_“We Own This City!” - Wayne Jenkins_

If not for some of the political overtones, this show could have been truly remarkable. Perhaps they might have been better interwoven into the plot without being hammered over the head with them. A relentless barrage of political propaganda and agenda-driven writing, make the story difficult to enjoy; nevertheless, while not as compelling as The Wire, We Own This City is a testament that Simon and co have perfected this genre.

It's entertaining and intriguing. The show does suffer from its adherence to reality and fragmented continuity that favours brilliance above comprehension. Simon's signature is still present; he examines institutional stagnation and failure while remaining grounded at the street level. Also, as is Simon's practice, he explores all sides of an issue rather than focusing exclusively on one perspective.

It is likely that We Own This City would have benefited from a longer runtime since it lacks the same depth of character development as The Wire, which uses well-developed characters to show how society shapes individuals. As a result of Jon Bernthal's character being written with the greatest care, his performance is the most riveting among the cast. Even simply for Jon Bernthal's performance, this show is worth seeing.

Rating: **7.2/10**