Season 5 poster
10 episodes

The Wire - Season 5

First aired Jan 6, 2008Season 5

In the projects. On the docks. In City Hall. In the schools. And now, in the media. The places and faces change, but the game remains the same. In the fifth — and final — season, the series expands its focus into the media — specifically the role of newspapers in big-city bureaucracy — as it follows a newspaper staff as they struggle to maintain integrity and meet deadlines in the face of budget cuts and staff reductions.

Social

Reviews

Community reviews for The Wire, shown here with its season details.

t

tmdb40011370

10.0

Without doubt, this is the finest, most complete TV drama ever! I know other people will say I am not even close, but for me it really is, and that includes watching Breaking Bad and The Sopranos! Years ago I watched "The Corner", which was like a prequel to The Wire, and it not only saddened me as to how people live and are dependent on drugs, but it also intrigued me. So much so that I went on to watch The Wire. What I loved about the show is how it views the misery of drugs from different perspectives. In season 1 it focuses on the on-going battle between the street-corner dealers and the police; season 2 focuses on drug distribution; season 3 the possibility of a drug amnesty; season 4 and school kids and their choices between education, employment and drug dealers; season 5 the media take on drugs. There is a certain feeling of helplessness running through this show, as you quickly realise that despite the extreme law enforcement the war on drugs is long gone. But because of the exceptionally good writing throughout you keep on hoping that something can be done to rid the city/state/country of this cancer. Unlike other drama shows, this feels so real even today, and one does wonder if governments and law enforcement departments are just peeing in the wind when it comes to winning the fight on drugs.

M

Mr.Charlie

Good but not Great 3.5/5 2 series I was told I have to watch by many were GOT n The Wire. I have to say I'm at the end of Season 4 of The Wire and its just... well, OK. I'm not sure why so many people seem to praise this show so much when nobody seemed to care when it was on, rating weren't anything to talk about not to mention it never won a single Emmy. IDK it seems like all it takes is for someone to talk up the show n everyone new jumps on the bandwagon. I'm definitely expecting a lot more from GOT which is why I saved it for last. 🤞

Episodes

More with Less still

Episode 1

More with Less

7.9
Jan 6, 200859 min39 votes

"The bigger the lie, the more they believe." - Bunk Moreland. McNulty and the detail continue to stake out Marlo and his crew. Recently promoted Sergeant Carver is met with complaints concerning unpaid overtime. Meanwhile, Haynes deals with cutbacks, but is still able to expose a politician's connection to a drug dealer; and Joe, Marlo, Fatface Rick meet to divide up the drug trade across Baltimore.

Unconfirmed Reports still

Episode 2

Unconfirmed Reports

8.0
Jan 13, 200859 min36 votes

"This ain't Aruba, bitch." - Bunk Moreland Freamon keeps a look out for Marlo, who is putting together a deal with Avon Barksdale. Davis goes to Burrell for help, but finds that the commissioner's hands are tied. Whiting puts together a series on broad strokes.

Not for Attribution still

Episode 3

Not for Attribution

8.2
Jan 20, 200859 min34 votes

"They're dead where it doesn't count." - Fletcher Mayor Carcetti's police department plan is leaked. Marlo turns to Proposition Joe for help. Meanwhile, McNulty strikes up an unexpected ally -- Freamon.

Transitions still

Episode 4

Transitions

8.5
Jan 27, 200859 min35 votes

"Buyer's market out there." - Templeton Omar plots his revenge for his former associates murder now that he's returned from exile. Gus stresses the need for a city-court reporter, after missing out on a grand jury probe. Carcetti finds there are strings attached in his desire to get rid of Burrell. While McNulty investigates the deaths of homeless men, Freamon needs the help of an old friend. Also, Marlo looks to the future in his dealings with the Greeks.

React Quotes still

Episode 5

React Quotes

8.2
Feb 3, 200859 min34 votes

"Just because they're in the street doesn't mean they lack opinions." - Haynes While the crew awaits a showdown with Omar, Marlo celebrates a business deal. Meanwhile, at the Sun, McNulty and Freamon take advantage of a development regarding the murder of the homeless people, while Dukie heads to Cutty's gym. Also, Herc does Carver a favor as a means to make amends for his past behavior, while Davis takes his case to the court of public opinion.

The Dickensian Aspect still

Episode 6

The Dickensian Aspect

8.0
Feb 10, 200859 min34 votes

"If you have a problem with this. I understand completely." - Freamon Marlo's crew goes on full alert after Omar's mysterious disappearance. Meanwhile, Carcetti concentrates on the plight of the homeless, while Bunk has an interview with a witness connected with the row-house case, and Templeton looks to a follow up to his recent front page story.

Took still

Episode 7

Took

8.0
Feb 17, 200859 min34 votes

"They don't teach it in law school." - Pearlman After cooking up another scheme for the homeless case, McNulty and Lester become popular figures. Davis is set for his day in court by collecting the best legal assistance money can buy. Plus, Michael has brushes with the wrong side of the law, while Gus seeks help for an old story by going outside the Sun.

Clarifications still

Episode 8

Clarifications

8.4
Feb 24, 200859 min36 votes

"A lie ain't a side of a story. It's just a lie." - Terry Hanning A shift in the police department sends Carver to a new location. Meanwhile, Carcetti is forced to put his political future in jeopardy, Haynes digs deeper into Templeton's work, and an important case has a breakthrough by Sydnor, while Fletcher continues working with Bubbles.

Late Editions still

Episode 9

Late Editions

8.6
Mar 2, 200860 min36 votes

"Deserve got nuthin' to do with it." - Snoop A promising lead makes Freamon's hard work worthwhile, although McNulty doesn't feel like a celebration. Michael is suspicious about his latest assignment;.Haynes gets fresh eyes to help with fact-checking. Namond's debating skills make Colvin proud. Davis points a finger at Levy and the courts. And Bubbles recounts a recent temptation overcome.

-30- still

Episode 10

-30-

8.8
Mar 9, 200894 min44 votes

"...the life of kings." - H.L. Mencken A damaging report by Pearlman and Daniels gets a reaction from Carcetti, while Haynes finds little support for his concerns about a reporters work from the bosses. Meanwhile, McNulty wants to put a homeless case to an end, Dukie searches for an old mentor and a fallen officer is given a wake.