ABATED BY DEATH

no more bang bang

The Wire, Season Four can't come soon enough but at least Season 3 went out beautifully. I've been talking up the show's charms for weeks now but as it has evolved, I have to say, if there's been a better show on cable or t.v. in the last two years, I don't know what it is. I'm a big fan of The Sopranos but the last two seasons have been listless and while I have high hopes for Deadwood, it's too early to call. You look at the ensemble cast for The Wire, the quality of the writing, how patient its storylines unfold, and there's just nothing that touches this.

That said, what we're looking forward to in '05: Alias, Season 4 (a show on the decline but I'll still give it a shot) and The Shield, Season 4.

This just in (thanks to Hayden): The Wire may not actually make it to Season 4. HBO - don't be no punks.