This is a fascinating analysis by Erlend Lavik on why The Wire worked so well and it explains also why you probably find so much other mainstream film and television boring.
The other evening I was walking to my train after work and a man looking like a slightly less buff Stringer Bell from The Wire tried to hit on me – this sort of thing never happens to me – and because I rather fancy the actor Idris Elba for a split second I was excited and I forgot that I had a loving partner and two children waiting at home for me. Then I remembered and I was excited all over again about them, my family, because they are pretty adorable even if one of the most stressful moments of the week for me is arriving home from work on Bill’s ‘stay-at-home dad’ day to deal with them and all their gripes simultaneously. All the way home I daydreamed about Stringer Bell and The Wire and it made for a very pleasant trip. Thank you random stranger for reminding me to think more about The Wire.
That show is as good as everybody says and if you still haven’t watched it then watch it already…
Oh God, I totally loved the Wire. I watched all five season in about as many weeks. I wish a Stringer Bell-look-a-like would hit on me for both reasons you outlined above. I’m now onto Sons of Anarchy and I must say it’s keeping pace with my adoration of the Wire.
That was incredibly interesting – so much stuff in there you’d never have noticed!
I loved The Wire and I cannot tell you the glee I felt on finding a Facebook group called “Stringer Bell is XL” (remember that scene?).
The Wire is a superb program … Stringer Bell was fantastic. I loved his lectures to the gang on economics…
We have watched the whole series about five times now and you’re making me want to do it again. Love me some Stringer.