One More on the Telly: Page 43 - The Arsenal discussion forum and community: One More in the Tolly

One More on the Telly

Tam

I never got around to finishing The Wire. I loved the first three seasons but the fourth dragged a bit for me, mainly because I didn't like characters like Marlo or the school setting. It just wasn't as gripping as the earlier seasons. I will definitely need to revisit it though.

Burnwinter

Qwiss! wrote:
The Wire is about institutions, the Sopranos is about characters. Thats the main difference I think. For that reason I think there is far more depth and rewatchability to the Sopranos. And I've watched The Wire in its entirety 3 times so I'm not denigrating it, its still brilliant.

The Sopranos is brilliant on the institution of the nuclear family, as you'd expect. Together with the Simpsons you have two masterpieces of popular culture on that subject.

goon

Without going into the finer details I get more gratification from watching the Sopranos, almost every scene can stand alone as a source of entertainment.

Qwiss

Burnwinter wrote:
Qwiss! wrote:
The Wire is about institutions, the Sopranos is about characters. Thats the main difference I think. For that reason I think there is far more depth and rewatchability to the Sopranos. And I've watched The Wire in its entirety 3 times so I'm not denigrating it, its still brilliant.

The Sopranos is brilliant on the institution of the nuclear family, as you'd expect. Together with the Simpsons you have two masterpieces of popular culture on that subject.

Indeed, and of course the Family as a dying institution too. What I meant when I said "institution" was more of a formal and mostly governmental use of the word. So the police, schools, the press, local government, etc

Burnwinter

Yeah, understood that, I was walking you back from that viewpoint slightly to argue that the Sopranos has some pretty rich social comment in it. 🙂

Big fan of both shows in their day. I don't feel like The Wire is dating all that well, wasn't pessimistic enough if anything.

Qwiss

Yeah I agree on the commentary but the Sopranos stuff is more woven into the show where as the Wire just beats you over the head with it.

Burnwinter

Yeah, that's sort of it. The Wire's earnest comment seemed incredibly on point when it was screening but when you look at the debate now, you realise that in many ways David Simon softballed it. Good show, though.

Cannon

Haven't watched Sopranos but The Wire is my favourite thing on TV ever. I also see Wire as historically relevant. In a few decades from now i can see it as something that captured a time period exceedingly well

Cannon

Burnwinter wrote:
Yeah, that's sort of it. The Wire's earnest comment seemed incredibly on point when it was screening but when you look at the debate now, you realise that in many ways David Simon softballed it. Good show, though.

Sorta paradoxical no?

IMO its too nuanced yet tells a story. Reality a lot more arbitrary. On the whole it has a more 'academic' feel to it rather than a dramatic quality as in most such shows.

Burnwinter

Yeah, it's didactic.

Qwiss

Cannon wrote:
Burnwinter wrote:
Yeah, that's sort of it. The Wire's earnest comment seemed incredibly on point when it was screening but when you look at the debate now, you realise that in many ways David Simon softballed it. Good show, though.

Sorta paradoxical no?

IMO its too nuanced yet tells a story. Reality a lot more arbitrary. On the whole it has a more 'academic' feel to it rather than a dramatic quality as in most such shows.

Its because David Simon is still inherently a journalist I think.

Qwiss

[spoiler]New spoiler tags just in time for the TV season to start again[/spoiler]

Rex

Qs for president!

Mirth

[spoiler]Rex is a twat[/spoiler]

goon

That's hardly a spoiler.

Irishgunner

Narcos season 2 coming out tomorrow, can't wait!

MistaT

Yeah, I'm excited too for Narcos.

New pup and a long weekend without travel will surely lead to a few episodes.

Gazza M

stranger things was great, thoroughly enjoyed it

the last kingdom on netflix is a quality show that no-one seems to talk about. it covers a similar period and subject matter to vikings, but im finding a lot more compelling

Sicario

Guys, please watch Power. It's the new Wire. Gets better as you go on. Season 3 is a masterpiece.

flobaba

Saw the Big Short last night.

Got more scares from that movie than I got from the Exorcist.

« Previous Page Next Page »