The Wire

Cop dramas usually tackle big issues like corruption by having drop-in actors embody the societal evil of the day. Then the show’s regular cast mops up the mess, and closure is guaranteed before the credits roll. On The Wire, it’s the ensemble cast that struggles with personal demons — everything from selfishness and infidelity to alcohol and drug abuse. And then there are the systemic realities that they have little or no control over. To stay relevant, they all make some predestined choices, but only street criminals have the bravado — and cops the authority — to mete out inconsequential violence.

The street criminals include guys and gals just trying to pay the rent, social climbers and high functioning sociopaths. Likewise, all of The Wire politicians succumb to politics, but a select few are as morally adrift as the scariest street thugs. Unlike the parade of dead primetime bodies displayed for our TV viewing pleasure, the violence portrayed on The Wire is infrequent but usually happens in real time. And it’s always chilling.

Despite the show’s heavy dose of reality, Wirefans are rewarded with a taut narrative, unexpected humor and fleeting moments that capture the breadth of the human condition. Since its inception, The Wire has presented an amazing array of authentic characters to tell stories about people and their relationship to power. The show has managed this without flinching, while using Baltimore as a backdrop to chronicle the decay of American cities.

The final season focuses on media politics. If you’re unfamiliar with the show, DVD tutorials (season one through four) offer the path to enlightenment. Skipping the earlier seasons (or individual episodes) is convenient, but if you take this road, all will not be revealed. That’s a promise.

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