Special. The Wire Odyssey

First aired: 12/20/2007

Creator David Simon and members of the cast take you on a retrospective journey through the streets of Baltimore.

Special. The Wire: The Last Word

First aired: 12/21/2007

Members of the media, including Time Magazine’s Joe Klein, examine the mirror that the new season holds up to their profession.

1. More With Less

First aired: 1/6/2008 Production Code: 501

“The bigger the lie, the more they believe.” - Bunk Moreland

As McNulty and the detail continue to stake out Marlo’s crew, recently promoted Sgt. Carver is welcomed by a cauldron of discontent from officers coping with unpaid overtime; Though he wants to keep his campaign promise to lower crime, Mayor Carcetti is strapped by his commitment to schools, and faces some tough choices; Col. Daniels is forced to reallocate his resources, retaining Freamon and Sydnor for the Clay Davis probe; Meanwhile, city editor Augustus “Gus” Haynes and the staff of The Baltimore Sun are reeling from corporate cutbacks, losing key personnel from both the metro and international divisions; Still, with the help of reporters Alma Gutierrez, Jeff Price and Scott Templeton, Haynes is able to break a front-page story that links a politician to a co-op drug dealer; Proposition Joe, Marlo, Fatface Rick and other New Day Co-Op members meet in a hotel conference room to discuss divvying up drug frontiers across East Baltimore’s county line.

Writer: David Simon, David Simon, Ed Burns
Director: Joe Chappelle
Guest star: Frankie Faison (Police Comm. Ervin H. Burrell), Benjamin Busch (Off. Anthony Colicchio), Robert F. Chew (Joe “Proposition Joe” Stewart), Felicia Pearson (Felicia “Snoop” Pearson), Anwan Glover (Slim Charles), Bobby Brown (II) (Off. Bobby Brown), Gregory L. Williams (Det. Michael Crutchfield), Thomas McCarthy (State Editor Tim Phelps), Sam Freed (Executive Editor James C. Whitting III), David Costabile (Managing Editor Thomas Klebanow), Robert Poletick (Metro Editor Steven Luxenberg), Amy Ryan (Off. Beatrice “Beadie” Russell), Method Man (Melvin “Cheese” Wagstaff), Marlyne Afflack (Council President Nerese Campbell), Delaney Williams (Sgt. Jay Landsman), Rick Otto (Off. Kenneth Dozerman), Jay Landsman (Maj. Dennis Mello), Edward T. Norris (Det. Ed Norris), Dion Graham (District Attorney Rupert Bond), Ryan Sands (Lloyd “Truck” Garrick), Thomas McCarthy (State Editor Tim Phelps) , Brian E McLarney, Jermaine Shorts, Thuliso Dingwall (Kenard), Darrell Britt Gibson (O-Dog), Keenon Brice (Bug), Jay Spadaro, Mike D. Andersen (Ghost), Dennis Hill (Homicide Detective), Juhahn Jones, Donald Neal (Jay Spry), Todd Scofield (Jeff Price), Duane Chandler Rawlings (Hungry Man), Troj Strickland (Ricardo “Fatface Rick” Hendrix), Brandon Young (Mike Fletcher), Bruce Kirkpatrick (Roger Twigg), William F. Zorzi (Bill Zorzi), Joe Urla (Deputy US Attorney), Ron Tucker (n/a), Kara Quick (Regional Affairs Desk Editor Rebecca), Eisa Davis (n/a), Gil Deeble (Hucklebuck), Edward Green (II) (Spider), Dante Painter, Corbin Smith (Monnel), Peter Linari (Bartender), Laura Lippman (Reporter), Michael Olesker (Columnist), Gene Terinoni (Lt. Jimmy Asher), Lee E. Cox (Off. Aaron Castor)

2. Unconfirmed Reports

First aired: 1/13/2008 Production Code: 502

“This ain’t Aruba, bitch.” - Bunk

Although he tells Sydnor that the Davis investigation could be a “career case,” Freamon keeps a wary eye out for Marlo, who takes care of some unfinished business and strikes a business deal with Avon Barksdale; Carcetti throws the police a bone by removing the cap on secondary employment, which sends the detectives into fantasy-job reveries; With an eye on the state house, Mayor Carcetti’s chief of staff, Michael Steintorf, tries to find good news for the mayor whilst blaming the Royce administration for the Campbell revelation; Davis turns to Burrell for help with his problem, but the commissioner’s hands are tied; At the newspaper, executive editor James Whiting outlines a Pulitzer-worthy series in broad strokes, trumping Haynes while liberating the ambitious Templeton; Fed up with broken-down cars and unsolved serial murders, McNulty decides to take matters into his own hands.

Writer: William F. Zorzi, William F. Zorzi, David Simon
Director: Ernest R. Dickerson
Guest star: Frankie Faison (Police Comm. Ervin H. Burrell), Wood Harris (Avon Barksdale), Chris Ashworth (II) (Sergei “Serge” Malatov), Felicia Pearson (Felicia “Snoop” Pearson), Delaney Williams (Sgt. Jay Landsman), Frederick Strother (State Delegate Odell Watkins), Doug Olear (FBI Special Agent Terrence “Fitz” Fitzhugh), David Costabile (Managing Editor Thomas Klebanow), Sam Freed (Executive Editor James C. Whitting III), Bobby Brown (II) (Off. Bobby Brown), Gregory L. Williams (Det. Michael Crutchfield), Thomas McCarthy (State Editor Tim Phelps) , Andrew Roth (Tim Packard), Frank McPartland, Rachel Lynn Dinenna, Steve Earle (Walon), Genevieve Hudson-Price (Dee-Dee), Benay Berger (FBI Supervisor Amanda Reese), Joe Urla (Deputy US Attorney), Donald Neal (Jay Spry), Anthony Mangano (Kevin Infante), Kristie Dale Sanders (Nancy Porter), Bruce Kirkpatrick (Roger Twigg), Kara Quick (Regional Affairs Desk Editor Rebecca), Todd Scofield (Jeff Price), Darrell Britt Gibson (O-Dog), Kwame Patterson (Monk Metcalf), Scott Shane (Scott Shane), Suzanne Wooton (Suzanne Wooton), Willa Bickham (Willa Bickham), Dan Manning, Kate Revelle, Kelley Slagle (Assistant Medical Examiner), Brendan Walsh (Brendan Walsh), Erica Chamblee (Pregnant Mother), Lee E. Cox (Off. Aaron Castor), Tasha R. Rudolph, Andrew Cruttenden, Akoya Dorsey, Tyson Hall, Adrienne Meisel, Patricia Penn, Steve Zettler

3. Not For Attribution

First aired: 1/20/2008 Production Code: 503

“They’re dead where it doesn’t count.” - Fletcher

Mayor Carcetti’s master plan for the police department is leaked to the press, sending the brass into a panic; Marlo turns to Proposition Joe for help with an enviable problem; executive editor Whiting and managing editor Thomas Klebanow drop a bombshell on the newspaper staff; Michael finds temporary respite from his life on the corner by taking Dukie and Bug on a trip; McNulty shares some inside info with Gutierrez, but her subsequent story doesn’t cause the splash either envisioned; McNulty, undaunted, looks for a new ally in Freamon.

