im mid season 3 of the wire and i am starting to agree. it is a bit slow but unbelievably good. there are so many characters that are just good characters, aside from the likeable ones even...
i think it really depends where dexter goes with season 5, it has its flaws and is a way different type of show but it is still really really good. the office (u.s.) was amazing until just about season 5 where it became more of a drama about lame romances than a comedy about basically nothing. i dont know im fairly picky about shows but even amongst my favorites the wire makes them all seem kinda weak.