This Week

So I watched the wire for class... wow. It kind of threw me for a loop. I understand after class that it is a type of "cop" show, but it still really confuses me at the moment. I have a hard time associating with what is going on, I think it may be because the actual environment seems so important here, I find myself lacking to understand the whole picture. I initially thought (and believe it is in my last post) that the kids were separate, but when watching it again I have a hard time distinguishing from who is bad and who is good. It seems to be enticing the more I watch - but still I don't really get it.

I got a little more confused after Professor Anderson acknowledged that there were similarities between Law & Order: L.A. and The Wire. So I think that I am going to talk about what I understand about Law & Order first.

Law & Order obviously knows its audience and how to be successful. I found this episode to be extremely interesting. I like the change in caste, it adds something new to the format. The show is predictable in the way it introduces the plot, the "crisis", the interrogations throughout the hour time slot. The interlocking of characters prior to the crime is what always throws me for a loop, the relationship seems to be something either more/less than what you expect - and there is always more than one suspect. The appeal to this show is the format though, there is something predictable beside something so unpredictable that keeps viewers hungry for more.

Like we said in class, the conflicts/issues that carry across several episodes (insight into characters lives) keeps people wondering, while the crime comes to a close by the final scene of the epsiode.

The success of this show will not decline any time soon. I feel like The Wire may have even addressed this idea of invention and convention - trying to keep some of the same aspects, but changing it to be an entirely different show. Law & Order appeals to a HUGE audience, there is no need to change the structure of the show. The introduction of a new setting and new characters is all that is needed to spice up the same old things. I really liked this episode, and would also really like to start following the show. Because there is such a strong following, those who are already interested in the show are most likely going to be quickly "addicted" to the new series. Not only this, but new settings can also draw in a new audience, I find that some people (including myself) like to watch a show where I understanding the setting - more specifically, about the area where it is going on.

I hope to discuss The Wire more after class tomorrow, but I need some more guidance on what is going on in the show, its purpose, and the abstract structure.