'The Wire': Links for reviews to every episode

(Editor’s note: This post was originally published on December 26, 2014. ‘The Wire’ can now be streamed via Max.)

Earlier today, HBO Signature began a marathon of the remastered, high-definition version of “The Wire.” As previously discussed, this isn’t the optimal way to watch the show, which was filmed with a 4:3 aspect ratio image in mind throughout its run, but David Simon and company did what they could to not compromise the look too much (and, on occasion, found that certain scenes looked better in widescreen).

If you happen to have some time off at the moment – say, due to a ubiquitous holiday break – and are watching the marathon, you might want to keep my reviews of each episode handy, whether you’re a first-time viewer who’s been waiting all along to see the show in high-def, a former viewer curious to see how the new versions look, or simply a fan using this as an excuse to watch “The Wire” again for the umpteenth time.

Because I wrote these reviews across two sites, and out of order, I figured it would be useful to do a post with a master list to reviews of every single episode, in chronological order. I began reviewing the show episode-by-episode in season 4, so those last two seasons were covered the same way I would any other current show, in real time. After the series ended, I went back and revisited seasons 1 through 3, presenting two different versions of each review: one just for the newbies, and one for the veteran viewers who wouldn’t be spoiled by discussion of what came later.

So get back to marathoning, if you so desire, and keep these links handy if you want to immerse yourself even deeper into the experience as you watch. Also, I’m curious how people feel the remastered versions look. I’m hip-deep in screeners for upcoming 2015 shows, so I doubt I’ll get a chance to watch the new versions anytime soon.

SEASON 1

Episode 1: “The Target” Veterans | Newbies

Episode 2: “The Detail” Veterans | Newbies

Episode 3: “The Buys” Veterans | Newbies

Episode 4: “Old Cases” Veterans | Newbies

Episode 5: “The Pager” Veterans | Newbies

Episode 6: “The Wire” Veterans | Newbies

Episode 7: “One Arrest” Veterans | Newbies

Episode 8: “Lessons” Veterans | Newbies

Episode 9: “Game Day” Veterans | Newbies

Episode 10: “The Cost” Veterans | Newbies

Episode 11: “The Hunt” Veterans | Newbies