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A New Day (The Wire episode)
Encyclopedia
"A New Day" is the eleventh episode of the fourth season of the HBO original series The Wire
. Written by Ed Burns
from a story by David Simon
& Ed Burns, and directed by Brad Anderson, it originally aired on November 26, 2006.
, and Corey Parker Robinson
do not appear in this episode.
buys dinner for his friends Michael Lee
, Randy Wagstaff
and Duquan "Dukie" Weems. They sit on a stoop with Donut and discuss the recent murder of Little Kevin. Randy is dismayed to learn of Kevin’s death. Leaving the laundromat, Officer Walker walks by and tells the boys to move on, accusing them of being up to no good. The boys plan revenge on Walker for his brutal assault on Donut. Michael says he knows of a bar that is well-known as a police hangout that Walker frequents and vows to handle the problem.
Later, Namond, Randy and Dukie express doubts about Michael's plans for Walker, but they proceed regardless. Michael does not hesitate. As Walker leaves the bar, Duquan scratches Walker’s car, luring Walker to chase him into an alley. In the alley, Michael confronts Walker with a gun, ordering Walker to turn around and kneel. He takes the ring that Walker is wearing (which Walker had taken from Omar, who in turn had stolen it from Marlo after Old Face Andre surrendered it), and then gives a signal to Namond, who then douses Walker with yellow paint.
Walker later characterizes the incident in the alley as a declaration of gang warfare against the police to his fellow officers, embellishing the facts by claiming there were three attackers with shotguns. Officer McNulty
is dubious of the story. McNulty finds Bodie Broadus
hiding out in a diner when he goes for lunch. Bodie explains that the police activity has driven him indoors and McNulty reveals to him that the assault on Walker has riled the patrol officers. He confides a dislike of Walker to Bodie because of his corrupt actions. McNulty is called away and the two joke together as he leaves.
' garage. Bubbles checks how long he is staying and then offers him food. Sherrod confesses that he owes money to the drug dealer he was working for and admits he felt out of place working on the corner. Bubbles promises to help to sort out the problem and reassures Sherrod that he is home again.
Sherrod and Bubbles get to work the next day. Bubbles is enthusiastic about having Sherrod back and pleased when they find a toppled street light they can sell for scrap. Their day takes a turn for the worse when the addict who has been tormenting Bubbles robs them again.
to complain about Herc's actions. They try to persuade Carcetti to introduce a civilian review board for police complaints. Norman Wilson reminds them that, with African Americans as commissioner and as Internal Investigations Division commander, the racial aspects of the incident will not go unexamined. The ministers respond by stating that they believe commissioner Ervin Burrell
's authority has been limited. Carcetti asks the ministers not to pre-judge the investigation of the complaint and tells them he takes the matter seriously. They leave disappointed but thank the mayor for keeping an open door. After the ministers leave, Wilson and Carcetti discuss the difficulty of their position; if Carcetti fires Herc, then the rank and file of the police department will be upset, but leniency will upset the black political infrastructure. "Yummy," Carcetti remarks on the subject, "My first bowl of shit."
Colonel Cedric Daniels
and Assistant State's Attorney Rhonda Pearlman
host a meeting with the homicide unit. They ask for suggestions to pass on to the new mayor and state's attorney. Detective Crutchfield suggests improved witness protection and a pay raise; the latter idea is greeted with much enthusiasm from the other detectives. Detective Freamon
asks for more proactive investigation and more time for case prep. Detective Norris suggests greater investment in lab work and technicians. Detective Greggs
is exhilarated at the prospect of "a new day" but Sergeant Landsman
is skeptical.
Wilson meets with Deputy Commissioner of Operations William Rawls
and gives him a memo from Carcetti asking for community-based policing and high-end police work. Rawls asks Wilson about firing Burrell. Wilson explains that they do not have the political capital available, which is compounded by the situation with the ministers. Rawls asks if they want Herc fired and Wilson tells him they do not want to interfere with the day-to-day running of the department. Rawls confirms that the new administration is interested in the perception of the investigation and recommends assigning the task to Daniels as Herc's new commanding officer.
Rawls meets with Daniels and passes him the investigation. He tells Daniels that in minor cases he can issue a summary judgment or pass the case to a trial board. Daniels asks Rawls what City Hall would want, and to Daniels' surprise, Rawls tells him to do the right thing.
