The Wireis one of the most influentialtelevision showsof all-time, and one of the fewHBOseriesthat can be considered a masterpiece. Although at the time of its release it was overshadowed in ratings by more popular shows likeThe SopranosandThe West Wing,The Wirehas been subsequently recognized for its ingenious narrative structure; by slowly examining a new element of infrastructure with each season, series creatorDavid Simonwas ableto paint a complex view of what crime dynamics in the city of Baltimore looked like.
The Wirehas many standout episodesas, unlike other popular shows likeGame of ThronesorWestworld, it retained a consistency of quality throughout each of its seasons, andwasn’t afraid to take major risks. Here are ten episodes ofThe Wirethat are bangers from start to finish.
10"The Target"
Season 1, Episode 1
Few television pilots are as gripping as “The Target,“which did an excellent job at showing the unique world that Simon was depicting. Unlike most dramatic television shows,The Wiredid not have one central protagonist, or one main villain; each character existed in an ethical grey area, which made the series more compelling to watch. Although it could have felt very exposition-heavy, “The Target” allowed the viewer to adjust to Simon’s unique way of combining different storylines.
…The Wiredid not have one central protagonist, or one main villain; each character existed in an ethical grey area…
“The Target” served as an excellent introduction for Jimmy McNulty, the idiosyncratic cop played byDominic West. Although McNulty’s refusal to abide by rules that don’t make sense to him is an endearing quality, he also makes the mistake of crossing his superiors. Nonetheless, “The Target” gives him more than a few great moments, including an opening scene where he describesthe cynical nature of crime.
Season 2, Episode 11
“Bad Dreams” is the penultimate episode of the second season, which took a much different direction than some fans ofThe Wiremay have expected. While the first season had ended on an exciting note with the police moving forward with their investigation of the Barksdale organization, the second season was largely focused on the city port docks, and specifically highlighted the plight of the treasurer, Frank Sobotka (Chris Bauer).
…He is forced to deal with the international criminals that have begun infiltrating the ports with drugs and human trafficking.
“Bad Dreams” shows Frank at his most vulnerable, as he is forced to deal with the international criminals that have begun infiltrating the ports with drugs and human trafficking. Although Frank is a complicated character who has a somewhat checkered past, his refusal to allow the ports of Baltimore to perpetrate international smuggling and crime is one ofthe purest examples of heroismwithin all five seasons ofThe Wire.
8"The Cost”
Season 1, Episode 10
“The Cost” is one of the most thrilling episodes ofThe Wire, as it showed how the series was unwilling to abide by the standard rules of television; given that the ensemble was so vast, it was entirely possible that many main characters could end up perishing. “The Cost” includes a very intense moment in which Kima Greggs (Sonja Sohn) is nearly killed in an undercover investigation, which ends on a cliffhanger setting up the next episode.
…Greggs has always been presented as a self-serious, unflinching rule-follower…
The Wiredoes a great job at humanizing Greggsbyshowing her close romantic bondwith her partner, Cheryl (Melanie Nicholls-King). Although Greggs has always been presented as a self-serious, unflinching rule-follower, seeing her in a more intimate setting before she is thrust into the most dangerous situation in the series yet makes the final shootout even more gripping than it would have been otherwise.
Season 5, Episode 10
It is very rare fora television series to have a “perfect” finale. While many shows likeMad MenandSuccessionare wrapped up perfectly, there are series likeGame of ThronesandHouse of Cardsthat end on such a negative reaction that the entire legacy of the previous seasons is thrown into question.
…The final shot of McNulty looking out at the city is among the most striking in all five seasons.
Thankfully,The Wiretook a risk with its finale by choosing to leave many of the storylines ambiguous; while this may not have been satisfying in a traditional way, it is authentic to the way in which crime actually works, as there hadn’t been many significant legal or strategic breakthroughs that had developed in the time sinceThe Wirebegan airing. Although the entire series featured excellent cinematography, which was rare for a television show, the final shot of McNulty looking out at the city is among the most striking in all five seasons.
6"Sentencing”
Season 1, Episode 13
“Sentencing” was an important episode to end the first season, as it indicated that a change of power was afoot. Although Avon Barksdale (Wood Harris) is arrested for conspiracy and crime, the organization is taken over by Stringer Bell (Idris Elba), whohas proven to be a much smarter character. Unlike Avon, Stringer is able to make legitimate business connections and form alliances with other dealers, which only makes the Barksdale organization more powerful going into the second season.
