HBO to Air Digitally Remastered Marathon of The Wire (UPDATED)

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The Wire is often called the greatest TV show of all time, so we’re going to assume you’ve probably seen it. But just in case you never quite got around to watching and have been faking it for years at cocktail and dinner parties, now’s your chance. HBO is running digitally remastered versions of the series every weeknight starting this Thursday, September 4. Set your DVRs and in 12 weeks we’ll all be sharing Omar’s last cheese stands alone moment together.
It’s tempting to think that this rewatch event is inspired by the smash success of the recent Every Simpsons Ever marathon, but given the digitally remastered angle, it’s clear this plan has been in the works for awhile. It also may mean that HBO will finally release The Wire on Blu-Ray, having just announced the release of The Sopranos. However long HBO has had these plans in the works, this kind of coordinated rewatch will inevitably draw comparisons to the national fascination with The Simpsons that dominated the end of this summer. The nostalgia factor won’t be as high, and the quoting game won’t be quite as fun, be I do look forward to “you come at the king, you best not miss” making its way back into every day conversation.

There are pleasures to be had in a marathon of The Wire, whether this is your first time or your fiftieth. Beyond the superficial joys of seeing actors like Michael B. Jordan and Idris Elba at the beginning of their careers, there’s the deeper realization that the passionate appeals for social justice in David Simon’s show are as applicable today as it ever was.