The Wire

2002

4.8

272 reviews

Eligible

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Season 5 episodes (10)

1 More With Less

31/12/07

Season-only

Season Five premiere. As McNulty and the detail continue staking out Marlo's crew, recently promoted Sergeant Carver is welcomed by a cauldron of discontent from officers coping with unpaid overtime.

2 Unconfirmed Reports

7/1/08

Season-only

Although he tells Sydnor the Davis investigation could be a 'career case,' Freamon keeps a wary eye out for Marlo, who takes care of some unfinished business and strikes a business deal with Barksdale.

3 Not for Attribution

14/1/08

Season-only

Carcetti's master plan for the police department is leaked to the press, sending the brass into a panic. Marlo turns to Proposition Joe to help with an enviable problem. Whiting and Klebanow drop a bombshell on the newspaper staff.

4 Transitions

21/1/08

Season-only

Campbell tries to smooth out the transitions in the police department. The newspaper scrambles to confirm surprising news from City Hall, but lose out to the TV media in scooping a high-profile Grand Jury appearance.

5 React Quotes

28/1/08

Season-only

Marlo forges an alliance with a drug connect, who shows him a new communications trick. McNulty's case gets increased attention from the newspaper, in large part thanks to the addition of Templeton to the reporting team.

6 The Dickensian Aspect

4/2/08

Season-only

Mystified by Omar's disappearance, Marlo and Chris ramp up their efforts to locate their nemesis. After a sparsely attended waterfront ceremony, Carcetti fires away at a larger press event--and recasts himself as a champion for the homeless.

7 Took

11/2/08

Season-only

An unexpected call puts Templeton back in the spotlight--and gets McNulty more attention than he expected. Bunk bucks at Landsman when ordered to help with the force's most recent red ball.

8 Clarifications

18/2/08

Season-only

Baltimore's renewed police commitment brings fresh recruits to Daniels and McNulty, starting with Carver. Facing a new political challenge, Carcetti is forced to make dangerous political deals.

9 Late Editions

25/2/08

Season-only

With Steintorf ordering Rawls to initiate 'creative' remedies for the rising crime rate, Freamon's vigilance pays off with a promising lead, sending Sydnor and the department into overdrive.

10 -30-

9/3/08

Season-only

In the series finale, Carcetti maps out a damage-control scenario with the police brass in the wake of a startling revelation from Pearlman and Daniels. Their choice: clean up the mess...or hide the dirt.

About this show

Follow a single sprawling drug and murder investigation in Baltimore from the perspective of cops and criminals in this classic series.

Ratings and reviews

4.8

272 reviews

Camille Semaan

14 March 2016

... everything else feels weak. The Wire is a Shakespearian endeavor, and it is brilliantly accomplished: language, social commentary, political analysis, suspense, story-telling, writing, directing, characters, it is all on a far far away higher level than anything else I have seen. I have to admit, I never valued TV until this, but then watched a lot of series in search of another gem, alas, this is really so unique, a most pleasant aberration! Finishing my second straight run of the whole series now, and I can say: flawless.

Nigel Hanks

26 December 2015

Television shows rarely achieve this level of compassion, clarity, and complexity. The cast of characters are so intriguing and played so well you will forget you are not on the corner, on a stake out, or in a politician's office. Honest and eloquently brutal, this show can change your life.

Ray Morrell

1 September 2014

Dripping with realism. Haven't seen a police procedural drama like it ever. Gives an accurate impression on the daily challenges in case building and police politics and how the whim of a boss can change the whole direction and dynamic - or even shut a case down.