David Simon, creator of “The Wire,” is not only a television veteran but also a former journalist who knows jaded from bitter and, one might guess from the downbeat story lines in his achingly realistic drama, a guy who understands the human condition.
No doubt, then, a small part of him must be relishing – nay, enduring – what amounts to more cold truth about life. And especially life in the entertainment business. First, his show – which will go down as arguably the best drama in the history of television – is getting more attention than it ever has. “The Wire” – either because people finally started to listen to a rising chorus of critics or because “The Sopranos” is retired or because pop culture buzz has no discernible reason to it – is the show everybody’s talking about right now.
But it doesn’t matter.
Four million – or 14 million – people could watch the final season’s premiere on Sunday. It doesn’t matter. All 10 episodes will get shown anyway. The war is over. All that confetti can’t hide the wounds it took to get this far.
Second, Simon always felt conflicted when critics called “The Wire” complex and difficult. Those are great attributes in a series. But they scare away viewers. For all you newbies – Season 5 is exquisitely complex and difficult.
And yet, the payoff for getting to Season 5 is greater than the privilege of watching a masterful piece of work, season after season. That’s reward in itself. Season 5 is the culmination of brilliant, nuanced storytelling, exceptional acting and the fearlessness of Simon and his writers from the get-go in telling novelistic stories on television without pandering. When it all ends, that’s the priceless denouement that none of this year’s buzz can buy the latecomers. To get it all, you need to have seen it all.
The plus side is, eventually people will Netflix or buy the DVDs. “The Wire” will be seen. The legacy is already written.
