Welcome back to The Binge, CraveOnline’s recurring feature that looks at the best TV series streaming online.
For this installment, we’re looking back at The Wire, an HBO original series that has been called “The best show in the history of television.”
That quote is pure hyperbole. I’m not going to argue that The Wire is the greatest TV show of all time, but it’s definitely a great TV series that often gets overlooked by the general public. Television critics adore The Wire, and hardcore TV drama fans also tend to like it. But make no mistake, The Wire isn’t for everyone. However, it is a singular achievement and it is absolutely one of the best shows that HBO has ever done.
Series creator David Simon pulled no punches in The Wire. This isn’t like Law & Order, where the criminals are one dimensional creatures who are fairly easily caught and convicted by the heroic cops and prosecutors. There are always law enforcement characters in The Wire, but the criminals were some of the most interesting and complex characters on the show. For example, take Michael K. Williams’ Omar Little, an armed robber who habitually preyed upon drug dealers. Omar was a career criminal, but he had a strong moral code that added to his legend.
Idris Elba’s Stringer Bell was another fantastically realized character on The Wire. Bell had a masterful ability to avoid police wiretaps while amassing power within the Barksdale drug crew. Bell was also an intellectual who tried to force his criminal organization to become more like a business while attempting to enter legitimate enterprises. And yet it was darkly hilarious when Bell came up against a new level of corruption and vice in the business world that he didn’t fully understand.
I could go on and on with descriptions of the characters from The Wire, but it would defeat the purpose of discovering the show for new viewers. And if you are coming into the show for the first time, I highly suggest starting from the beginning and working your way through it. The five seasons of The Wire are on Amazon Prime and HBO GO. HBO Home Video is also re-releasing The Wire: The Complete Series on Blu-ray on June 2. I was sent an advance copy of the Blu-ray set and I love it. Now I just need someone to send me five extra days so I can power my way through it.
Again, if you’re new to The Wire, start at the beginning. But for anyone who has already seen the show, here are some the best episodes to revisit. And just as a reminder to newbies, there are spoilers ahead!
The Target
Season 1 Episode 1
Some fans consider the first episode of The Wire to be difficult to get through, but it effectively sets up the series by introducing Detective Jimmy McNulty (Dominic West) and his ultimately futile efforts to bring down D’Angelo Barksdale (Larry Gilliard, Jr.) and keep Stringer Bell from manipulating Barksdale’s trial.
The Cost
Season 1 Episode 10
McNulty teams up with Omar to implicate Bell and Avon (Wood Harris), but the plan backfires. Later, an undercover buy operation goes horribly wrong, which leaves an officer fighting for her life…
All Prologue
Season 2 Episode 6
Both D’Angelo and McNulty find themselves unable to break from their past. But the most unforgettable moments come in the courtroom as Omar defines his role on the streets and hilariously takes down a drug lawyer with just a few words. Omar’s last line to McNulty is also one of the best moments in the series.
Bad Dreams
Season 2 Episode 11
Union leader Frank Sobotka (Chris Bauer) tries to protect his son and broker a deal with the police. But Frank succumbs to his desire to save his son through one of his criminal connections. And this is one meeting that Frank won’t be coming home from, as he walks to his doom in a truly haunting ending.
Middle Ground
Season 3 Episode 11
Bell and Avon have one final meeting after betraying each other, but only one of them survives the final outcome. This was an absolutely amazing exit from the series by one of its top performers.
Mission Accomplished
Season 3 Episode 12
McNulty reacts badly to the loss of his personal nemesis and he voluntarily leaves his assignment as the Barksdale crew is finally brought down. The police shut down the “Hamsterdam” experiment and they cover up one final death to escape scrutiny from the media. Everything goes back to normal… and that’s the problem in Baltimore.
Final Grades
Season 4 Episode 13
The fourth season premiere introduced four young students: Michael (Tristan Wilds), Namond (Julito McCullum), Duquan (Jermaine Crawford) and Randy (Maestro Harrell). “Final Grades” revealed the fate of all four boys… and it wasn’t pretty. To top off the episode, Bodie’s (J. D. Williams) conversation with McNulty ends up having serious consequences in yet another harrowing wrap up of the season.
30
Season 5 Episode 10
McNulty was one of the last men standing as The Wire reached its conclusion. The series came full circle as the fate of many characters mirrored that of several doomed characters from the show’s past. And yet it’s a completely satisfying ending for The Wire.
