Season one of The Wire is quietly brilliant, there's not anything crazy like action sequences, matter of fact, the show mostly skips action scenes unless they're necessary. The show shines with the writing, there's dozens of interesting characters, it makes for a show that can cut to any character and you won't be disappointed. Not only is the Barksdale case really complex and entertaining, there's also the themes of the season that are masterfully explored by showing a lot of similar scenes from both point of view that shows the police department and the drug dealing world aren't so different. It also explores the fact that both sides are destined to fail, the group of cops we follow are what could be considered good cops but they can't do much in a system as corrupt. On the other side, people borned into the world of drugs are destined to fail as the systematic failure are too big to overcome.
Season two continues and expand on the themes of corruption and being destined to fail with the docks having to rely on crime. The season is really thrilling as there is so many factor that can change the direction of the story with the prison story line, the dead girls and McNulty in the first half while in the second half the entire Sobotka family is at risk of either causing a lot of trouble or getting in a tone of trouble as they do, all this while Omar is up to his shenanigans. The case itself is interesting because of the scale, it's an international case with the FBI involved, the Greek are really dangerous, violent and despicable which make them great villains. As the police gets closer and closer to the end, it gets more intense and every episode is better than the previous.
Season three has a lot of great story lines, with the drug empire growing there's a lot of stakes and every problem between Stringer and Avon is evermore important which leads them to there downfall which was really surprising. All of this happens while Marlo is growing as a threat, we barely saw him but he leaves an important impact on the show. Dennis has the best storyline, is a very dark show it's great to have hope in a character that has a good heart and resists to going back in the streets after prison. Bunny's action continue the themes of the system being corrupt, he proves that there's better way to operate but the politicians are cowards who don't care about people.
Season four might be the best media about crime I've watched, with the Barskdale organization out of the picture, Marlo becomes a huge threat that is made evermore dangerous because of his two violents henchmen that ultimately end the story of Bodie who really grew on me. The most important part of the season is the school system, the themes of life being rigged against some people was always present but it's even more heartbreaking now that it's kids at the middle of the story. The role of mentorship in the story is integral as you see that it has direct impact in different ways on Micheal, Naymond and Duke why Marlo, Bunny and Prez being an example for the children. All this is happening while you see politicians playing game with the power and reputation they should use for the people.
Season five is all about the conclusion, with McNulty and Lester going cartoonishly crazy, with the Stanfield case you really feel that the end is near and they can't get out of the trouble they caused, seeing their morals destroyed to get him. The destruction of the drug organization is interesting to watch as it was destined to happen because of Marlo's self destructive attitude. The Sun story line really feel personal and ripped straight out of the writer's experience as it strongly highlights the systemic racism happening in the news room. This season ends the story of Omar and it's truly heartbreaking to see one of the only man with a code end up getting stomped on because of organized crime being so powerful. What's even more heartbreaking is Micheal and Duke being victims of the system and end up having stories that you've seen through the show therefore you know their life will be tragic.
Season 1: 9/10
Season 2: 9/10
Season 3: 9.5/10
Season 4: 10/10
Season 5: 9/10.
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