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. JeromeR
    Mar 21, 2007
    10
    Awesome!
  2. MichaelB
    Mar 25, 2007
    10
    While I wasn't too impressed with the first season, the following three seasons were absolutely brilliant. If you enjoy harsh cop dramas, don't overlook The Wire.
  3. lindas
    Mar 26, 2007
    10
    being in the surrounding county and to see what takes place in the city is amazing.and to say thanks for telling it lke it is.
  4. ZaneD
    Apr 22, 2007
    10
    Like some of the other comments here, my only complaint about the show is that more people have not seen it. Nothing compares, be it in television, film, or literature.
  5. deniss.
    Jun 23, 2007
    10
    best show ever. period!!!
  6. ShaunD.
    Jul 11, 2007
    10
    The finest drama on TV.
  7. NolandA.
    Jan 13, 2008
    10
    The wire is such a real show! People who don't enjoy the wire are just afraid to look in the mirror.
  8. BrianC.
    Dec 24, 2008
    10
    The best season of the best show to grace television since its invention. With the character development and story line leading up to this season, it is doubtful a better work of art will be created in a hundred years.
  9. Jean-MarcP.
    Oct 28, 2008
    10
    I've been watching The Wire three episodes a day on average for two weeks now, and I do hate TV! What will I do next, I don't know and I fear it a little. Will probably see more of my friends. Anyway, the best ever...
  10. ZacharyR.
    Jan 28, 2008
    10
    Quite possibly the best season of the best show ever produced.
  11. ChrisJ.
    Feb 15, 2008
    10
    The best season yet. Beautifully crafted, brilliantly acted. A window into a forgotten part of our society.
  12. OtisF
    Feb 17, 2008
    10
    There is nothing better out there.
  13. LauraD.
    Feb 25, 2008
    10
    Unbelievable social commentary - why hasn't this show been recognized by now?
  14. AlecM.
    Mar 25, 2008
    10
    The Sopanos was good (I love it), but in comparison to The Wire it's an overweight soap opera. Stunning in its vision, TV has never been this good.
  15. JeromeR
    Jun 17, 2008
    10
    Awesome!
  16. MT
    Jul 16, 2008
    10
    The most ambitious television series of all time: the depth of the story telling and sheer number of characters and their interplay throughout the series is what makes 'The Wire' so astounding. Never have I seen a show so richly nuanced, so true to life and so unflinchingly honest. And on top of all of this, The Wire remains entertaining for those who stick with it, with writing The most ambitious television series of all time: the depth of the story telling and sheer number of characters and their interplay throughout the series is what makes 'The Wire' so astounding. Never have I seen a show so richly nuanced, so true to life and so unflinchingly honest. And on top of all of this, The Wire remains entertaining for those who stick with it, with writing that runs the gamut from hilarity one moment to bleak pathos and despair the next. In spite of all of this I can see why the series never did well commercially: It is not intended for the casual viewer. Heavy subject matter aside, to appreciate the series, one really has to see it from the very beginning and digest every episode for the pieces to really fit together. Now that the majority of the series is available on DVD, that really is the best format to watch it in. I watched the first 4 seasons back-to-back and can't imagine having to wait every week between episodes.… Expand
  17. AaronS.
    Jul 21, 2008
    10
    At this point it's like standing in an echo chamber. 'The Wire' is THE BEST show ever produced in the television medium. A remarkable, dense series that is the rare television program that approaches the level of art. Hyperbole? Absolutely not. 'The Wire' captures the zeitgeist better than any other program (or film for that matter).
  18. AnnM.
    Sep 26, 2008
    10
    I have only watched one season, but it is an amazing show - writing & acting are so far above the usual stuff on television. This is art!
  19. ChristieM
    Nov 10, 2009
    10
    I agree with the critics... the best season of The Wire, hands down. The children make you want to cry.
  20. CraigN
    Dec 28, 2009
    10
    If television may be categorized as literature, then The Wire is the great American novel of the 21st century. The series reached its peak in Season 4. A must-buy DVD
  21. CP
    Apr 13, 2009
    10
    The best season of the best TV show ever.
  22. MatthiasW
    Apr 18, 2009
    10
    The hype doesn't do it justice. "The Wire" is not only the best thing on television, but an amazing, heartbreaking work of art.
  23. DanielP
    May 27, 2009
    10
    Brilliant.
  24. ceej
    Jun 22, 2009
    10
    Most intense TV season ever. So, so heavy. Heaviest of all the seasons--drags you down, down into a place better than heaven. I might have an ulcer, but the compassion and education I've gained makes it worth it.
  25. ChrisB
    Jul 17, 2009
    10
    Entertainment perfection. If you love drama, comedy, character interaction, script writing, plot developing or any combination of any of them you will not find anything better than The Wire. The best entertainment I have ever seen, regardless of movies, TV, comedy, etc, this is entertainment of the very highest order. I've seen the best cinema, theatre, music, etc has to offer. This Entertainment perfection. If you love drama, comedy, character interaction, script writing, plot developing or any combination of any of them you will not find anything better than The Wire. The best entertainment I have ever seen, regardless of movies, TV, comedy, etc, this is entertainment of the very highest order. I've seen the best cinema, theatre, music, etc has to offer. This beats all of 'em Y' feel me.… Expand
  26. ChrisC
    Nov 18, 2006
    10
    The experience is visceral. The best show on T.V. ever. I am unhealthily fixated on all the characters and the drama. Currently trying to turn all my smart friends on to The Wire.
  27. CarlA
    Nov 21, 2006
    10
    This is the only show on television that I watch regularly. It is absoluely excellent. I've heard that it is coming back for a fifth season. Thank goodness.
  28. ColinC
    Nov 25, 2006
    10
    This is the best show on television. Superb acting tight story lines, very underrated by mainstream viewers put off by language & the perception that it shows African-Americans in a most unfavorable light. What is missed is the core intelligence of these characters and the methods that they navigate thru their daily lives under difficult conditions.
  29. AlexW
    Dec 21, 2006
    10
    Rivetting! Mind-blowing! I cannot stress this enough. If you haven't watched it, you need to rent, buy, or steal the DVDs, turn off all your phones, lock yourself in a room for a couple of days, and discover the best show ever created!
  30. DavidL
    Dec 24, 2006
    10
    The Wire S4 manages to do what I hadn't thought possible - shock its fanbase into loving the show more than even the very first season. With an incredible setup for season 5, season 4 is the epitome of entertainment.
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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
See all critic reviews »