This is a very good rundown of the many strong points of "The Wire." I finally watched the whole series for the first time last fall, and I feel like I watched it at exactly the right time to better understand the worsening shitshow of our country (although, frankly, it's always been messed up).

You're absolutely right--it's a very human show. One season you're mad at characters for shooting someone in cold blood (even though it's just business) and the next you're devastated when that character himself is killed.

The Wire should definitely be #1 on most Best TV lists.