Why The Wire is one of the Most Brilliant TV Shows Ever

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The Wire is one of the most brilliant and significant TV shows ever created. In this video I talk about the creators of the show and the techniques used that make is so great.
All quotes from the cast and crew come from "All The Pieces Matter: The Inside Story of the Wire."
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#TheWireSeries #VideoEssay #ThomasFlight

[@ThomasFlight]

Sign up for CuriosityStream + Nebula (just $14.79 a year) and get access to my Nebula exclusive video about Omar's Code: CuriosityStream.com/ThomasFlight

[@cartergomez5390]

Sounds cool! I'm going to consider it!

[@theboxingbiker]

"The Wire doesn't try to grab and keep your attention. It requires it. But if you give it your attention, it will reward you."

[@yashsihare3567]

This is the most exciting I have heard about any show when searching for recommendations!

[@mattweth8963]

Said like a true white man. Glad your wife gave you the weekend off to watch the show 😂😂😂

[@AmnesiaFX]

I thought your picture was a hair on my screen and tried to scrubb it of. I feel stupid now.

[@sidaisdad]

@@AmnesiaFX me too lol!!!

[@TheDantheman12121]

Yeah i have watched the wire i think 3 times now and when i come across someone who says it is not good i simply say "yeah cus you are a dumb fuck". Haha not really but i says something similar to what you said like the wire is not something you watch casually, it takes a little thought when you first start watching it.

[@-KillaWatt-]

One of the best parts of the series is how death is handled. There is no dramatic build up or anything. It just happens.

[@spacedoginnebraska]

Just like it's supposed to.

[@bennuballbags2]

Unlike every other cop show ever....but when Omar got killed I spray painted my computer with a mouthful of milk. Made me so sad, but at the same time....its the game and we moved on

[@melodramaticplastic7082]

Stringer Bell’s death had a wee bit of build up, what with him trying to run. But even then when he tried to talk shite they killed him quickly.

[@jayclemons3071]

Besides Omar saw that one coming

[@akaveli2g]

@@jayclemons3071 Naaaah. Omar didn't see that one coming. Even the viewers didn't see that. Majority of the hoppers love and respected Omar. That lil nigga didn't give a shyt about respect. He had that same energy as Marlo. That IDGAF about anyone type attitude.

[@ShadowWizard123]

I loved this show until the last episode when Marlo went crazy and burned the whole city of Baltimore with his dragon. That was so dumb.

[@dunkdunkin669]

Underrated

[@vaisakhps8642]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@dub_dub1504]

Magnificent comment.

[@thehillza]

Lol

[@ZChronicNebula]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣👀

[@GlassThirdEye]

Omar Little is one of the best TV characters of all time. A stick up man with a heart of gold.

[@inzanity79]

A man has got to have a code….

[@hummingbir6]

disagree and agree - - disagree: too fictional, overrated, unrealistic, and forced at times. - agree: unique, novelistic, a metaphor to the 'shadow walker' of Baltimore. *spolier alert* -- his death, however, ironically rounds his character. This goes to show you that one's pride is all lost with death, despite how romanticized he was alive.

[@axrush8728]

@@hummingbir6 untrue

[@DepressionShaman]

@@hummingbir6 Unrealistic? You know the big guy who raids Marlo's condo with Omar when he jumped from the 4th floor? That guy was robbing drug dealers for real in real life. He did the same thing, but the writers didn't think the audience would believe it was actually a six story fall, not 4. He and others like him were the inspiration for Omar Little.

[@kennymccormick8295]

@@hummingbir6 lol no likes

[@TrevorHembling]

Great, now I have to rewatch the series. Again.

[@thrashmanpoint]

Yeah, I gotta re-watch this series and Deadwood as well to prepare myself for that new movie.

[@samuelmuiruri4704]

its like a book you read repeatedly. i read every review of the wire and see things i was to dumb to grasp the first time. man , the wire is deep, people throw around the word genius, but the wire truly is genius

[@MyStory1989]

I'm ok with this. Enjoy.

[@bryanbuff]

LOL, same.

[@vitor3000]

You'll always pick up something you missed whether it was detail in the plot or the details that make it special

[@arambhikrut7258]

This series made me realise how utterly and hilariously irrelevant the Emmys are

[@BlitzkriegRap]

Definitely!

[@nagakarthik5588]

You can say that again, Pal! (BCS)

[@billybaugus1249]

Hey man how was it supposed to House! I mean dude had a limp and a cane

[@Lamtitude]

@@billybaugus1249 he’s a prick, but he’s a good doctor. How crazy!

[@Juan-nx8ul]

@@Lamtitude Never watched the show. How crazy!

[@adamsky77]

Bubbles story is the most heart breaking/warming. Omar is brilliant, the man with the code and obviously good ol misunderstood McNulty. Love these characters so much.

[@TheWooSoundscape]

getting old, misread this, and I feel like I may have touched on something true, the man with the code is obviously good ol misunderstood McNulty

[@staomruel]

The respect the writers have for their audience shouldn't be overlooked. Setting Kima's gf on a bench down the hall in the hospital, while her 'real family' gets to hear what the doctors have to say, without spending a word on why she isn't standing there with them, got the message across so much better than dialogue ever could.

[@trin162]

Well said. V true.

[@Splackavellie85]

The Wire was the first thing I saw Idris Elba in. He was so good, that I’m still thrown off when I hear him speak in his English accent.

[@rishabhanand4973]

i saw him first on luther. his lack of an english accent on this show throws me off.

[@powderedtoastfacekillah734]

But now that I know he’s british I notice him trying to hide injustice accent all throughout the series McNulty too. He’s even worse at hiding his accent

[@theman2017inc]

Not only a English accent but a one from East London, 😃

[@platinumk17]

You guys heard Omar's actors real voice. It's way diferent

[@Splackavellie85]

Michael Kelly It’s not, I’ve seen Community

[@chakrazulu2106]

This is the best breakdown of The Wire I've seen and no spoilers? Salute

[@ThomasFlight]

Thanks for watching.

