I'm not usually a big fan fan of police or detective series on TV, but the wire rips apart most competition in terms of TV dramas. It's very realistic, great script, excellent characters, very good actors and very funny at times too. I would be disappointed with anyone who is disappointed with the Wire.

A very realistic and bleak approach to cop dramas, this first season introduces the gum-boot hard-drinking detectives dealing with the mess of Baltimore's street crime. The flip side looks into the drug-lords themselves and the street kids that "push the dope" amongst Baltimore's forgotten projects - the high rises and low rises. A great series with central homicide police Jimmy and Bunk at their best, as well as sterling performances from the dealers and kingpins. Good value boxset and probably the best series ever made of its genre.

'The Wire' is a superb series - gritty, uncompromising and wonderfully written with some darkly wiity humour. Given the enormous cast, the standard of acting is also remarkably high, overall. Not to be missed.

If you want a fast action packed, thrill a minute tv show...then look elsewhere! And no, that is not a criticism, as this series demands more considered viewing, yet is ultimately more rewarding for it. As seemingly random characters, events and plot points gradually mesh into a study of police politics and drug dealing in Baltimore, you as the veiwer is drawn into that world. Characters gain depth and humanity as the series develops, and unusually this goes just as much for the 'bad guys' as the 'good', as morality and motivations are made ambiguous and murky by the excellent writing and character development. This series is one that is made for dvd box set release as the whole 12hours plays out like one long film, giving storylines time to play out in a naturalistic fashion and characters time to ingrain themselves in the viewers conscience. Believe me, by the end of the series you feel the frustrations of the Baltimore police detail and are more than curious to see what happens next to McNulty, Daniels et al, whilst also being just as interested as where the Barksdale drug empire goes from here. There is real pathos in this programme as major characters are injured or killed, whilst others wrestle with their frailties as humans, or struggle to come to terms with their lifestyle choices or circumstances. There is no black and white in The Wire, only shades of grey. And you cant get more true to life or realistic than that!

The Wire is quite simply one of the best tv shows ever created. In fact I would go as far to say that along with The Sopranos, it is THE best show ever made for tv.

Being a big fan of The Sopranos for many years I never thought I would find anything else that could match its brilliance. However, The Wire not only matches it but in my opinion probably surpasses it because of the consistency of how brilliant each season is.

If you haven't seen The Wire yet then you are missing out. Buy all 5 seasons on DVD and you won't regret it. I couldn't recommend it any more.

Im not a fan of other hyped up US shows like Lost, 24 etc. I don't even like cop shows and had it not been for a solid reccomendation by someone I trust to have good taste I would have missed this stunning piece of television. The best way to describe the series is that it is one long book divided into chapters. Dont expect each chapter to have too much of a defined beginning, middle and end but rather watch the whole series as one. Its takes a small amount of effort but as with anything worth anything the effort pays off. I cant get enough of this and have not found anything to replace it. Im just about to start series 4 and cant wait. Its not a case of good versus bad, or anything as clear cut as that. The programme portrays the life on all sides of the drug war, involving many characters and storlines. If you are looking for something actually worth while to watch as apposed to the trash that comprises of most television (24 and Lost very much included) then look no further. this is a shining light in the drab, stupified and dumbed down world of television. If only all TV programmes were this good I might actually watch more TV. The acting is superb, the character development spot on, the script is perfect as is the cinematography, creating a realistic, moving and very atmospheric world. Liking this is a matter of taste. If you like and understand the genius of this you have good taste, if you don't.. well... I believe you can pick up Die Hard 2 pretty cheap these days!

I have seen every series of the Shield and yes I enjoyed it, but I always felt there was something missing from it. The Wire is the best example of story telling and Character development I have ever seen in a T.V show. When you watch The Shield you couldn't give a damn about any of the Criminals, hell you couldn't give a damn about any of the main characters, and the story arc is unbleivable but its entertaining and thats about all.

The Creators of The Wire drag you into their world and by the end you feel like you have actually been on a journey with these characters and to me that is a damn fine example of Intelligent writing.

How you can think The Shield is better than The Wire is madness but everyone's entitled to an opinion.

You have to let it you grip you, and once it does it wont let go till the very end.

I have just finished watching all seasons of the greatest show ever made namely The Shield. So I was looking around for something else to watch and I came across the Wire, I then read all the reviews of the Wire so I thought I would give it a look.
Boy was I disappointed with the Wire, I so wanted to enjoy this show but I found it so slow it's like pulling teeth whilst watching paint dry.
I can only assume that the people who gave the Wire 5 stars have yet to discover The Shield.
So in my humble opinion, It's painfully slow and without any atmosphere or pace.
My advise is buy the Shield and forget this drizzle and see how it a good cop drama should be done.

I love this show. The first series is quality television of the very highest order (although my favourite is still the second series).
It mightnt be everyone's cup of tea because you do need to sit and actually watch it properly.
It isnt action packed like 24 or Prison Break. If i could compare its structure to any other show it would be the Sopranos. It is funny, realistic, thought provoking and violent when needed and the actors in it are all perfectly cast. Another HBO hit.
The people who get it will adore it.
I have watched all five seasons and am gutted they arent making anymore.
Buy this!

I borrowed this and watched it in less than a week I was that addicted, I could have watched it all sooner but I didn't want to watch it all until I had season two. I was amazed at how quickly I remembered all the characters after just a few episodes. I have seen the first three seasons of this on dvd and the third has been my favourite so far which is amazing given the quality of this first season and season two. Everybody will have their own favourite season though.

Only two seasons left for me then, and I will be a bit upset when I see and hear the end credits of season five because this is a show that I could watch and watch it's that good in my opinion, but all great things must come to end. The Wire is at the very least as good as anything I have seen this decade.