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Slapstick (The Wire episode)
Encyclopedia
"Slapstick" is the ninth episode of the third season of the HBO original series, The Wire
. The episode was written by David Simon
from a story by David Simon & George Pelecanos
and was directed by Alex Zakrzewski
. It originally aired on November 21, 2004.
manner in which many of the very serious events (all of which could have been avoided) in the episode play out: Prez's tragic misfire; the breaking of the Sunday morning truce by Barksdale soldiers culminating almost comically in the shooting off of Omar's grandmother's church 'crown' before an awkward escape; Carver's decision to move the body out of the free zone, which is easily picked up on by homicide; Herc's and other Western District detectives' growing disenchantment with Colvin's initiative.
has previously published a novel, Right as Rain
, dealing with the fallout after a white police officer shoots an undercover black police officer. Much of Prez's situation is drawn from that novel, including several direct lines of dialogue.
, and Wendell Pierce
do not appear in this episode.
is awoken in the middle of the night by a call from Theresa D'Agostino who invites him to her hotel room. He tells his son Sean that he is leaving and gives him his cell phone number in case of emergency. McNulty leaves quickly after meeting with D'Agostino, telling her that he has to return home (neglecting to mention to her his two boys, whom he left at home alone). He asks her if they can at least have dinner first next time. When he returns home, he tries to watch the same political show that she was watching, but soon grows bored and changes to a war documentary.
McNulty goes into work on Sunday, as he has nothing better to do after returning his children to his ex-wife. He finds Lester Freamon
and Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski preparing for undercover work. They plan to put a camera on Stringer Bell
's copy shop, Copy Cat. Freamon refuses McNulty's offer of help because McNulty is a by now a known face. McNulty espouses his opinion that the major case unit contains the best investigators in the entire department. He lists other detectives he respects, including Don Worden
, Ed Burns
, Gary Childs, Jon O'Neil and Steve Cleary. Freamon asks McNulty how he thinks their work is going to end and warns him that being good at his job will not save him. McNulty clings to the belief that a good case is enough, but Freamon tells him that he needs a life outside of work. McNulty seems to reflect on this, noting a photograph of - among others - Beadie Russell
on the unit refrigerator.
Cedric Daniels
meets with the detail on Monday morning. Assistant State's Attorney Rhonda Pearlman
is there to discuss the legal requirements of setting up wiretaps on the Barksdale organization's disposable phones. Kima Greggs
and Leander Sydnor
also join the Sunday detectives. McNulty and Greggs are assigned the task of showing that they are unable to infiltrate the Barksdale crews using undercover detectives or confidential informants. Freamon and Prez are asked to start typing up the wiretap affidavits in preparation. Sydnor is assigned the task of tracking Bernard so they can know when new phones are coming in. Officer Massey is on vacation, but Daniels plans for her to monitor the camera that Freamon and Prez set up and note Stringer's movements. Pearlman tells the detail that she is going to argue with the cell phone companies to try to get the wiretaps set up more quickly. Daniels reminds his unit that the wiretaps will be short-lived even when they do get them up and running and that time is of the essence. After the meeting, McNulty tries to call D'Agostino, but is unable to get past her assistant.
Greggs and McNulty pay Bubbles
to act as a confidential informant. They outfit him with a wire and give him money to buy enough narcotics to force the Vincent Street Barksdale crew to phone in for a resupply. Bubbles asks if he can keep the drugs, but Greggs tells him he cannot. Bubbles approaches Bodie Broadus
’ crew and buys thirty vials as ordered. When Bodie gets suspicious, Bubbles claims that he got the money from his business selling white T-shirts. Bubbles even negotiates a discount with Bodie for the bulk purchase. As McNulty and Greggs listen in from their car, they are impressed with Bubbles’ business acumen. McNulty again tries to reach D’Agostino, but is again rebuffed by her office staff. Greggs asks him about the relationship and he responds positively despite his difficulty getting in touch.
Daniels and Pearlman meet with an executive from the cell phone company who insists it would take thirty days to respond to a court order for a wiretap. Pearlman is outraged with the audacity of the company in selling a phone that can be used anonymously and is well suited to drug traffickers and then holding up court ordered wiretaps. She threatens the company with a public statement that they are deliberately protecting drug dealers from investigation. The executive quickly caves in and promises a four- to five-day turnaround.
Next they meet with FBI Supervisor Amanda Reese and Terrence "Fitz" Fitzhugh to ask for assistance. Fitz and Reese are unable to offer help because counter-terrorism and political corruption remain their priority over drug dealers, and they have had little success with wireless companies in the past.
