The Wire COMPLETE (Seasons 1-5) in MPEG-4 (MP4) FORMAT (for PSP,

Hello! These episodes of the HBO Show, The Wire, are formatted for your iPod, iPhone, PSP, Zune, etc. This file contains ALL EPISODES from Seasons 1-5. I've tested these out on my iPod, and they all work just fine - the video and audio work fine (at least for me)! Seasons 1,2,4, and 5 are in mp4 format and Season 3 is in m4v format; HOWEVER, this should be irrelevant, as both of these are in a more general format called MPEG-4 format, which is the correct format for handheld devices (as far as I'm aware, correct me if I'm wrong, please). The only difference is the Season 3 is slightly smaller in size. These were converted using a program called "WinAVI iPOD/PSP/3GP/MP4 Video Converter." I converted these all myself from the original avi files on the pirate bay (thanks to the original uploader). Enjoy! The Wire is an American television drama series set in Baltimore, Maryland, where it was also produced. Created, produced, and primarily written by author and former police reporter David Simon, the series was broadcast by the premium cable network HBO in the United States. The Wire premiered on June 2, 2002 and ended on March 9, 2008, with 60 episodes airing over the course of its five seasons. Each season of The Wire focuses on a different facet of the city of Baltimore. They are, in order: the drug trade, the port, the city government and bureaucracy, the school system, and the print news media. The large cast consists mainly of character actors who are little known for their other roles. Simon has said that despite its presentation as a crime drama, the show is "really about the American city, and about how we live together. It's about how institutions have an effect on individuals, and how whether you're a cop, a longshoreman, a drug dealer, a politician, a judge [or a] lawyer, you are ultimately compromised and must contend with whatever institution you've committed to."[1] Despite never seeing large commercial success or winning any major television awards,[2] The Wire has frequently been described by critics as the greatest television series of all time.[3][4][5][6][7][8] The show is recognized for its realistic portrayal of urban life, artistic ambitions, and uncommonly deep exploration of sociopolitical themes. David Simon, creator of The WireSimon has stated that he originally set out to create a police drama loosely based on the experiences of his writing partner Ed Burns, a former homicide detective. Burns, when working on protracted investigations of violent drug dealers using surveillance technology, had often faced frustration with the bureaucracy of the police department, which Simon related to his own ordeals as a police reporter for The Baltimore Sun. Simon chose to set the show in Baltimore because of his familiarity with the city. He approached the mayor to get approval to portray it bleakly and was welcomed to work there again. During his time as a writer and producer for the NBC program Homicide: Life on the Street, which was based on his non-fiction book Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets, Simon had come into conflict with network executives over the show's pessimism, and wanted to avoid a repeat of these arguments. He chose to take The Wire to HBO because of their existing working relationship from the 2000 miniseries The Corner. Owing to its reputation for exploring new areas, HBO was initially dubious about including a cop drama in its lineup, but eventually agreed to produce the pilot episode.[9][10] Simon hoped that the show would change the opinions of some viewers but said that it was unlikely to have an impact on the issues it portrays.[9] [edit] Casting The casting of the show has been praised for avoiding big-name stars and providing character actors who appear natural in their roles.[11] The looks of the cast as a whole have been described as defying TV expectations by presenting a true range of humanity on screen.[12] The initial cast was assembled through a process of auditions and readings. Lance Reddick received the role of Cedric Daniels after auditioning for several other parts.[13] Michael K. Williams got the part of Omar Little after only a single audition.[14] Several prominent real-life Baltimore figures, including former Maryland Governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., Rev. Frank M. Reid III, former police chief and convicted felon Ed Norris, and former mayor Kurt Schmoke have appeared in minor roles despite not being professional actors.[15] "Little Melvin" Williams, a Baltimore drug lord arrested in the 1980s by an investigation that Ed Burns had been part of, has had a recurring role as a deacon since the third season. Jay Landsman, a longtime police officer who inspired the character of the same name,[16] played Lieutenant Dennis Mello.[17] Baltimore police commander Gary D'Addario served as the series technical advisor for the first two seasons[18][19] and has a recurring role as prosecutor Gary DiPasquale.[20] Simon shadowed D'Addario's shift when researching his book Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets and both D'Addario and Landsman are subjects of the book.[21] More than a dozen cast members previously appeared on HBO's first hour long drama: Oz. J.D. Williams, Seth Gilliam, Lance Reddick, and Reg E. Cathey were featured in very prominent roles in Oz, while a number of other notable stars of The Wire, including Wood Harris, Frankie Faison, John Doman, Clarke Peters, Domenick Lombardozzi, and Method Man appeared in at least one episode of Oz. [22] [edit] Crew See also: List of The Wire writers and directors Alongside Simon, the show's creator, head writer, show runner and executive producer, much of the creative team behind The Wire are alumni of Homicide and Emmy-winning miniseries The Corner. The Corner veteran, Robert F. Colesberry, was executive producer for the first two seasons and directed the season 2 finale before dying from complications from heart surgery in 2004. He is credited by the rest of the creative team as having a large creative role for a producer, and Simon credits him for achieving the show's realistic visual feel.[1] He also had a small recurring role as Detective Ray Cole.[23] Colesberry's wife Karen L. Thorson joined him on the production staff.[18] A third producer on The Corner Nina Kostroff Noble also stayed with the production staff for The Wire rounding out the initial four-person team.[18] Following Colesberry's death she became the show's second executive producer alongside Simon.[24] Stories for the show were often co-written by Ed Burns, a former Baltimore homicide detective and public school teacher who had worked with Simon on other projects including The Corner. Burns also became a producer on The Wire in the show's fourth season.[25] Other writers for The Wire include three acclaimed crime fiction writers from outside of Baltimore: George P. Pelecanos from Washington, Richard Price from the Bronx and Dennis Lehane from Boston.[26] Reviewers drew comparisons between Price's works (particularly Clockers) and The Wire even before he joined.[27] In addition to writing, Pelecanos served as a producer for the third season.[28] Pelecanos has commented that he was attracted to the project because of the opportunity to work with Simon.[28] Staff writer Rafael Alvarez penned several episodes' scripts, as well as the series guidebook The Wire: Truth Be Told. Alvarez is a colleague of Simon's from The Sun and a Baltimore native with working experience in the port area.[29] Another city native and independent filmmaker, Joy Lusco Kecken, also wrote for the show in each of its first three seasons.[30] Baltimore Sun writer and political journalist William F. Zorzi joined the writing staff in the third season and brought a wealth of experience to the show's examination of Baltimore politics.[29] Playwright and television writer/producer Eric Overmyer joined the crew of The Wire in the show's fourth season as a consulting producer and writer.[25] He had also previously worked on Homicide. Overmyer was brought into the full-time production staff to replace Pelecanos who scaled back his involvement to concentrate on his next book and worked on the fourth season solely as a writer.[31] Emmy-award winner, Homicide and The Corner writer and college friend of Simon David Mills also joined the writing staff in the fourth season.[25] Directors include Homicide alumnus Clark Johnson,[32] who directed several acclaimed episodes of The Shield,[33]; and Tim Van Patten, an Emmy winner who has worked on every season of The Sopranos. The directing has been praised for its uncomplicated and subtle style.[11] Following the death of Colesberry, director Joe Chappelle joined the production staff as a co-executive producer and continued to regularly direct episodes.[34] [edit] Episode structure When broadcast on HBO and on some international networks, the episodes are preceded by a recap of events that have a bearing upon the upcoming narrative, using clips from previous episodes. Each episode begins with a cold open that seldom contains a dramatic juncture. The screen then fades to black while the intro music fades in. The show's opening title sequence then plays; a series of shots, mainly close-ups, concerning the show's subject matter that changes from season to season, separated by fast cuts (a technique rarely used in the show itself). The opening credits are superimposed on the sequence, and consist only of actors' names without identifying which actors play which roles. In addition, actors' faces are rarely seen in the title sequence. At the end of the sequence, a quotation is shown on-screen that is spoken by a character during the episode. The two exceptions were the fourth season's finale which uses words written on boarded up vacant homes attributed to "Baltimore, traditional" and the series finale, which started with a quote from H.L. Mencken that is shown on a wall at The Baltimore Sun in one scene, neither quote being spoken by a character. Progressive story arcs often unfold in different locations at the same time. Episodes rarely end with a cliffhanger, and normally close with a fade to black and the closing music fading in. [edit] Music Audio samples of The Wire (media help) Season 1 opening theme -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Season 2 opening theme -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Season 3 opening theme -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Season 4 opening theme -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Season 5 opening theme -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Problems listening to these files? See media help. The Wire is unusual in using primarily diegetic music; that is, music that emanates from a source within the scene.[35] For example, police bars play Irish music (in particular the song "Body of an American" by the Pogues is usually played when showing police wakes in the show), while the street gangs play rap in their cars. This rule is rarely but occasionally breached, notably for the season-ending montages and occasionally with a brief overlap of the closing theme and the final shot.[36] The opening theme is "Way Down in the Hole", a gospel- and blues-inspired song originally written by Tom Waits for his 1987 album Franks Wild Years. Each season uses a different recording of it against a different opening sequence, with the theme being performed, in order, by The Blind Boys of Alabama, Waits himself, The Neville Brothers, "DoMaJe" and Steve Earle. Season four's version of "Way Down in the Hole" was arranged and recorded specifically for the show, and is performed by five Baltimore teenagers: Ivan Ashford, Markel Steele, Cameron Brown, Tariq Al-Sabir, and Avery Bargasse.[37] Earle, who performed the fifth season's version, is also a member of the cast, playing the recovering drug addict Walon.[38] The closing theme is "The Fall", composed by Blake Leyh, who is also the show's music supervisor. During season finales, a song is played before the closing scene in a montage showing the major characters' lives continuing in the aftermath of the narrative. The first season montage is played over "Step by Step" by Jesse Winchester, the second "Feel Alright" by Steve Earle, the third "Fast Train" written by Van Morrison and performed by Solomon Burke, the fourth "I Walk on Gilded Splinters" written by Dr. John and performed by Paul Weller, and the fifth uses an extended version of "Way Down In The Hole" by The Blind Boys of Alabama, the same version of the song used as the opening theme for the first season. While the songs reflect the mood of the sequence, their lyrics are usually only loosely tied to the visual shots. In the commentary track to episode 37, "Mission Accomplished", executive producer David Simon says: "I hate it when somebody purposely tries to have the lyrics match the visual. It brutalizes the visual in a way to have the lyrics dead on point. ... Yet at the same time it can't be totally off point. It has to glance at what you're trying to say."[27] Two soundtrack albums, called The Wire: "...and all the pieces matter" and Beyond Hamsterdam, were released on January 8, 2008 on Nonesuch Records.[39] The former features music from all five seasons of the series and the latter includes local Baltimore artists exclusively.[39] [edit] Themes [edit] Realism The writers strive to create a realistic vision of an American city based on their own experiences. Central to this aim is the creation of truthful characters. Simon has stated that most of them are composites of real-life Baltimore figures.[40][41] The show often casts non-professional actors in minor roles, distinguishing itself from other television series by showing the "faces and voices of the real city" it depicts.[42] The writing also uses contemporary slang to enhance the immersive viewing experience.[42] In distinguishing the police characters from other television detectives, Simon makes the point that even the best police of The Wire are motivated not by a desire to protect and serve, but by the intellectual vanity of believing they are smarter than the criminals they are chasing. Many officers portrayed on the show are incompetent, brutal, self-aggrandizing, or hamstrung by bureaucracy and politics. The criminals are not always motivated by profit or a desire to harm others; many are trapped in their existence and all have human qualities. Even so, The Wire does not minimize or gloss over the horrific effects of their actions.[1] The show is realistic in depicting the processes of both police work and criminal activity. Many of the plot points were based on the experiences of Simon and Burns. There have even been reports of real-life criminals watching the show to learn how to counter police investigation techniques.[43][44] The fifth season portrays a working newsroom and has been hailed as the most realistic portrayal of the media in film and television.[45] In December 2006, The Washington Post carried an article in which local African-American students stated that the show had "hit a nerve" with the black community, and that they themselves knew real-life counterparts of many of the characters. The article expressed great sadness at the toll drugs and violence are taking on the black community.[46] [edit] Institutional dysfunction Simon has identified the organizations featured in the show — the Baltimore Police Department, City Hall, the Baltimore Public School System, the Barksdale drug trafficking operation, The Baltimore Sun, and the stevedores' union — as comparable institutions. All are dysfunctional in some way, and the characters are typically betrayed by the institutions that they accept in their lives.[1] There is also a sentiment echoed by a detective in "Narcotics"—"Shit rolls downhill"—which describes how superiors, especially in the higher tiers of the police department in the series, will attempt to use subordinates as scapegoats for any major scandals. Simon described the show as "cynical about [its] institutions"[44] while taking a humanistic approach toward its characters.[44] A central theme developed throughout the show is the struggle between individual desires and subordination to the group's goals. Whether it is Officer Jimmy McNulty using all his cards to pursue a high-profile case despite resistance from his own department, or gang member D'Angelo Barksdale accepting twenty years in prison contrary to his strong desire to turn in his uncle Avon and take a plea, this type of conflict is pervasive in all aspects of the show. [edit] Surveillance Central to the structure and plot of the show is the use of electronic surveillance and wiretap technologies by the police—hence the title The Wire. Salon.com described the title as a metaphor for the viewer's experience: the wiretaps provide the police with access to a secret world, just as the show does for the viewer.[26] Simon has discussed the use of camera shots of surveillance equipment, or shots that appear to be taken from the equipment itself, to emphasize the volume of surveillance in modern life and the characters' need to sift through this information.[1] [edit] Visual novel Many important events occur off-camera and there is no artificial exposition in the form of voice-over or flashbacks, with the sole exception of one flashback at the end of the pilot episode, and even this brief use of the flashback technique is actually replaying a momentary footage clip from earlier in the same episode. Thus, the viewer needs to follow every conversation closely in order to understand who's who and what's going on. Salon.com has described the show as novelistic in structure, with a greater depth of writing and plotting than other crime shows.[26] Each season of The Wire consists of 10-13 full-hour episodes, which form a single narrative. Simon chose this structure with an eye towards long story arcs that draw a viewer in and then result in a more satisfying payoff. He uses the metaphor of a visual novel in several interviews,[9][47] describing each episode as a chapter, and has also commented that this allows a fuller exploration of the show's themes in time not spent on plot development.[1] [edit] Social commentary "Murderland Alley," is both realistically and bleakly portrayed.Simon described the second season as a meditation on the death of work and the betrayal of the American working class.…[I]t is a deliberate argument that unencumbered capitalism is not a substitute for social policy; that on its own, without a social compact , raw capitalism is destined to serve the few at the expense of the many."[40] He added that season 3 "reflects on the nature of reform and reformers, and whether there is any possibility that political processes, long calcified, can mitigate against the forces currently arrayed against individuals." The third season is also an allegory that draws explicit parallels between the War in Iraq and the national drug prohibition,[40] which in Simon's view has failed in its aims[44] and become a war against America's underclass.[48] This is portrayed by Major Colvin, imparting to Carver his view that policing has been allowed to become a war and thus will never succeed in its aims. Writer Ed Burns, who worked as a public school teacher after retiring from the Baltimore police force shortly before going to work with Simon has called education the theme of the fourth season. Rather than focusing solely on the school system, the fourth season looks at schools as a porous part of the community that are affected by problems outside of their boundaries. Burns states that education comes from many sources other than schools and that children can be educated by other means, including contact with the drug dealers they work for.[49] Burns and Simon see the theme as an opportunity to explore how individuals end up like the show's criminal characters, and to dramatize the theory that hard work is not always justly rewarded.[50] [edit] Cast and characters Main article: List of characters from The Wire The Wire employs a broad ensemble cast, supplemented by many recurring guest stars who populate the institutions featured in the show. The majority of the cast is African American, which accurately reflects the demographics of Baltimore. However, this is a rarity in American television drama. On February 3, 2008, with the airing of its 55th episode, The Wire became the second-longest running dramatic series with a predominantly African-American cast in the history of American prime-time television. Only Soul Food has aired more episodes. The show's creators are also willing to kill off major characters, so that viewers cannot assume that a given character will survive simply because of a starring role or popularity among fans. In response to a question on why a certain character had to die, David Simon said, [W]e are not selling hope, or audience gratification, or cheap victories with this show. The Wire is making an argument about what institutions—bureaucracies, criminal enterprises, the cultures of addiction, raw capitalism even—do to individuals. It is not designed purely as an entertainment. It is, I'm afraid, a somewhat angry show.[51] [edit] Principal cast The law; from left, Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski, Cedric Daniels, Jimmy McNulty, Rhonda Pearlman, seated: Lester Freamon, and Kima Greggs. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The street; from left, Wee-Bey Brice, Stringer Bell, D'Angelo Barksdale, Poot Carr, and Bodie Broadus. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The docks; from left, The Greek, Nick Sobotka, and Frank Sobotka. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The schools; from left, Duquan "Dukie" Weems, Randy Wagstaff, Michael Lee and Namond Brice.The major characters of the first season were divided between those on the side of the law and those involved in drug-related crime. The investigating detail was launched by the actions of Detective Jimmy McNulty (Dominic West), whose insubordinate tendencies and personal problems played counterpoint to his ability.[52][53] The detail was led by Lieutenant Cedric Daniels (Lance Reddick) who faced challenges balancing his career aspirations with his desire to produce a good case.[54][55] Kima Greggs (Sonja Sohn) was a capable lead detective who faced jealousy from colleagues and worry about the dangers of her job from her domestic partner.[56][57] Her investigative work was greatly helped by her criminal informant, a drug addict known as Bubbles (Andre Royo).[58][59] Like Greggs, partners Thomas "Herc" Hauk (Domenick Lombardozzi) and Ellis Carver (Seth Gilliam) were reassigned to the detail from the narcotics unit.[60][61] The duo's initially violent nature was eventually subdued as they proved useful in grunt work, and sometimes served as comic relief for the audience.[62][63][64] Rounding out the temporary unit were detectives Lester Freamon (Clarke Peters) and Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski (Jim True-Frost).[65][66] Though not initially important players in the operation, Freamon proved a quietly capable investigator with a knack for noticing tiny but important details,[67] and Prez turned out to be a natural at following paper trails.[68] These investigators were overseen by two commanding officers more concerned with politics and their own careers than the case, Major William Rawls (John Doman) and Deputy Commissioner Ervin Burrell (Frankie Faison).[69][70][71][72] Assistant state's attorney Rhonda Pearlman (Deirdre Lovejoy) acted as the legal liaison between the detail and the courthouse and also had a casual relationship with McNulty.[73][74] In the homicide division, Bunk Moreland (Wendell Pierce) was a gifted, dry-witted detective partnered with McNulty under Sergeant Jay Landsman (Delaney Williams), the jovial squad commander.[16][75][76][77] Peter Gerety had a recurring role as Judge Phelan, the official who started the case moving.[62] On the other side of the investigation was Avon Barksdale's drug empire. The driven, ruthless Barksdale (Wood Harris) was aided by business-minded Stringer Bell (Idris Elba).[78][79][80][81] Avon's nephew D'Angelo Barksdale (Larry Gilliard Jr.) ran some of his uncle's territory, but also possessed a guilty conscience,[82][83] while loyal Wee-Bey Brice (Hassan Johnson) was responsible for multiple homicides carried out on Avon's orders.[84][85] Working under D'Angelo were Poot (Tray Chaney), Bodie (J.D. Williams), and Wallace (Michael B. Jordan), all street-level drug dealers.[62][86][87] Wallace was an intelligent but naïve youth trapped in the drug trade,[62] and Poot a randy young man happy to follow rather than lead.[88] Omar Little (Michael K. Williams), a renowned Baltimore stick-up man robbing drug dealers for a living, was a frequent thorn in the side of the Barksdale clan.[89][90] The second season introduced a new group of characters working in the Baltimore port area, including Spiros "Vondas" Vondopoulos (Paul Ben-Victor),[91] Beadie Russell (Amy Ryan),[92] and Frank Sobotka (Chris Bauer).[93] Vondas was the underboss of a global smuggling operation,[94] Russell an inexperienced Port Authority officer and single mother thrown in at the deep end of a multiple homicide investigation,[95] and Sobotka a union leader who turned to crime in order to raise funds to save his union.[96] Also joining the show in season 2 were Nick Sobotka (Pablo Schreiber), Frank's nephew;[97][98] Ziggy Sobotka (James Ransone), Frank's troubled son;[99][100] and "The Greek" (Bill Raymond), Vondas's mysterious boss.[101][102] As the second season ended, the focus shifted away from the ports, leaving the new characters behind. The third season saw several previously recurring characters assuming larger starring roles, including Detective Leander Sydnor (Corey Parker Robinson),[103] Bodie (J.D. Williams),[87] Omar (Michael K. Williams),[89] Proposition Joe (Robert F. Chew),[104] and Major Howard "Bunny" Colvin (Robert Wisdom).[105] Colvin commanded the Western district where the Barksdale organization operated, and nearing retirement, he came up with a radical new method of dealing with the drug problem.[106] Proposition Joe, the East Side's cautious drug kingpin, became more cooperative with the Barksdale Organization.[107] Sydnor, a rising young star in the police department in season 1, returned to the cast as part of the major crimes unit.[108] Bodie had been seen gradually rising in the Barksdale organization since the first episode; he was born to their trade and showed a fierce aptitude for it.[109] Omar had a vendetta against the Barksdale organization and gave them all of his lethal attention.[90] New additions in the third season included Tommy Carcetti (Aidan Gillen), an ambitious city councilman;[110][111] Mayor Clarence Royce (Glynn Turman), the incumbent whom Carcetti planned to unseat;[112][113] Marlo Stanfield (Jamie Hector), leader of an upstart gang seeking to challenge Avon's dominance;[114][115] and Dennis "Cutty" Wise (Chad Coleman), a newly released convict uncertain of his future.[116][117] In the fourth season, four young actors joined the cast: Jermaine Crawford as Duquan "Dukie" Weems;[118] Maestro Harrell as Randy Wagstaff;[119] Julito McCullum as Namond Brice;[120] and Tristan Wilds as Michael Lee.[121] The characters are friends from a West Baltimore middle school.[122][123][124][125] Another newcomer was Norman Wilson (Reg E. Cathey), Carcetti's deputy campaign manager.[126][127] The fifth season saw several actors join the starring cast. Gbenga Akinnagbe returns as the previously recurring Chris Partlow, chief enforcer of the now dominant Stanfield Organization.[128][129] Neal Huff reprises his role as Mayoral chief of staff Michael Steintorf having previously appeared as a guest star at the end of the fourth season.[130][131] Two other actors also join the starring cast having previously portrayed their corrupt characters as guest stars - Michael Kostroff as defense attorney Maurice Levy[132][133] and Isiah Whitlock, Jr. as senator Clay Davis.[134][135] Crew member Clark Johnson appeared in front of the camera for the first time to play Augustus Haynes, the principled editor of the city desk of The Baltimore Sun.[136][137] He is joined in the newsroom by two other new stars; Michelle Paress and Tom McCarthy play young reporters Alma Gutierrez and Scott Templeton.[138][139][140][141] [edit] Plot synopses and episode list Main article: List of The Wire episodes [edit] Season 1 Main article: The Wire (season 1) The first season, which began airing on June 2, 2002, introduces two major groups of characters: the Baltimore police department and a drug dealing organization run by the Barksdale family. The season follows the investigation of the latter over its 13 episodes. The investigation is triggered when detective Jimmy McNulty meets privately with judge Daniel Phelan following the acquittal of D'Angelo Barksdale for murder after a key witness changes her story. McNulty tells Phelan that the witness has probably been intimidated by members of a drug trafficking empire run by D'Angelo's uncle, Avon Barksdale, having recognized several faces at the trial, notably Avon's second-in-command, Stringer Bell. He also tells Phelan that nobody is investigating Barksdale's criminal activity, which includes a significant portion of the city's drug trade and several unsolved homicides.[142][143] Phelan takes issue with this and complains to senior Police Department figures, embarrassing them into creating a detail dedicated to investigating Barksdale. However, owing to the department's dysfunctionality, the investigation is intended as a façade to appease the judge.[142][143] An interdepartmental struggle between the more motivated officers on the detail and their superiors spans the whole season, with interference by the higher-ups often threatening to ruin the investigation. The detail's commander, Cedric Daniels, acts as mediator between the two opposing groups of police. Meanwhile, the organized and cautious Barksdale gang is explored through characters at various levels within it. The organization is antagonized by a stick-up crew led by Omar Little, and the feud leads to several deaths,[144][145] bringing further police attention.[146][147] Throughout, D'Angelo struggles with his conscience over his life of crime and the people it affects. The police have little success with street-level arrests or with securing informants beyond Wallace, a young low-level dealer and friend of D'Angelo.[148][149] Eventually the investigation takes the direction of electronic surveillance, with wiretaps and pager clones to infiltrate the security measures taken by the Barksdale organization. This leads the investigation to areas the commanding officers had hoped to avoid, including political contributions.[150][151] When an associate of Avon Barksdale's is arrested by another team and offers to cooperate, the commanding officers order a sting operation to wrap up the case.[148][149] Detective Kima Greggs is seriously hurt in the operation,[148][149] triggering an overzealous response from the rest of the department.[152][153] This causes the detail's targets to suspect that they are under investigation.[154][155] Wallace is killed by his childhood friends Bodie and Poot, on orders from Stringer Bell, after leaving his "secure" placement with relatives and returning to Baltimore.[154][155] D'Angelo Barksdale is eventually arrested with a large quantity of drugs, and learning of Wallace's murder, is ready to turn in his uncle and Stringer.[154][155] However, D'Angelo's mother convinces him to rescind the deal and take the charges for his family. The detail manages to arrest Avon on a minor charge and gets one of his soldiers, Wee-Bey, to confess to most of the murders, some of which he did not commit. Stringer escapes prosecution and is left running the Barksdale empire. For the officers, the consequences of antagonizing their superiors are severe, with Daniels and McNulty both assigned to undesirable jobs.[156][157] [edit] Season 2 Main article: The Wire (season 2) The second season, along with its ongoing examination of the drug problem and its effect on the urban poor, examines the plight of the blue-collar urban working class as exemplified by stevedores (longshoremen) in the city port, as some of them get caught up in smuggling drugs and other contraband inside the containers that their port ships.[40] In a season-long subplot, the Barksdale organization continues its drug trafficking despite Avon's imprisonment, with Stringer Bell assuming greater power. McNulty harbors a vendetta against his former commanders for reassigning him to the marine unit.[158][159][160][161] When fourteen attractive, young unidentified women are found dead at the docks, McNulty makes a dedicated, spiteful effort to stick the murders within the jurisdiction of his former commander.[158][159] Meanwhile, police Major Stan Valchek gets into a feud with Frank Sobotka, a leader of the International Brotherhood of Stevedores, a fictional dockers' union, over competing donations to their old neighborhood church.[158][159] Valchek demands a detail to investigate Sobotka.[160][161] Cedric Daniels, is interviewed, having been praised by Prez, Major Valcheck's son-in-law, and due to his work on the Barksdale case. He is eventually selected to lead the detail assigned just to investigate Sobotka, when the investigation is concluded Daniels is assured he will move up to head a special case unit with personnel of his choosing. [162][163] As with the previous season, the targets of the investigations are explored and fully realized as characters. Life for the blue-collar men of the port is increasingly hard and work is scarce. As union leader, Sobotka has taken it on himself to reinvigorate the port by convincing politicians to support much-needed initiatives.