Follows a single sprawling drug and murder investigation in Baltimore. Told from the point of view of both the police and their targets, where easy distinctions between good and evil are challenged at every turn.

Collective title from container, episode titles from disc menus. Created by David Simon. Originally produced as episodes of the television program The wire in 2002.

disc 1. The target (with optional audio commentary by Simon) / teleplay by David Simon, directed by Clark Johnson -- The detail (with optional audio commentary by Johnson) / teleplay by David Simon, directed by Clark Johnson -- The buys / teleplay by David Simon, directed by Peter Medak -- disc 2. Old cases / teleplay by David Simon, directed by Clement Virgo -- The pager / teleplay by Ed Burns, directed by Clark Johnson -- disc 3. The wire / teleplay by David Simon, directed by Ed Bianchi -- One arrest / teleplay by Rafael Alvarez, directed by Joe Chappelle -- Lessons / teleplay by David Simon, directed by Gloria Muzio -- disc 4. Game day / teleplay by David H. Melnick, directed by Milcho Manchevski -- The cost / teleplay by David Simon, directed by Brad Anderson -- The hunt / teleplay by Joy Lusco, directed by Steve Shill -- disc 5. Cleaning up (with optional audio commentary by Simon & Pelecanos) / teleplay by George P. Pelecanos, directed by Clement Virgo -- Sentencing / written by David Simon & Ed Burns, directed by Tim Van Patten.