Thursday Movie Picks: Police - TV Edition

This week is another TV edition from Wandering Through The Shelves. This week she asks us to pick three shows about police officers. I might be one of the few that have never at any point in their life got into CSI, NCIS, or Law and Order, so there go all the easy picks. Luckily there's still some great shows that deal with protectors in blue. 

1) The Wire

This is my all time favorite show about police officers. I got a late start to this one. It was recommended to me by several people who said I'd love it since I loved Breaking Bad and they were right.

2) Luke Cage

Cage used to be a police officer, but the one I'm going to single out is Detective Misty Knight who is absolutely amazing. She's my favorite part of this show.

3) Walker, Texas Ranger

I watched this show a lot when I was a kid even though nearly all of it went over my head. I'd probably hate every minute of it if I saw it now. 

Comments

  1. I've only seen bits and pieces of The Wire, I doubt that I've seen an entire episode start to finish, but I know it has a very loyal following.

    I absolutely hate Chuck Norris so Walker, Texas Ranger is one I never gave even a glance.

    I've never heard of Luke Cage but with so many police shows out there I guess that's inevitable this week.

    Since there are so many choices for this one it will be interesting to see all the various picks and if anything emerges as the title of the week.

    Life on Mars (2008)-In present day New York City detective Sam Tyler (Jason O’Mara) is pursuing a suspect when he’s struck by a car. When he awakens he finds himself in the same spot but it’s 1973! Already dressed in 70’s clothing he heads to his precinct where he’s mistaken for a transfer and put to work, now he has to figure out what happened while adjusting to his new surroundings and still chasing criminals alongside cops that have rougher methods than he’s use to. Intriguing series has a great cast, Harvey Keitel, Michael Imperioli and Gretchen Mol among others, terrific period detail and soundtrack but fell victim to poor scheduling which lead to its short duration.

    Wiseguy (1987-1990)-Government agent Vinnie Terranova (Ken Wahl) is fresh out of jail where he was placed by the Organized Crime Bureau (OCB) to give him a criminal history to enable him to go deep undercover to break up big syndicates. Guided by his often exasperated but understanding boss Frank McPike (Jonathan Banks) and wheelchair bound remote liaison “Lifeguard” (Jim Byrnes) he sets out to crime bust while trying to keep his secret from his mother (Elsa Raven). Excellent series told its stories in multi episode half season arcs focusing on one set of characters. All were good but the initial season’s two arcs dealing with the empire led by Sonny Steelgrave (a commanding performance by Ray Sharkey) and the draconian deeply twisted Profitt siblings (two showpiece turns by Kevin Spacey and Joan Severance) are by far the best.

    Dragnet (1951-1959/1967-1970)-"Dum...da.dum...dum-Ladies and Gentleman the story you are about to see is true, the names have been changed to protect the innocent….This is the city-Los Angeles, California…I work here, I’m a cop…my partner’s Frank Smith, my boss is Captain Glavas my name is Friday." So began every episode of this Jack Webb series which he created and in which he starred giving a performance of amazing stolidness handing out his standard catch phrase “Just the facts, mam”. Initially taking a documentary approach before switching to a more standard form of storytelling of solving crimes this is the granddaddy of police procedurals.

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    1. I've heard of Dragnet, and have probably seen an episode or two but the others I haven't. I can't recommend The Wire enough. It's amazing.

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  2. My grandpa loved Texas Ranger so I would often watch it with him. I wasn't crazy about it at the time and I'm sure I'd feel the same today.

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    1. I can't imagine how a show like this would be viewed in Italy. lol

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  3. We would always accidentally ingest about the first 10 minutes of Walker Texas Ranger as kids because I think it came on after Doctor Quinn or some other essential family viewing, and we were all probably too busy weeping to change the channel.

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    1. I think it did come on after Doctor Quinn. I remember watching that too. I'm almost afraid to search out a clip from this show. It's probably so bad.

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  4. I don't know the first 2 at all-big surprise:) I do know Walker...ughhh...I agree with you

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  5. I've never seen The Wire. It's one of those shows that I never got to see when it was out. I do know about Walker: Texas Ranger. Don't fuck w/ Chuck Norris. Ask the Man Who is Fond of Slapping Nutz. Asshole still couldn't draw a fucking dime.

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    1. Can you draw a dime?

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    2. The Wire is amazing, I think you'd like it too.

      thevoid99 could dry a dime, which is a phrase I haven't heard in years. lol. I need to visit more wrestling forums again.

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    3. Just watch any YouTube clip relating to the Broken Hardys and their saga and you will understand their language and who they're referring to like the Man w/ 3 Hs...

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    4. I did watch their Mania return...amazing. lol

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  6. I haven't seen any of these shows, but I did hear that The Wire was a good one. I would try to watch it.

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  7. I haven't seen any of these, but they sound good.

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  8. I haven't seen #3, but great picks! I need to finish The Wire one of these days.

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    1. What season did you end on? I blew through that show lol.

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  9. I've been meaning to watch The Wire for a while... I never seem to get to it though.

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    1. It's sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good. The lead actor sucks, but the rest of the cast is amazing.

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  10. Omg, Walker Texas Ranger! That show is ridiculously silly and entertaining. Have you seen Conan's Walker Texas Ranger lever on his old late night show? It's hilarious.

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  11. Haha...I think I may have watch quite a lot of Walker Texas Ranger too, but really was too young to understand anything, I imagine if I saw it now, I'd think it was all very silly.

    The Wire is one of those shows that everyone says is the best TV show...I haven't seen it, it's not exactly very accessible.

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    1. I jumped on The Wire train later too, it's on HBO Go/Now.

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  12. The Wire! Hell yeah. I'm currently rewatching that show with someone who has never seen it. I'm having as much fun watching her watch it as I am rewatching it. That show will never get old. It's so sad how painfully relevant it still is.

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