Writer: David Simon, Chris Collins, Chris Collins
Director: Joy Kecken, Scott Kecken
Guest star: Robert Poletick (Metro Editor Steven Luxenberg), Frankie Faison (Police Comm. Ervin H. Burrell), Paul Ben-Victor (Spiros “Vondas” Vondopoulos), Robert F. Chew (Joe “Proposition Joe” Stewart), S. Robert Morgan (Butchie), Delaney Williams (Sgt. Jay Landsman), David Costabile (Managing Editor Thomas Klebanow), Sam Freed (Executive Editor James C. Whitting III), Maria Broom (City Councilwoman Marla Daniels), Al Brown (I) (Dep. Comm. for Admin. Stanislaus “Stan” Valchek), Anwan Glover (Slim Charles), Method Man (Melvin “Cheese” Wagstaff), Felicia Pearson (Felicia “Snoop” Pearson), Ramon Rodriguez (Renaldo), Gregory L. Williams (Det. Michael Crutchfield) , Steven Luxenberg (Baltimore Sun Employee), Kristian King Lewman (Assistant Medical Examiner Dinae Lerner), Tracy Teague, Vincent M. Ward (Pastor), John Brennon, Joey Perillo (Medical Examiner), Eric Messner, Tom Townsend (Grand Jury Member), Patrick Michael Strange (Reporter), Kevyn Settle (Sun Paper Layout Editor), Kara Quick (Regional Affairs Desk Editor Rebecca), Art Hall (Reporter), Jim Scopeletis, Sophia Wang (Six Flags Girl #2), Christine Lee, Gary D’Addario (Grand Jury Prosecutor), Sarah Grace Hart (Six Flags Girl #1), Anthony Bosco (The Sun Copy Editor), Bruce Kirkpatrick (Roger Twigg), Donnell Rawlings (Damien Lavelle “Day-Day” Price), Michael Stone Forrest (Det. Frank Barlow), Todd Scofield (Jeff Price), Brandon Young (Mike Fletcher), Lenny Hamm (Homicide Detective), Donald Worden (Night Shift Detective), Damon Henderson, Thuliso Dingwall (Kenard), Kwame Patterson (Monk Metcalf), Edward Green (II) (Spider), Keenon Brice (Bug), Dominick Cicco (Andreas), Sarah Desage (Bank Teller), Michael Rivera (Spanish Guy on Vespa), Baye C Harrell (Hack Driver), Derrick Purvey (Big Guy)

4. Transitions

First aired: 1/27/2008 Production Code: 504

“Buyer’s market out there.” - Templeton

Campbell tries to smooth out the transitions in the police department; The Baltimore Sun scrambles to confirm surprising news from City Hall, but lose out to the TV media in scooping a high-profile grand jury appearance; Marlo tries to win favor with the Greeks, whilst Proposition Joe pays his last respects to a fallen colleague and prepares to make himself scarce in anticipation of a showdown; Freamon enlists the help of a past partner to help with the investigation.

Writer: David Simon, Ed Burns, Ed Burns
Director: Daniel Attias
Guest star: Frankie Faison (Police Comm. Ervin H. Burrell), Melanie Nicholls-King (Cheryl), Frederick Strother (State Delegate Odell Watkins), Dion Graham (District Attorney Rupert Bond), Delaney Williams (Sgt. Jay Landsman), Marlyne Afflack (Council President Nerese Campbell), Felicia Pearson (Felicia “Snoop” Pearson), Method Man (Melvin “Cheese” Wagstaff), Bill Raymond (The Greek), Paul Ben-Victor (Spiros “Vondas” Vondopoulos), Robert F. Chew (Joseph “Proposition Joe” Stewart), Benjamin Busch (Off. Anthony Colicchio), Anwan Glover (Slim Charles), Michael Salconi (Det. Michael Santangelo), David Costabile (Managing Editor Thomas Klebanow), Sam Freed (Executive Editor James C. Whitting III), Shamika Cotton (Michael’s Mother), Edward T. Norris (Det. Ed Norris) , Duane Chandler Rawlings (Hungry Man), Jeffrey Pratt Gordon (John “Johnny Fifty” Spamanto), Curtis L. McLarin (Florist), Jeff Roberts (Employed Homeless Man), Ptolemy Slocum (Homeless Man), Bobby Brown (II) (Off. Bobby Brown), Roscoe Orman (Off. Oscar Requer), Bruce Kirkpatrick (Roger Twigg), Donald Neal (Jay Spry), Todd Scofield (Jeff Price), William F. Zorzi (Bill Zorzi), John Badila (Baltimore Sun Employee), Valerie Leonard (Washington Post Editor), Jayne Miller (TV News Journalist), Jerry B. Whiddon (Washington Post Editor), Miriam Hyman, Nathan James (Western DEU Officer), Tim McAdams (Pedestrian), Joey Perillo (Medical Examiner), Alan J. Wendl, Larry Andrews (Donnie), Sho Brown (Philboy), Thuliso Dingwall (Kenard), Edward Green (II) (Spider), Derrick Purvey (Big Guy), Troj Strickland (Ricardo “Fatface Rick” Hendrix)

5. React Quotes

First aired: 2/3/2008 Production Code: 505

“Just because they’re in the street doesn’t mean they lack opinions.” - Haynes

Marlo forges an alliance with a drug connect, who shows him a new communications trick; McNulty’s case gets increased attention from the newspaper, in large part thanks to the addition of Templeton to the reporting team; Dukie turns to Dennis “Cutty” Wise and Michael to hone his pitiful self-defense skills; Clay Davis finds a new ally; State’s Attorney Rupert Bond raises his public profile; Maurice Levy and Herc prepare for litigation; Elena confronts her ex-husband about his behavior; Bubbles has fears about new opportunities; Greggs gets some overtime work; Omar shows patience as Marlo throws out his bait.

Writer: David Mills, David Simon, David Mills
Director: Agnieszka Holland
Guest star: Dion Graham (District Attorney Rupert Bond), Delaney Williams (Sgt. Jay Landsman), David Costabile (Managing Editor Thomas Klebanow), Amy Ryan (Off. Beatrice “Beadie” Russell), Chad L. Coleman (Dennis “Cutty” Wise), Paul Ben-Victor (Spiros “Vondas” Vondopoulos), Marlyne Afflack (Council President Nerese Campbell), Felicia Pearson (Felicia “Snoop” Pearson), Glynn Turman (Clarence V. Royce), Callie Thorne (Elena McNulty), Sam Freed (Executive Editor James C. Whitting III), Robert Poletick (Metro Editor Steven Luxenberg), Thomas McCarthy (State Editor Tim Phelps), Antonio Cordova (Sean McNulty), Eric Ryan (Michael McNulty) , John E. Fairley, Brandon Walsh (Brendan Walsh), Thuliso Dingwall (Kenard), Larry Andrews (Donnie), Steve Earle (Walon), William F. Zorzi (Bill Zorzi), Darrell Britt Gibson (O-Dog), Norris Davis (Vinson), Kwame Patterson (Monk Metcalf), Scott Shane (Scott Shane), Brian Anthony Wilson (Det. Vernon Holley), Brandon Young (Mike Fletcher), Denise Boyd (AIDS Clinic Nurse), Keenon Brice (Bug), Arthur Laupus (Homeless Man), Ptolemy Slocum (Homeless Man), Tony Smalls, Joe Hansard (Nathan Levi Boston), Theodore M. Snead (Sports Desk Editor), Tony Tsendeas, Alexandra Tydings (Baltimore Sun Employee)

6. The Dickensian Aspect

First aired: 2/10/2008 Production Code: 506

“If you have a problem with this. I understand completely.” - Freamon

Mystified by Omar’s disappearance, Marlo and Chris ramp up their efforts to locate their nemesis; After attending a sparsely attended waterfront ceremony, Carcetti fires away at a larger press event, and recasts himself as a champion for the homeless; Bunk revisits some old leads in the rowhouse cases, but is frustrated in his attempts to get bloodwork from the crime lab; Templeton looks for a perfect follow-up to his latest, nationally covered story, which has replaced the city’s educational crisis on the paper’s priority list; After the detail gets more manpower, Freamon presses McNulty to get new surveillance equipment, but the resources aren’t as deep as both hoped; Pearlman discovers new clues pointing to corruption in City Hall; Marlo makes new appointments at the latest Co-Op meeting; McNulty takes a peculiar interest in a homeless man.

