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

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.