[@isaachaze1]

bunch of like-minded people on these boards. agree with needing to watch deadwood again also. this thomas flight guy just cost me a bunch of time

[@dpe4]

True dat.

[@dougroux5087]

Thomas Flight Yeah your juxtapositions are brilliant! Great analysis!

[@maxeyre2024]

Have you seen the Sopranos? The only show I think is better than The Wire.

[@Gnosis639]

In 40 seconds i can answer the question to "why the show is so brilliant". It actually tells you the pure unadulterated truth about America from top to bottom; the whole system is corrupt.

[@whlewis9164]

institutional dysfunction

[@aidacailar1126]

Not only America man, Europe too

[@billybob4159]

@@aidacailar1126 everywhere there are corrupt people but it’s true that in North America and Europe are the most greedy I think

[@Gnosis639]

I'm not denying that there is corruption other places but the show takes place in the USA so that's why i say it shows the truth about this country

[@kidd32888]

U watch it and u figure the system is run like that in real life

[@kplt1234]

One of the reasons this show is so great is that you can feel that almost every character can be the main character of its own show, depicting their individual plot

[@raymondsims7042]

True the wires cast is STACKED

[@tonydalton459]

Yes. I can’t remember a show with so many characters, and they all felt real and well rounded.

[@coolworx]

I loved the fact that it just happened to coincide with a fevered shift in telecommunications... From the payphones of "the pit" in season one, to Marlo sending pictures on his smart phone.

[@LaurentCardinal]

So true. If it would have been made 10 years later, first the concept of "wire" would be non-existent (they could still tap mobile phones), but there's no dramatic shift in technology. We could imagine Marlo asking his crew to upgrade to new private messaging apps like Signal.

[@WorldWidePatriots]

@@LaurentCardinal Thank god we got this show. Such a fucking masterpiece.

[@jermaineartis4323]

It also shows that the higher discipline and intelligence used by the drug organizations forced the police department to have to upgrade their technology. Season one shows them still using typewriters when they should have already had computers by then. It was the 2000’s already, yet the city was broke and didn’t think it there was a need to allocate money to the police union because all they did was buy and bust policing. They weren’t going after organized big fish.

[@daquanthebroncosfan]

if there’s a reboot in the present times, we’ll see how social media effects both the streets and the police department

[@crissydawg5044]

@@daquanthebroncosfan I think that’s why a reboot would be really hard to pull off because technology has changed so much.

[@ravishingrookrude]

“Where’s Wallace, String!?”

[@Raymando]

STRING! WHERE'S WALLACE, HUH?

[@davidarmitage4132]

WTF is Wallace String???

[@MaxMiller614]

😞

[@gab0ttos]

u.u

[@r3dsnow757]

@@davidarmitage4132 ...oh boi, little do you know.

[@Maderr4]

I loved that they kept adding different layers each season; cops and gangs, workers, politics, school system, and media. It is not a simple problem, it is a very complicated one, and very hard to fix. To this day nothing comes close to this amazing show.

[@melancholymartialarts7095]

Nothing comes close ? Now you're talking gibberish. Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul are genius as well

[@pintolerance785]

The Sopranos, Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead (early seasons) Twilight Zone, Gilligan's island,etc.

[@Cheese23145]

@@pintolerance785 Game of Thrones, including season eight?

[@pintolerance785]

@@Cheese23145 Do you even need to ask that. No. Not at all. The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones are on the same level where the early seasons are amazing memorable experiences but later...

[@r3d0c]

@@melancholymartialarts7095 not to the same calibre, those shows are great and bcs is one of my favourite shows of all time but this show is something unique, more than just simple entertainment like those shows are

[@Zou523]

My favorite part about this show was learning the language each season. Season 1 had so much slang that I had to try and pick it up and by season two I was trying so hard to understand the dock workers and the polish slang. The writers did a great job making the dialogue feel local and real

[@user-v01k57uM]

where are you from? i tried to watch in us lang but i could hardly understand any of it as a non-native speaker

[@Zou523]

@@user-v01k57uM I’m from Missouri so yeah, even for a midwesterner that Baltimore accent is a real curveball lol

[@shortcutDJ]

Yeah so i was in jail almost 10 years ago when i saw the wire for the first time. I was there for my own drug related charges with heroin,i knew it was something special when i saw it 3d season episode 1 reform... Stringer was a captivating guy and then Omar. i got out shortly after and then i went into re-hab. when i got out i looked for the dvd set. Then i started to see things i missed the first time and then everything else just kinda didn't do it for me anymore. i'm clean for almost 10 yrs now. and i did a complete 180, never have i felt this good and normal. The Wire helped me understand what i was doing to myself and it helped me stay clean too in a weird way. great video i always love content related to this show.

[@ThomasFlight]

That’s awesome to hear! Thanks for watching. :) It’s a powerful show.

[@aaronwhite1786]

Congrats on 10 years! That's huge!

[@bushaybillwill]

Junkie

[@VVIIFINEST]

Keep it going. Well wishes bro 🙏🙏

[@freddsims648]

Inspirational, both you and the show. 🖒

[@andypotanin]

It's actually really hard to explain to people why this show is amazing.

[@arsh9796]

I agree, especially to friends who ask you to recommend something to watch and they've never seen the wire, they are almost always ignoring it lol.

[@oratiletsimatsima9643]

I think its brilliance lies is in its portrayal of reality. It doesn't sell sensation or nonsensical plot twists, just human nature. Nobody is a villain, no one is a hero and we are all affected by the decisions and choices we make under the rotten system that controls our daily lives.

[@TobsJ]

it portrays “the game” of urban life in different levels (gangsters, police, politicians, the homeless, the immigrants, kids) along with all the bureaucracies involved in a brilliant, raw and honest way

[@undiscoveredcolorz]

It's a TV show version of "if you know, you know." Everyone I've known who watched it knows it is one of the best ever. Everyone I've tried to recommend it to has had issues watching it.

[@paullasky6865]

It's because it's done in a slight documentary style with no music telling you how to feel. The was a BBC drama called The Cops in the late 90s that very similar. If you like that style you will like The Cops and it's worth a watch. For me The Wire is absolute genius. It's immersion in reality is absolutely enthralling.