After tracking Bernard buying mobile phones, Sydnor reports into Freamon at the unit headquarters. He tells Freamon and Prez that Bernard has bought twenty-four cell phones from five locations, buying more at each stop away from Baltimore. Freamon plans to set up DNRs on all of the phones. McNulty and Prez leave to get Chinese food for the rest of the unit.
Prez and McNulty wait for their food outside the restaurant and listen to the police radio. An emergency request for backup is called, and realizing they are close, the detectives rush to the location. They hear shots fired and Prez drops McNulty off. McNulty hears more shots and rushes in their direction. He finds Prez standing over a dead body. Uniforms arrive at the scene and McNulty finds a badge on the body. Prez tells McNulty that he saw a gun and fired. As other detectives arrive at the scene, McNulty identifies that the dead man is a plainclothes officer by revealing his badge that was hanging around his neck and then the other detectives angrily identify him as Derrick Waggoner. McNulty phones Greggs who breaks the news to the rest of the unit.
The homicide unit handles the shooting. Prez and McNulty are both brought in to give statements. Deputy Commissioner William Rawls
, Major Stanislaus Valchek
and Raymond Foerster discuss the incident. Valchek defends his son-in-law (Prez) and Rawls assures him they are not looking to burn anyone's career over the incident. Rawls warns Valchek that there is a racial component to the shooting because Waggoner was African American
and in the way he died, it is questionable if Prez would have opened fire had Waggoner been white. Daniels interrupts to ask if Prez has seen a lawyer.
Sergeant Jay Landsman
tries to prevent Daniels from seeing Prez because of the legal implications. Daniels insists that he be able to talk to Prez as he is his commanding officer. Landsman relents and lets Daniels into the interview room.
Daniels urges Prez to seek out a union lawyer because of the racial element. Prez insists that the shooting was not motivated by racism, fear or anger because it happened so fast. Daniels focuses on the facts and tries to convince Prez that he must have shouted. Prez does not remember identifying himself as a police officer. Prez asks if Waggoner had a family. Daniels does not know and again urges him to get a lawyer, but Prez refuses and instead insists he is finished as a police officer. He asks Daniels to tell Freamon that he is sorry. Outside the interview room, Daniels informs Landsman that Prez requested a lawyer. Daniels asks Rawls to assign an officer to stay with Prez over night as he is a suicide risk. Valchek asks Daniels if he will back Prez over the racial issue as Daniels is both African American and Prez's unit commander, but Daniels only stares at Valchek. He checks on McNulty and asks if he is OK.
As McNulty sits at his old desk Detective Vernon Holley and Landsman discuss the shooting. Landsman tells Holley that the victim, Waggoner, was a six-year decorated veteran who was 16th on the current sergeant's list. He then mentions Prez's failures as an officer who has remained in the department only because of Valchek’s support. Landsman deems the situation a "cluster-fuck", as a decorated officer was killed due to the incompetence of a more inept officer.
At the unit office Freamon, Sydnor and Greggs monitor their new DNRs looking for a match to Bodie. Greggs and McNulty later resume surveillance in the Western District but are distracted by Prez’s misfortune. Their one-time colleague Officer Michael Santangelo spots them and sympathizes with Prez. McNulty asks him about his return to district policing and is intrigued when Santangelo is positive about the post’s lack of stress. McNulty finally receives a call back from D’Agostino to arrange a meeting.
McNulty travels to Washington to have dinner with D’Agostino. They talk about their upbringing and then their jobs. McNulty discusses his passion for his work and then asks about D’Agostino’s work. McNulty’s political disaffection makes for stilted conversation. McNulty is left alone in Washington. Prez sits similarly isolated in the unit’s wire room.
Cutty returns to the deacon for help, and he puts him in touch with Reverend Frank Reid. Reid explains that you need an influential name as backing to get permits and phones State Delegate Odell Watkins to help Cutty. Watkins meets with Cutty and hands him off to Marla Daniels. Watkins is supportive of Cutty’s efforts, as the gym will be based in the district where Marla will be running against Eunetta Perkins and because it will endear him to the politically influential Reverend Reid.
