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Editorial Review:
Even if you missed the first three seasons (the character guides and thorough episode recaps on HBO's website are recommended), and with only one season left, it's not too late to get in under The Wire. In fact, season 4 is an accessible introduction for those who know The Wire only by its street cred as arguably the very best show on television. For them especially, this season will be, as befitting its theme, a real education. Without resorting to melodramatics that other ratings-challenged series employ to gain that frustratingly elusive audience, The Wire shakes things up this season in a way that is true to the series and its characters. A major character, Dominic West's McNulty, plays a minor role as a contented street cop and family man, while a former supporting player, Jim True-Frost's Roland Pryzbylewski, goes to the head of the class as a new eighth grade teacher at beleaguered Edward Tilghman Middle School. It may take a couple of episodes to orient yourself to the Baltimore backrooms, squad rooms, classrooms, and street corners where The Wire's intense dramas play out, and new viewers may miss something in character nuance, but they will easily grasp the big picture. A politically motivated shake-up sends Major Crimes detectives Freamon (Clarke Peters) and Greggs (Sonja Sohn) to Homicide. The gloves come off in the mayoral race between black incumbent Clarence Royce (Glynn Turman) and idealistic white challenger Tommy Carcetti (Aidan Gillen). Gang leader Marlo (Jamie Hector) quietly and deliberately becomes the city's new drug kingpin, managing to subvert all surveillance efforts. Meanwhile, while "Prez" tries to reach his students, four highly at-risk kids will be drawn into the drug trade. Mere synopsis does not do The Wire justice. The series deftly juggles its myriad storylines and characters, all of whom make an impression, from Marlo's cold-blooded enforcers, Snoop (Felicia Pearson) and Chris (Gbenga Akinnagbe), to boxing instructor "Cutty" (Chad L. Coleman), determined to keep his young charges off the corners. There is not a false note in the performances or the writing. Richard Price (Clockers) and Dennis Lehane (Mystic River) again contributed episodes. That this series has only been nominated for only one Emmy (for writing) is a travesty. As engrossing as the finest novels and in a class by itself, this isn't television; it's The Wire. --Donald Liebenson
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
Listen Carefully - This is Outstanding! The only problem I have with The Wire is having to get to the end. This, the penultimate series, is by far the greatest drama to have EVER been televised and having just watched the final episode I feel almost empty knowing I have only one more series left to enjoy.
However, I am also looking forward to watching the entire box set all over again. There's always so much happening in The Wire I'm sure there'll be plenty I've missed!
This series concentrated mostly on Baltimore's educational... more info
series 4.... i dont know if i'd recommend it... Like most of the other reviewers i am highly impressed by the wire overall. If you have already watched the other three series then you will watch this regardless, but here is the problem. Series 4 is 12-13 hours of character development. Yes, what they generally manage in 2-3 episodes they allocate all 13 episodes to. There is not even much need nor mention of a wire tap in series 4 for goodness sake, which says it all. So if you are expecting something close to what you loved in series 1-3 then... more info
"Omar comin'!" In the opening scene of the first episode, the most terrifying female villain on TV, Felicia "Snoop" Pearson is listening to a hardware store clerk explaining the advantages of buying a high calibre nail gun. The Wire being The Wire, you just know she won't be using it for any home improvement. And so begins another audacious season of the finest drama on the box, this time with the emphasis on Baltimore's failing educational system. Disgraced ex-cop "Prez" features highly in his new role as a high... more info
miss it and miss out I never thought a series about drug dealers could have me hooked, but laced with politics, the police system and characters like Freeman, Bunk, Marlo, damn every character is addictive. I sat in a cinema watching Batman but longed to get home to watch The Wire. In fact, The Wire is the only filmatic experience worthy of a new six-star rating. I won't spoil it for others but there are characters I came to love in series 1-3, but the beauty of The Wire is that any character can take the limelight. Having... more info
