Misgivings
Encyclopedia
"Misgivings" is the tenth episode of the fourth season of the HBO original series The Wire
. Written by Ed Burns
from a story by Ed Burns & Eric Overmyer
, and directed by Ernest Dickerson
, it originally aired on November 19, 2006.
, Deirdre Lovejoy
, Clarke Peters
, Sonja Sohn, Chad L. Coleman and Glynn Turman
do not appear in this episode.
meets with Commissioner Ervin Burrell
and tries to reassure him that he is safe from Deputy Commissioner William Rawls
' plans to unseat him now that Tommy Carcetti
has won the election. Davis believes that Burrell's race is his trump card but urges him to impress the mayor with police work. Burrell is at a loss for how to act on this suggestion.
Davis later meets with Carcetti and Norman Wilson. He brings up Burrell's precarious position and Wilson reveals that they hope that his supporters will be swayed if they attract a better candidate. Davis speculates that they will need assistance getting the pay raise they need approved and offers to provide this for a future favor. Wilson sees through Davis's intentions and recognizes a further con but is uncertain what his plan is.
Davis next convenes a meeting between City Council President Nerese Campbell and Ervin Burrell. Davis and Burrell attempt to convince her that Cedric Daniels
is an unsuitable candidate for commissioner. Davis asks Campbell to withhold the full pay raise the mayor is requesting so that Burrell will have time to impress him and defame Daniels. Davis asks Campbell to provide half of what the mayor has asked and then immediately leaves the room to call Carcetti's staff and advise that he has the salary bump he asked for.
Donut tells Namond
and Kenard about his injury as they work on their corner. Sergeant Carver
makes an efficient raid on the corner and arrests Namond when he finds narcotics. Namond is unable to contact his mother because she is out of town and Carver explains that he will have to spend the night in juvenile booking. Namond is terrified at this prospect, because juvenile booking is on the East Side, out of Namond's comfort zone, and Carver begins to show some sympathy. Carver allows Namond to sleep on a bench in the office.
Lieutenant Mello hosts the roll call briefing. He asks for progress on a recent spate of church burglaries. Officer McNulty
suggests that he liaise with Officer Baker as they are investigating two separate burglaries. Mello introduces the idea of making arrests for quality of life violations so the arrest statistics will improve and tells his men that the order comes straight from the commissioner. Officers such as McNulty and Santangelo are against the idea of arresting people for open container violations. Mello agrees, but insists that they need to do so anyway.
Officer Anthony Colicchio takes to the new orders with relish outside of a local bar with other officers. Officer McNulty appears ready for backup but refuses to participate in the ticketing process. McNulty sarcastically notices Officer Baker's "first class police work" in ticketing a car. When Baker explains he is following orders, McNulty states that as patrolmen, they are entitled to the "one true dictatorship" in America: choosing how to spend their shift. He then shows the paperwork suggesting to Baker that his time would be better spent on the church burglaries. He explains a pattern that he has noticed in the incident reports and Baker agrees to follow up on the lead with him. As they are talking, a riot is brewing that Baker fears is getting out of hand. McNulty tells him the situation will lead to more arrests, which is exactly what the department wants.
After roll call Carver tells Namond he must find somewhere else to stay. He begs Carver to call his teacher, Mr. Colvin. Colvin suggests sending Namond to juvenile booking, but with some encouragement he agrees to call his wife to check if Namond can stay with them.
At the Colvin household, Namond is polite and charming. Namond catches Colvin's nickname ("Bunny") and Colvin intimidates him into not mentioning it. Colvin returns Namond to his mother the following day. Namond introduces Colvin as his teacher, intentionally not mentioning he is an ex-police. She rebukes his kindness and berates Namond for being afraid to go to juvenile booking.
At the end of the shift McNulty and Baker bring in a pair of suspects. The desk sergeant initially tells them to send the suspects in line with all the other detainees, until hearing that they are responsible for the church burglaries. The sergeant is then relieved that some "real criminals" are actually left in Baltimore, as the police station is filled with people arrested for minor infractions.
McNulty later goes to dinner with Bunk Moreland
and their sons. Elena McNulty arrives to pick up the boys and is impressed to find that they have done their homework. She becomes more impressed when McNulty turns down a drink. She expresses regret at their marriage ending now that McNulty is finally growing up.