[@amberwest7846]

I really wish other show creators would put in the intensive and accurate research it takes to truly tell a story like The Wire 😭

[@manaulhoque6507]

It ain't what the people want

[@GuinessOriginal]

@@manaulhoque6507 it ain’t what the system wants

[@mathewlopez1255]

This tik tok culture has people’s attention spans to like no more than 30 seconds 😭

[@djangofett4879]

You want it to be one way... but its the other way.

[@djangofett4879]

@@mathewlopez1255 I don't think it's just a generational thing. you think the old farts who watch nothing but Fox News want a show like The wire? You think they're watching We Own This City?

[@LoneLoboX88]

Did anyone notice in every ending to a season finale the camera would stay still and just show you some aspect of the city? Nothing consequential just a moment for us to appreciate the setting of this entire show.

[@ewetwentythree]

Still noticing new things, great observation

[@omieg89]

Those who know...know. This show is a masterpiece. I know that compliment gets tossed around a lot but this show is deserving of it. The Wire is as real as it gets.

[@mgomez9736]

Absolute masterpiece.

[@sidarthur8706]

the corner was more their masterpiece (just being a pedant, i know what you're saying but a masterpiece is the work you present to prove that you've mastered a craft)

[@omieg89]

Sid Arthur I’m going to have to watch the corner because I would be disingenuous if I argued against you.

[@sidarthur8706]

omieg89 it's pretty good but you've only got to look at the order that they were made and the dictionary definition of masterpiece. what i mean is a masterpiece isn't a perfect work or the best thing someone ever did, it's the first thing they did that proves they can do what they've been trained to do. what i'm saying isn't to do with the quality of the wire, just the meaning of masterpiece. being a pedant like i've said. the corner's still worth a watch

[@omieg89]

Sid Arthur cool. Interesting thought.

[@roddi733]

No cliches, predictable stereotypes, plot armour, questionable plot twists or generic storylines, you literally cant find fault with it.

[@calebashcraft6393]

Steve Harris lol u don’t think relationships like that exist ?

[@manuginobilisbaldspot424]

@Steve Harris That's a bullshit response. The idea that because they're lesbian without their orientation being shoehorned, their being together itself is shoehorned? No, they're clearly together and their relationship deteriorates because Kima is much more about being a damn good cop than being a partner. The whole dynamic with their child goes in to detail about that. No, you're just trying to seem smart about being mad at the idea of a lesbian couple being put on the show. GTFOH.

[@donmaslanoz14]

Omar kinda had plot armor

[@moonlance3496]

Donmaślanoz14 he literally got killed by a kid

[@donmaslanoz14]

@@moonlance3496 Plot armor doesn't mean he's not gonna die at all, but he's gonna die only then, when it fits writer for the story. He robbed drug dealers for years, there where price on his head, everybody tried to kill him for five seasons, he jumped off a fucking sixth floor, and only then he was killed by a kid.

[@fekaduurga8734]

The best show ever made. It'll never be repeated. Unimaginably great creation. The greatness of season 4 will never be repeated by anyone, ever.

[@joez.2794]

That's why the end of each re-watch is always so bittersweet. Because it's one thing to _say_ "greatest TV show ever made," but quite another to understand it on a deeper level and realize what that means... "This is it. End of the road. You've just witnessed the absolute pinnacle of television, and - barring a miracle, it's all downhill from here."

[@raymondsims7042]

@@joez.2794 I completely agree with everything you said lad🤝the wire is it. It doesn’t get better then the wire

[@Ariaa76]

I wonder how many ppl. searched things like "shows like the wire" etc... eve nif you look at the scores there won't be anything like this fr... @@joez.2794 The Wire is a precious gem.

[@siddhanthshetty6920]

After watching the show I felt like I spent 3 years in the city of Baltimore.

[@alexlackner1945]

Yeah me too. And when I finally visited Baltimore in 2017, I made sure to visit some of those locations!

[@Beatstockpile127]

@@alexlackner1945 like what?

[@uncivilizedelk]

Excellent spoiler-free examination of why The Wire is absolutely amazing! Now I have to rewatch the series yet again (I've lost count how many times I've already done so).

[@123vid321]

Im doing it for the 5th time and I am totally in it.

[@TP_Gillz]

It's an annual thing for me to re-watch it once a year

[@FFM0594]

@@TP_Gillz Sheeeeeeeeeeeeet! Annually once a yeah, huh?

[@TP_Gillz]

@@FFM0594 That's what annually means right?! lol. Ya. I may skip a season some years, but usually, once I get started I can't stop. When you run out of new things to watch, why not re-watch something amazing right! It's right up there with my other annual movies like The Godfather and Goodfellas lol.

[@gerrym75]

During lockdown last year I re-watched seasons 1-3 - one of the benefits of Covid :) Will rewatch the last 2 seasons this year when I get some time.

[@matthewsawczyn6592]

"This' America, man." -First scene of The Wire

[@blackdemocrat21]

Snot Boogie!

[@jeffadams9699]

Well then why let hime play? Gots to.

[@samstewart1101]

I was hooked immediately. Gots ta ....this America..

[@kennethwanyoike5029]

What gets me is this is coming from what one might call a street bum, the downtrodden who you normally wouldn't expect to have this kind of knowledge, namely the American dream. And the he says it so casually 👏

[@dxxpxk1]

@@blackdemocrat21 he' "s not" anymore

[@marcstov]

The genius of this show is unparalleled. The humanity, the complexity, the insight which has informed so much of my "things are grey" understanding of the world is life changing. I am continuingly blown away.

[@TheUltimateRage]

Facts fam. The Wire is easily the greatest show of all time! If you haven't already, you should check out a KZbin channel called "Soft White Underbelly." The host pretty much interviews a bunch of people, mostly on Skid Row, but the interviews are extremely fascinating because it highlights the extreme issues that people in our country are battling with on a regular basis

[@marleneg7794]

​@@TheUltimateRage n aq¹¹¹

[@rickard767]

Jeez I almost fell asleep listening to you explain why it's a good show, that's not a good sign lmao

[@theena]

6:30 is when I realized I had gone from being interested in the show to being in love with it. What an incredible scene. Just one word being repeated, by two great actors and a BG actor to symbolize us, the audience, as we are being taken through 'real police work'.