Ellis Carver
and Thomas "Herc" Hauk discover a body inside Hamsterdam. Carver tries to persuade Herc and the uniforms to move the body to prevent homicide learning about Colvin’s plans. Herc refuses to participate but Carver persuades the uniforms, Toke and Gillen, to help him. Detective Michael Crutchfield later checks Carver’s staged scene as he calls for Colvin. Nearby DEU Officers Anthony Colicchio and Lloyd "Truck" Garrick question Herc about Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski. Truck comments that Prez must be scared of African-Americans due to the racial element described in the Baltimore Sun story. Herc is distracted and decides to phone the Sun newspaper to report Colvin’s actions.
Colvin meets with Carver and learns that Crutchfield has realized that the body has been moved. Colvin realizes that Carver acted out of loyalty to him and tells Carver to say that it was Colvin who moved the body if asked. Colvin is given two choices by Crutchfield-turn the case into a "dunker" by delivering a suspect in handcuffs by the next morning, or else a report will be written for the Deputy about the moved body and surrounding drug activity. Seeing the threat of Hamsterdam being shut down, Colvin meets with the crew chiefs and threatens them with the closure of the free zones if the murderer does not turn himself in. After discussing the threat of closure with Stringer Bell, the shooter is escorted to the Western Headquarters where he turns himself in for murder.
meets with his colleague Councilman Anthony Gray and learns that he is planning to run for Mayor. Carcetti asks what Gray’s campaign will hinge on and Gray reveals that he hopes to run on education issues. Gray talks about soliciting help from Watkins and Carcetti warns that a subtle and patient approach will be needed to split Watkins from the Mayor. Gray offers Carcetti a place on his ticket as council president.
Carcetti and Gray meet with Watkins to discuss their proposed witness protection scheme. Carcetti convinces Watkins to offer funds in order to persuade Mayor Clarence Royce
to start the initiative. Watkins is open in discussing his disillusionment with the Mayor.
arrives at his grandmother's house to take her to church. Barksdale soldiers Gerard and Sapper are staking out the house. Gerard is wary of breaking the longstanding Sunday morning truce, so he phones Slim Charles before making a move. He is unable to get hold of him.
Stringer Bell hosts a meeting of the Co-Op. Shaun "Shamrock" McGinty accompanies him. Fat-Face Rick, Proposition Joe
, Kintell Williamson and Philboy present a united front in criticizing Barksdale's turf war with Marlo Stanfield
. They remind Stringer that one of the aims of the Co-Op is to reduce violence in order to reduce police attention. Joe is quick to place the blame at Avon Barksdale
's feet. During the meeting, Shamrock gets a call from Gerard. Shamrock questions Stringer who gives the go-ahead. Omar is already leaving the house and has a taxi waiting. Sapper and Gerard open fire, but Omar manages to bundle his grandmother into the cab and escape, though her church hat is lost in the melee.
Later Slim Charles chastises them for breaking the truce, particularly when Omar was with his grandmother and especially for failing to kill Omar and damaging the Barksdale reputation. Slim berates them further for destroying Omar's grandmother's "crown" hat claiming that their mothers raised them poorly, as they would not have pulled an act like that in front of an old lady had they been raised correctly.
Bernard and Squeak rent a car to buy more disposable cell phones for the organization. Unbeknownst to them, they are being followed by detective Sydnor.
Bernard delivers the phones to Shamrock at the funeral home. Shamrock asks for the receipts but is not put out when Bernard claims to have lost some of them on the road. Shamrock notices an agitated Gerard and Sapper waiting in the service room and remarks on their poor judgment in breaking the Sunday truce. Avon comes downstairs to talk to another pair of soldiers but coldly ignores Gerard and Sapper.
After the meeting, Stringer arrives and Avon explains that the new soldiers are from the East side and are working on retainer. Stringer reports the Co-Op's dissatisfaction, but Avon is not interested. Stringer tells him that Proposition Joe has offered to mediate, but Avon is skeptical of his chances. Avon is more interested in Stringer’s role in the breach of the Sunday truce. Stringer tells him that he had no idea that Omar was with his grandmother or on his way to church. Avon is disappointed in Stringer’s disregard for the truce and the rumors that have started about the incident. Stringer asks about their cessation of business and suggests they move more people into Colvin’s free zones.
Joe meets with Marlo’s advisor Vinson to organize a meeting to pursue a truce. Vinson is suspicious that Avon might have sent Joe. Joe offers Marlo a chance to join the Co-Op and keep all of his territory. Vinson explains that Marlo believes Avon is weak and wants to take over the West side.
Stringer meets with his political connection Senator Clayton "Clay" Davis
. Stringer is angry that although he bribed Davis to assist his property development business, he is still facing bureaucratic obstructions. Davis asks Stringer for more time and Stringer pressures him for results. Davis urges Stringer to show patience and leave the street mentality behind but Stringer will not be mollified.
