School's Out for Murder (The Wire - The Complete Fourth Season (DVD))

Member Name: samueltyler

Product:	The Wire - The Complete Fourth Season (DVD)
Date:	09/10/09 (61 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Best season of the show, heartfelt, realistic, fantastic writing and acting

Disadvantages: Need to see the first three seasons to understand

*contains minor spoilers for people not seen season 1-3*

By Season 4 of 'The Wire' the drug mire that is Baltimore is well and truly established. We have witnessed who sells the drugs, who provides the drugs and how you can try and police the drugs - nothing has changed. What makes young black men in the poor areas of Baltimore become drug dealers in the first place; deprivation, no sense of identity and no means of escape are all in part to blame. By the time the kids hit the street it is too late for them and their escape is likely to be in the form of a body bag or a jail sentence. You must go back to the one organised entity that can help the children before it's too late - the schools.

With the upheaval of Season 3 over the characters of 'The Wire' are all over the place. Ex-police officer Pryzbylewski has just started a new job as a teacher in an inner city secondary school; it does not take him long to notice that this job will be as hard as being in the police. Coincidently, disgraced former police Major Colvin (Bunny) now works for a University helping them to research what makes youths turn to crime. In the school we meet one group of lads in particular and we will witness how their lives will change forever in a few short months. Will they be able to avoid the streets and gain a better future? Meanwhile, with Avon in jail a new gang leader, Marlo Stansfield, is painting the streets red as he wipes out the competition, but where are the bodies? It's up to the guys and gals in homicide to convince their superiors that there is a case worth investigating.

Having seen all five seasons of 'The Wire' I have to agree with those people who claim it is one of the best TV dramas of all time. Even with this high accolade the show does have some issues and suffered a minor blip in Season 3. However, creator David Simon bounced back with Season 4 with perhaps the best series overall. By now the show is a true ensemble with countless characters doted around on the street, in the police, at the docks and in politics. This is a realistic and rich tapestry that the writers of 'The Wire' are able to balance with awe inspiring brilliance. No longer is McNulty a star as such, but one of many in the ensemble.

With so much already going on adding yet another layer may seem impossible, but it is done in the form of the school system. The school is the hub for the youth of Baltimore and for many represents the only escape from their life outside; they prefer to be at school than being at home. This is reflected with the four boys that we follow. Namond is the son of an enforcer who is spending life in jail. His mother wants him to take on his father's legacy, but is he able? Michael is quiet, but strong, with an abusive step father can he remain cool and collected? Dukie's family are all drug addicts and he lives in constant poverty relying on others for clothing. Finally, Randy is the entrepreneur of the group, intelligent, but cheeky. Will he find himself in the wrong place one of these days?

The four life stories of the boys that interweave are the highlight of the entire run of 'The Wire'. Over the 13 episodes they grow from boys to men in ways that you cannot imagine. In part soul destroying, and in part uplifting, the stories feel truthful and poignant. The various incidents in the boys' lives allows David Simon to introduce characters from other walks of the show; from the drug dealers offering work, to the police investigating crime. There is a real sense of hopelessness with the school system that makes you question why society can be so broken - this message is subtly played to perfection.

The other major storyline of the season surrounds Marlo and the police trying to catch him. Marlo is a new type of criminal and he no longer follows the unwritten rules of being a criminal. I believe that with Stringer Bell and Avon, David Simon found he had created strong anti-heroes that perhaps people liked too much. With Marlo he paints an even darker picture of a life of crime as Marlo is unforgiving and seemingly kills for no valid reason. I for one disliked him a lot, which is the point. Being a drug dealer should not be portrayed as being a glamorous job.

As always the acting is fantastic and although the balance of the show is towards the school system all the favourites get a chance to shine. The writing and dialogue is also top notch. With an intelligent and well argued story at its centre 'The Wire' Season 4 is the best yet. The slight patronising tone of previous episodes is ignored in favour of telling real feeling stories that allow the audience to come to their own conclusions. By continuously treating its audience as intelligent 'The Wire' Season 4 is a must watch.

Sammy Recommendation

Year: 2006
Cert: 15
Starring: Dominic West et al.
Price: Amazon uk £14.98
Play.com £14.99


Extras

There are several audio commentaries on certain episodes and a couple of featurettes.

Summary: The Wire hits its peak.