The Wire is considered one of the greatest TV shows of the 21st century by the BBC and we agree. We were amazed by its raw and honest portrayal of a crumbling city in the USA.
Like any great novel, this series too has unimaginable layers and depths of storytelling. This show is about everyday life in an urban setting in the Baltimore, United States of America.
Synopsis [official] of the The Wire (S1-S5/2002-2208) Series
In the city of Baltimore, there are good guys and there are bad guys. Sometimes you need more than a badge to tell them apart. This highly realistic and totally unvarnished drama series chronicles the vagaries of crime, law enforcement, politics, education and media in Baltimore as it follows a team of cops and the criminals they are after.
This series looks at the narcotics scene in Baltimore through the eyes of law enforcers as well as drug dealers and users. Other facets of the city that are explored in the series are the government and bureaucracy, schools and the news media. The show was created by former police reporter David Simon, who also wrote many of the episodes.
It’s a proverbial tale of two Americas.
David Simon, show creator
Rating of The Wire (S1-S5/2002-2208) Series
| FM’s rating | 4.65/5 |
| Overall Rotten Tomatoes ratings as of the date | 94% Tomatometer & 96% Audience Score |
Spoiler Free Brief Review of The Wire (S1-S5/2002-2208) Series
The introduction
Although we wish to tell you its storyline in detail here, however, it may spoil the surprises that this slow-burn TV series has in store for its viewers. So, we shall disclose only those particulars that its creator (s) have shared with the public. And in case, we do share any of the spoilers inadvertently, then we deeply regret the same.
Its storyline
This drama series is set in Baltimore City – where drug-related crimes thrive. The race angle between the Black and the White communities living in the city dominates. Inequality and injustice in the society reign supreme. The common people are suffering. And the political and police systems are considered to be broken. So, the society as a whole is decaying.
This crime drama delves into the themes of the drug crisis initially. However, the later part of this contemporary socio-political tale focuses more on the issues of inequality and injustice. We see the social, political and economic inequities prevalent in American society. Subtly, this show raises some very serious questions about the capitalist system too.
Besides, it touches upon controversial subjects – race, class, politics, corruption, power, crime, policing, education system, etc. with unusual panache. Not very often, do we come across an honest and blunt take on the ills plaguing contemporary capitalist societies. This show dares to take an uncensored look at the American Dream.
It depicts the inequities and injustices meted out to the economically weaker sections of society in the USA. They are heart-rending and sometimes they are difficult to watch.
Timeless characters
To be honest, we had seen The Wire series years ago, when it was aired. Still, we cannot forget its intricate and detailed look at American society, using the city of Baltimore as a backdrop. With so much depth and understanding, it created some of the best characters that we have seen in a show. Almost all the characters in the show have a credible storyline. They have a captivating character arc too. We liked most of the well-etched-out characters, so allow us to share a few names here:
Omar Little (Michael Kenneth Williams), Lance Reddick (Cedric Daniels), Jimmy McNulty (Dominic West), Snoop (Felicia Pearson), Stringer Bell (Idris Elba), Avon Barksdale (Wood Harris), Wallace (Michael B. Jordan), Bunk Moreland (Wendell Pierce), Lester Freamon (Clarke Peters), Herc (Domenick Lombardozzi), Bubbles (Andre Royo), Tommy Carcetti (Aidan Gillen), Rhonda Pearlman (Deirdre Lovejoy), Marlo Stanfield (Jamie Hector), etc.
Its brilliant script backed by its superb ensemble cast has made this series – one of the best dramas of all time. And how great are the other actors in this series? According to us, almost all of them are terrific. You just have to see the above-named characters (actors) in action in the show to believe it. Not surprisingly, many of them have gone on to make it big.
The conclusion
Supposing that you love a good piece of literature, then The Wire is a must-watch drama series. We think that it will be difficult to put down, once you pick it up and start it.
To conclude, we reiterate – The Wire is highly recommended to you all.
