Just finished rewatching the first series as at first watch I didn't really get the hype , but , sat and worked my way through it and I've come to the conclusion that it really is a great show.
Noticed a lot more going on this time and upgrade it to almost sopranos.
I also reread the book Homicide : A Year On The Killing Streets by David Simon. Some of the stories and characters from the book make it into The Wire and some of the Detectives from the book play parts in The Wire , definitely worth a read.