Season 2 is really special. When it first dropped people were disappointed that it was taking focus off of the street level, but the change sets the template for the following seasons to each be about a different aspect of Baltimore, all while following the rises and falls of the returning cast. Great show and glad you're liking it James!
Yea it's unfortunate. Fun fact about the show is that I believe the most viewed episode both on release and on streaming is S2E1. I guess too many people got scared off when they figured out it wasn't just a cops and gangsters show
I think season 4 might be the best season of television period ever. But I totally love this season as well, I think it's underrated when it comes to ppl ranking their favorites usually, but a bunch of the dock worker cast are some of my favorite characters in the whole series.
Eh, I would say the weakest part of this season is the greek. Way too over the top mustache twirling comic book villain to fit the shows overall realism.
@@Chimponaut I mean to each their own but I think The Greek fits very well with the series especially in regards to its themes since he's literally capitalism as a character and that aspect of his character alone is a perfect parallel with the city's own political system. I think he's a pretty good villain. Nothing much compared to other main villains on the show but I think that's mostly compared to screen time. Overall I think The Greek is a wonderful addition to the series. Imo.
"Everybody knows what the system is being held up on, but no-one's doing anything about it because they're like 'well, my position is better than the last one'." Great quote, genuinely could be one they show at the start of the episode if it wasn't James that said it.
There's a reason you don't see Frank's family life. His life is devoted to his union. Everything he does is for his union. Everything. He is truly selfless. I always liken him to a Greek tragic hero (despite him being Polish), because his devotion to his union family is completely noble in its intent, sullied by its implementation, and ruined by the consequences of ignoring the other side of his life. All of it given life by the brilliant performance of Chris Bauer, who was just 36 at the time. But he plays a middle aged man with the weight of the world on his shoulders like someone who had lived it.
Very well said friend! I think the relationship between the three Sobotka's and Frank's tunnel vision goes over a lot of people's heads. This series is literally the best when it comes to that rewatch value.
Some people think Ziggy is a bad character, but I’ve never understood that - I’ve definitely known Ziggys in my life, people who’ve given up before life started and treat EVERYTHING as a bad joke. Writing and actor nail it.
@@neilbiggs1353exactly. He's an intentionally annoying character and the actor really did a good job of bringing that out. People confuse "bad" with "I hate this character" a lot.
Absolutely agree. Imho Ziggy is a high tier Wire character. Another character who stands out far more on rewatches. He's hugely dislikable but he's definitely not a bad character.
@@monadreher2428 He kind of has that D'Angelo vibe, a character dragged in to a situation because of his family, not because he wanted to be there. He is one of a few characters that show the damage of Frank's obsession
What I love about this show is how many good characters there are that you just love to follow, then when they partner up or share scenes together is fantastic.
One of the many things I love about The Wire is it gives actors who normally play small roles a chance to flex with exceptional writing. Frank Sobotka is a prime example.
A few decades ago; some colleagues stole a garden gnome from a neighbour's garden and took it on a global tour with a major rock band. They took photos of it in front of major national landmarks on their itinerary and sent them to its owner. They took care to return it several months later (along with a swag bag of merchandise). Similar to the gnome in the movie "Amelie", or the surveillance van in this season of the Wire. But I think we all know that Valchek ain't getting that thing back!
Again, The Wire proves to be such an incredible show! The Wire & The Office & The Penguin & Always Sunny & More on Patreon! Click here: www.patreon.com/jamesvscinema Have a great day y'all!
It’s the heavy balding, the stubble and his body type (fat suit). Very middle aged dad pilled. But if you look closely, you can see he’s young. Soft skin, very little wrinkles.
"For your information I wake up every morning with an angry blue-veined diamond cutter. I was gonna enlighten the president of local 47 on this particular point and he chose to depart. Blue steel, gentlemen, 3 & 1/2 inches of hard blue steel."
@@CallOfCutie69 He admitted he looked older and was aging poorly because he was doing drus at the time and he was also an alcoholic. He's been sober for a long time now though.
At the time of the original airing, a lot of people who loved the 1st season would give up on it by the end of episode 3 of season 2. 20+ years later I tell people to give it a chance by the end of episode 4 or 5, they'll be hooked for the rest of the entire series.
