The Wire

Not For Attribution

Season 5, Episode 3, Aired 1/20/08

Episode Summary

"They're dead where it doesn't count." - Fletcher

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

9.3

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Cast & Crew

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Dominic West

Det. James "Jimmy" McNulty
Clark Johnson

City Editor Augustus "Gus" Haynes
Aidan Gillen

Mayor Thomas "Tommy" Carcetti

Fan Episode Reviews (2)

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Incredible episode. The talented creative team behind The Wire continues to outdo itself, revisiting old characters even while establishing new ones, advancing the season's narrative while insinuating plot threads from previous seasons...amazing stuff!moreless

9.6

"Superb"

By rockin01, Apr 19, 2011 Report Abuse

People have repeatedly called this series Dickensian. I can see that, but it really strikes me as Shakespearean: the class struggles shown from all strata...the heroes, villains and murkier anti-heroes, the personal tragedies and self-destructive decisions, the power plays, betrayals and deceptions...and the overriding themes of moral decay and corruption that pervade the entire proceedings. McNulty's continued downward spiral is riveting in a train-wreck kind of way, and Lester's sudden complicity in mcNulty's hairbrained scheme is the kind of curveball this series throws so well at the viewer. Clay Davis is going down, and so is Burrell. The Sun is on the financial ropes, and is gutting its newsroom staff to deal with the budget crisis. Marlo continues to make his moves against any and all who oppose his world domination, forging an important alliance with the Greeks- and making what is certain to be a fatal move against Omar, brutally murdering Butchie to get his attention. Didn't someone wise say something once about letting sleeping dogs lie....moreless

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We have to sensationalize it.

9.5

"Superb"

By lawgotham, Jan 21, 2008 Report Abuse

Thus sayeth my favorite character on "The Wire, Lester Freamon. This episode dug deeper into the ills of the political system, the newspaper business, police work and Marlo's retribution.

Clay Davis is fighting for his freedom while Carcetti and the Commish refuse to help. Word is leaked to the paper that Daniles wil be replacing the Commissioner who is cooking the police statistic numbers. The Clay Davis corruption will come to a head but what does he hold over everybody.

The newspaper is buying out and laying off. One reporter is cooking up quotes to make it look like he can handle the retiring beat reporter. Corruption doesn't just mean the making of money.

Meanwhile McNulty can't get the serial killer angle going and Bunk wants no part of it. Lester Freamon the true brains of the detective squad says they need to go further and sensationalize it. Pure beauty (and corruption).

Marlo on the hunt for Omar goes to the Antilles while Omar's enabler to escape is shot and killed because he won't give him up.

The plot is thicker and more intertwined than ever. We get to sit back and speculate who will be killed, who will be arrested, who will get caught. "The Wire" really is a show of beauty.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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- The store that McNulty goes in to buy the ribbon and where Alma goes to buy the paper was shot at Eddie's Market in Charles Village. Edit
- Real life former Baltimore Sun editor Steven Luxenberg makes a cameo appearance in this episode as an employee of the paper. He was the editor who first hired David Simon as a reporter for the Sun, and his name is also used for the Metro Editor played by Robert Poletick. Edit
- Both Donald Worden and Gary D'Addario make guest appearances during this episode. David Simon spent a year with these two ex-homicide detectives whilst researching his book Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets. Both feature prominently throughout the book. Edit
Notes
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- Music: "Up Up And Away" by The Fifth Dimension; "To Tragoudi Xenitias" by Lyra; "96 Tears" by ? And The Mysterians; "Away From Home" by Eddie Houston; "Mi Me Pismatonis" by Markos Vamvakaris; "Booty Body Ready" by Sterling Silver Starship; "Don't Be Afraid" by Salim Nourillah; "Red Gold & Green" by Hugh Mundell; "When I Die (You Better Second Line)" by Kermit Rufins; "Mystery Train" by Little Junior Parker; "Messin With The Kid" by Junior Wells Edit
- Although credited, Andre Royo, Seth Gilliam, Dominick Lombardozzi and Michael Kostroff do not appear in this episode. Edit
Quotes
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- Landsman: You know why they call 'em homeless Jimmy? 'Cause they ain't got a pot to piss in. And you know why they ain't got a pot? 'Cause nobody gives a good fuck. Edit
- McNulty: Who's gonna catch me?! Most of the guy's up here couldn't catch the clap in a Mexican whore house! Edit
- Bunk: Marlo ain't worth it man, nobody is. McNulty: Marlo's an asshole! He does not get to win, we get to win! Edit
Allusions
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