Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

Season 3 – The Wire

Play trailer Poster for Season 3 – The Wire 2004 Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
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.
Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

Where to Watch

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (21) Critics Reviews
Sid Smith Chicago Tribune 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. Oct 22, 2019 Full Review Stanley Crouch Slate 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. Oct 22, 2019 Full Review Joy Press Village Voice 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. Oct 21, 2019 Full Review Phoebe Flowers South Florida Sun-Sentinel 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. Oct 21, 2019 Full Review Chauncey Mabe South Florida Sun-Sentinel 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. Oct 21, 2019 Full Review Roger Catlin Hartford Courant It's not hard to get into the compelling, hard-edged saga as good as any cinematic offering; it's hard to escape once you're in. Oct 19, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (33) audience reviews
Daniel J 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. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/25/24 Full Review Ric J Absolutely worth the hype, and then some. Any detractor that calls this “slow paced” should stick to “Fast and Furious” movies and TikTok. It’s thought provoking, and thoroughly entertaining. I’ve watched the series through prob a dozen times over the years, and I always catch something new in the methodical, multi-layered storytelling employed by David Simon and the other writers. Season three and four might be the pinnacle of the series, but they’re all worthy of your time. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/14/24 Full Review Isaac D One of the greatest seasons of television ever made. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/30/24 Full Review Daryl D I want you to put the word out there. That we back up. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/13/23 Full Review Benjamin H Immaculately written, excellently acted and perfectly in the moment, The Wire Season 3 sees David Simon bringing an even more layered and thought-provoking exploration of the politics, law enforcement and criminal elements of Baltimore city and the final result is a fittingly harsh, realistically complex and utterly transifixing season that lifts this amazing show to new heights. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/22/23 Full Review tyler o My favorite season of the series; a great conclusion to an earlier storyline and insight ahead of its time around decriminalization. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Wire — Season 3

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

View All Cast and Crew

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

More Like This

View All Popular TV on Streaming
We Own This City 93% 78% We Own This City Watchlist TRAILER for We Own This City The Sopranos 92% 96% The Sopranos Watchlist Boardwalk Empire 92% 95% Boardwalk Empire Watchlist True Detective 79% 59% True Detective Watchlist TRAILER for True Detective The Night Of 94% 93% The Night Of Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Related TV News

View All Related TV News
Everything You Need to Know Before You Binge-Watch The Wire
View All The Wire — Season 3 photos

The Wire — Season 3

The Wire The Wire The Wire 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