.gif)
Refugees (The Wire episode)
Encyclopedia
"Refugees" is the fourth episode of the fourth season of the HBO original series The Wire
. Written by Dennis Lehane
from a story by Ed Burns
& Dennis Lehane, and directed by Jim McKay
, it originally aired on October 1, 2006.
makes his final appearance as CID Colonel Raymond Foerster.
The dialogue between Marlo and the security guard (specifically the "You want it to be one way" section) was sampled in Little Brother's 2007 album Getback
on the song "Sirens".
, Deirdre Lovejoy
, and Seth Gilliam
do not appear in this episode. This is the first episode of the series not to feature Reddick.
meets with his Chief of Staff Coleman Parker, who thinks that with Pan-African flag
colors on his campaign posters Royce can win the city's African American
vote. Royce sarcastically asks if he should go one further by wearing Dashiki
s like former Washington D.C. mayor Marion Barry
. Parker also presses him for more money and Royce suggests organizing a card game.
At Royce's poker game his opponents deliberately lose to him knowing that the money will fund his campaign. His guests are unhappy that he has held many of these fund raising games recently. The players include property developers Andy Krawczyk and Ed Bowers.
Tommy Carcetti
discusses meeting with the interdenominational ministerial alliance with his campaign staff, Norman Wilson, Theresa D'Agostino and Gerry. Gerry and D'Agostino advise against the meeting, as they feel that the ministers' endorsement is beyond Carcetti's grasp. Wilson and Carcetti believe the meeting has importance beyond the election and that even if the ministers endorse Royce, they may not work as hard for him after hearing what Carcetti has to say. Carcetti's meeting goes well; he offers respect and a promise to earn the group's support over time while listening to their concerns. He is thanked for coming.
State Delegate Odell Watkins watches his protege Marla Daniels in a debate with her opponent Eunetta Perkins. Perkins has been criticized in the past for her poor meeting attendance and incumbent standing, but seems to hold her own against Daniels in the debate. Watkins then sees a campaign flyer and is enraged to see Perkins listed on Royce's ticket even though he had promised to support Daniels.
shows up a day early for her new post with the homicide unit and is met by Sergeant Jay Landsman
. She tells him she wanted to help her squad with the weekend shift as well as avoiding the new commander of the Major Crimes Unit, Lieutenant Charlie Marimow. Landsman has noticed Marimow's impact on the unit, sharing a disdain for the lieutenant, claiming that "Marimow does not cast off talent lightly. He heaves it away with great force." Landsman then tells Greggs that her colleague Lester Freamon
arrived two days earlier. Landsman shows Greggs the interview room where Bunk Moreland
has a witness who identifies Curtis "Lex" Anderson as the killer of Fruit. Landsman continues with a tour of the department. He gives Greggs a telephone message. Freamon welcomes Greggs to the unit. Both Freamon and Landsman urge Greggs to answer the message, which turns out to be a practical joke.
Homicide unit commander Colonel Raymond Foerster meets with Commissioner Ervin Burrell
and his deputy William Rawls
to discuss the recent murder of a state's witness. The murder has cost the mayor politically and he has asked Burrell to slow the investigation so that no proof that the motive was the victim's upcoming testimony will emerge before election day. Burrell orders Foerster to take the case away from veteran detective Ed Norris and instead assign it to Greggs because of her rookie status. Foerster appears emaciated and drained throughout the meeting. Nevertheless, he argues to keep Norris as the investigator and, suspecting Burrell's motives, offers a guarantee that no further details of the investigation will reach the press before the election. Burrell tells him that he resents the implication.
After the meeting Foerster complains to Rawls, who agrees that Burrell's decision to reassign the case is a mistake. Foerster tells Landsman about the order and has him reassign the Braddock case to Greggs despite their shared misgivings.
Bunk and Freamon meet with Officer Jimmy McNulty
in the Western District. Freamon is disappointed that McNulty is not making the most of his investigative talents, but McNulty remains content with his new role. They discuss Marimow's destruction of the major crimes unit, whereupon Bunk claims that Marimow has a reputation for being the departmental "unit killer". Officer Walker arrives as the homicide detectives have requested backup. They are there to serve a warrant on Lex's home. After the warrant is served Freamon invites McNulty for a drink but he refuses to commit to any plans. Once inside, Bunk realizes that Lex's mother is grieving and has set up a shrine to her son. He pressures her with the threat of further raids, but she has no information for him.
