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My next show to get into - some advice...

post #1 of 75
3/23/09 at 8:25am
Thread Starter 
So I'm staring down the barrel of losing myself in a few seasons of the very best that TV has to offer, and of all the goodness out there, I've come down to three shows in particular I've heard nothing but incredible things about that I can't for the life of me decide between as they're so incredibly highly thought of - especially around here - so I guess I'm looking for some advice from the differeing series proponents to see what will finally tip me over the line and actually pick one.

Obviously I'll get to them all eventually, but I take a long time to get through tv - especially stuff Im watching by myself - so I really want to start with the best of the best.

Here are my three...







Honestly, any advice on this would be deeply appreciated
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post #2 of 75
3/23/09 at 8:47am
The Wire is the greatest television drama in the history of the universe. So my vote goes thus.
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post #3 of 75
3/23/09 at 8:49am
I haven't watched The Sopranos, but out of the three The Wire is the one you should watch right now. Right now. Even reading this post is a waste of valuable Wire watching time.
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post #4 of 75
3/23/09 at 9:14am
The Wire. And I love Galactica. But it's not even close.
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post #5 of 75
3/23/09 at 9:43am
The Wire really is a no brainer in this situation. Although I would give it some time to breath, the first half of the first season is a little bit messy but once its got the characters down the series is pretty much flawless.
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post #6 of 75
3/23/09 at 9:44am
You can make a strong case that those are the 3 best shows of all time, but if forced to choose, yeah, The Wire all the way.
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post #7 of 75
3/23/09 at 9:49am
I'm gonna echo everyone else in here and say The Wire.
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post #8 of 75
3/23/09 at 10:04am
They're all well worth seeing. I'm a 'save the best til last' kind of guy so I wouldn't blame you for leaving the Wire til you've seen and processed the others. Most would agree that it's the best and most rewarding show overall, but also the most dense and demanding. I'd say BSG is a decent one to start with because it has shorter, snappier episodes, which makes it a lot easier to blaze through the whole thing in a short space of time. The Sopranos I've never sat down and watched over one period, but in terms of length it's a relatively epic undertaking and so probably another good one to finish your tv binge on.

As for me, I just this weekend finally finished both BSG and The Wire. I've seen the Sopranos already, so what show should I go for next? Deadwood?
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post #9 of 75
3/23/09 at 10:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fritz Chrome View Post
As for me, I just this weekend finally finished both BSG and The Wire. I've seen the Sopranos already, so what show should I go for next? Deadwood?
Might be a stupid question, but I trust you've seen The Shield?
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post #10 of 75
3/23/09 at 10:13am
LOST would be worth a look. Seasons 1 and 2 are particularly easy to go through.
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post #11 of 75
3/23/09 at 10:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr. Murder View Post
Might be a stupid question, but I trust you've seen The Shield?
Is the Shield really in the same strata as The Wire? I watched the First Season and thought it was interesting, but nothing compared to The Wire.
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post #12 of 75
3/23/09 at 10:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fritz Chrome View Post
As for me, I just this weekend finally finished both BSG and The Wire. I've seen the Sopranos already, so what show should I go for next? Deadwood?
Absolutely. It's a little intimidating at first, but once you get into the the groove of the language, it's so damn rewarding. But The Shield is also great, just getting better and better throughout its lengthy tenure. It never aims as high as Deadwood or The Wire, but pretty much never fails to hit its target.

RD, you can't go wrong with those choices. I think Battlestar got a bit lost in its own mythology in the final season, but it's still a must-see. And the other two are pretty much neck and neck for best drama ever produced in my book, so my only real question is what the hell took you so long to get to them.
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post #13 of 75
3/23/09 at 10:40am
I'd hit The Wire. But imo it depends what you're in the mood for. It's seriously heavy viewing.

And I know it might be considered a sin but as far as CHARACTERS (not scope) go, I would have to say The Shield edges it out somewhat.
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post #14 of 75
3/23/09 at 10:43am
'The Prisoner' - This is still the most rewarding TV show that I've ever seen. It starts very strong and then kinda loses its way for a couple of filler episodes, but then it ends with a sucker punch that you'll be dwelling upon for days. You can easily marathon the entire series over a weekend.
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post #15 of 75
3/23/09 at 10:46am
The Wire hands down.
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post #16 of 75
3/23/09 at 10:47am
If you haven't seen it already, add The West Wing to that list.
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post #17 of 75
3/23/09 at 10:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spike Marshall View Post
Is the Shield really in the same strata as The Wire? I watched the First Season and thought it was interesting, but nothing compared to The Wire.
Is anything in the same strata as The Wire? I dunno, but if The Wire is the top tier of television, then The Shield is second tier. Might be a cliche, but it really does get better and better.
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post #18 of 75
3/23/09 at 10:57am
My only worry with Deadwood is that the lack of proper closure might leave me a ball of frustration at the end.

