2008 Woodie Awards
Drewid finds intellectual HBO show
Sterling Reese
Issue date: 2/1/08 Section: Opinion
I remember this is why I have HBO again! Or rather, this is why I renewed HBO again. Because really, what else is there to watch besides "The Wire?"
But I can already predict the average reaction to that statement. In fact, if you asked the average person about "The Wire," there are only two viable responses.
The question: "Do you watch 'The Wire?'"
Cue the puzzled stare. "'The Wire?' What's that?" Or, cue the look of adoration with just a sprinkle of renewed faith in the human race. "YES!"
Being a fan of the show evokes mixed feelings within me-it's kind of comforting, but also depressing. It's like being part of a secret club that nobody knows exists- but the club doesn't want to be secret. It's actually desperately, completely lonely. However, its cries for attention go mostly ignored.
For those who know nothing about "The Wire," here are the bare bones. The show is based around the efforts of a Baltimore police task force, which works steadily to bring down a drug lord who has proven to be untouchable in a court of law. It isn't until the sixth episode that the first wiretap- as the title suggests- is put to use, and they begin to make progress in their investigations.
"The Wire" presents both the police of the task force and their targets in the same light, allowing the audience to learn about both walks of life. Some cops are motivated to protect and serve not out of an instinctive goodness but only to serve their pride, believing that they are superior to the criminals they chase. Not all criminals turned to the way of life out of blind greed-some were merely trapped in the system. But why should you watch it? So it's critically acclaimed. So what? That doesn't guarantee that it's good. It barely receives any press outside of HBO and BET, and even that was a long time coming.
"The Wire" is in its fifth season now, so why should you try catch up to it? I'll give you a couple of reasons, but here is the most important one: If you consider yourself educated at all, if you've ever lamented to a friend at how 'stupid' television has gotten, then rejoice, because "The Wire" is what you're looking for.
But I can already predict the average reaction to that statement. In fact, if you asked the average person about "The Wire," there are only two viable responses.
The question: "Do you watch 'The Wire?'"
Cue the puzzled stare. "'The Wire?' What's that?" Or, cue the look of adoration with just a sprinkle of renewed faith in the human race. "YES!"
Being a fan of the show evokes mixed feelings within me-it's kind of comforting, but also depressing. It's like being part of a secret club that nobody knows exists- but the club doesn't want to be secret. It's actually desperately, completely lonely. However, its cries for attention go mostly ignored.
For those who know nothing about "The Wire," here are the bare bones. The show is based around the efforts of a Baltimore police task force, which works steadily to bring down a drug lord who has proven to be untouchable in a court of law. It isn't until the sixth episode that the first wiretap- as the title suggests- is put to use, and they begin to make progress in their investigations.
"The Wire" presents both the police of the task force and their targets in the same light, allowing the audience to learn about both walks of life. Some cops are motivated to protect and serve not out of an instinctive goodness but only to serve their pride, believing that they are superior to the criminals they chase. Not all criminals turned to the way of life out of blind greed-some were merely trapped in the system. But why should you watch it? So it's critically acclaimed. So what? That doesn't guarantee that it's good. It barely receives any press outside of HBO and BET, and even that was a long time coming.
"The Wire" is in its fifth season now, so why should you try catch up to it? I'll give you a couple of reasons, but here is the most important one: If you consider yourself educated at all, if you've ever lamented to a friend at how 'stupid' television has gotten, then rejoice, because "The Wire" is what you're looking for.
Be the first to comment on this story