The following morning, Carcetti visits the Department of Public Works and tells them to tow an abandoned vehicle that he noticed. He does not offer the location of the vehicle. This galvanizes the department into action. He offers similar instructions to the Department of Parks and Recreation, telling them that a constituent called and asked them to clean up a hazardous playground in her area, but again, does not reveal a location. He repeats the trick at the water department. All three departments initiate a flurry of activity soon afterwards.
Senator Davis
and Burrell play golf and discuss the summary judgment Daniels has issued. Burrell believes the punishment of two weeks' extra duty is too lenient for the ministers. Burrell arrogantly suggests that he is the only person who knows how to play the game.
Carcetti has a disappointing budget meeting and learns that it will be difficult to muster the funds he needs to re-energize the police department.
Rawls introduces the policy change to his commanders and is met with pessimism from the patrol division commander. Rawls insists that they follow the mayor's orders. Daniels approaches Rawls after the meeting to request reconstituting the Major Crimes Unit under his command in the Criminal Investigations Division. Rawls approves Daniels's suggestion. Deputy Commissioner of Administration Stan Valchek tells Rawls that he is smart to support Daniels as he is likely to be the next commissioner. Rawls is surprised at the assertion, thinking that he himself would be next in line. Amused, Valchek tells Rawls there is no way he could become commissioner given Baltimore's African American
majority.
Daniels then meets with Freamon, suggesting that Freamon return to Major Crimes. Freamon is concerned about Marimow leading the unit, but Daniels responds by allowing Freamon to pick his own people and his own commander, concluding that as far as Daniels is concerned, Freamon "is the Major Crimes Unit." Freamon returns to the unit headquarters and reviews the subpoenaed evidence that has been collected in his absence. As Freamon looks at the names on the subpoenas, Carcetti is at a fundraising event with those very same people: Andy Krawczyk, Ed Bowers, Maurice Webber and Clay Davis.
Carcetti meets with the Western District patrol officers and announces the officer pay raise and the new focus on community-based policing. McNulty is dubious of Carcetti's commitment to avoiding stat-based policing, but Carcetti insists that if the current command cannot meet his request then he will replace them.
Burrell arrives at the mayor's office and Carcetti reluctantly agrees to see him. Burrell tells Carcetti that he does not mind his orders about strategy being countermanded and segues into a discussion about Herc's punishment. He reveals that Daniels is planning to recommend sensitivity training and tells Carcetti that they will need to be more severe for the ministers. Burrell tells Carcetti that he can find a more convincing reason to fire Herc, based on his history in narcotics, that will appease both the ministers and the rank and file. Burrell says his greatest asset is his ability to understand bureaucratic process and meet the mayor's needs.
Carcetti meets with the department heads and hears reports of how they have acted on his requests for cleanup. He continues to encourage the public works department by claiming they have not resolved the complaint he received, but congratulates the water department head when he reports that all hydrants are capped. When the heads of the water and public works departments leave, Carcetti is given some bad news: his budget adviser has just learned that the school system is running a deficit of $54 million. Carcetti is stupefied.
As usual during lunch, Randy
tries to sell candy to some younger students. However, the students abandon him, as rumors about Randy snitching to the police continue to spread.
In the special class, Miss Duquette asks about examples of courage. The class has already identified examples from life on the corner. Miss Duquette asks for examples unrelated to the corner and none are forthcoming. She asks for a volunteer for a trust fall
exercise. Albert Stokes declines and Namond
reluctantly agrees once the exercise has been explained and Colvin gestures his support. Miss Duquette returns to Albert once Namond has successfully completed the task. He responds with profanity and walks out of the class. Mr. Colvin follows Albert and takes him aside with the new social worker, Miss Rennert. They ask Albert what is wrong and he reveals that he discovered his mother's dead body after returning home last night. Despite Albert's desire to stay with his mother, his grandmother still sent him to school.
Namond tells Colvin about the attack on Officer Walker, although he neglects to mention that he was part of it. Colvin tells Namond that he is making good progress and suggests that he is nearly ready to return to normal classes. However, Namond is reluctant to go back.
After school, Randy is attacked by several of his classmates. Michael
refuses to leave his side despite the accusations about him working with the police. Dukie flees to get help. Prez breaks up the fight and brings Randy and his friends into his classroom. He quizzes Randy about what happened and recommends that he not talk to the police in the future.
