The Wire

:

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

Universal acclaim- based on 417 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 392 out of 417
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 417
  3. Negative: 16 out of 417
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  1. ForReals13
    Mar 28, 2022
    10
    More With Less B. Unconfirmed Reports B.
    Not For Attribution B+. Transitions A-.
    React Quotes B+. The Dickensian Aspect B+.
    Took B+. Clarifications A-. Late Editions A.
    -30- A.
  2. Onlyclassicvg1
    Feb 6, 2022
    8
    un negocio familiar multigeneracional que trafica con drogas ilegales y los esfuerzos de la policía de Baltimore para frenar su comercio, esta serie establece paralelismos entre estas organizaciones y los hombres y mujeres a ambos lados de la batalla. Las palabras de Gary W. Potter, profesor de justicia penal y estudios policiales en el este de K
  3. Andremax
    Aug 22, 2018
    10
    It's impressive seeing how The Wire approaches reality showing how dirty are all institutions (principally governmental ones) and how impunity make presence all around, which is ridden until a bunt finale that makes show looks having social criticize, which makes The Wire so clever: precisely doesn't making any social criticize, being impartial as much with law as crime but only showingIt's impressive seeing how The Wire approaches reality showing how dirty are all institutions (principally governmental ones) and how impunity make presence all around, which is ridden until a bunt finale that makes show looks having social criticize, which makes The Wire so clever: precisely doesn't making any social criticize, being impartial as much with law as crime but only showing with naturalness the institutions' daily, what happens and making viewer takes its own conclusion.… Expand
  4. eancer2
    Mar 9, 2018
    10
    I took to long to see the Wire. I enter to HBO GO because of (guess) GOT, but then, I decided to watch WestWorld, and then The Wire. And Man! The Wire is the Dad of all this new series. The best dialogues, characters, plots. It feels real. What else has Ed Burns wrote? Guess will have to find out. For many it may be no "easy to watch" because it not depends on gimmicks to move forwardI took to long to see the Wire. I enter to HBO GO because of (guess) GOT, but then, I decided to watch WestWorld, and then The Wire. And Man! The Wire is the Dad of all this new series. The best dialogues, characters, plots. It feels real. What else has Ed Burns wrote? Guess will have to find out. For many it may be no "easy to watch" because it not depends on gimmicks to move forward the story, it moves naturally. At the end... It left a hole in your heart. Like Justified, you have to smile at the end.… Expand
  5. eva3si0n
    Aug 24, 2017
    10
    The last season likely the best series of HBO (yes fans of Game of Thrones will forgive me). Fine end of history, the last 2 series especially abruptly look. In general downloaded series fairly. The first 2 seasons were delightful, the 3rd season was the most boring and weak, 4 was in general about other party of a ghetto - school. And here 5 I have finished all stories, I have put logicalThe last season likely the best series of HBO (yes fans of Game of Thrones will forgive me). Fine end of history, the last 2 series especially abruptly look. In general downloaded series fairly. The first 2 seasons were delightful, the 3rd season was the most boring and weak, 4 was in general about other party of a ghetto - school. And here 5 I have finished all stories, I have put logical end. Just the best serial which I watched. Because it is the most honest and truthful series.… Expand
  6. lunanul
    Jun 8, 2016
    5
    Weakest of the 5 seasons (by far). Everything suffers, especially several main characters forced to step far out of character to toe the somewhat silly story line. Very disappointing to start. After a little chewing and forced swallowing, it gets better.
  7. cjm868
    Nov 3, 2015
    10
    In my opinion, it's the greatest TV Show ever made. An epic tapestry of the city of Baltimore. Novelistic in its approach to storytelling it pushed the boundaries for what TV could be. Not only was there great writing and directing but the show also dealt with greater social issues. A must watch for everyone.
  8. mfrank
    Oct 25, 2015
    3
    Season 5 was an even bigger disappointment than season 2 and honestly a waste of time. You can literally watch the script fall apart as the creator tries to put more and more of his b.s. newspaper writer perspective into the story. Nobody cares about the Baltimore Sun or any of the half dozen poorly developed characters that are introduced for no apparent reason. Maybe if he hadn't spentSeason 5 was an even bigger disappointment than season 2 and honestly a waste of time. You can literally watch the script fall apart as the creator tries to put more and more of his b.s. newspaper writer perspective into the story. Nobody cares about the Baltimore Sun or any of the half dozen poorly developed characters that are introduced for no apparent reason. Maybe if he hadn't spent so much time trying to add the Baltimore Sun, or B.S. perspective into the script, maybe then there would have been a valid conclusion to what could have easily been an overall 9 of a show, but with this season I just don't feel it anymore.… Expand
  9. neitzy
    May 28, 2015
    10
    The Wire is the best series I've come across. Breaking Bad gets close, but The Wire still wins out.
    I can not believe how underrated it was back when it first came out!
  10. jerkwheat
    Apr 30, 2015
    10
    Unfortunately the Baltimore Sun and their review team have enough weight to drag the overall score down on this one, but believe me - this season was as good as any of the other four. This show is a masterpiece, from pilot to finale.
  11. TheVegan
    May 13, 2014
    9
    The Wire is without question the best thing ever created. That being said, season 5, although better than everything on tv, is the worst of the 5 seasons. I still loved it though.
  12. blackhills1974
    Dec 19, 2013
    10
    The Wire is in my top 3 favorite shows (Breaking Bad#1 Deadwood #2) Season 5 is a out of control...bad-ass crazy. It was a perfect ending to this classic series which has college courses about it. I can't say any season was better than the other because it all goes together ...Great Great!!! #TheWire
  13. catherinem
    Dec 7, 2013
    10
    Best show EVER. So upset that it's finished, but they ended it very well. I'm going to miss these characters so much, especially bubs and omar. Bubs' story really touched me, he was definitely one of my favorite characters.
  14. Pedroapares99
    Oct 18, 2013
    10
    THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE THE BEST SHOW EVER MADE. And son always remember......

    Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeit.
    -Clay Davis.
  15. joeyperez
    Jul 19, 2013
    10
    simply the standard by which all other shows are judged. i have the sopranos slightly higher, but the wire holds quality quite well throughout and the quality is simply incredible. this is the story of a city told from the ground up. the first season is a dive into an immense world that just keeps getting deeper and deeper until you realise we are all part of the world beyond the wire andsimply the standard by which all other shows are judged. i have the sopranos slightly higher, but the wire holds quality quite well throughout and the quality is simply incredible. this is the story of a city told from the ground up. the first season is a dive into an immense world that just keeps getting deeper and deeper until you realise we are all part of the world beyond the wire and yet the city rolls on.

    this first season is judged on its own merits, easily a 10, and no amount of idiot middle class who love it because they were told to, despite never seeing the show, or counter counter culture descreditors are going to make me forget that.

    1 is a ten based on its own merits.
    the series is a 10 based on its own merits.
    the weaker seasons are a 10 based on the fact they are that much better than anything else on tv, at what they do, with a very few key exceptions.

    a worthy end to the series. slight issues with the press story and some real butthurt in the plots callous disregard for audience satisfaction.

    goes out ganster style on its own merits, an incredible and almost peerless piece of work.

    9.5 rounded up.    … Expand
  16. Greatbeallo
    May 11, 2013
    9
    The Wire peaks in season four, which is flawless, and then it takes a slight dip in its fifth and final season. Don't get me wrong. This season is still better than almost anything else on television, but there are some unbelievable plot twists, and it feels more rushed than previous seasons. Still amazing, but not perfect.
  17. drlowdon
    Mar 3, 2013
    9
    As with previous years this new season of The Wire sees a shift in focus and this time around it is the role of the press. To be completely honest this new focus is never quite as interesting as the look at the school system from Season Four but the brilliant writing and superb performances continue to make The Wire unmissable viewing throughout these final ten episodes. By the time itAs with previous years this new season of The Wire sees a shift in focus and this time around it is the role of the press. To be completely honest this new focus is never quite as interesting as the look at the school system from Season Four but the brilliant writing and superb performances continue to make The Wire unmissable viewing throughout these final ten episodes. By the time it reaches its fitting conclusion most viewers will realise they are seeing the end of something special.… Expand
  18. seancriswell
    Sep 8, 2012
    6
    An average end to a great show. The most troublesome arc was Mcnulty's. The Mcnulty we saw from throughout last season was a satisfying conclusion to his character I think. It is hard for me to figure that the writers disagree since they brought him all the way back around to where he was. Then to top it off his colleagues give him a send off worthy of the smart determined detective we sawAn average end to a great show. The most troublesome arc was Mcnulty's. The Mcnulty we saw from throughout last season was a satisfying conclusion to his character I think. It is hard for me to figure that the writers disagree since they brought him all the way back around to where he was. Then to top it off his colleagues give him a send off worthy of the smart determined detective we saw throughout this series. Certainly not the criminal,bungling police he became in this season. Compound that with the chicken fight he gets into with an equally criminal reporter, and you have by far the worst story arc of this series. They did some things right with certain characters this season, most notably Marlo and Bubbles. Also introducing a new character, Gus, who I wish we could have seen in a better story line. The newspaper angle had the potential to be very good, I wish it would have lived up to it. Plenty of shows have gone one season too long, that is my opinion of what happened to The Wire. But when I remember this show, i will remember the glory days, and the plethora of great characters that ran through this series.… Expand
  19. FilipanOtinan
    Jul 23, 2012
    10
    Hope series like this wont be just remembered like the, lets say, the Hippie era. Wish to see more. It keeps the point of antithesis strong and alive, especially in times like ours, we need it.
  20. Pantacruel
    Jun 13, 2012
    10
    The last season is very simple and I say that as a high praise. It comes full circle back to the beginning of the first season. You can see clearly the outline of a new cycle of stories, some people following the path of others before them and some people branching out into the unknown.
    Many people will like one season more than another, because the themes covered are often different. But    The last season is very simple and I say that as a high praise. It comes full circle back to the beginning of the first season. You can see clearly the outline of a new cycle of stories, some people following the path of others before them and some people branching out into the unknown.
    Many people will like one season more than another, because the themes covered are often different. But I think what most people enjoy in the Wire is how it elevates our understanding of any one theme by linking its causes and effects to so many other themes. A true work of Art and Sociology.    … Expand
  21. Baran34
    Mar 13, 2012
    10
    The most realistic thing I ever watched. Can't like any other show after watching The Wire. All the charaters are so real, they are like people you know from somewhere.
  22. Treehearne
    Mar 3, 2012
    10
    I've watched many, many television shows, and I can confidently affirm that The Wire is by far the greatest achievement in the history of TV. I won't bother typing up a long and well thought-out review because I'm sure the previous users have done a fair enough job of describing this show, but I will say this: no other television series compares to The Wire, and it will be a long timeI've watched many, many television shows, and I can confidently affirm that The Wire is by far the greatest achievement in the history of TV. I won't bother typing up a long and well thought-out review because I'm sure the previous users have done a fair enough job of describing this show, but I will say this: no other television series compares to The Wire, and it will be a long time before another one does.… Expand
  23. Justinavery7074
    Oct 6, 2011
    10
    Since most said that it was the weakest season, I lowered my standards. And while I was within that mindset, I saw the concluding season. Just marvelous. These characters will be sorely missed.
  24. stoner839
    Feb 28, 2011
    10
    If I did a review for all five seasons, well, that seems like a lot of work. So, I'll just say, that this show is, easily, one of the best television series ever. The performances are all great, and the writing and direction in each episode is impeccable with a level or realism that could only be provided by him. Easily the best crime drama ever on television.
  25. MichaelBoyer
    Feb 23, 2011
    7
    The Wire is without a doubt the best T.V Show ever. However this season is frankly the weakest of the four. All four seasons preceding this one had a great character(s) that really strung you along through the season, McNulty and D', Sobotka, Stringer, The Kids. This season I didn't get that feeling, and although the Hamsterdam plotline was slightly far-fetched, the homeless killings was aThe Wire is without a doubt the best T.V Show ever. However this season is frankly the weakest of the four. All four seasons preceding this one had a great character(s) that really strung you along through the season, McNulty and D', Sobotka, Stringer, The Kids. This season I didn't get that feeling, and although the Hamsterdam plotline was slightly far-fetched, the homeless killings was a bridge to far. The Wire thrives on verisimilitude, but it was just off this season. I loved the Bubbles storyline, and my god Marlo is just fantastic. But I just didn't love Tommy, the newspaper or even McNulty. It was disappointing to see the show slide from its brilliance.

