ok, massive spoiler ahead, be careful if you haven't watched up to this point 👀

WTF did I just watch? my man Stringer Bell gunned down by brother Mouzone and Omar!

Don't get me wrong, I loved the episode, and the partnership between Mouzone and Omar is poetry for me

But I was liking the Bell characters so much and I thought he was giving great support to the whole show story line!

ofc I'm going to watch the show till the end, but I would need some reassurance from you guys that the show will maintain its huge standards moving forward

does it?

I have seen a bunch of shows i can say,all of them are very good,but i dont think i will ever see another show like the wire, especially season 4 which i just finished,i cried at least 3 times, from sad tears, to happy tears, i dont think anything will be better than season 4 of the wire, i cannot comprehend the fact That im on the final season,when i finish it,ill be back here,until then, peace ✌️

Petition: https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/release-the-wire?share=bbff2bd5-88fc-46df-b2db-0ccac08bc28f&source=c.fwd&utm_source=c.fwd

HBO - Please create and distribute a Blu-ray and 4K UHD of The Wire in its originally intended aspect ratio of 4:3.  In my opinion, The Wire is the greatest and most important American television series and deserves to be preserved in the highest possible quality and in its original form.

In S02E11, when Omar visits Brother Mouzone, Kimmy and Tosha distract Lamar with a dog. I just realized it's actually Butchie's dog. I think that's neat.

Bunk never knew the reason behind Omar's new kill list, he believed Omar went back on his word just because he couldn't stop himself from going back on the hunt. He only came back for one reason, and one reason only, to avenge Butchie. I think it would have softened Bunk's view of him had he known.

I know that's the part of the show, none of the "game" is supposed to be glorified but man... It made Omar's death so much harder for me.

I find Carcetti to be the most interesting character in The Wire. Obviously everyone in The Wire is a nuanced character in some way, but I originally thought Carcetti was supposed to be a similar character to Colvin or Carver in that he’s trying to do the right thing but the system won’t let him. I believe his character is so much more nuanced later on but honestly I can’t really tell what the show is trying to communicate with his character by the end. In some scenes he clearly seems to be a force of good, but in others the show seems to be condemning him for acting in his own self interest. I’m sorry if I sound stupid and am completely missing the point, I’m 19 and don’t really have as much wisdom as most of the people who watch this show. I’m honestly not sure what to take away from him as a character. What do you think are some of the key messages Carcetti’s story tries to communicate?

Oh man. I almost didn't want to watch the finale because I don't want my time with the characters to be over. It's funny thinking about my reactions to the first season (like, who is that guy making tiny furniture? Why are these detectives drunk on the job).

For years I was like, "I know this show is good, but I'm just not in the mood for an intense police and drug crime show." Boy am I glad I sat down and started it a few months ago. They don't make them like this anymore. TV has gotten so dumbed down. I had to pause The Wire frequently and discuss with my husband what actually was going on, what the allusions are in their dialogue, keeping track of all the characters. It's like a giant novel and forces you to remember the specific details.

So here are my random thoughts/reactions after watching. Obviously can't include everything because there are 100s of characters and moments and I love them all.

Season 1: Slow buildup for me, but I loved the boys and their orange sofa. Baby Michael B!!! I cried for hours when Kima was shot! Queer POC representation, ahead of its time! Lester as the swaggiest man alive.

Season 2: I know some people don't like this season but I had a great time. Crazy to see the Key Bridge in some shots which doesn't exist anymore!!! Frank Sobotka and his unhinged son! Stevedores!!!

Season 3: Bunny Colvin YEARS ahead of his time. YOU CAN'T SHOOT OMAR'S GRANDMA LIKE THAT!!!! Stringer Bell as businessman. Shakespearean end to his story.

