The Wire Episode Guide

Episode Guide

The Wire: Season 5 (2008)

• Season 5 Episode 10: - 30 -

  In the final episode of the Baltimore-set drama, Carcetti orders a cover-up after Daniels tells him that McNulty fabricated the serial killer story. Pearlman negotiates a deal with Levy, Haynes finds his concerns about Templeton falling on increasingly deaf ears, and Bubbles' life story appears in the paper. Marlo sells the connection to the Greeks back to the co-op and plans to become a businessman

• Season 5 Episode 9: Late Editions

  Greggs goes to Daniels about McNulty's actions, while Freamon tracks Chris to a Stanfield drug resupply leading to multiple arrests. Michael is suspicious of an assignment with Snoop, Namond's debating skills make Colvin proud, and Senator Davis points a finger at Levy and the courts. Bubbles celebrates a sobriety anniversary and a reporter writes a profile about him

• Season 5 Episode 8: Clarifications

  The state's renewed commitment to bolstering police numbers brings much-needed new recruits. As he tries to fend off a persistent rival, Carcetti is forced to make a deal with Senator Davis, while Haynes approaches Templeton about his sources. Sydnor uncovers the missing piece to a puzzle, while Bunk obtains a murder warrant for Chris with a little assistance from McNulty - who finally reveals the truth about the serial killer to Greggs

• Season 5 Episode 7: Took

  Freamon and McNulty stage a call from the killer to Templeton to get the picture intercept equipment they need for the Stanfield crew. Meanwhile, Omar sends Marlo a grisly message, and Carver gift-wraps a witness for Bunk. Bubbles shows a Baltimore Sun reporter the ropes, Greggs prepares for a visit from her ex-girlfriend's son and Michael has a close call

• Season 5 Episode 6: The Dickensian Aspect

  Marlo assumes control of the co-op, telling the members that Omar was responsible for Proposition Joe's death. Bunk revisits some old leads in the rowhouse cases but is frustrated in his attempts to get bloodwork from the crime lab. Freamon and Sydnor discover the Stanfield crew is communicating with picture messages, while McNulty takes his serial killer scheme one stage further with the help of a vagrant. Carcetti tries to establish a reputation for helping the homeless

• Season 5 Episode 5: React Quotes

  After taking over as the Greeks' Baltimore distributor, Marlo gives Vondas's contact number to Levy - which Herc takes note of and passes to his old colleague Carver. McNulty leaks further details about his invented serial killer to the press, while Templeton stages a phone call from the supposed murderer to give his story a boost. Freamon sets up on Marlo's phone with the homicide unit believe they are tapping another, Bubbles finds out the result of his HIV test and Chris and Snoop set up an ambush for Omar

• Season 5 Episode 4: Transitions

  The Baltimore Sun loses a scoop to the television news and City Council president Campbell convinces Burrell to leave quietly with the promise of a comfortable replacement position. Marlo meets Vondas, Omar returns looking for revenge and Proposition Joe decides to go into hiding. Freamon and McNulty continue with their scheme, much to Bunk's disgust

• Season 5 Episode 3: Not for Attribution

  Marlo offers a reward for information leading him to Omar, and Cheese gives him the whereabouts of his adviser Butchie. Bunk enlists Freamon's help to talk McNulty out of his scheme, Carcetti deliberately leaks his plans for the police department to the press and staff at The Baltimore Sun face major budget cuts from the newspaper's owners

• Season 5 Episode 2: Unconfirmed Reports

  Haynes is dubious about a piece submitted by reporter Scott Templeton, but is forced to run the story by his senior editors. Buoyed by the withdrawal of the police investigation, Marlo orders several murders and talks with Avon in prison about contacting drug-trafficker Vondas. Bubbles takes a job at a soup kitchen and an increasingly frustrated McNulty resorts to drastic measures to divert funds to Homicide

• Season 5 Episode 1: More With Less

  Carcetti struggles to keep his pre-election promises and is forced to choose increased funding for education over more money for the police. The cutbacks lead to the Major Crimes Unit being disbanded and a disillusioned McNulty is sent back to Homicide, while the recently promoted Carver has to deal with discontent from his officers about unpaid overtime. Meanwhile, city editor Gus Haynes and the staff of the Baltimore Sun newspaper look into a story linking a politician to a drug dealer