[@thehound510]

the dialogue in this scene is incredible

[@sumanthbhat8177]

@@thehound510 it's literally poetry brother

[@bkbrown7489]

The wire is the most realistic depiction of the streets

[@davidp3051]

Also the most realistic depiction of policing.

[@GiftsbyChosen]

Hands freaking down!!

[@bushaybillwill]

Of baltimore streets

[@jomarcoliverman4971]

Bill Jansen of all streets idc if you in Idaho the streets are the streets

[@mannyescuela3511]

@@jomarcoliverman4971 not true the streets of the Bronx for example are waaaaay different than Baltimore in this

[@LazyGryffin]

I watch The Wire annually. I have seen the whole thing like 7 or 8 times, maybe more. No regrets.

[@joshmontana1699]

me with breaking bad

[@loveone4292]

Same here

[@Grace4ever22]

Seriously!!! Why.....

[@Grace4ever22]

My addiction is MIB 1

[@googleaccount-ir7ep]

@@joshmontana1699 me too

[@DurvalLacerda]

Just finished all of it. First time in ages that I forgot I was actually watching a tv show. Everything felt so real.

[@AlexCole272]

I love the sounds in this show, I felt like I was there, hearing every footstep, hearing the ground and floors, the background noise, cracks in the wall. It’s amazing

[@makeitup512]

I've watched all seasons of The Wire about 10x and I still catch myself finding details which I previously missed. There are so many layers it's hard to think it's a fictional show, not a real-life documentary.

[@kyngdavid3648]

*SAME....The crazy thing about it is, after watching video and part 2, just makes me want to watch it all over again.....for the 15th time😩😔*

[@michaeljjcahill3184]

It's not fictional, the foundation starts with facts

[@jomarcoliverman4971]

Fax crazy thing I just started watching it again earlier this month I’m in the middle of season 4 and it’s almost like watching it for the second time even though it’s like the 10th lol

[@robertslugg8361]

The place where McNutty's kids trail Stringer is the NE Market near Hopkins where I got my lunch 3 times a week. If you haven't sat on the bench on Federal Hill, you haven't been to Baltimore.

[@claytonjohnson6945]

Funny how the narrator uses the term 'fictional crime show" ....I'm from that housing project and Barksdale grew up across the street from me; his real name is Nathan Avon Barksdale. We were childhood friends, he passed away year before last. Marlo's real name is Timmora Stansfield , his brother is actually named Marlo. The bald headed deacon in season 3 is actually the real Little Melvin Williams (was profiled in an episode of American Gangster) this guy got the whole Baltimore heroine thing started. The stories actually tell themselves, Burns uses cases that he actually worked but the art is in how he and Simon wove the story together and stayed authentic....it didn't hurt that the real Barksdale was a creative consultant along with Little Melvin Williams (fascinating man pull up his episode of American gangster). Snoop was the real Snoop, she did 7 years for murder when she was 14 yrs old. all in all they kept it pretty real......

[@KtotheG]

"The game is rigged." That line was repeated quite a few times throughout the series. I believe it's the thesis of the whole show.

[@Pyrisy]

Kory Green yeah the show writer said this whole show is about corruption. The cops are barely better than the criminals most of the time. The higher up you go the more people are allowed to do and participate in more and more fucked up shit.

[@davidp3051]

@Kory Green I agree. There aren't enough up-votes for your post.

[@bellefonte22]

“Juking the stats” is a phrase you hear a lot throughout the show especially in season 3 when the politics come into play

[@arjunps6776]

I just finished watching The Wire and I have to agree that it's the best TV series I've seen so far. Most striking feature is the realism brought in through the complete lack of background music. I was so addicted to this show that I'm afraid that now I'll start speaking like 'them' Wire characters.

[@DocTight]

The "aight" found its way into my vocabulary, and I don't even live in an english-speaking country 😂

[@vgreens1-_238]

@@DocTight the bmore accent is getting to me with some words

[@oratiletsimatsima9643]

"I saw him, but I didn't pay him nor nevermind".

[@bunjitsu7046]

most def :)

[@paullasky6865]

Yes. Nothing spoon fed. No music telling you how to feel. I absolutely detest music in TV and movies. I know that sounds weird but I don't want to be spoon fed how to feel about something. If a TV show has no music and no canned laughter it's a breath of fresh air.

[@jeanettesdaughter]

I watched first five seasons back to back recovering from beat cancer surgery and reconstruction . Talk about a lifesaver. I forgot my pain and loss watching these tragedies. Great writing, great acting. Storytelling as elegant as Muhammad Ali in the ring at his best , swift on his feet pulling no punches.

[@BlitzkriegRap]

Hope everything is fine now! Amazing show, I'm "only" 27 not even from the US and I've watched the whole show 2 or 3 times.

[@marinarafik5948]

I hope you are ok now and won the fight 🙏

[@ipsilonia]

"....part one of my series about the wire" THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

[@markorpen377]

Quite simply, this person is doing god's work.

[@NeoAndersonChannel1]

@@markorpen377 Not all heroes wear capes

[@brendakipkemoi2738]

I think GOT writers could learn a thing or two here...

[@TubularToob]

My disappointment in GoT S8 made me finally dive into The Wire. Might as well watch a series that has unanimously perfect writing instead of one that has the writers (literally) burning the show straight to the fucking ground.

[@jasmynholland3074]

Funny because the wire never got any major awards because it was too urban for some folks yet a show about dragons, witches, and sword play win everything.

[@Dizzinator2114]

@@jasmynholland3074 yes probably due to when it came out, but in the minds of pretty much anyone who has seen it the show is a masterpiece and one of the best shows made ever. I didn't see it till 2017, and I only watched it because I decided to Google best shows ever and it was one I had heard of many times and just never watched, one of the most notable for me was a lyric by Eminem when he mentioned Omar being from the wire.