I have a pretty clear memory of when Digital Cameras became a thing, was working at Target during the summers while in college at the time, spent a lot of time selling them at the Electronics counter LOL Also sold Mike Bibby (from the Sacramento Kings) NBA Street and a boxing game back then too :P
I’d be shocked if someone either here or on Patreon hasn’t already called this out (or if you already knew it), but just in case: the theme music is sung by Tom Waits this season (he also wrote it, if memory serves). I freely admit to being a huge fan of his, but I’ve always had difficulty when I recommend him to others. His singing is a bit of an acquired taste and not for everyone, but holy crap can he and his wife (they’re /very/ much a partnership on the writing side) pen a lyric. His songs are stories in a way that few songs are in my experience; I do recommend the song “swordfishtrombone” from the album of the same name, most of the Rain Dogs album and, for a different feel, “Romeo is Bleeding” from Blue Valentine. Just for starters. :) If you’re anything like me, you may not generally pay as much attention to the lyrics of a song as you do the feel of it. The feel of his stuff is great, but the lyrics are something else entirely. Cheers.
Never considered it before but does the slang "hardcase" get used in the US? In the UK it's a term for a tough guy, so hard cases here would have a double meaning (or at least if that is slang in Baltimore) Also in response to the start, I believe that they've said the unidentified bodies go to the anatomy board so it's implied they are used for medical training etc
Tom Stoppard delineated tragedy as “the bad end unhappily, the good unluckily.” This masterpiece presents a subtler vision, the bad end unhappily, though not all of them; the good unluckily, with exceptions. All the “good guys” have human flaws, (almost) all the “bad guys” are recognisably human.
Funny that you said Beadie (Beatrice Russel) looks like a character from Fargo, and then immediately after quoted Michael Scott from The Office. Amy Ryan, the actress who plays Beadie also plays Holly Flax, Michael's ultimate love interest on The Office.
Oh indeed. Idc how big budget GoT is and I say this as a huge fan of GoT myself. The Wire and GoT are literally night and day in terms of consistent quality.
The Wire seasons 3&4 are generally agreed upon as the best and seasons 2&5 are commonly the least favourite but all seasons of The Wire are still better than almost any other drama T.V show. My personal ranking is 2
This. Best seasons for me are definitely 3 and 4 with 3 being my fave of the five. All five seasons are great TV and you really can't go wrong with having any one of them as your top pick. They all stand out from each other and all are important and needed for the story. Can't really say the same thing for other TV shows especially ones that have far more seasons than The Wire does. My ranking is 4,3,1,2,5 but all in all I personally don't think not one season is bad.
Bruh. I know there are many incredible actors out there, with mad skills and talent. BUT, pound for pound, no one can say 10,000 words with just his eyes like Lance muthaflippin' Reddick. 😂😐
He isn't practising, but it does deeply inform parts of his morality. Here for example it seems he feels guilty that he can't do enough for these girls to get them a proper burial. There is definitely other stuff going on, like his ego, but there is a Catholic part of it too
@@WhatsUpMan1969 you're right in that basic empathy doesn't require religion, but that doesn't change the fact that mcnutty is an irish catholic. he may not be practicing but many catholics don't. and guilt is a huge part of catholicism, it's baked into the religion; we're always praying or seeking some sort of penance for not doing enough, so much so that we often inadvertently end up making other peoples' tragedies about ourselves, feeling sorry for ourselves, punishing ourseves, etc. i mean, this is all jimmy lol
Game of thrones is trash. I never made it thru a whole episode, but I tried and finally watched several. It is just nothing to me. The wire and sopranos and some other are actually decent.
Season 2 is really good, but it is the weakest one, you will see (or have already seen) as you keep going. This season has earned my respect over many re-watches since the early 2000s when this originally aired, though.
@@NortwestYeah have to agree. Objectively Season 5 is definitely the weakest season. Still a great season of television nonetheless. 2 is actually one of the stronger seasons on rewatch.
Season 2 is really special. When it first dropped people were disappointed that it was taking focus off of the street level, but the change sets the template for the following seasons to each be about a different aspect of Baltimore, all while following the rises and falls of the returning cast. Great show and glad you're liking it James!
Is there another show that has ever done anything like the Wire, where each season ultimately is another perspective on a central subject?
It showed the city was the main character 👌
Yea it's unfortunate. Fun fact about the show is that I believe the most viewed episode both on release and on streaming is S2E1. I guess too many people got scared off when they figured out it wasn't just a cops and gangsters show
I always liked the bit where Bunk and Fresmon try to walk the docks guy down to the station- union man knew his rights
I think season 4 might be the best season of television period ever. But I totally love this season as well, I think it's underrated when it comes to ppl ranking their favorites usually, but a bunch of the dock worker cast are some of my favorite characters in the whole series.
Agreed, completely under rated...
Eh, I would say the weakest part of this season is the greek. Way too over the top mustache twirling comic book villain to fit the shows overall realism.
Season 3 was definitely my most favorite season
@@Chimponaut There's literally no comic book shit anywhere in The Wire and the Greek is based on a real European sex trafficker.
