The Wire

:

Season 4
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: Jun 2, 2002
Season #: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
9.1

Universal acclaim- based on 856 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 789 out of 856
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 856
  3. Negative: 58 out of 856
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User Reviews

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  1. Domingo
    Sep 13, 2006
    10
    This is the best show on television. It has the depth of a book played out every week on TV. We don't deserve to be treated this well.
  2. MichaelD
    Sep 14, 2006
    10
    The wire is the smartest and most ambitious show on television today. Its continual portrayal of the intricacies and hypocrisy of both crime and justice encourage discussion and gently nudge the necessary realization that too much of America is sad, ugly and more complicated that any of us care to know. I enjoy every minute; it almost justifies my obscene cable bill.
  3. EmmanuelD
    Sep 17, 2006
    10
    The Wire is one of the best show ever to be on HBO. Only if the Emmy
  4. Alastair
    Sep 22, 2006
    10
    Unimpeachably brilliant. The best television show ever made.
  5. jerryb
    Sep 23, 2006
    10
    Best show ever.... I can't say much cause it'll take too long... bottom line you have to watch it from season 1 on to appreciate it..
  6. Christine
    Sep 24, 2006
    10
    The Wire has been the best thing on TV since its first season. How can it be that it took so long for it to be recognized (it doesn't seem to be listed in Metacritic's "Best of 2005)? Increidbly smart writing, acting, producing and editing. I dred the story coming to an end after next year.
  7. brian
    Sep 27, 2006
    10
    I am obsessed with "The Wire". Only started watching a few weeks ago and have almost made it up to the current season (thanks to dvds of season 1-3)... Nothing else is like it, although it jumps off from "Homicide" and "The Corner", Baltimore shows that explored similar ground. It's not just TV... it's THE WIRE! Ya feel me? ps, if you're just starting as a Wire-o-phile, I am obsessed with "The Wire". Only started watching a few weeks ago and have almost made it up to the current season (thanks to dvds of season 1-3)... Nothing else is like it, although it jumps off from "Homicide" and "The Corner", Baltimore shows that explored similar ground. It's not just TV... it's THE WIRE! Ya feel me? ps, if you're just starting as a Wire-o-phile, turn on the subtitles… Expand
  8. C.Cotton
    Sep 27, 2006
    10
    The Wire sets the bar for crime dramas. This is the show I go to when I need to see what great acting and great writing is all about. After watching the first few episodes of this season I was able to review all the other shows on my list and start chopping some of them off my list just because most can't campare to this drama.
  9. JeremyH
    Sep 28, 2006
    10
    Best show on television. Well written and perfectly casted...no television drama can touch it with a ten foot poll...or shotgun, whichever you prefer
  10. GregA
    Sep 5, 2006
    10
    The greatest show ever. Period.
  11. DonyG
    Sep 6, 2006
    10
    This is the best show in television history. That's not an exaggeration. Tell your friends about it. 3 episodes and you're hooked. Guaranteed. If they don't give it a fifth season everyone at HBO should be arrested and then fired.
  12. SamD
    Sep 6, 2006
    10
    At the risk of sounding like a broken record, this show can't really be underrated. Astonishing drama. Sure, it's not easy to watch and it requires that the viewer be involved in what's going on but the rewards are more than any other show I've ever seen. Greatest show ever.
  13. rc
    Sep 7, 2006
    10
    Greatest dramatic Television series ever, truly a work of art. Season 4 appears to follow that trend, the opening scene alone is one of the Wire's best.
  14. zzt.
    Oct 1, 2007
    7
    I don't get it. To me The Wire is massively overhyped. I enjoy watching it, but it feels like a glorified "The Shield". It lacks the dynamic and dramatic style of The Sopranos. The use of music is also more effective in Sopranos. Then there are pacing issues ... at times The Wire just prods along. Yea yea, we know, its praised for bringing social issues to the forefront and its I don't get it. To me The Wire is massively overhyped. I enjoy watching it, but it feels like a glorified "The Shield". It lacks the dynamic and dramatic style of The Sopranos. The use of music is also more effective in Sopranos. Then there are pacing issues ... at times The Wire just prods along. Yea yea, we know, its praised for bringing social issues to the forefront and its "realistic" but I want to be entertained as well; sometimes its just like a documentary, a boring one at that. The Sopranos has its cerebral psychobabble moments with the flashbacks and the psychiatrist, but they are well balanced with lots of drama, sex, violence and excellent directing. Also, theres no comparison interms of individual acting achievements .. theres certainly no one as impressive as Falco, Gandolfini or Imperioli on The Wire. The Wire needs more scenes like the famous detective scene with Bunk and McNulty to balance the prodding multi-threaded drama that engulfs most of the episodes If you like slow, cerebral, cop shows, The Wire might be an interesting watch. Overall, you will get more bang for your buck from the far more well balanced Sopranos...certainly there are many more shocking and classic scenes in The Sopranos which will be etched in your memory forever. Rent seasons 1 and 2 of both the Sopranos and The Wire and do the comparison yourself.… Expand
  15. BerylW
    Jan 1, 2007
    10
    I've watch it from the first episode, I wait not even patiently for it every year. I'm so blown away this year. I recommend it to everyone. It should be required watching for the school boards. It should be required watching, because it is so very good. Maybe it's so high above the rest it rates more than any award could ever say; but it should be recognized anyway.
  16. JamesW
    Jan 13, 2007
    10
    The finest television show in history. I find that only people who wouldn't invest in a few episodes of the show can say it's not one of if the favorite show of all itme. Season 4 allows viewers without knowledge of the prior seasons to enjoy the storyline. But believe me, if you haven't watched the previous three seasons, do yourself a favor and watch them. Not only does The finest television show in history. I find that only people who wouldn't invest in a few episodes of the show can say it's not one of if the favorite show of all itme. Season 4 allows viewers without knowledge of the prior seasons to enjoy the storyline. But believe me, if you haven't watched the previous three seasons, do yourself a favor and watch them. Not only does it enhance the enjoyment of season 4, but if you are going to watch tv, you might as well watch the best show. When season 5 concludes, I may seriously consider whether I need a television anymore.… Expand
  17. Rachel
    Jan 15, 2007
    10
    Best show on tv, no question.
  18. HeatherA
    Jan 15, 2007
    10
    I have watched every season of The Wire since it first started and each one is better than the last. Being from Baltimore County I can really appreciate how well the story line and casting is. It is a rediculous that this show keeps getting passed over-extremely disapointing.
  19. DavidP.
    Oct 15, 2007
    10
    What Dostoyevsky did for literature, the wire has done for contemporary pop culture, and like Dostoyevsky appreciation was far more reserved until a later period. But, I like the show's status just as it is, though small, for those who watch it are constantly rewarded. A new day is not dawning in the city of Baltimore, the Barksdale's drug empire is no where to be seen, a new What Dostoyevsky did for literature, the wire has done for contemporary pop culture, and like Dostoyevsky appreciation was far more reserved until a later period. But, I like the show's status just as it is, though small, for those who watch it are constantly rewarded. A new day is not dawning in the city of Baltimore, the Barksdale's drug empire is no where to be seen, a new prince rules the streets (Marlo Stanfield), Mcnulty's back on the beat, Bunk is unable to convict a very guilty Omar for the stash house assassination, Carcetti struggles in the race for mayor, drug lieutenants Chris Partlow and Felicia "Snoop" Pearson are stacking up bodies quicker than a drop of a hat and four school kids are at risk from it all. There is always one outstanding feature with the wire that I have constantly admired, its storytelling. Unlike the more conventional "cop" dramas where cases are solved with in a fifty minute time frame, the wire takes it toll and very slowly. In season 1 the viewers were introduced to a drug syndicate known as the Barksdale's headed by the brash Avon Barksdale and the highly intelligent Stringer Bell. That particular story lasted an immense three seasons where the viewers grew with the characters laughs were disposed as were shocks and tears. Only one of the street characters from season 1 has remained, the self proclaimed and content soldier Bodie (JD Williams) who is not quite the same person without his crew he has become irritant and angry over Marlo Stanfield's unpredictable rulings and redundant leadership. There are only three members in Bodie's crew Lex, Little Kevin and Namond - the unruly and rowdy teenager whose story develops heavily over the course of the series. From Namond we met his friends Michael, Dukie and Randy who all become a primary focus for seaon 4's story. From the perspective of law enforcement this season we follow the breakdown of the major