Bunk and Freamon drink without McNulty in a bar. Bunk is chasing women but Freamon is intent on their case. He ties the disappearance of Lex after shooting a Stanfield drug dealer to the lack of violence relating to Stanfield despite his prominence. Freamon theorizes that Stanfield is hiding corpses somewhere; perhaps in sewers, parks or a rogue funeral home.
Bunk and Crutchfield take Greggs through her first crime scene. Bunk advises her that she needs "soft eyes" to see everything at a scene (foreshadowed in "Soft Eyes", a previous episode). Greggs notices something in the victim's hand, but it is another initiation joke. When they return to the office, Greggs is dismayed when Landsman assigns her the Braddock case after having previously promised that she would not take the lead role in any homicide cases for her first few months.
plays poker with a group of old timers. He is goaded into going all-in on a hand and loses everything. Outside Marlo calls Chris Partlow to pick him up from a nearby grocery store. Marlo enters the store and is recognized by the security guard. He brazenly steals a lollipop as the security guard watches. The guard follows him outside and asks him why he had to steal when he knew he was there. Marlo claims the guard's presence meant nothing to him. The guard protests Marlo's attitude and Marlo tells the guard that he wants it to be one way but it's the other way, as Chris pulls up.
Marlo gets a visit from Old Face Andre at Vinson's rim shop. Andre reports Omar Little
's recent robbery of his store. Andre tries to claim that Marlo should let him out of his debt because Omar is comparable to a terrorist. Marlo is more interested in Andre's ring than his excuses and demands that he hand it over and then tells him to pay what he owes. After Andre leaves Marlo tells Chris that he needs more money for another poker game. Marlo is confident that he will begin winning soon or else he will send Chris to reclaim his losses.
Marlo assigns Chris and Snoop to kill the security guard for talking back to him. They stake out the store and track his movements. Next they visit independent drug dealer Bodie Broadus
to confirm his decision on Marlo's ultimatum to take their package or move on. Bodie agrees to sell for Marlo. Chris asks about Michael; Bodie tells them he has moved on and wonders why they are interested in him. Chris warns Bodie that "'why' ain't in your repertoire no more," making it clear that he has a low rank in the Stanfield organization. Stanfield soldier O-Dog arrives as soon as Chris and Snoop leave. He gives Bodie a package of narcotics and the terms of his business relationship with Marlo.
Chris and Snoop track Michael to his home. Snoop notices his poor circumstances and theorizes that a good offer will lure him into becoming a crew chief for them. Chris remains uncertain. Later they store the corpse of the guard in another vacant building and board it back up. Chris discards the guard's badge after confiscating it from Snoop, who had hoped to keep it as a souvenir.
meets with Marlo to try and convince him to join his drug dealers' co-op. Joe is interested in acquiring Marlo's help in a planned war with New York drug dealers who are moving into Eastern Baltimore. Marlo is unconcerned because his territory is all in the West side. Joe offers protection from surprises through his information network, legal support and the highest quality product. Marlo believes he is already untouchable and ends the meeting politely but abruptly.
's plans to manipulate Omar into killing Brother Mouzone despite organizing the meeting with Omar on Stringer's behalf. He offers Omar a proposition to make amends: information on the high stakes card game that Marlo attends. He asks for a quarter of the take but claims there are no strings attached. Omar agrees to stake out the game and decide for himself but warns Joe that he will hold him responsible if anything seems suspicious.
Omar finds the opportunity to his liking and robs the game while Marlo is playing. He takes Marlo's recently acquired ring along with all of his money. When Marlo tells Omar that this is not the end of their dealings Omar warns him that he can find his people with less effort than Marlo will need to find him. Marlo leaves Omar with a wish that he wear the ring in health.
and Caroline Massey, as they turn off the wiretaps they had strived to get in place on the Stanfield organization.