Mello takes his concerns about the new strategy to Cedric Daniels
, reluctant to execute the arrest hikes ordered to them by Commissioner Burrell. After hearing that neighborhood people are being locked up in what appears to be an unnecessary arrest hike to serve Burrell, Daniels agrees that it is just more of the same from command. Daniels goes straight to Mayor Carcetti
and presents the information as indicative of Commissioner Burrell
's new initiative to influence arrest statistics. Carcetti is outraged, as this is the opposite of his hopes for the police department. He questions Daniels' reasons for bypassing Deputy Commissioner Rawls
and Daniels explains that it is a test of Carcetti's commitment to change in the police department. He explains that if Rawls had already told Carcetti about Burrell's actions and Carcetti had not acted, then he would know that Carcetti was not committed. Daniels, however, believes Rawls has not reported it to Carcetti and is either content with Burrell's strategy or waiting for Carcetti to fire Burrell due to insubordination. Carcetti reminds Daniels that he already has his word and then thanks him for going outside the chain of command. Daniels warns him that he will not make a habit of it.
and Poot Carr
discuss the change in the weather and remark that they are getting old. Little Kevin returns after several days' absence and explains that he was taken in by the police for questioning about the murder of Lex. His friends urge him to go straight to Marlo Stanfield
and explain what happened so that there is no doubt about his actions.
Little Kevin does as they suggest and faces hostility from Marlo and Chris Partlow when they learn that instead of organizing a meeting with Lex himself, he passed the task on to Randy Wagstaff
. Marlo nods to Monk, and as Little Kevin is told to leave they bundle him into the back of an SUV. Chris asks Marlo about Randy and he states that Randy is in no position to hurt them. Snoop reminds Marlo that Randy is likely an informant and he suggests that they spread the rumor around. As Kevin is being driven away, Slim Charles arrives and looks on disapprovingly.
Omar Little
and Renaldo observe Marlo as he conducts his operation from the courtyard. Omar recognizes Slim Charles from his time with the Barksdale Organization and remarks that the association does not add up.
Michael
shows Snoop and Chris his stepfather when he is buying drugs for Michael's mother. Snoop asks Michael why he wants him killed but he declines to explain further. Chris has more insight into the reason and agrees to do as Michael asks.
Slim visits Poot and Bodie and welcomes Poot home. Slim asks how Bodie is getting along with Marlo. Slim tells Bodie that Marlo has had Kevin killed. Omar tails Slim back to his home and the monotony of the task begins to annoy Renaldo.
Bodie and Poot discuss Marlo's actions. Bodie is angry that Marlo killed Little Kevin without proof that he was working with the police. Poot draws a parallel between Marlo's order to kill Little Kevin and Stringer Bell
's order to kill Wallace. Bodie argues that Marlo is more ruthless than Stringer. Poot tells Bodie that while the world is getting hotter the people are becoming colder.
At the Lee household Michael tells his mother that Bug's father will not be returning. Chris and Snoop accost the man on his way home and accuse him of sexually assaulting the boys and get him to admit that he engaged in homosexual acts while in prison. Chris beats him to a bloody pulp in a rage, apparently killing him, as a stunned Snoop looks on. Back at home, Michael calmly readies himself for sleep and gives his mom a triumphant smile.
In the special class Miss Duquette coordinates a roleplaying exercise with Kwame and Darnell Tyson pretending to be at a restaurant. Mr. Colvin and Dr. David Parenti are called away by Assistant Principal Marcia Donnelly. She has bad news: despite the class being especially aimed at socializing disruptive students, they still have to follow the school board's missive that they teach to the upcoming test. She also informs them that the assistant superintendent has requested a meeting with them.
At the meeting, Parenti and Colvin discuss the pupils' recent visit to a restaurant with Miss Sheperdson, the assistant superintendent. She is insistent that they will teach the test. Parenti is enraged that Sheperdson is undermining the program's efforts even though they had clearly stated their aims at the outset. Colvin tries to explain the futility of insisting that the children in their class be treated like every other student. Sheperdson is skeptical about excluding these children from standard practices.
The following day, Prez is observed by Sheperdson as he teaches test questions to uninterested students. But as soon as she leaves, Prez has the class return to his normal lesson plan: teaching "probabilities" using dice games, and the class eagerly responds. Randy Wagstaff
faces bullying in the corridors and gets the cold shoulder from his friend Karim Williams in class when looking for a partner to roll dice with. However, Michael offers to partner with him.
Sheperdson observes the special class with Principal Claudell Withers. A fight breaks out between Zenobia and Chandra as the class performs another roleplaying exercise. Miss Mason is knocked over in the ensuing brawl. Sheperdson is dismayed, which is compounded when Withers admits that this is the first time he has observed the class.
