I’d like to take a moment to talk about The Wire. I had often heard that The Wire was the best show that no one watched. Well, for the longest time, I knew that half of that was true…I didn’t watch it. I felt kind of guilty for this. I’ve always considered myself someone who both knew and appreciated good television. I’m consistently bothered whenever a reality show is on TV, because it means that a good scripted story isn’t getting the chance to be told. Anyway, after hearing from multiple trusted sources that I had to watch The Wire I set to it. I started about a week into June and I just finished the series over the weekend.

I can safely say that when it comes to dramas, The Wire is in my top 2. The West Wing will forever and always be number 1 for me. But, depending on my definition for “best” The Wire may be better. It’s just realer. It’s realer in every way. It’s acting style is incredibly naturalist. The writing is true down the nuanced lingo, but also in the way the story plays out. Everything doesn’t get neatly tied up, just like in real life. Sometimes, the good guys win, sometimes they don’t. No character is perfect, everyone is flawed. Amazing parallels are drawn between drug dealers, the cops, the port, the schools, and the press. It’s truly amazing to see that at their core, these groups are really the same. The West Wing, on the other hand, exists in a fantasy land. I’m ok with that, because I would read anything Aaron Sorkin wrote, but it’s still an important distinction that has to be made.

The Wire stayed with me all summer. It was consistently amazing. Think about that for a second. It wasn’t up and down, and it wasn’t mediocre. I was floored after every episode. TV doesn’t do that too often.

Anyone who hasn’t watched The Wire, go watch it. You won’t be disappointed. I warn you though, you need to give it time. Like I said, the show is natural. It’s more of a novel, than a television show. As such, things move at a slower pace than you may be used to. The show is called The Wire, but the first wire doesn’t appear until something like episode 6. Treat The Wire as an investment. It will pay off amazing dividends.

This is a link to one of my favorite scenes. My most favorite scene is out there on youtube, but if I shared it here, a lot would be spoiled for those who weren’t there in the series yet.

Seriously, watch this show.