Up until the past 15 years or so, television series were firmly episodic.  Serialized TV (outside of mini-series) risked alienating viewers since it stopped anyone from coming in mid-season.  However, with the rise of DVDs, OnDemand, and digital downloads, serialized TV series have become firmly established.  Some shows still retain an episodic nature, but some series—particularly dramas—have been built around telling one long story over the course of an entire season.  Our new feature, Seasoned, will review a TV series by season rather than by episode.

Hit the jump for my review of the fourth season of The Wire.  Click on the corresponding links for my reviews of Season 1, Season 2, and Season 3.

As a young actor, you can’t ask for a much better debut vehicle than Attack the Block.  John Boyega came out of that movie a star, but it was not immediate clear what Hollywood would do with a black, teenage, British star best known for playing a hoodlum.  The answer is very satisfying: Boyega has signed with HBO to star in the boxing drama Da Brick.  The show is loosely based on Mike Tyson’s upbringing, motivated by an offhand conversation between Tyson and producer Doug Ellin (Entourage).  In the fictional version, Boyega will play “Donnie, who, after his release from juvenlie detention on his 18th birthday begins an exploration of what it means to be a man for himself and those around him.”  Milauna Jemai (Lincoln Heights), Julito McCullum (The Wire), and Kamahl Naiqui (Gossip Girl) form the supporting cast.  Hit the jump for details on their roles.