Way Down in the Hole

With crime constantly brewing on the streets of West Baltimore whether it is by murder, or drug dealing, the police have to be on their toes and get ready for whatever work that comes their way. In what was the most exciting and brilliant dramas to hit television, ‘The Wire’ delivers fantastic performances complete with different themes of story lines related to each season, and the beauty of it all is that this exceptional show is based on true events that take place on the mean streets of West Baltimore.

‘The Wire’ is one of those shows that is written to near perfection. The characters on this show are incredibly talented. As a matter of fact, you can’t ask for a more perfect cast. The audience will fall in love and will definitely relate to each character emotionally while sitting back. The realistic story lines that take place during this series are impressive. Ed Burns and David Simon do a tremendous job writing real life story lines that intertwine with each of the five seasons while at the same time giving them different themes.

Season one focuses on the drug culture of inner-city Baltimore, showing the points of view of both the criminals taking over the streets and the police determined to bring them down. In season one we are introduced to detective Jimmy McNulty, a smart, but stubborn detective, who seems to break the rules and pay the price. McNulty is played by Dominic West [‘Rock Star’] and his supervisor, Cedric Daniels, a hard-nosed, no-nonsense type of guy, who is good at heart and will have your back no matter what, is played by Lance Reddick [‘Jonah Hex’], as they begin to gather evidence against drug kingpin Avon Barksdale, played by Wood Harris [‘Remember the Titans’]. Meanwhile, his partners Stringer Bell, played by Idris Elba [‘Obsessed’] and Wee-Bey, played by Hassan Johnson [‘Brooklyn’s Finest’], are concerned with a rival enemy, who goes by the name of Omar, played by Michael K. Williams [‘The Road’], that has been cutting into their profits by robbing their drugs. Omar is not only one of the most popular characters on the show, but he is also the most likeable one, too; a kind of bad guy you root for, but at the same time, you can tell that there is something good in him. The reason why he is admired is because his role is very unique. You don’t see a man walking around with a shot-gun robbing drug dealers everyday, especially while he whistles a catchy tune in the ghetto. Hearing the whistle, everyone in sight starts to run and make way because, in their words, “Omar’s Coming.”

Season two takes place on the docks of West Baltimore where a port authority cop by the name of Beadie Russell, played by Amy Ryan [‘Dan in Real Life’], finds a shipping container full of dead European prostitutes. Meanwhile, Jimmy McNulty has been demoted his least favorite job position in the department. He has been asked to go back to his old roots and work with old friends while setting up events for a wire-tap case in illegal smuggling. A prime suspect is Long Shore man boss Frank Sabotka, played by Chris Bauer [‘True Blood’], who appears to be in cahoots with a gang Greek thieves led by the Greek, played by Bill Raymond, who is helping them sneak goods into the country by cheating the port’s computer system before using his payment to help save his workers union from collapsing. However, Sabotka has made a personal enemy of Major Valcheck, who’s grown suspicious of Sabotka’s finances.

With the drug war being lost and the bodies piling up, a desperate mayor wants major improvements of the crime dropping in West Baltimore before the election. The problem is that the police department hasn’t got any answers. With the demolition of the Franklin Terrace, Stringer Bell and the Barksdale crew have been forced to makeup for their loss. No matter how hard McNulty and the detail crew try to bust the Barksdale gang, they always seem to be one step ahead of the game. With the stats on crime needing major improvements, there is an unlikely gamble that takes place involving the drug dealers and their corners.

Season three delivers an exciting and fascinating thrill ride unlike any other. Each episode will leave you begging for more and keep you interested through the season.

Season four introduces the theme of education, which focuses on four new characters Michael Lee, Namond Brice, Randy Wagstaff, and “Dukie” Weekms, as they go through their adolescence in the drug-filled streets of West Baltimore. This season also focuses on the rise of Drug king pin Marlo Stanfield [Jamie Hector] and the detail that continues to follow money up the political ladder in the middle of a mayoral election that shares Mayor Royce against a smart ambitious white councilman, Tommy Carcetti. This season is exceptionally brilliant the way it’s put together and shows the theme of urban education, depicted in a rowdy West Baltimore school. There is no doubt that season four is brilliantly put together and shows the struggles that the children in West Baltimore go through because of the rough neighborhood they grew up in.

The fifth and final season of The Wire focuses on the media. The game remains the same, but everything else has changed, such as places and characters taking on different roles within their respective jobs. Times are tough for the detail due to Mayor Carcetti slashing the department’s budget to the bone with no overtime and less pay; some without cars and radios. An angry and frustrated McNulty is headed down a dangerous road of trouble and lies that will either make him or break him after he decides to make a few rules of his own during an investigation. The drug trade is still ruling the corners and as this exceptional series comes to an end, the way the book slams shut and an illustrious chapter comes to a close, it is clearly done just right leaving the audience with a pleasant sigh as if to say thanks for the ride.

Overall, you can’t ask for a better police drama than ‘The Wire.’ It is arguably one of the smartest and most exciting shows ever to hit television. Even though it has come to a halt, there is no reason why you shouldn’t witness television greatness. Just be sure you can handle the mean streets of West Baltimore.

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About Nick Valente 287 Articles
At the site, I'm a music, television and graphic novel kind of guy and that's what I'll be writing for the most part. Expect some book and music reviews as well though [insert demon horns here]. I grew up in Bensonhurst Brooklyn, the same neighborhood many of the best mafia films of our day were based on, idolizing guys like Robert Deniro, Martin Scorsese and Al Pacino. I'm also a big sports fan and follow the New York Yankees immensely.

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