Trailer of The Wire (S5/2008) Series
Please note that we could not find any trailer of The Wire series on YouTube, except this one.
America is a country that is now utterly divided when it comes to its society, its economy, its politics. There are definitely two Americas. I live in one, on one block in Baltimore that is part of the viable America, the America that is connected to its own economy, where there is a plausible future for the people born into it. About 20 blocks away is another America entirely. It’s astonishing how little we have to do with each other, and yet we are living in such proximity.
David Simon, show creator | The Gaurdian
Poster of the The Wire (S1/2002) Series
Focus:- bonus video of the most iconic dialogues of The Wire series
Take a peek into the lives of some of the very well-written characters in The Wire series. These are some of the best dialogues/lines from the show in this video.
A life, Jimmy, you know what that is? It’s the shit that happens while you’re waiting for moments that never come.
Detective Lester Freamon ( played by Clarke Peters)
That is one of the lines that we liked in this serial.
Key details about The Wire Series
| Genre | Crime, Drama, Thriller |
| Creator | David Simon |
| Seasons | First Season (2002) Second Season (2003) Third Season (2004) Fourth Season (2006) Fifth Seasons (2008) |
| Episodes | 13 Episodes in Season One 12 Episodes in Season Two 12 Episodes in Season Three 13 Episodes in Season Four 10 Episodes in Season Five Total = 60 (Sixty) Episodes |
| Cast | Dominic West (Detective James “Jimmy” McNulty), Wendell Pierce (Detective William “Bunk” Moreland), Lance Reddick (Lieutenant Cedric Daniels), Clarke Peters (Detective Lester Freamon), Sonja Sohn (Detective Shakima ‘Kima’ Greggs), Deirdre Lovejoy (A.S.A. Rhonda Pearlman), John Doman (Deputy Commissioner for Operations William A. Rawls), Seth Gilliam (Detective Ellis Carver), Domenick Lombardozzi (Detective Thomas ‘Herc’ Hauk), etc. |
| Taglines | Listen carefully (season 1) A new case begins… (season 2) Rules change. The game remains the same. (season 3) No corner left behind. (season 4) All in the game. (season 5) |
When President Obama praised “The Wire” Series
President Obama chatted about the challenges law enforcement faces with the creator of The Wire series – David Simon. Here is what he said in the YouTube video link shared below.
I’m a huge fan of “The Wire.” I think it’s one of the greatest not just television shows but pieces of art in the last couple of decades. I was a huge fan of it.
~ Barack Obama | Youtube video
So, the US President (at the time of its recording) also approved it.
Awards won by The Wire series
| Names of the Awards | Names of the Award Winners |
|---|---|
| Casting Society of America, USA, (2003) | Best Casting for TV, Dramatic Pilot – Alexa L. Fogel & Pat Moran |
| The Peabody Awards (2004) | Stories That Matter |
| ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards (2004) | Top TV Series |
| AFI Awards, USA – (2004, 2007, 2009) | TV Program of the Year |
| Edgar Allan Poe Awards (2007) | Best Television Feature/Mini-Series Teleplay |
| Crime Thriller Awards, UK (2008) | Best International TV Drama |
| Television Critics Association Awards (2008) | Heritage Award |
| Writers Guild of America, USA (2008) | Dramatic Series – Ed Burns, Chris Collins, Dennis Lehane, David Mills, George Pelecanos, Richard Price, David Simon, William F. Zorzi |
| Crime Thriller Awards, UK (2009) | Best Leading Actor – Dominic West |
| Directors Guild of America, USA (2009) | Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series – Daniel Attias, Nina K. Noble, Eric Henriquez, Xanthus Valan, Timothy Blockburger |
| Irish Film and Television Awards (2009) | Best Actor in a Lead Role in Television – Aidan Gillen |
| Online Film & Television Association – (2018, 2019) | OFTA TV Hall of Fame – Television Programs |
Featured Images and Poster of The Wire series | Courtest: Facebook & HBO/The Wire.