After the first season (drugs), the second season (the docks), and the third season (politics), the new season has a new focus, education, which seems ripe for the patented Wire in-depth treatment. Prez, the disgraced former cop from former seasons, is now a rookie teacher. Meanwhile, most of the familiar characters are back and the storylines are continuing where they left off.

I wonder if the show can maintain the interest in the drug gang side of the plot, now that the rise and fall of Avon Barksdale and Stringer Bell seems to be over. There's a new kingpin, Marlo, who seems interesting, but there's an element of been there, done that - I'm curious to see how the writers overcome it. The dock plotline in Season 2 was completely new (and probably the tightest, best written season so far), and Season 3 kept the drug plotline fresh with the "Hamsterdam" drug legalization social experiment plotline. This season suggests that the politics/drugs tie plotline that's been dancing around in the background season after season will become explicit, which would be interesting, and of course, the school system is fertile ground for new material.

Should be interesting - The Wire is consistently one of the best shows on TV, and a worthy heir to Homicide and Oz, I've found it much more consistently interesting and entertaining than the Sopranos for years now (aside from the near-perfect first season of the Sopranos).

There are two half hour specials on HBO this month ( and On Demand ) about THE WIRE, THE GAME and CONNECTED. I passed on these initially but they turned out to be excellent specials that dig deep into the show, who makes it, how it's written and besides comments from cast members, there are bits from local Baltimore politicians, cops and even John Waters. Why HBO split this into 2 halves is a mystery, they are cut from the same cloth and are pretty much must see viewing for anyone interested in the series. I was not aware of the history and previous jobs the creators had, that some characters are based on real people or a composite of several real people, and the end result was an even higher level of respect and admiration for what the show strives for and acomplishes.
This seasons focus on education was in the cards from day one too, and I think the show is off to a great start and breaking fresh ground while advancing the threads of previous seasons.
Be warned though if you have not seen all three seasons in advance, the two specials, while not offering recaps of previous plots, does features some spoilers.

I liked the first episode of this season also -- and I think this is going to be a very interesting season.

A few things that I am looking forward to this season:

I cannot believe that McNulty is going to stay the course as a beat cop for very long -- he is far too nosy and he's bound to run across something that will kick him in to his workaholic (as well as alcoholic) detective mode. The show is way to honest to have him have such a huge change in his demeanor and lifestyle without some failures on his new path.

Kima and Freemon seem bent on opening a huge can of worms by exposing campaign contributions made by the Barksdale organization to local and state politicians. This should be interesting...

Omar running his game against Marlo's organization shouid provide some big fireworks.

Can Bodie survive on the streets as an independent now that the Barksdale organization has no street level operations? He's a smart kid, but he aint as smart as Marlo and company. I hope he can hook up with Dennis "Cutty" and get out of the street life...

I am also looking forward to seeing former Lt. "Bunny" Colvin in the school room setting after his very chaotic "school assembly" from last season.

I also like the new school kid characters introduced this season -- seeing their development and diverging paths should bring the show to a full circle with the first season.

I'm actually happy to have McNulty take a bit of a lower-key role this season. I've gotten a little tired of his shtick. I always preferred Bunk anyway.

Slate.com has started a weekly web dialogue on The Wire with the director of Hoop Dreams and the author of There Are No Children Here. There's a little too much back-patting in the first entries, but hopefully they'll bring more critical faculties to bear in the future:
Entries

SPOILERS

The last episode of the season was absolutely heartbreaking – this has to be one of the saddest hours of television that I have ever seen. It all seemed to ring so true...

Bubbles suicide attempt and his later reunion with his old NA sponsor (Steve Earle).

The murder of Bodie – one of my favorite characters on the show.

Prez silently watching Dookie slinging dope on the corner.

Michael committing his first murder.

Mayor Carcetti refusing to kowtow to a Republican governor in order to bail out the Baltimore City School System from its economic crisis. (He did not smile and eat that "bowl of shit" this time, even though it would have helped thousands of kids. He seemed so much more noble before this episode.)

I think the season delivered a truly depressing message on the education crisis in our country: the system and our policies grind up the children that need the most help.

Can't wait for next season.

Edit:

A couple of the things that I loved about this season popped into mind:

The ring that floated around all season and finally ended up on a necklace around Michael'a neck.

The reappearance of Vondas in Baltimore – will "the Greek" and his organization return to next season's plot?

Omar making a huge score ripping off the New Day Co-Op and brazenly walking in to Prop Joe's repair shop.

The promising return of McNulty and Freamon to the Major Crimes Unit. We'll probably see McNulty's friend in the FBI make a return appearance next year (the fourth season has been the only season that this character has not made an appearance).

Outstanding season. The death of Bodie was absolutely crushing, from the moment they signposted it.

Herc is such a well-used character. Rarely malicious, just stupid and lazy - and look at the destruction he causes. I like that Carver at least is developing from his earlier days. He could just as easily have gone down the same path as Herc.

A great article about The Wire in The Onion:
http://www.avclub.com/content/node/56687

From the opening scene in the first episode -- where Snoop and Chris buy the nail gun -- I knew this would be a great season.

And when it concluded with the montage using a Paul Weller song, nuff said.