“The Wire” is one of the greatest things you will ever watch. Calling it a television program would be an insult. The HBO produced series would span five seasons and consist of sixty episodes. Each season in itself is like an extended film, broken down into one-hour parts. It’s been twenty years since the show was released, and this review will cover season one.
Writer David Simon holds nothing back in telling the story. In fact, I can’t imagine “The Wire” being on any other network than HBO, which has brought us other gems like “The Sopranos” and “Game of Thrones.” Simon uses his personal connections to the city of Baltimore to set the narrative. The result is raw and captivating as a fictional story that so closely parallels reality you’ll forget at times that it’s a staged production. The plot moves in a succinct fashion. The overall arc is a slow burn, though there are no wasted or filler episodes. The cast is massive, and the story sets its focus on various groups. Cops and crooks. Courtrooms and the streets. All angles are covered.
The dialogue amongst every character is real and organic.
Detective Jimmy McNulty (Dominic West) is assigned to a unit surveilling a criminal empire operating through an inner city project. McNulty is joined by various lawmen. Some honorable. Some more corrupt than the criminals they are pursuing.
“You Start To Follow The Money… You Don’t Know Where It’s Going To Take You.”
Dominic West is amazing in the lead role. He has the look of a typical police detective. Married to his work. Sleeping on a mattress on the floor of his studio apartment. Often taking swigs from a bottle of Jameson. West can be serious, comical, and authentic with each and every scene he is in. The character has seamless interactions with superior officers and brutal killers. “It’s an open court in a free nation of laws.” A judge states at the beginning of the season, to which McNulty responds with a wry smirk “I thought it was Baltimore.”
D’Angelo Barksdale explaining the game of Chess
Lawrence Gilliard Jr portrays D’Angelo Barksdale; one of the gangsters the police are trying to nab. Like Dominic West, Lawrence Gilliard Jr is fantastic in the performance. A great facet of the writing is that the viewer gets to see the perspective of both sides of the law.
Like every character in “The Wire,” D’Angelo Barksdale is multi-dimensional. We see him being a drug dealer, and worse. We also see his family life, and get an introspective display of the system that created him. One of the most iconic scenes of any story you’ll watch consists of D’Angelo teaching his young associates the rules of Chess. It’s powerful on many different levels. There’s a realness to the language. We can understand where this character is coming from and despite his ruthlessness, we can sympathize.
There are too many characters to list.
Understand this. There are no weak links. Everyone brings an unparalleled excellence to the show. Sonja Sohn, Andre Royo, Wood Harris, Michael K. Williams, Wendell Pierce – the cast is diverse and eclectic. You’ll recognize great character actor Lance Reddick in a role he was born to play, and get mega stars Idris Elba and Michael B. Jordan in breakout roles.
“The Wire” is a feast for the senses.
The score is profound. The cinematography rivals any Hollywood motion picture. A handful of directors take turns on episodes but they all remain consistent. From the panoramic shots of the skyline to bleak close-ups of the streets. Baltimore looks beautiful, and terrifying.
“You Come At The King, You Best Not Miss.”
We get an idea of the hopelessness of the situation at hand. From the side of the police as well as the side of the bad guys. Cops do bad things. Criminals have their own morale code. Everyone is a victim to the unlimited power of The System. You’ll find yourself having a tough time rooting for one specific side or character.
“The Wire” became one of my favorite shows upon my first viewing. It has re-watch value. It’s the type of show one can obsess over and pick apart every subtle detail, again and again. I’m excited to progress to the second season.
“The Wire” is currently available to stream on multiple platforms.
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