The Wire (Season 1)

Gritty, powerful, complex

Just a few minutes into the first episode I understood why this is one of the most well-loved HBO series. The plot is intricate, the stakes are high, and the actors are top-notch. Set in Baltimore, the first season gives us a peak behind the curtain at the street-level drug trade, money in powerful circles, and good cop/bad cops on the case. If you enjoy other television heavy hitters like The Sopranos, Breaking Bad, or True Detective, you might enjoy this series.