crimes unit. Lester has been reassigned to homicide as has Kima joining Bunk, Prez has bacome a school teacher, Herc remains in major crimes as does Sydnor though Mcnulty and Carver have both decided to work the streets. From the political aspect we follow Carcetti's rise to power and Royce's sheer will to stop him. from the drug perspective we see Marlo order more assassinations than you can count and in doing so he and his high ranking members (Chris and Snoop). Yet again this show proves that good does not triumph over evil infact between it all the only moral compass is the city of Baltimore no one ever wins in the long run. Bodie and his crew are killed one by one over the course of the season and it's utterly heart breaking until the final episode where Bodie has a moment of clarity realizing there is no way out and is prepared to be killed. The kids who start with their own agenda conclude to be completely opposite by the end. Happily Carcetti wins though in doing this his obsession for winning has alienated his long term friends an colleagues leaving him to be a very lonely king. The inner circle amongst the ranks of the police department becomes more and more distant. By the end Marlo Stanfield's paranoia grows so high that his methods of keeping safe are preposterous. The wire is as engrossing as it is distant as beautiful as it is ugly and as funny as it is tragic. you can't nibble at this show because you have to devour it.… Expand
  20. elisem
    Jan 16, 2007
    10
    As a public school teacher, I can verify that the wire is "right on target" in its depiction of what goes on in an inner city school.
  21. DanielH.
    Nov 8, 2007
    10
    Probably the closest thing to perfect you can get on TV. If you find yourself getting in to this show in it's censored version on BET, get the DVD's from a rental store or a library...there's no comparison.
  22. tanyar
    Jan 19, 2007
    10
    love this show cant wait for the season to start
  23. LaMiciaT
    Jan 2, 2007
    10
    I'm crazy hooked on The Wire ever since "Namond" came on Scream Tour 5, 2 weeks ago...Where has this show been all my life it's real !!!! HBO on demand got rid of it tho (idots). Happy New Year, now i gotta buy the DVD. lata
  24. GreenA.
    Dec 3, 2007
    10
    So brilliantly acted that it boggles my mind. Where did they find such young actors who could act in such intensive, high tension scenes? Richly layered and somehow manages to develop the characters, symbolic progressions, social critique, and compelling plot all at once. This is almost unprecedented for a TV show!
  25. michaelr
    Jan 23, 2007
    10
    I did'nt watch the first two seasons of the wire thinking it would'nt interest me and then one night midway through season three I caught a episode and I was hooked. I am glad BET is showing the wire from the beginning so I can veiw from start to finish. Looking foward to season four.
  26. HaileD
    Jan 29, 2007
    10
    Best TV Drama show I have ever seen.
  27. PaulD
    Oct 29, 2007
    10
    This is the finest piece of media/literature that I have seen in my lifetime. Season 4 not only met my unrealistic expectations after the first 3 seasons, it surpassed them. For those who stick with it from the 1st episode of the 1st season they will be rewarded with a masterpiece. This is our modern cities, our modern institutions etc. played out in the mold of an epic Greek tragedy.
  28. TT
    Oct 31, 2007
    10
    My vote for the best show on TV. TV can be so painfully melodramatic which makes The Wire so refreshing. Real people, real lives.
  29. AmyW
    Jan 31, 2007
    10
    I just finished watching the season's run on my DVR. I didn't want the show to end! I loved how the show dealt with the children and their characters were so well developed.
  30. LindaM
    Jan 7, 2007
    10
    Real, so real to life in the urban setting. Truly fabulous; couldn't wait for each episode.
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best TV Season of 2006
2
#2 Most Discussed TV Season of 2006
10
#10 Most Shared TV Season of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
98

Universal acclaim - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Doug Elfman
    88
    Despite high praise, there are two serious problems: (a) The first new episode is crazy confusing, and (b) over the course of the first batch of episodes, the story lines don't develop quickly enough.
    Read full review
  2. Kansas City Star
    Reviewed by: Aaron Barnhart
    100
    To me, what allows “The Wire” to surpass “The Sopranos” in the pantheon of greatest American TV shows is its ambition and its anger.
    Read full review
  3. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    100
    This is TV as great modern literature, a shattering and heartbreaking urban epic about a city (Baltimore) rotting from within.
    Read full review
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