The Shield I don't know that much about - I've heard it described as like a 'comic book version of The Wire', but very good anyway. But cop shows aren't generally my thing so it would take some convincing to make it a high priority.

I haven't seen any Lost after the first season. Even though I wasn't the biggest fan it might be worth giving that one a proper shot - it seems to be held in pretty high regard here at least.
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post #19 of 75
3/23/09 at 11:02am
Further on down the line, you might want to check out 'Carnivale' and /or 'Rome' as well. 'Carnivale' is a very different show, featuring a truly mesmerizing performance by Clancy Brown.
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post #20 of 75
3/23/09 at 11:08am
Carnivale is fucking awesome, but it's really hurt by ending in the Second Season.
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post #21 of 75
3/23/09 at 11:13am
I'll throw out Oz, too.
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post #22 of 75
3/23/09 at 11:14am
But only the first 2 or 3 seasons.
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post #23 of 75
3/23/09 at 11:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Quarant View Post
But only the first 2 or 3 seasons.
I only saw Oz up until the episode with one of the inmates children being kidnapped and her hand been sent to the prison. What made it shit the bed in later seasons?
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post #24 of 75
3/23/09 at 11:21am
The Wire, then Sopranos. I absolutely adore The Sopranos, but it's nothing compared to The Wire. No show is.
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post #25 of 75
3/23/09 at 11:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fritz Chrome View Post
My only worry with Deadwood is that the lack of proper closure might leave me a ball of frustration at the end.
So fucking worth it.

Quote:
The Shield I don't know that much about - I've heard it described as like a 'comic book version of The Wire', but very good anyway. But cop shows aren't generally my thing so it would take some convincing to make it a high priority.
Comparisons to the Wire are really inapt, as they're both shows about cops whose defining characteristic is how much they aren't "cop shows", but in totally different ways. The Shield is much more similar to The Sopranos in my mind, because they are both very focused on the effects of living various and multitudinous lies.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Spike Marshall View Post
Carnivale is fucking awesome, but it's really hurt by ending in the Second Season.
If you can manage to ignore the giant can of worms they open in the last 2 minutes of the final episode, it's actually a very self-contained story. It's also a great example of mythology done right; as things went on I was really surprised how little of the accumulated weirdness was arbitrary or forced. It makes me look harsher at BSG's, and potentially Lost's, final revelations, as it showed that mystery and portent can be intriguing and satisfying when you have a clear picture of what you're foreshadowing.
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post #26 of 75
3/23/09 at 11:28am
I adore Carnivale.
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post #27 of 75
3/23/09 at 11:28am
I'm starting the third season of Oz right now, and its still very strong. The cast is absurdly awesome, and the storytelling absolutely ruthless.
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post #28 of 75
3/23/09 at 11:30am
Carnivale's story is self contained, but it feels like a smaller part in a much grander story and as such even though we get closure on most of the characters it still feels like the show was just starting to show its hand. I would have loved it if HBO had given them the go ahead to novelise the next two parts of the story like was originally intended.
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post #29 of 75
3/23/09 at 11:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spike Marshall View Post
I only saw Oz up until the episode with one of the inmates children being kidnapped and her hand been sent to the prison. What made it shit the bed in later seasons?
It becomes interminably ridiculously soap opera-ish in later seasons. It still has it's moments, but hardly any as effective as in the first couple of seasons. Saying any more would probly be considered spoilerish.

Also... aging pill.
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post #30 of 75
3/23/09 at 11:36am
The early seasons of Homicide: Life on the Street.