Unlike Avon, Stringer is able to make legitimate business connections and form alliances with other dealers…
“Sentencing” does a great job at showing McNulty’s plight, as he ends up getting frustrated when Stringer is able to avoid any real consequences. This sets up an interesting arc within the later seasons, in which McNulty is so determined to find justice by whatever means necessary that he occasionally refuses to follow orders, and decides to strike out on his own.
5"Clarifications"
Season 5, Episode 8
“Clarifications” is one of the most shocking episodes ofThe Wire, as it finally sees Omar Little (Michael K. Williams) being killed. Omar was essentially aRobin Hoodfigure, as he robbed other drug dealers, and occasionally made alliances with McNulty to offer over information. Although Omar seemed like one of the few characters that was impervious to danger, his death indicated that the show was reaching its end.
It was a tragic end to a character that had oddly ended up being sympathetic…
The nature of Omar’s death was very surprising, as even though he was being tracked down by the criminals Chris Partlow (Gbenga Akinnagbe) and Snoop (Felicia Pearson), he ended up getting murdered in cold blood by a younger character. It was a tragic end to a character that had oddly ended up being sympathetic, as Williams’performance was among themost impressive feats of actingwithin all five seasons ofThe Wire.
4"Final Grades"
Season 4, Episode 13
The Wirenever got more emotionally gripping than in its fourth season, which showed theprocess in which young boys become involvedwith drug-dealing operations. The series found an excellent cast of young actors that showed why these kids were so vulnerable; given that they had difficult family lives and were starved of resources, it wasn’t a surprise that they turned to criminal activity in order to provide for themselves.
The series found an excellent cast of young actors that showed why these kids were so vulnerable…
“Final Grades” shows the failure of the system, as fixing the education system does not become a priority of the new government. The episode also features the shocking death of the drug dealer Bodie Broadus (J.D. Williams), who is murdered in cold blood by the assassin O-Dog (Darrell Britt-Gibson), despite the fact that he had just come to an agreement with McNulty to potentially become an informant.
3"Mission Accomplished"
Season 3, Episode 12
“Mission Accomplished” is one of the most important episodes ofThe Wire, as it indicated that there was a changing of the guard when it came to the development of crime in Baltimore. Although the viewers had been led to believe that Avon would be the main antagonist of the entire season, “Mission Accomplished” indicates that his young rival Marlo Stanfield (Jamie Hector) is even more powerful.
…Viewers had been led to believe that Avon would be the main antagonist of the entire season…
“Mission Accomplished” reflects on many of the failures made by the characters, particularly Howard Colvin (Robert Wisdom), who recognizes that his plan to temporarily offer a safe haven for drug users was unsuccessful. The episode also offered a chance at redemption for Ellis Carver (Seth Gilliam), who, despite being involved in some corrupt activity in the past,decides to visitCutty Wise’s (Chad L. Coleman) community gymand begins doing work to help the young men in the area.
2"Margin of Error"
Season 4, Episode 6
“Margin of Error” isthe most gripping political episodeofThe Wire, as it finally unveils the results of the mayoral election, which had been foreshadowed since the third season. Although Mayor Clarence Royce (Glynn Turman) has been in power for years, and has commanded strict loyalty from many members of the city’s “old guard,” he finds a legitimate challenger in Tommy Carcetti (Aidan Gillen), a charismatic councilman who promises to enact change.
…Although he had been friends with Carcetti, Gray did not realize that they were both intending to oust Royce from his position…
“Margin of Error” shows the ways that the election factors into each of the subplotsand foreshadows what an administration run by Carcetti would look like. It also invokes some sympathy for Councilman Anthony Gray (Christopher Mann); although he had been friends with Carcetti, Gray did not realize that they were both intending to oust Royce from his position, and is unable to launch his campaign with the same fanfare.
1"Middle Ground"
Season 3, Episode 11
“Middle Ground” features the greatest scene inThe Wire, in which Stringer and Avon share a nighttime conversation when they reflect upon their many years of friendship and business together. Although Stringer has decided to move the organization into more legitimate fields, Avon feels sympathetic to his betrayal, which makes the subsequent events of the episode even more heartbreaking. Both characters know that they have betrayed one another, but refuse to acknowledge it.
Although Stringer has decided to move the organization into more legitimate fields, Avon feels sympathetic to his betrayal…
Stringer’s death is one of the most shocking moments in allThe Wire, ashe felt likethe one character who would be willingto anticipateany surprise attack. Ironically, no one is more frustrated about the situation than McNulty, as he realizes that his plans to catch Stringer in legal ways are now impossible, as Marlo now represents the most powerful enemy that the cops have.
