For the past month, I've been enjoying The Wire on DVD. Near finishing one, I snagged the next akin to a low rise pusher, because it's quality stuff. Right away, I grew enamoured with murky characters on both side of the law, and its accurate portrayal of street life. Admittedly, I'm late to the bandwagon, but it's wholeheartedly my favourite show in a while.
This might be an odd segue, given the Lost addiction. (See previous blog.) Yet, with viewing habits I keep a time honoured tradition. Since '95, cult television has remained the norm – from Buffy to Dark Angel. Around eight years ago, I switched up my usual habits, in favour of something different. Roughly, it lasted a year, before I fell back on old comforts.
Acquired tastes are hard to drop, especially if they're ingrained. Deep down, I couldn't stop being an artist or film aficionado. The funny thing though was how I still clocked in new aspects - procedural cop shows being one of them. Looking at both genres, there's not much difference narratively. They deal with mystery and explore human nature on some level. As a result, I kick started a trend. When geeky offerings wrap, (for another year or in general), I welcome more grounded work.
Anywho... Strong language and violence are now much a part of my tv lexicon as Vic Mackie's. Long held bias for off world adventure no longer dominates. Sons Of Anarchy is the only hard hitter I'm currently watching, and a rare gem in an ocean of reality dross. Maybe it's a sign of getting old or inherently fussy. Maybe it's common to dance the line of two extremes, I dunno?
Having looked at current sci-fi, I'm not rabidly excited. The reimagined V hasn't engrossed – can't get past the talent seen elsewhere. Plus, I hate shows where everyone never has a hair out of place, while trying to tell a straight story. (Ghost Whisper I'm talking to you.) :) Caprica started out great, although it might have jumped the shark with robo-girl-in-a-van. Fingers crossed this isn't the case! True Blood and Spartacus are brutal fun; just lacking real depth in the story department. I also roll with Painkiller Jane, and Legend of the Seeker who play it safe. Often, I need high brow material to offset the rest though, otherwise my brain cells melt and I tune into Heidi Montag.
The Wire compliments my love of smart writing, where characters give the finger to established archetype. Dialogue flows naturally; every third or fourth word is a strong one, and doesn't feel forced. On a side note, authentic slang adds another level of realism.
There are few leads that capture my heart in a Fox Mulder or Mal Reynolds fashion. Simply, I cheer for Jimmy McNulty's altruism. Especially, when defying the bureaucracy within his own corrupt police force. The guy has layers too – alcohol problem and dogged determination et al. That's what's intriguing about McNulty. He rallies doing everything by the book, while home life judders around him.
Usually, I'm a female sidekick groupie, totally bypassing the main hero. Here, Kimi Greggs isn't forgotten. She's a tough, smart partner, gradually playing a key role towards the end of season one.
Even the bad guys are non conformist. Omar stands out in my mind – a revered gangster in Baltimore, (where the show is based), who swings the other way. A shotgun, cool demeanor and whistling tune are all that's needed to make people flee indoors. D'Angelo Barksdale is another sympathetic bad guy who I love. Basically, his uncle Avon Barksdale is the big drug lord/businessman, and he put D'Angelo to work in the projects. Facial expression alone, you can feel the gears turning inside his conflicted head.
Basically, The Wire is a breath of fresh air at the moment. I genuinely care for the team, and their respective quirks. The theme music is deliciously bluesy, changing tempo each season. They focus on different parts of Baltimore, so it makes sense. So far, I have to eke out episodes. Once you start watching in tandem, it's hard to stop. Plus, I don't want to rush through it given the heavy tone.
The Wire is a twisty ride, featuring cops as they uncover citywide fraud, at the displeasure of bent superiors. Where, good guys are emotionally flawed and bad guys display glimmers of compassion.