Re The Wire and Breaking Bad

[backseatcookers]

I've never watched either despite multiple people saying I would LOVE both.

So, do I need to commit some time to watching them as they're worth it?

Or are they overrated?

Couldn't get into Game of Thrones if that's any help!

Teaandstrumpets YES to Treme! I bloody loved that programme, I thought it was so underrated.

And I echo what everyone has said above about The Wire OP, hands down one of the best series I’ve ever watched. It’s so cleverly written and plotted, with layer upon layer of linked narratives as you move through each series. And it has so many great characters, Bunk and Omar being my favourites. DH and I still randomly quote lines from it and we must have watched it over ten years ago!

@StellaElevator

Breaking Bad is worth a watch. I couldn’t get into the Wire.

Same here. In Breaking Bad there is the obvious story (mild mannered teacher makes and sells crystal meth) but there is also a gradual change in the personal morality of the main characters.

Also, I'd like to point out that in the UK the story (at present anyway) would be Chemistry teacher gets cancer - NHS treats it having also treated his son with Cerebral Palsy and his wife who is having a difficult pregnancy.

Took me 3 attempts before I got into Breaking Bad then I loved it.

Took me two attempts before I could get into The Wire and then I was hooked although I did have trouble understanding some of the lingo. DH and I were gutted when the last episode approached. We were absolutely hooked on everything from the Tom Waits theme tune onwards.

Senator Clay Davies is one of my favourite Wire characters. ‘Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!’.

DH and I still randomly quote lines from it and we must have watched it over ten years ago!

Same here. We did the mayor’s “sheeeeeeeeeet!” last week and had to explain the reference to DS1.

DH and I talked about this thread earlier. He said BB was a more commercial show.

I thought the wire was stunning but really harrowing. Wasn't one of the most compelling, drug dealing characters a girl in that? And there was also a lesbian cop who played a major role? But yes, primarily the monumental characters were men.

The Wire is ‘work’ in so far as it’s not made easy for the viewer to understand the dialogue or the plot, but if you persevere it is so worth it. Genuinely moving and surprising.
Breaking bad is brilliant, but I had to get through the first series before I started enjoying it.
The other two series that I loved are The Americans and Mad Men. Possibly enjoyed Mad Men the most out of all of them.

The Wire is brilliant but takes a bit of getting into and I agree with pp that subtitles really help! Idris Elba and Dominic West.are great in it.

Thought breaking bad was pretty poor, but I could never move past Hal the meth cooker

The wire is excellent

The wire is so good that I haven’t enjoyed watching any other drama on tv since. Truly outstanding.

The Wire is incredible. Don't worry if you don't understand anything for the first couple of episodes. We watched it with subtitles as well.
The characters are really well developed, neither all good or all bad but just dealing with the circumstances they live in.

I got very bored of Breaking Bad very quickly, but I tried.

The Wire was brilliant - and each series had a different theme so were all a bit different. I rarely rewatch things, but one day I will go through it again.

Recently finished GoT, more to find out the ending than because I actively enjoyed it - although I do think it was good.

Dexter was something I thought sounded awful and took a while to get into (at a time when I'd run out of other options) but ultimately I thought it was really good.

I've not seen the wire yet but what I love about BB and Better Call Saul the prequel is the cinematography. Absolutely superb, well thought out camera angles and shots. The scenery around New Mexico is beautiful in a deserty way and makes me want to go there!

The wire is very good, but its a slow burn so stick with it. It can be pretty dark in places. I really enjoyed Treme as well.

Couldn't bear breaking bad. I found it boring and just disliked all the characters. I can acknowledge that it is well written and filmed, but just not my thing at all.

@Drogonssmile interestingly I almost mentioned that the desert backdrop of BB I actually found a bit wearing (although can't comment technically). However, the Miami palette of Dexter I really found attractive.

I loved BB, and even more Better call Saul !
Never seen The Wire, but now I will defintley watch it after reading this.

My favourite series this past few years has been La Casa de Papel ( Money Heist) it's on Netflix. DH and I enjoyed every minute of it, cannot wait for the next season. We watch it in Spanish with subtitles because the dubbed voices just don't sound right. I may or may not have a small crush on El professor
oh and Lucifer ( also Netflix) , it's light entertainment though and I find
it quite funny ! New series starts in a few weeks.

I agree with a PP The Bridge is also brilliant.

I'm amazed that some people didn't like breaking bad! It consumed my life when I watched it, I think it's the best thing I've ever seen, although it took me a while to get used to some of the violence. Better call Saul is so so amazing too, the cinematography, the acting! It's supurb.

The Bridge is AMAZING! I watched The Tunnel straight after It finished as I loved it so much.

I found Breaking Bad OK, the first series was good the rest seemed to drag on.

The Wire is awesome (it's companion piece The Corner, is weaker but still brilliant). Cannot get into BB but am loving Better Call Saul the spinoff prequel.

Don't know if still on Netflix but Warrior (Swedish biker crime) is brilliant and far less stupid than SOA (which is great if you can switch your brain off to the absurdity).

@Coffeeisnecessary

I'm amazed that some people didn't like breaking bad! It consumed my life when I watched it, I think it's the best thing I've ever seen, although it took me a while to get used to some of the violence. Better call Saul is so so amazing too, the cinematography, the acting! It's supurb.

I thought it was well written but all the characters are horrible. Jesse was the only one I felt any sympathy. Walt was just a horrible man and his wife deeply unlikeable.

I loved Breaking Bad, but in large part because I developed a massive crush on Aaron Paul, who is one of the lead characters!

I've never tried 'The Wire'. But my parents both watched, and loved it (although said they had to watch with subtitles because the characters spoke so fast!)

Oh wow so many comments, this is great! Ok so The Wire is top of my list now. Good tip about subtitles, I'll make sure they're on.

I should have mentioned I have photosensitive epilepsy and I never realised how fucking flashy tv shows and films are until I got epilepsy age 30! It RUINED my plans to rewatch Stranger Things! But I don't think that'll be an issue with The Wire as in the clips I've seen it looks very dark and non flashy?

"I thought it was well written but all the characters are horrible. Jesse was the only one I felt any sympathy. Walt was just a horrible man and his wife deeply unlikeable"

I absolutely despise Walt, he actually makes my skin crawl! He thinks he is such a badass it makes me cringe lol

@StellaElevator

Breaking Bad is worth a watch. I couldn’t get into the Wire.

My experience was the Opposite - highly recommend The Wire, couldn't get into BB.

Oh I agree Walt becomes unlikeable, that's one of the things I loved about it, do many programmes have one dimensional good or bad characters which isn't really life, bb is so nuanced and an interesting descent into 'badness' I loved it!