Wired

Why does it take us (me and Cerebus, that is) so long to wind up to watch an episode of The Wire? We've had massive pauses between seasons, and even in the middle of some. I think it's because I know how brutal it will be, and how it emotionally blacks out everything else on tv. We just watched the first episode of the fifth and final season, and I'm already traumatised at this being the last 12 or so for me to watch; I'm exhausted with McNulty and his utter idiocy/self-destruction; frustrated at the political machinations, and both Cerebus and I are aware of a massive spoiler we suffered that is hanging over us, with us just waiting for it to drop. Still, there are glorious, glorious things to enjoy: Bunk is one of my favourite characters on tv, ever; one of the newspapermen, despite reminding me of Mick from Brookside (but who played Lewis in Homicide: Life on the Streets - didn't remind me of Mick then), is clearly going to become one of my favourite characters in this season; and the rhythm, sharpness and familiarity of it is overwhelming.

I suppose I just don't want it to end.