Detective Kenneth Dozerman and Sergeant Thomas "Herc" Hauk report to the unit, having just been assigned there. Marimow is skeptical of Herc's credentials, noting that he was promoted after driving for the mayor for just three months. Herc is dismayed to learn that Freamon and Greggs have been reassigned and takes an instant dislike to the lieutenant. All four members of the team give each other wary glances as Marimow gratingly lectures them on what and how they will be operating.
berates his young charge Sherrod for missing school and warns him that not attending classes could mean the end of their business partnership. The two meet with Assistant Principal Marcia Donnelly to discuss Sherrod's poor attendance; Bubbles continues to pose as his uncle and places the blame on their business enterprise. Donnelly encourages Sherrod to attend. When Bubbles questions the logic of placing Sherrod in eighth grade when he has missed three years of school, Donnelly explains to Bubbles the reasons for the school's social promotion
policy. Later Bubbles watches Sherrod pretend to read books from school. Sherrod takes out an algebra book and a French dictionary, claiming one to be a workbook that goes with the other. Bubbles isn't fooled but says nothing about the ruse.
, Namond Brice
and Michael Lee
spend time at the community gym run by Dennis "Cutty" Wise. They talk about the maiming of one of their classmates, Chiquan, by another girl, Laetitia. Namond upsets Dukie by re-enacting the scene, Michael breaks the two apart. Dukie claims that Laetitia's parents drove her crazy. Randy tells the others that she came from a group home. Cutty is waiting for a young fighter named Spider for a lesson. When Spider doesn't arrive Cutty offers Michael a training session. The deacon arrives at the gym to offer Cutty a custodian position with the Edward Tilghman Middle School that the boys attend.
At home, the teacher of the math class where the girl was injured, Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski, plans a talk for his class to help them get over the event. His wife tries to convince him to get out of the house but he is too preoccupied thinking of his class.
Donnelly introduces Sherrod to Mr. Pryzbylewski and he joins the class. When Prez tries to discuss the incident with the class his attempts are disrupted by Namond Brice, Karim Williams, Darnell Tyson and others quizzing him about his past career with the police. Randy and Sherrod both use the disruption to leave the class. Prez notices Sherrod taking a book from the ground outside the classroom window.
Randy is caught selling candy in the sixth grade cafeteria by Miss Reese and taken to Mrs. Donelly's office. At the office Donnelly is interviewing Cutty for the new job. Rather than act as a custodian she is hoping he will take the job and perform as a truant officer for the school. Because there are no funds available to employ truant officers, Donnelly holds the custodian jobs back to pay for them. Cutty recognizes Randy when he is brought in. Donnelly questions Randy about a spate of graffiti, implying that his fake hall pass had given him ample opportunity to "tag" the school. She insists that he tell her who is responsible or she will phone his foster mother, Miss Anna.
Cutty and another man named Marvin begin rounding up children for classes. Cutty learns that rather than trying to get children an education, their main aim is to give the school the minimum attendance figures it needs to secure extra funding: each truant child need only attend once a month for the first two months of the year.
Howard "Bunny" Colvin and Dr. David Parenti meet with the school superintendent to discuss starting an in-school program aimed at preventing children from growing up to become repeat violent offenders. She is eager to affirm that the scheme will not bring bad publicity to the education board. Otherwise, she is happy to accept the funding. Later the trio meet with the principal and Colvin and Parenti sign confidentiality agreements and safety waivers. After the meeting Colvin meets with the eighth grade head teacher Grace Sampson. She tells him that many teachers view the scheme as the latest unwelcome intrusion from city hall. She tells him that the children follow a weekly cycle with their best behavior on Wednesdays where they have spent the most time in the relatively safe environment of the school. Colvin observes some classes and walks the halls. He sees variation in how well classes perform with the best behavior in the younger grades.
After school Namond tells the others that someone was suspended for the graffiti and theorizes that someone must have told the teachers. There is a universal contempt for "snitches" at the school. While the students head home, Prez meets with Donnelly and the police and learns that Chiquan will be severely scarred but that she was not HIV positive. Michael takes his younger brother Bug home and starts him on his homework. Michael then heads to the gym.
At the gym Cutty oversees a sparring match between Justin and Marcus. With Spider still absent, Cutty offers to take Michael to a boxing match that he had planned to attend with Justin and Spider. Michael agrees to come, after receiving assurance that Justin will also attend. At the match Michael avoids Cutty's attempts at conversation and talks to Justin instead. When Cutty drops Justin home Michael gets out of the van and refuses a lift to his house.
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 Dennis Lehane
Dennis Lehane
Dennis Lehane is an American author. He has written several award-winning novels, including A Drink Before the War and the New York Times bestseller Mystic River, which was later made into an Academy Award-winning film. Another novel, Gone, Baby, Gone, was also adapted into an Academy...
from a story 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...
