The Wire aired its first episode almost fourteen years ago and eight years have passed since its conclusion. Regardless of its age and the initial lukewarm reception, The Wire has rightfully gained the status of a classic and resides as a unique gem in the minds of critics and viewers alike. Conceived and chiefly written by David Simon, The Wire is a drama about the drug trade in the city of Baltimore, Maryland, and its consequences on the city and its people. People who have seen the show are undoubtedly familiar with the impact it has had on the pop-culture as well as its role in the leading film-makers to the realizing the power of television as a medium for sharing deep, elaborate stories. Suffice to say that The Wire deserves the status quo it enjoys now and will most certainly continue to hold in the future. Here are a few reasons why:
A Huge but Brilliant Plot
Idris Elba as Stringer with his co-stars
At first glance, it may feel like The Wire is a yet another crime drama about drug-dealers and cops. However, the first few episodes of the show are enough to prove that it is much more than that. Over its five seasons, The Wire explores the impact of drug trade and crime in Baltimore while delving deeper into the lives of the common people, corruption, institutional dysfunction and complacency in various stratas of the society. Rather than following a single core plot, The Wire is an assimilation of a large number of inter-related subplots that paint a picture of lives of the residents of Baltimore. Each season of The Wire explores the issues related to a different institutional setup while carrying forth the various plots introduced in the previous seasons. Where most shows fail to juggle and maintain the quality of at least a few subplots, it is commendable how fleshed out and unbelievably interesting each of the subplots in The Wire is.
A Large Roster of INTERESTING Characters
The Wire’s soul resides in its large number of main and supporting characters. While a lot of shows focus on their main characters and use their supporting characters as devices to advance the plot forward, it is quite the opposite with The Wire. If not for its several varied characters and the performances of the actors who brought them to life, The Wire would not be what it is now. The show does not divide its characters into two sides of moral spectrum, as is the convention. Instead of portraying its characters as good guys or bad guys, they are shown as what they are – humans. The Wire, perhaps,features the most grounded and realistic roster of characters a TV show has ever had. Every single character in The Wire has a story to tell – be it a cop, criminal, politician, or even a drug addict. And these stories, individually and collectively, form the various subplots that drive the show forward.
An UNPOPULAR but STELLAR Cast
Michael K. Williams as Omar Little
The Wire has one of the best and largest ensemble cast ever featured in a TV show. The show avoided casting any big stars, which makes the characters feel more real and natural. Despite the lack of stardom, it feels like all the cast members were born for these roles. The cast consists of actors from a variety of backgrounds with the major share being occupied by African-Americans, consistent with the population demographics of Baltimore. It would be impossible to list out every great performance in The Wire since there are so many. A few real life personalities were also cast in the show as themselves. In essence, The Wire’s populous and diverse cast forms the backbone to making it such an immersive experience.
Realistic Portrayal of Baltimore City and Humanity
If anyone ever asks about the most defining characteristic of The Wire, it would be realism. David Simon created the show based on his own experiences as a journalist at “The Baltimore Sun” and a former police reporter. Over its five seasons, The Wire deals with the red tape, corruption and flaws in the bureaucracy in the city’s various institutions like the docks, real estate, politics, schooling system, and finally, the media and newspapers. The ambience of the show is so realistic and immersive that viewers feel like they are themselves residents of Baltimore. Another reason why The Wire is a great watch is the representation of the characters’ personal and professional struggles and tribulations. Even though the show is set in just Baltimore and revolves around the city’s drug trade, the trials seen in the show are very much universal and the raw humanity painted in The Wire resonates with viewers all over the world.
Re-watch Value
Aidan Gillen as Tommy Carcetti
The totality of The Wire adds up to approximately sixty whole hours. Finishing the whole series once and then watching it again may sound like a tedious task. Yet, The Wire is worth a second, third, or even a fourth watch or even more. There is so much happening in the show that it may not be possible to grasp everything in a single try. The viewers are likely to notice how all the various characterarcs and subplots affect each other on their second time. Besides, it is a treat to watch all these characters interact with each other and their lives progress on the screen without it feeling repetitive. The immersive atmosphere of Baltimore alone is a good reason to give The Wire another go. Thus, The Wire holds a special re-watch value that no other show can claim.
Thus, these are the reasons why The Wire will forever remain a classic in the eyes of critics and viewers alike. The show is perfect in many ways and is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys TV dramas. So if you have not seen it yet, think no more, and go ahead with watching The Wire.
Tags: Television series The Wire