[@jasmynholland3074]

Mr. G The Wire was a great show but still since it was too black and too street and also too real some people didn’t watch it until years after it went off the air. Game of Thrones is good too but it is pure fantasy and the Wire is real life.

[@briani4959]

@@jasmynholland3074 Game of Thrones is definitely fantasy but it's loosely based on the War of the Roses from the 1400s.

[@stevendog40]

That Herc and Carver chase scene with the cliche music was hilarious

[@f2afinito983]

When ever I say “ a man must have a code.” If the person next to me doesn’t respond by saying “no doubt”. We aren’t friends.

[@powderedtoastfacekillah734]

No doubt 😏

[@mwengandoo]

Shyyyyyyyyyyyt

[@jeffadams9699]

Indeed

[@mikef-gi2dg]

no doubt

[@f2afinito983]

Sudhir Kakar lol

[@TellEveryoneRecords]

The line "Bubbles, the shows beloved heroin junkie..." is, in some odd way, the perfect description of why this show is so special. Great video, my man.

[@mantistoboggan5171]

i had a friend ask me who my favourite character was, i replied with bubs...... he says, with a confused look "the heroin addict, really" then paused and goes "oh yeah, weird how you can say that about this show".

[@MiniM69]

Showing that substance users are still people. In the current climate, they’re just numbers, the depressed and despised.

[@ngairehodge8566]

Bubs was the smartest character on the show. Unfortunately, like he said, "I'm a professional f@#k up."

[@hughmungus1767]

@@ngairehodge8566 In real life, he's a Harvard grad. Or so I've read.

[@ngairehodge8566]

@@hughmungus1767 I can believe that! Andre Royo's acting is top notch.

[@chuckiesrus1399]

After hearing from my brother about how great this show for over 10 years, I finally gave it a chance last year. Currently watching it for the 3rd time. One of my favorite TV shows ever

[@CHAMBVRS]

Such a great video. Makes me love The Wire even more and now I have a genuine appreciation for the writers and how authentic and genuine they were when creating this masterpiece.

[@CarpetEraser]

This convinced me to watch the wire. Just finished season 1... It's exactly like you described. Amazing. Thank you.

[@greeneggsgrams7709]

And how far are you now? The wire is in my top 3 hands down

[@CarpetEraser]

@@greeneggsgrams7709 I just started S2. It feels slow but I know it's worth sticking through it, I've heard it only gets better from S1. I really like that they're continuing to follow Stringer as he is a cool ass character.

[@greeneggsgrams7709]

@@CarpetEraser S2 is probably the slowest season but after that its picks right back up. With where you are now my favorite character would be Omar Little.

[@devinmj21]

@@molochz Season 2 is the most important season. It is slow but the last 3 episodes are probably the best ending to a season in the series. My favorite is season 3 and I think the best is season 4.

[@cov9290]

@@greeneggsgrams7709 I thought s1 was quite slow as in it’s good but not much happens

[@merijnvankeulen2973]

The wire is like reading a book. You see the scenes but your mind makes up the pictures.

[@ramirezz101]

Merijn van keulen lmao how

[@NewYorkNadia]

Then...why not just read a book? I could only stomach two episodes of The Wire; what a meaningless, pointless bore. One-dimensional characters, vapid dialogue, no plot, no high-stakes conflict, nothing. Waste of time, imo.

[@merijnvankeulen2973]

@@NewYorkNadia yes, because i only need to read the first two pages of a book to know that it sucks right?

[@NewYorkNadia]

@@merijnvankeulen2973 Watching two episodes would be like reading two chapters. It’s easy to tell if a book sucks by the first paragraph.

[@merijnvankeulen2973]

@@NewYorkNadia wow...OK bye!

[@josephhinton5489]

Best series I've ever seen and I'm 63 and a former multi-award winning journalist in Arizona and former Arizona Press Club Board member who was born is D.C. and spent much time in Bodymore. I return to this five year expose every few years on CD for inspiration and entertainment. Bravo. Bravo. Bravo Davide Simon, Ed Burns, all writers, cast members, extras, production crew, et al. Bravo. If you haven't seen it you're deprived.

[@enbonj5842]

Unbelievable the quality they managed to put out for 5 seasons. What a team

[@yourfriendwill]

I met Wood Harris (he of Avon Barksdale fame) on the southside of Chicago a couple years back while managing a cafe. Unfortunately, I interrupted a phone call but all the same he was incredibly gracious and kind. goddamn this show is good.

[@ceejhundo4046]

Will Robinson he got more memorable roles but cool story

[@ismailhacking340]

I’m 17 and I’m about to turn 18. Over the past 2 years I’ve been watching and working my way through what people have told me are some of the greatest shows of all time. I started with breaking bad, as most of my friends were watching at the time. When I finished I thought “man, nothing can top this”. Then, I started the game of thrones. And I watched it all, and even with s8 and it’s crap, I thought “man this is amazing how am I ever gonna get into a show again?” Then I watched sopranos and the same thing. Then, I watched the wire. It’s. A different kind of amazing. But it’s so brilliant and it goes by like a snap of your finger and you just want to rewatch and rewatch. The way it ties so many individual parts of a collective city within each episode, then within each season, then within the entire series is completely brilliant. It truly is one of a kind.

[@samjane3500]

I'm about to help you out, pal. Check out Mad Men and Deadwood then you'll have consumed the greatest shows of all time before you even turn 20.

[@robvrije]

Same here... the exact four series. Wire, Sopranos, GOT, breaking bad. In this order. Nothing can top this I’m afraid.

[@deanhava4157]

I thought dexter would have been up there

[@edgar6051]

Im 17 and im in the exact situation youre were in haha But i never watched GOT und i am just starting to watch the wire

[@r3dsnow757]

@@edgar6051 enjoy the wire , i watched it when i was 18 and senior year in highschool. Loved it.