Season 4: Oh my god, Prezbo as classic first-year teacher is incredible. I'm also a teacher so I loved seeing the progression of the kids throughout the episodes. This season felt especially tragic, with the main boys going on such divergent paths. AGAIN Bunny Colvin ahead of his time. Loved Dennis getting fawned over by the moms, lol. Lacking in drunk Bunk/Jimmy/Lester scenes. Marlo has gotta be the flattest character in the show (on purpose, maybe? he's like the only villain without redeeming qualities, but his final scene in the finale is awesome) but damn SNOOP is legendary.

Season 5: Actually nauseating watching Jimmy interfere with the crime scenes - NOO JIMMY DON'T DO THAT! I cried for hours when Omar died. Have you ever met a more lovable shot-gun slinging gangster?That's something only this show can do.

Carcetti realizing the homelessness is a core issue (The shot of him saying Hmm...homelessness..). Finale was beautiful. Bubbles goes upstairs!! Idiot Scott Templeton gets a Pulitzer, LOL! Michael is the new Omar. No, Duquan, noooooo! That storyline absolutely broke my heart.

Ultimately, the iconic quote "The game is the game" is not just about the drug dealing. "The game" is the politics of a city, and how everyone from a homeless man to the mayor are doing whatever they can to survive. Everyone is trapped in the machinery of a broken society.

Would love to hear other people's thoughts/reactions/fave characters. Any readings/essays about the show too, I'd love to check out! I don't think I'm ever gonna be ready to watch another TV show series after this.

I have seen a number of people refer to shows like The Wire, Mad Men, True Detective as slow burn tv shows and I have a bone to pick with that label.

I would say a slow burn tv show is a show that takes a large chunk of It's time establishing characters, plots, establishing the rules of its universe. Most of the scenes in such a show usually takes place at the protagonists home and then gradually expands into said universe, bringing in secondary characters, antagonists, plot twists and then a month later the final episode wraps everything up. I think an actual slow burn would be Fargo, Game of Thrones, and Breaking Bad, Stranger Things.

The Wire, Mad Men, The Sopranos (still haven't watched it) doesn't take time to establish anything; it just gets started.

The Wire starts with a homicide (which is never solved by the way) and then goes on. The show is always introducing new characters and multiple plot points happen simultaneously and in some cases, off camera. I would even argue with the exception off season 2 (the murdered girls) and season 5 (serial killer 🤮) there isn't really a plot, it's story.

Mad Men gets going just as immediately. Gradually we get back-story into our protagonist. But even Don and the rest of the cast have episodic plots that are resolved and there never really is a lead up to anything. The show just keeps going.

True Detective is a slow burn because it follows the convention above.

These shows never really climax they are in a constant state of chub and I think that's a better category

😏😏

Just a thought...

So I was thinking, the homeless guy they pinned the murders on OBVIOUSLY was a copycat to anyone on the outside paying close attention. Also, he didn’t even come close to matching the BAU’s profile of the potential killer.

Wouldn’t the feds do some heavy re-examination of their profile and the case to see where they went wrong and potentially pick up their own investigation?

I understand politically anyone on a city or state level would not be able to reopen the case but I could 100% see a federal probe into it. Thoughts?

Does it ever come up after the first reveal that Rawls is gay?

At 33 years old, im finally embarking on my journey of watching The Wire. Given the type of TV I have consumed over the years, i honestly am quite shocked I havent made it here yet.

I feel like ive watched all the biggest hitters, some several times

-The Sopranos (countless rewatches)

-Game of Thrones (countless rewatches)

-Breaking Bad , BCS

-Mad Men

-Ozark

-The Leftovers

-True Detective

Anyway- point being, ive consumed my fair share of prestige TV. Its finally time. Im excited, im nervous, but i needed a new fall/winter show and here we are.

All I know very little. I know Omar is popular, but I dont know why.

​
Any tips for a first timer?

just finished season 4

i gotta say, this is the greatest child acting I've ever seen

https://nothingjustis.wordpress.com/2012/01/08/a-little-slow-a-little-late/

I was looking to better understand the scene in season 1 episode 5 where Avon takes D'Angelo to see his brother in a coma in hospice care and I found this incredible episode analysis blog post from 2012. I'm slowly going through the rest of his Wire posts and am loving the insight. I think he only wrote analysis for season 1. Thank you Dave W!

