Cocaine Bear, the new action-comedy now in theaters, is based on a true story, but only barely. If you like your murder mysteries uncensored this is the best one. I am anxious to find out if there is a follow up to Painted? I just love it so so so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Righteous journalism that makes a good reporter get up in the morning. It still is. Im nitpicking though I loved seeing the little references to old characters even sourvino being in the final series Top series. But all the endings mean something and other endings would have been the wrong ones. Its a subjective matter that isnt worth a good argument, especially if, like me, you dont see the seasons as distinct but cumulative. Reprinted with Permission. My comment amounts to little more than unwanted negative feedback for a show that ended 5 years ago. Anyway, for me, its perfect. The Wire is my favorite show of all time, but Season 5 was definitely the weakest. Lets say there used to be 20 of those crimes per month a 14% reduction would mean there were now 17 of those crimes instead of 20. When one actor leaves a show and is replaced. You seem angry. He's quirky, he's a little odd, but he helps to provide a different, and intellectual insight into the killer's mind. I guess I will have to reflect on why I could easily accept Hamsterdam and not the phony killer. I really gave this a chance, watching the first two series almost to the end, but it got the better of me: I had the sense of having been there and seen it already. Lasher follows Keith to a random shack in the Much respect, and I hope you still read these. Damn I needed that lad to have a happy ending! Wire in the Blood is one of the most important and valuable series ever produced for television. But absent that kind of reporting, we will all soon enough live in cities and towns where politicians and bureaucrats gambol freely without worry, where it is never a risk to shine shit and call it gold. Thank you for such an amazing show. I did enjoy everything else about Season 5. Norris brought an adult, feminine, vulnerability to her role as Carol Jordan. A few months ago I decided to give it a go and, as you can imagine, I fell in love. Ha! The character development and the way each characters persona was mirrored throughout each realm (from the street, to the BPD, to the courthouse, city hall, the ports, the newsroom) is the most amazing writing Ive ever seen. Daniels is probably the best example of this, but to a lesser extent so is Freamon, whose corrupted (by definition of the law) actions lead to retirement from the police force. Couldnt resist, sorry. And today, with the availability of information (political manifestos, open sites describing tax laws, politicians own blogs describing their veiled reasons behind why their nest needs feathering) etc, its still so easy to spot journalists turning a blind eye and I can only assume either lazily or complicity ignoring the data to suit a narrative theyve been fed, or have a vested interest in continuing. He hated closing those foreign bureaus and cutting back further in the newsroom. I wanted catharis toobut I was raised on ER. All in all, the last season ofThe Wirewasnt that cruel a portrayal, was it? 4. Still, all that being said, it was a hell of a ride and still the best damn tv series ever made. The editing becomes more choppy, inserting 1-2 second scenes in the middle of something else. However, each action, no matter how small, led to clear and defined reactions that changed the course of events. The setting and actors are British. I HOPE THEY COME OUT WITH MORE SEASONS!! I watched The Wire a second time few years later and I loved season 2. Caught the wire over a year ago & Ive watched it 3 times through since then. Whenever I watch it is like the whole world stops I am just focused on the TV. This season has opened up my eyes to an important point: what exactly are we missing by focusing on all this sensationalist garbage? During the political campaign in Season 3, when Royce was facing pressure from Carcetti, there is a subtle glimpse into the racial component. I love the WIRE I see commentary all the time where the seasons are ranked and there seems to be a common thread. It was amazing television. OK so Rawls put him on a boat for while. | The only story that I noticed that the newspaper missed was when they mentioned Prop Joe. My husband watched this series on HBO, I must of been working. David, let me first congratulate you on making one of the most riveting series to have ever graced the global stage. Incredible. President Snow is Katniss Everdeen's tyrannical enemy, and while he may appear untouchable for most of The Hunger Games he has a secret weakness. Wire in the Blood vol 2 Sharp Compassion. Purse your lips any tighter or hold your nose any higher? The world is still debating the relative merits and detractions of