Cheers: The Wire Wraps It All Up

Clarke Peters courtesy HBO Cheers to The Wire for giving its fans what The Sopranos refused to provide: closure. The HBO drama's finale tied up an impressive number of loose ends: Two major criminal investigations (the serial killer and "vacants" cases) were closed, three cops (McNulty, Freamon and Daniels) left the department, and the mayor was elected governor. Still, it wasn't all good news: Drug lord Marlo Stanfield and dishonest journalist Scotty Templeton both got off scot-free — the latter with a Pulitzer, no less — and two young men (Michael and Dukie) were lost to the streets. At least recovering junkie Bubbles got to come up from the basement and eat dinner with his sister's family. In the bleak world of The Wire, that's a happy ending. Leave a Comment
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Posted by Bruce Fretts Mar 10, 2008 1:51 AM Report Abuse

Cheers all around for The Wire, for every episode, every season, every actor, every writer - everything and everyone!! There was no weak link. The only Jeer I can possibly associate with The Wire is to the Emmys and their complete cluelessness for their lack of recognition of this fine, fine show. I will miss The Wire greatly.
Posted by mrslaura17 Mar 10, 2008 11:54 AM Report Abuse

So will many thousands of sophisticated TV watchers. This was a very tough show to "enjoy" because you had to pay so close attention. When watching my 2 favorite soap opera I can relax and enjoy my ice cream....never ice cream with "the wire". What a fantastic and memorable feat of television creativity.
Posted by trombone Mar 10, 2008 12:19 PM Report Abuse

The Wire finale was great - no qustion, but I also loved the finale for The Sopranos and I didn't need a death to provide closure. Not sure why you thought that it was necessary?
Posted by Ranger99 Mar 10, 2008 1:57 PM Report Abuse

One of the best shows ever on HBO and my husband and I loved the finale. One of the best and it didn't just tie up loose ends, it had real meat to the stories and ending. Did anyone note that little boy at the very end being placed into a cop car? I swear it was Bug, Michael's little brother that supposedly went to live with his Aunt. Did anyone else catch that or was I just seeing things? Great writing always makes a story rise to the top, and this one was definitely the Cream of the crop.

Posted by tcda69

Mar 10, 2008 2:57 PM

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To answer the last poster - that was Kenard - the corner boy who killed Omar - that was arrested, not Bug.

The Wake for McNulty was by far one of the best scenes ever shown on television. Jay was his usually hysterical self. My only gripe was there was no "end" scene with Bunk and McNulty (and there really should've been) and no cameo by Avon in the end but we did get to see the two "soldiers" - WeeBay and Chris - together in the yard.

Simon did right by the true star of the show - Baltimore.

Posted by williamjc

Mar 10, 2008 3:12 PM

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The Wire was one of the most intellectually stimulating and rewarding shows of all time. For everyone who took the time to watch and gather an understanding of the characters and various plots (and sub plots) can appreciate its creative genius. In the series finale, David Simon performed a close to perfect balancing act of keeping the viewer tantalized with curiosity and transitioning to emphasize the conclusion to each individual character. The final episode (just like every other episode) had no real over the top, clichéd overtones. Simon and his co-writers did a wonderful job of alluding to the fact that the only thing that changes in the game is the players. Everything from the acting, to the music selection, to the directing, to the cinematography was spot on. I simply believe that it was the single best television production ever aired.

Posted by KJHuggins

Mar 10, 2008 6:25 PM

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