The Wire 2002
“Listen carefully.”
What is The Wire?
The Wire is an American crime drama television series that premiered on the cable network HBO. The series was created and primarily written by David Simon, an American author and former police reporter.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 2002
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 60
- First aired
- Jun 2, 2002
- Last aired
- Mar 9, 2008
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- US
- Networks
- HBO
- Genres
- Crime, Drama
- Updated
Where to watch
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How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 60 episodes and an average 45-minute runtime.
Trailer
Overview
The Wire is an American crime drama television series that premiered on the cable network HBO. The series was created and primarily written by David Simon, an American author and former police reporter. It is considered by critics as one of the best shows ever made due to its unique portrayal of systemic dysfunction in American civic institutions. The show captures a universe where the national war on drugs has become a permanent, self-sustaining bureaucracy. The series comprises 60 episodes over five seasons, and it aired on HBO from its premiere to its conclusion. The show is told from the points of view of both the Baltimore homicide and narcotics detectives and their targets, presenting a complex and nuanced portrayal of the city's drug scene. The Wire features a cast including Dominic West, Lance Reddick, Sonja Sohn, and John Doman.
Should you watch it?
“A gritty Baltimore cop drama exposing the drug war's moral gray zones.”
- Authentic portrayal of urban decay and bureaucracy
- Multi-layered storytelling from both sides of the law
- Slow pacing may deter casual viewers
You appreciate nuanced crime dramas with social commentary.
Mature themes, strong language, and violence throughout.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about The Wire — answers are spoiler-safe.
Your verdict
Is The Wire worth watching?
Cast
Episode guide
Spoiler-Safe Browsing Progress
Season 1 · 13 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide & lore primer →- E1 The Target Mytharc Jun 2, 2002
- E2 The Detail Mytharc Jun 9, 2002
- E3 The Buys Core Jun 16, 2002
- E4 Old Cases Core Jun 23, 2002
- E5 The Pager Core Jun 30, 2002
- E6 The Wire Core Jul 7, 2002
- E7 One Arrest Core Jul 21, 2002
- E8 Lessons Core Jul 28, 2002
- E9 Game Day Core Aug 4, 2002
- E10 The Cost Core Aug 11, 2002
- E11 The Hunt Core Aug 18, 2002
- E12 Cleaning Up Mytharc Sep 1, 2002
- E13 Sentencing Mytharc Sep 8, 2002
Season 2 · 12 episodes
Open the complete Season 2 guide & lore primer →- E1 Ebb Tide Mytharc Jun 1, 2003
- E2 Collateral Damage Core Jun 8, 2003
- E3 Hot Shots Core Jun 15, 2003
- E4 Hard Cases Core Jun 22, 2003
- E5 Undertow Core Jun 29, 2003
- E6 All Prologue Core Jul 6, 2003
- E7 Backwash Core Jul 13, 2003
- E8 Duck and Cover Core Jul 27, 2003
- E9 Stray Rounds Core Aug 3, 2003
- E10 Storm Warnings Core Aug 10, 2003
- E11 Bad Dreams Mytharc Aug 17, 2003
- E12 Port in a Storm Mytharc Aug 24, 2003
Season 3 · 12 episodes
Open the complete Season 3 guide & lore primer →- E1 Time After Time Mytharc Sep 19, 2004
- E2 All Due Respect Core Sep 26, 2004
- E3 Dead Soldiers Core Oct 3, 2004
- E4 Amsterdam Core Oct 10, 2004
- E5 Straight and True Core Oct 17, 2004
- E6 Homecoming Core Oct 31, 2004
- E7 Back Burners Mytharc Nov 7, 2004
- E8 Moral Midgetry Core Nov 14, 2004
- E9 Slapstick Core Nov 21, 2004
- E10 Reformation Core Nov 28, 2004
- E11 Middle Ground Mytharc Dec 12, 2004
- E12 Mission Accomplished Mytharc Dec 19, 2004
Season 4 · 13 episodes
Open the complete Season 4 guide & lore primer →- E1 Boys of Summer Mytharc Sep 10, 2006
- E2 Soft Eyes Core Sep 17, 2006
- E3 Home Rooms Core Sep 24, 2006
- E4 Refugees Core Oct 1, 2006
- E5 Alliances Core Oct 8, 2006
- E6 Margin of Error Core Oct 15, 2006
- E7 Unto Others Core Oct 29, 2006
- E8 Corner Boys Core Nov 5, 2006
- E9 Know Your Place Core Nov 12, 2006
- E10 Misgivings Core Nov 19, 2006
- E11 A New Day Mytharc Nov 26, 2006
- E12 That's Got His Own Mytharc Dec 3, 2006
- E13 Final Grades Mytharc Dec 10, 2006
Season 5 · 10 episodes
Open the complete Season 5 guide & lore primer →- E1 More with Less Mytharc Jan 6, 2008
- E2 Unconfirmed Reports Core Jan 13, 2008
- E3 Not for Attribution Core Jan 20, 2008
- E4 Transitions Core Jan 27, 2008
- E5 React Quotes Mytharc Feb 3, 2008
- E6 The Dickensian Aspect Core Feb 10, 2008
- E7 Took Core Feb 17, 2008
- E8 Clarifications Core Feb 24, 2008
- E9 Late Editions Mytharc Mar 2, 2008
- E10 -30- Mytharc Mar 9, 2008
Frequently asked questions
Is The Wire based on a true story?
It is inspired by real experiences of Baltimore police and criminals.
Who created The Wire?
David Simon, a former Baltimore Sun reporter.
How many seasons does The Wire have?
Five seasons were produced.
What network aired The Wire?
HBO originally broadcast the series.
Are there any notable actors in The Wire?
Yes, including Dominic West, Lance Reddick, and John Doman.