The Wire

I’ve finally watched the first episode of The Wire, and I get the impression that might be every bit as good as everyone says it is. One thing that is beyond doubt, though, is that it doesn’t take prisoners in terms of depth or complexity. I don’t think that this is due to the accents or slang - I’ve read in various places that this is a barrier, but I didn’t have a problem - but rather that a very rich and intricate world is thrust upon you in one go. In introducing both a large number of characters and an unfamiliar setting with little preamble or explanation, it does ask a lot of the viewer. For me, at least, this infinitely preferable to being spoon-fed.

Given the BBC’s insane 5-episodes-a-week schedule, combined with the fact that Tori isn’t keen, I’m unlikely to be able to keep up with it for very long, but I’m going to give it a try.