[158][159] Lacking the funds needed for this kind of influence, Sobotka has become involved with a smuggling ring.[158][159] Around him, his son and nephew also turn to crime, as they have few other opportunities to earn money.[164][165] It becomes clear to the Sobotka detail that the dead girls are related to their investigation, as they were in a container that was supposed to be smuggled through the port.[166][167] They again use wiretaps to infiltrate the crime ring and slowly work their way up the chain towards The Greek, the mysterious man in charge. But Valchek, upset that their focus has moved beyond Sobotka, gets the FBI involved. The Greek has contacts inside the FBI and starts severing his ties to Baltimore when he learns about the investigation.[168][169] After a dispute over stolen goods turns violent, Sobotka's son, Ziggy is charged with the murder of one of the Greek's underlings.[168][169] Sobotka himself is arrested for smuggling; he agrees to work with the detail to help his son, finally seeing his actions as a mistake.[170][171] However, the Greek learns about this through the FBI and scuppers the case against himself by having Sobotka killed.[170][171] The investigation ends with the fourteen homicides solved but the perpetrator already dead. Several drug dealers and mid-level smuggling figures tied to the Greek are arrested, but he and his second-in-command escape uncharged and unidentified.[172][173] The Major is pleased that Sobotka was arrested; the case is seen as a success by the commanding officers, but is viewed as a failure by the detail.[172][173] Across town, the Barksdale organization continues its business under Stringer while Avon and D'Angelo Barksdale serve prison time.[160][161] D'Angelo decides to cut ties to his family after his uncle organizes the deaths of several inmates and blames it on a corrupt guard to shave time from his sentence.[162][163] Eventually Stringer covertly orders D'Angelo killed, faking it as a suicide.[166][167] Avon is unaware of Stringer's duplicity and mourns the loss of his nephew.[174][175] Stringer also struggles with the loss of his drug suppliers and bad quality product.[176][177] He again goes behind Avon's back, giving up half of Avon's most prized territory to a rival named Proposition Joe in exchange for a share of his supply.[178][179] Avon, unaware of the arrangement, assumes that Joe and other dealers are moving into his territory simply because the Barksdale organization has too few enforcers. He contracts a feared assassin named Brother Mouzone.[178][179] Stringer deals with this by tricking his old adversary Omar into believing that Mouzone was responsible for the vicious killing of his partner in their feud in season one.[170][171] Seeking revenge, Omar shoots Mouzone, but realizes Stringer had lied and calls 9-1-1.[170][171] Mouzone recovers and leaves Baltimore, and Stringer is free to continue his business with Proposition Joe.[172][173] [edit] Season 3 Main article: The Wire (season 3) In the third season, the action focused back on the street and the Barksdale organization but expanded the scope to include the political scene. A new subplot was introduced to explore the potential positive effects of de facto "legalizing" the illegal drug trade, and incidentally prostitution, within the limited boundaries of a few uninhabited city blocks — referred to as Hamsterdam. The posited benefits, as in Amsterdam and other European cities, were reduced street crime, city-wide, and increased outreach of health and social services to at-risk populations. These were continuations of storylines hinted at earlier. The demolition of the towers that had served as the Barksdale organization's prime territory pushes their dealers back out onto the streets of Baltimore.[180][181] Avon Barksdale is released from prison early, as promised for his role in unveiling the cause of the inmate deaths.[182][183] Stringer Bell continues his reform of the organization by cooperating with other drug lords, sharing with one another territory, product, and profits.[184][185] Stringer's proposal is met with a curt refusal from Marlo Stanfield, leader of a new, growing crew.[184][185] Against Stringer's advice, Avon decides to take Marlo's territory by force, and the two gangs become embroiled in a bitter turf war with multiple deaths.[186][187] Omar Little continues to rob the Barksdale organization wherever possible.[188][189] Working with his new boyfriend, Dante, and two women, he is once more a serious problem.[188][189] In a heist gone wrong, one of Omar's crew is shot and a Barksdale enforcer is killed.[190][191] The violence related to the drug trade makes it an obvious choice of investigation for Cedric Daniels' now-permanent Major Case Unit.[187] Councilman Tommy Carcetti begins to prepare himself for a mayoral race. He manipulates a colleague into running against the mayor to split the black vote,[186][187] secures a capable campaign manager,[182][183] and starts making headlines for himself.[188][189][190][191] Coming to the end of his career, Major Howard "Bunny" Colvin decides to achieve some real change in the neighborhoods he has long been responsible for.[188][189] Seeing the spread of drug dealing into previously unscathed areas following the destruction of the towers, he assumes the task of containing the problem.[190][191] Without the knowledge of central command, he sets up areas where drug trade would go unpunished[184][185] and cracks down on any traffic elsewhere.[186][187] His scheme achieves his aims and reduces crime in his district,[192][193] but is eventually exposed to his superiors and city politicians,[194][195][196][197] including Carcetti,[198][199] who uses the scandal to make a grandstanding speech.[200][201] With top brass outraged, Colvin is forced to cease his actions,[196][197] accept a demotion,[200][201] and retire from the department on a lower-grade pension.[200][201] Dennis "Cutty" Wise, once a drug dealer's enforcer, is released from prison alongside Avon.[180][181] His struggles to adapt to life as a free man show an attempt at personal reform. Cutty tries to work as a manual laborer[188][189] and then flirts with his former life, going to work for Avon.[182][183] Finding he no longer has the heart for murder,[186][187] he eventually uses funding from Avon[198][199] to set up a boxing gym for neighborhood youths.[196][197] The Major Case Unit learns that Stringer has been buying real estate and developing it in order to fulfill his dream of being a successful legitimate businessman.[184][185] Stringer's lack of experience in the field leads to setbacks, so he reluctantly refocuses on the drug trade.[202][203] Believing that the bloody turf war with Marlo is poised to destroy everything the Barksdale crew had worked for, Stringer gives Major Colvin information on Avon's weapons stash.[198][199] But Stringer is himself being betrayed by Avon:[198][199] Brother Mouzone had returned to Baltimore[196][197] and tracked down Omar to join forces.[198][199] Mouzone tells Avon that his shooting must be avenged.[198][199] Avon, remembering how Stringer disregarded his order which resulted in Stringer attempting to have Brother Mouzone killed, possibly still furious over D'Angelo's murder (Stringer having finally confessed the truth),[202][203] and fearing Mouzone's ability to harm his reputation outside of Baltimore, informs Mouzone of Stringer's upcoming visit to his construction site.[198][199] There, Mouzone and Omar corner him and shoot him to death.[198][199] Colvin tells McNulty about Avon's hideout, and armed with the information gleaned from selling the Barksdale crew pre-wiretapped disposable cell phones, the detail stages a raid, arresting Avon and most of his underlings.[200][201] Barksdale's criminal empire lies in ruins, and Marlo's young crew simply moves into their territory.[200][201] Thus the drug trade in West Baltimore continues with little change.[200][201] [edit] Season 4 Main article: The Wire (season 4) On September 10, 2006, The Wire returned for a fourth season, expanding its scope again to include an examination of the school system. Other major plots include the mayoral race that continues the political storyline begun in season three, and a closer look at Marlo Stanfield's drug gang, which has grown to control most of western Baltimore's trafficking. The show introduces Dukie, Randy, Michael, and Namond, four boys from West Baltimore, as they enter the eighth grade.[204][205] At the same school, Prez has begun a new career as a math teacher.[204][205] Despite mentorship from the more seasoned faculty,[206][207] Prez has difficulties maintaining order and keeping his students focused in the chaotic and sometimes violent classroom.[208][209] Namond, and later Michael, work as drug runners for Bodie, who has had middling success selling Proposition Joe's product independently.[206][207] The cold-blooded Marlo has come to dominate the streets of the west side, using murder and intimidation to make up for his weak-quality drugs and lack of business acumen.[204][205] His enforcers Chris Partlow and Snoop conceal their numerous victims in boarded-up row houses where the bodies will not be readily discovered.[204][205] The disappearances of so many known criminals come to mystify both the major crimes unit investigating Marlo and the homicide unit assigned to solve the presumed murders.[210][211] Marlo coerces Bodie into working under him,[210][211] and attempts to bring Michael into the organization as well.[212][213] McNulty has found peace working as a patrolman and living with Beadie Russell, and refuses promotions from Daniels, now a Major commanding the Western District.[204][205] Detectives Kima Greggs and Lester Freamon, as part of the major crimes unit, investigate Avon Barksdale's political donations and serve several key figures with subpoenas.[206][207] Their work is shut down by Commissioner Ervin Burrell at Mayor Clarence Royce's request, and after being placed under stricter supervision within their unit, both Greggs and Freamon request and receive transfer to the homicide division.[208][209] Meanwhile, the city's mayoral primary race enters its closing weeks. Royce initially has a seemingly insurmountable lead over challengers Tommy Carcetti and Tony Gray, with a big war chest and major endorsements.[204][205][206][207] Royce's lead begins to fray, however, as his own political machinations turn against him and Carcetti starts to highlight the city's crime problem.[208][209] This propels Carcetti to victory in the primary,[214][215] and he easily wins the general election to become Baltimore's new mayor.[216][217] Carcetti's desire to reduce crime leads him to restrict Burrell's duties and promote the more competent Daniels, whom he is considering later appointing Commissioner.[218][219] Other familiar characters become involved in the same middle school where Prez works. Howard "Bunny" Colvin joins a research group attempting to study potential future criminals while they are still young.[208][209] Dennis "Cutty" Wise continues to work with boys in his boxing gym,[206][207] and accepts a job at the school rounding up truants.[210][211] Bubbles takes a homeless teenager named Sherrod under his wing.[206][207] He encourages the boy to attend class, which he fails to do.[210][211] The two of them later find themselves assaulted and robbed constantly by a persistent drug addict.[212][213] Prez has a few successes with his students, but some of them start to slip away. Disruptive Namond is removed from class and placed in the research group,[214][215] where he gradually develops affection and respect for Colvin.[216][217] Randy reveals to the assistant principal knowledge of a murder in a moment of desperation,[214][215] leading to his being interrogated by police[220][221] and thereafter labeled a "snitch" by his classmates.[222][223] Michael is unresponsive to the adults around him, including Prez, Cutty, and Bodie, who all see promise in him.[210][211][212][213] When Michael feels he must make his hated stepfather leave home in order to protect his little brother, he calls on Chris, the only authority figure whom he thinks he can trust.[218][219][224][225] This touches off a relationship between Michael and Marlo's crew, eventually leading to Michael being taken under the wing of Chris and Snoop. Dukie, who had been nurtured by Prez, is transferred to high school through social promotion, and thus will have to leave their relationship behind.[226][227] Proposition Joe engineers a conflict between Omar Little and Marlo in order to convince Marlo to join the New Day Co-Op. After Omar robs Marlo, Marlo frames Omar for a murder and attempts to have him murdered in jail, but Omar manages to beat the charge with the help of Bunk. Omar learns Marlo set him up, and gets revenge on him and Proposition Joe by robbing the entire shipment of the Co-Op. Meanwhile, the co-op members, including Marlo, are furious at Joe for allowing the shipment to be stolen. Marlo demands satisfaction, and as a result, Joe sets up a meet between him and Spiros Vondas, who assuages Marlo's concerns. Having gotten a lead on Joe's connection to the Greeks, Marlo begins investigating them to learn more about their role in bringing narcotics into Baltimore. Freamon discovers the bodies Chris and Snoop had hidden.[226][227] Bodie offers McNulty testimony against Marlo and his crew, but is shot dead on his corner by O-Dog. Sherrod dies after ingesting a poisoned vial of heroin that, unbeknownst to him, Bubbles had prepared for their tormentor.[226][227] Bubbles turns himself in to the police and tries to hang himself, but he survives and is taken to a detox facility.[228][229] Michael has now joined the ranks of Marlo's killers and runs one of his corners, with Dukie leaving high school to work there.[228][229] Randy's house is firebombed by school bullies for his cooperation with the police,[226][227] leaving his caring foster mother hospitalized and sending him back to a group home.[228][229] Namond is taken in by Colvin, who recognized the good in him.[228][229] The major crimes unit from earlier seasons is largely reunited, and they resume their investigation of Marlo Stanfield.[228][229] [edit] Season 5 Main article: The Wire (season 5) HBO announced on September 12, 2006 that it commissioned a fifth and final season consisting of 13 episodes, which was later reduced to ten.[230] Season 5 focuses on the media and media consumption.[231] The show depicts the newspaper The Baltimore Sun, and in fact elements of the plot are taken from accounts of real-life events (such as the Jayson Blair NY Times scandal) and people at the Sun.[232] The theme, according to another interview with Simon, deals with "what stories get told and what don't and why it is that things stay the same."[231] Issues such as the quest for profit, the decrease in the number of reporters, and the end of aspiration for news quality would all be addressed, alongside the theme of homelessness. In the same interview, Simon indicated that no other theme seemed substantial enough to warrant a sixth season, except possibly the large influx of Latinos into Baltimore. He noted, however, that since no writer on the show spoke Spanish or had any intimate knowledge of the city's Latino population, the field work would be too cumbersome. [231] On April 30, 2007, production for season five officially began. Filming wrapped early in the morning of September 1, 2007 and the first episode aired on January 6, 2008.[233] The series finale aired March 9, 2008. 15 months after the fourth season concludes, Mayor Carcetti's cuts in the police budget to redress the education deficit force the investigation of Marlo Stanfield to shut down.[234][235] Cedric Daniels secures a detail to refocus on the prosecution of Senator Davis for corruption.[234][235] Detective McNulty returns to the Homicide unit[234][235] and to drinking heavily and womanizing out of frustration.[236][237] McNulty decides to divert resources back to the police department by faking evidence to make it appear that a serial killer is murdering homeless men.[238][239] The Baltimore Sun newspaper also faces budget cuts[234][235] and the underfunded newsroom struggles to adequately cover the city, omitting many important stories.[240][241][242][243] Ambitious reporter Scott Templeton is secretly fabricating details of stories.[236][237][238][239] Commissioner Burrell continues to falsify crime statistics until Deputy Commissioner Valchek leaks unmodified figures to Carcetti.