You all ever heard of this show?

So I finally decided to discover just how accurate the hype was. Not wanting to parrot the all-too-obvious adjective-laden layers of critical praise that this show routinely and deservedly has poured upon on it, let me just write that, without comparison or any doubt, these 13 episodes represent a unique single season of television; seldom has TV conjured as many emotional reactions and been so intelligently written, expertly acted, creative but genuine, captivating throughout.

So as I watched the series a second times through, the list fiend in me showed itself and I came up with this:

(Quick Note on Spoilers: I have only seen Season One--an expired Netflix account made me stop with the first set--but I am not a spoiler-stickler like others may be. I know the "big thing" that happened last season and don't care if anyone lets spill anything else. However, because some people have that disposition, you might wanna throw up a "Season ?? Spoiler" warning just in case. And if you still haven't seen Season 1 and don't want it ruined, leave this post now.)


The Wire Season 1: 25 Best Moments / Scenes.


25. N.WARWICK & LONGWOOD (EPISODE 11: THE HUNT)
Rawls adjusts the street signs.

24. SCAVENGER HUNT (EPISODE 9: GAME DAY)
"Follow the money."

23. BOTTLES & TVS (EPISODE 2: THE DETAIL)
The Terrace fights back.

22. GOLDEN GLOVES (EPISODE 3: THE BUYS)
Lester Freamon finds a picture.

21. THE RED HAT (EPISODE 2: THE DETAIL)
Surveillance courtesy of Bubbs.

20. CHESS NOT CHECKERS (EPISODE 3: THE BUYS)
"The king stay the king."

19. HOOD ORNAMENT (EPISODE 6: THE WIRE)
Wallace sees the body.

18. REESE'S AND A CAN OF TEA (EPISODE 7: ONE ARREST)
Eye-patch kid sees Prez.

17. WAYLAN SPEAKS (EPISODE 7: ONE ARREST)
Narcotics Anonymous meeting.

16. THAT NOISE (EPISODE 10: THE COST)
Crickets in the country.

15. AVON VISITS BROTHER (EPISODE 5: THE PAGER)
"A little late, a little slow."

14. $150,000 IN THE SAFE (EPISODE 12: CLEANING UP)
Avon & Stringer wait to be arrested.

13. DEAD SOLDIERS (EPISODE 3: THE BUYS)
Bubbs critiques Sydnor's addict attire.

12. THE ONE YOU KNOW ABOUT (EPISODE 4: OLD CASES)
D'Angelo's version of Deidre's death.

11. FRONT AND FOLLOW (EPISODE 8: Lessons)
McNulty's kids' spy game.

10. A CITIZEN'S DEAD (EPISODE 2: THE DETAIL)
D'Angelo writes a letter.

09. OMAR LURKS IN THE DARK (EPISODE 8: Lessons)
"You come at the king, you best not miss."

08. THE MAN WHO INVENTED MCNUGGETS (EPISODE 2: THE DETAIL)
"Hey, Mr. Nugget, you the bomb!"

07. FUCK, FUCK (EPISODE 4: OLD CASES)
McNulty and Bunk investigate the crime scene.

06. WEE BEY'S AQUARIUM (EPISODE 11: THE HUNT)
The fish and D'Angelo's nerves.

05. SNOT (EPISODE 1: THE TARGET)
"You call the guy 'Snot'?"

04. OFFICER DOWN (EPISODE 10: THE COST)
"This got the right feel for you?"

03. D'ANGELO'S CONFESSONS (EPISODE 13: SENTENCING)
Butch Stanford.

02. WALLACE'S DEATH (EPISODE 12: CLEANING UP)
"That's us, man."

01. STEP BY STEP (EPISODE 13: SENTENCING)
Smart and well-rounded final minutes of one of the best seasons of scripted television.


thoughts?