How. Long did it take you to get into The Wire?

[EachandEveryone]

I'm determined to give it another go, fuelled by DW in The Affair. I almost know The Sopranos off by heart so I figure this will be easy for me. Except it isn't. It's the volume what's up with it? I can't put subtitles on because it's Sky box sets. Is it really that good? Should I preserver?

[BeadyBagsaTella]

I watched season 2 (about the docks and unions) first, loved it and then went back to season 1. Definitely worth watching.

[WinterSunglasses]

It's brilliant, but to get used to it you need the subtitles for at least three episodes and potentially more. I would borrow the Dvd box set if Sky doesn't give subtitles. It is well worth the trouble.

[TinklyLittleLaugh]

It's the accents. DH and I spent the first few episodes asking each other, "What did he say? What did he say?" And doing lots of rewinding. But you soon get your ear in. I think it's the best television series ever made. And of course there's Idris Elba

[ReluctantCamper]

Yep , the accents are so difficult. I used to pore over the episode synopsis before watching each one.

It's really worth it though, it's fab.

[MonstersBalls]

I'm really struggling with it. I'm up to about episode 7 and it's feeling a bit of a chore. I'm persevering because of all the hype but oh god, please tell me it gets better!

[Bobian123]

It wasn't for me. I watched two and a half series and then had to leave DH to it. The Sopranos, however, I have watched through twice and could happily do again!

[MrsWooster]

what WINTER said. it really is fabulous we've watched through twice...

[albertcampionscat]

Mos def worth watching. True dat.

[WestEast]

We're on our third watch of it. It's my absolute favorite programme ever.

[TheHappinessTrap]

Oh and I tried to watch an episode. Obviously struggled. Can someone give a synopsis of what it's about?

[TinklyLittleLaugh]

The Wire is about the drugs war in Baltimore, both from the side of the police, and the drug dealers. There are series about the docks and the schools and the press.

There are few wholly good or evil characters. It is gritty, humorous, believable and often very touching.

[lemonpoppyseed]

I liked the first series, but LOVED the second. After watching the second I went back and watched the first again - it all made a lot more sense. I also Wikipedia-ed each episode after I watched it to review who was who, story lines etc. It's an awesome show.

[PacificDogwood]

Oh, so it's not just me who could just not get in to it? Phew! I thought there was something seriously wrong with me.

It's not just the accents - I grew up in the States/East coast and just found the mumbling and poor sound engineering too much to put up with.

May need to give another go then, do I?

I was underwhelmed by Breaking Bad btw

[WestEast]

I tried watching breaking bad but just couldn't get into it at all.
The Wire has so many intertwining storylines that cross the series, the writing is truly brilliant.

[TinklyLittleLaugh]

I liked the schools series best. But it was so sad. The Boys of Summer.

[aoife24]

I felt it was hard work for the first half of series one and then it just seem to click for me. The accents in particular were a struggle so I watched it with subtitles.

[diddl]

I gave up after Ep3.

Thought it was bollocks tbh.

Don't get the hype.

It didn't interest me at all.

Same with Breaking Bad.

[vjg13]

Took most of first series and then I was addicted.

[vjg13]

I thought breaking bad was ok but not in the same league and was relieved when I finished it. Felt a big bereft when I finished the wire.

[TinklyLittleLaugh]

This thread has me saying to DH we should watch it again; I bet there's loads of clever detail we missed first time around. The Wire is that good; it's like a layered novel that you know will be better on a second reading. Most TV is just like a trashy magazine or something.

[magichandles]

Loved it - one of the best things we've watched. BUT it did take us two goes to get into it. I think we watched a couple of episodes the first time, didn't get it and left it a year or so, tried it again and got hooked!

[BringMeTea]

About 4 episodes to get the accents and well, what the hell was going on. Worth the effort. Brilliant show.

[BringMeTea]

I mean, Stringer Bell. Hubba hubba. Had no idea he was British when I watched it. Or that he would become Luther obviously.

[MrsKravitzFromAcrossTheStreet]

I loved The Wire, it really is one of the best tv series ever (along with The Sopranos and Breaking Bad). I really judge a person if they don't like one of those I put that wink to suggest I'm joking, but I'm really not

I couldn't have enjoyed it without subtitles though, or reading the synopses online afterwards. OP I recommend you buy the DVDs on eBay - or sometimes one can find them online with subtitles, ahem.

I firmly believe that the most ultimately satisfying tv programmes are those that you have to work at, really concentrate on, and aren't too easy to 'get' at first. It makes them all the better when you do 'get' them IMO.

[fortyfide]

To be honest I gave up trying to get into it.