The Wire: Season 4

Best Episode: "Final Grades"


Worst Episode: "Alliances"


Favorite Characters: Jimmy McNulty, Bunk Moreland, Lester Freamon, Omar Little, Slim Charles, Marlo Stanfield, Bunny Colvin, Tommy Carcetti, Bodie Broadus, Poot, Chris Partlow, Snoop Pearson, Cutty, Bubbles, Randy Wagstaff, Roland Przybylewski, Namond Brice, Wee-Bey Brice, Donut, Kennard, Michael Lee, Dukie, Ellis Carver, Sydnor, Prop Joe, Cheese,


Least Favorite Characters: Ervin Burrell, William Rawls, Clarence Royce, Clay Davis, Herc, Spider, Bubble's Bully, Michael's Mom, Michael's Step-Dad, Dukie's Family, De'Londa Brice, Anyone associated with Baltimore schools


Overall Grade: 9.5 out of 10. This season of "The Wire" is not only the best one of the series, but it's one of the best single seasons of any television show I've ever seen. I was absolutely enthralled with the happenings of "The Boys of Summer" and everything surrounding them in season four. You want to know the definition of a "great TV show"? It's a show that makes you think about what you just saw. When an episode is over and you're sitting on your couch trying to comprehend everything that just came across your television screen, that's the definition of a "great TV show" and that's exactly what "The Wire" does. Watching "The Wire" can be a task sometimes. Not because it's not a great show (because it is), but because it almost feels to real at times. Sometimes I feel like I have a live stream of everything that's happening in Baltimore right now and yelling at my screen that "Randy isn't a snitch" is actually going to help matters even if it doesn't.

I don't want to get into too much detail here regarding this season because I would like to keep it as spoiler-free as possible, so I can recommend EVERYBODY check it out! Seriously. This season was not only one of the best things I've ever seen on television, but it likely helped boost "The Wire" into my top 5 television programs of all-time. Two months ago when I said I was going to re-watch "The Wire" to see what all the hype was about, I mentioned that I doubt I would rank it as a top 5 all-time TV show. Well....it appears that I was wrong.

The Wire: Season 3

Best Episode: "Middle Ground"


Worst Episode: "Straight and True"


Favorite Characters: Jimmy McNulty, Bunk Moreland, Lester Freamon, Omar Little, Brother Mouzone, Avon Barksdale, Stringer Bell, Slim Charles, Marlo Stanfield, Herc, Bunny Colvin, Tommy Carcetti, Bodie Broadus, Poot, Bernard, Squeak, Chris Partlow, Snoop Pearson, Cutty, Bubbles


Least Favorite Characters: Kima Greggs, Ervin Burrell, William Rawls, Clarence Royce, Clay Davis, Fruit, Dante


Overall Grade: 9 out of 10. After some time down at the docks in season two, the MCU returns to dealing with the drug lords of the Barksdale gang and once again, the show is an incredible piece to watch. There was definitely a lot to like in this season.

You had the Avon vs. Marlo drug war.

The Hamsterdam experiment.

The roller coaster that was Cutty.

The tag team of Omar Little and Brother Mouzone.

And of course, the end of one of the most interesting characters I've ever seen on television....Mr. Stringer Bell.

Now, there was also some stuff I didn't like (anything having to do with politics, Kima not taking care of her responsibilities, and Bunny getting screwed in the end), but that's to be expected from this show. The good news is, the good far outweighs the bad and season three had plenty of good in it. All I ask is that we get some more Brother Mouzone on the screen because that character has been vastly underused so far. Anyway, I can convincingly say that season three of The Wire was one of the best seasons of television I've ever seen and I'm starting to understand why some people have this show ranked as a top 5 all-time program. Now it's on to season four......

