The Wire

2002
4.8
4.3K reviews
TV-MA
Rating
Eligible
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The Complete First Season episodes (13)

1 The Target
6/2/02
In the pilot episode of this highly realistic drama series, Baltimore homicide detective Jimmy McNulty gets into hot water and winds up assigned to a detail of narcotics outcasts charged with investigating drug lord Avon Barksdale and his powerful operation in Franklin Terrace. Meanwhile, Avon's nephew D'Angelo is fresh off beating a murder rap, but he finds himself demoted upon his return to the gang.
2 The Detail
6/9/02
McNulty feels the heat when a witness who testified against D'Angelo is found murdered. Meanwhile, Greggs is given the lay of the land regarding Avon Barksdale's key players, and Herc, Carver and Prez find big-time trouble at the towers.
3 The Buys
6/16/02
The early-morning 'field interviews' by Herc, Carver and Prez result in a minor riot, a boy losing an eye and some bad publicity for the department. On the other side of the law, D'Angelo teaches Wallace and Bodie how to play the game (chess) and later impresses Bell with his 'take' from the low-rises.
4 Old Cases
6/23/02
Greggs and McNulty try to get Hardcase to turn informant as arraignment begins for those caught in the raid. Barksdale places a bounty on the head of rival gang leader Omar. Meanwhile, McNulty takes Bubbles on a cultural field trip, and Herc and Carver try to track down Bodie.
5 The Pager
6/30/02
McNulty's detail finally gets 'clone' pagers to track Barksdale and his gang, but nobody can crack the codes used by the callers. Meanwhile, Bell instructs D'Angelo on how to school his lookouts while simultaneously flushing out a possible snitch. Later, Carver and Herc find Bodie, but their interrogation doesn't turn up results.
6 The Wire
7/7/02
When Rawls looks to make a premature arrest for three murders that are linked to D'Angelo and Avon Barksdale, McNulty and Greggs must argue for a delay in order to preserve the valuable wiretap gains they have made. Meanwhile, Wallace and D'Angelo struggle with their consciences after Avon pays them blood money.
7 One Arrest
7/21/02
Tipped off by the wire, Greggs, Herc, Carver and Freamon make a bust, but the incident makes Avon and Stringer suspicious, leading them to close shop in the Pit. Meanwhile, Bunk and McNulty look for another witness in the Gant slaying and hunt a suspect known as 'Mr. Bird.'
8 Lessons
7/28/02
An unlikely source gives McNulty the tag of a car driven by Stringer Bell. Meanwhile, Greggs and Carver bust a congressional aide carrying dirty cash, but are forced to let him go. Later, Omar earns his 'loose cannon' moniker.
9 Game Day
8/4/02
Barksdale plays an expensive game of one-upmanship with an east-side rival. Meanwhile, Herc and Carver take some cash off of Wee-Bey's hands, and Omar resurfaces with a bang.
10 The Cost
8/11/02
With Wallace in custody, McNulty and Daniels try to figure out what to do with him in the months before he testifies. Sydnor and Carver track down one of Barksdale's stash houses, and Prez shows off his 'gift for the paper trail.' McNulty's estranged wife Elena takes desperate measures after learning that he had their kids follow Stringer Bell. Orlando, who always wanted to be in the game, finds himself playing with fire.
11 The Hunt
8/18/02
The police turn up the heat on tracking down Savino, Wee-Bey and Little Man. Burrell orders Daniels to hit drug dealers for results that will impress the press. Barksdale sees his ranks thinning after the hit on Orlando. Bubbles tries to stay sober while scoping out the projects for McNulty; and Freamon determines there's a rat in the detail.
12 Cleaning Up
9/1/02
The low-rise pay phones are out of service, so McNulty and Daniels try to keep pace by tapping Barksdale's office. Bodie gets some new responsibilities from Stringer; Freamon gives Shardene a 'new look'; and D'Angelo goes to NYC on an errand for his uncle. With the detail's future hanging in the balance, Daniels faces off against Burrell and his political allies.
13 Sentencing
9/8/02
Season One finale. Every crew has weak links--including Avon Barksdale's. With the heat turned up in the high-rises, Daniels and McNulty turn to a higher authority in an effort to crack the case wide open.

About this show

Follow a single sprawling drug and murder investigation in Baltimore from the perspective of cops and criminals in this classic series.

Ratings and reviews

4.8
4.3K reviews
A Google user
October 26, 2014
Far more than a cop drama, The Wire's story line encompasses the lives and machinations not only of the "public servants" who profit from Baltimore's drug trade, but of the street-level dealers, kingpins & junkies that drive the game. The writing is as uncompromising as it gets - - even for HBO. Easily among the best of its kind ever produced.
61 people found this review helpful
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Dave Shoup
October 26, 2015
This is HBO at its finest. The gritty up close and personal look at BOTH sides of the law...good and bad. Coupled with the realistic portrayal of Baltimore's urban gangland, you will be absolutely immersed in the business and politics behind the Baltimore Police Department, as well as the hustlers they live to fight against...and for. This is a must see and if you love crime drama, or even if you don't, then The Wire is for you.
9 people found this review helpful
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Reds Smith
May 3, 2022
I worked on the wire ,I knew most of the guys from being on the street s in Baltimore and I still am to this day. Pennsylvania Ave, Biddle street.i knew Marlo and Omar . It's been a great experience being white and hanging out on the corners..30 years and this show is the best at showing you what really happens..10 all the way REDS SMITH.
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