About 2 weeks ago I began rewatching the series and I've made it through season 1. I'm convinced it doesn't get enough love compared to the other seasons. It did an A+ job of setting the table for all of the characters and when revisiting after watching the series all the way through, you catch so many hints and table setting comments that mean nothing unless you know the end story.

The weak link of the season was Deangelo. I didn't like the character...I didn't like the actor...and in most of the scenes where he's a focus, I end up wanting to fast forward. He was necessary in the early goings but I'm really glad he wasn't a focus of the show long term.

I still have season 4 as my number one followed closely by season 2, but I've moved season 1 in front of season 3 at this point.

Squirrel Master said:

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Man, Deangelo was such a critical character, and in my mind, not at all the weak link. He had some of the best commentary and lines from season 1.

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I don't disagree about him being critical (my comment about necessary). I guess I just didn't like the actor or how he was portrayed. His part was absolutely necessary and his commentary is super important, but he just bugged me as season 1 went on.

I can understand just not liking a particular actor in something you like, though I think the overall Wire fandom universe will by and large disagree with your position on Larry Gilliard Jr.

Of note, if you didn't like him in that, worth being prepared for fact that he's also in The Deuce.

Yeah I'm definitely going to try out the Deuce.....Deangelo or not.

Sex Panther said:

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He's killing it in OKC now though

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HA he kind of does look like Westbrook. Almost the same nickname too. But Bodie >> Brodie.

100% disagree with OP. He was probably my favorite character of season 1.

No way. Trying to see season 1 without being jaded by later seasons (impossible I know but I'm trying), McNulty, Stringer, and Omar were all better characters in season 1.

Squirrel Master said:

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Man, Deangelo was such a critical character, and in my mind, not at all the weak link. He had some of the best commentary and lines from season 1.

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Yep. Just because he wasn't likeable doesn't mean he wasn't a good character. See: Baratheon, Joffrey.

Let me rephrase it since I think I'm being misunderstood.

Deangelo was imperative for season 1. His point of view of the whole thing did a good job of straddling the fence between gangster and torn, and gave everyone an upclose perspective of what life is like on the front lines of the dope trade. The fact that he was the nephew of the king also introduced the viewers (in a semi-realistic way) to the men at the top, and the shooters sandwiched in the middle between the front lines and the royalty.

I didn't like the guy as he portrayed the role. He came across weird to me when he was dealing with the higher ups and the women in his circle, but I actually enjoyed when he was lecturing the pawns in the pit.

I liked Wallace, Bodie and Poot.

I liked all of the higher up drug dealers and shooters.

I liked all of the cops in their roles.

I loved Bubs and hated Johnny.

Deangelo I was torn on and just found myself annoyed at him (or the way the actor carried him) in lots of scenes.

Well played!

4 episodes into season two......man Ziggy was a love/hate character. He was perfectly annoying in a "Joffery Baratheon" kind of way and I give credit to the actor for making you annoyed at the character but realizing that the season needed a royal screw up to bring things down around their ears.

And I really wish there would have been a way to include Nick Sobotka and the Greek characters more in later seasons. He was a good character in season 2. And I know the greeks were there in season 5 but barely and it would have been nice to get more from them.

In the running for the best individual episode of the series is Season 2 Episode 11 (next to last episode): Bad Dreams. Begins with them taking doors, ends with the greek music montage and Frank taking a walk down below the Key bridge.


Knowing what happens it's still an awesome episode.....trying to remember back to a point where I don't know what happens is hard, but I do remember the tension being through the roof.

Stive said:

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In the running for the best individual episode of the series is Season 2 Episode 11 (next to last episode): Bad Dreams. Begins with them taking doors, ends with the greek music montage and Frank taking a walk down below the Key bridge.

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So heartbreaking.

FYI.....D'Angelo has popped up in another HBO show....he plays A COP on the Deuce.

Also appearing were the Wire actors who played Cheese, Chris Partlow and Slim Charles




now this

How about a different take? How about 20 years later (sequel instead of prequel)? Cutty could be the old wise sage/deacon figure. Dookie is the modern day version of Bubs.... Bunk is the homicide sergeant. Kima is a captain of a district.

With modern Baltimore, modern politics, modern technology. Would it still have the same feel?

Don't understand the love for this series other than the nostalgia factor for older shows. It's good. It doesn't stand up to several other superior series.