[238][239] Carcetti fires Burrell and positions Daniels to replace him.[244][245] Templeton falsely implicates Daniels in Burrell's departure[238][239] and Burrell passes the file on Daniels' history of unexplained assets to politician Nerese Campbell.[244][245] Free from investigation, Stanfield plots to accumulate more power.[234][235][236][237] He learns from Proposition Joe how to launder money and evade investigation.[238][239] Once Joe is no longer useful to him, Stanfield has Joe killed[244][245] and usurps his position with the Greeks[240][241] and the New Day Co-Op.[246][247] Stanfield lures his enemy Omar Little out of retirement by having Snoop and Chris Partlow murder Omar's mentor Butchie.[238][239] Michael Lee continues working as a Stanfield enforcer despite openly questioning orders.[234][235] Michael uses his earning to provide a home for his friend Dukie and younger brother Bug.[234][235] Dukie tries to distance himself from the drug trade and take his life on a different path.[238][239][240][241][248][249] Omar returns to Baltimore for revenge against Stanfield but is ambushed and is forced to leap from a window to escape.[240][241] He injures his leg but continues to kill Stanfield organization members, steal and destroy their money and drugs, and spread the word that Stanfield is too cowardly to face him directly.[242][243][246][247][250][251] Omar's mission has just begun when he is shot and killed by Kenard, a young boy who deals drugs on a Stanfield corner.[242][243] Templeton claims to have been contacted by McNulty's fake serial killer.[240][241] City Editor Gus Haynes becomes suspicious, but his superiors are enamoured of Templeton.[240][241] The story gains momentum and Carcetti spins the resulting attention on homelessness into a key issue in his imminent campaign for Governor and restores funding to the police department.[246][247][250][251] Bubbles is recovering from his drug addiction while living in his sister's basement.[234][235] He works selling the Sun newspaper[234][235] and also volunteers at a food kitchen.[236][237] Bubbles finds it hard to bear his grief over Sherrod's death,[234][235] but after befriending Sun reporter Mike Fletcher, ultimately opens up to his Narcotics Anonymous group about the boy's death.[248][249] Fletcher writes a profile of Bubbles.[252][253] Disgraced police officer Thomas "Herc" Hauk now works as an investigator for Stanfield's attorney Maurice Levy.[234][235] Herc leaks Stanfield's phone number to the police department.[240][241] Bunk is disgusted with McNulty's serial killer scheme and tries to have Lester Freamon reason with McNulty.[238][239] Freamon helps McNulty to perpetuate the lie[244][245] and uses the funds for an illegal wiretap on Stanfield.[240][241] Bunk distances himself from them and resumes working the vacant house murders.[240][241][246][247] Bunk's efforts lead to a murder warrant against Partlow for killing Michael's stepfather.[248][249] Freamon and Leander Sydnor gather enough evidence to arrest Stanfield and most of his top lieutenants, seizing a large quantity of drugs.[242][243][248][249] Stanfield suspects that Michael is an informant, and orders Snoop to murder him.[248][249] Michael realizes he is being set up and kills Snoop instead.[248][249] Michael separates from his makeshift family for their protection.[248][249] He persuades an Aunt in Howard county to take in Bug with money and a promise of more to come.[248][249] With his support system gone Dukie lives with drug addicts.[248][249] Michael begins a career as a stick-up man.[252][253] McNulty is unable to end his elaborate lie and cannot enjoy Freamon's success.[248][249] McNulty feels guilty about interfering with crime scenes and the wasted manpower expended on the fictitious homeless murders and tells Kima Greggs about his fabrications to prevent her wasting time on the case.[248][249] Greggs tells Daniels about the scheme. Daniels and Rhonda Pearlman take this news to Carcetti, who orders a cover-up because of the issue's importance to his campaign.[248][249][252][253] Davis is acquitted,[250][251] but Freamon uses the threat of federal prosecution to blackmail him for information.[242][243] Freamon learns that Levy is involved in selling copies of sealed indictments to drug lords[248][249] and tells Pearlman.[252][253] Levy is thrilled when Herc intimates that the source listed in the Stanfield arrest warrants could be an illegal wiretap.[248][249][252][253] Pearlman approaches Levy to negotiate a deal and he manages to reduce his own corruption to a bargaining chip because of the wiretap.[252][253] Levy ensures Stanfield's conditional release while his subordinates will have to accept long sentences.[252][253] Pearlman insists that Stanfield must retire from drug trafficking and Stanfield sells the connection to The Greeks back to the Co-Op.[252][253] Stanfield plans to become a businessman with his profits but cannot resist the lure of the corner.[252][253] As the cover-up begins a copy cat killing occurs and McNulty is aghast at the consequences of his actions, but quickly identifies and arrests the culprit in a final act of police work.[252][253] Pearlman tells McNulty and Freamon that they can no longer be allowed to do investigative work and warns of criminal charges if the scandal becomes public; Freamon opts to retire. It is not made clear whether McNulty retires, or agrees to be sent to a dead end department such as the pawn shop office that Freamon had been sent to prior.[252][253] Haynes exposes Templeton but the managing editors ignore the fabrications and demote anyone critical of their star reporter.[252][253] Carcetti pressures Daniels to falsify crime statistics to aid his campaign.[252][253] Daniels refuses and Campbell intervenes, threatening to expose his history.[252][253] Daniels decides to step down quietly and promotes Ellis Carver to lieutenant before his departure.[252][253] As McNulty faces the future without his career he gazes over the city and scenes from the past and the future flash by: Freamon enjoys retirement; Templeton wins a Pulitzer; Carcetti becomes Governor; Haynes is sidelined to the copy desk and replaced by Fletcher; Campbell appoints Valchek as commissioner; Dukie injects heroin; Michael becomes a stickup boy; Pearlman becomes a judge and Daniels a defense attorney; Bubbles is allowed upstairs where he enjoys a family dinner; Chris serves his life sentence alongside Wee-Bey; the drug trade continues; and the people of Baltimore go on with their lives.[252][253] [edit] Reception [edit] Critical response The first season received positive reviews from critics,[254][255] some even calling it superior to HBO's better-known "flagship" drama series such as The Sopranos and Six Feet Under.[256][257][258] One reviewer felt that the show was partially a retread of themes from HBO and David Simon's earlier works but still valuable viewing and described the series as particularly resonant because it parallels the war on terror through the chronicling of the war on drugs.[259] Another review postulated that the series might suffer because of its reliance on profanity and slowly drawn-out plot, but was largely positive about the show's characters and intrigue.[32] Despite the critical acclaim, The Wire has received poor Nielsen Ratings, which Simon attributes to the complexity of the plot, a poor time slot, heavy use of esoteric slang, particularly among the gangster characters and a predominantly black cast.[2] Critics felt the show was testing the attention span of its audience and felt that it was mistimed in the wake of the launch of the successful crime drama The Shield on FX.[259] However, anticipation for a release of the first season on DVD was high at Entertainment Weekly.[260] The Guardian described the second season as even more powerful than the first and praised it for deconstructing the show's central foundations with a willingness to explore new areas.[33] One reviewer with the Boston Phoenix felt that the subculture of the docks was not as absorbing as that of the housing projects. However, the review continued to praise the writers for creating a realistic world and populating it with an array of interesting characters.[261] The critical response to the third season remained positive. Entertainment Weekly named The Wire the best show of 2004, describing it as "the smartest, deepest and most resonant drama on TV." They credited the complexity of the show for its poor ratings.[262] The Baltimore City Paper was so concerned that the show might be cancelled that it published a list of ten reasons to keep it on the air, including strong characterization, Omar Little, an unabashedly honest representation of real world problems, and its unique status as "broadcast literature." It also worried that the loss of the show would have a negative impact on Baltimore's economy.[263] At the close of the third season, The Wire still struggled to maintain its ratings and the show faced possible cancellation.[264] Creator David Simon blamed the show's low ratings in part on its competition against Desperate Housewives and worried that expectations for HBO dramas had changed following the success of The Sopranos.[265] As the fourth season was poised to begin, almost two years after the previous season's end, Tim Goodman of the San Francisco Chronicle wrote that The Wire "has tackled the drug war in this country as it simultaneously explores race, poverty and 'the death of the American working class,' the failure of political systems to help the people they serve and the tyranny of lost hope. Few series in the history of television have explored the plight of inner-city African Americans and none—not one—has done it as well."[266] Meanwhile, The New York Times called the fourth season of The Wire "its best season yet."[267] Doug Elfman of the Chicago Sun-Times was more reserved in his praise, calling it the "most ambitious" show on television, but faulting it for its complexity and the slow development of the plotline.[268] The Los Angeles Times took the rare step of devoting an editorial to the show, stating that "even in what is generally acknowledged to be something of a golden era for thoughtful and entertaining dramas—both on cable channels and on network TV—The Wire stands out."[269] TIME Magazine especially praised the fourth season, stating that "no other TV show has ever loved a city so well, damned it so passionately, or sung it so searingly."[270] The website Metacritic, which gathers reviews from published news sources and translates them into a percentage score, has assigned to The Wire's fourth season a weighted average score of 98%, the highest for any television show since Metacritic began tracking them in 2005.[4] Several reviewers have called it the best show on television, including TIME,[270][271] Entertainment Weekly,[262], the Chicago Tribune,[272] Slate,[231] the San Francisco Chronicle[273], the Philadelphia Daily News.[274] and the British newspaper The Guardian[33], which is currently running a week-by-week blog following every episode[275]. Charlie Brooker, a columnist for The Guardian, has been particularly copious in his praise of the show, in both his column "Screen Burn" and his BBC Four television series Screenwipe, in which he often speaks highly of it, calling it possibly the greatest show of the last 20 years.[276][277] In January 2008, then–U.S. Senator Barack Obama was quoted in the Las Vegas Sun as saying that The Wire is his favorite show on television, with Omar Little being his favorite character of the series.[278] 'The Wire Files', an online collection of articles published in darkmatter Journal critically analyzes The Wire's racialized politics and aesthetics of representation.[279] [edit] Awards Main article: List of awards and nominations received by The Wire The series has been nominated for a variety of different awards including two Primetime Emmy Awards, fifteen NAACP Image Awards, two Edgar Awards (one win[280]), three Writers Guild of America Awards (one win), one Directors Guild of America Award, and has also won a Peabody Award.[281] The series has been nominated for forty three industry awards and has won eight. It has also topped several critics polls. [edit] Broadcasters See also: List of The Wire episodes HBO aired the five seasons of the show in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, and 2008, respectively. New episodes were shown once a week, occasionally skipping one or two weeks in favor of other programming. Starting with the fourth season, subscribers to the HBO On Demand service were able to see each episode of the season six days earlier.[282] American basic cable network BET also airs the show.[283] BET adds commercial breaks, blurs some nudity, and mutes the word fuck and its derivatives. Much of the waterfront storyline from the second season is edited out from the BET broadcasts.[284] In the United Kingdom, the show has been broadcast on FX, and now airs on terrestrial television on BBC Two.[285] Although controversially it was broadcast at 23:20[286] and had no BBC iPlayer catchup available.[287] In a world first, British newspaper The Guardian made the first episode of the first season available to stream on its website for a brief period.[288] In Ireland, seasons 1 through 5 were aired on public service channel TG4 approximately 6 months after the original airdates on HBO. Season 1 was aired on 3e in late 2008 but there are no plans to show any further seasons. In Australia, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation has purchased the rights to show all five series on its digital station, ABC2. It will commence screening in August 2009. It also airs in France, under the title Sur écoute ("wiretapped") on the pay channel Jimmy. The Polish channel TVN shows the series under the name Prawo ulicy ("law of the street"). The Swedish public service network SVT has shown the first four seasons of the series. In Norway, NRK aired the first season of the show in the autumn of 2007. In Israel, the show is broadcast on the Xtra Hot channel, under the name HaSmuya (הסמויה - The Covert Unit). The show airs in Canada, on The Movie Network, Movie Central and OMTV channels. In Finland the series is shown on Subtv and MTV3 channels under the name Langalla ("On the wire"). The show has been broadcast in Hungary on Duna TV since March 2007 under the name Drót ("Wire"). Since September 2008 the series is broadcasted in Germany (Foxchannel, Pay-TV) under its original name, but dubbed into German. The show is also broadcast in Asia on Cinemax since May 2009. In the Netherlands and Belgium the show has started its first run on 1 June 2009 on the NBC Universal cable channel 13th Street. [edit] DVD releases Further information: List of The Wire episodes Season Release dates Episodes Special features Discs Region 1 Region 2 Region 4 1 October 12, 2004 April 18, 2005 May 11, 2005 13 Three audio commentaries by crew members.[289] 5 2 January 25, 2005 October 10, 2005 May 3, 2006 12 Two audio commentaries by cast and crew members.[290] 3 August 8, 2006 February 5, 2007 August 13, 2008 12 Five audio commentaries by crew members. Q&A with David Simon and Creative Team, courtesy of the museum of Television & Radio. Conversation with David Simon at Eugene Lang College, The new School for Liberal Arts.[27] 4 December 4, 2007[291] March 10, 2008[292] August 13, 2008 13 Six audio commentaries by cast and crew members. "It's All Connected" featurette. "The Game is Real" featurette.[293] 4 5 August 12, 2008 September 22, 2008[294] August 5, 2009 10 Six audio commentaries by cast and crew members. "The Wire - The Last Word" featurette. "The Wire Odyssey" featurette.[295] The Complete Series December 9, 2008 December 8, 2008 N/A 60 Collects the previously released box-sets. 23 The DVD sets have been favorably received, though some critics have faulted them for a lack of special features.[11][12][296][297] [edit] References Season 1: 2002 Main article: The Wire (season 1) Season # Series # Title Story Teleplay Director Original airdate 1 1 "The Target" David Simon, Ed Burns David Simon Clark Johnson June 2, 2002 "...when it's not your turn." - McNulty Homicide detective Jimmy McNulty observes the murder trial of a mid-level drug dealer, D'Angelo Barksdale, and sees the prosecution's star witness recant her testimony. McNulty recognises drug king-pin Stringer Bell in the court room and believes he has manipulated the proceedings. McNulty circumvents the chain of command by talking to the judge, who then places pressure on the police department over the case. D'Angelo is acquitted and returns to work for the Barksdale drug-dealing organization—moving to the low rise projects known as "the pit." A homeless drug addict named Bubbles acts as mentor to another addict in an ill-conceived scam with severe consequences.