the final episode of Vince Gilligans meth-world saga Breaking Bad, with some quarters feeling 1) The newsroom angle was a good idea but perhaps the show writers were a bit too close to it. I found the season 2 a bit less interesting the first time, but I really dont know why, maybe because I was focused on characters like Avon etc, and the guys on the docks were less cool at first sight. Painfully honest? Thats why Im here. but what the hell happened with the last season? Brilliant series. In this format youre not going to have stark revelations, a happy and blissful montage followed by a cut to black. ps The next thing journalists should be writing about is the impending fall of the U.S. empire, because its coming and were gonna see it in our lifetimes. By the way, Ive been through journo school in NZ, although I didnt pass (I dropped out), my tutor told me that NZ doesnt have the same problems as the USA regarding the demise of newspapers, because, according to him, NZ newspapers already run on a hard core skeleton staffing level with no subcutaneous fatwhich I always thought was bullshit. She sends him to chase down Keith and kill him. The "Jordan" character was specific to the McDiarmid book "Torment of Others", of which the episode was derived. Surprisingly because i'm usually no fan at all of the serial-killer genre nor the kind of grisly imagery that this show always provides. basically that whole hood that was the result of DC trying to lower crime stats by forcing all the hood rats over the Maryland line. 1 The Office. Liz had sent a distress call to the two medics, and they all make an attempt to flee in an ambulance. Wed get a rant or two from whoever he screwed over, then next episode or season all is forgiven, forgotten and everyones back to good ole Jimmy again. Season five was the weakest season imho. That was a bit beyond the historical reality; at the historicalBaltimore Sun, he was a mere Pulitzer finalist. Everything that happens on this show is explained, the more times that you watch it through. No. I thought this was a really interesting article, especially in the context of the current pandemic which is hitting local papers the hardest. Maybe the guys just kind of being a dickhead here. The more honest assessment is that it doesnt matter where I stand, or where Ed Burn stands, or what I think. Other than Breaking Bad. And yeah, he gave the more-with-less talk to maintain morale and it rang a hollow because at this point, buyout upon buyout, the grey ladies are down to bone already. It is a heart trending, visceral, honest portrayal of a modern city. It was as good as I remembered and then some. Its not likely to change our reasons for telling the stories we do, but neither is the criticism necessarily invalid or unwarranted. Season 4 was the hardest for me to take. And now, with the economic vise that is the internet tight around her, TheSun like so many once-worthy regional newspapers is fighting for relevance and readers. The school system has been teaching test questions to improve No Child Left Behind scores, and to protect the mayor politically and to validate a system that is failing to properly educate city children. Amid buyout after buyout, theBaltimore Sunconceded much of its institutional memory, its beat structure, its ability to penetrate municipal institutions and report qualitatively on substantive issues in a way that explains not just the symptomatic problems of the city, but the root causes of those problems. When we were beating the story out, Bill Zorzi wondered whether in the final episode it might be necessary for Gus Haynes to vocalize the theme, to turn to Alma or Luxenberg or some other character and say, Were so thin, and we waste what little resources we have left on the wrong things. Many found it hard to relate to or invest in. Over the past five seasons it has consistently presented detailed Such a newspaper was not chronicled onThe Wire. While the Arab Spring was happening, the only thing you could find on news TV was tabloid coverage of a murder case. I am a detective investigator and I am very critical with "who done it" crime solving type movies. Have just finished re-watching the whole series. Echoes and Layers: Tony Lazlo Looks Back at The Wire CC2K, Why The Wire Should Be Must-See TV for Baltimore Pundits | Variety, All the pieces matter: analysis, essays, and anything else on The Wire | ReadJack.com. This is an entertaining series currently available on Acorn TV. On my third or fourth watch through season two became my second favorite season, after season 4 of course. Watch Wire In The Blood: Prayer Of The Bone, The plastic "blue bag" that Tony Hill is often seen with was gleaned from Robson Green's research for Wire in the Blood, which involved spending time with revered criminal psychologist Julian Boon, who Green describes in part as an "extraordinary, intelligent, nice guy who carried his life in a blue bag and travelled on a double-decker bus. I know this criticism in no way helps, the show is long done with, but I loved everything about the 5th season except for the newspaper guys. Now youve got the full attention of the media. I had only heard of it but didnt know it was the drug I needed in my life to actively engage in social discussions the way you do so well in this series. And no, I think season five achieved its goals as the other season, with me being no closer to the world of journalism than others on our writing staff were to the other worlds depicted. No-one looked at him twice.". 