Later, Namond questions Michael about his reckless behavior both in removing his mask in front of Walker and getting involved in the fight. Michael refuses to apologize for either action. The next morning Namond considers cutting his distinctive hair. His mother insists that he do so. Namond decides that he is still not ready, but is verbally reprimanded by his mother to cut his hair to make himself less identifiable to police. He also questions Kenard about the appropriateness of his new braided hair style as they work on the corner. Namond is approached by Michael's mother for a handout, claiming that it is for a friend. He accepts her story, and is admonished by Kenard.
Prez visits Sergeant Carver
and accuses him of betraying his trust by endangering Randy. Carver tells Prez that he will have a plainclothes unit assigned to guard Randy's home and promises to find out how Randy was exposed.
Assistant Principal Donnelly hosts a meeting with five eighth grade students, including Dukie and Monell, and announces that they are moving on to the ninth grade and high school at the end of the marking period. Dukie is dejected at the news. When the students leave, Donnelly meets with Colvin to tell him that the board has called an end to the special class program.
Colvin, Parenti and Donnelly meet with Miss Sheperdson and her supervisor at the school board. They make the case for the program, but are told that the school system is under too much scrutiny at the moment. The school board advises that they will only continue with the program with approval from City Hall.
Omar follows Proposition Joe to a meeting of the New Day Co-Op. He notices Fatface Rick and Marlo arriving and speculates that the Baltimore drug dealers have put all their eggs in one basket.
Omar visits Proposition Joe at his electrical repair store with weapons drawn. He finds him meeting with Cheese and Slim Charles. Omar accuses Joe of lying to him about the card game. He enlists Joe's help in stealing from Marlo and threatens to inform Marlo of his involvement in the card game robbery if he attempts to double cross him. When they leave the store, Renaldo asks Omar if he trusts Joe. Omar tells him that he trusts Prop Joe's fear. They follow Cheese when he leaves the store.
meets with Chris Partlow and Snoop and commends them for being up to date on their work. Snoop confirms that they took care of Michael's problem by killing his stepfather. Marlo comments that he has heard that Michael stood alongside Randy when he was accused of being an informant and Chris is perturbed by the news.
and Kima Greggs
tease Lester Freamon
about his return to Major Crimes as he packs up his desk. Carver arrives and quizzes Bunk about Randy. Bunk tells Carver that Herc never passed Randy over to him and both men realize that Herc is to blame.
Bunk and Freamon visit Thomas "Herc" Hauk and quiz him about Randy. Herc claims that Randy had no useful information but Bunk is not mollified. Freamon mediates the discussion and asks Herc to tell him everything he did while working on the case. He learns about Herc's traffic stop of Chris and Snoop and the discovery of their nailgun.
Bunk and Freamon visit Prez at the school. They explain that they went to see Randy but, per Prez's advice, he would not talk to them. Bunk tells Prez that he is siding with the criminals; Prez asserts that he is looking out for his kids. Freamon is diplomatic and wishes Prez well. Bunk asks Prez for a little information and Prez reports Randy's story about telling Lex to meet a girl at the playground.
Bunk and Freamon investigate the playground. The surrounding vacant homes pique Freamon's interest. Bunk watches in silence as Freamon does his work. Freamon investigates the boarded up homes, finding some to be sealed with plywood and screws. Others are loosely boarded up with rusty old screws. Freamon notices that one door in particular has been newly and tightly sealed by a nail gun. He realizes that vacant apartments have been used as makeshift tombs to stash dead bodies. Bunk is incredulous, finally realizing that untold bodies are in vacant houses all over the city.
The WIRE
the WIRE is the student-run College radio station at the University of Oklahoma, broadcasting in a freeform format. The WIRE serves the University of Oklahoma and surrounding communities, and is staffed by student DJs. The WIRE broadcasts at 1710 kHz AM in Norman, Oklahoma...
. Written by Ed Burns
Ed Burns
Ed Burns is a producer, screenwriter, and novelist. He has worked closely with writing partner David Simon. They have collaborated on The Corner and The Wire . Burns is a former Baltimore police detective for the Homicide and Narcotics divisions, and a public school teacher...
from a story by 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...
& Ed Burns, and directed by Brad Anderson, it originally aired on November 26, 2006.
