The Wire poster

The Wire

9.3 / 10 428.9k votes
2002-2008 5 seasons 60 eps IMDb ↗

Told from the points of view of both the Baltimore homicide and narcotics detectives and their targets, the series captures a universe in which the national war on drugs has become a permanent, self-sustaining bureaucracy, and distinctions between good and evil are routinely obliterated.

The Wire poster

The Wire

9.3 / 10 428.9k votes
2002-2008 5 seasons 60 eps IMDb ↗

Told from the points of view of both the Baltimore homicide and narcotics detectives and their targets, the series captures a universe in which the national war on drugs has become a permanent, self-sustaining bureaucracy, and distinctions between good and evil are routinely obliterated.

Ratings Grid

by season & episode
E1
E2
E3
E4
E5
E6
E7
E8
E9
E10
E11
E12
E13
S1
S2
S3
S4
S5

Ratings & Vote Volume

across all episodes
S1E1S1E9S2E4S2E12S3E8S4E4S4E12S5E7S5E10

Winners & Losers

episode highlights
Highest Rated
9.6 / 10 • 9,671
Middle Ground
S3 · E11
"We ain't gotta dream no more." -- Stringer Bell The wire begins to yield information about the Barksdale organization, while Stringer and Avon reminisce on how far they have come.
Lowest Rated
7.7 / 10 • 6,510
Ebb Tide
S2 · E1
'Ain't never gonna be what it was.' -- Little Big Roy Det. Jimmy McNulty--exiled to police-boat duty--makes a shocking discovery in the Baltimore harbor. Bodie drives to Philly to make a connection for the Barksdale crew and Stringer Bell takes the train to New York to feel out the crew's reticent suppliers.
Most Voted
7.8 / 10 • 10.2k
The Target
S1 · E1
"... when it's not your turn." - McNulty. Baltimore homicide detective Jimmy McNulty gets into hot water and winds up assigned to a detail of narcotics outcasts charged with investigating drug lord Avon Barksdale and his powerful operation in Franklin Terrace. Meanwhile, Avon's nephew D'Angelo is fresh off beating a murder rap, but he finds himself demoted upon his return to the gang.
Least Voted
8.3 / 10 • 4,651
The Dickensian Aspect
S5 · E6
"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.