The Wire

I think it has already become apparent that I take my media culture very seriously. For the most part (not always) when I'm listening to music, watching a movie, or watching television - I don't approach it as a time of relaxation or necessarily entertainment. I approach it with the same meticulous demeanor that someone would pour over the Dostoevsky or the Bible itself. The author, his previous works, his life story, reasons for the creation of the music or film - all of that is pertinent and necessary. Approaching everything with the same level of detail that I would look at a Bible passage has really helped me flesh out what it means for Christianity to be a transforming effect in my everyday thinking. With this way of thinking and approaching pop culture, every once and a while you stumble upon something truly remarkable.

Yesterday, I watched this show entitled "The Wire" for the first time. I had planned on just watching the pilot episode as a study break, but before I knew it, it was 4am, my pants were soaked from repeated trips out in the rain to rentertainment and I had carved a good chunk out of the first season. It wasn't just because the show was entertaining. In fact, I would say the first several episodes were clunky, slow, and confusing. No no, it was something else.

The Wire was created by former police reporter, David Simon. The entire show takes place in the city of Baltimore, Maryland. Each season follows an aspect of this city (season one - drug trade, two - the port, etc.). It chronicles the interactions between drug traders, government officials, school kids, police officers, and anyone else that is involved. To say there is one or a couple main characters is to miss the point of the show entirely. In fact the main character of the show is Baltimore.

This is one of the main things that makes the show so intriguing in my eyes. Creator David Simon has repeatedly said that his goal for the show was to create a visual novel. That is to say a show that didn't neatly wrap up episodes, have clean conclusions, have everything presented - always worrying about the furthering of plot. Instead dialogue is continually dense and it takes quite a lot effort to keep up with dozens and dozens of players in the city. It's not plot and characters that are the main focus but rather themes, motifs, and under currents. The subtle is the objective.

In the particular season I've been watching, the drug trade on the streets of Baltimore is the main focus. The series of shows focus on a detail of narcotics and homicide detectives that are trying to nail down the biggest drug lord on the west side of Baltimore. Rather than being told from anyone's particular perspective, we are instead able to listen in on everyone's perspective, both policemen and gang members. Early on it's pretty clear to see that the bad guys and good guys aren't separated by badges.

The Wire tells the story of a world where doing your 'duty' as a cop is to follow rank no matter what the order, where justice is secondary to promotions, where kids deal drugs because its the only way they can support their families, where college is an illusion, where everyone just wants to be somebody, want to have something for themselves. This is the world The Wire paints. There are few bad guys and even fewer bad guys. Everyone is simply doing what is best for them. In this world, there are no ideals.

Really it makes me think about the reality I inhabit. What assumptions do I have about people? about professions? What have I been tricked into believing? Although there is so much squalor and suffering in the show, there is something reassuring about it all for me. In a world where we have races, professions, and cultural hierarchies to help divide us - this show reminds me that despite all our attempts build intricate societal tapestries to divide one another, we're all in the same boat. We're all suffer from the same humanity that consumes us. We are not alone. We all suffer. That is reassuring for me, makes me feel a little bit better. It makes that 45 year old homeless man that lives on the street corner feel as close to me as the 22 year old kid that sits next to me in class.

If any of you do decide to journey into The Wire, just understand that is it an HBO television series and along with all the deep, socio-political commentary comes the nudity, violence, and language that you would associate with such a lifestyle. In my experience, thus far, none of it has been pornagraphic (endorsing it or glorifying it), it has simply been presented. But...still, for your information.