Title reference
The title is spoken by Major Daniels in reference to the new mayor's plans for the city. It may also refer to the New Day Co-Op where Proposition Joe conducts business.Epigraph
McNulty uses this phrase to explain his dislike of Officer Walker and his feeling that Walker got what he deserved.Starring cast
Although credited Chad L. Coleman, Glynn TurmanGlynn Turman
Glynn Russell Turman is an American stage, television, and film actor as well as a writer, director, and producer. He is perhaps best known for his roles as high school student Leroy "Preach" Jackson in the 1975 coming-of-age film Cooley High, math professor and retired Army colonel Bradford...
, and Corey Parker Robinson
Corey Parker Robinson
Corey Parker Robinson is an American actor. He may be best known for appearing on the HBO program The Wire as Detective Leander Sydnor. He also appeared in Wire creator David Simon's earlier The Corner as R.C., a young drug dealer and in ER in episode 19 of Season 5 as student Antoine Bell...
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 Senator Clayton "Clay" DavisClay DavisState Senator R. Clayton "Clay" Davis is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor Isiah Whitlock, Jr. Davis is a corrupt Maryland State Senator with a reputation for pocketing bribes... - Jermaine CrawfordJermaine CrawfordJermaine Crawford is an actor best known for appearing on the HBO original series The Wire as Duquan "Dukie" Weems. He is a cousin to fellow Wire castmember and actor Tristan Wilds....
as Duquan "Dukie" Weems - Maestro HarrellMaestro HarrellMaestro Harrell is an American actor who starred on the HBO original series The Wire as Randy Wagstaff. He was also on the NBC drama ER on April 26, 2007....
as Randy WagstaffRandy WagstaffRandy Wagstaff is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by Maestro Harrell. Randy is an enterprising student who is dependent on social services. During season 4, he was an 8th grade pupil at Edward Tilghman Middle School and is friends with Namond Brice, Michael Lee and Duquan... - Julito McCullumJulito McCullumJulito McCullum is an American actor of Afro-Colombian descent best known for his role as Namond Brice on the HBO series The Wire. Currently lives in Staten Island....
as Namond BriceNamond BriceNamond Brice is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by Julito McCullum. Namond is the son of Wee-Bey Brice and De'Londa Brice and was a middle school pupil during season 4. He is friends with Michael Lee and Randy Wagstaff and often bullies Duquan "Dukie" Weems... - Tristan WildsTristan WildsTristan Paul Mack Wilds is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Michael Lee on the HBO original drama series The Wire and as Dixon Wilson on the CW drama series 90210.-Life and career:...
as Michael LeeMichael Lee (The Wire)Michael Lee is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by Tristan Wilds. He is a middle school pupil and is friends with Namond Brice, Randy Wagstaff and Duquan "Dukie" Weems. He is more soft-spoken than his friends, and appears to have a leadership role among his peers... - Gbenga AkinnagbeGbenga AkinnagbeGbenga Akinnagbe is an American actor, best known for his role as Chris Partlow on the HBO original series The Wire.-Early life:...
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... - Anwan GloverAnwan GloverRalph Anwan Glover is an American actor and musician. He is one of the founding members of the Backyard Band, a go-go band, as well as appearing as gang member Slim Charles in the HBO series The Wire. He has also appeared in music videos, such as Boyz n da Hood's "Dem Boyz" among others, and has a...
as Slim CharlesSlim CharlesSlim Charles is a fictional member of the drug trade in the HBO drama The Wire, played by Anwan Glover. An enforcer for the Barksdale Organization and later the top lieutenant of kingpin Proposition Joe Stewart, he shows integrity, loyalty and competence throughout his career.The saga of the... - Method ManMethod ManClifford Smith , better known by his stage name Method Man is an American hip hop artist, record producer, actor and member of the hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan. He took his stage name from the 1979 film The Fearless Young Boxer, also known as Method Man. He is one half of the rap duo Method Man...
as Calvin "Cheese" WagstaffCheese WagstaffCalvin "Cheese" Wagstaff is a fictional character on the HBO television series The Wire. He is portrayed by hip hop recording artist Method Man. He is a crew chief for his uncle Proposition Joe's drug organization and later works for the Stanfield Organization after betraying his uncle and... - 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...