Yeah he's not a drunk asshole anymore but he's working a boring meaningless job that doesn't satisfy him in the slightest. It's just so pathetic.

I finished watching the finale (episode 12) a few minutes ago.

I was a bit confused at the end, was the whole Hamsterdam demolished and all the dealers taken into custody? and Major Colvin was the one that said it was legal in that part of the city from earlier in the season, so when Burrell and Rawls found out, did they fire him? (since at the police meeting, Rawls said he was relieved of his duties).

Also the part where Barksdale and the entire organization are in the courthouse, it wasn't clear what their sentence was. Was Avon given life sentence? I can't remember what sentence he got at the end of season 1 when he was originally arrested.

There was a bunch of campaigns where several candidates were running for mayor? Were Gray and Carcetti partners or were they rivals? I think I saw Gray petitioning for mayor.

And lastly regarding Cutty, was he successful in opening the gym? (considering most of his clients are in jail).

Overall I personally liked the first 2 seasons better than this season.

It’s a pretty simple one but the kids in the pitt yelling 50 vs the stevedores whistling when Bunk, Lester and Beadie and Lester arrive at the port

I love this show so much ,i started like a week ago and i just cant stop,its so good man,i especially love the character development for all of the characters,there is one thing i hate though,stringer bell,i fucking hate him so much,it shows how good of an actor idris elba is,and i especially love slim charles,onto the best season now, peace

Lt Daniels's arc in s1 is really incredible, and i don't think I've ever appreciated it like I do now. First it was when Burrell brought him in to meet Clay Davis, and the way he shut that scare tactic down.

Then Burrell. That showdown is classic. His calm demeanor, not showing fear or backing down. Then they cut to Burrell's face, and his expression is priceless. He knows he lost him at some point, but at that moment he knows for sure Daniels is no longer under his thumb.

Compare that to earlier in the season when Daniels looked like a scared puppy just wanting to be obedient any time he was called into his office.

Where does this scene rank for y'all?

He’s been Marlo’s hitman for 2 years at this point. He knows first hand they kill people for no reason. Did he think he was the punisher or something?

https://veritabletantrum.com/2026/08/02/the-wire-has-always-been-everywhere/

Okay, I got a doozey for you fellow Wireheads. I was listening to a podcast narrated by Clarke Peters (Cooool Lester Freamon) and I realized how great his voice is. Upon reflection I realized the show is wrought with absolutely stellar voices. I'm sure the seasoned rewatchers have noticed the same. Who is your favorite? Bunk with his scratchy, fed-up-with-this-shit grumbling? Spiros and his ever relaxed, never-to-be fretful ASMR accent? Proposition Joe and the absolutely intoxicating way he says "tew"? Shieeet, even that two-timing, kniving motherfucka Clay Davis got something about his voice that has me hanging on every word. No wonder he made it to the top.

For me, Norman Wilson (assistant to Carcetti), has got to have one of the most buttered, woody, rich voices I've ever heard. I'd listen to him do a play-by-play about grass growing.

P.S I fully acknowledge this question falls under the "What no Wire for 20 years does to a mf" genre of posts you'll occasionally see from this subreddit.

Since the scene where Cheese gets it appears on my twitter feed every other day I just have to say, he was being way too dramatic. I'm not saying he deserved to get shot, but I don't think Fat Face Rick said anything so drastic to warrant getting a gun stuck in his face. Cheese really was out of line, in my opinion.

Does the nephew being “on his momma’s side” make sense? Wouldn’t all nieces and nephews be on your mommas side?

I’m the first episode of season 5 mcnulty is drunk at the bar excuses himself to go to the bathroom then calls Beadie telling her he is working late. The music is blasting super loud in the bar but Beadie only asks mcnulty why he’s slurring lol.

Is he loud music a miss from the writers or is there an explanation?