[@Claramata]

Funny story, I work in shipping. I was watching season 2 for the first time with my BF (who'd seen the show before) and when they go into that container in the first episode I'm like "oh I think they got the dimensions of the container wrong it looks like it's too short" because that's happened in other shows plenty. And my boyfriend just smirked because he knew what was coming.

[@rickemmet1104]

Thomas, that was extremely well done! Looking forward to the next installment, too. The Corner was my introduction to these writers / producers and it completely blew me away. As hard as it is to read, it's also a great literary achievement - though I was depressed for a couple of weeks after finishing the book. Both series were excellent, and it's good to see that you took away so many different lessons for filmmaking from them.

[@croisaor2308]

Without a doubt the best show ever. At first almost nothing about it was appealing to me on a surface level; but the writing, characters and stories are unlike anything else I've ever seen.

[@ladymakini9963]

on a surface level the writing, characters and stories IS what was so appealing. otherwords , U like what u think u don"t like.

[@bluetheory2]

ever

[@supa4ys843]

Definitely not the best show ever, but everything else I will agree with.

[@mantistoboggan5171]

@@supa4ys843 please don't tell me the greatest is breakingbad

[@bennuballbags2]

@@ladymakini9963 Its like a bottle of fine wine to me, the first sip to me tastes like shit....but the more you drink the better it gets. Then you want another. 100% agree, the best show ever.

[@ACinDorset]

The Wire has its fans in the UK as well. I never saw it at the time, but bought the DVD box-set of all seasons and watched it just 2 years ago and was blown away by it. Easily the most powerful and heartfelt TV series that I have ever seen. It is the honesty of it that shines bright.

[@johnbull1568]

The worst thing about the show in the UK is that the critics would say stuff like 'make sure you have subtitles on', like us mere plebs couldn't understand the dialogue. If anything, it emphasises that they need subtitles and people who can appreciate a show like this don't.

[@rogerhernandez282]

@@johnbull1568 B-cause B-more dialect

[@Hexon66]

@@rogerhernandez282 Except none of the Brits in the show sounded even remotely Bal'mer. Even Idris, when he tried to class up with the real estate crew, let his natural accent flow even more.

[@PickpocketJones]

@@Hexon66 The show didn't go too hard with the Balmer accents, not like We Own This City. I've honestly found you hear the accent less in the city and more in like Jessup or surrounding areas. Aiden Gillen did better at Balmer than Sam Worthington doing Philly in the Unibomber show at least.

[@shumr]

Det. Ellis Carver: See, that's why we can't win. Det. Thomas Hauk: Why not? Det. Ellis Carver: They **** up, they get beat. We **** up, they give us pensions.

[@safisajid8857]

This is such a powerful line

[@NeverSaySandwich1]

Don't get it

[@devinthorn8182]

He’s saying as cops they don’t face repercussions for their fuck ups. How often do you read about a cop doing some heinous illegal shit on duty and he just retires early and collects pension or lays low a month and pops up later in another district? Think about kids who’s parents never discipline them, who never get told that what they are doing is wrong. Those kids are usually little shits right?

[@personwholovesyou4942]

@@devinthorn8182 the way i interpret it, he’s saying that because they don’t face the same kind of repurcussions, their motivation to succeed will ultimately never equal that of those in the game

[@chocofro3]

@@personwholovesyou4942 that's exactly what he was saying. Devin Thorn only focused on half of the quote

[@masterace1677]

The wire is Obama's favorite show. SHIIIEET! It's unfair that this show didn't get any Emmys awards or better ratings as it rightfully deserves. Great writing and cast.

[@musaka2022]

I love to sip me a cold refreshing glass of flint tap water while watching The Wire

[@DefineHatespeech]

@@musaka2022 sheeeeeeeeeeeeit!

[@dominik-co6qe]

Better ratings? Its rated second on imbd right after breaking bad

[@dominik-co6qe]

@Poetic Bliss ok

[@musaka2022]

@Poetic Bliss The music they listened to wasn't even close to authentic

[@williammelvin]

"the wire doesn't demand your attention, it requires it" Best TV show ever written.

[@Jesse615]

The level of detail in The Wire is incredible. One example -- there's a scene where the character is parked in his car on the street -- which he names (Eastern Ave. in Greektown). The shot has a wide depth of field, so that the street outside, in the background, is fairly blurry. But I lived in Southeast Baltimore for many years, and see enough to recognize that particular block, which is indeed on Eastern Ave. in Greektown!

[@misterx4757]

Just finished the series. As a man from Detroit, it is one of the best shows , no the best show I've ever seen. Hopeful and heartbreaking all at the same time. Loved everything and everyone involved.

[@glennlee6987]

Splendidly done and very accurate summation of The Wire. Your video is very well done. Thank you for the in-depth analysis!

[@TopGunHat]

Wonderful video. The Wire is easily my favorite show of all time. (minor Season 4 spoilers below) My personal favorite "show don't tell" moment is in Season Four when Chris Partlow looks at Michael after he asks them to deal with his stepfather. Chris is confused to why Michael wants him gone so bad, but without any words exchanged realizes that it is because Michael has been sexually abused by his stepfather and fears for the safety of Bug. Chris knows this because he was also a victim of sexual abuse as a child and kills Michael's stepfather with unhinged anger and brutality that comes out from his own past trauma. This was my interpretation of it at least. It is seriously amazing how so much is communicated to the audience so subtlety and without any dialog confirming anything.

[@ThomasFlight]

That's a powerful moment. Totally agree.

[@Gore171459]

That's how I read it, too. When I saw how shook Snoop looked it clicked for me.

[@pietneggers9069]

Especially because of the contrast with the cold hearted way he goes about the other murders

[@maxmarks3503]

"Damn... You didn't even wait to get the mawfucka in the house!"

[@KayleeCee]

@@maxmarks3503 I came down into the replies to see if anyone had said this. Snoop always cracked me up. That scene of her buying that nail gun is the best!

[@UrbanNoizeMusic]

Now i completely understand why The Wire is one of the most beloved tv shows in the last 2 decades. Thank you for this great breakdown and detail analyzation.

[@lovenlightman]

I dont.

