2. The Wire
First Episode: June 2nd, 2002 Final Episode: March 9th, 2008 Out of all of HBOs massively successful original dramas (Deadwood, Rome, In Treatment, Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire, Treme, True Blood and of course the ones appearing on this list), most people consider The Wire to be the greatest. With good reason, too. The writing/acting/technical work is outstanding. Theres deep sadness, as well as some of the funniest moments on television. You feel like youre watching something important and authentic, like the glimpses you get into Baltimores police, criminal, political, educational and press worlds are very real. Such tremendous characters, too. From the brilliant and amoral Stringer Bell, to the mystical and bad-ass Omar Little, to the charming and repugnant Clay Davies, there are plenty of people to love, hate, fear and pity. All of that led to a series that demanded to be watched. The finale was more of a whimper, not so much a bang. Because of the tone and style of the show, nothing else would have been appropriate. Flawlessly, The Wire pulls off what The Sopranos strove towards: an ending to this story, but clearly not the end of these characters. There is a definitive lack of resolution. McNultys season five scheming doesnt accomplish that much (though it does lead to that great metaphorical bitch slap of the lying reporter) and two of the most evil characters of the show come out unscathed. Whats coolest about the finale is the terrible implication that the game of cops and robbers is never going to stop. Certain players might depart, but others will step up and fill the empty roles. The Wires finale felt very right. But truth be told, there was very little jaw-droppery. Most of the big, HOLY GOD! moments occurred earlier in the season. So while The Wires finale was excellently executed, it didnt bash your face in, like some of the series other episodes. Perhaps complaining about that is like ordering a glass of wine and being irritated that it didnt give you the same kick as a shot of whiskey. Thankfully, Breaking Bad is going to kick brutally. Shot of whiskey nothing, were talking about flaming Bacardi 151. The realism of The Wire made an explosive finale impossible. With Breaking Bad, that isnt a problem.