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Back in the early 2000s, and let’s just say even now, there has been a lot of competition in the drama genre, but very few shows lived up to the reputationThe Wireset for itself. Not only was it one of the best and most critically praised crime drama television series of its time, but it continues to leave an indelible mark on its audiences even now, decades since it stopped airing in 2008.
Set in the city of Baltimore, it featured Dominic West’s Detective James McNulty and his team. In each new season, they navigated their way through a new set of challenges in the slew of crime investigations popping up in their city, as they tried their best to solve the bridge that existed between the drug kingpins and the law enforcement agencies.
While it explored new mysteries in each new season, the series didn’t go on for more than five seasons. Spread over the course of nearly six years, it delivered 60 episodes through five seasons, but that’s all it was for the crime mystery masterpiece. As much as fans expected it to continue, it didn’t go past its fifth season, which allowed quite the concluding arcs for the characters.
Despite being so commendable, even scoring a whopping 95% average critical and 96% average general score on review aggregatorRotten Tomatoes, the series never got revived for a sixth season.
Thus, here’s the real reason behind this happening, as well as a quick review of what happened to the characters in season 5. Without any more ado, please dig in!
Why didThe Wirediscontinue after Season 5?
Though shows usually end up getting canceled, the same wasn’t the case withThe Wire. As it turns out, this drama series ended its run with its fifth season, and the reason was a natural end. To be more precise,David Simon, the creator and showrunner of the smash hit series, concluded the series after five seasons, believing it had naturally reached its end.
Throughout its run, the series dived deep into various societal issues, including the likes of corruption in politics, law enforcement, and the media. But while this comprehensive storytelling was a significant strength, it also posed challenges. This is because, as the series progressed, ratings declined, and some viewers felt the intricate narrative tested their attention spans.
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Simon, of course, infusedThe Wirewith a level of detail and realism that set it apart from other television dramas in the same field. Each season focused on a different facet of Baltimore’s societal landscape, from the drug trade to the education system. This was a truly ambitious approach, and while it garnered critical acclaim it may have contributed to its modest viewership numbers.
That said, the show’s complexity and deliberate pacing asked for a level of engagement that differed from more mainstream programming. Thus, it all had to come to an end with the fifth and final season, which had Simon examining the role of mass media as a fitting end to the narrative as it tied together the themes of institutional dysfunction present throughout the show.
The Wirewas, in fact, almost canceled after Season 3
On the one hand, while there’s the fact thatThe Wirewas met with a natural end after season 5, what many don’t know is that the series was already struggling to stay up way before that. As it turns out, the show almost got canceled after its third season, back in time, as per the reports byScreen Rant.
As fans must have noticed, following the conclusion of its third season, the drama series faced a nearly two-year hiatus before the premiere of its fourth season, primarily due to the show’s potential cancellation.
Adding to this, significant plot developments, such as the death of Stringer Bell (Idris Elba) and the imprisonment of Avon Barksdale (Wood Harris), could have been possible reasons leading HBO to believe that the narrative was reaching its natural conclusion, especially after its divisive second season.
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However, despite all these challenges, the series still managed to experience peak ratings during its third and fourth seasons. To say the least, creator David Simon’s unwavering commitment and persistent advocacy were instrumental in ensuring thatThe Wirecontinued to its intended conclusion, ultimately leaving a lasting impact on television storytelling.
In retrospect, while the show may not have achieved high ratings during its original broadcast, its impact on television storytelling has been nothing short of undeniable. If anything, it’s evident that the series has gained a substantial following post-broadcast, with many viewers commending its intricate narrative and social commentary.
All in all, while the series faced a potential cancelation after the third season, Simon’s decision to conclude the show after five seasons ensured that it remained a concise and potent critique of societal structures, leaving a lasting legacy in the realm of television drama.
How the characters ended up in Season 5 ofThe Wire
While more was expected from the series,The Wirestill masterfully concluded its narrative by illustrating the cyclical nature of life in the city of Baltimore, with characters’ fates often mirroring those of their predecessors.
For one, Duquan “Dukie” Weems (Jermaine Crawford) was shown to be approaching his former teacher, Mr. Pryzbylewski, for financial assistance to secure housing and pursue his GED, seeking stability. Despite initial hesitation, Pryzbylewski provides him with $250. However, things end up tragically as, instead of utilizing the funds as intended, Dukie succumbs to drug addiction.
In the series’ final montage, ultimately, he is depicted using drugs with a junkman. This narrative arc underscores the harsh realities faced by the youth in Baltimore, trapped in a relentless cycle of despair with no way out in sight.
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Similarly, Michael Lee’s (Tristan Wilds) journey reflected a transformation into a new iteration of Omar Little (Michael Kenneth Williams). After severing ties with Marlo’s crew by eliminating Snoop, he is shown to adopt a rather vigilante role. The finale, for one, portrayed him wielding a shotgun, and robbing one of Marlo’s financial operations, highlighting the persistent nature of street justice and the emergence of new figures to fill the void left by their predecessors.
If this wasn’t enough, the theme of history repeating itself was further exemplified through Detective Leander Sydnor (Corey Parker Robinson). Engaging with Judge Phelan to advance an investigation, Sydnor’s actions mirror those of Jimmy McNulty (Dominic West) from Season 1, raising questions about Sydnor’s potential trajectory and whether he is destined to follow in McNulty’s tumultuous footsteps.
Marlo Stanfield’s (Jamie Hector) storyline, in the meanwhile, concluded with ambiguity. Advised to exit the drug trade, he attended an upscale business gathering but couldn’t help but feel out of place. Encountering young men on a street corner discussing Omar’s legend, her asserted his dominance by confronting them.
But things took a turn downhill as, when they failed to recognize him, he reacted violently, underscoring his unwillingness to relinquish his street reputation. This unarguably suggests Marlo’s internal conflict between the allure of legitimacy and the pull of his criminal identity.
Out of all of these, on a more optimistic note, Sergeant Ellis Carver’s (Seth Gilliam) character development is noteworthy. Once criticized by Major Colvin in Season 3 for his approach to policing, Carver eventually evolves into a competent and respected officer. His promotion to lieutenant signified personal growth and the potential for positive change within the police force.
Then there’s Cedric Daniels (Lance Reddick) and Rhonda Pearlman (Deirdre Lovejoy), both of whom navigate the political complexities of their careers with integrity. In the finale’s montage, Daniels is seen practicing law, having resigned from the police force to avoid compromising his principles. Pearlman ascends to a judgeship, reflecting her professional advancement, with their respective decisions highlighting the challenges of maintaining ethical standards within corrupt institutions.
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Despite their involvement in fabricating a serial killer case, both Jimmy McNulty and Lester Freamon (Clarke Peters), in the meanwhile, avoid legal repercussions. Freamon retires peacefully, indulging in his passion for crafting miniature furniture alongside Shardene. McNulty, after a symbolic faux-Irish wake orchestrated by his peers — a nod to the show’s earlier traditions — returns home sober to Beadie Russell. If anything, these more or less served as a redemption and personal resolution for both characters.
Out of all of these characters, perhaps the most uplifting resolution is that of Bubbles (Andre Royo). After a prolonged struggle with addiction and living in his sister’s basement, he is finally welcomed upstairs to share a family meal. This moment signifies his acceptance and reintegration into his family, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the series’ often bleak narrative.
To put it in a nutshell,The Wireconcluded by intricately weaving the destinies of its characters, emphasizing the cyclical and systemic nature of the societal issues it portrays. Through parallels and contrasts, the series reflected on the persistence of institutional challenges and the individuals’ roles within them, leaving a profound commentary on the human condition.
The Wire can currently be streamed on Hulu.
Mahin Sultan
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2478
Mahin Sultan is a Senior Writer at FandomWire, where she brings a fresh perspective to entertainment news. Having been in the field for over 3 years now, she has already written more than 2,000 articles across a variety of niches, from entertainment to health and fashion. This diverse experience has allowed her to quickly build a solid foundation and a deep understanding of the industry.