Sheperdson discusses the program with the teachers afterwards. Sheperdson's cynicism is obvious. Donnelly gives her support and Colvin, Duquette and Parenti are passionate about continuing. Mason, however, is not optimistic about the prospect of the program having any long-lasting positive effect on the student participants.
and tries to enlist his help in retrieving the missing camera. Bubbles is outraged that Herc is asking him for more favors when Herc has broken his promises. Bubbles again asks for help with the drug addict who has been robbing him and Herc makes another promise to help. Herc provides Bubbles with a phone and some money and instructs him to call as soon as he sees his tormentor.
Herc discusses his problem about the missing camera with Officer Kenneth Dozerman and Detective Leander Sydnor
. Sydnor urges Herc to go straight to the lieutenant before the situation gets worse. Herc is worried about Lieutenant Marimow's reaction.
Herc tries to confess to Marimow and is faced with hostility. Bubbles spots his antagonist and attempts to call Herc during the meeting, but Herc ignores his calls. Marimow threatens Herc with an internal investigations division case and Herc is intimidated into withholding the information about the camera.
Bubbles becomes frustrated with Herc and decides to get revenge. He calls up Herc about a fictitious drug resupply in progress, giving Herc the license plate of a minister's car. Herc jumps on the opportunity and organizes a traffic stop. Herc is aggressive towards the minister, throwing the minister's possessions on the sidewalk as he searches his car. The upset minister demands to know Herc's name and badge number.
The WIRE
the WIRE is the student-run College radio station at the University of Oklahoma, broadcasting in a freeform format. The WIRE serves the University of Oklahoma and surrounding communities, and is staffed by student DJs. The WIRE broadcasts at 1710 kHz AM in Norman, Oklahoma...
. Written by Ed Burns
Ed Burns
Ed Burns is a producer, screenwriter, and novelist. He has worked closely with writing partner David Simon. They have collaborated on The Corner and The Wire . Burns is a former Baltimore police detective for the Homicide and Narcotics divisions, and a public school teacher...
from a story by Ed Burns & Eric Overmyer
Eric Overmyer
Eric Overmyer is a writer and producer. He has written and/or produced numerous TV shows, including St. Elsewhere, Homicide: Life on the Street, Law & Order, The Wire, New Amsterdam, and Treme.-Biography:...
, and directed by Ernest Dickerson
Ernest Dickerson
Ernest Roscoe Dickerson A.S.C. is an American film and television director and cinematographer. He directed generally urban films sometimes with supernatural stories like Juice, Tales from the Crypt Presents Demon Knight, Bones and Never Die Alone...
, it originally aired on November 19, 2006.
Title reference
The title refers to the feelings held by various characters in the episode. Marlo's misgiving about Little Kevin led to his murder. Bodie worries about the appropriateness of his new boss's actions. Doubts spread about Randy's character lead to bullying at school. Miss Sheperdson has misgivings about the appropriateness of the special class while many teachers feel the same way about her insistence upon teaching test questions. Michael makes an uneasy decision about Bug's father. Marimow and Bubbles doubt Herc's integrity. Burrell worries about his job security while Daniels doubts the effectiveness of his new strategy. Wilson and Carcetti worry about trusting Davis. Bubbles also deliberately gives Herc misinformation about a drug bust.Epigraph
Poot uses this phrase to explain the increasingly cold and ruthless nature of the drug trade against the backdrop of global warming. There is also the connotation of the opposing forces at work in many of the characters.Starring cast
Although credited John DomanJohn Doman
John Doman is an American actor best known for playing Deputy Police Commissioner William Rawls on HBO series The Wire from 2002 to 2008 and Colonel Edward Galson on Oz in 2001....
, Deirdre Lovejoy
Deirdre Lovejoy
Deirdre Lovejoy is an American actress. She is most notable for her role on the HBO television series The Wire as Rhonda Pearlman. She graduated from the University of Evansville with an undergraduate degree in theatre....
, Clarke Peters
Clarke Peters
Clarke Peters is an American actor, singer, writer and director best known for his role as Detective Lester Freamon on the HBO drama The Wire.-Early life:...
, Sonja Sohn, Chad L. Coleman and Glynn Turman
Glynn Turman
Glynn Russell Turman is an American stage, television, and film actor as well as a writer, director, and producer. He is perhaps best known for his roles as high school student Leroy "Preach" Jackson in the 1975 coming-of-age film Cooley High, math professor and retired Army colonel Bradford...
do not appear in this episode.