You could pretty much stop after Season 5.
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post #31 of 75
3/23/09 at 11:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spike Marshall
Carnivale's story is self contained, but it feels like a smaller part in a much grander story and as such even though we get closure on most of the characters it still feels like the show was just starting to show its hand. I would have loved it if HBO had given them the go ahead to novelise the next two parts of the story like was originally intended.
No arguments there. Anyone happen to know when HBO's story rights lapse? I know Dan Knauf has some history in comic writing, and the idea of Carnivale graphic novels makes me wet.
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post #32 of 75
3/23/09 at 11:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Schwartz View Post
No arguments there. Anyone happen to know when HBO's story rights lapse? I know Dan Knauf has some history in comic writing, and the idea of Carnivale graphic novels makes me wet.
Seconded. I'd love to see more of this, and the graphic novel format would be an idea medium to continue/finish the story.
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post #33 of 75
3/23/09 at 12:06pm
I just finished a two-week straight through viewing of The Shield (a couple of episodes per night). So fucking worth it. I'm now starting The Wire and am wondering if I don't need to put something between the two so that I slow down on the direct comparisons (maybe something completely unrelated?).
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post #34 of 75
3/23/09 at 12:12pm
They are completely unrelated. There's no way you could directly compare The Shield vs. The Wire. Both are amazing shows, for different reasons.
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post #35 of 75
3/23/09 at 12:16pm
I'm a few episodes in, and while they are different shows, I keep comparing the tone and characters of the two.

I think I'm going to give it a month or two. While I love watching a series straight through, it makes it that much harder to detach myself from the characters. Especially so with The Shield, where you can go from "Holy Shit!" to heartbreak in a matter of minutes...
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post #36 of 75
3/23/09 at 12:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by eatatjoes View Post
Especially so with The Shield, where you can go from "Holy Shit!" to heartbreak in a matter of minutes...
If The Shield makes you have those emotions, wow man, keep the kleenex close to you during The Wire.
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post #37 of 75
3/23/09 at 1:03pm
I'm anxious to start checking out The Wire.

Anyone having doubts about Carnivale or Deadwood due to their somewhat unplanned conclusions: DON'T. They're both awesome, and it's not that bad (in the case of Carnivale) and damn near satisfying (Deadwood).

I've seen a couple episodes of The Shield and found it laughably bad.


If you've never seen Extras I'd highly recommend that as a way to cleanse your palette after some of the serious business being thrown around here. Double that in re: to the UK Office if you've never seen it.
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post #38 of 75
3/23/09 at 2:53pm
What do you mean "its not that bad"? They wrapped up the storyline, with a hint of what could come had the show been renewed. The ending of Carnivale is completely satisfying and gave closure, which is something many people can't say about The Sopranos (which I liked for its ambiguity).
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post #39 of 75
3/23/09 at 3:10pm
Now that I just finished Season 1 of Dexter (damn good), I'm salivating over finally breaking open my complete DVD set of The Wire, which I've never seen.
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post #40 of 75
3/23/09 at 3:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fritz Chrome View Post
My only worry with Deadwood is that the lack of proper closure might leave me a ball of frustration at the end.
IMO Deadwood ends fine. As far as I can remember it doesn't leave any huge storylines up in the air, and the resolution of the Hearst situation really completes a thematic thought, so to speak, with regard to the formation of a community. Which is ultimately what the show's about.
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post #41 of 75
3/23/09 at 5:03pm
This is somewhat unrelated (okay, very unrelated), but did anyone ever see the US version of Touching Evil? Amazing procedural with Jeffrey Donovan, supported by the likes of Vera Farmiga and Keamy from Lost.
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post #42 of 75
3/23/09 at 5:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Diva View Post
What do you mean "its not that bad"? They wrapped up the storyline, with a hint of what could come had the show been renewed. The ending of Carnivale is completely satisfying and gave closure, which is something many people can't say about The Sopranos (which I liked for its ambiguity).
I just meant the "up in the air" aspect "isn't that bad." I think it's quite satisfying in an open-ended way (read my posts in the Carnivale thread).

I think the questions it leaves you with are the "good kind." If it absolutely had to end prematurely, they did the best they could with it.
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post #43 of 75
3/23/09 at 5:28pm
I wish I had yet to watch those 3 shows as they are all so fucking awesome.

1 - The Wire, but it will take you 4-6 episodes before you really get into the characters and your addiction begins to set in. From then on shit's just gets better and better.

2 - The Sopranos. Just an epic show with the best television performances ever!

