Television Problems with The Wire

[HereticBD]

I don’t think them giving up the drugs was that unrealistic. Yeah, it’s one guy with a gun but that’s enough. These drug dealers are mostly wannabe tough guys to begin with, they’re not going to risk their life against someone who has built up a reputation like Omar. It’s not worth potentially getting shot over.

Yeah, I don't know about that. I think some lone wolf robbing drug dealers that everyone in the hood knows, would last maybe 36 hours in that environment after his first robbery. I mean, it's one guy, and he even whistles to let you know he's coming. Dude would be made an example of pretty quickly. Fun character that worked within the confines of the show, but let's be real here. He'd wind up like his boyfriend did.

 

[Jack Reacheround]

If you expect perfection, you will be disappointed. If expect entertainment, you'll usually get entertained.

Wire was good TV, I was entertained

Exactly.

 

[Jack Reacheround]

Yeah, I don't know about that. I think some lone wolf robbing drug dealers that everyone in the hood knows, would last maybe 36 hours in that environment after his first robbery. I mean, it's one guy, and he even whistles to let you know he's coming. Dude would be made an example of pretty quickly. Fun character that worked within the confines of the show, but let's be real here. He'd wind up like his boyfriend did.

He ultimately did. What made him such a good character was the fact that he did last so long. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been worth being a character.

 

[Law Talkin’ Guy]

Yeah, I don't know about that. I think some lone wolf robbing drug dealers that everyone in the hood knows, would last maybe 36 hours in that environment after his first robbery. I mean, it's one guy, and he even whistles to let you know he's coming. Dude would be made an example of pretty quickly. Fun character that worked within the confines of the show, but let's be real here. He'd wind up like his boyfriend did.

Maybe, maybe not. If we were talking about really “professional” organized criminals sure, but these gangbangers in the projects are not that. There’s a scene in I think the second or third episode of season 3 where there’s a big shoot out being members of the Barksdale crew and Marlo’s crew. No one ends up getting shot except and 8 year old bystander killed in his own home by a stray bullet. I think it was likely a pretty accurate representation of the marksman skills in the hood.

 

[HereticBD]

Maybe, maybe not. If we were talking about really “professional” organized criminals sure, but these gangbangers in the projects are not that. There’s a scene in I think the second or third episode of season 3 where there’s a big shoot out being members of the Barksdale crew and Marlo’s crew. No one ends up getting shot except and 8 year old bystander killed in his own home by a stray bullet. I think it was likely a pretty accurate representation of the marksman skills in the hood.

Thing is, you wouldn't have to be a marksman to take out one guy. Shotgun or no, you could corner him quite easily, and at the very least be in a standoff that he's gonna lose. You don't need Seal Team 6 to take out some thug in the hood who has no backup.

Like I said, his aura works for the show. In real life, they're rolling up on him and putting him in the ground. He's not a superhero.

 

[HereticBD]

He ultimately did. What made him such a good character was the fact that he did last so long. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been worth being a character.

Well, yeah. I have no issue with his character in the show. Dude had some pretty heavy plot armor, though.

 

[HHJ]

Yo it's Omar

It's Omar yo!

:: clears forum ::

 

[HHJ]

I wish Bird was here to read this thread, he be loving this shit right here.

 

[Mujeriego]

Mediocre show.

 

[AGGAMEMNON66]

Marlo could handle himself just fine. They show this at the very end of his arc when he leaves that upscale party and walks up on a group of thugs a few blocks away and punks them completely unarmed and on his own with no protection. Characters like Slim Charles, Chris, Prop Joe, Snoop and others would never have followed or treated someone as an equal that was weak. I always thought one of the great things about Marlos character was how and when he flexed as compared to others.


Also keep in mind Marlo came real close to getting got by Avon and crew right before they got busted. They show the look on Marlos face while hauling them away. They had him and he knew it -so he wasn’t a completely clean or perfect character either.


As for the show it started to slip just a tad in the final season as they focused more on the media but it still closed out many arcs really well and overall was still a really well done final season.

 

[DougieJones]

Maybe, maybe not. If we were talking about really “professional” organized criminals sure, but these gangbangers in the projects are not that. There’s a scene in I think the second or third episode of season 3 where there’s a big shoot out being members of the Barksdale crew and Marlo’s crew. No one ends up getting shot except and 8 year old bystander killed in his own home by a stray bullet. I think it was likely a pretty accurate representation of the marksman skills in the hood.

