My oh my where to start? The Wire is probably the greatest tv show I've ever seen. People who haven't seen it, I pity but I'm also quite jelous of - simply because they don't know what's going to happen. I must have watched the first series of The Wire at least 3 times now, and it gets better with each viewing.
The first regular character we get to see is Detective Jimmy McNulty, binge drinking expert with a huge drive to crack cases, and hated by many of his superiors. The case in question for this series is instigated by McNulty sharing info with a judge friend of his, about a local drug lord who controls Baltimore's west side projects, but nothing is ever done about it. After McNulty makes his feelings known, the judge uses his leverage to get the Baltimore PD to get a team together to loosely investigate the drug lord, Avon Barksdale.
Avon and his number two Stringer Bell have slowly got their way to the top of the ladder of Baltimore's west side, but now have a trail of bodies folowing them. Nephew D'Angelo Barksdale is found not guilty of one murder, all because of a key witness changing their story in court, after a meeting from Stringer Bell. D'Angelo is then put back onto working drugs sales at The Pit, along with youngsters Wallace, Bodie and Poot, who know nothing else except life in the drug game. D'Angelo holds affection for young Wallace, realising that deep down he has a good heart, but also tries to guide his crew without taking their eyes off the prize, but also delivering a few home truth's about the game
The difference between the cops in The Wire and most other shows is huge. In the majority of American police shows I've seen, it's always been about catching the bad guy and nothing else. The whole idea of 'protect and serve' is only laughed at. This is a show about real police officers who care about the job at hand and the big picture, and the struggles they face when superiors are only interested in becoming even higher up the chain of command. Watching the likes of McNulty and Lester Freamon dedicate themselves to the case, only to have the rules chaged from above so many times. Even when picking up pieces left from over officers, good cops will find out the truth, as shown in the glorious "Fuck" crime scene between McNulty and Bunk
One of the best features of The Wire is that is played like almost no other tv show. It is a slow burner. You watch things fall into place and are ultimately rewarded for dedication, unlike most shows where the bad guys are caught before the credits roll. There are many references to previous episodes and events. Writer David Simon has openly expressed that the show does ask it's audience to watch the show like in no way that's ever happened before, and everyone who does will be well and truly rewarded. Having a show with a complex and smart plot that is executed as well as this is pretty hard to find. The fact that what The Wire depicts is truer to real life than every other show I've ever seen is even more remarkable, especially when the story of Wallace unfolds.
Special mention to Bubbles, the hard working homeless drug addict with the most humanity on the show, and Bunk, McNulty's partner in solving cases and heavy drinking. Omar is also worthy of secial praise, Baltimore's own Robin Hood with his own unique code on life in the game