& Dennis Lehane, and directed by Jim McKay
Jim McKay (director)
Jim McKay is an American film and television director, producer and writer.He has directed episodes of The Wire, Treme, Big Love, and Criminal Intent as well as writing and directing Everyday People and Angel Rodriguez.-Career:...
, it originally aired on October 1, 2006.
Production
The episode marks the first (speaking) appearance of Prez's wife, Joan (Major Valchek's daughter). She previously appeared in the background at a family dinner scene early in the second season, (though played by a different actress). It is also significant because Richard De AngelisRichard De Angelis
Richard John DeAngelis was an American actor and comedian best known for his role as Colonel Raymond Foerster on TV's The Wire....
makes his final appearance as CID Colonel Raymond Foerster.
The dialogue between Marlo and the security guard (specifically the "You want it to be one way" section) was sampled in Little Brother's 2007 album Getback
Getback
Getback is the third studio album from Little Brother, released on October 23, 2007. On October 12, Phonte leaked the album himself to Okayplayer.com-Details:...
on the song "Sirens".
Title reference
The episode title refers to the detectives fleeing the major crimes unit. It also refers to Bodie being on his own in the streets after the fall of the Barksdale organization.Epigraph
Prez says this referring to a game of football he is watching, but alludes to the failure of the schools to teach the children and the police to tackle crime.Starring cast
Although credited, Lance ReddickLance Reddick
Lance Reddick is an American theater, film and TV actor and musician born in Baltimore, Maryland. He starred in The Wire as Cedric Daniels, appeared in Oz as Detective Johnny Basil and appeared in the fourth and fifth seasons of Lost. He now has a prominent role in Fringe...
, 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....
, and Seth Gilliam
Seth Gilliam
Seth Gilliam is an American actor. He is known for his HBO television roles, first as corrections officer-turned-prisoner Clayton Hughes on Oz, and later as Baltimore police detective promoted to sergeant Ellis Carver on The Wire. On both of these series, he co-starred with Lance Reddick and J.D....
do not appear in this episode. This is the first episode of the series not to feature Reddick.
Guest stars
- Richard De AngelisRichard De AngelisRichard John DeAngelis was an American actor and comedian best known for his role as Colonel Raymond Foerster on TV's The Wire....
as Colonel Raymond Foerster - 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...
- Robert F. ChewRobert F. ChewRobert F. Chew is an American actor from Baltimore, Maryland. He starred in the HBO television drama series The Wire as manipulative drug kingpin Proposition Joe on all five seasons of the show...
as Proposition JoeProposition JoeJoseph "Proposition Joe" Stewart is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire played by actor Robert F. Chew. Joe is an Eastside drug kingpin who preferred a peaceful solution to business disputes when possible... - Tootsie DuvallTootsie DuvallTootsie Duvall is an American film, theatre and television actress.-Career:...
as Assistant Principal Marcia Donnelly - Dravon James as Mrs. Grace Sampson
- Melvin WilliamsMelvin WilliamsVice Admiral Melvin G. Williams is Commander, U.S. Second Fleet, Director, Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Center of Excellence. He was selected for Flag rank in 2002.-Personal Biography:...
as The Deacon - Maria Broom as Marla Daniels
- Brandy BurreBrandy BurreBrandy Burre was born on September 27, 1974 in Sandusky, Ohio. She earned her Master's degree in acting at Ohio University, and has performed on the stage in addition to her work in film and television. She is best known for her portrayal of Theresa D'Agostino on the HBO series The Wire.-External...
as Theresa D'Agostino - Karen Vicks as Gerry
- Alfonso Christian Lover as Old Face Andre
- S. Robert MorganS. Robert MorganS. Robert Morgan is an American television actor. He guest starred on Home Box Office drama series The Wire as Butchie from the second season until the show's fifth and final season. Morgan lost his sight in his twenties due to macular degeneration. Morgan is from Fort Washington, Maryland and...
as Butchie - 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 - Phillip Burgess as Security Guard
- Justin Burley as Justin
- Rashad Orange as Sherrod
- Boris McGiver as Lieutenant Charles Marimow
- Rick Otto as Detective Kenneth Dozerman
- Delaney WilliamsDelaney WilliamsDelaney Williams is an American actor from Washington, D.C. He appears on the HBO drama The Wire as a recurring guest star playing homicide sergeant Jay Landsman. He also had a small role on HBO's mini-series The Corner which brought him to the attention of the producers, who worked on The prior to...
as Sergeant Jay LandsmanJay Landsman (The Wire)Jay Landsman is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor Delaney Williams.-Policing method:Landsman's role in the police department is that of a supervisory detective sergeant who doesn't participate in much investigation work... - 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 - David Fonteno as Poker winner
- Sheila Gaskins as Mrs. Anderson
- Richard Hildebird as Claudell Withers
- Dan DeLuca as Dr. David Parenti
- Della Ford as Unknown
- Cleo Reginald Pizana as Chief of Staff Coleman Parker
- Lora Reed as Unknown
- Tyreeka FreamonTyreeka FreamonTyreeka Freamon is an American television actress. She appeared in season four of The Wire as the school receptionist. She also appeared in the non-fiction book The Corner by David Simon and Ed Burns. She was the girlfriend of DeAndre McCullough and mother to his son DeAnte.-External links:...
as School Receptionist - Alan V. Poulson as Developer
- Frederick Strother as State Delegate Odell Watkins
- Gregory L. Williams as Detective Crutchfield
- Michael WillisMichael WillisMichael Willis, born October 4, 1949, is an American television and movie character actor. Willis' credits include movie roles in Pushing Tin and Men in Black, and several episodes of Law & Order....
as Andy Krawczyk
Uncredited appearances
- Kwame Patterson as "Monk" Metcalf
- Joilet F. Harris as Officer Caroline Massey
- Darrell M. SmithDarrell M. SmithDarrell M. Smith is an American entrepreneur, businessman, producer and actor.-Career:He studied at Stella Adler, the drama school where actors like Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro went, in New York City for a few years. After finishing his studies he went on to do numerous off-broadway plays,...
as School Officer Turner - Atif Lanier as Western District Officer
- Jonnie Louis Brown as Officer Eddie Walker
- Nicole Pettis as Miss Reese - sixth grade English teacher
- Sheila Cutchlow as Miss Sheperdson - education bureaucrat
- Destiny Jackson-Evans as Crystal Judkins
- Jeffrey Lorenzo as Karim Williams
- Davone Cooper as Darnell Tyson
- Jason Wharton as Albert Stokes
- Rakiya Orange as Charlene Young
- James Lewis as Marvin - Truant Officer
- Steve Staiger as Property Developer
- Dave Cooperman as High Roller
- Joanna Becker as High Roller
- Paul Fahrenkopf as High Roller
- Brian Ross Huse as High Roller
- Darrell Britt-Gibson as O-Dog
- Tyrell Baker as Little Kevin
- Keenon Brice as Bug
- Seth HurwitzSeth HurwitzSeth Hurwitz is an American writer whose work spans a variety of media, most notably film and music.-Life:...
as Poker player - Mark Joy as Ed Bowers - Property Developer
- Tony Bailey as Charles
- Unknown as Eunetta Perkins
- Unknown as Marcus - young fighter
- Unknown as Cashier
- Unknown as Mrs. Pryzbylewski
- Unknown as Kwanese
Politics
Mayor Clarence RoyceClarence Royce
Clarence V. Royce is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by Glynn Turman-Biography:Mayor of Baltimore Clarence V. Royce is a deft political figure and is fixated on remaining in power. Royce is the incumbent Mayor of Baltimore who was elected into office in 1998 and is in the...
meets with his Chief of Staff Coleman Parker, who thinks that with Pan-African flag
Pan-African flag
The Pan-African flag, also referred to as the UNIA flag, Afro-American flag or Black Liberation Flag, is a tri-color flag consisting of three equal horizontal bands colored red, black and green. It was originally created as an official banner to represent an international community for all African...
colors on his campaign posters Royce can win the city's African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
vote. Royce sarcastically asks if he should go one further by wearing Dashiki
Dashiki
The dashiki is a colorful men's garment widely worn in West Africa that covers the top half of the body. It has formal and informal versions and varies from simple draped clothing to fully tailored suits. Traditional female attire is called a caftan, or kaftan...
s like former Washington D.C. mayor Marion Barry
Marion Barry
Marion Shepilov Barry, Jr. is an American Democratic politician who is currently serving as a member of the Council of the District of Columbia, representing DC's Ward 8. Barry served as the second elected mayor of the District of Columbia from 1979 to 1991, and again as the fourth mayor from 1995...
. Parker also presses him for more money and Royce suggests organizing a card game.