3 - Galactica. This show will probably take a handful of episodes to really suck you in like The Wire, but once you're in you don't leave. I'm going to start rewatching this thing myself now that the show has finished.
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post #44 of 75
3/23/09 at 5:35pm
The more you hate cop shows, the more you'll like The Shield.
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post #45 of 75
3/23/09 at 5:47pm
I would put Rome slightly above The Wire and Deadwood, but they might be The 1, 2, and 3 top Tv Series ever.

Dexter is great fun also.
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post #46 of 75
3/23/09 at 5:50pm
The Wire is a moral imperative.
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post #47 of 75
3/23/09 at 6:08pm
Favorite shows:
The Wire
Lost (probably my favorite show that's actually still airing new episodes... makes Wednesday a day to look forward to!)
The Shield
Dexter
Angel: The Series
Battlestar Galactica
24
Supernatural (do NOT overlook this show just because it airs on the CW)
Firefly+Serenity
The Venture Bros.

Guilty (dis?)Pleasures: (I've seen pretty much every episode but in no way would I recommend them)
Nip/Tuck
Prison Break
Stargate: SG1
Stargate: Atlantis (I'm a completionist, but dammit it was a chore to get through a lot of this one)
Terminator: TSCC
heroes (i know)

Shows I've been meaning to watch:
Carnivale
Oz
True Blood
Deadwood
Twin Peaks

For some reason I don't have much desire to see The Sopranos or Rome... though I may check them out someday anyway, after hearing such good word of mouth about them.
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post #48 of 75
3/23/09 at 6:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gobblox View Post
Favorite shows:
Supernatural (do NOT overlook this show just because it airs on the CW)
I whole-heartedly support this statement.

I haven't seen any of BSG (missed the first few seasons and I'm gonna start it soon hopefully) and only 2-3 episodes of the Soprano's, but the Wire is beyond great. I also echo the Carnivale love and highly recommend the Venture Brothers if you haven't seen it.
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post #49 of 75
3/23/09 at 8:46pm
I started The Wire last month after purchasing the entire series and I just started on season 3.

Season 1 is fucking incredible drama. Some of the best stuff I've ever seen - all 13 episodes. Some are saying it takes time, but I was hooked from the very beginning. Season 2 isn't up to par, but when you follow that season 1, what will be? THAT"S the season it'll take a few episodes to cushion into, because they change the whole show up, and I still loved it.

But. I'm two episodes into season 3, and I'm not feeling it. Something's off for me, and it might have something to do with how they skipped right into the middle of another Detail. I'm hoping I start getting into it soon.

After this, I'll probably start BSG, since my brother's been raving about it, and Dexter. Oddly, I have no interest in The Sopranos and The Shield.
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post #50 of 75
3/23/09 at 9:02pm
I disagree with you, Zollicoffer, but there are other threads for that.

I'd like to revise my initial statement - If you have the luxury to watch all 3, I would start with The Sopranos. It was the first show that really broke open what television could be, at least for me.

I think The Wire is the zenith, but re: BSG, I appreciate what Maureen Ryan wrote last week:

Quote:
In the "Battlestar Galactica in the Media" thread on Television Without Pity, a debate began about "BSG" vs "The Wire" (the discussion continued on the "BSG Comparisons" board). The discussion was prompted by a piece in the Guardian calling "BSG" better than "The Wire."

By law, TV critics are required to call "The Wire" important, great, amazing, ambitious and so forth. It is all those things, without a doubt. If we're talking just about sheer consistency, "The Wire" (and "The Shield," for that matter) beat almost all comers, including "BSG." (Know that I understand that there is no "best" TV series and there can be no winner of that debate.)

But this statement from Effra sums up my feelings perfectly.

"...If I had to choose to have only seen one of them, I would choose 'Battlestar' every single time. 'The Wire' is an extraordinary testament to a particular time and place and the kind of lives that are lived in Baltimore and cities like it. 'Battlestar' is an even more extraordinary meditation on the human condition that to me stands up there with some of the great mythological stories about that. It also gives an emotional way for us to think about it for own lives in the way 'The Wire' can't, unless one is living a life like those in Baltimore.

"I learned a lot from watching 'The Wire' and I thought about things I hadn't thought about before. But it didn't get into my soul. 'Battlestar' has and it will stay there."

That's it. "Battlestar" got into my soul.
I don't agree . . . I think The Wire and Galactica are equal in their commentaries on the human condition, but it's a viewpoint to consider. (NOTE: That's from a post on the series finale, so no link.)
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