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The Wire season 4

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The Wire
Season 4
DVD cover
Starring
No. of episodes13
Release
Original networkHBO
Original releaseSeptember 10 (2006-09-10) –
December 10, 2006 (2006-12-10)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 3
Next →
Season 5
List of episodes

The fourth season of the television series The Wire commenced airing in the United States on September 10, 2006, concluded on December 10, 2006, and contained 13 episodes. It introduces Baltimore's school system and several middle school students while continuing to examine the remnants of the Barksdale Organization, the ascendant Stanfield Organization, the Baltimore Police Department and politicians.

The fourth season aired on Sundays at 9:00 pm ET in the United States. The season was released on DVD as a four disc boxed set under the title of The Wire: The Complete Fourth Season on December 4, 2007 by HBO Video.[1]

Production

Crew

Playwright and television writer/producer Eric Overmyer joined the crew for the show's fourth season as a consulting producer and writer.[2] He had previously worked on Homicide and was brought into the full-time production staff to replace George Pelecanos who scaled back his involvement in order to concentrate on his next book and he worked on the fourth season solely as a writer.[3] David Mills, Emmy-award winner, Homicide and The Corner writer and college friend of Simon, joined the writing staff in the fourth season.[2] Regular writer Ed Burns became a producer on The Wire in this season.[2]

Cast

The focus of the fourth season shifted between a local school, the mayoral election, police department politics and action on the street corners. The returning starring cast consisted of Dominic West as Officer Jimmy McNulty, the formerly insubordinate detective who attempts to shed his ability and his problems in favor of a better life.[4][5] West was at the time homesick and wanting to spend time with his young daughter in England; he also felt the character's plot arc had reached a reasonable end point in season 3, so West arranged with the writers for McNulty's role to be greatly reduced in Season 4.[6]

Lance Reddick reprised his role as newly promoted Major Cedric Daniels, now commanding the western district.[7][8] One of Daniels's sergeants within the district was Sergeant Ellis Carver, portrayed by Seth Gilliam.[9] Robert Wisdom reprised his role as former western district commander Howard "Bunny" Colvin,[10] who has become a field researcher after a short stint working in hotel security following his retirement from the Baltimore Police Department.

The Major Crimes Unit saw a shift in personnel this season. Kima Greggs, portrayed by Sonja Sohn,[11][12] and Lester Freamon, portrayed by Clarke Peters,[13][14] transferred to the Homicide Unit after the new lieutenant of the Major Crimes Unit ends the wire and halts Freamon's investigation of the Barksdale money. Corey Parker-Robinson portrayed Detective Leander Sydnor, one of two detectives who remain in the Major Crimes Unit after the arrival of the new lieutenant.[15] Domenick Lombardozzi returned as Thomas "Herc" Hauk, a former member of the Major Crimes Unit whose work on the mayor's security detail earns him a promotion to sergeant and a transfer back to his old unit after Freamon and Greggs' departure.[16][17]

Wendell Pierce portrayed veteran homicide detective Bunk Moreland.[18][19] Deirdre Lovejoy starred as assistant state's attorney Rhonda Pearlman, the legal liaison between the unit and the courthouse.[20][21] Andre Royo returned as Bubbles, who continued to indulge his drug addiction and act as an occasional informant.[22][23] Jim True-Frost portrayed Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski,[24] a former member of the Major Crimes Unit who has become a teacher in an inner city school after inadvertently killing a fellow officer in season three.

The police were overseen by two commanding officers more concerned with politics and their own careers than the case, Deputy Commissioner of Operations William Rawls (John Doman) and Commissioner Ervin Burrell (Frankie Faison).[25][26][27][28] At city hall, Tommy Carcetti (Aidan Gillen)[29][30] was an ambitious city councilman seeking to become mayor. Joining the cast for the fourth season was Reg E. Cathey as Carcetti's deputy campaign manager, Norman Wilson.[31] Also joining the cast after having a recurring role during the third season was Glynn Turman as Mayor Clarence Royce.[32]

On the streets, former Barksdale crew chief Bodie Broadus (J.D. Williams)[33][34] joined the organization of new drug kingpin Marlo Stanfield (Jamie Hector).[35] Michael K. Williams portrayed renowned stick-up man Omar Little.[36][37] Joining the cast this season after having a recurring role in season three is Chad L. Coleman as Dennis "Cutty" Wise, a reformed member of the Barksdale organization who has opened a boxing gym for neighborhood children.