At Royce's poker game his opponents deliberately lose to him knowing that the money will fund his campaign. His guests are unhappy that he has held many of these fund raising games recently. The players include property developers Andy Krawczyk and Ed Bowers.
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...
discusses meeting with the interdenominational ministerial alliance with his campaign staff, Norman Wilson, Theresa D'Agostino and Gerry. Gerry and D'Agostino advise against the meeting, as they feel that the ministers' endorsement is beyond Carcetti's grasp. Wilson and Carcetti believe the meeting has importance beyond the election and that even if the ministers endorse Royce, they may not work as hard for him after hearing what Carcetti has to say. Carcetti's meeting goes well; he offers respect and a promise to earn the group's support over time while listening to their concerns. He is thanked for coming.
State Delegate Odell Watkins watches his protege Marla Daniels in a debate with her opponent Eunetta Perkins. Perkins has been criticized in the past for her poor meeting attendance and incumbent standing, but seems to hold her own against Daniels in the debate. Watkins then sees a campaign flyer and is enraged to see Perkins listed on Royce's ticket even though he had promised to support Daniels.
Homicide
Kima GreggsKima Greggs
Detective Shakima "Kima" Greggs is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actress Sonja Sohn. Greggs is a police detective in the Baltimore Police Department who is a dedicated officer and capable detective with some off-the-job issues. Openly lesbian, she has had problems...
shows up a day early for her new post with the homicide unit and is met by Sergeant Jay Landsman
Jay Landsman (The Wire)
Jay Landsman is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor Delaney Williams.-Policing method:Landsman's role in the police department is that of a supervisory detective sergeant who doesn't participate in much investigation work...
. She tells him she wanted to help her squad with the weekend shift as well as avoiding the new commander of the Major Crimes Unit, Lieutenant Charlie Marimow. Landsman has noticed Marimow's impact on the unit, sharing a disdain for the lieutenant, claiming that "Marimow does not cast off talent lightly. He heaves it away with great force." Landsman then tells Greggs that her colleague Lester Freamon
Lester Freamon
Lester Freamon is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor Clarke Peters. Freamon is a detective in the Baltimore Police Department's Major Crimes Unit...
arrived two days earlier. Landsman shows Greggs the interview room where 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...
has a witness who identifies Curtis "Lex" Anderson as the killer of Fruit. Landsman continues with a tour of the department. He gives Greggs a telephone message. Freamon welcomes Greggs to the unit. Both Freamon and Landsman urge Greggs to answer the message, which turns out to be a practical joke.
Homicide unit commander Colonel Raymond Foerster 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 his deputy 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:...
to discuss the recent murder of a state's witness. The murder has cost the mayor politically and he has asked Burrell to slow the investigation so that no proof that the motive was the victim's upcoming testimony will emerge before election day. Burrell orders Foerster to take the case away from veteran detective Ed Norris and instead assign it to Greggs because of her rookie status. Foerster appears emaciated and drained throughout the meeting. Nevertheless, he argues to keep Norris as the investigator and, suspecting Burrell's motives, offers a guarantee that no further details of the investigation will reach the press before the election. Burrell tells him that he resents the implication.
After the meeting Foerster complains to Rawls, who agrees that Burrell's decision to reassign the case is a mistake. Foerster tells Landsman about the order and has him reassign the Braddock case to Greggs despite their shared misgivings.
Bunk and Freamon meet with Officer Jimmy 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...
in the Western District. Freamon is disappointed that McNulty is not making the most of his investigative talents, but McNulty remains content with his new role. They discuss Marimow's destruction of the major crimes unit, whereupon Bunk claims that Marimow has a reputation for being the departmental "unit killer". Officer Walker arrives as the homicide detectives have requested backup. They are there to serve a warrant on Lex's home. After the warrant is served Freamon invites McNulty for a drink but he refuses to commit to any plans. Once inside, Bunk realizes that Lex's mother is grieving and has set up a shrine to her son. He pressures her with the threat of further raids, but she has no information for him.
Bunk and Freamon drink without McNulty in a bar. Bunk is chasing women but Freamon is intent on their case. He ties the disappearance of Lex after shooting a Stanfield drug dealer to the lack of violence relating to Stanfield despite his prominence. Freamon theorizes that Stanfield is hiding corpses somewhere; perhaps in sewers, parks or a rogue funeral home.
