TV's Big Secret: HBO's The Wire

HBO has had several series that have simply taken off and become pop culture sensations. Shows like The Sopranos and Sex and the City have become wildly popular and have received wide spread critical acclaim. I love both of these shows, especially The Sopranos, but HBO has had other shows that have been equally good in quality, but have not experienced the same level of success. Amazing shows like Rome and Deadwood have come and gone with relatively little fanfare. This brings me to the point of this post. One of HBO's very best TV shows is finishing up its final season as I write this. The Wire has received a lot of critical acclaim, but it has not really caught on with most HBO watchers and the general public. Perhaps the problem is the subject matter. Much of The Wire unfolds in the streets of inner city Baltimore. The show takes a hard and often uncomfortable look at the workings of a major US city. From the out of control drug trade and under performing schools to union unrest and political ineffectiveness and corruption, the realism and honesty with which each of these issues and more are dealt with is unprecedented. I won't say anymore about this awesome series, my hope is that anyone reading this will take the time to check it out. The fifth and final season is about halfway through as I write this and all of the seasons episodes are still available on HBO on demand. Previous seasons are on sale at the HBO Store.