Two members of the third season starring cast did not return for the fourth season following the termination of their characters' storylines. Both Wood Harris (Avon Barksdale)[38][39] and Idris Elba (Stringer Bell)[40][41] left the starring cast in the final episode of the third season.

Recurring characters

Many guest stars from the earlier seasons reprised their roles. Proposition Joe (Robert F. Chew), the East Side's cautious drug kingpin, became more cooperative with the Stanfield Organization following the death of Stringer Bell.[42][43] His lieutenant, and nephew, "Cheese" (Method Man) continued to elude the Major Crimes Unit investigation.[44][45] Hassan Johnson reprises his role as incarcerated Barksdale enforcer Wee-Bey Brice.[46][47] Former Barksdale enforcer Slim Charles (Anwan Glover) returned as a new recruit to Proposition Joe's organization.[48][49] Several members of the Stanfield Organization introduced in season three also returned: Chris Partlow (Gbenga Akinnagbe), Stanfield's chief enforcer;[50][51] and Felicia "Snoop" Pearson (Felicia Pearson), Partlow's protégé.[52][53] Tray Chaney continues to portray former Barksdale crew chief Poot Carr, who joins the Stanfield organization this season.[54][55]

Michael Hyatt reprised her role as Brianna Barksdale.[56][57] Michael Kostroff returned as the defense attorney Maurice Levy.[58][59] Isiah Whitlock, Jr. reprised his role as corrupt State Senator Clay Davis whose involvement with Barksdale money causes him trouble with the Major Crimes Unit.[60][61] Omar Little's crew shifted focus to the Stanfield Organization and the New Day Co-op and consisted of his new boyfriend Renaldo (Ramón Rodríguez), partner Kimmy (Kelli R. Brown), and advisor Butchie (S. Robert Morgan).[62]

Many guest stars also reprised their characters from the police department. Returning guest stars in the homicide unit included Delaney Williams as Sergeant Jay Landsman,[63][64] Ed Norris as Detective Ed Norris,[65][66] and Brian Anthony Wilson as Detective Vernon Holley.[67] Al Brown and Jay Landsman reprised their roles as Major Stan Valchek and Lieutenant Dennis Mello.[68][69][70][71] Michael Salconi recurred as veteran Western patrolman Michael Santangelo.[67] Gregory L. Williams played Michael Crutchfield, a cantankerous homicide detective.[72][73] Joilet F. Harris returned as Caroline Massey, an officer in the Major Crimes Unit.[74][75] Joining the Major Crimes Unit this season is Kenneth Dozerman (Rick Otto).[76][77] In the western district, Carver's squad includes Anthony Colicchio (Benjamin Busch), Lloyd "Truck" Garrick (Ryan Sands), and Lambert (Nakia Dillard).[67]

In the political storyline,[67] Cleo Reginald Pizana returned as Coleman Parker, Royce's chief-of-staff.[78] Brandy Burre appeared as Theresa D'Agostino, a political campaign consultant.[79][80] Frederick Strother performed as Odell Watkins, a state delegate and political king-maker.[81][82] Christopher Mann played Carcetti's city council colleague Anthony Gray.[83][84] Maria Broom returns as Marla Daniels, the estranged wife of Major Daniels who is running for a seat on the city council.[85]

The fourth season also saw the return of two former starring characters from the second season: Amy Ryan as Officer Beadie Russell, an officer at the port and Jimmy McNulty's domestic partner, and Paul Ben-Victor as Spiros Vondas, the second in command of the Greek's drug smuggling operation.

The shift of focus to the schools saw the introduction of four young actors in major recurring roles this season: Jermaine Crawford as Duquan "Dukie" Weems;[86] Maestro Harrell as Randy Wagstaff;[87] Julito McCullum as Namond Brice;[88] and Tristan Wilds as Michael Lee.[89] The characters are friends from a West Baltimore middle school.[90][91][92][93] Other new characters from the school included Tootsie Duvall as Assistant Principal Marcia Donnelly;[94] David Parenti (Dan DeLuca), a Professor of Sociology at the University of Maryland who works with Bunny Colvin in the school to study potential violent offenders;[95] Stacie Davis portrayed Miss Duquette, a doctoral student who works with Parenti and Colvin; Aaron "Bug" Manigault (Keenon Brice), Michael Lee's younger brother; Kenard (Thuliso Dingwall), one of the younger members of Namond Brice's circle of friends;[96] and Richard Hidlebird as Principal Claudell Withers.[97]

Main cast

Reception

"...a dazzling three-ring circus of interwoven plot threads, and its take on America’s drug war makes Miami Vice look like a Saturday-morning cartoon..."

