In the golden age of television, there are certain series audiences always return to when discussing the best of all-time. The Wire (2002-2008) and Breaking Bad (2008-2013) are consistently at the top of such lists. The Wire was among the earliest "prestige" series from HBO that elevated perceptions of what narrative TV was capable of while Breaking Bad further revolutionized must-watch TV and the anti-hero protagonist.
They are both exceptional series, but which reigns supreme is still a question many people ask. There are numerous ways to analyze these shows, but here are some considerations when determining the king of prestige TV.
The Creators
Vince Gilligan has become synonymous with Breaking Bad and is at the core of the show's brilliance. He pitched it as the transformation of Mr. Chips into Scarface, and Walter White (Bryan Cranston) certainly lives up to this premise. Gilligan meticulously researched chemistry, the cartel drug trade, and drug-dealing street culture for maximum authenticity. His dedication to writing a compelling story through intelligent characters in a grounded world is evident in every episode, and his creativity guided the show from pilot to finale.
On the other hand, The Wire's creators David Simon and Ed Burns required much less research because their project was a reflection of their professional experiences. Through the 1980s-90s, Simon was a journalist at The Baltimore Sun, while Burns was a homicide and narcotics detective for 20 years before becoming an inner-city public school teacher in Baltimore. Both became intimately familiar with the city and were able to craft characters and situations as authorities on the subjects of crime, poverty and politics in Baltimore.
Though both shows explore the consequences of crime and corruption while considering various themes within that, Simon and Burns approached The Wire with much more purpose in this regard. They aimed to show flaws in American institutions and challenge audiences' understanding of power and class. Gilligan's analysis of the morality of one man is a masterclass of writing, but Simon and Burns' mission to accurately portray and thoughtfully critique a different facet of Baltimore's community in each season of The Wire is not only masterfully mapped out but also showcases a deep understanding of socio-economic problems in the American system.
The Characters
The Wire's cast is led by Dominic West as Detective James McNulty, ostensibly the protagonist until his minimized role in Season 4. The detectives and gangsters are the through-line of the series, but the shifting focus of each season introduces new characters from varying social backgrounds. Unfortunately, some of these seasons had less than interesting characters, particularly the finale season about journalism. The most memorable group of one-off characters is the teen boys in the public school season. They tell devastating stories that are sickeningly true to reality in America.
The essential characters from The Wire include Omar Little (Michael Kenneth Williams), "Stringer" Bell (Idris Elba) and Detective "Bunk" Moreland (Wendell Pierce), all of which are career-defining roles for each actor. They have some of the most human, relatable moments of the series and represent the ways individuals can abuse systems in society. In this, they complicate audience perceptions of the "good" from the "bad" guys.
Breaking Bad's advantage here is that all 5 seasons are a character study of one man. Though the audience comes to despise Walt and his actions, they always understand his motivations. Bryan Cranston's Emmy-winning performance is the root of why Walt is so compelling, and he has become one of the most iconic characters in TV history. Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) became the heart of the show, and the audience always rooted for him.
Breaking Bad's characters were consistently believable and smart. The antagonists, especially, were well-rounded, unique, and unpredictable. From Tuco and Hector Salamanca to Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito), fans never knew what to expect out of Walt's enemies. The standout supporting characters are certainly Hank Schrader (Dean Norris), Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks) and Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk). The first two shared some of the tensest moments with Walter and were some of the most emotional deaths of the show, while the latter was the sharp, comedic relief that was such a fan-favorite that he received his own acclaimed spin-off series.
Because of how iconic Walter White and Jesse Pinkman have become in pop culture, the memorable villains of the show (including Walt), and for its successful spin-offs, the characters of Breaking Bad easily surpasses those on The Wire.
Iconic Moments
The Wire is lacking in truly iconic scenes. Omar whistling through the Baltimore projects strapped with his shotgun while neighbors scatter is undoubtedly at the top. Other standout scenes include Stringer Bell's shocking death and the murder of a young Michael B. Jordan's Wallace. Though fans could point to perhaps dozens of memorable and powerful moments, there are few outside of these examples that transcended the show in broader pop culture.
Meanwhile, where does one begin listing the iconic moments on Breaking Bad? It frequently built tension around the mundane in ways that left viewers breathless. From the "One Minute" showdown, the terror of "Box Cutter," Walt's disturbing breakdown in "Crawlspace" and the shockingly gruesome "Face Off," these scenes only begin to make the case for why Breaking Bad is so memorable. Both Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston delivered too many iconic quotes to cite. On a rewatch of Breaking Bad, hardly an episode goes by without feeling the anticipation (or dread) of an upcoming memorable moment, and knowing what is to come and still being riveted is a testament to how iconic the show is as a whole.
Conclusion
Both The Wire and Breaking Bad remain at the peak of prestige TV. Both have their merits and are as close to perfect series as can be made. However, Breaking Bad narrowly edges out The Wire as the superior show for its consistent quality from beginning to end, its more compelling characters, countless iconic scenes and quotes and for its undeniably greater impact on current pop culture.
"wire" - Google News
July 23, 2020 at 08:14AM
https://ift.tt/39n9Ipi
The Wire Vs. Breaking Bad: Which Prestige TV Series Is King? - CBR - Comic Book Resources
"wire" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2YtvSDd
https://ift.tt/2VUOqKG
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "The Wire Vs. Breaking Bad: Which Prestige TV Series Is King? - CBR - Comic Book Resources"
Post a Comment