Writer: Ed Burns, Ed Burns, David Simon
Director: Seith Mann
Guest star: Maestro Harrell (Randy Wagstaff), Method Man (Melvin “Cheese” Wagstaff), Delaney Williams (Sgt. Jay Landsman), Peter Gerety (Judge Daniel Phelan), Pablo Schreiber (Nicholas Sobotka), Felicia Pearson (Felicia “Snoop” Pearson), Anwan Glover (Slim Charles), Shamika Cotton (Michael’s Mother), Brian Anthony Wilson (Det. Vernon Holley), Michael Willis (Andy Krawczyk), David Costabile (Managing Editor Thomas Klebanow), Sam Freed (Executive Editor James C. Whitting III), Dion Graham (District Attorney Rupert Bond), Robert Poletick (Metro Editor Steven Luxenberg) , Rashiela Daniels, Carlos Juan Gonzalez, Reginald Gilmer, Neerja Sharma (Woman), Jeffrey Wendell Moffatt, William Joseph Brookes, Nancy Grace (Self), Sho Brown (Philboy), Christopher J. Clanton (Savino), Kwame Patterson (Monk Metcalf), Troj Strickland (Ricardo “Fatface Rick” Hendrix), Scott Shane (Scott Shane), Brandon Young (Mike Fletcher), William F. Zorzi (Bill Zorzi), Luray Cooper (Nathaniel “Nat” Coxson), Roscoe Orman (Off. Oscar Requer), Richard Pelzman (Little Big Roy), Dionne Audain (Social Worker), Dave Ettlin (Dave Ettlin), Crissandra Spencer, Ken Ullman (Self), Russ Widdall (Ron Lowenthal), Aubrey Deeker (Terry Hanning)

7. Took

First aired: 2/17/2008 Production Code: 507

“They don’t teach it in law school.” - Pearlman

An unexpected call puts Templeton back in the spotlight, whilst also getting McNulty more attention than he expected; Bunk bucks at Landsman when ordered to help with the force’s most recent red ball; Omar sends Marlo a message through a number of associates; Carcetti proves he’s still an adept fund-raiser; Carver gift-wraps a special witness for Bunk; Bubbles shows a reporter the ropes; Freamon tries to crack a clock code; Greggs prepares for a visit from her son; Michael has a close call; Haynes can’t shake his suspicions about Templeton; Assisted by the top-drawer lawyer Billy Murphy, “cash and carry” Davis makes his day in court a memorable one.

Writer: Richard Price, David Simon, Richard Price
Director: Dominic West
Guest star: Dion Graham (District Attorney Rupert Bond), David Costabile (Managing Editor Thomas Klebanow), Peter Gerety (Judge Daniel Phelan), Sam Freed (Executive Editor James C. Whitting III), Delaney Williams (Sgt. Jay Landsman), Edward T. Norris (Det. Ed Norris), Gregory L. Williams (Det. Michael Crutchfield), Brian Anthony Wilson (Det. Vernon Holley), Thomas McCarthy (State Editor Tim Phelps), Jay Landsman (Maj. Dennis Mello), Michael Salconi (Off. Michael Santangelo) , William F. Zorzi (Bill Zorzi), Kara Quick (Regional Affairs Desk Editor Rebecca), Brandon Young (Mike Fletcher), Bill Murphy (Defense Attorney Billy Murphy), Donnell Rawlings (Damien Lavelle “Day-Day” Price), Richard Belzer (Bar Patron), Crissandra Spencer (Reporter), Stanley Boyd (Cherry), Christopher J. Clanton (Savino), Edward Green (II) (Spider), Kwame Patterson (Monk Metcalf), Thuliso Dingwall (Kenard), Jaymes Jorsling (Vincent), Curt Boushell, David Goodman (Budget Advisor), Dennis Hill (Det. Christianson), Elijah Grant Johnson, Kim Tuvin (Circuit Court Judge), Stuart Evered, Seymour Horowitz (Homeless Man’s Father), Rosemary Knower (Homeless Man’s Mother), Ken Ullman (Reporter), Vickie Warehime (Patrol Sergeant), Michael Stone Forrest (Det. Frank Barlow), Todd Scofield (Jeff Price)

8. Clarifications

First aired: 2/24/2008 Production Code: 508

“A lie ain’t a side of a story. It’s just a lie.” - Terry Hanning Baltimore’s renewed police commitment brings fresh recruits to Daniels and McNulty, starting with Carver; Facing a new political challenge, Carcetti is forced to make dangerous political deals; As the Pulitzer season winds down, Haynes approaches Templeton about his sources; Bunk returns a McNulty favor; little Kenard makes a big score; Dukie finds work; Fletcher continues his interview with Bubbles; Freamon presents his latest plan to a prosecutor; Sydnor uncovers the missing piece to a puzzle; McNulty finally comes clean.

