In a Summer where HBO is lacking any of its signature series, the network's hopes must be sky-high for Generation Kill. The seven-episode miniseries from The Wire's David Simon and Ed Burns premieres Sunday night, and from the early reviews, it seems like it's everything I'd expect from a Simon/Burns project.

What that means: On the plus side, it's well-written, in-depth, and revealing. This review called it "rewarding in its complexity," not unlike The Wire. That, of course, comes with an inherent minus: The series is complex and not always easy to watch — or even tell who's who, especially in the first episode or two.

Personally, I'm planning to watch with a glossary, a chain of command chart, and a map at the ready; they're all available over here. Even if it is confusing at first, I have confidence that it will pay off in the end. (Also, special note for Wire fans: James Ransone, who played Ziggy in season two, has a major role.)

Will you be tuning in? To watch a preview (which has some profanity; you've been warned) and a "making of" video, just read more.

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