Release Date: 12/4/07

The Show

Growing up in East Boston, I have an appreciation for the working class, and the daily struggles and temptations that each person has to endure in order to lead a fulfilling life. Of course, life’s full of choices, some more difficult than others, and it’s those hard choices that ultimately lead you down the path of life. So it should go without saying that HBO’s The Wire struck a chord with me as the series’ fourth season tag line reads, “No corner left behind.” Now, I didn’t exactly grow up on gang-ridden streets by any means, but at the same time, the streets weren’t exactly clean. Let’s just say I had my share of run-ins with the less than desirable types, intentional and unintentional. And that’s what makes The Wire such a great series, as it blurs the line between good and evil as the cops and dealers play “The Game.”

What may seem like any other “cop show” on television, The Wire takes the formula and turns it on its head as the series follows the experiences of four young boys from the streets of Baltimore, Michael, Namond, Rand, and Dukie. This season takes a look at the failing school system touching on themes of equal opportunity and the pursuit of the American dream. On the other side of the fence are the police who bring us back to a world most of us try to see in a black and white view on our color television newscasts. Without getting too philosophical, these kids are faced with a number of tempting choices that generally do not lead to a happy ending in either scenario that forces viewers to really question how this country is run. The glamorous thus life or a meager life at the end of a poor education system await them at the end of the line in this season of a gripping series.

The 4-disc set includes all 13 episodes from the fourth season with a Play All option found on each disc.
Disc 1
1. Boys of Summer
2. Soft Eyes
3. Home Rooms
Disc 2
1. Refugees
2. Alliances
3. Margin of Error
4. Unto Others
Disc 3
1. Corner Boys
2. Know Your Place
3. Misgivings
4. A New Day
Disc 4
1. That’s Got His Own
2. Final Grades

The DVD

The main menu comes with a nice introduction and animated backgrounds with music that plays throughout. The transitions utilized make the entire experience very seamless and overall, this is a very well executed system that scores on style and functionality.

The video transfer is offered in 1.33:1 Fullscreen Format. The picture looks brilliant with vivid colors and strong details. This transfer is free of flaws and grain. With the stylistic direction (or lack thereof) that the show contains, it would have been a shame if the picture wasn’t perfect, and it’s definitely nothing short of that.

The audio is offered in English Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital 2.0, and Spanish Dolby Digital. 2.0. The sound certainly surprised me as there was plenty of positional sound. The 5.1 actually gets some use and it wasn’t entirely frontloaded like I had expected even if it was only used to subtly set the scene of dire urban landscapes. The dialogue is crisp and clear while the music and sound effects come through with sharp clarity. Subtitles are offered in English, French, and Spanish.

The Extras

The 4-disc set comes in 4 slimline cases with the episode guide and descriptions found on the backs of each case. It’s all encased within a cardboard slipcover.

Audio Commentary is provided by series creator, David Simon, and the cast and crew for 6 episodes: Refugees, Margin of Error, Boys of Summer, A New Day, That’s Got His Own, and Final Grades.

Also available is an hour-long behind the scenes feature documentary broken up into 2 parts entitled. It’s All Connected and The Game is Real. Interviews with the cast and crew are offered and this is one of the most substantial behind the scenes pieces I’ve seen in a while, diving into the background and writing of the series.

Final Thoughts

I thoroughly enjoyed The Wire – The Complete Fourth Season and it’s quality television like this that makes me keep my HBO subscription long after series like The Sopranos go off the air. This is an easy purchase and will most definitely cause me to go back and check out the prior three seasons.

- Morris Tang