This is too narrow of a focus. Yes the Wire says all that about the drug trade but it also says quite a bit about the general nature of institutions and the pe

This is too narrow of a focus. Yes the Wire says all that about the drug trade but it also says quite a bit about the general nature of institutions and the people in them. The broader point is that the whole society is like "the game" and people are playing various roles in it. Whether it's a newspaper, union, police department, drug organization, politics, schools, and so on there's a fundamental dynamic between individual success, organizational success, and the general good. Some care only about their success (Rawls/The Reporter who makes up stuff) Some care about the greater good but sacrifice it for personal success (Mayor Littlefinger) Some want the organization to succeed (Sgt Fatso) Some want to do good but are thwarted (Daniels & the editor who's name I can't remmeber) Some do bad and throw it all away trying to do good (McNulty) And there's many more. Ultimately that's what the show is about.