    What I can't understand is users giving this a red rating, get the **** off whatever you are smoking. ratings like that are reserved for thing like America's Next Top Model, I get that your unhappy that it lost some of its charm, but it is not a 2/10    … Expand
  26. MAKKIE
    Oct 14, 2010
    2
    I thought the WIRE was the best TV I'd ever seen - so it was really a shame to end on a low. The final WIRE season was a great disappointment. A number of well-known characters suddenly became two-dimensional and behaved in ways that were totally at odds with how their behaviour had built over previous seasons. New characters were introduced that did not show any depth (unlike in previousI thought the WIRE was the best TV I'd ever seen - so it was really a shame to end on a low. The final WIRE season was a great disappointment. A number of well-known characters suddenly became two-dimensional and behaved in ways that were totally at odds with how their behaviour had built over previous seasons. New characters were introduced that did not show any depth (unlike in previous seasons, the newsroom crowd did not become real people, compared to say the dock crowd). The plot became unrealistic to the point of farce, and rushed. I wonder how much of this was down to creative exhaustion, and how much of it was down to the reduced series length (in terms of numbers of episodes). Yes, my expectations were very high. But I realise that if I had come to series 5 of the Wire before any of the others, I would have thought it was just another slightly hyper-real gritty cop show.… Expand
  27. whit
    Sep 9, 2010
    10
    Believe the hype-- this is probably one of the most engaging shows ever put on air. If you are thinking it couldn't possibly stand up alongside all the hyperbole, just give it a chance and watch the first season.
  28. ChrisS
    Nov 17, 2009
    10
    Far and away the best show I have ever seen on television. Nothing comes close in this genre.
  29. NerijusD.
    Oct 3, 2009
    10
    The greatest television series of all time!
  30. Benjamin
    Sep 22, 2009
    9
    While this may not be the best season of the wire by a long shot (that goes to season 1, 3 or 4), it is still better than any single season from any other show on TV.
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best TV Season of 2008
8
#8 Most Discussed TV Season of 2008
6
#6 Most Shared TV Season of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
89

Universal acclaim - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Baltimore Sun
    Reviewed by: David Zurawik
    70
    While the police story line has never been stronger, the first seven episodes made available for preview contain nothing that matches the emotional power and sociological insight of the show at its best--namely the classroom scenes from Season 4.
    Read full review
  2. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    88
    The episodes that kick off this last 10-show run don't feel perfect. But they almost always feel intuitively right.
    Read full review
  3. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: John Leonard
    80
    In these last innings, as The Wire ties up its gnarled threads, it also makes its most daring departure yet, introducing yet another institution, and a brand-new cast of characters to disappoint us.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »