These four shows come up in every conversation about the best TV ever made. This One Gotta Go card puts them in the same room: The Sopranos, The Wire, Breaking Bad and Boardwalk Empire. Each one has a famous lead, a loyal fan base and at least one episode people still talk about.
You keep three and remove one from TV history forever. Think about the series you have rewatched, the one you still recommend to everyone and the one you never quite finished. Then make your pick, and be ready for a long conversation, because fans of these shows know every detail.
The Sopranos vs The Wire vs Breaking Bad vs Boardwalk Empire
A. The Sopranos
The Sopranos followed mob boss Tony Soprano and changed what a TV drama could be when it premiered on HBO in 1999. Its ending is still talked about. The case against it is the slower pace in some seasons, which can test newer viewers used to faster shows.
Keep it if: You think Tony Soprano is the most complex character ever written for TV, and you have opinions about the ending.
B. The Wire
The Wire looked at Baltimore from every side, from the streets to the schools to city hall. Critics call it one of the best shows ever made. It is also dense and slow to start, so a lot of people give up before it clicks for them.
Keep it if: You stuck with it past the first few episodes and now recommend it to anyone who says they love great TV.
C. Breaking Bad
Breaking Bad follows Walter White from chemistry teacher to drug kingpin, and it is known for one of the strongest endings in TV. It is gripping from start to finish. If anything, its popularity makes it the most familiar, which can make it the bold cut.
Keep it if: You watched it week by week or in a single binge and still think about how perfectly the story was built.
D. Boardwalk Empire
Boardwalk Empire is set in Atlantic City during Prohibition, with Steve Buscemi in the lead and huge production values. It is beautiful to watch. It also gets mentioned less than the other three, which makes it the easiest choice for some viewers.
Keep it if: You love period dramas, gangster history and great costumes, and you think the show deserves more attention.
Our take
We would cut Boardwalk Empire. It is a strong show, but the other three are the ones that defined what modern TV drama looks like, and they each have a very loyal following. The most fun debate is usually The Sopranos against Breaking Bad, since both have legendary main characters and big opinions about their endings. Ask everyone which show they would recommend to a friend who has never seen any of them.
How to play this card with friends
- Read the four choices out loud.
- Everyone picks the one they'd eliminate at the same time.
- Explain your pick. This is where the fun starts.
- Use the follow-up questions below to keep it going.
Follow-up questions to keep the debate going
- Which crime drama do people call the best but never finished?
- Which ending was the most satisfying?
- Who is the greatest TV character from these four shows?
- What crime drama would you add to this card?
Want more debates like this? Get the One Gotta Go card game for game night, family dinners and road trips. Shop the decks.
Crime Dramas: quick answers
Is The Wire or The Sopranos better?
Both shows are often ranked among the greatest TV dramas. The Sopranos is praised for its main character and its influence on TV, while The Wire is praised for its look at an entire city and its realism. The best one depends on whether you prefer a character study or a wide view of a system.
Where can you watch The Sopranos and The Wire?
Both series were made by HBO, so they are usually available on HBO's streaming service. Streaming rights can change over time, so check your current service or a streaming guide before you start a rewatch.
