Finally finished watching The Wire after 3 false starts

Used to fall asleep within 15 minutes of starting episode 1 because the first season just drags. Tried again last month during a rainy weekend in Portland and something finally clicked. Now I'm through all 5 seasons in 3 weeks and I get why everyone calls it a masterpiece. Did anyone else struggle to get into it at first or was that just me?

3 comments

3 Comments

laura_schmidt821mo ago

The first season really is a slow burn. Once you get past that initial setup and start seeing how all the pieces fit together, it's hard to stop watching. My advice is to watch the first four episodes without any distractions, no phone or anything else. That's usually when the show hits its stride and you start caring about the characters. After that, it just takes off.

amy_anderson1mo ago

Give it another false start or two and you might unlock the hidden season nobody talks about. The first four episodes are basically a test to see if you have the patience for good TV. Three weeks for five seasons sounds about right, that's basically a pressure washer's worth of marathon watching.

spencer9811mo ago

Thing is, the slow pacing in season 1 is what makes the later seasons hit harder but @amy_anderson is right that the first four episodes are the real test. Stop saying three weeks for five seasons is about right though, that's basically 60 hours in 21 days which is nuts for anyone with a job.