Guest stars
- Callie ThorneCallie ThorneCalliope "Callie" Thorne is an American actress known for her current role as Dr. Dani Santino on the USA Network series Necessary Roughness...
as Elena McNulty - Isiah Whitlock, Jr.Isiah Whitlock, Jr.Isiah Whitlock Jr. is an American actor.He is most famous for his role on the HBO television series, The Wire as corrupt state senator Clay Davis. He also is notable for appearing in Spike Lee films She Hate Me and 25th Hour as Agent Amos Flood...
as Senator Clayton "Clay" DavisClay DavisState Senator R. Clayton "Clay" Davis is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor Isiah Whitlock, Jr. Davis is a corrupt Maryland State Senator with a reputation for pocketing bribes... - Jermaine CrawfordJermaine CrawfordJermaine Crawford is an actor best known for appearing on the HBO original series The Wire as Duquan "Dukie" Weems. He is a cousin to fellow Wire castmember and actor Tristan Wilds....
as Duquan "Dukie" Weems - Maestro HarrellMaestro HarrellMaestro Harrell is an American actor who starred on the HBO original series The Wire as Randy Wagstaff. He was also on the NBC drama ER on April 26, 2007....
as Randy WagstaffRandy WagstaffRandy Wagstaff is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by Maestro Harrell. Randy is an enterprising student who is dependent on social services. During season 4, he was an 8th grade pupil at Edward Tilghman Middle School and is friends with Namond Brice, Michael Lee and Duquan... - Julito McCullumJulito McCullumJulito McCullum is an American actor of Afro-Colombian descent best known for his role as Namond Brice on the HBO series The Wire. Currently lives in Staten Island....
as Namond BriceNamond BriceNamond Brice is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by Julito McCullum. Namond is the son of Wee-Bey Brice and De'Londa Brice and was a middle school pupil during season 4. He is friends with Michael Lee and Randy Wagstaff and often bullies Duquan "Dukie" Weems... - Tristan WildsTristan WildsTristan Paul Mack Wilds is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Michael Lee on the HBO original drama series The Wire and as Dixon Wilson on the CW drama series 90210.-Life and career:...
as Michael LeeMichael Lee (The Wire)Michael Lee is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by Tristan Wilds. He is a middle school pupil and is friends with Namond Brice, Randy Wagstaff and Duquan "Dukie" Weems. He is more soft-spoken than his friends, and appears to have a leadership role among his peers... - Gbenga Akkinagbe as Chris PartlowChris PartlowChris Partlow is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor Gbenga Akinnagbe. Partlow is Marlo Stanfield's best friend, bodyguard, and second-in-command in his drug dealing operation. Despite his quiet demeanor, Partlow commits more on- and off-screen murders than any other...
- Anwan GloverAnwan GloverRalph Anwan Glover is an American actor and musician. He is one of the founding members of the Backyard Band, a go-go band, as well as appearing as gang member Slim Charles in the HBO series The Wire. He has also appeared in music videos, such as Boyz n da Hood's "Dem Boyz" among others, and has a...
as Slim CharlesSlim CharlesSlim Charles is a fictional member of the drug trade in the HBO drama The Wire, played by Anwan Glover. An enforcer for the Barksdale Organization and later the top lieutenant of kingpin Proposition Joe Stewart, he shows integrity, loyalty and competence throughout his career.The saga of the... - Jonnie Louis Brown as Officer Eddie Walker
- Tray ChaneyTray ChaneyTray Chaney is an American actor. He appeared on the HBO program The Wire as Poot Carr.Chaney began his entertainment career as a dancer at the age of four winning competitions at the Apollo Theater. He appeared in the 2003 music video "My Baby" by rap artist Bow Wow. He later appeared in The Wire...
as Malik "Poot" CarrPoot CarrMalik "Poot" Carr is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor Tray Chaney. Poot is a drug dealer in the Barksdale Organization who slowly rises through the ranks, but ends up serving time in prison as his institution collapses around him... - Nathan Corbett as Donut
- Davone Cooper as Darnell Tyson
- Thuliso DingwallThuliso DingwallThuliso Dingwall is an American actor. He is best known for portraying Kenard on the television series The Wire. Dingwall is from Clinton, Maryland.-External links:...
as Kenard - Taylor KingTaylor KingTaylor King is a professional American basketball player currently playing for the London Lightning of the National Basketball League of Canada. Before joining the Lightning, King played for the Villanova University Wildcats, where he played the forward position...
as Zenobia Dawson - Shamika CottonShamika CottonShamika Cotton is an American actor from Cincinnati, Ohio. She is perhaps best known to television viewers as Michael Lee's drug-addicted mother Raylene Lee in the acclaimed HBO series The Wire.-Career:...
as Raylene Lee - Cyrus Farmer as Devar Manigault
- Sandi McCree as De'Londa Brice
- Dawn Ursula as Lolita Colvin
- Marlyne AfflackMarlyne AfflackMarlyne Nayokah Afflack is an American actress best known her role as Nerese Campbell on The Wire. She also played an attorney in the FX drama Damages and Thomasina, the efficient palace secretary and aide-de-camp, on the NBC series Kings...