Avon meets with his sister Brianna at the funeral home. She tells him about the possibility raised by McNulty that her son D’Angelo was murdered rather than killing himself. Avon tries to convince her that McNulty was lying. Stringer, who ordered D’Angelo’s death, sits calmly throughout the meeting. Brianna begs Avon for assurance that he knew that he could trust D’Angelo. Avon is outraged at Brianna’s implication that he might know something about the cause of D'Angelo's death and says he had nothing to do with it. Brianna remarks upon Avon's assumption that there was something to be involved with.
One of the Barksdale crew chiefs meets with Stringer and Shamrock to discuss Colvin’s ultimatum. He asks if the murderer has any connections and then decides to have him turn himself in.
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...
. The episode was written by David Simon
David Simon
David Simon is an American author, journalist, and a writer/producer of television series. He worked for the Baltimore Sun City Desk for twelve years. He wrote Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets and co-wrote The Corner: A Year in the Life of an Inner-City Neighborhood with Ed Burns...
from a story by David Simon & George Pelecanos
George Pelecanos
George P. Pelecanos is a Greek-American author. Many of his works are in the genre of detective fiction and set primarily in his hometown of Washington, D.C. He is also a film and television producer and a television writer...
and was directed by Alex Zakrzewski
Alex Zakrzewski
Alexander "Alex" Zakrzewski is an American television director and cinematographer. He has directed episodes of The Wire, Numb3rs, Cold Case, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. He has worked on several Tom Fontana produced shows including Oz, Homicide: Life on the...
. It originally aired on November 21, 2004.
Title reference
The title is an ironic reference to the slapstickSlapstick
Slapstick is a type of comedy involving exaggerated violence and activities which may exceed the boundaries of common sense.- Origins :The phrase comes from the batacchio or bataccio — called the 'slap stick' in English — a club-like object composed of two wooden slats used in Commedia dell'arte...
manner in which many of the very serious events (all of which could have been avoided) in the episode play out: Prez's tragic misfire; the breaking of the Sunday morning truce by Barksdale soldiers culminating almost comically in the shooting off of Omar's grandmother's church 'crown' before an awkward escape; Carver's decision to move the body out of the free zone, which is easily picked up on by homicide; Herc's and other Western District detectives' growing disenchantment with Colvin's initiative.
Epigraph
Spoken while Freamon tries to persuade McNulty to see that there is more to life than casework.Context
Producer George PelecanosGeorge Pelecanos
George P. Pelecanos is a Greek-American author. Many of his works are in the genre of detective fiction and set primarily in his hometown of Washington, D.C. He is also a film and television producer and a television writer...
has previously published a novel, Right as Rain
Right as Rain
Right as Rain is a 2001 crime novel by George Pelecanos. It is set in Washington DC and focuses on private investigator Derek Strange and his new partner Terry Quinn...
, dealing with the fallout after a white police officer shoots an undercover black police officer. Much of Prez's situation is drawn from that novel, including several direct lines of dialogue.
Non-Fiction Element
McNulty makes reference to several real-life Baltimore police officers when saying the few people who have as good of a position as the detail, including co-creator Ed Burns.Starring cast
Although credited, Frankie FaisonFrankie Faison
Frankie Russel Faison , often credited as Frankie R. Faison, is an American actor.-Personal life:Faison was born in Newport News, Virginia, the son of Carmena and Edgar Faison. He studied drama at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois, where he joined Theta Chi Fraternity...
, and Wendell Pierce
Wendell Pierce
Wendell Pierce is an American actor, best known for his work in HBO dramas, including his portrayal of Detective Bunk Moreland in The Wire and trombonist Antoine Batiste in Treme.-Life and career:...
do not appear in this episode.