@@Chimponaut I mean to each their own but I think The Greek fits very well with the series especially in regards to its themes since he's literally capitalism as a character and that aspect of his character alone is a perfect parallel with the city's own political system. I think he's a pretty good villain. Nothing much compared to other main villains on the show but I think that's mostly compared to screen time. Overall I think The Greek is a wonderful addition to the series. Imo.
"Michael Scott was in me on that one." .....THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!! HAHAHAHA!!!
😂😂😂
"Everybody knows what the system is being held up on, but no-one's doing anything about it because they're like 'well, my position is better than the last one'."
Great quote, genuinely could be one they show at the start of the episode if it wasn't James that said it.
There's a reason you don't see Frank's family life. His life is devoted to his union. Everything he does is for his union. Everything. He is truly selfless. I always liken him to a Greek tragic hero (despite him being Polish), because his devotion to his union family is completely noble in its intent, sullied by its implementation, and ruined by the consequences of ignoring the other side of his life. All of it given life by the brilliant performance of Chris Bauer, who was just 36 at the time. But he plays a middle aged man with the weight of the world on his shoulders like someone who had lived it.
He is the definition of "The road to Hell is paved with the best intentions."
At the same time, there is a big part of him that shows what happens when you think the ends justify the means
WAIT ALVAR HANSO I KNEW I RECOGNIZED THAT NAME FROM SOMEWHERE
4 8 15 16 23 42
@mrdarkshoe you may have found me, but you'll never find The Island! 😉
Very well said friend! I think the relationship between the three Sobotka's and Frank's tunnel vision goes over a lot of people's heads. This series is literally the best when it comes to that rewatch value.
Some people think Ziggy is a bad character, but I’ve never understood that - I’ve definitely known Ziggys in my life, people who’ve given up before life started and treat EVERYTHING as a bad joke. Writing and actor nail it.
Not a bad character, but I he annoys me immensely. I get that is somewhat intentional though
@@neilbiggs1353exactly. He's an intentionally annoying character and the actor really did a good job of bringing that out. People confuse "bad" with "I hate this character" a lot.
Absolutely agree. Imho Ziggy is a high tier Wire character. Another character who stands out far more on rewatches. He's hugely dislikable but he's definitely not a bad character.
@@monadreher2428 He kind of has that D'Angelo vibe, a character dragged in to a situation because of his family, not because he wanted to be there. He is one of a few characters that show the damage of Frank's obsession
@@neilbiggs1353 Yes agreed on all fronts friend. I also think that Prez is another great parallel for Ziggy.
What I love about this show is how many good characters there are that you just love to follow, then when they partner up or share scenes together is fantastic.
One of the many things I love about The Wire is it gives actors who normally play small roles a chance to flex with exceptional writing. Frank Sobotka is a prime example.
You're really getting into it James, enjoy buddy!
Thanks will do!!
For me, the surly spouse segment is one of the most entertaining sequences in the series.
Up there with the hilarious desk moving scene. 🙃
19:00 Best reaction ever to the end of an episode :D
A few decades ago; some colleagues stole a garden gnome from a neighbour's garden and took it on a global tour with a major rock band. They took photos of it in front of major national landmarks on their itinerary and sent them to its owner.
They took care to return it several months later (along with a swag bag of merchandise). Similar to the gnome in the movie "Amelie", or the surveillance van in this season of the Wire. But I think we all know that Valchek ain't getting that thing back!
I don't think Ziggy is that oblivious to his surroundings. He just doesn't give a crap.
This episode has so many funny parts!
Again, The Wire proves to be such an incredible show!
The Wire & The Office & The Penguin & Always Sunny & More on Patreon! Click here: www.patreon.com/jamesvscinema
Have a great day y'all!
You know a show is good when you don’t want the episodes to end
@ 3:26 that bridge in the background is the Key bridge and is not there anymore!
Craziest thing about Frank Sobotka is that his actor was like 30 something when they filmed it, and yet he looks like he looks so much older.
35 or 36 when the season was filmed
And wore a fat suit. Chris Bauer delivers just a powerhouse performance as Frank. He deserves a lead role in a film.
It’s the heavy balding, the stubble and his body type (fat suit). Very middle aged dad pilled. But if you look closely, you can see he’s young. Soft skin, very little wrinkles.
"For your information I wake up every morning with an angry blue-veined diamond cutter. I was gonna enlighten the president of local 47 on this particular point and he chose to depart. Blue steel, gentlemen, 3 & 1/2 inches of hard blue steel."
@@CallOfCutie69 He admitted he looked older and was aging poorly because he was doing drus at the time and he was also an alcoholic. He's been sober for a long time now though.
I am pleased to announce that Wendell Pierce, otherwise known as BUNK, will be playing Perry White in the upcoming Superman movie by James Gunn.
At the time of the original airing, a lot of people who loved the 1st season would give up on it by the end of episode 3 of season 2. 20+ years later I tell people to give it a chance by the end of episode 4 or 5, they'll be hooked for the rest of the entire series.