- Jay LandsmanJay LandsmanThe book was later developed into the television series Homicide: Life on the Street. He was the inspiration for the fictional character John Munch on that show and a character named Jay Landsman on the television series The Wire, created by Simon. Landsman portrayed himself in a brief appearance...
as Lieutenant Dennis Mello - 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... - Jonnie Louis Brown as Officer Eddie Walker
- Rashad Orange as Sherrod
- Ramón Rodríguez as Renaldo
- Thuliso DingwallThuliso DingwallThuliso Dingwall is an American actor. He is best known for portraying Kenard on the television series The Wire. Dingwall is from Clinton, Maryland.-External links:...
as Kenard - Rakiya Orange as Charlene Young
- Jason Wharton as Albert Stokes
- Stacie Davis as Miss Duquette
- Dan DeLuca as Dr. David Parenti
- Tootsie DuvallTootsie DuvallTootsie Duvall is an American film, theatre and television actress.-Career:...
as Assistant Principal Marcia Donnelly - Sandi McCree as De'Londa Brice
- 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 - Franklin Ojeda Smith as Reverend
- Felix Stevenson as Reverend Frank Reid
- Ed NorrisEd NorrisEdward T. Norris is an American radio host and former law enforcement officer in Maryland. His talk show, the Ed Norris Show, airs on WJZ-FM in Baltimore, Maryland. Norris, a 20-year veteran of the New York Police Department, served as police commissioner for Baltimore from 2000 to late 2002...
as Detective Ed Norris - Michael Salconi as Officer Michael Santangelo
- Gregory L. Williams as Detective Michael Crutchfield
- 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 - Yolanda Gaskins as School Board Representative
- David Goodman as Budget Advisor
- Mark Joy as Ed Bowers
- 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 - Nathan Corbett as Donut
- DeAnte McCullough as Unknown
- Michael Norbin as Unknown
- Jasmine Pitts as Unknown
- Corbin Smith as Monell
Uncredited appearances
- Derek HortonDerek HortonDerek Horton, born 24 June 1956, is an artist, writer, publisher and teacher. He worked in the jewelry trade, then as a wood machinist, and as a lorry driver, before becoming involved in community arts and urban adventure playgrounds in the 1970s...
as Officer Brian Baker - Bobby Brown as Officer Bobby Brown
- Davone Cooper as Darnell Tyson
- Taylor KingTaylor KingTaylor King is a professional American basketball player currently playing for the London Lightning of the National Basketball League of Canada. Before joining the Lightning, King played for the Villanova University Wildcats, where he played the forward position...
as Zenobia Dawson - Na'Dria Jennings as Chandra Porter
- 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 - Shelia Cutchlow as Miss Sheperdson
- Michael Coley as Kwame
- Traeauna Harris as Unknown
- Unknown as Latonya
- Unknown as Markeith
- Unknown as Miss Rennert
Western district
Namond BriceNamond 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...
buys dinner for his friends 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...
, Randy Wagstaff
Randy Wagstaff
Randy Wagstaff is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by Maestro Harrell. Randy is an enterprising student who is dependent on social services. During season 4, he was an 8th grade pupil at Edward Tilghman Middle School and is friends with Namond Brice, Michael Lee and Duquan...
and Duquan "Dukie" Weems. They sit on a stoop with Donut and discuss the recent murder of Little Kevin. Randy is dismayed to learn of Kevin’s death. Leaving the laundromat, Officer Walker walks by and tells the boys to move on, accusing them of being up to no good. The boys plan revenge on Walker for his brutal assault on Donut. Michael says he knows of a bar that is well-known as a police hangout that Walker frequents and vows to handle the problem.
Later, Namond, Randy and Dukie express doubts about Michael's plans for Walker, but they proceed regardless. Michael does not hesitate. As Walker leaves the bar, Duquan scratches Walker’s car, luring Walker to chase him into an alley. In the alley, Michael confronts Walker with a gun, ordering Walker to turn around and kneel. He takes the ring that Walker is wearing (which Walker had taken from Omar, who in turn had stolen it from Marlo after Old Face Andre surrendered it), and then gives a signal to Namond, who then douses Walker with yellow paint.
