You may have heard The Wire described as such before, I know I did. I had seen bits and pieces but recognized quickly I should start with the first episode of season 1 and go from there if I wanted to really see what the fuss was all about. And wouldn't you know it, the critics are right. The Wire is the best show on TV, I'm in the middle of the third season right now and it just keeps getting better and better.
The first few episodes keep things focused - it plays out like a well written police drama set in Baltimore where you get both sides of the story, entertaining but a little on the slow side. Soon enough the slow moments pay off and as the layers reveal themselves and the tapestry becomes more apparent, you're not just invested in the journeys of interesting characters or the biting dialogue - you're in the middle of a bonifide Greek tragedy set in urban America. The detective work is engrossing, the scenes become electric and you never know what's coming next. This show feels real, maybe the realest drama I've ever had the pleasure to watch. And not all of it is pleasurable - part of the joy of The Wire is it pulls no punches at its targets, which happen to be the dysfunctional controlling institutions of its chosen city and the various people they affect.
What begins as cops and robbers eventually evolves into one giant portrait of Baltimore that follows and examines the drug trade, the law, the working klass, the school system, the press and the politicians. The acting is wonderful and the characters are three dimensional and always evolving. There is humor, wit, culture and intelligence on display but what makes the show great is the anger. This is an angry show at heart, it's based on real life people and real life events and situations and it even provides some answers to go along with its critique. It's great TV and almost every episode starts and ends with a bang so you always want more. Even the theme music shines - the apropo gospel standard 'Way Down In The Hole' is different for each season to reflect the shifting nature of the program.
Basically I can't recommend it highly enough, so much that I'm writing about it on my games blog. Check it out (from the beginning) if you haven't already. Time for another episode or two before bed.