The Wire

The Wire Recaps

• 'The Wire' finale: Same as it ever was

  The finale The Wire delivered bucketloads of resolution, but even in the midst of all that, nothing much changed. Which couldn't be a more appropriate ending for the series.

• 'The Wire' saves its best for next-to-last

  After taking in the unbelievably powerful, next-to-last episode of The Wire, and about the only complete thought I can form is: Damn.

• 'The Wire': Not with a bang ...

  If you're a Wire fan without access to HBO On Demand (like me), it was awfully tough not to be spoiled as to one of the big events in this week's episode. It's a testament to how good the show is that even when it happened, I still jumped in my chair a little.

• McNulty juggles a red ball on 'The Wire'

  Dominic West's directorial debut on The Wire this week may have pushed this season's story ahead only incrementally. But experience teaches that with this show, things that don't seem huge right away can add up to something huge down the line.

• 'The Wire': Omar back

  There were arguably more important developments in this week's episode of The Wire than Omar's stepped-up campaign against Marlo's operation, but none more viscerally entertaining than seeing him take out pieces of the empire.

• Lies and 'The Wire' liars who tell them

  Best moment of Sunday's episode of The Wire? Easy: Templeton's incredulous "He made another call?"