I don't think it's slow but it doesn't explain itself. When you see an event or character interaction without much context, it seems irrelevant and doesn't register so it might feel like nothing is happening. When I rewatch it now, I find it fast pace with no filler. I can watch McNulty play with tide tables gurgling with joy at the delicious payoff to come but if you don't know the payoff, it no doubt just feels like a dude with some paper.

As a Brit, I have no wish for subtitles. I found no difficulty with the slang or accent. There are many parts of the UK that are much more indecipherable!

I've been enjoying the podcast Way Down In The Hole as an episode by episode recap having already watched it through a few times. Stacked with extra trivia and the insight of two black hosts adds things I didn't see.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-wire-way-down-in-t...