The best show on TV

The Wire is the best show on TV. Though I haven't met many people who watch it, I love it and highly recommend it.

For anyone who can 1) netflick it (cuz you probably won't find it anywhere else) and 2) find the time to watch from the beginning... and with 50+ episodes at an hour each... it's quite a commitment... but well worth it.

The whole show is based in Baltimore.

The first two seasons take the unorthodox view of telling the story of the good guys (the cops) and the bad guys (the drug dealers) from the points of view of each. And what do you get? Well... a view that makes everyone look a little good and a little bad.

Then the story moves into the worlds of politics and journalism, while keeping the original story line going. I think the most poignant moment for me was when the "soon-to-be-kids-turned-drug-dealers" start making progress in school, then have a run-in with the NCLB act... which, of course, relates to the city politics... and is covered by local media.

Wikipedia notes "(the show's creator) has said that despite its presentation as a crime drama, the show is

"really about the American city, and about how we live together. It's about how institutions have an effect on individuals, and how…whether you're a cop, a longshoreman, a drug dealer, a politician, a judge [or] lawyer, you are ultimately compromised and must contend with whatever institution you've committed to."

The Wire is a fantastic show. It's amazingly well done. Check it out, if you ever get the time.

Tim White