Bunk and Crutchfield take Greggs through her first crime scene. Bunk advises her that she needs "soft eyes" to see everything at a scene (foreshadowed in "Soft Eyes", a previous episode). Greggs notices something in the victim's hand, but it is another initiation joke. When they return to the office, Greggs is dismayed when Landsman assigns her the Braddock case after having previously promised that she would not take the lead role in any homicide cases for her first few months.
Marlo Stanfield
Marlo StanfieldMarlo 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...
plays poker with a group of old timers. He is goaded into going all-in on a hand and loses everything. Outside Marlo calls Chris Partlow to pick him up from a nearby grocery store. Marlo enters the store and is recognized by the security guard. He brazenly steals a lollipop as the security guard watches. The guard follows him outside and asks him why he had to steal when he knew he was there. Marlo claims the guard's presence meant nothing to him. The guard protests Marlo's attitude and Marlo tells the guard that he wants it to be one way but it's the other way, as Chris pulls up.
Marlo gets a visit from Old Face Andre at Vinson's rim shop. Andre reports 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"....
's recent robbery of his store. Andre tries to claim that Marlo should let him out of his debt because Omar is comparable to a terrorist. Marlo is more interested in Andre's ring than his excuses and demands that he hand it over and then tells him to pay what he owes. After Andre leaves Marlo tells Chris that he needs more money for another poker game. Marlo is confident that he will begin winning soon or else he will send Chris to reclaim his losses.
Marlo assigns Chris and Snoop to kill the security guard for talking back to him. They stake out the store and track his movements. Next they visit independent drug dealer Bodie Broadus
Bodie 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...
to confirm his decision on Marlo's ultimatum to take their package or move on. Bodie agrees to sell for Marlo. Chris asks about Michael; Bodie tells them he has moved on and wonders why they are interested in him. Chris warns Bodie that "'why' ain't in your repertoire no more," making it clear that he has a low rank in the Stanfield organization. Stanfield soldier O-Dog arrives as soon as Chris and Snoop leave. He gives Bodie a package of narcotics and the terms of his business relationship with Marlo.
Chris and Snoop track Michael to his home. Snoop notices his poor circumstances and theorizes that a good offer will lure him into becoming a crew chief for them. Chris remains uncertain. Later they store the corpse of the guard in another vacant building and board it back up. Chris discards the guard's badge after confiscating it from Snoop, who had hoped to keep it as a souvenir.
New Day Co-Op
Proposition JoeProposition Joe
Joseph "Proposition Joe" Stewart is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire played by actor Robert F. Chew. Joe is an Eastside drug kingpin who preferred a peaceful solution to business disputes when possible...
meets with Marlo to try and convince him to join his drug dealers' co-op. Joe is interested in acquiring Marlo's help in a planned war with New York drug dealers who are moving into Eastern Baltimore. Marlo is unconcerned because his territory is all in the West side. Joe offers protection from surprises through his information network, legal support and the highest quality product. Marlo believes he is already untouchable and ends the meeting politely but abruptly.
Omar
Omar visits his advisor Butchie at his bar. Proposition Joe is there having arranged a meeting. Joe is careful to assure Omar that he had nothing to do with Stringer BellStringer 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 plans to manipulate Omar into killing Brother Mouzone despite organizing the meeting with Omar on Stringer's behalf. He offers Omar a proposition to make amends: information on the high stakes card game that Marlo attends. He asks for a quarter of the take but claims there are no strings attached. Omar agrees to stake out the game and decide for himself but warns Joe that he will hold him responsible if anything seems suspicious.
Omar finds the opportunity to his liking and robs the game while Marlo is playing. He takes Marlo's recently acquired ring along with all of his money. When Marlo tells Omar that this is not the end of their dealings Omar warns him that he can find his people with less effort than Marlo will need to find him. Marlo leaves Omar with a wish that he wear the ring in health.
Major case unit
Lieutenant Charlie Marimow watches his two remaining officers, Leander SydnorLeander 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:...
and Caroline Massey, as they turn off the wiretaps they had strived to get in place on the Stanfield organization.
Detective Kenneth Dozerman and Sergeant Thomas "Herc" Hauk report to the unit, having just been assigned there. Marimow is skeptical of Herc's credentials, noting that he was promoted after driving for the mayor for just three months. Herc is dismayed to learn that Freamon and Greggs have been reassigned and takes an instant dislike to the lieutenant. All four members of the team give each other wary glances as Marimow gratingly lectures them on what and how they will be operating.