[@stevemattero1471]

You could just yknow watch it yourself?

[@garnettraypaul]

Now this is a top notch analysis, like on the level of nerdwriter1, screened etc. I love The Wire and I loved the way you took the viewer deep into realism here. Great job!

[@AdamG1983]

Everyone: "Is this show is as good as people say?" Me: "Yes. Yes it is."

[@Andrew_2040]

I've tried to get a number of people to watch the wire. No one has the patients or focus to make it thru the first season. Too conditioned to the format of network shows. So frustrating.

[@whlewis9164]

@@Andrew_2040 some shameful shit

[@whizkid0000]

This is a comment wall of people with good taste.

[@Smok3God_Music]

whizkid0000 facts

[@justanotherguy4339]

And without any abuse That's a first on the interwebs

[@xorpe7172]

I feel safe in this comment thread

[@ngairehodge8566]

@Agent Orange that was a quick lesson on safety being an illusion, damn!

[@realrobrose]

Cutting out Prop Joe's second part of his explanation as to what a marriage counselor does is unforgivable

[@Taboo160193]

Yea, that was gold. 'Speaking of cocksuckers'

[@hoodoo457]

What was it

[@jihigh482]

@@hoodoo457 He/She just tells the husband to offer flowers to his wife from time to time and tells the wife to suck her husband's dick from time to time

[@Schrodinger_]

@@hoodoo457 "Charge by the hour to tell some fool he need to bring some flowers home. Then charge another hour telling the bitch she ought to suck some cock every once in a while. You know, keep the marriage strong like that."

[@suetravis9159]

I just rewatched it for the third time. It is timeless, and it shows the good and bad in all of us. You can’t help but feel for all the people in the show, they are so human. Just loved it.

[@Kimberbeagle]

Absolutely Brilliant! We were sad when it ended. Definitely Worth rewatching again.

[@thefractalcurve5462]

When Bubbles was walking thru Hamsterdam trying to sell tshirts, he seen the true ugliness of what ppl are reduced to when left to their own devices.

[@kommissar.murphy]

"just a gangster, I suppose." Such an amazing line, with so much behind it.

[@ThomasFlight]

Powerful line. The Stringer/Avon arc is one of my favorite aspects of the show.

[@vka337]

" Young boy ran us off the corner"!!??

[@tonycariello8478]

Or as my dude Omar said..."At the end of the day the king and the pawn go back in the same box"

[@oldheadperspective]

And I want my corners

[@herebyhereby2874]

Get the fuck out of here. The line has no super deep meaning. Stop reading so much into it

[@antonpaco]

I think it's so amazing because it's real, tough, bad, especially the first season shows how scary the world of drugs and crime is. Great cast.

[@manholeeunuchsbane6197]

Great ensemble cast, great writing, great characters. Pretty much everything you could want in TV series.

[@raymondsims7042]

Facts it’s the best show ever made

[@klausbrinck2137]

A couple of days before that video, i started watching The Wire, by incident. For the fourth time in the last 10 years... I´m sure gonna watch it another ten times in my lifetime, for sure! Best series ever made by far... Greetings from Germany!

[@ThomasFlight]

Watch Part 2: kzbin.info/www/bejne/epimaZmuhLWMm9k

[@ianblackburn2645]

Love your video essays you really take a deep look at everything in your essays

[@veeedgee]

Was just about to ask. ...where is part2?!

[@abdougunner2560]

if there is a new part coming in the future about the wire I really want to be about season 2 and why it was important and brilliant, because. It is so underrated and hated by many fans.

[@subversivelysurreal3645]

Thomas Flight : Beginning with a war-criminal is a less than good idea.

[@highhaloguy806]

@@ianblackburn2645 à

[@Darla173]

rewatching this series for the fifth time.. man this series is phenomenal, way above the rest.. dont know how to put into words how i love and admire this masterpiece!..

[@mariobastidas3102]

With out a doubt this show is the best i have ever seen. This is not for the ones that want quick action shows... you need to give it attention and it will reward you with quality experience!

[@JaydevRaol]

Thanks a lot for this. Now I can show this to my friends who still haven't watched it and that too without spoiling anything. 😃👏🙏

[@Howtard]

I've been trying to convince my fiancee to give The Wire a shot for years, but haven't been able to describe it without either spoiling something or making it so vague that it sounds like a thousand other shows. Definitely showing this to her. Thanks!

[@Ironclad6661]

The Wire was one of the best written shows of all time.

[@MarioKL]

I watched this video a couple of months ago, showed up on my feed. Since then, I bought the Blu-Rays and we're watching slowly with the Mrs. Only 8 episodes and, and so far, we're loving it!

[@redcapote4760]

The Wire to me is still the #1 TV show of all time. Yes, even slightly ahead of the Sopranos. Yes, far ahead of Breaking Bad. It's not a cop show. It's not a show about drug gangs or mobs. It's a show about how our potential and vulnerabilities smash into each other, beautifully or tragically, at all ages and from all backgrounds, in a depth and from so many angles that no other show has ever done. All while making every character so perfectly and seamlessly believable in all their flaws. You can absolutely forget you're watching a show instead of having inside access to something actually occurring in the US.

[@traxonn]

The only thing that keeps the wire above the Sopranos is how unrealistic the gunfights for the sopranos is sometimes.

[@dazeja]

The part about it being more of a novel than a tv show is so true. This show has actually ruined other shows many years afterwards. For example, I’ve tried many times to watch Power but I simple can’t. I’d rather rewatch the Wire.

[@manaulhoque6507]

Faacts. Had the same problem with power.

[@jonloc8535]

The desk bit was the best comedic bit in a dramatic work Also Michael B Jordan as Wallace, just wanted to mention it

[@dougroux5087]

Jon Loc HAHAHA WHERE THEY WERE HAULING IT THE WRONG WAY?

[@klausbrinck2137]

@@dougroux5087 2 persons were pushing from each side against each other...

[@LoneLoboX88]

My all time favorite scene is Kima Greggs and her son sitting by the window and bidding bye to the city. The beautiful smile Kima gives to the camera (the whole world) as the camera pans out. Just a great scene, man.

