Before I get going, I want to be sure that we start from the same place. 

To some, the title of this post may have you thinking a couple of things.  I, for one, thought of a really bad movie from 1990 (see graphic to the right) and a song from the Neville Brothers that, in my view, is kind of spooky.

I’m here to tell you that you can throw out the Mel Gibson and Aaron Neville imagery and replace it with a hard-hitting series on HBO: The Wire.

Back in the fall I told you a little about a show called The Flight of the Conchords that had just finished its first season.  Read it.  Watch it.  Love it.

Like Flight of the Conchords, I stumbled into The Wire (in its fifth and final season) through a friend’s recommendation (thanks Craig).  And like Flight of the Conchords, the writing is truly unique.  However, instead of laughing your a$$ off, you’ll be surprised as to how gritty and grimy this ‘crime series’ (I don’t know how to classify it, so I’ll classify it like that) is. 

Essentially it’s a crime drama that takes place in Baltimore, Maryland and focuses on a certain unit (who do use wire taps from time-to-time) who tackle a whole bunch of ugly issues (i.e., drugs, corrupt dock workers, gang murders, etc).  Think about the Sopranos kind of illegal activity, but in a Hill Street Blues on steroids kind of context.

As HBO says flat out, and I quote “One of television’s most critically acclaimed programs, the Peabody Award-winning drama series ‘The Wire’ continues to challenge viewers with a “cop show” unlike anything on air.”

Honestly, this thing is addictive and since I got in four years or so late, I’ve got some work to do. 

Enjoy!

darren