High on "The Wire"

For the past several nights, Dave and I have had the standing date night. At home. On the couch. It all depends on whether NetFlix has delivered something for us that day.

We've been watching the DVD of HBO's "The Wire." And we've been riveted. This cop drama is set in Baltimore. The first season covered one major case. It lasted 12 episodes. This show is the reverse of the police serial where 3 cases are tied up in one hour. The Wire moves at darn near real time without the cliffhangers of "24". The show is tremendously well done. You have to invest about an hour or two to allow its pace to re-set your TV watching clock. Then, you fall into the story and let its twists and turns lead you. You learn the characters in small pieces. But by the end of the season, they're family to you: both the good guys and the bad guys.

The second season, still in Baltimore, moved to the docks. It involved the stevidores of the international brotherhood, in cahoots with Russians and Greeks to smuggle drugs, women and stolen goods.

We finished season two last night. You have to know we're both consumed by this show. We were up until at least midnight or later several nights in a row. And we're still not tired. God willing, the mailman will bring the first disk of season three today.

One more thing: a new hubba hubba eye candy for the women watchers: Dominic West.