Editorial Review:

Amazon.co.uk ReviewEven if you missed the first three seasons (the character guides and thorough episode recaps on HBO's website are recommended), and with only one season left, it's not too late to get in under The Wire. In fact, season 4 is an accessible introduction for those who know The Wire only by its street cred as arguably the very best show on television. For them especially, this season will be, as befitting its theme, a real education. Without resorting to melodramatics that other ratings-challenged series employ to gain that frustratingly elusive audience, The Wire shakes things up this season in a way that is true to the series and its characters. A major character, Dominic West's McNulty, plays a minor role as a contented street cop and family man, while a former supporting player, Jim True-Frost's Roland Pryzbylewski, goes to the head of the class as a new eighth grade teacher at beleaguered Edward Tilghman Middle School. It may take a couple of episodes to orient yourself to the Baltimore backrooms, squad rooms, classrooms, and street corners where The Wire's intense dramas play out, and new viewers may miss something in character nuance, but they will easily grasp the big picture. A politically motivated shake-up sends Major Crimes detectives Freamon (Clarke Peters) and Greggs (Sonja Sohn) to Homicide. The gloves come off in the mayoral race between black incumbent Clarence Royce (Glynn Turman) and idealistic white challenger Tommy Carcetti (Aidan Gillen). Gang leader Marlo (Jamie Hector) quietly and deliberately becomes the city's new drug kingpin, managing to subvert all surveillance efforts. Meanwhile, while 'Prez' tries to reach his students, four highly at-risk kids will be drawn into the drug trade.

Mere synopsis does not do The Wire justice. The series deftly juggles its myriad storylines and characters, all of whom make an impression, from Marlo's cold-blooded enforcers, Snoop (Felicia Pearson) and Chris (Gbenga Akinnagbe), to boxing instructor 'Cutty' (Chad L. Coleman), determined to keep his young charges off the corners. There is not a false note in the performances or the writing. Richard Price (Clockers) and Dennis Lehane (Mystic River) again contributed episodes. That this series has only been nominated for only one Emmy (for writing) is a travesty. As engrossing as the finest novels and in a class by itself, this isn't television; it's The Wire. --Donald Liebenson

See more information on The Wire: Complete HBO Season 4 at Amazon UK


Rating: - Excellent
The fourth and penultimate season of The Wire sees the show moving into new territory. At the end of Season 3 the Barksdale organisation was finally destroyed for good, McNulty found himself some happiness and Daniels got a promotion. The goals set out in Season 1 had been achieved. So, where next for the Major Crimes Unit and the players of the game?

Season 4 follows several storylines in tandem. The MCU is now chasing down Marlo Stanfield, whose organisation has picked up from where ... Read More

---

Rating: - Best since the first
I think this is probably the best series since the first. What made the first series so pleasing to me was the depth of character development in almost every character - no matter how minor. Also significant was the fact that even the bad guys had some redeeming factors that encouraged you to sympathise with them. That, to me, is important because out and out bad guys are a fiction created by bad writers and tabloid newspapers. Real people come in shades of grey - even monsters like Avon Barksdale. ... Read More

---

Rating: - The best tv series I've ever seen
The Wire is so well thought out. Every character has a story and depth and most importantly is multi faceted. No one is a "goodie" or "bady" as such. People are just people, capable of good and bad. Nothing gets sentimental for the sake of it and nothing seems to be written for the benefit of the audience.
Season 4 was my favourite and now I've watched them all, miss it terribly.

---

Rating: - We got our thing, but its all part of the bigger thing....
A lot of comparisons are made between this show and The Sopranos. Now im goona come right out and say that i still believe The Sopranos is the greatest show ever. However i genuinely believe it unfair to compare 2 competely different shows. The Wire is quite simply one of the most gripping shows ive ever seen.

Ive just finished watching episode 9 of this season and once again im just completely hooked. For a show with so many main characters and plotlines to introduce 4 new characters ... Read More

---

Rating: - Listen Carefully - This is Outstanding!
The only problem I have with The Wire is having to get to the end. This, the penultimate series, is by far the greatest drama to have EVER been televised and having just watched the final episode I feel almost empty knowing I have only one more series left to enjoy.
However, I am also looking forward to watching the entire box set all over again. There's always so much happening in The Wire I'm sure there'll be plenty I've missed!
This series concentrated mostly on Baltimore's educational ... Read More

---

Related Items:

• The Wire: Complete HBO Season 3
• The Wire: Complete HBO Season 5
• Homicide:
• The Shield - Season 6
• Mad Men
• see more