Guest stars
- 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 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... - Chad L. Coleman as Dennis "Cutty" Wise
- Michael HyattMichael HyattMichael Hyatt is a British-born film and television actress. Before Hyatt's work in film and television, she enjoyed memorable performances on stages throughout the country, particularly in Ragtime on Broadway.-Early life:...
as Brianna Barksdale - 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 - 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... - 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... - Doug Olear as Special Agent Terrence "Fitz" Fitzhugh
- Melvin WilliamsMelvin Williams (actor)Melvin D. Williams , known as Little Melvin, is a former drug trafficker and organized crime figure in his native Baltimore, Maryland. Williams is widely known for his involvement in heroin trafficking in Baltimore in the 1970s and 1980s...
as The Deacon - Christopher Mann as Councilman Anthony Gray
- Ryan Sands as Officer Lloyd "Truck" Garrick
- Brandan T. Tate as Sapper
- Brian Anthony WilsonBrian Anthony WilsonBrian Anthony Wilson is an American film and television actor. He first appeared in the 1997 film The Postman as Woody....
as Detective Vernon Holley - Mayo Best as Gerard
- Kim Bogues as Unknown
- Richard BurtonRichard BurtonRichard Burton, CBE was a Welsh actor. He was nominated seven times for an Academy Award, six of which were for Best Actor in a Leading Role , and was a recipient of BAFTA, Golden Globe and Tony Awards for Best Actor. Although never trained as an actor, Burton was, at one time, the highest-paid...
as Shaun "Shamrock" McGinty - 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 Charles - Kelli R. Brown as Kimmy
- Mia Arnice Chambers as Squeak
- Melvin Jackson, Jr. as Bernard
- Felix Stevenson as Reverend Frank Reid
- Ernest WaddellErnest WaddellErnest Waddell is a New York City-based actor. He is perhaps best known for his recurring roles on two television series : Fin Tutuola's son Ken Randall on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and Omar Little's boyfriend Dante on The Wire...
as Dante - Al Brown as Major Stan ValchekStanislaus ValchekStanislaus "Stan" Valchek is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor Al Brown.-Biography:Valchek is the Polish-American commander of the Southeastern district, home to many of the remaining white ethnic neighborhoods in Baltimore...
- Norris Davis as Vinson
- Richard DeAngelis as Colonel Raymond Foerster
- Frederick Strother as State Delegate Odell Watkins
- Gregory L. Williams as Detective Michael Crutchfield
- Benay Berger as FBI Supervisor Amanda Reese
- Tony Cordova as Michael McNulty
- Eric Ryan as Sean McNulty
- Michael Salconi as Officer Michael Santangelo
- Troj. Marquis Strickland as Fat-Face Rick
Uncredited appearances
- Mike D. Anderson as Ghost
- Akim Black as Officer Tope
- Sho Brown as Phil Boy
- 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 - Keith JohnsonKeith Johnson (actor)Keith N. Johnson is an African-American actor best known for his performances at the Arena Stage in Washington D.C. and for his small roles in films such as Major League II and David Mamet's Homicide. On television, he was in several episodes of Homicide: Life on the Street from 1993 to 1995...
as Western District Desk Sergeant - Jim Klock as Officer Gillan
- Unknown as Kintell Williamson
- Unknown as Barksdale crew chief
- Unknown as Hamsterdam murderer
Major case unit
Jimmy McNultyJimmy 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...
is awoken in the middle of the night by a call from Theresa D'Agostino who invites him to her hotel room. He tells his son Sean that he is leaving and gives him his cell phone number in case of emergency. McNulty leaves quickly after meeting with D'Agostino, telling her that he has to return home (neglecting to mention to her his two boys, whom he left at home alone). He asks her if they can at least have dinner first next time. When he returns home, he tries to watch the same political show that she was watching, but soon grows bored and changes to a war documentary.
McNulty goes into work on Sunday, as he has nothing better to do after returning his children to his ex-wife. He finds 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...
and Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski preparing for undercover work. They plan to put a camera on 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 copy shop, Copy Cat. Freamon refuses McNulty's offer of help because McNulty is a by now a known face. McNulty espouses his opinion that the major case unit contains the best investigators in the entire department. He lists other detectives he respects, including Don Worden
Donald Worden
Donald Worden is a retired Baltimore Police Department detective who was featured in David Simon's non-fiction book about the homicide unit, Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets....
, 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...
, Gary Childs, Jon O'Neil and Steve Cleary. Freamon asks McNulty how he thinks their work is going to end and warns him that being good at his job will not save him. McNulty clings to the belief that a good case is enough, but Freamon tells him that he needs a life outside of work. McNulty seems to reflect on this, noting a photograph of - among others - Beadie Russell
Beadie Russell
Beatrice "Beadie" Russell is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actress Amy Ryan. She was featured prominently in the second season, after she discovered thirteen corpses in a container on the Baltimore docks....
on the unit refrigerator.