1 Jun 2015. Ill rant a bit about journalism, or the drug war or any other issue that I rub up against. Omar and Prop Joe were the last good guys among the bad guys and both of them had to go down, while Snoop the Psycho Bitch who deserved at least a few weeks of good torture gets off easy with a single shot to the head. But what can you do? To wonder whether anyone would be disciplined for cursing in a newsroom, or why they made the top editor wear those suspenders, or whether it was a clich to have a fabricator driving the overt plot? The chemistry between Hill and D.I. The criminals are deeply psychologically twisted, far more so than any person you have ever encountered, even in the newspapers. I would want us to argue subjectively about public policy and social issues. One of the best Crime drama/ Mystery Thriller TV shows ever made, Vivid, believable shows with a charismatic psychologist solving intriguing crimes, Twisted and gory, but I love Robson Green. Learn how your comment data is processed. WebA clinical psychologist, Dr. Tony Hill, delves into his dark side to see into the minds of serial killers, to aid the police in solving their most difficult cases. It is time-consuming, expensive, deliberate and demanding. David. Season 2 was the bravest thing ever seen on TV. Ps. The final season of True Blood ended Sunday with a three-year time jump, bringing many of its characters to a Thanksgiving hosted by a pregnant Sookie ( Anna Note: this show is designated TV-MA, because of some intense or violent scenes. I was born with scoop mentality and its never left me. Im so glad I got to bear witness to it, even if I was late. I just finished watching the entire run of the series a couple of nights ago. But wait Marlo had to head back to those corners to be himselfthe individual. Seemed pretty angry to me. Notable killings and machinations in the drug world were the talk of the streets. For so many reasons. Each episode is someone chained up. Or are you just that pissed and depressed about the world that you cant help but force your misery on your viewers? And they covered more ground, and they knew the terrain in a way that they no longer do. Hi there, I read through a few of your articles here. Im watching Treme now. The fact that my appreciation for every single season changed over time due to rewatching the show over and over, proves how good this series as a whole really is. I watched all 3 in order and enjoyed this series. I think it is, but Id like to hear your opinion on this. And Kima, would she really be snitching on them? I too felt really indecisive about season 2 on my first watch and have grown to love it more and more over time, just like you. you could give me! The first two, "Singing" and "Shadows" are adaptations of author Val McDermid's books; This is a taut British crime drama very much in the "Cracker" mould. Theres a reason people say youre a genius and why your show is perhaps the best in history. A mayor was elected governor while his police commanders made aggravated assaults and robberies disappear. Brilliant! The man in black tracked Jenna down at the right house, but he knocked on the wrong door he's tangled up in a deadly Book of Blood story that ends when Ellie and Sam kill him. Okay. Im proud to be from Home of the Wire Any of you save for a couple sharp journos who were able to stand back just far enough to realize what the real critique was. FAQ Lets be clear, though. That being said, I think what was really being pointed out here, is that the sorts who were under the feeling that the blacks were ruining the city, more or less knew quite well that such levels of corruption in the legal bodies was not limited by race, as Season 5 shows, and that just like w/ many of the black characters, many of the white characters benefit professionally for their lies, cover-ups and stat-jukings. Wow, I cant believe that went over my head too David. Note: This article contains spoilers for the entire first series of Blood. Though he shows remarkable insight into the actions of the violent and deranged, he also displays that phenomenal lack of social consciousness that is particular to geniuses and artists (as in "Yes, I just invented nuclear fission, but no, I didn't know I was supposed to wear socks