Watching the Watcher: Wire Season 1, Disc 1

To You, The Discerning Blog Fan,

You're gonna need to read this first: Jay's Post

It took a while, but Jay is finally watching The Wire. When I first watched the show, my wife and I caught up just in time to watch the last season unfold. So it's fascinating to see someone experience the show now that it is fully ended and has made the rounds as a pop culture reference point.

That Jay is blogging about it is fantastic. Not only do the same parts stick out to him that did me, he is offering insights that I did see or forgot about.

The things that struck me most about the blog post are thus:

1) Obvious Noob is Obvious

I was reminded of the newness of the show for the author, throughout things like referring to Daniels as "Lt" and Kima as "the lesbian cop". I wish I could experience the show like that again. I probably referred to those characters the same way during my first run. It excited me to kind of feel the newness again. And to be fair, I had to look up the character's name for Pearlman because I always remember her as the red-headed lawyer that McNulty is nailing.

But nothing stuck out more than the line, "Once we all agree on what the problem is perhaps we will be able to figure out real solutions to those problems." The overarching theme, for me, I will keep hidden at this time so as not to ruin the journey for others. But fellow veterans of the show will understand where I'm coming from.

2) I'm Not As Smart As My Friends

The fact that Jay thought to bring up the scene where McNulty proclaims that the special detail is gonna be "done right" while a train bears down on him is great. I never saw the huge symbol that scene is until now. I knew it indicated McNulty's recklessness and self-destruction, but I can now see it as a metaphor for the whole show.

And that he took note of Lester as soon as he did makes me feel like an idiot.

3) I Know Right

My favorite parts of the first three episodes are some of Jay's favorite parts. The swift submersion into the bureaucracy of the police force. How gripping the characters are and how real their despair feels. How awesome D'Angelo and McNulty are, especially right off the bat.

And of course, the chess conversation. Heck, everything that happens in The Pit.

4) Dude I Totally Forgot That

I liked being reminded of how large D'Angelo looms in the early seasons. And I totally forgot how screwball Prezbo, Carter, and Herc start out. I mean they blind that kid at The Towers.

So there you are, my review of Jay's review. I like this idea.

Whether Vintage or Cutting Edge, Just Stay Cool,

James