(2004 – 2006, USA)

Creator: David Simon
Cast: Dominic West, John Doman, Wendell Pierce, Lance Reddick, Deirdre Lovejoy, Sonja Sohn, Dominic Lombarozzi, Seth Gilliam, Clarke Peters, Andre Royo, Michael K. Williams

5 Seasons (60 Episodes)

It took a while before The Wire was noticed by critics and TV-enthusiasts alike. Not until later seasons, it was recognized and acknowledged as one of the best shows to ever hit the airwaves. Barack Obama, for one, called it his favorite television show of all time. For his five season strong social epic, former Baltimore crime reporter David Simon didn’t leave one corner of his city untouched. The Wire provides full insight into the whole spectrum of drug trade, law enforcement, politics, the working class, the school system and the media.

In the show’s first season, a special Baltimore police unit puts in place a wiretap on the drug empire, run by Avon Barksdale. Principle characters on both sides of the law are introduced: Jim McNulty, a smart Irish cop with authority problems and Stringer Bell, Barksdale’s first lieutenant, are just two of the many characters that are somehow involved in ‘the game’, a word used to describe the drug trade, which is a major social problem in Baltimore’s large slums.

The Wire takes its time to establish plotlines and characters, not just in the first season but throughout the series. But whenever it delivers punches, it is nothing short of amazing. There are few shows that dare to take this much time for build-up and risk losing viewers than The Wire does. There are also few shows that deliver such captivating details and immensely satisfying pay-off to those who invested their time to get into it. The final episodes of each season are especially enjoyable as the carefully laid-out plotlines are concluded and new stories take off.

Some critics have described The Wire as a modern version of a Charles Dickens story. This seems like a fair assessment. The often tragic tales of young delinquents, in which adults and authorities are unable to change the problem, are told in a very transparent and moving way. At times it becomes painfully frustrating to see all solutions fail and young drug traders rise, while the older ones get killed or go to jail (or both in case of one memorable character).

Every season focuses on another group that is part of the problem. That is why the show is called The Wire (besides the wiretap): it provides its audience with the opportunity to listen in on all the involved parties, whether it be cops, dealers, dockworkers, politicians, teachers, social workers or journalists. By closely observing the many different characters’ private and professional lives, remarkable insight is given into the larger context of Baltimore’s massive social problems.

All of the show’s characters serve a clear purpose and are portrayed excellently by the talented cast. A standout character is Omar Little, a modern Robin Hood of sorts who robs drug traders for a living. Not only is this anti-hero black, ruthless and intelligent, he is also a homosexual. America’s nightmare indeed. A brilliant move in the show’s casting is also the usage of real-life cops and criminals, adding to the show’s great authenticity.

David Simon and his team have really achieved to make something very fresh and truly original out of what initially looked like just another cop show. Besides academic insight, The Wire also offers tremendous entertainment, mainly achieved through compelling character studies, intriguing conflicts, a unique atmosphere and genius writing. The timing of the plot twists and many surprises is always precisely right. The Wire is just essential television.