For five seasons, The Wire was one of the most gripping shows on television. It was a brilliant look at how the war on drugs fought in the streets of America was not always black-and-white. It also played with expectations of who the heroes were and what kind of happy endings the characters would get in the end.
Certainly, from the beginning of the show until the end, The Wire shows its characters go through a lot. Looking at the first lines spoken on the show compared to the last lines is a solid indication of the characters' journeys and how far each of them may have come.
Marlo
"What's up?" - "Do you know who I am?"
Marlo Stanfield was introduced in the third season of the show as one of his men holds Bubbles at gunpoint and Marlo seems unconcerned if he lives or dies. After getting out of the game to become legitimate, Marlo randomly challenges a couple of thugs on the street and is nearly shot.
Marlo is introduced as a cold-blooded character who will kill without a second thought. That cold-bloodedness remains throughout the series and his final moments prove that he enjoys life on the streets way too much to walk away from it.
Daniels
"We taking the Mercedes?" - "Your Honor, I appreciate your concern."
In the first episode, Cedrick Daniels is introduced as the commanding officer of the narcotics squad, overseeing their latest bust. The final episode finds him pursuing his goals of becoming a lawyer and finds himself in court before his girlfriend Rhonda Pearlman who is now a judge.
From his first moments, Daniels is seen as a leader and he never really falls out of that position. He is also one of the few characters whose hard work and honesty pay off and he starts moving towards a career he truly wants.
Bunk
"What?" - "I'm gonna step back and kick no damn shell casing you don't mark with letters and numbers."
Bunk Moreland is introduced as the partner of fellow homicide detective Jimmy McNulty. In the first episode, McNulty is telling Bunk about a crime scene he had visited the night before. The finale finds Bunk with Kima as his new partner as they examine a murder scene.
Both scenes perfectly show what kind of man Bunk is and how he hasn't changed much over the course of the show. He is a detective who has been on the job a long time and is somewhat desensitized to the violence he witnesses. It also shows how he and Kima are destined to be a perfect pair as he and McNulty were.
Stringer
"You have a nice day." - "Well, get on with it mother-"
Stringer Bell is seen for the first time in court watching as his associate gets out of a murder charge and he arrogantly wishes the detectives a good day. His final moments come when he is cornered by Omar and Brother Mouzone and accepts his fate before being shot to death.
Stringer was always one of the most intelligent people in the game and enjoyed reminding the police of that. However, with all that intelligence, he still finds himself negotiating for his life at gunpoint before realizing this is the end of him.
Avon
"No, I ain't inviting Marcel." - "Always."
Avon is introduced in the first episode as the big criminal player in town while he is at his club and keeping his people in check. He makes a surprise appearance in the final season when he meets Marlo, his old rival during a prison visit. Marlo tells him "The game is the game," which Avon certainly understands.
Interestingly, Avon seems more relaxed behind bars than he seemed when he was out on the streets. His final appearance also confirms that prison has not stopped him from making money and being in a power position.
Kima
"Yo, ease up." - "And make sure you don't step on that shell casing behind you."
The first episode introduces Kim Greggs, a narcotics detective who is in the middle of an operation with an informant in the car with her. By the finale, Greggs has become a homicide detective and is seen working a crime scene with Bunk.
Both moments show Kima dedicated to her job yet calm and collected. Though she suggests at times that she wants something else, she loves police work and is very good at it."
Bubbles
"Here we go." - "I can't eat 'em all."
Bubbles makes his first appearance as he is crudely making some counterfeit money to scam some drug dealers. After a lot of tragedy and struggles, Bubbles gets clean and lives in his sister's basement where he brings her home some take-out food.
This is the perfect glimpse at one of the best arcs in the show. Bubbles starts at the very bottom and gradually gets his life together, even if it isn't perfect. Though his sister is still mistrusting of him, the final montage sees him joining her and her family for dinner.
Lester
"Golden gloves, how'd you hear that?" - "You coming?"
Though he first seems like a useless cop, Lester Freamon picks up on a small detail that leads to a break in the investigation into Avon Barksdale. He continues to prove he is a good cop until he and McNulty are fired in the final season. Lester doesn't seem to take it too hard and invites McNulty for a drink.
Lester is probably the smartest person on the show and that first moment where he proves himself is a winner. In the end, he loses his job but he seems to think it was well worth it, showing that it was always just about good police work for Lester.
Omar
"You see that?" - "Let me get one of them, too."
In his first appearance, Omar Little is spying on the Barksdale crew and determining where they hide their stash so he can rob them. After defying the odds and surviving on the streets for years, Omar is shot in the head while buying some cigarettes from the store.
It is a badass first moment for the iconic character, setting him up as a skilled outlaw without fear. However, his demise is also fitting as Omar is killed by a little kid who is just trying to make a name for himself.
McNulty
"So your boy's name is what?" - "Let's go home."
Detective Jimmy McNulty gets the honor of the first and last lines in the show. His first lines come during the first scene in the show as he is questioning a witness at a murder scene. His last lines come as he is overlooking Baltimore and considering his future.
Despite his many flaws, McNulty was always a good detective and the first scene shows why. The final line is less about McNulty and more of a nod to the city that will remain flawed in many ways but worth fighting for.