The Wire - The Complete First Season (DVD, 2004, 5-Disc Set)

This is the best show that has ever been on television. My friends and I decided to chip in to buy all the available seasons so we could enjoy it all over again.

I bought this DVD of Season 1 (The Wire) because I love Baltimore, and I love crime dramas. This show more than satisfies my expectations.
From the character depth to the real knowledge of West Baltimore life (not to mention the addicting storyline), The Wire has kept me watching from start to finish. On weekends I would watch as many as I possibly could, non-stop. If you like crime, or even just plain old action, buy The Wire...I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

If you missed this gem of a series when it premiered on HBO in 2002 don't despair, you have plenty of time to catch up before the last season airs. If you are a viewer that likes his/her shows all tied up neat and tidy by the end of each episode, this show is not for you. If you enjoy intricately woven storylines, characters that are created and portrayed with such authenticity you will forget that they are actors and totally realistic plotlines, then this is the show for you. But make sure you start at the beginning with the first season because this intricately woven series unfolds like a novel you wish would never end. If you were a fan of Homicide: Life On The Street and/or The Corner, then you, like me have probably been banging your drum to anyone within earshot about The Wire since it's first season. I have now seen the first season about 10 times and am still finding little treasures I didn't notice the first 9 times. The writing here is so good and the characters really do get under your skin. The other beautiful thing about this series is that each season starts with a fresh and surprising storyline yet still manages to keep the previous plotlines going. I could go on and on about this show but I really do need to get going. Trust me this is not your average or even above average cop show. This is a show about people...from different worlds whose lives interact, connect and collide. You will be surprised how much you end of caring about these characters and as they drop, and they do, you will mourn them long after the ending credits. This is the best that television has to offer at this time. Grab up all of the seasons and treat yourself to one of the most richly satisfying hours of educating, enlightening entertainment ever.

The HBO original series "The Wire" is a show like no other. This is not your typical crime show. It is a show that gets down to the truth without being politically correct. The series shows how one hand feeds the other in the dirty world of drug dealers, cops and politicians. Once you start watching, you'll be hooked. Great insight and excellent writing. Watch it again and again!

Without a doubt, "The Wire" is one of best, most underrated police dramas in the history of television - period.
This entire series peels back the skin of a community and examines just WHAT makes "a criminal." Rather than concentrate on the police departments point of view, this series moves from section to section of a city's internal and external affairs, showing a complex & interwoven community where one move ALWAYS effects another. The series shows victory & defeat in not only Baltimore's P.D., but their media, school system & elected officials.
"The Wire" leaves the viewer with a greater understanding of how complex a city can be.

This show was suggested by some friends. Very basically it is the show of undercover police in Baltimore. Where it is different from any "cop" show I have ever seen is that it does not deal with a new case every episode, instead the whole season is one major case. With an entire season to work with the writers can really go deep and since it is an HBO series it seems very real. Actually it is a little too real at times...with the crime scene photos and drug/law enforcement lifestyle. The imagery and language are rough! This is an adult show!

The main character is a very dedicated cop who always seems to be 'on the job' and while he is a good police detective he is often/always in trouble with his superiors. He does not care for the chain of command as he has the ear of a judge who has considerable pull with the Baltimore PD. While watching I would actually get involved with the characters, there are about a dozen, both the good and bad guys. For my money it is a great show when you actually feel as if you know these guys/girls and wouldn't be surprised if they were down the street at you local neighborhood bar! I have already ordered season 2.

HBO could not have made a better series, nothing like it on TV. There was nothing that I disliked about this series. A great true to life, and very factual, everyday life in the hood.

After devouring every episode of David Simon's "Homicide" I expected great things from "The Wire". In the first one-hour episode alone there over 120 uses of the f*** word, two instances of a cop making lewd reference to his genitals and two scenes of gratuitous semi-nudity. Please give me some credit. I can tell a scene is in a strip joint without having to see an actual breast. Homicide was pure quality. Sadly, the Wire is a total sellout to the lowest common denominator. Too bad.