The Wire: Season 4 (2006)

• Season 4 Episode 13: Final Grades

  Proposition Joe is forced to reveal his supplier to reassure Marlo after the theft of the drug shipment - which Omar sells back to the co-op. McNulty decides to return to Major Crimes following an incident with Bodie, and Bubbles turns himself in after his botched attempt at revenge. Colvin's special class is shut down by the education board, but he proposes a solution to Namond's problems, while Randy is sent to a children's home - despite Carver's best efforts

• Season 4 Episode 12: That's Got His Own

  Randy's home is targeted in an arson attack, Michael trains to be an enforcer for Marlo, and Bubbles prepares a lethal vial of narcotics for his tormentor. Carcetti faces a massive school-budget deficit and is forced to go the the state governor for assistance, while Freamon goes to Daniels and Pearlman to try to get authorisation for a city-wide search for bodies hidden in vacant houses. Omar orchestrates the theft of the Co-Op's drug shipment

• Season 4 Episode 11: A New Day

  Carcetti faces a dilemma over a complaint from the minister about Herc's mistreatment of him, and an irate Prez confronts Carver for putting Randy in danger. Colvin battles for the future of his classes, while Omar tricks Proposition Joe into giving away the timing of his next shipment. After being tempted back to the Major Crimes unit by Daniels, Freamon has a revelation regarding the hiding place of the missing bodies

• Season 4 Episode 10: Misgivings

  After another beating, Bubbles gets revenge for Herc's continual betrayals by setting him up to arrest a minister. Little Kevin regrets his decision to have a talk with Marlo, who puts the word out that Randy is a police informant. Chris and Snoop deal with Michael's problem, while Carver arrests Namond and reaches out to Colvin for help with the boy. Burrell seeks to enhance his reputation by ordering the department to double the number of street arrests

• Season 4 Episode 9: Know Your Place

  Colvin gives his class an incentive, while Prez is frustrated by the imposition of training for state-wide tests in his curriculum. Carcetti encounters problems in his efforts to find a way to relieve Burrell of his duties. Bubbles identifies a witness for Herc, but the detective fails to return the favour by protecting him from his tormentor, and Michael turns to Marlo for help with a problem

• Season 4 Episode 8: Corner Boys

  Bunk antagonises his colleagues by meddling in Omar's case, Chris and Snoop send a message to the New York crew, while Michael is dismayed by the unexpected return of his little brother Bug's father. At school Prez struggles to fit a test-practice into his curriculum, Colvin figures out a way to involve Namond and the others in problem-solving and Dukie learns that having computer skills makes him popular

• Season 4 Episode 7: Unto Others

  Omar convinces Bunk to help him prove his innocence, and Greggs revisits the crime scene and finds new evidence relating to the the witness who was killed. Prez manages to trick his students into learning maths, while in Colvin's class Namond discovers that certain school rules no longer apply. Proposition Joe continues to court Marlo, and Carver hands Randy over to Herc, who fails to understand the importance of the boy's story

• Season 4 Episode 6: Margin of Error

  Carcetti has to deal to with a last-minute smear campaign as election day approaches, and Colvin's newly formed special class has its first lesson. Namond is pushed into drug dealing by his mother when they are cut off by the remnants of the Barksdale crew, while Randy is placed under Carver's care after confessing he has information about a murder. Marlo proves elusive despite Herc's camera and a warrant for Omar's arrest is issued

• Season 4 Episode 5: Alliances

  Burrell loses Royce's support after details of the Braddock case are leaked to the media, but the mayor incurs the wrath of Delegate Watkins. At school, Prez introduces new rules for his classes, and Colvin outlines his ideas for the research programme. Herc and Sydnor plant a hidden camera at the Stanfield crew's meeting place, while Marlo arranges to have Omar framed for murder and Chris tries to recruit Michael

• Season 4 Episode 4: Refugees

  Colvin pitches his pilot programme to the school, while Carcetti has a meeting with an influential group of ministers. Having transferred to Homicide, Greggs is assigned by Burrell to the high-profile witness case in an attempt to stall the investigation and Freamon joins Bunk in finding his missing murder suspect. After Marlo rejects an alliance with the New Day co-op, Proposition Joe gives Omar the location of a high-stakes card game he will be attending

• Season 4 Episode 3: Home Room

  Royce takes drastic action against Carcetti to reverse his ailing fortunes in the polls, while the new head of the Major Case Unit is not to Freamon and Greggs' liking. The newly domesticated McNulty invites Bunk to dinner with him and Beadie, while Colvin considers an offer to help an academic research violent behaviour. Prez has a rough first day of teaching and Michael impresses Bodie and Marlo

• Season 4 Episode 2: Soft Eyes

  Herc catches Royce in a compromising situation, and Carcetti drops a bombshell on his rival during a televised mayoral debate. While Prez prepares for the start of term, Marlo gives the neighbourhood children money for school gear and Michael catches his attention by refusing the handout. Bunk finds a murder suspect hard to track down and Bubbles trains an apprentice

• Season 4 Episode 1: Boys of Summer

  As the new school year approaches, four West Baltimore boys wrestle with what to do with the rest of their summer holidays and Prez prepares for his new career. Freamon, Greggs, and Sydnor try to get Pearlman to issue subpoenas for key political figures linked to the Barksdale organisation, the mayoral race heats up as Royce and Carcetti hit the campaign trail, and McNulty turns down a promotion

The Wire: Season 3 (2004)

• Season 3 Episode 12: Mission Accomplished

  The media descends on Hamsterdam and Royce finally realises his delay was a mistake as Carcetti is there to capitalise on the bad publicity for the mayor, while a vengeful Burrell ensures Colvin's retirement is not comfortable. As Avon readies his troops for a war against Marlo, the Major Case Unit plan their own raid on the Barksdale organisation

• Season 3 Episode 11: Middle Ground

  When he discovers that Stringer betrayed him, Brother Mouzone forms an alliance with Omar and has a meeting with Avon. Royce's continuing delay in closing down the free zones alienates Burrell, who leaks the story to Carcetti. Colvin works to protect his men from possible repercussions and receives information on the location of the Barksdale crew from an unlikely source. Cutty finds a means of funding his boxing gym

• Season 3 Episode 10: Reformation

  Colvin manages to put off a newspaper reporter inquiring about the free zones, but realises he has to report his policy to Burrell. When the unit's wiretaps go dead after just a few days, Freamon comes up with an ingenious solution and ropes Bubbles in to help. Avon refuses to accept Stringer's advice to follow the co-op's proposal for a truce with Marlo, while Brother Mouzone returns to Baltimore on a mission of revenge and searches for Omar

• Season 3 Episode 9: Slapstick

  Two of the Barksdale crew violate the unspoken Sunday morning truce when they go after Omar, while Brianna seeks answers from Avon and Stringer. A murder threatens to compromise the secrecy of the tolerant zones, and Carver's response causes Herc to call the Press. Pearlman and Daniels confront an unhelpful cellphone company over wiretaps, Cutty tries to get permits for his gym and Prez makes a fatal error

• Season 3 Episode 8: Moral Midgetry

  The Major Case Unit tracks the buyer of disposable phones for the Barksdale organization, while Brianna and McNulty sit down for a heart-to-heart about D'Angelo. Avon tries to ensnare Marlo in a trap, but his rival senses something is wrong. Some off the Western District officers express dissatisfaction over the tolerant zones, while a local deacon is horrified when Colvin gives him a tour of 'Hamsterdam'

• Season 3 Episode 7: Backburners

  The detail plans an operation to get hold of Bodie's phone, but finds out about 'Hamsterdam' during it and Colvin has to come and explain about the tolerant zones. Bunk receives a present from Omar, Greggs has relationship problems and Carcetti pressures the mayor over witness protection. Stringer is furious when he discovers Brianna knows about McNulty's investigation into her son D'Angelo's death

• Season 3 Episode 6: Homecoming

  Dismissing Stringer's objections, Avon initiates a war over territory with Marlo, but is dismayed at the ineptitude of his own people. Colvin gives Carver and his men licence to use any force necessary to make the drug dealers relocate to the free zone, while Carcetti manipulates another councilman into joining the mayoral race to split the black vote. Owing to the lieutenant's anger over their disloyalty to him, McNulty and Greggs go behind Daniels' back to have the unit reassigned

• Season 3 Episode 5: Straight and True

  Frustrated in his grassroots reform efforts, Colvin arms himself with intelligence from the Major Case Unit and approaches the mid-level drug dealers instead. Avon is released from prison, and Stringer tries to recruit west-side rival Marlo Stanfield to his citywide co-operative. Carcetti seeks to fix the programme for protecting state witnesses after another one is killed, and tensions run high in Omar's crew

• Season 3 Episode 4: Hamsterdam

  Colvin has little success convincing area drug dealers to relocate to his designated free zones. Carcetti reveals his plans to run for mayor, and Avon sails through his parole hearing, while Daniels tells McNulty about his relationship with Pearlman. Freamon and Prez learn that Stringer is working as a property developer and a frustrated Cutty returns to the Barksdale organisation

• Season 3 Episode 3: Dead Soldiers

  After Cheese's mistaken arrest, Proposition Joe warns Stringer that the police have been tapping phones. Carcetti continues with his plan to stir up trouble for the mayor, while Major Colvin mulls over a plan to reduce crime in his district after facing the wrath of Burrell and Rawls. A raid by Omar's gang on a stash house has tragic consequences and Marlo sends a forceful message to the Barksdale crew

• Season 3 Episode 2: All Due Respect

  Following orders from Stringer, Bodie faces a critical test against rival dealer Marlo Stanfield. Burrell comes under pressure from Carcetti and reaches an uneasy peace with the councilman, while McNulty launches his own investigation into D'Angelo's death. Cheese loses more than a bet at a dog fight, Omar continues his raids on Barksdale stash houses and Cutty seeks legitimate employment

• Season 3 Episode 1: Time After Time

  The Barksdale crew is forced to relocate as a programme of urban renewal sees Franklin Terrace razed. Burrell comes under pressure from the mayor to reduce Baltimore's ever-increasing crime statistics, while Daniels' promotion to major is put in doubt. McNulty, Greggs and the detail continue the surveillance of Proposition Joe's people to try to find a link with Stringer, and former Barksdale enforcer Cutty Wise finds the drug world has changed on his release from prison

The Wire: Season 2 (2003)

• Season 2 Episode 12: Port in a Storm

  After his father persuades him to turn himself in, Nick gives information on anyone he can in the Greek's operation. Daniels talks to Valchek in an attempt to save Prez's career and Agent Fitzhugh suspects a leak within the FBI. Omar decides to take revenge on Stringer after the Brother Mouzone incident and when Bubbles is arrested he alerts Greggs and McNulty to the new relationship between Proposition Joe and the Barksdale crew

• Season 2 Episode 11: Bad Dreams

  The detail makes a series of dawn raids on the targets of the investigation, but Nick evades capture. Sobotka is arrested when the FBI storms his office, and Valchek ensures the Press is there to witness it. The union leader agrees to help the police in exchange for leniency for Nick and Ziggy, but Vondas asks him to a meeting with the Greek, who has also promised to help them. Stringer manipulates Omar into pursuing Brother Mouzone

• Season 2 Episode 10: Storm Warnings

  Though unhappy that Proposition Joe's nephew Cheese is on his turf, Bodie is pleased with Stringer's new supply of drugs and it all seems to be running smoothly until Brother Mouzone arrives. The detail uses GPS technology to track suspects, but Valchek goes to the FBI in an effort to make more progress with the Sobotka investigation. Ziggy is double-crossed in his deal with Glekas and the situation takes a tragic turn

• Season 2 Episode 9: Stray Rounds

  Bodie and his crew fight for their corner, but the resulting shoot-out has tragic consequences. Stringer asks for Brianna's help in persuading her brother to work with Proposition Joe, but Avon rejects the plan and brings in New York hitman Brother Mouzone to drive off rival dealers. Daniels asks McNulty to go to his connection in the FBI for help, and the agency in turn makes a breakthrough on the docks

• Season 2 Episode 8: Duck and Cover

  McNulty's failure to reconcile with his wife causes him to return to his old drinking and womanising habits, while falling further into depression. A suspicious Sobotka meets with the Greek and Vondas, and they decide to change their tactics. With business faltering, Bodie moves his crew into new territory.

• Season 2 Episode 7: Backwash

  Beadie tells Sobotka the investigation at the docks is over, but she and Freamon use a cloned computer to monitor traffic at the port and when a container goes missing the detectives follow and track the shipment back to a warehouse. Proposition Joe discusses a deal with Stringer to revitalise the Barksdale operation, but Avon turns it down, while Rawls tries to persuade Daniels to take on the Jane Doe homicides investigation.

• Season 2 Episode 6: All Prologue

  Omar emerges from hiding to testify that Bird shot witness William Gant. Greggs tracks down a lead on the 13 murdered girls and the detail begins to monitor container movements at the port. Sobotka tries to play a political game on behalf of his union, while his nephew Nick gets the chemicals that Vondas asked for. With D'Angelo's rejection of the Barksdale organisation, Stringer is forced to deal with the situation without Avon's knowledge.

• Season 2 Episode 5: Undertow

  Ziggy loses his prized car to some drug dealers who dismiss his excuses for not paying up. Daniels sends his detail out to conduct raids as the investigation of the docks is stepped up, while Beadie gets a lead from an ex-boyfriend to find out how cargo disappears from the port. With business in the projects suffering due to weak supplies, Stringer gets some useful advice from his economics professor.

• Season 2 Episode 4: Hard Cases

  Sobotka reprimands Ziggy and Nick for stealing the cameras and orders them to bring the cargo back. To placate Valchek, Burrell asks Daniels to lead the detail investigating the union leader, and the lieutenant agrees on the promise of his own major crimes unit after the case ends. McNulty begins courting his estranged wife, promising a fresh start and a new Jimmy. Drama, starring Dominic West and Lance Reddick.

• Season 2 Episode 3: Hot Shots

  Bunk and Freamon try to interview the crew of the Atlantic Light, but fail to find anyone who admits to speaking English. Frank Sobotka tries to court political favour to fulfil his hopes for the regeneration of the docks, while his nephew Nick and son Ziggy conspire to steal a shipment of digital cameras. Omar signs up some new partners in crime and Avon deals with an abusive prison officer.

• Season 2 Episode 2: Collateral Damage

  Russell is assigned the case of the 13 women discovered in the cargo container, and McNulty offers to help and ensures that it goes back to Rawls' department. Valchek strikes a deal with Burrell to investigate Frank Sobotka, while the union leader considers cutting his ties with the Greeks for not telling him the contents of the shipment. In prison, Brianna Barksdale urges Avon to look after her son D'Angelo.

• Season 2 Episode 1: Ebb Tide

  Having been reassigned to harbour patrol, McNulty discovers a corpse in the bay and pays back Rawls for his demotion by proving City Homicide is responsible for the investigation. Valchek feels slighted by local stevedore union boss Frank Sobotka, while Stringer loses his drug supplier. Back at the dock, Port Authority officer Beadie Russell uncovers a grisly scene in a shipping container.

The Wire: Season 1 (2002)

• Season 1 Episode 13: Sentencing

  Greggs is well enough to name one of her assailants as Little Man, while Freamon and Bunk track down Wee-Bey in Philadelphia and arrest him. Daniels and McNulty talk to the FBI in an effort to continue the case. D'Angelo strikes a deal to testify against his uncle but is later visited by his mother, who urges him to stand by his family. Last in the series

• Season 1 Episode 12: Cleaning Up

  With the tapped payphones out of service, the detectives try to keep up by wiring the office at Barksdale's club. Avon and Stringer meet with their attorney Maurice Levy to discuss a potential leak in the wake of the raids and D'Angelo makes a run to New York City for his uncle. Daniels confronts Burrell and his political allies, with the unit's future in the balance. Concludes tomorrow

• Season 1 Episode 11: The Hunt

  While Greggs' life hangs in the balance, Daniels is ordered by Burrell to target the Barksdale operation in a series of city-wide raids and arrests to appease the deputy commissioner's desire for 'dope on the table'. Bubbles unwittingly implicates himself in the detective's shooting and Freamon decides there is a 'rat' in the precinct

• Season 1 Episode 10: The Cost

  With a key witness in custody, McNulty and Daniels debate how to protect him in the months before he testifies. Meanwhile, Sydnor and Carver track down the Barksdale crew's main stash house, and Prez demonstrates his talent for following the paper trail. Proposition Joe brokers a meeting between Omar and Stringer, while an undercover operation has terrible consequences for one of the unit.

• Season 1 Episode 9: Game Day

  Avon and rival drug traffiicker Proposition Joe hold an Eastside versus Westside basketball game, giving the detectives the first glimpse of their elusive target. Freamon shows Prez and Sydnor how to trace the Barksdale finances and Herc and Carver misplace money they take from Wee-Bey. Omar continues stalking the projects looking for a way to get to Avon and strikes a deal with Joe

• Season 1 Episode 8: Lessons

  Herc and Carver arrest a driver after witnessing him picking up a large amount of cash from known gang members, but are forced to return the money when the man's political connections to a Senator are revealed. After his apartment is raided and van torched, Omar takes revenge in a street encounter with Wee-Bey and Stinkum.

• Season 1 Episode 7: One Arrest

  Tipped off by the wire Greggs, Herc, Carver and Freamon intercept a drugs resupply in the Franklin Terrace low rises. Their success makes Avon and Stringer suspicious, leading them to rip out the payphones and close shop in the Pit. Bunk and McNulty trace another eyewitness in the Gant murder and ask Omar for help in tracking down their suspect Bird.

• Season 1 Episode 6: The Wire

  Following his lover Brandon's murder, Omar is determined to help the police bring Barksdale to justice and agrees to testify in the Gant killing. Meanwhile, Major Rawls pressures Bunk to make arrests in the three unsolved cases he is investigating, forcing McNulty, Greggs and Freamon to ask Daniels for more time and preserve the wiretap on the Barksdale crew.

• Season 1 Episode 5: The Pager

  The detail receives cloned pagers to get a lead on the Barksdale gang's plans but has trouble cracking a code used by the dealers until the solution comes from an unlikely source. Stringer warns D'Angelo there might be an informant in his crew, Carver and Herc track down Bodie, and Omar makes McNulty and Greggs an offer. Drama, starring Dominic West, Idris Elba and Larry Gilliard Jr.

• Season 1 Episode 4: Old Cases

  Avon puts a bounty on Omar for stealing his drug stash and McNulty and Bunk re-investigate the murder of a young woman that may be linked to Barksdale's crew. Those caught in the police raid on the low-rises refuse to give up their superiors, and dealer Bodie escapes from juvenile detention. Drama, starring Dominic West and Wood Harris.

• Season 1 Episode 3: The Boys

  The department deals with the fallout of the riot in the tower buildings. D'Angelo impresses Stringer with his efforts at running the business but his crew's drug stash is later taken by a rival operator. Bubbles brings undercover officer Sydnor to the Franklin Terrace low-rises, while McNulty and Greggs receive surveillance gear from an FBI agent, as the detail prepares for a raid on D'Angelo's gang. Detective Freamon unearths a photo of the elusive Avon. Dominic West and Sonja Sohn star.

• Season 1 Episode 2: The Detail

  McNulty and Bunk bring D'Angelo in for questioning about the murder of the witness who testified against him at his trial. Meanwhile, Detective Greggs' informant Bubbles gives the detail the low-down about the Barksdale crew's home turf, before officers Herc, Carver and Prez go there looking for information - but their plan backfires spectacularly. Crime drama, starring Dominic West.

• Season 1 Episode 1: The Target

  Drama set in Baltimore telling the story of a single drugs-and-murder police investigation from the points of view of the law and their targets. When the nephew of gang leader Avon Barksdale beats a murder charge, homicide detective Jimmy McNulty talks to the judge about a number of murders he links to the defendant's uncle. The information is passed to the officer's superiors and a detail is grudgingly formed, with the lieutenant in command told to wrap the case up quickly. Starring Dominic West.