[1][2] 2 2 "The Detail" David Simon, Ed Burns David Simon Clark Johnson June 9, 2002 "You cannot lose if you do not play." - Marla Daniels The witness who testified against D'Angelo is killed, and the Barksdale organization is suspected; a detail is formed to investigate their drug dealing activity in the low rises. The detail's Lieutenant, Cedric Daniels, is concerned with the quality of his team, while Detective McNulty is concerned with the department's plan for the investigation. Daniels' protégé Kima Greggs uses Bubbles as a confidential informant to identify members of the Barksdale organization. However, Daniels' suspicions about his other detectives prove correct when a late night foray into the West side projects by Herc, Carver and Prez goes awry.[3][4] 3 3 "The Buys" David Simon, Ed Burns David Simon Peter Medak June 16, 2002 "The King stay the King." - D'Angelo The detectives' brutal actions lead to a minor riot, bad publicity for the detail, injury to Herc, and Prez being placed on administrative leave. D'Angelo gives young dealers Wallace and Bodie Broadus a lesson about their place in the Barksdale hierarchy. The detail finally starts to see results as Lester Freamon obtains an old picture of Avon Barksdale. Stick-up man Omar Little takes advantage of D'Angelo's crew's lapses and steals their stash of narcotics. The pit is later raided by the police and Bodie receives a beating for striking an officer, but nothing turns up due to Omar's robbery.[5][6] 4 4 "Old Cases" David Simon, Ed Burns David Simon Clement Virgo June 23, 2002 "It's a thin line 'tween heaven and here." - Bubbles Bodie wakes up from his injuries in a Washington, D.C. juvenile detention center and manages to escape just before Herc and Carver arrive to interrogate him. Avon discusses the loss of the pit's stash with his enforcers and marks Omar and his crew for death. McNulty and Bunk Moreland, his partner from homicide, investigate an old murder that may be related to D'Angelo.[7][8] 5 5 "The Pager" David Simon, Ed Burns Ed Burns Clark Johnson June 30, 2002 "...a little slow, a little late." - Avon Barksdale Stringer warns D'Angelo that there may be a snitch in his camp. The detail gets its affidavit approved for a cloned pager but are puzzled at the results. Prez begins to redeem himself in the eyes of his colleagues by taking a fresh approach to the pager information. Wallace spots Brandon, one of Omar's crew, in an arcade and passes the information on to the Barksdale enforcers.[9][10] 6 6 "The Wire" David Simon, Ed Burns David Simon Ed Bianchi July 7, 2002 "...and all the pieces matter." - Freamon Brandon's bloodied body is discovered in the pit. Wallace gets even more unsettled about the situation after Avon rewards him for his part in Brandon's murder. The detail gets a wiretap running. Daniels clashes with homicide Major William Rawls over their approach to the evidence they have gathered thus far.[11][12] 7 7 "One Arrest" David Simon, Ed Burns Rafael Alvarez Joe Chappelle July 21, 2002 "A man must have a code." - Bunk Using information from the wiretap Detectives Greggs, Herc, Carver, and Sydnor catch a runner on his way to the pit with a re-supply. Avon worries about a possible snitch and Stringer confounds the detail's investigative efforts by cautiously instructing his people to stop using payphones. Rawls pressures his detective in the detail for information on their case.[13][14] 8 8 "Lessons" David Simon, Ed Burns David Simon Gloria Muzio July 28, 2002 "Come at the king, you best not miss." - Omar McNulty uses his children to tail Stringer after a chance encounter in a local market. Greggs and Carver arrest a driver picking up a large amount cash from the Towers from known gang members, but are forced to return the money when the driver's political connections to Senator Clay Davis are revealed. Daniels discusses his problems following the money trail with his wife Marla.[15][16] 9 9 "Game Day" David Simon, Ed Burns David H. Melnick, Shamit Choksey Milčo Mančevski August 4, 2002 "Maybe we won." - Herc Freamon gets Sydnor and Prez started on the Barksdale money trail. Omar gives East side kingpin Proposition Joe a stolen package for the opportunity to parlay with him. Avon and Proposition Joe host an East side vs. West side basketball game, giving the detectives the first glimpse of their elusive target. Omar attempts to kill Avon, but is himself wounded.[17][18] 10 10 "The Cost" David Simon, Ed Burns David Simon Brad Anderson August 11, 2002 "And then he dropped the bracelets..." - Greggs After being clean for three days, Bubbles gets some strong advice from a former addict. Avon and Stringer tighten up ship following Omar's attempted hit on Avon. The detail identifies a major Barksdale stash house and an undercover operation has terrible consequences. Omar and Stringer Bell meet for a parlay.[19][20] 11 11 "The Hunt" David Simon, Ed Burns Joy Lusco Steve Shill August 18, 2002 "Dope on the damn table." - Daniels While Greggs' life hangs in the balance, Daniels is ordered to raid the Barksdale operation. The detail's hand is forced and a series of city-wide raids and arrests are made to appease the Commissioner's desire for "dope on the table". Bubbles unwittingly implicates himself in the shooting.[21][22] 12 12 "Cleaning Up" David Simon, Ed Burns George Pelecanos Clement Virgo September 1, 2002 "This is me, yo, right here." - Wallace Avon and Stringer meet with their attorney, Maurice Levy, to discuss a potential leak in the wake of the raids. Wallace goes back to the pit and asks to be let back in but Stringer has another plan. With the loss of their wiretaps the detail takes a fresh approach and installs a camera in Avon's club. They catch Avon discussing a drug run with D'Angelo and arrest him en route.[23][24] 13 13 "Sentencing" David Simon, Ed Burns David Simon, Ed Burns Tim Van Patten September 8, 2002 "All in the game." - Traditional West Baltimore Daniels and McNulty's evidence of political corruption is rejected by the FBI. Daniels and McNulty face the ire of their superiors for flouting orders for a quick resolution to the case. D'Angelo is convinced to stand with his family by a visit from his mother. The detail has enough information to arrest Avon and many of his people but Stringer is left on the street. Business resumes in the pit with Bodie and Poot leading the way.[25][26] [edit] Season 2: 2003 Main article: The Wire (season 2) Season # Series # Title Story Teleplay Director Original airdate 1 14 "Ebb Tide" David Simon, Ed Burns David Simon Ed Bianchi[29] June 1, 2003 "Ain't never gonna be what it was." - Little Big Roy Jimmy McNulty is sidelined to harbor patrol. He discovers a corpse in the harbor and pays back Colonel Rawls by proving City Homicide are responsible for the investigation. Major Valchek feels slighted when the boss of a local stevedore union named Frank Sobotka donates a more impressive gift to a local Polish church. Sobotka meets with other union leaders and learns that a crucial pier is still in a state of disrepair. Sobotka instructs his nephew Nick to see The Greek regarding payment for a clandestine container that he is smuggling through the port. Later, Port Police Officer "Beadie" Russell stumbles across The Greek's container and discovers the bodies of over a dozen young women inside.[27][28] 2 15 "Collateral Damage" David Simon, Ed Burns David Simon Ed Bianchi June 8, 2003 "They can chew you up, but they gotta spit you out." - McNulty Officer Russell is assigned the murders of the thirteen women discovered in the cargo container. McNulty offers to help and again ensures that the case goes back to Rawls' homicide department. Valchek strikes a deal with Acting Commissioner Burrell—in return for supporting Burrell in his aspirations for promotion, Valchek demands Burrell set up a detail to investigate Sobotka and his union. Sobotka considers cutting his ties with The Greek for not telling him the contents of the container and demands a meeting. "Horseface" complains of sudden police pressure to Sobotka and the two come up with a plan to further embarrass Valchek. In prison, Avon Barksdale's relationship with his nephew D'Angelo begins to sour. Bodie Broadus finds that the new shipment of drugs for the Barksdale Organization is missing.[30][31] 3 16 "Hot Shots" David Simon, Ed Burns David Simon Elodie Keene June 15, 2003 "What they need is a union." - Russell Nick is concerned over how he is to provide for his girlfriend and their daughter. He joins his errant cousin Ziggy and other dock workers to steal containers for Vondas and the Greeks. Avon confers with Stringer Bell about troubles with their drug supply and D'Angelo's growing distant. Frank Sobotka attempts to court political favor in order to fulfill his hopes for the regeneration of the docks. Omar Little signs up some new partners in crime. At the request of Wee-Bey, Avon deals with an abusive prison officer who also deals drugs to inmates. His methods horrify D'Angelo.[32][33] 4 17 "Hard Cases" David Simon, Joy Lusco Joy Lusco Elodie Keene June 22, 2003 "If I hear the music, I'm gonna dance." - Greggs D'Angelo confronts Avon about the bad package and washes his hands of the business. Avon brokers a deal to give up the prison officer for a reduction in his sentence. Valchek specifically requests Lieutenant Daniels for the Sobotka investigation. Daniels negotiates with Burrell and secures the promise of his own major crimes unit after the Sobotka investigation ends. Sobotka chastises his son and nephew about their unauthorized smuggling deal with the Greeks; he defends his own illicit deals as a means toward regenerating the ailing dockyard. Ziggy continues to enjoy his new-found wealth. McNulty takes a personal interest in the murdered women and is pressured to find Omar for Bunk Moreland.[34][35] 5 18 "Undertow" David Simon, Ed Burns Ed Burns Steve Shill June 29, 2003 "They used to make steel there, no?" - Spiros Vondas Ziggy's inability to move a package of drugs costs him his Camaro and nearly his life as he falls foul of East side dealers. Seeing his cousin in danger, Nick attempts to parlay with one of the dealers but discovers that they have torched Ziggy's car. Daniels sends his detail out for some hand-to-hands as they half-heartedly step up their investigation of the docks. Officer Russell gets information from an old boyfriend who indicates that the union computer may be useful in tracking containers. Sobotka's frustration with the Greeks begins to grow as he is once again denied a meeting with their boss. He puts his umbrage aside once his payment for smuggling their containers is tripled. Donette visits D'Angelo and tells him that he is being supported; D'Angelo remains cynical. The Barksdale family's drug trade continues to falter because of supply problems.[36][37] 6 19 "All Prologue" David Simon, Ed Burns David Simon Steve Shill July 6, 2003 "It don't matter that some fool say he different..." - D'Angelo The detail continues to look for the source of the union's money and begin to monitor container movements. Detective Greggs tracks down a lead on the murdered girls. Stringer, concerned over D'Angelo's distancing from the organization, goes behind Avon's back to deal with the problem once and for all. Nick requests help from the Greeks to solve Ziggy's problems. As Sobotka outlines his plans for the docks, several of his union colleagues express suspicion at the source of his income. Omar emerges from hiding to testify against Bird.[38][39] 7 20 "Backwash" David Simon, Rafael Alvarez Rafael Alvarez Thomas J. Wright July 13, 2003 "Don't worry kid, you're still on the clock." - Horseface Rawls attempts to persuade Daniels to take the Jane Doe homicides but is unsuccessful. Lester Freamon and Russell continue to study the docks' traffic using their cloned computer, and suspect irregularities in containers handled by "Horseface". They track a container back to the Greeks' warehouse. They watch the warehouse and see Sergei Malatov meeting with Proposition Joe. Stringer discusses a business deal with Proposition Joe to revitalize the Barksdale organization, but Avon turns it down flat. D'Angelo's funeral brings together the Barksdale Organization.[40][41] 8 21 "Duck and Cover" David Simon, George Pelecanos George Pelecanos Daniel Attias July 27, 2003 "How come they don't fly away?" - Ziggy McNulty deals with the disappointment of his failed reconciliation with his wife by returning to his old drinking and womanizing habits while falling further into depression. The detail closes in on Sergei Malatov when they track his cell phone through his truck rental paperwork. Concerned about the union's finances, Sobotka decides to pay the bills and discovers that his cell phone account was flagged as to not have service disconnected. Becoming paranoid, he smuggles a container without contraband to see the results, and his suspicions solidify when the police pull the container over. Frank and Nick visit the diner to meet with The Greek; The Greek tells him to deliver more disappeared but clean containers to the shut down warehouse as suspicions mount about possible interest from the police. With his business faltering Bodie moves his crew into new territory.[42][43] 9 22 "Stray Rounds" David Simon, Ed Burns David Simon Tim Van Patten August 3, 2003 "The world is a smaller place now." - The Greek The detail is dismayed at the lack of activity from their subjects and realizes that they must be changing their operating procedure. Nick moves higher in the underworld when Vondas allows him to wholesale drugs on their behalf. On the new drug corner they commandeered from their rivals Bodie and crew are involved in a shootout that kills a child. Rawls greets Major Howard "Bunny" Colvin at the scene of the shooting; Colvin disapproves of Rawls' counter-strategy of large-scale strike operations through the Western District. Stringer meets with Proposition Joe behind Avon's back to discuss turning over some West side territory in exchange for a cut of the Greeks' drugs. Avon complicates Stringer's attempted betrayal by hiring feared hitman Brother Mouzone to drive off rival dealers.[44][45] 10 23 "Storm Warnings" David Simon, Ed Burns Ed Burns Rob Bailey August 10, 2003 "It pays to go with the union card every time." - Ziggy Racial tension over the next union secretary continues to build; Sobotka still plans to run contrary to a long-standing gentlemen's agreement. Ziggy steals several cars from the docks and fences them to George "Double G" Glekas. When Glekas double-crosses Ziggy by halving his original cut Ziggy flies into a rage and shoots Glekas and another young Greek helper boy. He breaks down emotionally right outside the warehouse and is arrested. Nick is the first to learn of his cousin's arrest and after facing the wrath of his uncle, drowns his sorrows in a local park. The detail uses satellite technology to its advantage but meets a setback as Valchek turns over control of the investigation to the FBI. Bodie is pleased with the new supply of drugs, but unhappy that Proposition Joe's nephew Cheese is on his turf. Cheese is wounded by Brother Mouzone, further complicating relations between Stringer and Proposition Joe.[46][47] 11 24 "Bad Dreams" David Simon, George Pelecanos George Pelecanos Ernest Dickerson August 17, 2003 "I need to get clean." - Sobotka Stringer manipulates Omar into pursuing Brother Mouzone. Omar shoots Mouzone and then leaves him alive having realized his mistake. The detail serves warrants on the targets of their investigation. A raid of Nick's home turns up large amounts of cash and heroin but Nick himself escapes arrest. Frank Sobotka is arrested when the FBI storms the union offices. Valchek ensures the press is there to see Sobotka embarrassed in a perp walk. Sobotka agrees to work with the investigation into the Greeks in exchange for leniency for Nick and Ziggy. In the wake of the arrests The Greeks decide to cut their losses and leave Baltimore. A report detailing Sobotka's plan is passed to Vondas from a contact in the FBI. Vondas lures Sobotka into danger by offering him a meeting with The Greek and a promise to help Nick and Ziggy.[48][49] 12 25 "Port in a Storm" David Simon, Ed Burns David Simon Robert F. Colesberry August 24, 2003 "Business. Always business." - The Greek The stevedores gather for work as a floating corpse is pulled from the water. Once ashore, they all recognize the body as Frank Sobotka. The Greek opts to stop pursuing Nick because the police are on his heels, and walks away from Baltimore. The FBI visits the union hall and tells them that they need to change their leadership or face decertification. The union remains loyal and seals the destruction of their future. Urban reform begins to hit Baltimore as the docks undergo construction. Omar vows revenge against Stringer. Stringer cements his deal with Proposition Joe now that Mouzone is out of the way. Bubbles is arrested and alerts Greggs and McNulty to the relationship between Proposition Joe and Stringer Bell in exchange for his release.[50][51] [edit] Season 3: 2004 Main article: The Wire (season 3) Season # Series # Title Story Teleplay Director Original airdate 1 26 "Time After Time" David Simon, Ed Burns David Simon Ed Bianchi September 19, 2004 "Don't matter how many times you get burnt, you just keep doin' the same." - Bodie The season starts midway into the Major Case Unit’s unsuccessful investigation into the Barksdale criminal enterprise. With their recent efforts fruitless, ASA Pearlman and Lieutenant Daniels consider dropping the wiretaps, to the dismay of the squad. Meanwhile, Ellis Carver finds himself in command of an incompetent group of policemen in the Western district. Bodie Broadus, Poot Carr, and Puddin reminisce about their days living and working in the 221 tower before it is demolished in an effort to stifle the drug trade. At a Barksdale Organization meeting, new head enforcer Slim Charles suggests that more territory is required and should be taken by force if needed; Stringer Bell maintains that product is the cornerstone of their operation. Dennis "Cutty" Wise, a legendary enforcer, is released from incarceration with an offer of work from Avon Barksdale.[52][53] 2 27 "All Due Respect" David Simon, Richard Price Richard Price Steve Shill September 26, 2004 "There's never been a paper bag." - Colvin Detective McNulty has doubts about the reported suicide of D'Angelo Barksdale and starts an unofficial investigation. East side drug lieutenant Cheese participates in an underground dogfight, and euthanizes his pitbull after losing. He speaks of this killing on the wire, and the Major Case Unit confuse it with a real murder. The unit decides to arrest Cheese and prematurely reveals their wire-tap in the process. Omar Little returns to Baltimore and resumes robbing stash houses. Councilman Tommy Carcetti pressures Acting Commissioner Burrell over high crime rates, and Burrell sends the pressure downhill to the foot officers. Cutty finds honest work with a landscaping crew. Western District Major Howard "Bunny" Colvin is ambivalent about the tactic of reclassifying crimes to manipulate statistics and is driven to consider an unorthodox solution when one of Carver's squad is shot in an undercover operation.[54][55] 3 28 "Dead Soldiers" David Simon, Dennis Lehane Dennis Lehane Rob Bailey October 3, 2004 "The gods will not save you." - Burrell Major Colvin attends the weekly comstat meeting, where another Major is fired as a result of Carcetti's pressure to reduce crime. Carcetti then uses the press to defer heat from the police department onto the mayor, to test his tenacity. Colvin looks for areas where he can turn a blind eye to drug dealing, unbeknownst to his superiors. Omar and his crew scope out a Barksdale stash house, and decide to attack it despite its heavy fortifications. A shootout ensues, with deaths on both sides. When the Major Case Unit is instructed to pursue a new, unrelated target McNulty refuses to divert his attention from the Barksdale Organization. Cutty visits an old flame. Bodie's crew are beaten for encroaching on Marlo Stanfield's territory.[56][57] 4 29 "Hamsterdam" David Simon, George Pelecanos George Pelecanos Ernest Dickerson October 10, 2004 "Why you got to go and fuck with the program?" - Fruit West Baltimore residents get some surprising straight talk from Major Colvin at a community meeting. Colvin has little success convincing area drug dealers to relocate to his tolerant zones. Carcetti reveals his mayoral political ambitions and pursues a campaign manager. Cutty gives up his attempts at straight work and joins the Barksdale Organization. Avon Barksdale is paroled despite the Major Case Unit's previous work against him. Stringer continues to invest in property development.[58][59] 5 30 "Straight and True" David Simon, Ed Burns Ed Burns Daniel Attias October 17, 2004 "I had such fuckin' hopes for us." - McNulty Frustrated in his grass-roots reform efforts, Colvin arms himself with intelligence from the Major Case Unit and approaches the mid-level drug dealers instead. McNulty sees Stringer is now unreachable as a drug target because of his ties to legitimate business. Stringer throws a welcome home party for Avon and launches a citywide Co-Op for drug dealers but fails to recruit immediate West side rival Marlo Stanfield. Detective Greggs follows Stanfield to his meeting with Stringer. Dissent spreads in Omar's crew over his bloody minded pursuit of the Barksdale Organization.[60][61] 6 31 "Homecoming" David Simon, Rafael Alvarez Rafael Alvarez Leslie Libman October 31, 2004 "Just a gangster, I suppose." - Avon Barksdale Stringer gets an education in construction management and explores the opportunities of Colvin's new drug tolerant zones. Meanwhile Avon initiates a war over territory with Marlo but is dismayed at the ineptitude of his people when several are killed while attempting a drive-by shooting. Cutty finds that he has lost the ability to kill and leaves the Barksdale Organization with Avon's blessing. A frustrated Colvin unleashes the troops on the corner boys ignoring his new edict. Carcetti manipulates another councilman into joining the mayoral race in order to divide the votes while concealing his own intention to run. McNulty and Greggs are ready to give up on targeting Stringer when the new violence gives them another reason. However, they must go behind Daniels' back to have the unit reassigned as he is angry about their disloyalty to date.[62][63] 7 32 "Back Burners" David Simon, Joy Lusco Joy Lusco Tim Van Patten November 7, 2004 "Conscience do cost." - Butchie Daniels sees the reason his unit was reassigned from Pimlico and tells McNulty he will have to leave as he cannot trust him. The unit find that the drug dealers are using disposable phones and begin to formulate an investigative strategy. Marlo dispatches a drive-by on a Barksdale corner from the calm of his pigeon coop. Carcetti pressures the mayor over witness protection. The Western District officers begin to become dissatisfied with policing Colvin's tolerant zones.[64][65] 8 33 "Moral Midgetry" David Simon, Richard Price Richard Price Agnieszka Holland November 14, 2004 "Crawl, walk, and then run." - Clay Davis Carcetti flaunts his advisors counsel and pressures Burrell over witness protection. The Major Case Unit track the buyer of phones for the Barksdale Organization. Brianna and McNulty sit down for a heart-to-heart. Avon dispatches the troops to track Omar and tries to ensnare Marlo in a trap. Avon is wounded when Marlo senses the trap and then wrestles with a revelation by Stringer. A local deacon helps Cutty to plan a new life and is dismayed at the standard of life for drug users in Colvin's tolerant zones.[66][67] 9 34 "Slapstick" David Simon, George Pelecanos David Simon Alex Zakrzewski November 21, 2004 "...while you're waiting for moments that never come." - Freamon A Barksdale crew member violates the long-standing but unspoken Sunday morning truce when he tries to kill Omar. There is increasing discontent among the co-op over the Barksdale/Stanfield turf war. The deacon convinces Colvin to introduce public health programs in the tolerant zones and the Western District officers are dismayed at the apparent permanence of the endeavour. A murder takes place in the "Hamsterdam" tolerant zone and Carver moves the body out of loyalty to Colvin. Carver's partner Thomas "Herc" Hauk reaches breaking point and calls the press about the tolerant zones. The Major Case Unit begin to build probable cause for their wiretaps but are worried that the dealers change phones too frequently. Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski shoots another officer in a case of night time mistaken identity. Carcetti finds a potential ally in State Delegate Odell Watkins and organizes state funding for witness protection.[68][69] 10 35 "Reformation" David Simon, Ed Burns Ed Burns Christine Moore November 28, 2004 "Call it a crisis of leadership." - Proposition Joe The Barksdale/Stanfield war continues to intensify with deaths on both sides. Avon refuses to accept Stringer's advice to follow the co-op's proposal for a truce. Brother Mouzone returns to Baltimore on a mission of revenge and casts a wide net in his search for Omar. Omar has his own plan for vengeance against Avon. Carver gets some frank advice about his failings as an officer from Colvin. Colvin convinces the reporter that Herc has spoken with to hold his story on the tolerant zones. Colvin finally reveals his actions to his superiors. Burrell is incensed and takes the information straight to Mayor Royce. Royce is reluctant to shut the project down because of its success in reducing crime. When their first wiretaps go dead after just a few days the Major Case Unit are dismayed. Lester Freamon overcomes the problem by organizing to supply the Barksdale Organization with pre-wiretapped phones. Cutty opens a boxing gym for local children but finds his poor equipment and their behaviour difficult to deal with.[70][71] 11 36 "Middle Ground" David Simon, George Pelecanos George Pelecanos Joe Chappelle December 12, 2004 "We ain't gotta dream no more, man." - Stringer Bell Cutty convinces Avon to give him money to fund his gym. Brother Mouzone forms an alliance with Omar when he discovers that Stringer betrayed him. Royce continues to delay closing down the tolerant zones alienating Burrell and Watkins. Burrell leaks the story to Carcetti. Stringer learns that he has been conned into making political contributions for no return and tries to convince Avon to order the murder of Senator Clay Davis. The wiretaps begin to yield information about the Barksdale organization and the unit get a recording of Stringer discussing contract killers. Stringer meets with Colvin and gives him the location of Avon's safehouse believing that returning Avon to prison is the best way to end the war. Meanwhile, Brother Mouzone meets with Avon and convinces him to give Stringer's whereabouts away so that he can exact his revenge. Omar and Mouzone ambush and kill Stringer.[72][73] 12 37 "Mission Accomplished" David Simon, Ed Burns David Simon Ernest Dickerson December 19, 2004 "...we fight on that lie." - Slim Charles A reticent Avon readies his troops for war against Marlo. The press descend on Hamsterdam and Royce finally realizes his delay was a mistake. Carcetti is there to capitalise on the bad publicity for the Mayor. A vengeful Burrell ensures Colvin's retirement is not comfortable. McNulty is devastated that Stringer was killed before he could arrest him but his spirits lift when he gets a chance to bring down Avon instead. With the information from Stringer the Major Case Unit arrest Avon and most of his people. Cutty struggles to keep his young boxers off the corners as the Stanfield organization enjoy their victory. McNulty leaves the Major Case Unit to patrol the Western District.[74][75] [edit] Season 4: 2006 Main article: The Wire (season 4) Season # Series # Title Story Teleplay Director Original airdate 1 38 "Boys of Summer" David Simon, Ed Burns David Simon Joe Chappelle September 10, 2006 "Lambs to the slaughter here." - Marcia Donnelly Four West Baltimore boys wrestle with what to do with the rest of their summer vacation. When unkempt outcast Duquan "Dukie" Weems is beaten up by a neighbouring group of children, Michael Lee is the quiet leader of the group's retaliation. Randy Wagstaff has the imagination to plan the endeavour. Namond Brice is the most outspoken and the richest of the four. Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski prepares for his new career as a school teacher. The Major Crimes Unit has a wiretap investigation into the new power in West Baltimore - the Stanfield Organization. They remain unaware that when Marlo Stanfield orders a death the target is taken to a vacant building and killed by enforcers Chris Partlow and "Snoop." Randy is unwittingly involved in one such disappearance. The mayoral election campaign between councilman Tommy Carcetti and incumbent mayor Clarence Royce begins to take shape.[76][77] 2 39 "Soft Eyes" Ed Burns, David Mills David Mills Christine Moore September 17, 2006 "I still wake up white in a city that ain't." - Carcetti Thomas "Herc" Hauk is now working for the Mayor's security detail. He catches Royce in a compromising position and learns how to spin it into a promotion opportunity. Namond visits his father, Wee-Bey Brice, in prison. Wee-Bey urges Namond to work harder at his job with drug dealer Bodie Broadus but Namond swaps it with Michael as he is in greater financial need. Bunk Moreland investigates a murder but finds his prime suspect missing. Rhonda Pearlman and Lester Freamon argue over delivering subpoenas to political figures. Another murder involving a state's witness gives Carcetti damaging ammunition in a debate with Royce. Marlo gives money away to the neighborhood children and Michael catches his attention when he refuses the handout. Dennis "Cutty" Wise continues to run the community boxing gym and also notices Michael because of his aptitude for the sport. Bubbles mentors young and homeless Sherrod in his junk selling business.[78][79] 3 40 "Home Rooms" Ed Burns, Richard Price Richard Price Seith Mann September 24, 2006 "I love the first day, man. Everybody all friendly an' shit." - Namond Brice Royce strikes back against Carcetti with his mayoral powers, however, he alienates State Delegate Watkins over his refusal to fund witness protection. Carcetti impresses Watkins by his reserved behaviour at the funeral of the murdered witness. Bunk visits Jimmy McNulty and Beadie Russell for dinner and finds McNulty sober and enjoying domestic life. Marlo Stanfield visits Bodie's corner and muscles him into selling the Stanfield package. Marlo is impressed with Michael a second time when he sees him working for Bodie. Proposition Joe and his New Day Co-Op face problems on two fronts; New York drug dealers on the East side and the Stanfield Organization in the West; they agree to attempt to negotiate with Marlo. Omar Little robs a Stanfield stash house. Rawls sends a caustic new lieutenant to gut the major case unit from the inside. Freamon and Kima Greggs leave for the homicide unit. Howard "Bunny" Colvin embarks on a new career as a researcher into violent behaviour. Prez is shocked by a violent incident in his classroom.[80][81] 4 41 "Refugees" Ed Burns, Dennis Lehane Dennis Lehane Jim McKay October 1, 2006 "No one wins. One side just loses more slowly." - Prez As the homicide unit's newest detective Greggs is assigned to the high-profile witness case in an attempt to stall the investigation until after the election. Freamon joins Bunk on finding his missing suspect and realizes the connection to the lack of violence from the Stanfield Organization. Freamon suggests the suspect has been killed and his body hidden. Marlo loses big in a poker game and decides to take over Bodie's corner. Chris and Snoop assess Michael as a potential recruit. Proposition Joe manipulates Omar into robbing Marlo's next card game. Watkins becomes more angry with Royce when he sees he has reneged on a promise to back his protege Marla Daniels for a council seat. Randy is caught truanting and becomes a reluctant informant for the teachers.[82][83] 5 42 "Alliances" David Simon, Ed Burns Ed Burns David Platt October 8, 2006 "If you with us, you with us." - Chris Partlow Carcetti learns that Greggs has been assigned the witness case and uses the information against Royce. Watkins forms an alliance with Carcetti. Now a sergeant in the major case unit, Herc takes part in a series of ill-advised raids that fail to render any signifigant arrests. Herc takes a video camera without permission to surveil Stanfield. Marlo tries to enlist Michael but he rejects the offer. Marlo arranges to have Omar framed for murder. Dukie debunks Randy's theory that the Chris and Snoop's victims are undead and shows him the bodies. Prez struggles to control his student's behaviour. Bubbles is beaten by another drug addict and throws Sherrod out for truanting.[84][85] 6 43 "Margin of Error" Ed Burns, Eric Overmyer Eric Overmyer Daniel Attias October 15, 2006 "Don't try this shit at home." - Norman Wilson Namond is pushed into drug dealing by his mother when they are cut off by the remnants of the Barksdale Organization (who had been supporting them). Randy reveals his involvement in the murder to his teachers and is placed under Sergeant Ellis Carver's care. Marlo proves elusive despite Herc's camera. Colvin's new special class separates the worst behaved students (known as "Corner Kids") from their peers. Carcetti wins the election despite a last minute smear campaign. Omar is arrested for the murder Marlo organized.