll be hooked all the way to the last page. There's also a huge cast of believable characters with great arcs, & social commentary. You see how the war on drugs affects police, dealers, junkies, schools, politics, media & blue collar workers.
I just bought the first season on DVD
Im on episode 3 and loving it.
I've never seen an opening scene capture the essence of an entire series like this one. It touches on everything that the Wire was about: the culture of violence, opportunism, and hope defining the darkside of the American Dream.
I grew up in Rural MN but have lived in the inner city of Milwaukee for 5yrs. All these "best of" lists are relative. Me, I think if you have ever lived in the big American inner-city, there is no more accurate and awesome show than The Wire...shows the dysfunction and failure of the large urban institutions. BB is great, loved it, but all my friends who claim that BB is better than The Wire, have never worked/delt with the obese urban institutions that The WIre so greatly portrayed.
You're talking about Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I've worked with "inner-city" communities on the east coast, and worked with a police oversight commission overseeing abuse reports and racial discrimination. But even before I did all that, I found the Wire to be a contrived, magical fantasy-land; a collection of fanciful tales filled with wonder and whimsy. This scene in particular outlines the shortcomings of the rest of the series.
Sure, you could say it's the best portrayal of these issues on a (premium network) television show. In my opinion, that's not saying much.
theEarlofChip There is validity to what Chris Macy says. The murder and crime rate in MKE is no joke. Depending on where you are at, it can be extremely dangerous.
Sconi71 I'm sure there's validity, and I didn't mean to say that mke is a happy suburban 2.5 kids land or anything like that. Maybe what really annoys me is this widespread idea that it's "realism". _Relatively_, for a TV drama, sure it is.
You sure seemed really butt hurt about a fictional cop getting shot on The Wire six years ago. But I bet you have no problem with all of the murders committed by police and them getting away with it recently. Why are cops' lives more important and valuable than the citizens they supposedly protect? They get into that profession knowing full well there's a higher risk of death, why when it actually happens they are outraged? Why are you not saying that if a cop shoots or kills a regular person who was unarmed and posed no threat should be executed? Also, the guys in The Wire are not "Scarface wannabes" or "scareface wannabees" as you said (learn how to spell asswipe) they were the real deal and highly intelligent. As a matter of fact, I don't think your dumb ass even watched the show judging by your comments. You probably heard about it and because of the hype surrounding it, decided to look up some videos of it and watch a few of them and think you know what you're talking about, like the pretentious asshole you are.
Very funny how California's corrupt democratic bureaucracy is looking more and more like that of Detroit, Baltimore, Chicago; anywhere where there is severe societal decay in America.
I always like to sip tea while watching these wire clips...
*Carcetti For '2016*
+Shortcut he is a big guy.
AwesomeNightman for him
Was getting elected part of your plan?
You know that is a stand in for o malley right?
Obama can only run twice ....
I feel like Snot Boogie is an allegory for Omar especially since if you look on the wiki Snot Boogie's first name is also Omar and Omar would also die over considerably stupid circumstances.
My interpretation of this was that Snot Boogie represents the Corrupt/Inefficient Systems in place and the other dice players represent the rest of poor American communities (especially Black). Whenever the System (SnotBoogie) steals from the other players (the communities) he always gets basically a slap on the hand and is allowed to play the game and steal every time from these same players (communities). And this analogy is repeated throughout the series. David Simon and Ed Burns are awesome.
never in my life will I forget Snot Boogie. RIP.
Beautiful line: "So ... who shot snot?"
How many times have you Wire Fans watched all episodes and seasons. I just got the boxset last year and I already went through it twice! Saw all the documentaries, not listened to all commentaries but majority of them.
This is honestly one of the best television shows period!
One of the best TV cop dramas ever, hands down.
Nope, it's the best. Period. :)
Jayneel Ramjee That's your opinion. For me, Breaking Bad is still the greatest to exist.
The Brain breaking bad is good but not better than the wire. There are unnecessary scenes in BB unlike The Wire. Every scene plays a major part in the story
Most probably the best intro and titles to a t.v. series i have ever seen
This series is amazing. Or as Clay David would've put it: ''It's the sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeit!''.
What an amazing show! Took me a month or so to watch the first half or so of the first season but then I got so into it and 2 weeks later I'm done with season 4.