All this carping about McNulty getting all the attention at the end of the series. I don't know how anyone could manage to miss it, but from day one McNulty has been the closest thing The Wire had to a lead character. I know it hasn't always seemed that way, but if you pay attention, McNulty's story was central to the series. That he may not be interesting is a matter of opinion, but for better or worse Dominic West was the star of the show (look at the DVD covers, only one character appears on every one of them).

I can see that, but I never thought McNulty was the central character. One of the joys of "The Wire" was that each season had a NEW central character, around which the story revolved.

D'Angelo is Season 1

Frank Sobotka in Season 2

The Reformers, Colvin, Bell, & Carcetti in Season 3

the four boys in Season 4

and Season 5? Didn't really seem to have one.

McNulty's main function, as great as he was, was to be a catalyst for the plot. He gets the wiretap going, pushes the unit on to chase Bell, creates the serial killer, and basically forces other characters into making choices they might have avoided otherwise.

I don't think there really is a main character in this series (beside Baltimore), but if I had to name one, it would obviously be McNulty. No single character symbolizes the fight between individuals and institutions (and the effect that fight has on the individuals) more than Jimmy.

I don't understand all the complaining about ending with McNulty.

Yeah, why not close the series with McNulty? Didn't the series open with him investigating the murder of some street kid named "Snot"?

Correction: Snot-Boogie

McNulty: "If Snot-Boogie always stole from you, why d'you let him play?"

Homie: "This is America man, you got to let him play."