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...
meets with the detail on Monday morning. Assistant State's Attorney Rhonda Pearlman
Rhonda Pearlman
Rhonda Pearlman is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actress Deirdre Lovejoy. Pearlman has been the legal system liaison for all of Lieutenant Cedric Daniels' investigations on the show...
is there to discuss the legal requirements of setting up wiretaps on the Barksdale organization's disposable phones. Kima Greggs
Kima 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...
and 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:...
also join the Sunday detectives. McNulty and Greggs are assigned the task of showing that they are unable to infiltrate the Barksdale crews using undercover detectives or confidential informants. Freamon and Prez are asked to start typing up the wiretap affidavits in preparation. Sydnor is assigned the task of tracking Bernard so they can know when new phones are coming in. Officer Massey is on vacation, but Daniels plans for her to monitor the camera that Freamon and Prez set up and note Stringer's movements. Pearlman tells the detail that she is going to argue with the cell phone companies to try to get the wiretaps set up more quickly. Daniels reminds his unit that the wiretaps will be short-lived even when they do get them up and running and that time is of the essence. After the meeting, McNulty tries to call D'Agostino, but is unable to get past her assistant.
Greggs and McNulty pay Bubbles
Bubbles (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"...
to act as a confidential informant. They outfit him with a wire and give him money to buy enough narcotics to force the Vincent Street Barksdale crew to phone in for a resupply. Bubbles asks if he can keep the drugs, but Greggs tells him he cannot. Bubbles approaches 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...
’ crew and buys thirty vials as ordered. When Bodie gets suspicious, Bubbles claims that he got the money from his business selling white T-shirts. Bubbles even negotiates a discount with Bodie for the bulk purchase. As McNulty and Greggs listen in from their car, they are impressed with Bubbles’ business acumen. McNulty again tries to reach D’Agostino, but is again rebuffed by her office staff. Greggs asks him about the relationship and he responds positively despite his difficulty getting in touch.
Daniels and Pearlman meet with an executive from the cell phone company who insists it would take thirty days to respond to a court order for a wiretap. Pearlman is outraged with the audacity of the company in selling a phone that can be used anonymously and is well suited to drug traffickers and then holding up court ordered wiretaps. She threatens the company with a public statement that they are deliberately protecting drug dealers from investigation. The executive quickly caves in and promises a four- to five-day turnaround.
Next they meet with FBI Supervisor Amanda Reese and Terrence "Fitz" Fitzhugh to ask for assistance. Fitz and Reese are unable to offer help because counter-terrorism and political corruption remain their priority over drug dealers, and they have had little success with wireless companies in the past.
After tracking Bernard buying mobile phones, Sydnor reports into Freamon at the unit headquarters. He tells Freamon and Prez that Bernard has bought twenty-four cell phones from five locations, buying more at each stop away from Baltimore. Freamon plans to set up DNRs on all of the phones. McNulty and Prez leave to get Chinese food for the rest of the unit.
Prez and McNulty wait for their food outside the restaurant and listen to the police radio. An emergency request for backup is called, and realizing they are close, the detectives rush to the location. They hear shots fired and Prez drops McNulty off. McNulty hears more shots and rushes in their direction. He finds Prez standing over a dead body. Uniforms arrive at the scene and McNulty finds a badge on the body. Prez tells McNulty that he saw a gun and fired. As other detectives arrive at the scene, McNulty identifies that the dead man is a plainclothes officer by revealing his badge that was hanging around his neck and then the other detectives angrily identify him as Derrick Waggoner. McNulty phones Greggs who breaks the news to the rest of the unit.
The homicide unit handles the shooting. Prez and McNulty are both brought in to give statements. 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:...
, Major Stanislaus Valchek
Stanislaus Valchek
Stanislaus "Stan" Valchek is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor Al Brown.-Biography:Valchek is the Polish-American commander of the Southeastern district, home to many of the remaining white ethnic neighborhoods in Baltimore...
and Raymond Foerster discuss the incident. Valchek defends his son-in-law (Prez) and Rawls assures him they are not looking to burn anyone's career over the incident. Rawls warns Valchek that there is a racial component to the shooting because Waggoner was 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...
and in the way he died, it is questionable if Prez would have opened fire had Waggoner been white. Daniels interrupts to ask if Prez has seen a lawyer.
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...
tries to prevent Daniels from seeing Prez because of the legal implications. Daniels insists that he be able to talk to Prez as he is his commanding officer. Landsman relents and lets Daniels into the interview room.
