2024-11-17 13:00:00
Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston in the American series “The Wire" and the Reality of Baltimore”>Breaking Bad” (season 2, 2009). In order to protect his family from want, Walter White took advantage of his knowledge of chemistry and began manufacturing and selling methamphetamine. PHOTO12
The history of the fight against drug trafficking and consumption in the United States resembles a descent into hell. Since the presidency of Richard Nixon (1969-1974), the resources devoted to fighting traffickers have continued to grow, without being able to prevent the quantity of drugs in circulation from continuing to grow at the same time.
The series could only make America’s failure in this fight their blessing. From cocaine to crack, from heroin to synthetic substances and from the almost joyful trivialization of marijuana to the tragic opioid crisis, those produced by Hollywood tell the detailed story of what drugs are doing to American citizens and society.
In this matter, deep links, of meaning and aesthetics, connect the two great masterpieces which span the last twenty years: The Wire (Listening) et Euphoria.
From a first season which focuses on the careful observation of small street traffic in Baltimore (Maryland), The Wire (2002-2008) develops a broader story, which explores both the international traffic which passes through the port and the public policies which are put in place to deal with it, without ignoring the issues of corruption or electoralism which govern the decisions of police officers or elected officials. Overdoses, decrepitude of the most addicted users, repeated murders, The Wire painstakingly describes the effect of drugs on individuals and the extreme violence inherent in the illegal trade.
This article is taken from the “Special Issue Le Monde – Drug traffickers: their networks, their crimes, the response”, November-December 2024, on sale in newsstands or online by going on our store website.
But if The Wire is a major work, it is also because it confronts the unpleasant realities of American society. In Baltimore, the persistence of real segregation separates black people from poor neighborhoods – who are both the actors and victims of trafficking – from the white police officers and elected officials who face more ordinary problems in their daily lives. Jimmy McNulty, the policeman played by Dominic West, drinks a little too much, is unfaithful, doesn’t know how to assemble an Ikea piece of furniture and experiences professional conflicts: the banal life of a white man from the middle class.
Even more subtly, the series highlights the values of exclusion that cops and thugs share, and, beyond that, the spinelessness of the virilism of machos, black or white, confronted with more courageous female or homosexual characters.
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How do shows like “Breaking Bad,” “The Wire,” and ”Euphoria” compare in their portrayal of the drug epidemic?
**Interview with Dr. Emily Carter, Cultural Critic and Author of “The Drug Dilemma in American Media”**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Carter! “Breaking Bad” is often celebrated for its complex storytelling and characters. What do you think it reveals about the broader issue of drug trafficking in the United States?
**Dr. Carter:** Thank you for having me! “Breaking Bad” does an exceptional job of addressing the dark realities behind the drug trade. The series showcases Walter White’s moral descent as he transforms from a desperate high school chemistry teacher to a methamphetamine manufacturer to provide for his family. This narrative reflects the desperation and systemic failures in American society, particularly in the fight against drug trafficking.
**Interviewer:** It’s interesting how the show not only focuses on individual stories but also critiques larger societal issues. How does “Breaking Bad” compare to other series like “The Wire” and “Euphoria” in this regard?
**Dr. Carter:** “Breaking Bad” shares a thematic connection with both “The Wire” and “Euphoria.” While “The Wire” examines the systemic roots of drug trade in Baltimore and the failures of public policy, “Euphoria” focuses more on the personal struggles of youth in a drug-laden society. All three series highlight different aspects of the drug epidemic—whether it’s the institutional failings or the personal crises—and together, they paint a comprehensive picture of how drugs affect American life.
**Interviewer:** With the increase of drug-related media, do you believe shows like these influence public perception of drug issues?
**Dr. Carter:** Absolutely! Media representations can shape public understanding and discourse around drugs. They bring attention to the complexities of addiction, the socioeconomic factors involved, and the often harsh realities of life in drug-affected communities. However, they also run the risk of glamorizing or sensationalizing certain aspects, which can lead to misunderstanding of the true nature of these crises.
**Interviewer:** Given the ongoing opioid crisis and challenges in drug policy, how do you see the role of television evolving in addressing these issues?
**Dr. Carter:** I think we will see continued efforts for television to engage with these topics more deeply. As society grapples with the consequences of drug misuse, shows will likely strive for greater authenticity and sensitivity in depicting these issues. It’s important that media not only entertain but also inform and provoke critical discussions about public health and policy.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Carter, for your insights! It’s clear that shows like “Breaking Bad” do much more than just tell a captivating story; they engage with pressing social issues.
**Dr. Carter:** It’s my pleasure! I hope that as viewers, we continue to reflect on what these narratives teach us about our world.
