At the Irish Left Review there’s an interesting analysis of The Wire written by Seannachie (a sometime commenter here) that views the show as, in some respects, an allegory of contemporary capitalism while also looking at how it can be seen to straddle the Bush and Obama eras. I wouldn’t agree with everything he says, but it’s an interesting read and a futher reminder that the show’s genius lies, like that of all great art, in the range of coherent yet conflicting interpretations that may be made of it.
This part, however, I do agree with:-
In fact it is interesting how much of the detail from the show’s depiction of West Baltimore is similar to Obama’s fine memoir Dreams from my Father; the area, like the southside Chicago of Obama’s book, is being crushed under the weight of unemployment, drugs and gun crime, with the only centres of civic support being provided by the local churches and quixotically benevolent individuals like ex-con boxing coach Cuttiey, cop-turned-teacher Roland Pryzbylewski and the former drug addict Walon, played by Steve Earle.
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