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Series 5 of The Wire is A LOT better second time around.
Yes, its the weakest, and it sags in the middle.
But being prepared for what's coming really does improve matters, I've found. It reads almost like a black, black comedy - especially McNulty's shit. And the pathos of the newspaper thread shines through a lot more.
My advice: if you thought it was a bit shit, give it another go.