Writer: Dennis Lehane, David Simon, Dennis Lehane
Director: Anthony Hemingway
Guest star: Tray Chaney (Malik “Poot” Carr), Amy Ryan (Off. Beatrice “Beadie” Russell), Felicia Pearson (Felicia “Snoop” Pearson), Marlyne Afflack (Council President Nerese Campbell), Doug Olear (FBI Special Agent Terrence “Fitz” Fitzhugh), David Costabile (Managing Editor Thomas Klebanow), Edward T. Norris (Det. Ed Norris), Gregory L. Williams (Det. Michael Crutchfield), Rick Otto (Off. Kenneth Dozerman), Ryan Sands (Off. Lloyd “Truck” Garrick), Robert Poletick (Metro Editor Steven Luxenberg) , Reggie Alvin Green, Dave Ettlin (Dave Ettlin), Bobby Brown (II) (Off. Bobby Brown), Megan Anderson (Jen Carcetti), Benay Berger (FBI Supervisor Amanda Reese), Joe Urla (Deputy US Attorney), Todd Scofield (Jeff Price), Brandon Young (Mike Fletcher), Michael Stone Forrest (Det. Frank Barlow), Jim Jones (Guy on Corner), Donald Neal (Jay Spry), Jim Ancel, David Goodman (Budget Advisor), Robert G. McKay, William F. Zorzi (Bill Zorzi), Connor Aikin, Keenon Brice (Bug), Thuliso Dingwall (Kenard), Leroy Graves Jr., Amy Lee (Store Clerk), Russ Widdall (Ron Lowenthal), Curt Boushell, Joe Inscoe (Deputy Director Arthur Tolan), William Johnson (FBI Profiler #1), Paul Morella (FBI Profiler #2), Dennis Hill (Det. Christianson), Melody Williams (Woman At Crime Scene #1), Melvina Williams (Woman At Crime Scene #1), Mary Beth Wise

9. Late Editions

First aired: 3/2/2008 Production Code: 509

“Deserve got nuthin’ to do with it.” - Snoop With Carcetti’s Chief of Staff Michael Steintorf ordering Rawls to initiate “creative” remedies for the rising crime rate, Freamon’s vigilance pays off with a promising lead, sending Sydnor and the department into overdrive; although Daniels is originally delighted, a further probe with Pearlman reveals some troubling source information; McNulty, feeling betrayed, doesn’t feel like sharing in Freamon’s celebration; Michael is suspicious about his latest assignment; Haynes gets fresh eyes to help with fact-checking; Namond’s debating skills make Colvin proud; Davis points a finger at Levy and the courts; and Bubbles recounts a recent temptation overcome.

Writer: George Pelecanos, David Simon, George Pelecanos
Director: Joe Chappelle

10. -30-

First aired: 3/9/2008 Production Code: 510

Carcetti maps out a damage-control scenario with the police brass in the wake of a startling revelation from Pearlman and Daniels, their choices are either to clean up the mess, or hide the dirt; McNulty, with his leads predictably drying up, asks Landsman to pull police off the homeless case, until a fresh homicide ramps up the investigation; a frustrated Haynes finds his concerns about Templeton falling on increasingly deaf ears; Levy, convinced he has the upper hand, but caught in a legal quandary, plays a cat-and-mouse game with Pearlman; Bubbles debates whether to greenlight a newspaper story about his life; Dukie seeks out an old mentor for a loan; Marlo oversees a new Co-Op order as he maps out his next move; as the officers stage an Irish wake for another dearly departed officer, the seeds of the future are sown throughout Baltimore.

Writer: David Simon, David Simon, Ed Burns
Director: Clark Johnson

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