The Wire

Greatest drama ever?
(Image found on Google)

Some watch(ed) 24.

I watch The Wire. Even though I've already seen every episode.

Created by David Simon, a former Baltimore police reporter, The Wire tells a thrilling tale based loosely on what Simon and his writing partner and former homicide detective Ed Burns experienced during their work.

Every season focuses on one aspect of Baltimore, while continuing a gripping narrative with the same cast. The first season focuses on the streets and illicit drug trade. The amount of violence and corruption is frightening but at the same time riveting, following a cast of gang members and their struggle to survive the streets.

The second season focuses on the port system and its role in the drug trade. It was interesting to see how dock workers live and the balance between corruption and unionized work ethic.

The third focuses on the government and bureaucracy. Oddly enough, while this season had significantly less bloodshed than the previous two, it was far more horrific. The level of corruption that The Wire constructs as a reality is truly frightening, as government officials work with drug dealers for extreme sums of money.

The fourth season focuses on the school systems. It portrayed the principals as hardened as the cops, having to deal with kids as wild as animals. Stabbings would occur in middle schools and a complete black hole of education sucked in the youth.

The fifth and final season focuses on the news print media. Journalists scamper to get the prime story, often bullshitting to make the front page. All these seasons are tied together perfectly, the steady cast never failing to provide thrills, and surprising, equal amount of laughs.

A crime scene investigation, using only one word. (WARNING: High levels of profanity and graphic images...aka HBO)

(Video found on Youtube)

The majority of the actors were unknown before their roles, but this only adds to their ability to seem like realistic portrayals of Baltimore's touchy subjects.

All in all, The Wire is awesome. It makes you laugh, gasp, think and sympathize. You have to watch it to understand.