The Wire’s influence can still be felt within the crime genre. The series reached a satisfying conclusion in its season 5 finale, with a subversive lack of closure as all the institutional problems remain, but it’s interesting to ponder what could have been.
Every season of The Wire explored a different institution within the city of Baltimore that contributed to the problems depicted in the show. Season 1 explored the illegal drug trade through Major Crimes’ takedown of the Barksdale Organization; season 2 explored the death of the working class through corrupt dock workers; season 3 explored local government through Tommy Carcetti’s mayoral election campaign; season 4 explored the public school system through some at-risk youths; and season 5 explored the news media through a fabricated serial killer. If The Wire got a sixth season, what institution would it have focused on?
David Simon Wanted To Do A Season Of The Wire About Immigration
Another Season Of The Wire Would've Explored Baltimore's Latino Community
In an interview with Vice, Simon was asked if there were any other themes he would’ve liked to explore if The Wire had gotten another season. Simon said that he would’ve loved to do a season of The Wire exploring immigration. He noted that the city had “almost no Latino population” when he was a reporter there. But throughout the 2000s, when The Wire was on the air, a lot of Central Americans moved to Southeast Baltimore. Simon described it as “an incredibly vibrant immigrant community” that would’ve been a perfect subject matter for The Wire.
The Wire aired its series finale on March 9, 2008.
Much like season 2 at the docks and season 4 at the school, this would’ve been an opportunity to introduce a whole new cast of characters to The Wire’s ensemble. But that meant that Simon couldn’t plant an immigration season in the middle of a multi-season storyline, because it would involve breaking away from those characters. Given the inconsistent renewal schedule for the series, it was tough for Simon to find a place to squeeze in an immigration storyline, so it ended up not happening. But it would’ve been a fascinating topic for The Wire to explore.
Immigration Wouldn't Have Been The Focus Of The Wire Season 6
It Would've Been Season 4 & Everything Else Would've Been Pushed Back
Immigration wouldn’t have been the focus of The Wire season 6; rather, it would’ve been the focus of season 4 and everything else would’ve been pushed back. Simon explains that there was a break of almost two years between seasons 3 and 4, because HBO was unsure about renewing the show. The network was “on the fence” about whether to continue the series. So, by the time HBO finally decided to pull the trigger on a fourth season, it was too late for Simon and his writers to do the extensive research required to do the subject of immigration justice.
By the time HBO finally decided to pull the trigger on a fourth season, it was too late for Simon and his writers to do the extensive research required to do the subject of immigration justice.
Instead, they had to pivot to a subject they already had some understanding of: the public school system. Season 4’s public school storyline ended up leading directly into season 5’s media storyline. Simon felt that the media was the perfect subject for the final season, since it turned the lens back on the show itself, so he ended the series there without a season 6. In an ideal world, Simon would’ve been able to explore immigration in season 4 and what eventually became the season 4-5 arc would’ve been pushed to season 5-6.
Simon Also Considered Exploring The Healthcare System In The Wire
The Wire Briefly Touched On Healthcare In Season 4
In discussing a potential sixth season of The Wire, when the interviewer mentioned healthcare and the finance industry as possible subjects for another season, Simon revealed that he and the writers did consider tackling the healthcare system. Throughout the interview, Simon made it clear that he has very strong opinions about the U.S. healthcare system. He said that “any effort to rationally incorporate all Americans” under a national notion of “We’re in this together” is quickly marginalized. And he’s right; there’s a massive inequity in something that should be a universal human right (and, in many countries, is).
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Simon noted that the problems with the healthcare system are the same problems as the public education system. The setting of a hospital would’ve been different from the setting of a school, but they ultimately would’ve been making the same points: the institutions are underfunded, the workers are underpaid, and millions of Americans suffer because of it. Everyone should have an equal right to quality healthcare, just like they should have an equal right to quality education, but in each case, it’s much easier for wealthy people.
The setting of a hospital would’ve been different from the setting of a school, but they ultimately would’ve been making the same points: the institutions are underfunded, the workers are underpaid, and millions of Americans suffer because of it.
The Wire did touch on healthcare briefly in season 4. After Cutty gets shot, he’s itted to hospital and gets the bare minimum treatment because he doesn’t have insurance. His nurse is initially dismissive towards him, because she assumes he’s a gangster, but when she learns that he’s a reformed convict who was trying to get a kid off the streets, she warms up to him. This subplot teased what a season of The Wire set in an underfunded hospital might look like. Not only could it explore healthcare; it would be an intimate setting to explore vulnerable human relationships.
Why The Wire Season 6 Didn't Happen
The Wire Had To Fend Off Cancelation Throughout Its Entire Run
Although The Wire was universally praised by critics as a TV masterpiece throughout its entire run, that critical success unfortunately didn’t translate into success in the ratings. Usually, when a show is hailed by critics, audiences respond and a fervent fan base grows. The Sopranos, Breaking Bad, and Game of Thrones all became blockbuster shows off the back of their critical acclaim. But The Leftovers, Arrested Development, and Freaks and Geeks all received similar acclaim and all struggled to find an audience. Unfortunately, The Wire fell into the latter category.
The Wire is currently available to stream in its entirety on Max.
Despite being consistently named one of the best shows on TV, The Wire had to fend off cancelation every season. HBO wanted to cancel The Wire after season 3, since Stringer’s death and Avon’s imprisonment had convinced them it would be a natural stopping point. Simon managed to negotiate for two more seasons so he could explore the education system and the media before giving the series a proper ending. But even if Simon hadn’t wanted to stop after season 5, it was highly unlikely that HBO would greenlight The Wire season 6.
Source: Vice
The Wire, debuting in 2002, is a series that explores the complex world of Baltimore's narcotics scene, presenting perspectives from both law enforcement and their targets. It delves into how the war on drugs has evolved into a self-perpetuating institution, blurring moral boundaries between right and wrong.
- Seasons
- 5
- Streaming Service(s)
- MAX
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