The Wire - Seasons 1-4

CDs were in great condition and on time. The company will bug you until you rate the service (I understand), but I was satisfied and would buy from him again.

o.k. packaging. clearly an asian import copy. one of the discs (out of only 8-9 viewed) is corrupted and damaged.

This is the best TV series ever created. Once you get int to it, you cannot stop. Pure genius!!!

For many years folks have recommended this series to me, but I had resisted for fear of it being too depressing. Well, it is pretty depressing, but it is also a wrenchingly honest depiction of inner city dysfunction that pulls few punches. It is also well acted, beautifully shot and directed and it is both illuminating and riveting. What else produced for the small screen can make those claims? Nothing else that I know of.

I could go on and on, but the short of it is this - see it. See it because seeing it helps you understand how bad it really is - the various worlds that The Wire is depicting. And while it is a gloomy view - how could it not be and still be honest - it is also peopled by such a wide array of characters many of whom are so wonderful that when all is said and done the show does not screech -"GIVE UP" but rather "PAY ATTENTION."

And what does it depict: the ugly innards of bureaucracy; the extraordinary cultural malignancy that dominates so much of inner-city American life; the incredible obstacles confronting anyone who truly wants to make a difference; the cameraderie that develops when good people get together and really try; the hardship that will visit those who speak truthfully when few really want to hear the truth; the enormous wasted talent and energy of those who ravage our urban communities with their drugging and their vacuous violence and promiscuity; and the strange and perverse allure of it all.

As others have pointed out, Season Two is the weak link (I have not yet seen Season Five but I surely will.) but see it all. It is as if Dickens was reborn and wrote for HBO...

Do yourself a favor and sit down and watch at least the first season of the Wire. I feel it truly is one of the best TV series I've ever seen. The subject matter is pertinent and real, the writing is phenominal and the acting is excellent. THe series interweaves varying points of view regarding the drug trade and shipping docks in Baltimore from the dealer, police and political perspectives. A great entertaining thought provoking series.