[86][87] 7 44 "Unto Others" Ed Burns, William F. Zorzi William F. Zorzi Anthony Hemingway October 29, 2006 "Aw yeah. That golden rule." - The Bunk Royce and Carcetti make their peace. Prez has a good day with his class minus the "corner kids". Omar convinces Bunk to help him prove his innocence. Greggs uses "soft eyes" at a crime scene and finds the witness killing was accidental. Marlo steals Herc's surveillance camera provoking him into a more direct approach. Carver hands Randy over to Herc who fails to understand the importance of his story. Sherrod begins working in the drug trade and fights with Namond over territory. After receiving a beating Namond disrupts Colvin's class. Proposition Joe continues to court Marlo's involvement with the Co-Op.[88][89] 8 45 "Corner Boys" Ed Burns, Richard Price Richard Price Agnieszka Holland November 5, 2006 "We got our thing, but it's just part of the big thing." - Zenobia Colvin uses corner logic in class and is greeted with enthusiasm, particularly from Namond. Michael is devastated when his stepfather returns to live with him. Bunk exposes the frame on Omar but antagonizes his colleagues by meddling in the case. Herc stops Chris and Snoop and fails to realize the significance of the tools he finds in their car - they use them to conceal the corpses of their victims. Carcetti makes the rounds and discusses his plans as Mayor and his intentions for the future. He considers employing a new police commissioner and Cedric Daniels sees his stock rising.[90][91] 9 46 "Know Your Place" Ed Burns, Kia Corthron Kia Corthron Alex Zakrzewski November 12, 2006 "Might as well dump 'em, get another." - Proposition Joe Bubbles identifies a witness for Herc but Herc fails to return the favor by protecting him from his tormentor. Colvin offers an incentive to his class. Old Face Andre turns to Proposition Joe for protection after his ineptitude in the framing of Omar. Joe ingratiates himself with Marlo by handing Andre over to Chris and Snoop. Marlo finally joins the Co-Op and his enforcers begin to take on the New York drug dealers. Carver warns Namond about his drug dealing. Carcetti restricts commissioner Ervin Burrell's authority and insists on a promotion for Daniels. Michael takes his problem with his step father to Marlo. Omar plans revenge on Marlo and Proposition Joe.[92][93] 10 47 "Misgivings" Ed Burns, Eric Overmyer Ed Burns[95] Ernest Dickerson November 19, 2006 "World goin' one way, people another." - Poot Burrell's new mandate for quality of life arrests is met with civil disobedience and political maneuvering. Chris takes care of Michael's problem. Marlo has a member of Bodie's crew killed after he is interviewed by Herc and orders word spread about Randy for the same reason. Carver arrests Namond and he reaches out to Colvin for help. After another beating, Bubbles gets revenge for Herc's continual betrayals by setting him up to arrest a minister. The teachers are pressured to teach test material despite their recent successes.[94][95] 11 48 "A New Day" David Simon, Ed Burns Ed Burns Brad Anderson November 26, 2006 "You play in dirt, you get dirty." - McNulty Carcetti faces a dilemma over a complaint from the minister against Herc. Carcetti galvanises other departments into action with non-specific complaints. Randy faces bullying from his school mates after he is exposed as an informant. Omar tricks Proposition Joe into giving away the timing of his next shipment. Freamon is tempted back to Major Crimes by Daniels and has a revelation regarding the hiding place of the missing bodies.[96][97] 12 49 "That's Got His Own" Ed Burns, George Pelecanos George Pelecanos Joe Chappelle December 3, 2006 "That all it is to it?" - Bubbles Prez is rankled by Dukie's social promotion to high school after having become close to him. Omar orchestrates the theft of the Co-Op's shipment. Michael trains as an enforcer in the Stanfield Organization and violently alienates Cutty and Namond. Randy is kept home for his own protection but an arson attack on his home leaves his foster mother horribly burned. Herc is suspended for his loss of the camera. Freamon's discovery of bodies in vacant houses damages the homicide unit's annual clearance rate. Daniels realizes the statistics can be blamed on Royce so Carcetti approves a city wide search. Carcetti faces a massive school budget deficit and is forced to go the the governor for assistance. Bubbles prepares a lethal vial of narcotics for his tormentor but Sherrod takes it unwittingly and dies.[98][99] 13 50 "Final Grades" David Simon, Ed Burns David Simon Ernest Dickerson December 10, 2006 "If animal trapped call 410-844-6286." - Baltimore, traditional Bubbles attempts suicide after confessing his part in Sherrod's death and is taken to rehab. Freamon begins to build his investigation and has Chris and Snoop brought in for DNA samples. Bodie reaches breaking point over Marlo's murder of his people and turns to McNulty. Bodie is later killed on his corner after the meeting is observed. McNulty decides to rejoin the Major Crimes Unit. Proposition Joe is forced to reveal his supplier to Marlo to reassure the Co-Op after Omar's robbery. Marlo meets with Spiros Vondas who vouches for Joe. Omar brazenly sells the stolen drugs back to the Co-Op. Carcetti rejects the Governor's offer of assistance with the schools as it would cost his career too much in the future. Despite Carver's efforts to prevent it, Randy is reluctantly returned to a group home. Colvin's special class is shut down by the education board. However, he persuades Namond's parents to let Namond live with him in order to keep him away from drug dealing. Michael commits his first murder and is given Bodie's corner to run; Dukie is unable to settle in high school and joins his crew.[100][101] [edit] Season 5: 2008 Main article: The Wire (season 5) Episode # Series # Title Story Teleplay Director Original airdate 1 51 "More with Less" David Simon, Ed Burns David Simon Joe Chappelle January 6, 2008 "The bigger the lie, the more they believe." - Bunk The Stanfield Organization continues to operate despite a year of surveillance by the Major Crimes Unit. Education budget deficits and ambitions to become Governor leave Mayor Carcetti forced to make funding cuts. His broken promises to the police department destroy morale and cause the closure of the Major Crimes Unit. Detective Jimmy McNulty is sent back to homicide and returns to his old habits of drinking and infidelity. Similar cutbacks in the Baltimore Sun newsroom make it increasingly difficult for city desk editor Gus Haynes to do his job but he is still able to break a major story linking city council president Nerese Campbell and drug dealer Fat-Face Rick. Bubbles is recovering from his heroin addiction but is struggling to come to terms with his role in Sherrod's death. Michael Lee continues to work as a Stanfield enforcer and provides a home for his younger brother and friend Duquan "Dukie" Weems.[102][103] 2 52 "Unconfirmed Reports" David Simon, William F. Zorzi William F. Zorzi Ernest Dickerson January 13, 2008 "This ain't Aruba, bitch." - Bunk Reporter Scott Templeton submits an unverifiable story about a boy attending the opening day of the Baltimore Orioles baseball season. Haynes is dubious but is forced to run the story by his senior editors. The withdrawal of the police investigation emboldens Marlo Stanfield and he orders several murders and tries to contact international drug trafficking organization "The Greeks". Detective Lester Freamon continues to observe Stanfield even though he has been assigned to the Clay Davis corruption case. Bubbles takes a job at a soup kitchen. McNulty becomes increasingly frustrated in the underfunded homicide unit and takes the drastic step of faking a homicide with the intention of drawing funds to the department by creating the illusion of a serial killer.[104][105] 3 53 "Not for Attribution" David Simon, Chris Collins Chris Collins Scott & Joy Kecken January 20, 2008 "They're dead where it doesn't count." - Fletcher Stanfield turns to "Proposition Joe" Stewart for help cleaning and laundering money while Stewart remains unaware that Stanfield is trying to usurp his connection to The Greeks. Stanfield also places a bounty on information leading him to Omar Little. Cheese gives Stanfield the whereabout's of Omar's advisor Butchie. Chris Partlow and Snoop torture and kill Butchie to lure Omar from retirement. Stanislaus Valchek leaks unmodified statistics from the police department to Carcetti and tells him that commissioner Ervin Burrell is falsifying the numbers giving Carcetti the political ammunition he needs to fire Burrell. Carcetti leaks a story heralding Cedric Daniels as a potential replacement. Daniels is worried that Burrell will reveal his shady past after Templeton invents a quote implicating Daniels in Burrell's departure. McNulty continues to work on his serial killer plan despite warnings from his partner Bunk Moreland. Bunk enlists Freamon to talk to McNulty but is dumbfounded when Freamon offers to help with the plan.[106][107] 4 54 "Transitions" David Simon, Ed Burns Ed Burns Daniel Attias January 27, 2008 "Buyer's market out there." - Templeton Freamon and McNulty draw more attention to their fake serial killer by sensationalizing the murders. McNulty's compulsive behaviour jeopardizes his relationship with Beadie Russell. Campbell learns of Daniels' history but convinces Burrell to leave quietly with the promise of a comfortable replacement position. Sergeant Ellis Carver puts his principles first in the Western District and his former partner Herc is shamed by his integrity. Stanfield convinces The Greeks to consider him an insurance policy and continues to assimilate Stewart's contacts including Maurice Levy. Omar returns to Baltimore and quickly learns that Stanfield was responsible for Butchie's death. Stewart prepares to leave town fearing reprisal from Omar but is once again betrayed by Cheese and murdered by Partlow as Stanfield watches.[108] 5 55 "React Quotes" David Simon, David Mills David Mills Agnieszka Holland February 3, 2008 "Just 'cause they're in the street doesn't mean that they lack opinions." - Haynes Stanfield takes over as The Greeks' Baltimore distributor and is given a phone and a code to use to contact them. Stanfield gives the number to Levy and Herc steals it and passes it on to the police department. Freamon appeals to Daniels for a wiretap but is unsuccessful. McNulty leaks further details of his invented serial killer to the press and the story gains momentum. When Templeton stages a phone call from the serial killer McNulty uses it as probable cause for a wiretap. Freamon sets up on Stanfield's phone while the homicide unit believe they are manning another, disconnected, wiretap of the killers phone. Dukie struggles with bullying and searches for a new path. Bubbles learns that he is HIV negative. State's Attorney Bond announces the Davis corruption case. Campbell convinces Davis to protect his fellow politicians and he embarks on a publicity campaign suggesting that his race has motivated the charges. Partlow sets up an ambush for Omar which he narrowly escapes by jumping from a balcony.[109][110] 6 56 "The Dickensian Aspect" David Simon, Ed Burns Ed Burns Seith Mann February 10, 2008 "If you have a problem with this, I understand completely." - Freamon Omar hides and tends to his injured leg overnight and then resumes robbing the Stanfield organization. Stanfield assumes control of the New Day Co-Op, telling the members that Omar was responsible for Stewart's death. Stanfield promotes Cheese, raises the price of narcotics, and suspends further meetings. The police find sealed courthouse documents in Stewart's house and realize there is a leak somewhere. Freamon enlists Leander Sydnor to man the wiretap and realizes that Stanfield is communicating with picture messages and McNulty abducts and photographs a homeless man in order to provide probable cause for picture intercepts. Templeton writes a follow-up story about a homeless Iraq veteran and draws the praise of his superiors, for once including Haynes. Bunk remains frustrated with McNulty's scheme and begins to make progress working his old cases the traditional way. Carcetti delivers a rousing speech about the serial killer and decides to spin homelessness into a core campaign issue.[111][112] 7 57 "Took" David Simon, Richard Price Richard Price Dominic West February 17, 2008 "They don't teach it in law school." - Pearlman Freamon and McNulty stage a call from the killer to Templeton and send him the photographs to get the picture intercept equipment they need. Carcetti authorizes resources for the investigation and McNulty finally has the funds he hoped for. Bunk interviews Michael about the vacant murders but learns nothing. Omar attacks more of Stanfield's people and damages his reputation on the street at every opportunity. After a spectacular courtroom performance Davis is acquitted of the corruption charges. Kima Greggs reconnects with her ex-girlfriend's son. Haynes investigates his suspicions about Templeton and learns that Templeton has lied about his reporting.[113][114] 8 58 "Clarifications" David Simon, Dennis Lehane Dennis Lehane Anthony Hemingway February 24, 2008 "A lie ain't a side of a story. It's just a lie." - Terry Hanning Partlow keeps word of Omar attacking Stanfield's name from Stanfield. Omar's mission is ended when he is surprised and killed by a young drug dealer named Kenard. The Iraq veteran comes forward to complain that Templeton fabricated details of their discussion and Haynes is shocked that Templeton's misconduct involves even this story; Haynes misses the story of Omar's death. Bunk finally gets a murder warrant on Partlow with a little assistance from McNulty. McNulty asks Carver to provide a surveillance team for Freamon using the serial killer funding and with the extra manpower Sydnor breaks the communications code. McNulty cannot stand to see Greggs spending time on the serial killer case and he admits inventing the killer. Russell warns McNulty that she will leave him if his behaviour continues and McNulty comes clean to her too. Dukie finds work with street vendors who collect and sell scrap metal. Carcetti fends off a challenge for the democratic nomination from Prince George's county and is forced to make promises to Davis, Campbell, and a congressman from the county.[115][116] 9 59 "Late Editions" David Simon, George Pelecanos George Pelecanos Joe Chappelle March 2, 2008 "Deserve got nuthin' to do with it." - Snoop Freamon tracks Partlow to a Stanfield resupply and makes multiple arrests including Partlow, Stanfield, and Cheese. Carcetti holds a press conference to celebrate the arrests. Stanfield is suspicious of an informant and orders Snoop to kill Michael. Michael realizes the danger, murders Snoop, and goes into hiding. Suddenly homeless, Dukie moves in with the street vendors. Stanfield learns that Omar used his name on the street and is enraged. Greggs goes to Daniels about McNulty's actions. Bubbles celebrates a sobriety anniversary and reporter Mike Fletcher writes a profile about him. Haynes launches a more thorough investigation into Templeton's lies.[117][118] 10 60 "–30–" David Simon, Ed Burns David Simon Clark Johnson March 9, 2008 "...the life of kings." - H.L. Mencken Daniels tells Carcetti that McNulty fabricated the serial killer. Fearing for his campaign, Carcetti orders a cover-up and Daniels is angry but accepts the orders for the sake of the careers of those peripherally involved. Freamon learns that Levy is involved with leaking courthouse documents to drug dealers and tells Pearlman. McNulty and Freamon decide to retire when Pearlman warns them that they are going to be re-assigned to dead-end units. Levy realizes the Stanfield investigation relied upon an illegal wiretap. As part of the cover-up, Pearlman negotiates a deal with Levy; Levy will escape charges for the leak, Stanfield's charges will be suspended and he will go free but be forced to leave the drug game, while the others in custody will plead guilty to the charges. Stanfield sells the connection to The Greeks back to the Co-Op and plans to become a business man. Daniels refuses to falsify statistics to help Carcetti's election campaign. Campbell brings up his past to blackmail him into compliance but Daniels instead elects to stand down and begins a new career as a defense attorney. For their part in the cover-up Pearlman and Rawls are rewarded with promotions; Pearlman becomes a judge and Rawls is made State Police Superintendant. Michael becomes a stick-up artist. Dukie begins using heroin. Carcetti goes on to become Governor, Campbell replaces him as Mayor and promotes Valchek to commissioner.[119][120]

