Television Two shows I rank as #1 all time. I have rewatched both now. There is a winner

[Cherry Brigand]

I have had The Wire and Battlestar Galactica 2004 tied as my indisputable number one shows of all time. Deadlocked. No way to break the tie. I have rewatched both multiple times over the years. No movement. Well, after doing both again over the last 6 months (after many years), I can now crown a winner.

It's neat rewatching them both. Stories you know so well and STILL picking up on new things and how story archs are built over time.

The Wire quick points:

• I still believe that The Wire season 4 is the greatest season of TV ever to air. It is peak TV. None have ever done it better
• I had always agreed with the consensus that season 5 of the Wire was terrible. In fact, when watched closely after season 4, it's a very effective book end for the show. No drop in quality or story telling at all. I wish it had gotten a full season. The way it brings all of the corruption to a head is magnificent.
• I did not like the character of Omar as much as I remember
• The story telling from street level, to the piers, to the mayoral race, to the schools, to the budgets, to the newspaper and how it all ties together is just a masterwork in writing, direction, and vision. Baltimore is the main character and she is vast and complex and sorrow filled

Battlestar Galactica quick points:

• This show has always affected me emotionally. Seeing it all again was no different.
• I like pretty much every character. Every. Single. One. Unprecedented
• The last episode is not as bad as I remember. No spoilers, but there is a long chain of evidence about who/what a certain character is and the exit fits even if we don't get the storybook ending we want
• There is not a single bad episode. Not one. People held their noses at the 'boxing' episode, but I've always liked it and it's a great character building placeholder.
• The CG holds up well

The Verdict:

BSG is my favorite show of all time. It is so much more than what it seems to be. I love everything about it.

 

[Spam On Rye]

Remember binge watching both when they came out and loved them for different reasons. Important to remember one was on premium TV and the other on SyFy Network so there's gonna be quality issues out of the gate.

The Wire has top-tier writing and is about my part of town so I feel a connection to it. BSG is a blast and totally rewatchable, though some of the Mormon-inspired theology feels a bit goofy at times. I do remember appreciating the Moby Dick references though. Both have their place.

 

[Otto!]

I loved the 1978 BSG, but I haven’t seen the 2004 version. How does it compare with the original?

 

[UberHere]

Wire is a masterpiece. I’ve watched it through 3 times. Season 5 is weakest but it wraps up nicely in the end,

 

[Milgrim]

I loved the 1978 BSG, but I haven’t seen the 2004 version. How does it compare with the original?

Much, much better.