I don’t usually recommend TV-on-DVD releases because most shows, even insanely popular ones like “Lost” and “Grey’s Anatomy,” have limited appeal. If you don’t like crime shows, don’t go with “CSI.” Love early-90s Disney cartoons? We’ve got two sets of “Tail Spin.”
Some shows, however, transcend genre boundaries. “The Wire,” painting inner-city Baltimore with refreshing realism, is the kind of show that overheats DVD players with constant disc changes.
There are two sides to the HBO show, which next year wraps its fifth and final season. The law — a group of detectives working with an attorney to tap into criminal activity with some fast talking enforcement. The crime — gangs of drug-dealers, prostitute wranglers and gun wielders. David Simon’s show treats both views equally, even comparing sides to show the strengths in weaknesses in the crime system and, for that matter, humanity.
Yeah, I used the word “humanity” in a review. It’s that good.
Season four will come out before year’s end, and captures life in the Baltimore school system.