Daniels urges Prez to seek out a union lawyer because of the racial element. Prez insists that the shooting was not motivated by racism, fear or anger because it happened so fast. Daniels focuses on the facts and tries to convince Prez that he must have shouted. Prez does not remember identifying himself as a police officer. Prez asks if Waggoner had a family. Daniels does not know and again urges him to get a lawyer, but Prez refuses and instead insists he is finished as a police officer. He asks Daniels to tell Freamon that he is sorry. Outside the interview room, Daniels informs Landsman that Prez requested a lawyer. Daniels asks Rawls to assign an officer to stay with Prez over night as he is a suicide risk. Valchek asks Daniels if he will back Prez over the racial issue as Daniels is both African American and Prez's unit commander, but Daniels only stares at Valchek. He checks on McNulty and asks if he is OK.
As McNulty sits at his old desk Detective Vernon Holley and Landsman discuss the shooting. Landsman tells Holley that the victim, Waggoner, was a six-year decorated veteran who was 16th on the current sergeant's list. He then mentions Prez's failures as an officer who has remained in the department only because of Valchek’s support. Landsman deems the situation a "cluster-fuck", as a decorated officer was killed due to the incompetence of a more inept officer.
At the unit office Freamon, Sydnor and Greggs monitor their new DNRs looking for a match to Bodie. Greggs and McNulty later resume surveillance in the Western District but are distracted by Prez’s misfortune. Their one-time colleague Officer Michael Santangelo spots them and sympathizes with Prez. McNulty asks him about his return to district policing and is intrigued when Santangelo is positive about the post’s lack of stress. McNulty finally receives a call back from D’Agostino to arrange a meeting.
McNulty travels to Washington to have dinner with D’Agostino. They talk about their upbringing and then their jobs. McNulty discusses his passion for his work and then asks about D’Agostino’s work. McNulty’s political disaffection makes for stilted conversation. McNulty is left alone in Washington. Prez sits similarly isolated in the unit’s wire room.
Cutty
Dennis "Cutty" Wise oversees some of the landscapers he works with as they clean out a disused building so that he can convert it into a community boxing gym. The Deacon visits Cutty on his way to church and is impressed with his progress. He warns Cutty that the next step is to get the permits he needs from the city government; Cutty had not even considered this requirement. Cutty spends Monday trying to get the permits he needs, but faces miles of bureaucratic red tape that he cannot navigate.Cutty returns to the deacon for help, and he puts him in touch with Reverend Frank Reid. Reid explains that you need an influential name as backing to get permits and phones State Delegate Odell Watkins to help Cutty. Watkins meets with Cutty and hands him off to Marla Daniels. Watkins is supportive of Cutty’s efforts, as the gym will be based in the district where Marla will be running against Eunetta Perkins and because it will endear him to the politically influential Reverend Reid.
Western district
The deacon's next stop is at the Western district headquarters to talk to Major Howard "Bunny" Colvin. They discuss Colvin's creation of drug tolerant zones in his district. Colvin assures the deacon that he is retiring and is willing to let others decide whether to sustain his initiative. The deacon tells Bunny that he has created a truce in the drug war and they have a unique opportunity to reach the people involved.Ellis 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...
and Thomas "Herc" Hauk discover a body inside Hamsterdam. Carver tries to persuade Herc and the uniforms to move the body to prevent homicide learning about Colvin’s plans. Herc refuses to participate but Carver persuades the uniforms, Toke and Gillen, to help him. Detective Michael Crutchfield later checks Carver’s staged scene as he calls for Colvin. Nearby DEU Officers Anthony Colicchio and Lloyd "Truck" Garrick question Herc about Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski. Truck comments that Prez must be scared of African-Americans due to the racial element described in the Baltimore Sun story. Herc is distracted and decides to phone the Sun newspaper to report Colvin’s actions.
Colvin meets with Carver and learns that Crutchfield has realized that the body has been moved. Colvin realizes that Carver acted out of loyalty to him and tells Carver to say that it was Colvin who moved the body if asked. Colvin is given two choices by Crutchfield-turn the case into a "dunker" by delivering a suspect in handcuffs by the next morning, or else a report will be written for the Deputy about the moved body and surrounding drug activity. Seeing the threat of Hamsterdam being shut down, Colvin meets with the crew chiefs and threatens them with the closure of the free zones if the murderer does not turn himself in. After discussing the threat of closure with Stringer Bell, the shooter is escorted to the Western Headquarters where he turns himself in for murder.
