What to say about The Wire that hasn't been already said? To mention the Shakespearean sweep of the plotting, the wonderfully intimate detail of the characterisation, the political content that never preaches or tells the usual lies?
Having recently seen the last episode, I want to say how I will miss all the characters, how small details of previous story arcs keep returning to me like a friend's life story. The drama is so very gripping that you hardly notice how well it is shot, and the fact that it has taken four years for Simon and Burns to win an Emmy at least for the writing, is a testament to the paucity of critical judgement of those who run the tv awards.
If you've never seen it, do yourself a favour and start with the first episode. You will find it concerns a group of small, almost closed worlds, set in Baltimore Maryland. The police, the gangs, the docks and fading labour unions, the politicians at City Hall, the schools, and finally the media through an examination of how the news is made at the Baltimore Sun. I envy those who have never seen it and have this treat to come, but we've bought the lot and will be starting from series 1 again soon.
Enjoy!