That also shows in the scene Marlo and his guys are shooting bottles in the woods, and the only ones that know how to actually shoot a gun is Chris and Snoop... the others holding the pistols sideways and shit lol

 

[DougieJones]

Marlo could handle himself just fine. They show this at the very end of his arc when he leaves that upscale party and walks up on a group of thugs a few blocks away and punks them completely unarmed and on his own with no protection. Characters like Slim Charles, Chris, Prop Joe, Snoop and others would never have followed or treated someone as an equal that was weak. I always thought one of the great things about Marlos character was how and when he flexed as compared to others.


Also keep in mind Marlo came real close to getting got by Avon and crew right before they got busted. They show the look on Marlos face while hauling them away. They had him and he knew it -so he wasn’t a completely clean or perfect character either.


As for the show it started to slip just a tad in the final season as they focused more on the media but it still closed out many arcs really well and overall was still a really well done final season.

IMO that was also major plot armor lol... one of those guys had a knife but they both turn and take off running as soon as Marlo takes one swing?

Another thing about Marlo is we know he has no problem lying and taking credit for hits he had zero involvement in (Stringer's death). He also would have been 6 feet under if the cops didn't bust Avon just as Slim was calling to get the go-ahead

 

[HomeCheese]

Isn't the real genius with The Wire what is says about society? Sure, it's the most complex, layered story of any show I'm aware of full of interesting characters. But, really the show is about how the problems facing American society have out grown our institutions ability to deal with them.

The cops are outmatched by the gang/drug trade.
The port jobs are dying out because the government won't maintain the shipping channel.
The schools can't seem to help the at risk kids.
Politicians don't focus on the productive solutions.
The press is not doing enough to report on what is happening.

The Wire is like an allegory or whatever they call it. It is literature for TV.

 

[TheNinja]

My biggest gripe is who is going to actually vote for Maurice Dobey for governor of my state ??? Shhhhhhheeeeeeee

 

[TheNinja]

I wish Bird was here to read this thread, he be loving this shit right here.

bird just be bird

 

[Deleted member 110072]

Yeah, I don't know about that. I think some lone wolf robbing drug dealers that everyone in the hood knows, would last maybe 36 hours in that environment after his first robbery. I mean, it's one guy, and he even whistles to let you know he's coming. Dude would be made an example of pretty quickly. Fun character that worked within the confines of the show, but let's be real here. He'd wind up like his boyfriend did.

To be fair it was genuinely more than just him but yeah I think its a good example of the show having a fun interesting character and being able to suspend disbelief just enough for him to work rather than being "realistic".

I would argue often that kind of show is actually harder to make, moreso than just extreme realism.

 

[HHJ]

Yeah, I don't know about that. I think some lone wolf robbing drug dealers that everyone in the hood knows, would last maybe 36 hours in that environment after his first robbery.

So? Where's the fuckin fun in that?!

Chopper Read never got killed either.

 

[HomeCheese]

To be fair it was genuinely more than just him but yeah I think its a good example of the show having a fun interesting character and being able to suspend disbelief just enough for him to work rather than being "realistic".

I would argue often that kind of show is actually harder to make, moreso than just extreme realism.

Y'all probably know this but Omar was based on a true person. Sure it was dramatized but still one of the most interesting/best characters in TV history. It was another Baltimore person this show turned into a legend. Robbing drug dealers seemed reasonable but not the walking down the street whistling part. I loved the scene where he is confronted by Brother Mouzone. "Omar's listening."

 

[HHJ]

Y'all probably know this but Omar was based on a true person. Sure it was dramatized but still one of the most interesting/best characters in TV history. It was another Baltimore person this show turned into a legend. Robbing drug dealers seemed reasonable but not the walking down the street whistling part. I loved the scene where he is confronted by Brother Mouzone. "Omar's listening."

The actor playing Brother Mouzone is so good. You gotta be good to sell that character hahahaha

 

[HomeCheese]

The actor playing Brother Mouzone is so good. You gotta be good to sell that character hahahaha

Off the top of my head, the only other show I can think of that took a literary approach like The Wire was the second season of Ted Lasso. Most of the major characters had daddy issues in one form or another, they really explored that theme. Don't spoil it for me as I haven't seen season three so don't tell me if there is some undertone.

I'm sure there are plenty of shows that do the and I just don't pay close enough attention.