To those who tried to follow it but can't get into it, well, I don't know what to say. Like I said, it's a little harder to start than most shows, because it doesn't really hold your hand. But if, after a full season, you can't really get into it then I guess it's probably not the show for you. I think it's definitely the kind of show that people who appreciate solid writing, characterisation and dialogue can appreciate the most, but it's not as much flash as a lot of shows. For me it's #1 but I know that I have a unique taste so I guess can say that it's not for everyone. I suppose it's one of those shows that doesn't attract a ton of attention (it wasn't very popular while it was running), but to those people who do get into it, it's the best thing ever.



(SPOILERS IN MY RESPONSE)

I know that the second season gets a lot of crap from people because of how much of a detour it takes from the essential setting of the show. But even then, I really loved the port side of things. Frank Sobotka's story is one of the most dynamic and tragic stories of the show, and that's why he's one of my favourite characters. Knowing how much heart he put into trying to revive the unions at the port, when his lobbyist told him the canal project was dead because his face showed up dirty in the papers, that part broke my heart (strangely, more so than when he was killed). Sure, it was his fault in the end, but it still makes you shed a tear for him. And you start to wonder whether what he did was the right thing.

The third season was really the best for showing how much of a disconnect there was between the politics of crime fighting and the actual crime itself. What was clearly the biggest issue during the season was the fact that there was a major war going on, and that the bulk of the murders were because of the Barskdale-Stanfield dispute. Yet, when it comes to politics, people dive on the easiest target and get publicity points for attacking what looks most detestable on the surface (i.e. Hamsterdam).

A funny little thing I found about he fourth season was that, even though the school system was the overarching theme of the season, it was barely an afterthought when it came to the election. "Candidate Grey" was just a pawn used by Carcetti in order to split the black vote against the other guy, and his part in the debate about schools was just a tiny afterthought after Carcetti did his witness killing slam dunk. I just thought that was a little funny point. Carcetti's whole plot, however, was really the biggest thing that makes you disillusioned with the whole politics. He was supposed to be that "white knight" that we followed, that was supposed to fix everything. But he gets so caught up in his career that he messes it all up by rejecting the governor's money. It's funny how the show even follows him around and lets us sympathise with that dilemma. Until we remember "oh wait, you just shat on everything you stood for in your campaign for a career move, meanwhile Marlo is making the streets worse than they've ever been so.... yeah....."

(spoilers)

I love me some Frank Sobatka. You really realize at the end he did everything he did because he thought it was the only way to keep the ports alive. He doesn't want to accept the fate the world is changing on him and he's on the wrong side. One of the biggest things in the show that people don't escape these mistakes. Look at D'Angelo Barksdale, he was born into this life and all he wants is to escape it. Then he realizes he can't or rather his mother guilt trips him but he is still disconnected from his family and those that prosper in the game get rid of him because that is how the game is played. Even when Avon is mad because he lost someone who was like a brother to him, he knew Stringer was right that he had to go. Then you look at Frank, he got involved with dangerous people and it was too late and he couldn't escape. It also has the elements that he became so involved in worrying about his work that he didn't realize how lost his son really was and it his son ends up in prison. But on the flip side you got Dennis Wise who escapes the life but not without sacrifices and Bubbles who is partly responsible for the death of some of his friends and the scarred trust between him and his sister that will always remain.

Show is just so good. I could talk about the show all day.

This post was edited by sir_lance_bb on Jun 17 2013 02:14am

The first time through The Wire I was put off by season two. After watching the season a second time I maintain it's the best season. The (spoilers) downfall of Frank was heartbreaking to watch especially when you know it's going to happen. When I knew it was going to happen it made the dread more real.

All in all The Wire is in my list of three shows I think are above the rest. The Wire, Deadwood (despite being incomplete) and Breaking Bad.