The Wire - It's all over. **no spoiler**

[char1ie]

Last night HBO showed the final episode of the final series of The Wire. The fifth series was as good as the previous four, this time focusing on the role of the Baltimore Sun and of the press generally. The link between policing, politics and an obsession with Compstat, the metrics-driven crime measures that Rudy Giuliani loved so much, is still in evidence.

Like a lot of good series it has ended before getting tired. A very smart programme, it isn't perfect but even with its faults it manages to be the most realistic crime drama on the box. Where most British crime drama is based on the Agatha Christie tradition of murder, mystery, investigation, confession, The Wire focuses on the challenges of gathering evidence in an under-funded, bureaucratic, low-motivation police force.

David Simon's book - Homicide A Year on the Killing Streets documents The Wire's creator's year with the murder police in Baltimore and has the same themes. Simon's experience is the reason The Wire is so accurate. HBO's subscription system has also contributed to The Wire's success. Being more relaxed about viewing figures has allowed the writers to dispense with the traditional narrative structure in a single episode and concentrate on great story telling. The use of slang and street speak is anathema to most American TV production and again reflects HBO's confidence as a make of quality TV.

Audiences love villans and good guys, a simple plot, clear story telling, a nice clean struggle between right and wrong, and a happy resolution. There's none of that with the Wire. Instead the good characters are flawed and hampered by the system within which they work, the bad guys are part of the same system and there is never a happy ending. The mix of politics, statistics-driven policing, poverty, bureaucracy and the culture of crime combine as a single common enemy. The story is long and acts as a powerful critique of modern inner-city crime prevention methods.

Charlie

[SeanMacGabhann]

I was in NY last weekend and the final episode was airing - it were a right bugger avoiding spoilers

The back page of the New York Times just contained one picture (of one of the corners) and the words "The End" - sigh....

At least I have all off series 5 still to watch

cheers for the update char1ie

[Keef]

Almost finished series 3... Sean, or someone, can I have 4 soon please (UK version would be best as my multi region DVD player is being bad!).

[SeanMacGabhann]

UK version of Series 4 came out just this week - I only have US version unfortunately Keef but more than welcome to it

How is f'n'b getting on with 1 &2 I wonder?

[Keef]

Hmm, not sure he's actually started... I'll take the US version then thanks Sean. DVD player does work, just needs some coaxing sometimes.

[lozzyloz]

Hopefully my UK version of series 4 will arrive today or tomorrow. Some relief for a DVD machine that's been surviving on a diet of Fireman Sam and Bob the Builder since the end of series 3.

[lozzyloz]

Just landed on my doorstep. Mutherf*cker!

[mockney piers]

Aaagh, RSS feeds full of spoilers about series 5!!

Must...browse...with eyes...shut....

[barrymarshall]

I am halfway through series four - got UK edn because I wanted to prolong the enjoyment.

Heard that the UK won't get series four on telly till summer but won't get series five till next year - this true?! Cos if so, I shall have to download series five from the interworld.

Still the best programme on TV ever, though, IMO.