"I can relate." 🤣
I forgot how funny this episode was lol
I have a pretty clear memory of when Digital Cameras became a thing, was working at Target during the summers while in college at the time, spent a lot of time selling them at the Electronics counter LOL
Also sold Mike Bibby (from the Sacramento Kings) NBA Street and a boxing game back then too :P
I’d be shocked if someone either here or on Patreon hasn’t already called this out (or if you already knew it), but just in case: the theme music is sung by Tom Waits this season (he also wrote it, if memory serves). I freely admit to being a huge fan of his, but I’ve always had difficulty when I recommend him to others. His singing is a bit of an acquired taste and not for everyone, but holy crap can he and his wife (they’re /very/ much a partnership on the writing side) pen a lyric. His songs are stories in a way that few songs are in my experience; I do recommend the song “swordfishtrombone” from the album of the same name, most of the Rain Dogs album and, for a different feel, “Romeo is Bleeding” from Blue Valentine. Just for starters. :) If you’re anything like me, you may not generally pay as much attention to the lyrics of a song as you do the feel of it. The feel of his stuff is great, but the lyrics are something else entirely. Cheers.
Never considered it before but does the slang "hardcase" get used in the US? In the UK it's a term for a tough guy, so hard cases here would have a double meaning (or at least if that is slang in Baltimore)
Also in response to the start, I believe that they've said the unidentified bodies go to the anatomy board so it's implied they are used for medical training etc
Tom Stoppard delineated tragedy as “the bad end unhappily, the good unluckily.” This masterpiece presents a subtler vision, the bad end unhappily, though not all of them; the good unluckily, with exceptions. All the “good guys” have human flaws, (almost) all the “bad guys” are recognisably human.
Funny that you said Beadie (Beatrice Russel) looks like a character from Fargo, and then immediately after quoted Michael Scott from The Office. Amy Ryan, the actress who plays Beadie also plays Holly Flax, Michael's ultimate love interest on The Office.
Don’t spoil it!!
the wire eats game of thrones for breakfast
Oh indeed. Idc how big budget GoT is and I say this as a huge fan of GoT myself. The Wire and GoT are literally night and day in terms of consistent quality.
Just waiting for s2e6
The Wire seasons 3&4 are generally agreed upon as the best and seasons 2&5 are commonly the least favourite but all seasons of The Wire are still better than almost any other drama T.V show. My personal ranking is 2
This. Best seasons for me are definitely 3 and 4 with 3 being my fave of the five. All five seasons are great TV and you really can't go wrong with having any one of them as your top pick. They all stand out from each other and all are important and needed for the story. Can't really say the same thing for other TV shows especially ones that have far more seasons than The Wire does. My ranking is 4,3,1,2,5 but all in all I personally don't think not one season is bad.
Bruh. I know there are many incredible actors out there, with mad skills and talent. BUT, pound for pound, no one can say 10,000 words with just his eyes like Lance muthaflippin' Reddick. 😂😐
Hahahaha see that’s the damn truth! 😂
Nice outro
Ayyy cheers!
TEAM KIMA!
I can't wait for the reaction to The Office episode with The Wire crossover. Gonna be great seeing your face!
i don't know about McNutty being religious...
He isn't practising, but it does deeply inform parts of his morality. Here for example it seems he feels guilty that he can't do enough for these girls to get them a proper burial. There is definitely other stuff going on, like his ego, but there is a Catholic part of it too
@@neilbiggs1353 I appreciate your point of view, but I don't think basic empathy requires any religious component.
@@WhatsUpMan1969 you're right in that basic empathy doesn't require religion, but that doesn't change the fact that mcnutty is an irish catholic. he may not be practicing but many catholics don't. and guilt is a huge part of catholicism, it's baked into the religion; we're always praying or seeking some sort of penance for not doing enough, so much so that we often inadvertently end up making other peoples' tragedies about ourselves, feeling sorry for ourselves, punishing ourseves, etc. i mean, this is all jimmy lol
@@spamdunk87 Fair enough. :)
197th.
Game of thrones is trash. I never made it thru a whole episode, but I tried and finally watched several. It is just nothing to me. The wire and sopranos and some other are actually decent.
Season 2 is really good, but it is the weakest one, you will see (or have already seen) as you keep going. This season has earned my respect over many re-watches since the early 2000s when this originally aired, though.
Season 5 weakest in my view
@@NortwestYeah have to agree. Objectively Season 5 is definitely the weakest season. Still a great season of television nonetheless. 2 is actually one of the stronger seasons on rewatch.
You know what's funny, season 5 was so forgettable, I forgot about it! Thanks for the reminder, you guys are right!