The Wire
It's a crime-drama mainly about the drug war in Baltimore and how it impacts the people and each institution of the city (law enforcement, politics, street life, the seaport system, the education system, and the media.)
The gritty realism presented in the show is unlike anything I’ve ever seen on television. Every issue plaguing urban life is tackled with such brutal honesty and vivid detail that it's like you're witnessing real life unfold before your very eyes. The storylines are all given proper attention to highlight what the problems are and the actions being taken to resolve them. It makes it a fascinating watch exploring each section of the city and its relationship to crime and poverty. Even though there are clear “good guys” and “bad guys,” most have shades of gray which make their decisions and motivations understandable. The way everyone interacts with one another and their environment even shows a lot of similarities between them and the different world’s they’re a part of. It’s something you’ll rarely or not even see in standard police procedurals, because it’s so much more than that. The way the story portrays and connects everything together make it a truly profound experience.
Baltimore itself is pretty much the main character of the series, and the inhabitants are its humanity. And man oh man… there are tons of memorable characters all of whom are incredibly well-written and acted to pure perfection, especially Michael K. William’s portrayal of Omar- the greatest tv character ever imo. They feel like people you know or have seen in real life (and a lot of them are based on real people.) Whether it’s the cops, drug dealers, or even the politicians, the characters have depth and are given proper development. They are all relatable on some level and the situations they are thrusted into make it easy to cheer for them to crawl their way out. Even though we care for them, it makes it all the harder when you see a lot of them fall through the cracks. Sadly, it’s all in the game.
I have the likes of Breaking Bad, Fargo, and Sherlock in my top 10, but none have managed to achieve what The Wire has done. It may not be an easy watch unless you approach it with a mature mindset willing to learn, but I highly recommend it.