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Season 3 – The Wire

Play trailer Poster for Season 3 – The Wire Sep 2004 Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 21 Reviews 97% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
This series looks at the narcotics scene in Baltimore through the eyes of law enforcers as well as the drug dealers and users. Other facets of the city that are explored in the series are the government and bureaucracy, schools and the news media. The show was created by former police reporter David Simon, who also wrote many of the episodes.
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The Wire — Season 3

The Wire — Season 3

What to Know

Critics Consensus

In its third season, The Wire's taut, unflinching examination of Baltimore expands from the criminal underworld to the top of the political machine.

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Critics Reviews

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Sid Smith Chicago Tribune 10/22/2019
It pays off after meticulous, devoted viewing, delivering rewards not unlike those won by readers who conquer Joyce, Faulkner or Henry James. The story is unrelieved grime, a sickening, sprawling epic. Go to Full Review Stanley Crouch Slate 10/22/2019
Within the limits of its form, The Wire is a masterpiece and will continue to be as long as it can maintain the depth of the standards it has set for itself. Go to Full Review Joy Press Village Voice 10/21/2019
Still one of the most underappreciated crime shows on television, The Wire kicks off its ever subtle third season with the precarious power struggles among Baltimore drug dealers and crime fighters alike. Go to Full Review Phoebe Flowers South Florida Sun-Sentinel 10/21/2019
The Wire works in persistent shades of gray; there are no musical cues, no delirious editing, to force you to snap to attention. It's one of the best shows on television because of its complexities -- moral, situational and otherwise. Go to Full Review Chauncey Mabe South Florida Sun-Sentinel 10/21/2019
The writing is impeccable, the acting -- mostly by black actors seldom seen elsewhere -- downright brilliant. This is a drama that, for all its dark humor, rises again and again to Shakespearean levels of tragedy. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Joakim U @Sweden123 Jun 23 This show is like Lost. The first season is phenomenal, the rest is just riding on the hype. First season is clever and tricky, the second is a fresh breath but a bit thin. What ever this is now, I dont know. Its def not a 5 star show See more Tristan B @tristan3 Jun 17 [BOT] Rewatched recently and it still holds up. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Sep 21 12 successful episodes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ages 17 and older!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Originally aired on Home Box Office (HBO)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Gareth v @geewah 07/24/2025 The Wire at its absolute peak: thrilling, morally complex, and unflinchingly intelligent. A masterclass in long-form storytelling that cements the show’s legendary status. See more Angel H @RT66740823 07/18/2025 Great show!! I'm from Baltimore & it's interesting to watch. I see all those places that most are now gone. They've been torn down, revitalized or commercialized as business parks, hotels, casino if you get close to the Harbor. But I digress..lol The show has an amazing take on the drug trade & the toll it takes on every day life in Baltimore. It didn't skimp on the dark, dirty underbelly of gangs or the police. There was & is plenty of it to go around. This show really did bring a lot of great actors into the forefront. This is definitely worth the watch, I even binge it every so often. It's a great reminder on why as much as I love my hometown, I'll never live there again... See more Daniel J @RT09585054 12/25/2024 Fantastic writing and acting. With this season, especially after building upon the previous two, the series removed all doubt that it is among the greatest ever made. See more Read all reviews
The Wire — Season 3

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Cast & Crew

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John Doman

William A. Rawls

Idris Elba

Russell "Stringer" Bell

Frankie Faison

Comm. Ervin H. Burrell

Wood Harris

Avon Barksdale

Domenick Lombardozzi

Det. Thomas "Herc" Hauk

Deirdre Lovejoy

Rhonda Pearlman

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 19, 2004 Time After Time Urban reform forces the Barksdale drug crew to find a new home; the mayor informs Burrell that the number of murders must come down. Details Episode 2 Aired Sep 26, 2004 All Due Respect Omar continues to make bold strikes on Barksdale stash houses; McNulty launches an investigation into a prison suicide. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 3, 2004 Dead Soldiers A blown wire tap forces Daniels' detail to turn to a new target; Omar and his crew stick up a Barksdale stash house; Cutty struggles to stay on the straight and narrow. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 10, 2004 Amsterdam Greggs learns how Marlo takes care of business; Carcetti reveals his political ambitions; McNulty reconnects with Stringer. Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 17, 2004 Straight and True Colvin arms himself with intelligence from Daniels' detail; Carcetti wants to fix the witness protection program; Omar struggles with dissension in the ranks. Details Episode 6 Aired Oct 31, 2004 Homecoming Stringer Bell gets an education in construction management; Bunk delivers a searing message to Omar; Daniels keeps up the front of marriage to Marla. Details Episode 7 Aired Nov 7, 2004 Back Burners Herc discovers a blast from the past; Omar grapples with guilt; Bunk receives a gift-wrapped surprise; McNulty tracks Terri to Washington. Details Episode 8 Aired Nov 14, 2004 Moral Midgetry McNulty and Greggs embark on a road trip; Carcetti confronts a hurdle; Marlo appears to take the bait. Details Episode 9 Aired Nov 21, 2004 Slapstick McNulty and Prez turn up in the wrong alley; Cutty finds help; Bubbles is wired up; Pearlman and Daniels confront a cell-phone company. Details Episode 10 Aired Nov 28, 2004 Reformation Brother Mouzone returns to Baltimore; Colvin puts off a reporter; Burrell delivers news to City Hall; Pearlman and Daniels plead their case. Details Episode 11 Aired Dec 12, 2004 Middle Ground Stringer and Avon reminisce; Cutty hits upon an unusual benefactor for his gym; McNulty finds a key piece of the puzzle in an unlikely place. Details Episode 12 Aired Dec 19, 2004 Mission Accomplished Avon readies his troops for a war against Marlo; the detail works toward the top rungs of the Barksdale organization; McNulty reassesses his pursuit of Stringer Bell. Details

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The Wire — Season 3

The Wire View more photos

Season Info

Director
Ernest R. Dickerson, Agnieszka Holland, Christine Moore, Ed Bianchi, Timothy Van Patten, Rob Bailey, Joe Chappelle, Steve Shill, Alex Zakrzewski, Dan Attias, Leslie Libman
Screenwriter
David Simon, Ed Burns, George Pelecanos, Richard Price, Joy Kecken, Dennis Lehane
Network
HBO
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Sep 19, 2004
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