The Wire - The Complete Fifth Season
In the projects. On the docks. In City Hall. In the schools. And now, in the media. The places and faces have changed, but the game remains the same. Times are tough for the detail. Mayor Carcetti has slashed the departments budget to the bone. Police are operating without overtime some without cars and radios. Angered, McNulty is off the rails again and headed down a dangerous path of deception and lies that will ally him with an unscrupulous reporter. The drug trade still rules the corners, all you have to do is read between the lines. DVD Features:
Audio Commentary
Featurette
A barroom toast to Det. Jimmy McNulty (Dominic West), a one-man good cop/bad cop, offered in The Wire's final episode could very well serve as this series' epitaph: "When you were good, you were the best we had." Season five bears witness to this. The 10 riveting, wrenching episodes focus on yet another beleaguered Baltimore institution, The Baltimore Sun daily newspaper, whose staff, much like the police, is forced to do more with less. One editor (Clark Johnson) struggles to maintain the paper's journalistic standards in the face of declining ad revenues, employee buyouts and bureau closures. An ambitious reporter (Tom McCarthy) undermines him by taking a page out of the Stephen Glass/Jayson Blair playbook, manufacturing sensational quotes, and eventually, whole stories, while bean-counter management encourages its rising star and keeps its eye on the (Pulitzer) prize. Meanwhile, on the streets, the year-long investigation of rising drug lord Marlo Sansfield (Jamie Hector) and the 22 bodies found in "the vacants" has been discontinued and police morale is at an all-time low (the money promised to the department has been diverted to the schools). McNulty manufactures a serial killer case that will have far-reaching repercussions in the mayor's office, where Tommy Carcetti (Aidan Gillen) is mounting a run for governor a mere two years into his term. "I wonder what it would be like to work at a real police station," McNulty rages at one point. The Wire, as ever, is all about real. It's a gritty and unflinching look at life in one of roughest districts of a "broke-ass city." There is street justice for some characters, and street injustice for others. Some meet sad, sudden, or shocking ends that defy TV convention. Referring to Marlo, McNulty declares early on, "He does not get to win; we get to win." The hard-earned victories are mostly small, or come with a price. Not that The Wire does not offer glimmers of hope. Bubbles (Andre Royo) struggles to maintain his sobriety (Steve Earle portrays the leader of his 12-step program and also does the theme song honors this season), and the final episode features a cameo by Jim True-Frost as the once overwhelmed teacher, "Prez," who now seems to have the hang of the job. The ratings-strapped and criminally Emmy-snubbed The Wire has always been a critic's darling with a passionate fan base. To the show's credit, it did not make itself more accessible in its final season (consequently, its send-off did not receive near the fanfare of The Sopranos or Sex and the City). That should not dissuade newcomers to the show. It is heavy lifting, and if you're just joining The Wire, a visit to the show's official website for orientation is recommended. But buy it, watch it, and be patient. It's so worth it. From the masterful storytelling to the peerless ensemble, it just doesn't get any better than The Wire. But that's not exactly news. --Donald Liebenson
The Wire - The Complete Fifth Season Accessories
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The Wire - The Complete Fifth Season Reviews
He had been waiting to see the whole season again since the series last episode ended. It was great. I'm glad we have the complete season now. I got this for my boyfriend as a Christmas present and he loved it.
Acting, writing wonderful as with the other seasons. You just wish there was more. The final season of this critically acclaimed and underappreciated series does not disappoint.
I'm viewing this series for the first time starting with four (as recommended) which was the most riveting television of my life. This season's angle reflecting the role of the media in addressing, ignoring and or perpetuating society's problems is an interesting one but surely doesn't resonnate as well with viewers as Four which dealt with Baltimore kids and public schools.
HOWEVER, because of the intricate way the Show's writers & producers script each season as (well, close to) a series unto itself with different themes & perspectives, you won't struggle with the ending. Five doesn't disappoint.
If you're a fan of The Wire, you've probably already seen the first four seasons and you have your personal favorite episodes, plotlines, characters and seasons.
What I mean is this isn't the kind of show where if you missed everything from the first four seasons, you won't get the ending. If you're NOT a fan of this show and just pondering a season to view, I wouldn't recommend starting here.
Easily one of the best and most realistic shows of TV history. Perhaps sadly this isn't a Season that ties together a lot of loose ends from earlier seasons though some plotlines reach their dramatic climax.
This has been a most joyful viewing experience. Without, question The Wire was the most entertaining television production I have ever scene.
I will definitely buy through this site again. Target was selling it for $20 more. Can't beat the price (and free shipping, too). This dvd set was priced well below retail stores.
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