as Nerese Campbell - Stacie Davis as Miss Duquette
- Dan DeLuca as Dr. David Parenti
- Tootsie DuvallTootsie DuvallTootsie Duvall is an American film, theatre and television actress.-Career:...
as Assistant Principal Marcia Donnelly - Dravon James as Mrs. Grace Sampson
- Sheila Cutchlow as Miss Sheperdson
- Richard Hildebird as Principal Claudell Withers
- Jay LandsmanJay LandsmanThe book was later developed into the television series Homicide: Life on the Street. He was the inspiration for the fictional character John Munch on that show and a character named Jay Landsman on the television series The Wire, created by Simon. Landsman portrayed himself in a brief appearance...
as Lieutenant Dennis Mello - Ramón Rodríguez as Renaldo
- Franklin Ojeda Smith as Reverend
- Tyrell Baker as Little Kevin
- Michael Coley as Kwame
- Na'Dria Jennings as Chandra Porter
- Felicia PearsonFelicia PearsonFelicia Pearson is an American actress, author, and rapper. She is best known for playing a character of the same name, Felicia "Snoop" Pearson, on The Wire. She wrote a memoir titled Grace After Midnight.-Biography:Pearson was born to two incarcerated drug addicts and raised in an East Baltimore...
as Snoop - Katherine Schmoke as Miss Mason
- Benjamin BuschBenjamin BuschBenjamin B. Busch is an American actor, writer, film maker, photographer, and former United States Marine Corps officer. He is best known for his portrayal of Anthony Colicchio on the HBO original series The Wire.-Biography:...
as Officer Anthony Colicchio - Derek HortonDerek HortonDerek Horton, born 24 June 1956, is an artist, writer, publisher and teacher. He worked in the jewelry trade, then as a wood machinist, and as a lorry driver, before becoming involved in community arts and urban adventure playgrounds in the 1970s...
as Officer Brian Baker - Boris McGiver as Lieutenant Charles Marimow
- Rick Otto as Officer Kenneth Dozerman
- Michael Salconi as Officer Michael Santangelo
Uncredited appearances
- Destiny Jackson-Evans as Crystal Judkins
- Jeffrey Lorenzo as Karim Williams
- Jason Wharton as Albert Stokes
- Keenon Brice as Bug
- Kwame Patterson as Monk Metcalf
- Eric G. Ryan as Sean McNulty
- Antonio Cordova as Michael McNulty
- Unknown as Tote
Politics
Senator Clay DavisClay Davis
State Senator R. Clayton "Clay" Davis is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor Isiah Whitlock, Jr. Davis is a corrupt Maryland State Senator with a reputation for pocketing bribes...
meets with Commissioner Ervin Burrell
Ervin Burrell
Ervin Burrell is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor Frankie Faison. Burrell was an officer in the Baltimore Police Department who ascended from Deputy Commissioner of Operations to Commissioner over the course of the show...
and tries to reassure him that he is safe from Deputy Commissioner William Rawls
William Rawls
William A. "Bill" Rawls is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor John Doman. Over the course of the series he ascends to the rank of Superintendent of the Maryland State Police.-Season 1:...
' plans to unseat him now that Tommy Carcetti
Tommy Carcetti
Thomas J. "Tommy" Carcetti is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by Irish actor Aidan Gillen. Carcetti is an ambitious Baltimore politician who rises from a seat on the city council to the office of the Mayor of Baltimore, and to the office of the Governor of Maryland by the...
has won the election. Davis believes that Burrell's race is his trump card but urges him to impress the mayor with police work. Burrell is at a loss for how to act on this suggestion.
Davis later meets with Carcetti and Norman Wilson. He brings up Burrell's precarious position and Wilson reveals that they hope that his supporters will be swayed if they attract a better candidate. Davis speculates that they will need assistance getting the pay raise they need approved and offers to provide this for a future favor. Wilson sees through Davis's intentions and recognizes a further con but is uncertain what his plan is.
Davis next convenes a meeting between City Council President Nerese Campbell and Ervin Burrell. Davis and Burrell attempt to convince her that Cedric Daniels
Cedric Daniels
Cedric Daniels is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor Lance Reddick. He is a well regarded officer in the department whose focus is on good police work and quality arrests...
is an unsuitable candidate for commissioner. Davis asks Campbell to withhold the full pay raise the mayor is requesting so that Burrell will have time to impress him and defame Daniels. Davis asks Campbell to provide half of what the mayor has asked and then immediately leaves the room to call Carcetti's staff and advise that he has the salary bump he asked for.
