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Having worked in Hollywood for ten years and having sold scripts and made four feature films, I can say that this is simply the greatest television show ever made. The issues it speaks on, the failure of the war on drugs, the madness of trying to occupy enemy held territory where no one knows friend from foe, the way that the people at the top manipulate and pervert the system for their own reasons, all have universal themes that permeate every section of domestic and international life and politics. The cast in The Wire is uniformly excellent and their contribution cannot be over praised. But, it is once again the writing that moves this from just another police procedural into the realm of art. It is no mistake that the creators of this show were a former Baltimore police detective and a Baltimore print reporter. They saw the mean streets and the people they fictionally depict, and that kind of on point knowledge is why this show strikes to the very heart of the issues they address. The other extraordinary thing that the wire has unfailingly accomplished is to both inform, but moreover to primarily entertain. No one likes any form of show or book where the agenda is like a sledge hammer hitting one on the head saying this is the point. The wire subtly does the informing but it is buried in a highly entertaining plot line filled with interesting characters and events. This show, while not garnering the wide spread recognition it deserves, much as the other great shows recently, including The Shield, Deadwood, Rome, Nip Tuck, and other maverick fare, will over time enter the pantheon of the true works of art in a media mob dominated by the same bad politics as the city government that dominates the lives of the police and politicians depicted in the show. Again, The Wire is the King of even these other fine shows. It does what great drama has always done; entertain, inform, provoke thought, and maybe even cause change if even only in the minds of its viewers.Read full review
I must admit, I am a relatively new fan of this realistically raw series as of its last season. It's all the good things people have had to say about it and a whole lot more. HBO, if you do not bring this series back or make a series of movies you will lose out on some serious bucks the likes of which no one has ever seen. I am buggin' out--just like Bubs on dope I have got to get another fix. This season, as with the others, continues with top shelf cutting edge writing, directing and acting. It's a perfectly genuine blend of street-life, politrics, and poe-lice work. I suppose what really keeps me glued to each episode is the artful display of delicate yet ruggedly fluid interplay of human experiences. The situational and character driven storyline and emotions are carefully woven together like a multi-cultural, multi-sensual, multi-textured tapestry with its own uncanny ability to reflect seamlessly, the truths being played out in today's real life urban America. In short, The Wire is a rare shimmering gem, like the stars we wonder about far above, floating over shallow seas of entertainment nothingness.Read full review
This is hands down THE best that television has to offer and is a show that is a must have for every DVD collection. Season three continues the tradition of offering the very best writing on television, artfully woven storytelling combined with skillful, thoughtful direction and beautiful, authentic and heartfelt performances. This season continues to explore the depths of the breakdown in the lower economic level of society and how the overall lack of opportunity, the breakdown of the family unit and overall neglect has effected this particular area of Baltimore. Although this particular drama looks at Baltimore in partcular it serves as a perfect example of the wide scope of detrioration that the issues the show continues to focus on have effected too many of our, once great, American communities. This show is relentless in it's pursuit of honestly portraying the effects of neglect on an entire portion of society. It is unflinchingly in it's honesty and is a perfect example of using the medium of television in the most responsible way...not only to entertain but to educate, enlighten and provoke thoughtful conversation. I was particularly impressed with the third season and cannot believe that this show continues to not gain the recognition it deserves.Read full review
The brilliance continues! "The Wire" maintains its traditionally outstanding writing, characterization, and intensity in the third season. The story shifts back to the drug wars, with emphasis on city and police department politics as it affects street-level enforcement. The investigative detail is pulled in different directions by overlapping tensions, the Barksdale drug gang has its own internal dissension, and the police hierarchy is shaken up by the politics of crime and drugs. The story arcs of some major characters take dramatic turns. If you loved the first two seasons - and I know you did! - you won't be disappointed with the third. Set includes all 12 episodes, several with commentary tracks, and a few bonus features.
I have always been a die hard Sopranos fan and didn't bother to look much beyond that show on HBO. I really caught on to The Wire during this season as it aired after the Sopranos. After going back and watching the first 2 seasons I quickly latched on to The WIre and would easily say that this is a far superior show to the Sopranos. Its rooted in reality and it shows. After watching this show I can honestly say that I have a feel for the city of Baltimore. One night I'm watching intervention and this girl is searching for crack in the run down cityscape and I said to my wife, "Thos look like the Baltimore row-houses!" A minute later it turns out I was dead on. This show deals with issues that every major city deals with; drugs, murders and the police's struggles trying to keep up with it all. If you are a fan of good TV that doesn't placate you as a viewer or try to hold your hand, please please please check out this show. You will not be disappointed.Read full review
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