Walker later characterizes the incident in the alley as a declaration of gang warfare against the police to his fellow officers, embellishing the facts by claiming there were three attackers with shotguns. Officer McNulty
Jimmy McNulty
Detective James "Jimmy" McNulty is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by British actor Dominic West. McNulty is an Irish American detective in the Baltimore Police Department...
is dubious of the story. McNulty finds 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...
hiding out in a diner when he goes for lunch. Bodie explains that the police activity has driven him indoors and McNulty reveals to him that the assault on Walker has riled the patrol officers. He confides a dislike of Walker to Bodie because of his corrupt actions. McNulty is called away and the two joke together as he leaves.
Bubbles
Sherrod returns to 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"...
' garage. Bubbles checks how long he is staying and then offers him food. Sherrod confesses that he owes money to the drug dealer he was working for and admits he felt out of place working on the corner. Bubbles promises to help to sort out the problem and reassures Sherrod that he is home again.
Sherrod and Bubbles get to work the next day. Bubbles is enthusiastic about having Sherrod back and pleased when they find a toppled street light they can sell for scrap. Their day takes a turn for the worse when the addict who has been tormenting Bubbles robs them again.
Politics
Reverend Frank Reid and the minister who was accosted by Sergeant Thomas "Herc" Hauk attend a meeting with Mayor 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...
to complain about Herc's actions. They try to persuade Carcetti to introduce a civilian review board for police complaints. Norman Wilson reminds them that, with African Americans as commissioner and as Internal Investigations Division commander, the racial aspects of the incident will not go unexamined. The ministers respond by stating that they believe 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...
's authority has been limited. Carcetti asks the ministers not to pre-judge the investigation of the complaint and tells them he takes the matter seriously. They leave disappointed but thank the mayor for keeping an open door. After the ministers leave, Wilson and Carcetti discuss the difficulty of their position; if Carcetti fires Herc, then the rank and file of the police department will be upset, but leniency will upset the black political infrastructure. "Yummy," Carcetti remarks on the subject, "My first bowl of shit."
Colonel 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...
and 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...
host a meeting with the homicide unit. They ask for suggestions to pass on to the new mayor and state's attorney. Detective Crutchfield suggests improved witness protection and a pay raise; the latter idea is greeted with much enthusiasm from the other detectives. Detective 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...
asks for more proactive investigation and more time for case prep. Detective Norris suggests greater investment in lab work and technicians. Detective 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...
is exhilarated at the prospect of "a new day" but Sergeant 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...
is skeptical.
Wilson meets with Deputy Commissioner of Operations 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:...
and gives him a memo from Carcetti asking for community-based policing and high-end police work. Rawls asks Wilson about firing Burrell. Wilson explains that they do not have the political capital available, which is compounded by the situation with the ministers. Rawls asks if they want Herc fired and Wilson tells him they do not want to interfere with the day-to-day running of the department. Rawls confirms that the new administration is interested in the perception of the investigation and recommends assigning the task to Daniels as Herc's new commanding officer.
Rawls meets with Daniels and passes him the investigation. He tells Daniels that in minor cases he can issue a summary judgment or pass the case to a trial board. Daniels asks Rawls what City Hall would want, and to Daniels' surprise, Rawls tells him to do the right thing.
The following morning, Carcetti visits the Department of Public Works and tells them to tow an abandoned vehicle that he noticed. He does not offer the location of the vehicle. This galvanizes the department into action. He offers similar instructions to the Department of Parks and Recreation, telling them that a constituent called and asked them to clean up a hazardous playground in her area, but again, does not reveal a location. He repeats the trick at the water department. All three departments initiate a flurry of activity soon afterwards.
Senator 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...
and Burrell play golf and discuss the summary judgment Daniels has issued. Burrell believes the punishment of two weeks' extra duty is too lenient for the ministers. Burrell arrogantly suggests that he is the only person who knows how to play the game.
Carcetti has a disappointing budget meeting and learns that it will be difficult to muster the funds he needs to re-energize the police department.
Rawls introduces the policy change to his commanders and is met with pessimism from the patrol division commander. Rawls insists that they follow the mayor's orders. Daniels approaches Rawls after the meeting to request reconstituting the Major Crimes Unit under his command in the Criminal Investigations Division. Rawls approves Daniels's suggestion. Deputy Commissioner of Administration Stan Valchek tells Rawls that he is smart to support Daniels as he is likely to be the next commissioner. Rawls is surprised at the assertion, thinking that he himself would be next in line. Amused, Valchek tells Rawls there is no way he could become commissioner given Baltimore'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...
majority.