[@oceaser6977]

I think what made this show so great wasn’t just the writing but the acting- it was superb. The plot was written well but the actors as well as their own unique individuality within a shared stories really made this show can’t miss tv

[@grantwallace1882]

The Wire is head and shoulders above any other television show.

[@nodrama490]

Grant Wallace Omar “ no doubt!”

[@bluecomet1109]

Umm no try again, Sopranos is better

[@nodrama490]

@@bluecomet1109 umm not a chance

[@bluecomet1109]

@skin09588 Sopranos not only has amazing writing, characters, but also lots of depth in character development, you can't top Sopranos plain and simple

[@blaccbeard]

@silent phantom You wanna talk about character development you need look no further than Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski.

[@canecarder9800]

I honestly don't think there will ever be a series this good ever again. People nowadays lack the attention span for something so complex and detail-oriented. Its too bad though cause this is easily the most rewarding television series of all time. For those who have never watched it, please give it a shot

[@frind]

I began to watch the show during the lockdown and is absolutely BRILLIANT! I'm watching season 4 and already said that I have only one more season to watch. Besides what a great video man. +1 subscribe and viewer

[@philiphorner]

The analysis is genius. Despite watching it so many times I feel inadequate at my inability to eloquently study or convey it to others like this.

[@frankd4875]

Great insight into The Wire, just happened to find your video on YT while I'm watching Season 1 of The Wire and the whole series for the second time. As a former federal prosecutor and long-time federal criminal defense attorney, the realism of this series really struck home with me. The acting and direction of the story lines is just brilliant. This has to be one of the all-time best series ever made, along with The Sopranos and Breaking Bad. Your insights show how much hard work goes into creating top-shelf entertainment.

[@da3m0nic_79]

Thank you so much for making this video. I was waiting so long for a video with show footage to explain what makes it so special.

[@Outland9000]

_"I got the shotgun. You got the briefcase."_

[@michaelcoughlin4534]

Seen in it twice in its entirety. It’s my gold standard for television.

[@marinarafik5948]

Unreachable, I would add

[@aroyals339]

when you talk about not offering solutions I can't help but think of 1 of the rare times they did the Free Zone was amazing, not just the idea, but the execution within the show and the debate outside of the show. Maybe my fav part of the whole series, I couldn't get it out of my head for months afterwards

[@MSU93]

Hampsterdamn

[@ericmiller1181]

Just watched the entire series for the first time!! couldn't agree with you more, the show is so brilliant in such a subtle way

[@anthonymyers4516]

I rewatch this series, sometimes I'll pick a specific season, to humble myself and help deal with certain things. First time watching I connected with certain characters for certain traits that were made to feel actually human. I just stumbled upon your page, and I'm happy I did. Full of wonderful content.

[@LloydWaldo]

Obama calling the wire his favorite show is just… honestly it’s The Wire tier irony.

[@Paul-vf2wl]

It's too bad Simon was too starstruck to point out that Obama did jack to try and stop the stupidity of the drug war in his 8 years.

[@7haro]

but obama didnt help a little bit

[@Spearca]

​@@Paul-vf2wlObama oversaw a shift from drug enforcement to drug treatment, directing more resources for public health rather than incarceration. He was the first president in many years to leave office with a smaller federal prison population. He allowed cannabis legalization to proceed at the state level without interference. Realistically, I don't know how much better a president of his moment could have been.

[@Jack-pz4my]

​@7haro what's he meant to do?

[@BigOobie23]

@@Jack-pz4mynot be a real life tommy carcetti

[@blaccbeard]

best show ever made, game of thrones cant hold a candle to it

[@dynamicflashy]

Especially the last two seasons of Game of Thrones.

[@Vastatio]

D'lish Donut No.

[@jordicostagayoso1496]

Breaking bad?

[@neuralmute]

@@jordicostagayoso1496 My opinion is that The Sopranos set things up so that The Wire and Breaking Bad could land in a dead tie as the best TV dramas ever. The first 4 seasons of Game of Thrones, when the writers were still working directly from George RR Martin's books, are pretty close in quality too, but managed to jump the shark *and* fuck the dog when the showrunners were left to their own devices without Uncle George spoon-feeding them plots that make sense and intelligent dialogue. I'm sure that Sean Bean and Charles Dance are thanking the Old Gods and The New that their characters were allowed to die when they did, and were spared this dumpster fire.

[@bennuballbags2]

100,0000% agree....yeh GOT has titties and brutal violence...but it hasnt got the brains

[@MrCodBasher95]

Watching this has made me appreciate even more how good the wire really was

[@WorldWidePatriots]

Same I've just finished my 5th watch and I never even considered the many comparisons between the cops and the dealers.

[@PM2024-]

This show, wow. It’s a commitment. I remember being so incredibly engrossed with so many episodes; at the end of so many I found myself overrun with emotions - often in tears. So powerful. The Wire. And the Sopranos. The best two shows - ever 📺

[@Peakfiction8613]

Agree wire and sopranos are some of the best American tv series I have seen

[@arvind5833]

@@Peakfiction8613 I'm planning on watching The Sopranos and The Wire. Which should I watch first?

[@PM2024-]

@@arvind5833 I’d go with Sopranos. Just remember, with either one, put down your phone for an hour and give it your full attention. You’ll get more out of it 📺

[@raymondsims7042]

@@PM2024-mate what’s your top ten tv shows? To me it’s 1. The wire 2. Game of thrones 3. Mr robot 4. Dark 5. The boys 6. Breaking bad 7. Succession 8. Stranger things 9. Sopranos 10. Mad Men/Better call Saul

[@PM2024-]

@@raymondsims7042 Sopranos, The Wire, Homeland, The Americans, Peaky Blinders, Breaking Bad, Animal Kingdom, Boardwalk Empire, Mad Men, The Boys 📺 (from this century)

[@jeda7343]

What makes this show amd the sopranos so great is the feel you get that the actors are just playing themselves. I can tell that they are a loooooooot of scenes in this shows that are full improv.