What a series. I never watched it when it was on HBO, now I am trying to figure out how did I miss watching. The Wire is one of the best series ever along with The Sopranos. Now I need to get season two to get my fix.

this is the best show on Tv...ecery eposode is A+..i'm only sorry to have discovered it so late..now i will buy every season of the show...

I don't usually like crime/cop programs but I loved this series. I recommend The Wire to thinking people. The series is not one where the viewer can do something else at the same time as watching. The writers lay out clues along the way and it is important to pick them up if the viewer wants a fuller understanding of what the events mean and portend. The first few episodes may seem a little slow but sticking with it will pay off in the end. By the time the viewer gets to the last few episodes, the clock no longer has any meaning and it it is possible to stay up long past one's bedtime.
The writing is superb, the attention to detail noteworthy, and the acting is riveting. After watching The Wire, other television programs will seem bland in comparison. If you are an intelligent person who loves gritty, realistic drams, you won't go wrong with this series. I have purchased The WIre Seasons 1-4 and consider money well spent.

Not having HBO, kept hearing about this. Got whole first season for a real low price, shipped fast and am now loaning it out to friends. It was EBay at it's finest!

The most realistic drama ever. People who watch will be shocked. I am a fan of HBO's drama's and this is as real as it get.

If you like the gritty drug movies such as NARC, Traffic, Blow, etc. you'll love this one. The story line is similar to the novel 'Clockers' however has a much broader cast of characters. Performances are excellent and the writing is top notch. I greatly enjoyed this series. It is similar to a novel you begin reading and can't put down at 2:00 a.m. I am hoping to get the other seasons of this show to see what happens. Be warned, there is strong language and graphic violence in a number of episodes. This is not one for the kids!

For my money, The Wire is the best show on Television. The best written, acted, and most life-like storylines I have ever seen. It's the best show HBO has ever done, better than the Sopranos! The characters are very well developed, and the dialogue demands sharp attention. This show is not for those seeking mindless entertainment. It is very deep and very engaging. The good guy doesn't always win in this show. You will learn or gain a better idea of what life on the street is like for the less fortunate and what it takes for them to survive.
The writers for this show deserve a lot for this work.

I love this show and was so glad to be able to buy it and add it to my collection. This show is about drugs in inner city Baltimore and really gives you a first hand look on how the police and drug dealers interact. It will keep your attention and you will be excited to watch the next episode.

I had seen this series on HBO before and I was intrigued by the fact of how close the kingpins and politicians are so closely alike. They have the same type of cutthroat ideas and attitudes that plague our country. And unfortunatley, real people get caught in the crossfire of illegal practices. I would recommend this series to anyone who wants to have a real eye opener. It may not be the most dramatic series you will ever see, but it will make you want to see more. Your spine will tingle at the senseless but yet provocative minds of the detectives, majors, drug lords, councilmen, and even the mayor.
In my opinion, I would give this a 9.5 in sheer quality and because how the director makes you think of what really happens in a city plagued with selfishness.

I was purchasing for a gift and was very happy on time arrival my brother was also very happy items works great as described i would buy from again thanks

This show was very entertaining and interesting to watch. If you're looking for a non-stop, shoot-em-up show, you should stick to '24'. But if you want a deeper, intellectual show that makes you think about what happens and why, this is your show. I'm not sure how realistic the show is considering: (1) I don't live in Baltimore and (2) I'm not a cop and (3) I don't sell drugs. But I could see how the premise of this show could actually happen. This show 'watches' more like a book than a tv show, and if you're ok with that, you'll love the show.

Everything about the discs and the packaging was fine but the the aspect ratio was fullscreen with no wide screen option.

I learned to look out for that the hard way. don't make the same mistake i did.

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I love the Wire, and the 1st season was the best. I am happy to be the proud new owner of this set.

Great condition,fast delivery, it is everything that I expected. Will definitely buy again from ebay