udp://tracker.openbittorrent.com:80
udp://open.demonii.com:1337
udp://tracker.coppersurfer.tk:6969
udp://exodus.desync.com:6969

drcheney (2009-07-20)

FROM THE UPLOADER: what do you mean? someone needs to clarify what a "screen shot" is for me. why do i need screen shots? what do they do? how do i do this?

drcheney (2009-07-23)

by the way....it's nice to be the only one seeding this after 5 days. can we quit it with the hit and runs already?

gs242656 (2009-07-24)

Nobody has hit and run because nobody has got 100% yet

thearches (2009-07-24)

Could someone tell us what the resolution is (dimensions). Comments on quality would also be welcome. Thanks.

ninja8 (2009-08-09)

V:4 A:8

drcheney (2009-08-12)

from the uploader: this was converted from .avi format in the worst possible dimensions and audio quality possible in order to have the smallest file size possible.
the reason for the .mp4 format is to watch it on an ipod or psp or whatever. i can tell you that after having watched it on an ipod: it's almost perfect quality - you can't tell that it's bad at all. i promise you that for all intents and purposes, you'll have a great time watching these shows.

Mickstape (2009-08-16)

Dr Cheney is a waste of time.
DO NOT BOTHER WITH THIS FUCKING WANKER.
ALL TORRENTS BY THIS OXYGEN THIEF WILL STOP @ 95%
FUCK YOU CHENEY
FUCK YOU IN YOUR STUPID ASS

drcheney (2009-09-03)

this torrent will work perfectly fine. this guy is right, some of my other torrents died because i seeded them for 2 weeks straight without a single other seeder - so they would stop at 95%. sorry for that confusion.

drcheney (2009-09-03)

oh, and all of you are welcome.

ToniSoto (2009-09-29)

Very noble of mr drcheney not to descend to the level of Mickstape user with the absurdly offensive comments, regardless of the fact that the accusation was correct. Way to go drcheney.

big_wiseguy (2010-01-16)

low quality - even for handhelds
whoever made these should look at what holyroses does for movies...the wire deserves the same treatment

Droog_UK (2010-02-25)

Loved This!
One of my favourite torrents of all time.
Watched the lot on my Blackbery this week and quality was superb.
Thanks for this

suicidee (2012-10-09)

please seed?

NoMoreAVI (2014-10-02)

Hey everyone, copy Wikipedia into all your torrent descriptions!