and shoes to this award ceremony."). It was all very realistic and extremely tough to watch. The first was Joshua Ferris novel Then We Came to the End, The Lester wed come to know was indeed a maverick, but not a moron. When the big bust happen since the wire to wasnt legal I figured Marlo was going free. It ran for six seasons and I believe had some specials along the way. I knew that in a general sense the overarching theme was the demise of quality of news journalism, but finishing my binge of the season tonight (after having avoided the show for years fearing it was over-hyped and couldnt live up boy was I wrong!) The port was referenced a couple of times but would have liked to have a bit more substance so it felt like it all fit. But there used to be more of them. I love game of thrones (but its too quick imo), but The Wire is the best. For now I will just pass. I gave up due to some of the most annoying characters I have seen written. David-I just finished the entire series in about a week. The Drug Game, The Cops, The Port, City Hall, The Schools and The Newspaper. Watch with Acorn TV. Metacritic Reviews. Really, someone should have put it to Herc, you have to admit. Okay, I dont actually agree, but neither would I argue. If you took out subjective arguments about popular entertainment, the nation would free up a lot of bandwidth and many repetitive stress injuries would be avoided. Key investigations and prosecutions are undercut or abandoned by the political machinations of police officials, prosecutors and political figures. Robson Green in Wire in the Blood. Photograph: ITV ITV has axed Robson Green drama Wire in the Blood after six years in what is seen as the latest cost cutting move by the network. While very formula driven and somewhat unbelievable at times, particularly with the characters often going it alone to catch the bad guys, it is entertaining and very "bingeworthy"! The pictures of his cleaned up corners and happy citizens as a result of Hamsterdam would suggest that the drop was much larger than that 14%. Also liked how micheal played through the all series always looking out for people around him and outsmarting snoop at the end As it is, I argued, any good journalist will if he or she loves the business follow this story and wince at the stories systematically missed, the undiscovered and unreported tales of the city known to viewers for four seasons. I loved the show, its in my top 5 of all time and I cant imagine it going anywhere. This makes for some truly unusual and amusing situations, that help bring levity to the gruesome crimes he investigates. And a couple of others at alternative weeklies figured it out again, perhaps, because theyre less vested than everyone at the big, vulnerable dailies. And the depiction of the weak-willed, money-grubbing, ring-kissing top brass at papers was spot-on, too. The apartment complex we lived in was actually the subject of a widely publicized reformation project (in 96) after having the highest rates of violent crime in the district for 12 years. Several years go by since Pulengs sister went missing. Watched the first four seasons in 07-08 and decided to save S5 so I could pretend it wasnt over finally caved this week and watched it, andTHANK YOU! Each season building toward a singular, connected argument. Another topic for another time, but dont wait on our news media to report it. He's quirky, he's a little odd, but he helps to provide a different, and intellectual insight into the killer's mind. As they series progresses, the style of editing and camera work alters. Did you guys just intentionally try to deliver a shitty, unsatisfying conclusion so you can feel like you didnt pander to the audience or compromise your artistic vision or some shit? Burns is fuckin awesome. Thank you for your ridiculously worthwhile contributions to humanity. He displays tremendous potential; one can hope that he will continue to create performances that are filled with the humanity, compassion and insight that "Tony Hill" shows us. What he suddenly turns stupid? We did that, too, because hey, to criticize such a newsroom culture did indeed carry those risks in Baltimore. What is most unfortunate is that your scathing and accurate critique of Washington D.Cs left armpit (with PG County being its right) and really the entire D.C. area will always be written off as great entertainment and remembered as one of the best shows ever on television. Wait Marlo had to head back to those corners to be himselfthe individual born with scoop mentality its. Read these invalid or unwarranted another topic for another time, but only barely than unwanted negative for... 5 years ago format youre not going to have stark revelations, a happy and blissful followed! As I remembered and then some of nights ago stands, or the drug world were the talk the. 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