Daniels then meets with Freamon, suggesting that Freamon return to Major Crimes. Freamon is concerned about Marimow leading the unit, but Daniels responds by allowing Freamon to pick his own people and his own commander, concluding that as far as Daniels is concerned, Freamon "is the Major Crimes Unit." Freamon returns to the unit headquarters and reviews the subpoenaed evidence that has been collected in his absence. As Freamon looks at the names on the subpoenas, Carcetti is at a fundraising event with those very same people: Andy Krawczyk, Ed Bowers, Maurice Webber and Clay Davis.
Carcetti meets with the Western District patrol officers and announces the officer pay raise and the new focus on community-based policing. McNulty is dubious of Carcetti's commitment to avoiding stat-based policing, but Carcetti insists that if the current command cannot meet his request then he will replace them.
Burrell arrives at the mayor's office and Carcetti reluctantly agrees to see him. Burrell tells Carcetti that he does not mind his orders about strategy being countermanded and segues into a discussion about Herc's punishment. He reveals that Daniels is planning to recommend sensitivity training and tells Carcetti that they will need to be more severe for the ministers. Burrell tells Carcetti that he can find a more convincing reason to fire Herc, based on his history in narcotics, that will appease both the ministers and the rank and file. Burrell says his greatest asset is his ability to understand bureaucratic process and meet the mayor's needs.
Carcetti meets with the department heads and hears reports of how they have acted on his requests for cleanup. He continues to encourage the public works department by claiming they have not resolved the complaint he received, but congratulates the water department head when he reports that all hydrants are capped. When the heads of the water and public works departments leave, Carcetti is given some bad news: his budget adviser has just learned that the school system is running a deficit of $54 million. Carcetti is stupefied.
School
Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski takes his class through a lesson about measurements. He tries to help Charlene and Jasmine in halving an odd number but is interrupted by disruptive behavior.As usual during lunch, Randy
Randy Wagstaff
Randy Wagstaff is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by Maestro Harrell. Randy is an enterprising student who is dependent on social services. During season 4, he was an 8th grade pupil at Edward Tilghman Middle School and is friends with Namond Brice, Michael Lee and Duquan...
tries to sell candy to some younger students. However, the students abandon him, as rumors about Randy snitching to the police continue to spread.
In the special class, Miss Duquette asks about examples of courage. The class has already identified examples from life on the corner. Miss Duquette asks for examples unrelated to the corner and none are forthcoming. She asks for a volunteer for a trust fall
Trust fall
A trust fall is a purported trust-building game often conducted as a group exercise in which a person deliberately allows themselves to fall, relying on the other members of the group to catch the person. There are many variants of the trust fall...
exercise. Albert Stokes declines and Namond
Namond Brice
Namond Brice is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by Julito McCullum. Namond is the son of Wee-Bey Brice and De'Londa Brice and was a middle school pupil during season 4. He is friends with Michael Lee and Randy Wagstaff and often bullies Duquan "Dukie" Weems...
reluctantly agrees once the exercise has been explained and Colvin gestures his support. Miss Duquette returns to Albert once Namond has successfully completed the task. He responds with profanity and walks out of the class. Mr. Colvin follows Albert and takes him aside with the new social worker, Miss Rennert. They ask Albert what is wrong and he reveals that he discovered his mother's dead body after returning home last night. Despite Albert's desire to stay with his mother, his grandmother still sent him to school.
Namond tells Colvin about the attack on Officer Walker, although he neglects to mention that he was part of it. Colvin tells Namond that he is making good progress and suggests that he is nearly ready to return to normal classes. However, Namond is reluctant to go back.
After school, Randy is attacked by several of his classmates. Michael
Michael Lee (The Wire)
Michael Lee is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by Tristan Wilds. He is a middle school pupil and is friends with Namond Brice, Randy Wagstaff and Duquan "Dukie" Weems. He is more soft-spoken than his friends, and appears to have a leadership role among his peers...
refuses to leave his side despite the accusations about him working with the police. Dukie flees to get help. Prez breaks up the fight and brings Randy and his friends into his classroom. He quizzes Randy about what happened and recommends that he not talk to the police in the future.
