Final Thoughts on The Wire (For A While)

I recently finished watching The Wire for a second time. I thought I'd throw down some final thoughts while it's all still fresh.

First and foremost, I was as riveted the second time as I was the first time, and the first time I thought it was the greatest television show I'd ever watched. I really like Breaking Bad and Mad Men, but they both feel watered down and boring next to The Wire. Watching The Wire demands my complete attention, because it's not dumbed down and some of the accents require great focus. No other show forces me to shut out the rest of the world the way The Wire does. When I'm watching, there's no checking email or Twitter or thinking about my 'to do' list. It's just me and Baltimore.

I love how it grabs a hold of me and refuses to release me until episode 60 ends. I love keeping track of the dozens and dozens of characters, rooting for my favourites and against my least favourites, even when I know exactly what's going to happen. There's no other series like The Wire... no other series goes as deep, is written with such texture and performed with such consistent excellence.

Ok, enough raving. You get it, I love The Wire. I plan to watch it a third time with my son in three years, and I can't wait. I already miss Omar, Bubbles, Slim Charles, Bunk, Avon, McNulty, Cutty, Freamon and yes, even Wee-Bey. I miss 'em all.

After round two, here's how I'd rank the seasons: