Know Your Place
Encyclopedia
"Know Your Place" is the ninth episode of the fourth season of the HBO original series The Wire
. Written by Kia Corthron
from a story by Ed Burns
& Kia Corthron, and directed by Alex Zakrzewski
, it originally aired on November 12, 2006.
and Glynn Turman
do not appear in this episode.
returns to the streets after a 15-month stint in prison (having been arrested alongside Avon Barksdale
and many of his lieutenants and soldiers in "Mission Accomplished
"). Bodie
tells him about how Marlo
was able to threaten the crew into working under him, but Poot does not mind the change of leadership, stating that one boss is the same as the next. Sergeant Thomas "Herc" Hauk and Detective Kenneth Dozerman pull up in a patrol car, looking for Little Kevin to question in Lex's murder. Nobody tells Herc their names. Recognizing only Bodie and Poot, he says everyone under 5'6" and 150 lbs. goes into the wagon, and the four smallest corner boys are snatched up. Not realizing that Kevin's nickname is a joke on his portly size, Herc and Dozerman leave the real Little Kevin on the street as he, Bodie, and Poot leave the scene amused at Herc and Dozerman's stupidity.
Bodie and Poot delineate for Namond the new corners for him to work, having been pressured by Namond's mother, De'Londa. Bodie insists that Namond keep his mother from interceding on his behalf.
As they work their corner, Sergeant Carver
and Officer Colicchio catch Namond's crew unprepared. The corner boys flee, but eight-year-old Kenard isn't fast enough to escape. Carver destroys the stash of vials and lets Kenard go, claiming that it is not worth processing. When Carver catches up with Namond, Donut, and Kenard at Cutty's gym, he chastises them for being so careless and warns them that the next time he catches them dealing drugs, he will beat them and send them to be processed for juvenile detention.
attends a meeting with city leaders to inform him of the issues facing Baltimore as he heads toward his mayoral term. On the matter of growing the tax base, Carcetti raises the idea of adding casinos to the waterfront, but it is shot down, and he decides on building a promenade by the harbor instead. The city council president, Nerese Campbell, finds it suspicious that Carcetti wants to give a pay raise to the position of commissioner, given Ervin Burrell
's recent poor performance, and explains how such a raise will never make it into the budget. Later, in private, Campbell tells Carcetti that Clarence Royce
, the outgoing mayor, had groomed her to be his successor. She seems angry at both Carcetti and Gray for jumping the line to take Royce's position as mayor, given their more junior status the city council. Carcetti admits to being ignorant of this relationship, and hints that she may become mayor, being first in the line of succession, if he decides to run for governor in 2008.
Carcetti, Norman Wilson, and Delegate Watkins agree that firing Burrell is off the table because of the potential backlash of his black voters at the idea of a white mayor firing a black police commissioner. Carcetti tries to coax Burrell into stepping down, but Burrell understands the racial situation in which the mayor-elect finds himself in attempting to get rid of Burrell, and refuses to leave quietly, claiming that he will only do so if he is fired. Instead, Carcetti tells William Rawls
that Burrell is to undertake no initiative as Commissioner without clearing it through him first. He then requests two promotions: Stan Valchek to Deputy Commissioner of Administration for helping him throughout the campaign, and Major Cedric Daniels
will become C.I.D. Colonel, filling the late Ray Foerster's position. Carcetti claims that he wants to give Daniels carte blanche to reform the investigative units. Daniels tells Rhonda Pearlman
that there's a chance Baltimore might be able to turn itself around under the new administration. She, Carver
, Greggs
, and Sydnor are present at the promotion ceremony. At the promotions Burrell, uninformed of who has been promoted claims to Rawls, "Valchek we could've guessed, he's Carcetti's man, but Daniels...?" as Rawls walks away. Seeing the back door promotion, Burrell now realizes that with Daniels, Carcetti has an eventual African American
replacement for him as police commissioner.
tracks down Kima Greggs
and tells her about the other junkie who has been assaulting and robbing him constantly. She tells him that, as a homicide detective, there is little she can do for him, but offers to put him in touch with Herc. The latter meets Bubbles and tells him he's looking for Little Kevin. Bubbles reuses his "hat trick" from season 1, visiting Bodie's crew, pretending to sell hats, and placing a red hat on Kevin as Herc watches from a distance. As Herc and Dozerman see the red hat go onto the real Little Kevin, the fattest member of the crew, they are both chagrinned at their earlier stupidity in not having realized that Kevin's nickname was ironic. In return, Herc promises Bubbles to come within five minutes the next time his aggressor shows up again.
That night, Bubbles catches sight of the assailant in an alley. He quickly phones the major crimes unit from a payphone and leaves a message with Dozerman for Herc to come immediately. Herc is busy interrogating Little Kevin, whom he has brought in for questioning over Lex's murder. Herc gets Bubs' message and tells Dozerman to call Bubbles back and tell him to wait until tomorrow, forgetting that Bubs has no cell phone. Bubs sees a police car come down the street and makes his move, announcing his presence to his tormentor. But Herc is not in the car, and the driver does not see the two dope fiends' altercation. Bubbs is once again badly beaten by his antagonist.
Meanwhile, Herc's interrogation of Little Kevin is fruitless. In an attempt to get Kevin to admit to witnessing the murder, Herc tells him that he's already talked to an informant who places him at the crime scene. When Kevin inquires if Randy is the person that has talked to, Herc tips his hand by not making any inquiries about the name. Detective Sydnor leaves in disgust at Herc's attempt to interrogate Little Kevin. Sydnor tells Dozerman that they aren't going to get anywhere as they have no charges against him to use as leverage, which Sydnor believes from past experience is key to making an interrogation work.
As he and Dukie pass men playing craps in the alleyway after school, Randy decides to wager money. Putting the probability skills he learned in class to work, he wins big and has enough cash to present to Prez the next day. Prez is not happy that Randy gambled, but orders the bulk candy anyway as promised.
At a faculty meeting, Assistant Principal Marcia Donnelly announces that all teachers, even those in math, will help their students prepare for the reading comprehension portion of the standardized tests coming in the spring. The new material is meant to teach the students how to answer the test questions correctly, but is repetitive and leaves the students unable to grasp any of the language concepts they are supposed to be learning. The sole purpose is to improve the school's test scores. Prez draws a comparison with "juking the stats" in the police department. His class is bored by the new material, and their practice test answers show that none of them understand it.
, with Namond pocketing the pieces that didn't appear to fit anywhere. Colvin is suspicious but declares them the winners.
True to his word, Colvin takes the three students to Ruth's Chris Steak House
, a high-class establishment by the waterfront. The evening starts well, with Namond appreciating Colvin's Billie Holiday
music and the students looking forward to a new experience. But once inside, Darnell and Namond find the atmosphere overwhelming and intimidating and fail to grasp the restaurant protocol or enjoy the experience. After they finish dinner and leave the steakhouse disappointed, all three refusing Colvin's offer to take a picture, Darnell asks to go to McDonald's
for french fries and Namond cranks up hip-hop on the radio over Colvin's protestations.
The next day, Colvin discusses the experience with Dr. Parenti. He tells them that the students were capable of behaving well and enjoying something new, but reverted to their "corner kid" ways without even realizing it once they felt stifled. Parenti notes that this lack of self-awareness on the kids' part is a barrier to future progress. Colvin then sees the group boasting to the rest of the students that the dinner was amazing.
informs Marlo that Herc is now working for the Major Crimes Unit, and mentions that they were the same unit that brought down Avon Barksdale
and Stringer Bell
. He advises Marlo, who has been discarding his cellphones regularly, to quit using them entirely. Marlo and Chris immediately toss one of their phones out of their SUV.
Chris Partlow and Snoop have successfully driven off the New York dealers. Chris has learned that Omar has been transferred from the city jail. Marlo informs him that the charges against Omar have been dropped. Since Old Face Andre has closed shop, Marlo and Chris deduce that he recanted his previous testimony and went into hiding. Finding Andre is now their top priority. Chris and Snoop break into Andre's house and threaten his girlfriend, who swears she does not know his whereabouts. Marlo's soldiers believe her and decide not to kill her.
Andre (unaware of Marlo's membership in Proposition Joe's co-op) has gone over to East Baltimore to ask Prop Joe to help him leave town until he is safe from Marlo's wrath. Prop Joe offers him $2000 and a ride to a northern city in exchange for Andre's convenience store. Andre says this is undervalued, but Prop Joe points out that Andre is not in a position to bargain.
Later, Marlo pays Prop Joe for his package. He expects a discount for dealing with the New York threat, but Joe claims this has already been factored into the cost. Joe, however, indicates to Marlo that "something that you want" is about to be returned at no cost.
Slim Charles picks up Andre but instead of escorting him out of town, he stops at the vacant houses. Chris and Snoop are there with their lime and sheeting. Andre begs Chris to shoot him in a place where his family will find him, but Chris insists that "here is good", loads his pistol, and walks Andre up to one of the houses.
Detention Center, where he had been transferred. Bunk is waiting for him, and feels that Omar is insufficiently grateful. He demands that Omar promise not to kill anyone in revenge for his false imprisonment: "no more bodies on this." Omar gives his word as his bond. Bunk offers a ride to the train station, but Omar insists on staying in town because he does not know anything else besides Baltimore.
Omar and Renaldo wait in a car in front of Andre's store, with Omar assuring his boyfriend that he intends to keep his promise to Bunk, but that merely threatening Andre with a gun should be fair game. When it is clear Andre is not present (having gone to see Proposition Joe
), they leave.
Omar and Renaldo end up staking out the public square where Marlo spends much of his time, in the hope of catching sight of him, whom they only know by name and not face. They recognize him from the card game they robbed, and realize why Omar was framed. Renaldo is concerned when he notices Marlo meeting with Michael, but Omar dismisses Michael as "just a kid".
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 Kia Corthron
Kia Corthron
Kia Corthron is an American playwright, activist, and television writer. She wrote an episode of The Wire entitled, "Know Your Place", as well as an episode of The Jury called, "Lamentation on the Reservation".-Biography:...
from a story by Ed Burns
Ed Burns
Ed Burns is a producer, screenwriter, and novelist. He has worked closely with writing partner David Simon. They have collaborated on The Corner and The Wire . Burns is a former Baltimore police detective for the Homicide and Narcotics divisions, and a public school teacher...
& Kia Corthron, and 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 12, 2006.
Title reference
The kids from Colvin's class find themselves out of place dining at a fancy restaurant, which Colvin worries will stop them from achieving in the world. The title also refers to Carcetti keeping the high-up police in line.Epigraph
Proposition Joe remarks that instead of trying to repair an object that's broken or defective, it's more cost-effective to just get a new one. This also parallels the fate of Old Face Andre.Starring cast
Although credited, Dominic WestDominic West
Dominic Gerard Fe West is an English actor best known for his role as Detective Jimmy McNulty in the HBO drama series The Wire.-Film and TV:...
and Glynn Turman
Glynn 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...
do not appear in this episode.
Guest stars
- Jermaine CrawfordJermaine CrawfordJermaine Crawford is an actor best known for appearing on the HBO original series The Wire as Duquan "Dukie" Weems. He is a cousin to fellow Wire castmember and actor Tristan Wilds....
as Duquan "Dukie" Weems - Maestro HarrellMaestro HarrellMaestro Harrell is an American actor who starred on the HBO original series The Wire as Randy Wagstaff. He was also on the NBC drama ER on April 26, 2007....
as Randy WagstaffRandy WagstaffRandy Wagstaff is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by Maestro Harrell. Randy is an enterprising student who is dependent on social services. During season 4, he was an 8th grade pupil at Edward Tilghman Middle School and is friends with Namond Brice, Michael Lee and Duquan... - Julito McCullumJulito McCullumJulito McCullum is an American actor of Afro-Colombian descent best known for his role as Namond Brice on the HBO series The Wire. Currently lives in Staten Island....
as Namond BriceNamond BriceNamond Brice is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by Julito McCullum. Namond is the son of Wee-Bey Brice and De'Londa Brice and was a middle school pupil during season 4. He is friends with Michael Lee and Randy Wagstaff and often bullies Duquan "Dukie" Weems... - Tristan WildsTristan WildsTristan Paul Mack Wilds is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Michael Lee on the HBO original drama series The Wire and as Dixon Wilson on the CW drama series 90210.-Life and career:...
as Michael LeeMichael Lee (The Wire)Michael Lee is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by Tristan Wilds. He is a middle school pupil and is friends with Namond Brice, Randy Wagstaff and Duquan "Dukie" Weems. He is more soft-spoken than his friends, and appears to have a leadership role among his peers... - Gbenga Akkinagbe as Chris PartlowChris PartlowChris Partlow is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor Gbenga Akinnagbe. Partlow is Marlo Stanfield's best friend, bodyguard, and second-in-command in his drug dealing operation. Despite his quiet demeanor, Partlow commits more on- and off-screen murders than any other...
- Robert F. ChewRobert F. ChewRobert F. Chew is an American actor from Baltimore, Maryland. He starred in the HBO television drama series The Wire as manipulative drug kingpin Proposition Joe on all five seasons of the show...
as Proposition JoeProposition JoeJoseph "Proposition Joe" Stewart is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire played by actor Robert F. Chew. Joe is an Eastside drug kingpin who preferred a peaceful solution to business disputes when possible... - Tray ChaneyTray ChaneyTray Chaney is an American actor. He appeared on the HBO program The Wire as Poot Carr.Chaney began his entertainment career as a dancer at the age of four winning competitions at the Apollo Theater. He appeared in the 2003 music video "My Baby" by rap artist Bow Wow. He later appeared in The Wire...
as Malik "Poot" CarrPoot CarrMalik "Poot" Carr is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor Tray Chaney. Poot is a drug dealer in the Barksdale Organization who slowly rises through the ranks, but ends up serving time in prison as his institution collapses around him... - Melanie Nichols-King as Cheryl
- 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... - Davone Cooper as Darnell Tyson
- Elijah Grant Johnson as Elijah
- 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 - Jason Wharton as Albert Stokes
- Tyrell Baker as Little Kevin
- 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 - Alfonso Christian Lover as Old Face Andre
- Ramón Rodríguez as Renaldo
- 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 - Richard Hildebird as Principal Claudell Withers
- Marlyne AfflackMarlyne AfflackMarlyne Nayokah Afflack is an American actress best known her role as Nerese Campbell on The Wire. She also played an attorney in the FX drama Damages and Thomasina, the efficient palace secretary and aide-de-camp, on the NBC series Kings...
as Nerese Campbell - Cyrus Farmer as Devar Manigault
- Dion Graham as State's Attorney Rupert Bond
- Frederick Strother as State Delegate Odell Watkins
- Keenon Brice as Bug
- Nathan Corbett as Donut
- Dravon James as Mrs. Grace Sampson
- 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 - 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 - Shenia Hatchett as Unknown
- Rick Otto as Detective Kenneth Dozerman
- Rico Sterling as Calvin
- Bobby Brown as Officer Bobby Brown
- Joe DiBlassi as Unknown
- David Goodman as Budget Advisor
- Thomas C. Hessenauer as Middle School Teacher
- Karen Vicks as Gerry
- Amber Nelson as Miss Thiessen
Bodie's crew
PootPoot Carr
Malik "Poot" Carr is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor Tray Chaney. Poot is a drug dealer in the Barksdale Organization who slowly rises through the ranks, but ends up serving time in prison as his institution collapses around him...
returns to the streets after a 15-month stint in prison (having been arrested alongside 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...
and many of his lieutenants and soldiers in "Mission Accomplished
Mission Accomplished (The Wire episode)
"Mission Accomplished" is the twelfth and final 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 & Ed Burns and was directed by Ernest Dickerson. It originally aired on December 19, 2004.-Title reference:The title...
"). Bodie
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...
tells him about how Marlo
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...
was able to threaten the crew into working under him, but Poot does not mind the change of leadership, stating that one boss is the same as the next. Sergeant Thomas "Herc" Hauk and Detective Kenneth Dozerman pull up in a patrol car, looking for Little Kevin to question in Lex's murder. Nobody tells Herc their names. Recognizing only Bodie and Poot, he says everyone under 5'6" and 150 lbs. goes into the wagon, and the four smallest corner boys are snatched up. Not realizing that Kevin's nickname is a joke on his portly size, Herc and Dozerman leave the real Little Kevin on the street as he, Bodie, and Poot leave the scene amused at Herc and Dozerman's stupidity.
Bodie and Poot delineate for Namond the new corners for him to work, having been pressured by Namond's mother, De'Londa. Bodie insists that Namond keep his mother from interceding on his behalf.
As they work their corner, 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 Officer Colicchio catch Namond's crew unprepared. The corner boys flee, but eight-year-old Kenard isn't fast enough to escape. Carver destroys the stash of vials and lets Kenard go, claiming that it is not worth processing. When Carver catches up with Namond, Donut, and Kenard at Cutty's gym, he chastises them for being so careless and warns them that the next time he catches them dealing drugs, he will beat them and send them to be processed for juvenile detention.
Politics
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...
attends a meeting with city leaders to inform him of the issues facing Baltimore as he heads toward his mayoral term. On the matter of growing the tax base, Carcetti raises the idea of adding casinos to the waterfront, but it is shot down, and he decides on building a promenade by the harbor instead. The city council president, Nerese Campbell, finds it suspicious that Carcetti wants to give a pay raise to the position of commissioner, given 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 recent poor performance, and explains how such a raise will never make it into the budget. Later, in private, Campbell tells Carcetti that 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...
, the outgoing mayor, had groomed her to be his successor. She seems angry at both Carcetti and Gray for jumping the line to take Royce's position as mayor, given their more junior status the city council. Carcetti admits to being ignorant of this relationship, and hints that she may become mayor, being first in the line of succession, if he decides to run for governor in 2008.
Carcetti, Norman Wilson, and Delegate Watkins agree that firing Burrell is off the table because of the potential backlash of his black voters at the idea of a white mayor firing a black police commissioner. Carcetti tries to coax Burrell into stepping down, but Burrell understands the racial situation in which the mayor-elect finds himself in attempting to get rid of Burrell, and refuses to leave quietly, claiming that he will only do so if he is fired. Instead, Carcetti tells 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:...
that Burrell is to undertake no initiative as Commissioner without clearing it through him first. He then requests two promotions: Stan Valchek to Deputy Commissioner of Administration for helping him throughout the campaign, and Major 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...
will become C.I.D. Colonel, filling the late Ray Foerster's position. Carcetti claims that he wants to give Daniels carte blanche to reform the investigative units. Daniels tells 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...
that there's a chance Baltimore might be able to turn itself around under the new administration. She, 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...
, 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 Sydnor are present at the promotion ceremony. At the promotions Burrell, uninformed of who has been promoted claims to Rawls, "Valchek we could've guessed, he's Carcetti's man, but Daniels...?" as Rawls walks away. Seeing the back door promotion, Burrell now realizes that with Daniels, Carcetti has an eventual 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...
replacement for him as police commissioner.
Bubbles
BubblesBubbles (The Wire)
Reginald "Bubbles" Cousins is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor Andre Royo. Bubbles is a recovering heroin addict. His real name is not revealed until a fourth-season episode when he is called "Mr. Cousins" and in the fifth-season premiere when he is called "Reginald"...
tracks down 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 tells her about the other junkie who has been assaulting and robbing him constantly. She tells him that, as a homicide detective, there is little she can do for him, but offers to put him in touch with Herc. The latter meets Bubbles and tells him he's looking for Little Kevin. Bubbles reuses his "hat trick" from season 1, visiting Bodie's crew, pretending to sell hats, and placing a red hat on Kevin as Herc watches from a distance. As Herc and Dozerman see the red hat go onto the real Little Kevin, the fattest member of the crew, they are both chagrinned at their earlier stupidity in not having realized that Kevin's nickname was ironic. In return, Herc promises Bubbles to come within five minutes the next time his aggressor shows up again.
That night, Bubbles catches sight of the assailant in an alley. He quickly phones the major crimes unit from a payphone and leaves a message with Dozerman for Herc to come immediately. Herc is busy interrogating Little Kevin, whom he has brought in for questioning over Lex's murder. Herc gets Bubs' message and tells Dozerman to call Bubbles back and tell him to wait until tomorrow, forgetting that Bubs has no cell phone. Bubs sees a police car come down the street and makes his move, announcing his presence to his tormentor. But Herc is not in the car, and the driver does not see the two dope fiends' altercation. Bubbs is once again badly beaten by his antagonist.
Meanwhile, Herc's interrogation of Little Kevin is fruitless. In an attempt to get Kevin to admit to witnessing the murder, Herc tells him that he's already talked to an informant who places him at the crime scene. When Kevin inquires if Randy is the person that has talked to, Herc tips his hand by not making any inquiries about the name. Detective Sydnor leaves in disgust at Herc's attempt to interrogate Little Kevin. Sydnor tells Dozerman that they aren't going to get anywhere as they have no charges against him to use as leverage, which Sydnor believes from past experience is key to making an interrogation work.
Prez's class
Prez sets his math class to work in groups. Watching Dukie use the class computer, Randy discovers that he can buy candy online in bulk and increase his profits, but he needs a credit card. They ask for Prez to order the candy with his card, stating that the business helps improve his arithmetic. Prez agrees on the condition that he receive the cash upfront, but warns Randy and Dukie against selling drugs to get the money more quickly.As he and Dukie pass men playing craps in the alleyway after school, Randy decides to wager money. Putting the probability skills he learned in class to work, he wins big and has enough cash to present to Prez the next day. Prez is not happy that Randy gambled, but orders the bulk candy anyway as promised.
At a faculty meeting, Assistant Principal Marcia Donnelly announces that all teachers, even those in math, will help their students prepare for the reading comprehension portion of the standardized tests coming in the spring. The new material is meant to teach the students how to answer the test questions correctly, but is repetitive and leaves the students unable to grasp any of the language concepts they are supposed to be learning. The sole purpose is to improve the school's test scores. Prez draws a comparison with "juking the stats" in the police department. His class is bored by the new material, and their practice test answers show that none of them understand it.
School pilot program
Elsewhere at Tilghman Middle School, the special class presents a teamwork challenge to the "corner kids." They are divided into groups and made to assemble model buildings from kits, with no instructions included. Howard Colvin promises a dinner downtown to the group that builds its model the fastest. Namond, Zenobia, and Darnell build a seemingly sturdy Eiffel TowerEiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is a puddle iron lattice tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris. Built in 1889, it has become both a global icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world...
, with Namond pocketing the pieces that didn't appear to fit anywhere. Colvin is suspicious but declares them the winners.
True to his word, Colvin takes the three students to Ruth's Chris Steak House
Ruth's Chris Steak House
Ruth's Chris Steak House is a chain of more than 121 steakhouses across the United States and in several international locations. The restaurant is regarded as an upscale fine dining establishment, marking a gradual elevation in its status since its founding in the 1960s...
, a high-class establishment by the waterfront. The evening starts well, with Namond appreciating Colvin's Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday was an American jazz singer and songwriter. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and musical partner Lester Young, Holiday had a seminal influence on jazz and pop singing...
music and the students looking forward to a new experience. But once inside, Darnell and Namond find the atmosphere overwhelming and intimidating and fail to grasp the restaurant protocol or enjoy the experience. After they finish dinner and leave the steakhouse disappointed, all three refusing Colvin's offer to take a picture, Darnell asks to go to McDonald's
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
for french fries and Namond cranks up hip-hop on the radio over Colvin's protestations.
The next day, Colvin discusses the experience with Dr. Parenti. He tells them that the students were capable of behaving well and enjoying something new, but reverted to their "corner kid" ways without even realizing it once they felt stifled. Parenti notes that this lack of self-awareness on the kids' part is a barrier to future progress. Colvin then sees the group boasting to the rest of the students that the dinner was amazing.
Kima
Kima is surprised and delighted to find how well working overtime in homicide pays. She goes to her old apartment to visit her ex-girlfriend Cheryl and their son, Elijah, and pay overdue child support. Kima hopes they can get back together, but just then Cheryl's new partner, a lawyer named Nancine, appears. Kima exits, and Cheryl has Elijah wave goodbye to "Aunt Kima."Marlo
Proposition JoeProposition Joe
Joseph "Proposition Joe" Stewart is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire played by actor Robert F. Chew. Joe is an Eastside drug kingpin who preferred a peaceful solution to business disputes when possible...
informs Marlo that Herc is now working for the Major Crimes Unit, and mentions that they were the same unit that brought down 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...
and 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...
. He advises Marlo, who has been discarding his cellphones regularly, to quit using them entirely. Marlo and Chris immediately toss one of their phones out of their SUV.
Chris Partlow and Snoop have successfully driven off the New York dealers. Chris has learned that Omar has been transferred from the city jail. Marlo informs him that the charges against Omar have been dropped. Since Old Face Andre has closed shop, Marlo and Chris deduce that he recanted his previous testimony and went into hiding. Finding Andre is now their top priority. Chris and Snoop break into Andre's house and threaten his girlfriend, who swears she does not know his whereabouts. Marlo's soldiers believe her and decide not to kill her.
Andre (unaware of Marlo's membership in Proposition Joe's co-op) has gone over to East Baltimore to ask Prop Joe to help him leave town until he is safe from Marlo's wrath. Prop Joe offers him $2000 and a ride to a northern city in exchange for Andre's convenience store. Andre says this is undervalued, but Prop Joe points out that Andre is not in a position to bargain.
Later, Marlo pays Prop Joe for his package. He expects a discount for dealing with the New York threat, but Joe claims this has already been factored into the cost. Joe, however, indicates to Marlo that "something that you want" is about to be returned at no cost.
Slim Charles picks up Andre but instead of escorting him out of town, he stops at the vacant houses. Chris and Snoop are there with their lime and sheeting. Andre begs Chris to shoot him in a place where his family will find him, but Chris insists that "here is good", loads his pistol, and walks Andre up to one of the houses.
Michael
Michael continues to be disturbed by the return of Bug's father. He shoos Bug from the room when the man enters, and refuses to be touched by him in any way. Michael asks Randy and Dukie what will happen if he calls social services. Randy says they will split him and his brother up and put them in group homes, and won't simply take away Michael's stepdad like he wants. Out of options to protect his brother, Michael is escorted by Dukie to Marlo's courtyard, and is allowed to enter. Hoping to find Chris, he instead addresses Marlo face to face, telling him that "I got a problem I can't bring to no one else"Omar
Omar is released from the Harford CountyHarford County, Maryland
Harford County is a county in the U.S. state of Maryland. In 2010, its population was 244,826. Its county seat is Bel Air. Harford County forms part of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area.-History:...
Detention Center, where he had been transferred. Bunk is waiting for him, and feels that Omar is insufficiently grateful. He demands that Omar promise not to kill anyone in revenge for his false imprisonment: "no more bodies on this." Omar gives his word as his bond. Bunk offers a ride to the train station, but Omar insists on staying in town because he does not know anything else besides Baltimore.
Omar and Renaldo wait in a car in front of Andre's store, with Omar assuring his boyfriend that he intends to keep his promise to Bunk, but that merely threatening Andre with a gun should be fair game. When it is clear Andre is not present (having gone to see 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...
), they leave.
Omar and Renaldo end up staking out the public square where Marlo spends much of his time, in the hope of catching sight of him, whom they only know by name and not face. They recognize him from the card game they robbed, and realize why Omar was framed. Renaldo is concerned when he notices Marlo meeting with Michael, but Omar dismisses Michael as "just a kid".