The Wire is my all time favorite. Currently watching The Shield and while it’s not bad, it’s more of an edgy Law and Order type cop show.
I don’t think anything truly measures up to The Wire but just wanted to hear about anyone else’s recommendations.
This was one of my suggestions as well.
I always watched it with captions because the Shakespearian-ish language could be hard to follow sometimes. Not in a bad way, it was actually fun. I remember a scene where the dumb mayor is getting his orders from Swearingen, and finally whines in frustration (paraphrasing) “I don’t understand what you are talking about!”
Truly great show in evey way - writing, directing, acting, production design, costumes, etc.