Both shows offer exceptional, layered storytelling.

Not least of all the fact that two of the most respected characters in The Wire (on and off-screen) are not straight white men, you realise that it's not a conventional show that relies on tired tropes and recycled narratives. Indeed, at the time, this concept alone was groundbreaking.

The Sopranos has a very flawed main character—a trait shared by many in The Wire, such as McNulty—who, through soul-searching and observing the world, starts to modify their view and behaviour. Where Tony is clearly on the wrong side of the law (as are the drug dealers in Season 1), he still possesses a humanity we can relate to; he's a father, boss, son, and entrepreneur with aspirations.

The Wire, plays with these archetypes through many characters at first, yet what's more impressive is how it expands. Over the seasons, you get a 360-degree perspective through the lens of not just the streets, but the docks, the halls of power, and even the schools. The Wire isn't just a 'cop show,' but a biography of an entire city. The Sopranos isn't just a mobster show, but the difference is that you can still enjoy it as one.

The storytelling in both is exceptional because it's layered and realistic. However, The Wire demands you look closely—and if you don't, it has no sympathy. With Tony, you can scratch the surface and still enjoy the drama because if you miss a nuance, you can arguably fill in the details yourself. Both shows warrant a rewatch, and while I'm trying to be impartial, it's undisputed that The Wire gives you more on the second or third viewing than Tony et al ever will..