Uno Venova
Banned
GoT is above average for me. And while S2 and S5 weren't great, everything else about the wire is pretty god tier.
the wire or game of thrones?
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well they're both good at what they do but it's like a frozen pizza vs a nicely cooked dinner. i would encourage people to go with the latter as it's way more enriching but i can hardly blame people for wanting the former.
that said while i'm getting into a bit of a art vs pulp dichotomy there, the wire is also a lot of fun. there's plenty of jokes - in one scene two police agents solve a crime scene just be using variations of fuck, or a cop convinces a gullible kid that the photocopier is a lie detector. the humanity of bubbles is impossible not to find endearing, the gay urban cowboy omar is magnetic and unforgettable, even if you don't care too much for its grim political commentary or slow, precise pace and obsession with realistic lingo after a busy day at work those elements make it enjoyable.
that said while i'm getting into a bit of a art vs pulp dichotomy there, the wire is also a lot of fun. there's plenty of jokes - in one scene two police agents solve a crime scene just be using variations of fuck, or a cop convinces a gullible kid that the photocopier is a lie detector. the humanity of bubbles is impossible not to find endearing, the gay urban cowboy omar is magnetic and unforgettable, even if you don't care too much for its grim political commentary or slow, precise pace and obsession with realistic lingo after a busy day at work those elements make it enjoyable.
They couldn't be more different. GoT is praised for its depiction of a complete fantasy world. The Wire is praised for how real it is. GoT is good to escape the world, The Wire is good for getting smacked in the face with the world.
Both are amazing shows that serve different purposes for entertainment. That said, you'll be better off reading the GoT books and watching the Wire... OR just start with the Wire because the show is done and you won't have to wait for new seasons like you do now with GoT. Then you'll have 3 solid seasons of back to back GoT.
Both are amazing shows that serve different purposes for entertainment. That said, you'll be better off reading the GoT books and watching the Wire... OR just start with the Wire because the show is done and you won't have to wait for new seasons like you do now with GoT. Then you'll have 3 solid seasons of back to back GoT.
StriKeVillain
Banned
One is the greatest show ever made, the other is mid-tier HBO quality. The Wire wins, and it isn't even close.
This is coming from a huge GoT fan too.
This is coming from a huge GoT fan too.
criesofthepast
Member
I never see hardcore Soprano fans (myself) spouting "greatest show ever all other shows suck" bullshit like Wire fans. No wonder its also known as the most overrated show of all time by some. You guys hype this shit up like crazy, a lot of people are bound to be disappointed. I actually think it is hyped to the point where it has become a negative.
Having said that (larry david voice)...the wire is okay and nothing more and not in the same company as the sopranos. Wouldn't put it in six feet under company either.
Ya ya opinions man. Honestly, I'd put Sopranos, Six Feet Under, and Breaking Bad as the top 3 dramas of all time.
Having said that (larry david voice)...the wire is okay and nothing more and not in the same company as the sopranos. Wouldn't put it in six feet under company either.
Ya ya opinions man. Honestly, I'd put Sopranos, Six Feet Under, and Breaking Bad as the top 3 dramas of all time.
Mad Men, maybe Boardwalk Empire, Battlestar Galactica
Btw GoT fans, Bstar is way, way better.
You don't see that bullshit because your the one saying it. Both are fantastic in every respect.
criesofthepast
Member
Dude, look at every wire thread. Its like no other show is worthy to be mentioned in the same breath as the wire. Child please...
The Wire. The Wire is among the top 2 or 3 television series of all time. Game of Thrones is an okay adaption of the book series with awesome production values. They aren't really comparable. I'd recommend the book series over the HBO series.
I can't put Game of Thrones on the same level as shows like The Wire, Deadwood, The Shield, The Sopranos, Mad Men, etc. It's maybe on the same level as HBO's Rome or slightly below that.
I can't put Game of Thrones on the same level as shows like The Wire, Deadwood, The Shield, The Sopranos, Mad Men, etc. It's maybe on the same level as HBO's Rome or slightly below that.
Nex Superne
Member
FWIW, I marathoned The Wire and The Sopranos back-to-back a couple years ago, and I thought The Sopranos suffered dramatically in comparison. The incessantly self-pitying, faux-Shakespearean trajectory of Tony Soprano and his supremely detestable cast of cronies became insufferable by the end of the series. Still, it's probably worth watching for Gandolfini's performance.
Pretty much this. I don't think "The Wire" is a terrible show or anything, but IMO the show is more about simply dispensing facts to the audience than it is about telling any sort of real narrative. Basically, to me it really wasn't even a show trying to tell a story, it was raw journalism.
I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but it definitely was not "must watch TV" for me. I like shows that have really intricate storylines and mysteries with tons of lore and mythology, like "Game of Thrones" ("The Wire" isn't even in the running here). For some weird reason, there seems to be this myth that TV can't be "good" if it actually has an entertaining plot and isn't written solely as an academic exercise in capturing a snapshot of a particular era/political issue/social system. And if your favorite TV show just happens to be a show that has a really cool plot and isn't about social politics, apparently you are a stupid idiot or something... it really doesn't make any sense to me, lol.
Misterinenja
Member
The Wire of course but both are good. The former is just the fucking shit when it comes to TV shows.
hey_it's_that_dog
benevolent sexism
Like pretty much everyone is going to say, The Wire is significantly better. However, it takes longer to get into than GoT, so after 2 episodes or so you might not see why it's so praised. For that reason, GoT is a viable option.
Spring-Loaded
Member
I hate The Wire because its storytelling and world-building are head and shoulders above everything else, but it's one of the worst shows to just recommend. It's slow as hell to start off with, requires a decent amount of paying attention... oh well.
the_prime_mover
Member
The Wire, hands down. It is must see TV and it is the show I will always recommend to people who are looking for something to watch and haven't seen it yet.
Game of Thrones is o.k. Nice production values but it pales in comparison to the books. Plus it is just getting started so you are going to hit the end of the show before the story is done. Best to just set aside the month (or so) and watch through The Wire.
Game of Thrones is o.k. Nice production values but it pales in comparison to the books. Plus it is just getting started so you are going to hit the end of the show before the story is done. Best to just set aside the month (or so) and watch through The Wire.
gregor7777
Banned
Wire 1st. I'm a big fan of GoT and I think you should watch it, but you'll get way more enjoyment out of watching the Wire and reading Game of Thrones.
brother mouzone would've actually been better suited for GoT. probably the weakest character in the show (at least until all the moral alliance vs. corporate empire journalism shit).
Do this....or even if you don't want to do this watch The Wire.
LOST. :_P
I hope you're not serious. Considering, the tongue face, I'm guessing you're not.
I've read all of ASOIAF, and watched all of Game of Thrones, and haven't seen any of The Wire, and I would recommend watching the Wire first. First of all, the series is already over with, so there's nothing to wait for. Secondly, it's widely considered to be one of the best, if not the best television series ever made.
Now, it looks like the OP has already made his decision and started with GoT, so we should re focus our discussion on what are the greatest television series ever. I guess we should stick to dramas.
From what I've seen reading on GAF, the general consensus is that The Wire and Mad Men are in a league of their own, and possibly Breaking Bad.
what is the purpose in ned reading through that book about the baratheon family? everyone has black hair, until geoffrey with golden hair. what's the point? geoffrey not gonna be king or something?
maybe I should just read the books before I watch anymore.
edit: also, goddamn at the golden crown scene.
some dragon.
maybe I should just read the books before I watch anymore.
edit: also, goddamn at the golden crown scene.
some dragon.
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