HBO's The Wire "New Season" Debuts Tonight

I've never watched an episode of The Wire. I'm not sure why. I get HBO, and I'm not sure what I watch at 10pm on Sundays but tonight I am going to sit down and partake in the first episode of the new season of The Wire.

Here is to hoping that I can jump in and figure out what is going on right away. In other words, I hope that the show is not a continuance of previous episodes. It has been 16 months since a new episode has been shown on TV so hopefully I can just jump in the middle of the show.

So, what is the Wire?


The 2004 Peabody Award-winning HBO drama series THE WIRE concluded its 12-episode third season in December. The 12-episode fourth season will begin shooting in late 2005, with debut set for 2006.

Season three of THE WIRE examined the concept and nature of reform and the role of the political leadership in addressing a city's problems. Earlier themes included the death of the American working class, depicted in season two, and the inherent conflict between individuals and the modern institutions to which they are beholden, as seen in the protracted drug investigation that began in season one and continues into the third season.

With the Barksdale investigation concluded, the fourth season of THE WIRE will expand its focus to include a look at the role of the educational system in an urban environment.

The third season of THE WIRE generated wide critical praise. It was named the best series of 2004 by Entertainment Weekly, which called the show "the smartest, deepest and most resonant drama on TV." The New York Times observed that the series is "one of the smartest, most ambitious shows on television." TV Guide hailed THE WIRE as "smart and subtle, yet also brutally powerful," while New York Newsday declared THE WIRE "the greatest dramatic series ever produced for television," and Daily Variety called it "brilliant" and "meticulously written, superbly acted."

THE WIRE was created by David Simon; executive producers are David Simon and Nina Kostroff Noble, with co-executive producer, Joe Chappelle. Writers include Ed Burns and George Pelecanos.