Later, Namond questions Michael about his reckless behavior both in removing his mask in front of Walker and getting involved in the fight. Michael refuses to apologize for either action. The next morning Namond considers cutting his distinctive hair. His mother insists that he do so. Namond decides that he is still not ready, but is verbally reprimanded by his mother to cut his hair to make himself less identifiable to police. He also questions Kenard about the appropriateness of his new braided hair style as they work on the corner. Namond is approached by Michael's mother for a handout, claiming that it is for a friend. He accepts her story, and is admonished by Kenard.
Prez visits Sergeant Carver
Ellis Carver
Ellis Carver is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor Seth Gilliam. Carver is an African American lieutenant and formerly in command of the Baltimore Police Department's Western District Drug Enforcement Unit...
and accuses him of betraying his trust by endangering Randy. Carver tells Prez that he will have a plainclothes unit assigned to guard Randy's home and promises to find out how Randy was exposed.
Assistant Principal Donnelly hosts a meeting with five eighth grade students, including Dukie and Monell, and announces that they are moving on to the ninth grade and high school at the end of the marking period. Dukie is dejected at the news. When the students leave, Donnelly meets with Colvin to tell him that the board has called an end to the special class program.
Colvin, Parenti and Donnelly meet with Miss Sheperdson and her supervisor at the school board. They make the case for the program, but are told that the school system is under too much scrutiny at the moment. The school board advises that they will only continue with the program with approval from City Hall.
New Day Co-Op
Omar and Renaldo continue to follow Slim Charles and wait for him at an intersection. Renaldo questions the logic of waiting at the same place where they lost Slim before and Omar reassures Renaldo that if Slim does not return they will start again tomorrow by following him from his home. Omar is proven right when Slim drives past in his SUV. They tail him to a meeting with Proposition Joe. Omar is astounded that Slim is linked with both Marlo and Prop Joe. Renaldo insists he needs a bathroom break and Omar hands him a toilet paper roll and sends him to an alley.Omar follows Proposition Joe to a meeting of the New Day Co-Op. He notices Fatface Rick and Marlo arriving and speculates that the Baltimore drug dealers have put all their eggs in one basket.
Omar visits Proposition Joe at his electrical repair store with weapons drawn. He finds him meeting with Cheese and Slim Charles. Omar accuses Joe of lying to him about the card game. He enlists Joe's help in stealing from Marlo and threatens to inform Marlo of his involvement in the card game robbery if he attempts to double cross him. When they leave the store, Renaldo asks Omar if he trusts Joe. Omar tells him that he trusts Prop Joe's fear. They follow Cheese when he leaves the store.
Stanfield Organization
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...
meets with Chris Partlow and Snoop and commends them for being up to date on their work. Snoop confirms that they took care of Michael's problem by killing his stepfather. Marlo comments that he has heard that Michael stood alongside Randy when he was accused of being an informant and Chris is perturbed by the news.
Homicide
Bunk MorelandBunk Moreland
William "Bunk" Moreland is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor Wendell Pierce. Bunk's character is based on a retired Baltimore City Police Detective named Rick Requer and nicknamed "the Bunk", an officer who joined the force in 1964 as a Western District patrolman who...
and 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...
tease 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...
about his return to Major Crimes as he packs up his desk. Carver arrives and quizzes Bunk about Randy. Bunk tells Carver that Herc never passed Randy over to him and both men realize that Herc is to blame.
Bunk and Freamon visit Thomas "Herc" Hauk and quiz him about Randy. Herc claims that Randy had no useful information but Bunk is not mollified. Freamon mediates the discussion and asks Herc to tell him everything he did while working on the case. He learns about Herc's traffic stop of Chris and Snoop and the discovery of their nailgun.
Bunk and Freamon visit Prez at the school. They explain that they went to see Randy but, per Prez's advice, he would not talk to them. Bunk tells Prez that he is siding with the criminals; Prez asserts that he is looking out for his kids. Freamon is diplomatic and wishes Prez well. Bunk asks Prez for a little information and Prez reports Randy's story about telling Lex to meet a girl at the playground.
Bunk and Freamon investigate the playground. The surrounding vacant homes pique Freamon's interest. Bunk watches in silence as Freamon does his work. Freamon investigates the boarded up homes, finding some to be sealed with plywood and screws. Others are loosely boarded up with rusty old screws. Freamon notices that one door in particular has been newly and tightly sealed by a nail gun. He realizes that vacant apartments have been used as makeshift tombs to stash dead bodies. Bunk is incredulous, finally realizing that untold bodies are in vacant houses all over the city.