Western District
Donut cruises the Western District in a stolen car until he is spotted by Officer Walker. Donut tries to drive off and hits several cars as he veers around the streets. He manages to escape when Walker collides with another vehicle. Walker later tracks Donut down to his customary hangout and finds him with Kenard. Donut initially feigns ignorance but once he is cornered he attempts to run. Walker's retribution for his earlier embarrassment is swift and brutal; he catches Donut and breaks several of his fingers.Donut tells Namond
Namond Brice
Namond Brice is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by Julito McCullum. Namond is the son of Wee-Bey Brice and De'Londa Brice and was a middle school pupil during season 4. He is friends with Michael Lee and Randy Wagstaff and often bullies Duquan "Dukie" Weems...
and Kenard about his injury as they work on their corner. Sergeant Carver
Ellis Carver
Ellis Carver is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor Seth Gilliam. Carver is an African American lieutenant and formerly in command of the Baltimore Police Department's Western District Drug Enforcement Unit...
makes an efficient raid on the corner and arrests Namond when he finds narcotics. Namond is unable to contact his mother because she is out of town and Carver explains that he will have to spend the night in juvenile booking. Namond is terrified at this prospect, because juvenile booking is on the East Side, out of Namond's comfort zone, and Carver begins to show some sympathy. Carver allows Namond to sleep on a bench in the office.
Lieutenant Mello hosts the roll call briefing. He asks for progress on a recent spate of church burglaries. Officer McNulty
Jimmy McNulty
Detective James "Jimmy" McNulty is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by British actor Dominic West. McNulty is an Irish American detective in the Baltimore Police Department...
suggests that he liaise with Officer Baker as they are investigating two separate burglaries. Mello introduces the idea of making arrests for quality of life violations so the arrest statistics will improve and tells his men that the order comes straight from the commissioner. Officers such as McNulty and Santangelo are against the idea of arresting people for open container violations. Mello agrees, but insists that they need to do so anyway.
Officer Anthony Colicchio takes to the new orders with relish outside of a local bar with other officers. Officer McNulty appears ready for backup but refuses to participate in the ticketing process. McNulty sarcastically notices Officer Baker's "first class police work" in ticketing a car. When Baker explains he is following orders, McNulty states that as patrolmen, they are entitled to the "one true dictatorship" in America: choosing how to spend their shift. He then shows the paperwork suggesting to Baker that his time would be better spent on the church burglaries. He explains a pattern that he has noticed in the incident reports and Baker agrees to follow up on the lead with him. As they are talking, a riot is brewing that Baker fears is getting out of hand. McNulty tells him the situation will lead to more arrests, which is exactly what the department wants.
After roll call Carver tells Namond he must find somewhere else to stay. He begs Carver to call his teacher, Mr. Colvin. Colvin suggests sending Namond to juvenile booking, but with some encouragement he agrees to call his wife to check if Namond can stay with them.
At the Colvin household, Namond is polite and charming. Namond catches Colvin's nickname ("Bunny") and Colvin intimidates him into not mentioning it. Colvin returns Namond to his mother the following day. Namond introduces Colvin as his teacher, intentionally not mentioning he is an ex-police. She rebukes his kindness and berates Namond for being afraid to go to juvenile booking.
At the end of the shift McNulty and Baker bring in a pair of suspects. The desk sergeant initially tells them to send the suspects in line with all the other detainees, until hearing that they are responsible for the church burglaries. The sergeant is then relieved that some "real criminals" are actually left in Baltimore, as the police station is filled with people arrested for minor infractions.
McNulty later goes to dinner with Bunk Moreland
Bunk Moreland
William "Bunk" Moreland is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor Wendell Pierce. Bunk's character is based on a retired Baltimore City Police Detective named Rick Requer and nicknamed "the Bunk", an officer who joined the force in 1964 as a Western District patrolman who...
and their sons. Elena McNulty arrives to pick up the boys and is impressed to find that they have done their homework. She becomes more impressed when McNulty turns down a drink. She expresses regret at their marriage ending now that McNulty is finally growing up.
Mello takes his concerns about the new strategy to Cedric Daniels
Cedric Daniels
Cedric Daniels is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor Lance Reddick. He is a well regarded officer in the department whose focus is on good police work and quality arrests...