The Wire: Season 2

Best Episode: "Bad Dreams"


Worst Episode: "Duck and Cover"


Favorite Characters: Jimmy McNulty, Bunk Moreland, Lester Freamon, Omar Little, Brother Mouzone, Frank Sobotka, Ziggy Sobotka, Avon Barksdale, Sergie Malatov, Cheese


Least Favorite Characters: Stringer Bell, The Greek, Spiros Vondas, William Rawls, Major Valcheck


Overall Grade: 8 out of 10. I didn't have a lot of high hopes for season two of "The Wire". My first go-round with The Wire (2-3 years ago), I remember thinking season two was absolutely awful and it pretty much killed my relationship with this show. This time though? I loved it. I don't know why and I wish I could explain it, but season two and all the action that transpired at the docks had me much more interested and invested than I was before. I still think it's stupid that the Major Valcheck/Frank Sobotka feud starts over a church window, but it is what it is. One of the biggest kicks I'm getting out of this show is watching everything get put into motion and than watching it all unravel in an explosive fashion. I've read time and time again how "The Wire" is basically a novel. It starts out kind of slow, gets all the pieces in motion, and than BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE! Much like season one, season two ends with a little disappointment (especially for fans who love seeing bad guys get theirs in the end....), but you couldn't help but snicker at "The Greek" actually not even being greek and walking away scot-free. Still though. I give season two a thumbs up and it's starting to look like this show could jump into my all-time top 10 (maybe even top 5) depending on how the other three seasons pan out.

The Wire: Season 1

Best Episode: "Cleaning Up"


Worst Episode: "The Cost"


Favorite Characters: Stringer Bell, Avon Barksdale. Wee-Bey, Wallace, Bunk Moreland, Omar Little, Poot, Herc, Lester Freamon, Jay Landsman, Stinkum


Least Favorite Characters: Major Rawls, Deputy Ervin Burrell, Warren Frazier, Brianna Barksdale. Clay Davis


Overall Grade: 9 out of 10. First of all, I've never been a big fan of crime drama shows, so the first time I watched "The Wire", it failed to suck me all the way in. However, I'm willing to give it a second chance and this time, I promise I'm going all the way through (last time, I didn't enjoy the second season and the show just lost me...). Just like the first time I watched the show, I absolutely loved the first season. The acting is top notch and there's a scene (WHERE WALLACE AT STRINGER???) that is one of the best I've ever seen on TV. There are so many interesting characters on the show, that I was immediately drawn in once again. The show starts off a little bit slow because they have to introduce some people and show the audience just how fucked up of a town Baltimore is. However, once things get rolling around the fourth or fifth episode, it's a non-stop ride that had me captivated, especially when members of Avon Barksdale's crew were on the screen. The mind games between the Baltimore police and Barksdale's crew were some of the best I've seen on television since season four of Breaking Bad when Walter White and Gus Fring traded blows. Yes, it may have ended a little disappointing (has there ever been a season finale as depressing as this seasons?), but once again, I'm excited to see how things play out. Just don't lose me again when we go back down to the docks.

Game of Thrones: Season 1

Best Episode: "Baelor"


Worst Episode: "Lord Snow"


Favorite Characters: Ned Stark, Joffrey Baratheon, Robert Baratheon, The Hound, Tyrion Lannister, Jon Snow, Khal Drogo,


Least Favorite Characters: Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish, Cersei Lannister, Jaime Lannister, Viserys Targaryen, Alliser Thorne, Grand Maester Pycelle, Walder Frey


Overall Grade: 10 out of 10. Absolutely captivating television. It took me awhile to watch "Game of Thrones" because it didn't look like the type of show that would catch my fancy, but man....I was wrong. This season was one of the best seasons of any television show I've ever seen, so that deserves a 10 rating in my book. From the beginning when King Robert Baratheon and company show up in Winterfell to the shocking ending that involved the death of one of the most important (if not THE most important) people on the show, I was captivated. If you haven't seen "Game of Thrones" yet, do yourself a favor and check it out. You'll thank me.

Welcome!

Welcome to the Ultimate Television Blog! I'm your main man Dustin James and this is a blog I created to keep track of shows that I've reviewed. Enjoy!