Politics
Councilman Tommy CarcettiTommy 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...
meets with his colleague Councilman Anthony Gray and learns that he is planning to run for Mayor. Carcetti asks what Gray’s campaign will hinge on and Gray reveals that he hopes to run on education issues. Gray talks about soliciting help from Watkins and Carcetti warns that a subtle and patient approach will be needed to split Watkins from the Mayor. Gray offers Carcetti a place on his ticket as council president.
Carcetti and Gray meet with Watkins to discuss their proposed witness protection scheme. Carcetti convinces Watkins to offer funds in order to persuade Mayor Clarence Royce
Clarence 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...
to start the initiative. Watkins is open in discussing his disillusionment with the Mayor.
Barksdale organization
Omar LittleOmar 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"....
arrives at his grandmother's house to take her to church. Barksdale soldiers Gerard and Sapper are staking out the house. Gerard is wary of breaking the longstanding Sunday morning truce, so he phones Slim Charles before making a move. He is unable to get hold of him.
Stringer Bell hosts a meeting of the Co-Op. Shaun "Shamrock" McGinty accompanies him. Fat-Face Rick, Proposition Joe
Proposition 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...
, Kintell Williamson and Philboy present a united front in criticizing Barksdale's turf war with 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...
. They remind Stringer that one of the aims of the Co-Op is to reduce violence in order to reduce police attention. Joe is quick to place the blame at Avon Barksdale
Avon Barksdale
Avon Randolph Barksdale is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire portrayed by actor Wood Harris. Avon is the dominant drug dealer of Baltimore's West Side, running the Barksdale Organization...
's feet. During the meeting, Shamrock gets a call from Gerard. Shamrock questions Stringer who gives the go-ahead. Omar is already leaving the house and has a taxi waiting. Sapper and Gerard open fire, but Omar manages to bundle his grandmother into the cab and escape, though her church hat is lost in the melee.
Later Slim Charles chastises them for breaking the truce, particularly when Omar was with his grandmother and especially for failing to kill Omar and damaging the Barksdale reputation. Slim berates them further for destroying Omar's grandmother's "crown" hat claiming that their mothers raised them poorly, as they would not have pulled an act like that in front of an old lady had they been raised correctly.
Bernard and Squeak rent a car to buy more disposable cell phones for the organization. Unbeknownst to them, they are being followed by detective Sydnor.
Bernard delivers the phones to Shamrock at the funeral home. Shamrock asks for the receipts but is not put out when Bernard claims to have lost some of them on the road. Shamrock notices an agitated Gerard and Sapper waiting in the service room and remarks on their poor judgment in breaking the Sunday truce. Avon comes downstairs to talk to another pair of soldiers but coldly ignores Gerard and Sapper.
After the meeting, Stringer arrives and Avon explains that the new soldiers are from the East side and are working on retainer. Stringer reports the Co-Op's dissatisfaction, but Avon is not interested. Stringer tells him that Proposition Joe has offered to mediate, but Avon is skeptical of his chances. Avon is more interested in Stringer’s role in the breach of the Sunday truce. Stringer tells him that he had no idea that Omar was with his grandmother or on his way to church. Avon is disappointed in Stringer’s disregard for the truce and the rumors that have started about the incident. Stringer asks about their cessation of business and suggests they move more people into Colvin’s free zones.
Joe meets with Marlo’s advisor Vinson to organize a meeting to pursue a truce. Vinson is suspicious that Avon might have sent Joe. Joe offers Marlo a chance to join the Co-Op and keep all of his territory. Vinson explains that Marlo believes Avon is weak and wants to take over the West side.
Stringer meets with his political connection Senator Clayton "Clay" Davis
Clay 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...
. Stringer is angry that although he bribed Davis to assist his property development business, he is still facing bureaucratic obstructions. Davis asks Stringer for more time and Stringer pressures him for results. Davis urges Stringer to show patience and leave the street mentality behind but Stringer will not be mollified.
Avon meets with his sister Brianna at the funeral home. She tells him about the possibility raised by McNulty that her son D’Angelo was murdered rather than killing himself. Avon tries to convince her that McNulty was lying. Stringer, who ordered D’Angelo’s death, sits calmly throughout the meeting. Brianna begs Avon for assurance that he knew that he could trust D’Angelo. Avon is outraged at Brianna’s implication that he might know something about the cause of D'Angelo's death and says he had nothing to do with it. Brianna remarks upon Avon's assumption that there was something to be involved with.
One of the Barksdale crew chiefs meets with Stringer and Shamrock to discuss Colvin’s ultimatum. He asks if the murderer has any connections and then decides to have him turn himself in.