, reluctant to execute the arrest hikes ordered to them by Commissioner Burrell. After hearing that neighborhood people are being locked up in what appears to be an unnecessary arrest hike to serve Burrell, Daniels agrees that it is just more of the same from command. Daniels goes straight to Mayor Carcetti
Tommy Carcetti
Thomas J. "Tommy" Carcetti is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by Irish actor Aidan Gillen. Carcetti is an ambitious Baltimore politician who rises from a seat on the city council to the office of the Mayor of Baltimore, and to the office of the Governor of Maryland by the...
and presents the information as indicative of Commissioner Burrell
Ervin Burrell
Ervin Burrell is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor Frankie Faison. Burrell was an officer in the Baltimore Police Department who ascended from Deputy Commissioner of Operations to Commissioner over the course of the show...
's new initiative to influence arrest statistics. Carcetti is outraged, as this is the opposite of his hopes for the police department. He questions Daniels' reasons for bypassing Deputy Commissioner Rawls
William Rawls
William A. "Bill" Rawls is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor John Doman. Over the course of the series he ascends to the rank of Superintendent of the Maryland State Police.-Season 1:...
and Daniels explains that it is a test of Carcetti's commitment to change in the police department. He explains that if Rawls had already told Carcetti about Burrell's actions and Carcetti had not acted, then he would know that Carcetti was not committed. Daniels, however, believes Rawls has not reported it to Carcetti and is either content with Burrell's strategy or waiting for Carcetti to fire Burrell due to insubordination. Carcetti reminds Daniels that he already has his word and then thanks him for going outside the chain of command. Daniels warns him that he will not make a habit of it.
Stanfield Organization
Bodie BroadusBodie Broadus
Preston "Bodie" Broadus is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor J. D. Williams. Bodie is initially a Barksdale organization drug dealer in "The Pit" who slowly rises through the ranks...
and Poot Carr
Poot Carr
Malik "Poot" Carr is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor Tray Chaney. Poot is a drug dealer in the Barksdale Organization who slowly rises through the ranks, but ends up serving time in prison as his institution collapses around him...
discuss the change in the weather and remark that they are getting old. Little Kevin returns after several days' absence and explains that he was taken in by the police for questioning about the murder of Lex. His friends urge him to go straight to Marlo Stanfield
Marlo Stanfield
Marlo "Black" Stanfield is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor Jamie Hector. Stanfield is a young, ruthless and ambitious player in the Baltimore drug trade who gains control of West Baltimore and is the head of his own drug crew.-Character background and plot...
and explain what happened so that there is no doubt about his actions.
Little Kevin does as they suggest and faces hostility from Marlo and Chris Partlow when they learn that instead of organizing a meeting with Lex himself, he passed the task on to Randy Wagstaff
Randy Wagstaff
Randy Wagstaff is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by Maestro Harrell. Randy is an enterprising student who is dependent on social services. During season 4, he was an 8th grade pupil at Edward Tilghman Middle School and is friends with Namond Brice, Michael Lee and Duquan...
. Marlo nods to Monk, and as Little Kevin is told to leave they bundle him into the back of an SUV. Chris asks Marlo about Randy and he states that Randy is in no position to hurt them. Snoop reminds Marlo that Randy is likely an informant and he suggests that they spread the rumor around. As Kevin is being driven away, Slim Charles arrives and looks on disapprovingly.
Omar Little
Omar Little
Omar Devone Little is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, portrayed by Michael K. Williams. Omar is a renowned stick-up man who lives by a strict moral code and never deviates from his rules, foremost of which is that he never robs or menaces people who are not involved in "the game"....
and Renaldo observe Marlo as he conducts his operation from the courtyard. Omar recognizes Slim Charles from his time with the Barksdale Organization and remarks that the association does not add up.
Michael
Michael Lee (The Wire)
Michael Lee is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by Tristan Wilds. He is a middle school pupil and is friends with Namond Brice, Randy Wagstaff and Duquan "Dukie" Weems. He is more soft-spoken than his friends, and appears to have a leadership role among his peers...
shows Snoop and Chris his stepfather when he is buying drugs for Michael's mother. Snoop asks Michael why he wants him killed but he declines to explain further. Chris has more insight into the reason and agrees to do as Michael asks.
Slim visits Poot and Bodie and welcomes Poot home. Slim asks how Bodie is getting along with Marlo. Slim tells Bodie that Marlo has had Kevin killed. Omar tails Slim back to his home and the monotony of the task begins to annoy Renaldo.
Bodie and Poot discuss Marlo's actions. Bodie is angry that Marlo killed Little Kevin without proof that he was working with the police. Poot draws a parallel between Marlo's order to kill Little Kevin and Stringer Bell
Stringer Bell
Russell "Stringer" Bell is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by English actor Idris Elba. Bell served as drug kingpin Avon Barksdale's second in command, assuming direct control of the Barksdale Organization during Avon's imprisonment...
