HBO's The Wire

[Sideshow Spock]

I don't have HBO, but I usually catch up with shows like Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Rome etc on DVD. So it's kinda surprising that The Wire was completely off my radar for the past few years. It wasn't until I was reading a bit about the show's finale (and then read many a stellar review of the series) that I thought to stick the first season in my Netflix Q.

I've only made it thru the first four eps so far, but I love it! Great characters, excellent writing, and enuff F-bombs (and all varities thereof) to keep a vulgarian happy as a clam.

Any fans of the show here? Anyone whose watched it all along? Does it stay this good for all 5? seasons?

[Bill]

It took about three years for anyone outside of Baltimore to appreciate that show. I'm a bit biased because of the location, but it's my favorite series probably ever.
It can be slow moving, but always for a reason. Hell, they spent one entire season setting things up for the following season. Having read about the ending shouldn't actually spoil too much.

[Hector]

One of the best shows ever made.

I saw all five seasons. Each season had a different storyline.

It's a show that you must keep up though, there are so many characters and sub-plots, it can get confusing even if you miss only one.

This last season it had many stories going on at once, the cops of course (and their lack of overtime), the politicians (mayor of Baltimore and his staff), the main newspaper headquarters (and its editors and reporters), the homeless, the drug dealers, the kids, etc...

Great stories, great acting, and very gritty and realistic.

If you notice, there's hardly a shooting from police officers, it's not that type of show.

Great show.