I’m an expert in TV and movies, but somehow it has taken me so many years to finally right a serious wrong and stream The Wire.
When meeting people and telling them what I do, inevitably, the conversation immediately leaps into discussing TV. ‘Have you seen this?’ ‘Have you seen that?’ And nine times out of ten, the answer is ‘Yes’. When you get two people in a room who love TV, you can be on the topic all night. I’m in my element, passionate but relaxed, eager to wax on about all of the great shows out there. Yet, there’s always one question that’s made me go red in the face from embarrassment. There’s no more embarrassing feeling for a TV expert, who writes about TV, to reply ‘No’ when asked that one, simple question: ‘Have you seen The Wire?’
I finally started watching The Wire
Created by David Simon, The Wire is an American crime drama that premiered on TV in the summer of 2002, running for five seasons on HBO up until the series finale on March 9th 2008.
Spanning 60 episodes, season 1 begins with Detective Jimmy McNulty (played by Dominic West) working on an investigative police detail into a drug-dealing organization. Each season shares continuity but shifts onto a new focus, whether that’s onto the port system in season 2 or education in season 4.
It doesn’t sound as enticing as, say, Breaking Bad or The Sopranos, does it? No, and yet I’ve been told countless times it’s better than either when encountering The Wire fans—and believe me, they’re absolutely everywhere.
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Honestly, whenever I’d look it up, what I read never compelled me to drop everything and start. All the same, it was even voted as the greatest show of the 21st century so far in a UK BBC Culture poll and has topped many similar ‘Best of’ lists for years now.
In the end, there was only so much I could take, feeling scared the question would come up again and again to sabotage any credibility I’d felt talking about any number of shows prior. So, I decided enough was enough, better late than never… but damn, why on earth did I have to be so late?
Echoing fans everywhere, The Wire is phenomenal. Deserving of its ‘holy grail’ amongst TV enthusiasts? Yeah, I can’t dispute it. After just the first episode I was completely locked into this world, and by the end of season 1, I was won over by the flawed and complex characters, immersed in all of the details, and compelled by the writers’ determination and compassion to explore both sides of the fence.
13 episodes in… I was in awe, truly. I’d built up a relationship with both the central and supporting characters that already felt deep, and I’m usually of the opinion that most first seasons, even of my favorite shows, suffer from growing pains. I never got that from The Wire, it achieves greatness straight out of the gate.
For season 2? Just as good, and now that I’m beginning season 3 I’m kicking myself for not having started it sooner. For those who have seen it and watched me shrug it off in conversation to save my own embarrassment, I must have looked an even bigger fool than I thought.
Where to watch The Wire on streaming
You can stream all five seasons of The Wire on HBO Max or Hulu. For those with an Amazon Prime Video subscription, you can also subscribe to the Max channel and stream through Prime.
Don’t make the same mistake I did any longer. Clear your evening schedules and check it out.
Interestingly, it wasn’t the phenomenon that it is now when it was first released. It wasn’t widely acknowledged by awards ceremonies, receiving just two Emmy nominations across its six-year run and winning none. It wasn’t exactly a ratings hit either, but over the years its passionate fandom has grown and grown… and grown.
Now, it’s generally considered one of if not the greatest TV shows of all time. Innovative, influential, and downright unmissable. Playing catch-up never felt so entertaining. Next time the question comes up, I’ll be prepared and ready to talk them into tomorrow.
