the Wire (2002-2008)

As everybody else, you get to do the things you never thought you’ll do.
And since I said I’m not going to endorse any series, serial or soap opera, here we go talking about the Wire…

Lately I found that there are so many serials and reality shows flooding the market that is bound to be “infected” with one. And you’ll probably swear that’s the single good one.
And again the odds are that if you do make a list of why is that, you’ll actually list down thing common for a dozen of other shows which although they fit the same pattern they’ll not wake your appetite. So if you are on the market with a number of hours to spend, how to make sure they’ll not be fully wasted?

Personally I do sampling of things recommended by others which have a similar interest with mine, see one or two episodes with a VERY critical eye and I am ready to cut my losses. And sometimes I get tricked into 1-2 seasons before I discontinue a series (Lost, Breaking Bad, 4400) and remain with a bitter taste from the number of hours wasted in the process. And this was the pattern until now.
And I came as well with a fail-safe rule: never start a series which is not fully closed.

Apart from the miniseries like the Extras, the Office UK, the only one passing with flying colors was the Wire. I could go on about the realism of the action, the characters, the good acting, so on and so forth. But I’ll just make a few points:
- I enjoyed every damn minute of it and although somewhere in the second season I had a pause and wonder moment, I had to see every episode.
- each of the 5 seasons is fully independent story and although each builds on top of the others, when a season is done, is done. Positive ending but closed case.
- each season is focusing on a different perspective of the same demographic, be that as in drugs, education system, politics, police work

My suggestion? Have a go, see 3 episodes and see if it fits.
If you can suggest anything in the same range, I would be interested to know about it…