I recently completed The Wire S1 and know that the new season is starting (started?) on HBO. Can I jump right in or should I wait to catch up first?

Please NO SPOILERS!!!!

I heard no. I heard the show is pretty serialized and alot of it won't make sense. I just got all 4 seasons currently out on DVD and I'm going to attempt a marathon to play catchup while DVR'ing Season 5.

I wouldn't. Each season adds a new aspect. Season 1 was the drug empire. Season 2 was the Docks/Russians, Season 3 ties the first two together and introduces the political side to things. Season 4 adds into the mix the children and the schools, and Season 5 is supposed to be about media. Each season adds on to the previous one. The characters evolve, change, more are added, etc.

I'd definitely try to catch up first.

No.

Record the new season and catch-up on the DVDs.

Yeah, you'll miss a lot of the nuances if you skip seasons.

what they said

FWIW, Season Four is on HBO on Demand.
And yes, you must watch every season before Season 5.

Absolutely not.

In continuing what those have said before, do yourself a favor and go chronologically.

I would assume they will keep all of S5 on demand for a bit after the season is over. So you can catch up.

Also, since this is the last season, maybe they won't wait too long to put out S5 on disc.

Yep this show is a masterpiece don't blow it. What they said, wait.

Nope. You have to watch sequentially. If you don't, Omar will hunt you down and make you his bitch.

You could skip 2, and just watch 3 and 4, then go back to 2 whenever.

That's what I was going to post. I watched 4, 1, 2, then 3. Not ideal and it took awhile for me to pick up who everybody was and I didn't make the Wei Bay connection until I want back and watched 4 again. 2 can be skipped in the grand scheme of things but it should be watched eventually.

The Wire is not a show to be rushed...
Take your time and watch each season in order. You'll be happy you did.

While I agree I think that Season 2 took the "detour", if you dont watch Season 2 you will miss out on some things in the future. As others have said do yourself a favor and watch all of the seasons in order, they are all "connected" in one way or another.

I would recommend watching it in order.

Mos' Def.

Be kinda like watching The Shield out of order...not too good.

Watch them in order, and don't skip season 2.

Yeah, I agree with not skipping Season 2. While the main plot is more or less standalone, you still follow the main characters from the other seasons, and some big plot developments occur that have major consequences in Season 3 .

If you can watch all the previous seasons, do it, but sometimes it's not always possible. I just got my girlfriend into the show, I started her on season 4 since she used to work in a school system, so I thought she would get a kick out of the shows representation of the school system, which she said is way too accurate. She's also into police procedurals and politics so shes really enjoying the other aspects of the show. I just pause whenever something needs to be explained, and I had her read all the main characters biographies on Wikpedia.

Just wanted to check back in briefly to say that I am taking everyone's advice and will start with S2 and move forward.

when does season 5 start on HBO? i havent checked the thread about it because i'm at the start of season 4 and dont want to risk spoilers, but i want to start getting season 5 on my DVR so i can catch up. its crazy how good this show is

i could not agree more - i am in the middle of S4 and i can't pull away. i keep saying to myself, "well, just one more episode ... "

You cannot skip Season 2. Are you guys kidding me? The Barksdale stuff? The Greek? This stuff may not be the main story focus through the season, but it has important stuff that leads into Season 3 and 4.

Jan. 6th 9PM if you have HBO OnDemand though it starts a week earlier.