The Wire

My favorite TV show is The Wire. It's a drama that takes place almost solely in Baltimore Maryland. It features a slew of characters all of whom are pertinent to the cast. Not one character can be removed from the show, as they all play a significant role in this extremely realistic and gritty series.

The Zeitgeist

The zeitgeist of The Wire is defined as the gritty underbelly of a large, successful city in modern times. It features those perpetrating the evil (drugs) spreading throughout it and those trying to save it in an extremely realistic manner. It touches on almost every aspect of a city from the school system to the streets to the docks and it does it in an effective manner that allows the viewers to empathize with the characters.

Avon Barksdale

Kingpin of the Barksdale Empire, Avon leads and controls the group cautiously and ruthlessly. He is a careful man, using pay-phones and pagers and never being in the same room as a gun or as the drugs he sells. He retains a 'Gangster' mentality, which differs from his partner Stringer Bell's mentality as a businessman. He speaks in slang whereas Stringer speaks calmly and cooly, but both characters are shrewd and intuitive.

Bodie Broadus

Bodie is intelligent and ruthless, he does what it takes to rise through the ranks of the Barksdale Empire, even to a point of murdering his friend. His relationship with the police force (Especially Herc, Carver and McNulty) develop well over time, going from hateful to relatively friendly. Bodie deals with the personal issues of being a drug dealer as well as murdering others. He clashes with D'Angelo's leadership at times.

Reginald 'Bubbles' Cousins

Bubbles is a heroin addict and a crucial informant for the police throughout the series. A sub-plot of the series is him trying to quit and better himself as a person, but he struggles and faces many problems along the ways. He has an audible Baltimore accent and speaks in a very unique way (Pronouncing "McNulty" as "Mc-Nutty").

William "Bunk" Moreland

Bunk is Jimmy McNulty's police partner and best friend. They are frequently seen conversing, drinking, or investigating together. Bunk is a middle aged black male who speaks clearly and is frequently poking fun at McNulty and others. He has some of the same problems that McNulty does regarding infidelity and alcoholism.

(Deputy) Commissioner Burrell is gruff and believes in a "chain of command" style of authority. He uses his influence to over power others and wants to ascend to Police Commissioner. It is under his orders that the task force to investigate the Barksdale empire after a Judge berates him for D'Angelo buying off a witness. Not much is known about his life outside the force besides his lust for power. He speaks fiercely and is almost always giving an order.