's order to kill Wallace. Bodie argues that Marlo is more ruthless than Stringer. Poot tells Bodie that while the world is getting hotter the people are becoming colder.
At the Lee household Michael tells his mother that Bug's father will not be returning. Chris and Snoop accost the man on his way home and accuse him of sexually assaulting the boys and get him to admit that he engaged in homosexual acts while in prison. Chris beats him to a bloody pulp in a rage, apparently killing him, as a stunned Snoop looks on. Back at home, Michael calmly readies himself for sleep and gives his mom a triumphant smile.
School
Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski mentions the sudden increase in the temperature of his room to his colleague Grace Sampson. Sampson explains that at this time of year the school switches to longer classes for exam preparation, and that increasing the temperature makes the kids drowsy and less disruptive.In the special class Miss Duquette coordinates a roleplaying exercise with Kwame and Darnell Tyson pretending to be at a restaurant. Mr. Colvin and Dr. David Parenti are called away by Assistant Principal Marcia Donnelly. She has bad news: despite the class being especially aimed at socializing disruptive students, they still have to follow the school board's missive that they teach to the upcoming test. She also informs them that the assistant superintendent has requested a meeting with them.
At the meeting, Parenti and Colvin discuss the pupils' recent visit to a restaurant with Miss Sheperdson, the assistant superintendent. She is insistent that they will teach the test. Parenti is enraged that Sheperdson is undermining the program's efforts even though they had clearly stated their aims at the outset. Colvin tries to explain the futility of insisting that the children in their class be treated like every other student. Sheperdson is skeptical about excluding these children from standard practices.
The following day, Prez is observed by Sheperdson as he teaches test questions to uninterested students. But as soon as she leaves, Prez has the class return to his normal lesson plan: teaching "probabilities" using dice games, and the class eagerly responds. Randy Wagstaff
Randy Wagstaff
Randy Wagstaff is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by Maestro Harrell. Randy is an enterprising student who is dependent on social services. During season 4, he was an 8th grade pupil at Edward Tilghman Middle School and is friends with Namond Brice, Michael Lee and Duquan...
faces bullying in the corridors and gets the cold shoulder from his friend Karim Williams in class when looking for a partner to roll dice with. However, Michael offers to partner with him.
Sheperdson observes the special class with Principal Claudell Withers. A fight breaks out between Zenobia and Chandra as the class performs another roleplaying exercise. Miss Mason is knocked over in the ensuing brawl. Sheperdson is dismayed, which is compounded when Withers admits that this is the first time he has observed the class.
Sheperdson discusses the program with the teachers afterwards. Sheperdson's cynicism is obvious. Donnelly gives her support and Colvin, Duquette and Parenti are passionate about continuing. Mason, however, is not optimistic about the prospect of the program having any long-lasting positive effect on the student participants.
Major Crimes
Thomas "Herc" Hauk visits BubblesBubbles (The Wire)
Reginald "Bubbles" Cousins is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor Andre Royo. Bubbles is a recovering heroin addict. His real name is not revealed until a fourth-season episode when he is called "Mr. Cousins" and in the fifth-season premiere when he is called "Reginald"...
and tries to enlist his help in retrieving the missing camera. Bubbles is outraged that Herc is asking him for more favors when Herc has broken his promises. Bubbles again asks for help with the drug addict who has been robbing him and Herc makes another promise to help. Herc provides Bubbles with a phone and some money and instructs him to call as soon as he sees his tormentor.
Herc discusses his problem about the missing camera with Officer Kenneth Dozerman and Detective Leander Sydnor
Leander Sydnor
Leander Sydnor is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor Corey Parker Robinson. Sydnor is a young, married Baltimore Police detective who was a member of the Barksdale detail and later worked in the Major Crimes Unit.-Season 1:...
. Sydnor urges Herc to go straight to the lieutenant before the situation gets worse. Herc is worried about Lieutenant Marimow's reaction.
Herc tries to confess to Marimow and is faced with hostility. Bubbles spots his antagonist and attempts to call Herc during the meeting, but Herc ignores his calls. Marimow threatens Herc with an internal investigations division case and Herc is intimidated into withholding the information about the camera.
Bubbles becomes frustrated with Herc and decides to get revenge. He calls up Herc about a fictitious drug resupply in progress, giving Herc the license plate of a minister's car. Herc jumps on the opportunity and organizes a traffic stop. Herc is aggressive towards the minister, throwing the minister's possessions on the sidewalk as he searches his car. The upset minister demands to know Herc's name and badge number.
Deceased
- Little Kevin: murdered by Chris and Snoop for suspected snitching on Marlo.
- Devar Manigault (Bug's father): murdered by Chris Partlow as a favor to Michael Lee.