Bubbles
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"...
berates his young charge Sherrod for missing school and warns him that not attending classes could mean the end of their business partnership. The two meet with Assistant Principal Marcia Donnelly to discuss Sherrod's poor attendance; Bubbles continues to pose as his uncle and places the blame on their business enterprise. Donnelly encourages Sherrod to attend. When Bubbles questions the logic of placing Sherrod in eighth grade when he has missed three years of school, Donnelly explains to Bubbles the reasons for the school's social promotion
Social promotion
Social promotion is the practice of promoting a student to the next grade despite their low achievement in order to keep them with social peers...
policy. Later Bubbles watches Sherrod pretend to read books from school. Sherrod takes out an algebra book and a French dictionary, claiming one to be a workbook that goes with the other. Bubbles isn't fooled but says nothing about the ruse.
School
Middle school friends Duquan "Dukie" Weems, Randy WagstaffRandy 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...
, Namond Brice
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 Michael Lee
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...
spend time at the community gym run by Dennis "Cutty" Wise. They talk about the maiming of one of their classmates, Chiquan, by another girl, Laetitia. Namond upsets Dukie by re-enacting the scene, Michael breaks the two apart. Dukie claims that Laetitia's parents drove her crazy. Randy tells the others that she came from a group home. Cutty is waiting for a young fighter named Spider for a lesson. When Spider doesn't arrive Cutty offers Michael a training session. The deacon arrives at the gym to offer Cutty a custodian position with the Edward Tilghman Middle School that the boys attend.
At home, the teacher of the math class where the girl was injured, Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski, plans a talk for his class to help them get over the event. His wife tries to convince him to get out of the house but he is too preoccupied thinking of his class.
Donnelly introduces Sherrod to Mr. Pryzbylewski and he joins the class. When Prez tries to discuss the incident with the class his attempts are disrupted by Namond Brice, Karim Williams, Darnell Tyson and others quizzing him about his past career with the police. Randy and Sherrod both use the disruption to leave the class. Prez notices Sherrod taking a book from the ground outside the classroom window.
Randy is caught selling candy in the sixth grade cafeteria by Miss Reese and taken to Mrs. Donelly's office. At the office Donnelly is interviewing Cutty for the new job. Rather than act as a custodian she is hoping he will take the job and perform as a truant officer for the school. Because there are no funds available to employ truant officers, Donnelly holds the custodian jobs back to pay for them. Cutty recognizes Randy when he is brought in. Donnelly questions Randy about a spate of graffiti, implying that his fake hall pass had given him ample opportunity to "tag" the school. She insists that he tell her who is responsible or she will phone his foster mother, Miss Anna.
Cutty and another man named Marvin begin rounding up children for classes. Cutty learns that rather than trying to get children an education, their main aim is to give the school the minimum attendance figures it needs to secure extra funding: each truant child need only attend once a month for the first two months of the year.
Howard "Bunny" Colvin and Dr. David Parenti meet with the school superintendent to discuss starting an in-school program aimed at preventing children from growing up to become repeat violent offenders. She is eager to affirm that the scheme will not bring bad publicity to the education board. Otherwise, she is happy to accept the funding. Later the trio meet with the principal and Colvin and Parenti sign confidentiality agreements and safety waivers. After the meeting Colvin meets with the eighth grade head teacher Grace Sampson. She tells him that many teachers view the scheme as the latest unwelcome intrusion from city hall. She tells him that the children follow a weekly cycle with their best behavior on Wednesdays where they have spent the most time in the relatively safe environment of the school. Colvin observes some classes and walks the halls. He sees variation in how well classes perform with the best behavior in the younger grades.
After school Namond tells the others that someone was suspended for the graffiti and theorizes that someone must have told the teachers. There is a universal contempt for "snitches" at the school. While the students head home, Prez meets with Donnelly and the police and learns that Chiquan will be severely scarred but that she was not HIV positive. Michael takes his younger brother Bug home and starts him on his homework. Michael then heads to the gym.
At the gym Cutty oversees a sparring match between Justin and Marcus. With Spider still absent, Cutty offers to take Michael to a boxing match that he had planned to attend with Justin and Spider. Michael agrees to come, after receiving assurance that Justin will also attend. At the match Michael avoids Cutty's attempts at conversation and talks to Justin instead. When Cutty drops Justin home Michael gets out of the van and refuses a lift to his house.