Stars: Dominic West, Lance Reddick, Sonja Sohn

Director: Ernest R. Dickerson

Summary: Acclaimed HBO series THE WIRE centres on the drug culture of inner-city Baltimore. The series' storyline unfolds from the viewpoints of both the criminals ruling the streets and the police officers determined to bring them down. In the show's fourth series, which is included here in its entirety, four new characters--Dukie Weems, Randy Wagstaff, Michael Lee, and Namond Brice--are introduced to the gritty television drama. The plot in the fourth series mostly focuses on the eighth graders who try to survive the drug-laden streets of West Baltimore as the city's mayoral race enters its final stages. Clarence Royce, the black candidate, has a colossal lead over white councilman Tommy Carcetti, while Marlo Stanfield continues his ascension as Baltimore's new drug baron.

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Even if you missed the first three seasons (the character guides and thorough episode recaps on HBO's website are recommended), and with only one season left, it's not too late to get in under The Wire. In fact, season 4 is an accessible introduction for those who know The Wire only by its street cred as arguably the very best show on television. For them especially, this season will be, as befitting its theme, a real education. Without resorting to melodramatics that other ratings-challenged series employ to gain that frustratingly elusive audience, The Wire shakes things up this season in a way that is true to the series and its characters. A major character, Dominic West's McNulty, plays a minor role as a contented street cop and family man, while a former supporting player, Jim True-Frost's Roland Pryzbylewski, goes to the head of the class as a new eighth grade teacher at beleaguered Edward Tilghman Middle School. It may take a couple of episodes to orient yourself to the Baltimore backrooms, squad rooms, classrooms, and street corners where The Wire's intense dramas play out, and new viewers may miss something in character nuance, but they will easily grasp the big picture. A politically motivated shake-up sends Major Crimes detectives Freamon (Clarke Peters) and Greggs (Sonja Sohn) to Homicide. The gloves come off in the mayoral race between black incumbent Clarence Royce (Glynn Turman) and idealistic white challenger Tommy Carcetti (Aidan Gillen). Gang leader Marlo (Jamie Hector) quietly and deliberately becomes the city's new drug kingpin, managing to subvert all surveillance efforts. Meanwhile, while "Prez" tries to reach his students, four highly at-risk kids will be drawn into the drug trade.

Mere synopsis does not do The Wire justice. The series deftly juggles its myriad storylines and characters, all of whom make an impression, from Marlo's cold-blooded enforcers, Snoop (Felicia Pearson) and Chris (Gbenga Akinnagbe), to boxing instructor "Cutty" (Chad L. Coleman), determined to keep his young charges off the corners. There is not a false note in the performances or the writing. Richard Price (Clockers) and Dennis Lehane (Mystic River) again contributed episodes. That this series has only been nominated for only one Emmy (for writing) is a travesty. As engrossing as the finest novels and in a class by itself, this isn't television; it's The Wire. --Donald Liebenson

Aspect Ratio:	16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Release Date:	March 10, 2008
Runtime:	749 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	D Y 17342
Keywords:	English, General, Series, Wire, Drama, Complete
Genre:	Drama