The Wire Review: The Great American Novel on Television
10/10 — The Wire (2002)
Pros
- Novelistic, layered storytelling
- Memorable characters
- Unflinching realism
Cons
- Slow to get going
- Demanding to follow
Each of The Wire’s five seasons looks at a different part of Baltimore, from the drug trade and the docks to City Hall, schools and the newspaper. Created by former reporter David Simon, it’s as much about systems as characters.
What works
The writing is exceptionally rich, with hundreds of well-drawn characters and no easy heroes or villains. Standouts include Omar Little, Stringer Bell, McNulty and Bunk, and the fourth season, following four schoolboys, is heartbreaking. Its realism is unrivalled.
Where it falters
The first few episodes demand patience, and the show’s heavy use of local slang takes time to adjust to.
Verdict
One of the greatest things ever put on television. It asks for effort and repays it fully.