 —Stephen King[98]

The fourth season of The Wire is listed as one of the highest rated individual TV seasons of all time on Metacritic with a score of 98 out of 100 based on 21 critics—including 17 perfect score reviews.[99] On Rotten Tomatoes, the season has an approval rating of 100% with an average score of 9.7 out of 10 based on 24 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "Realistically flawed characters in harrowing, uncompromising circumstances, along with engrossing storytelling, make The Wire one of TV's top dramas of its time."[100]

Awards and nominations

11th Satellite Awards

  • Nomination for Best Drama Series

Writers Guild of America Awards

  • Award for Best Drama Series
  • Nomination for Best Drama Episode (David Simon & Ed Burns) (Episode: "Final Grades")

23rd TCA Awards

  • Nomination for Program of the Year
  • Nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Drama

Episodes

See also: List of The Wire episodes

All episodes were made available by HBO six days earlier than their broadcast date, via On Demand.[101]

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
381"Boys of Summer"Joe ChappelleStory by : David Simon & Ed Burns
Teleplay by : David Simon		September 10, 2006 (2006-09-10)
392"Soft Eyes"Christine MooreStory by : Ed Burns & David Mills
Teleplay by : David Mills		September 17, 2006 (2006-09-17)
403"Home Rooms"Seith MannStory by : Ed Burns & Richard Price
Teleplay by : Richard Price		September 24, 2006 (2006-09-24)
414"Refugees"Jim McKayStory by : Ed Burns & Dennis Lehane
Teleplay by : Dennis Lehane		October 1, 2006 (2006-10-01)
425"Alliances"David PlattStory by : David Simon & Ed Burns
Teleplay by : Ed Burns		October 8, 2006 (2006-10-08)
436"Margin of Error"Dan AttiasStory by : Ed Burns & Eric Overmyer
Teleplay by : Eric Overmyer		October 15, 2006 (2006-10-15)
447"Unto Others"Anthony HemingwayStory by : Ed Burns & William F. Zorzi
Teleplay by : William F. Zorzi		October 29, 2006 (2006-10-29)
458"Corner Boys"Agnieszka HollandStory by : Ed Burns & Richard Price
Teleplay by : Richard Price		November 5, 2006 (2006-11-05)
469"Know Your Place"Alex ZakrzewskiStory by : Ed Burns & Kia Corthron
Teleplay by : Kia Corthron		November 12, 2006 (2006-11-12)
4710"Misgivings"Ernest DickersonStory by : Ed Burns & Eric Overmyer
Teleplay by : Eric Overmyer		November 19, 2006 (2006-11-19)
4811"A New Day"Brad AndersonStory by : David Simon & Ed Burns
Teleplay by : Ed Burns		November 26, 2006 (2006-11-26)
4912"That's Got His Own"Joe ChappelleStory by : Ed Burns & George Pelecanos
Teleplay by : George Pelecanos		December 3, 2006 (2006-12-03)
5013"Final Grades"Ernest DickersonStory by : David Simon & Ed Burns
Teleplay by : David Simon		December 10, 2006 (2006-12-10)

References

  1. ^ "The Wire - Want Some Holiday Scoop? Release Date, Lower-Than-Typical Cost for HBO's 4th Season". TVShowsOnDVD.com. September 3, 2007. Archived from the original on November 2, 2007. Retrieved November 26, 2007.
  2. ^ a b c "The Wire season 4 crew". HBO. 2007. Retrieved October 14, 2007.
  3. ^ ""The Wire" on HBO: Play Or Get Played, Exclusive Q&A With David Simon (page 17)". 2006. Retrieved October 16, 2007.
  4. ^ "Cast & Crew - Dominic West as Jimmy McNulty". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  5. ^ "Character profile - Jimmy McNulty". HBO. 2006. Retrieved December 19, 2007.
  6. ^ Abrams, Jonathan (2018). All the Pieces Matter. Crown Archetype. pp. 231–232. ISBN 978-0-451-49814-4.
  7. ^ "Cast & Crew - Lance Reddick as Cedric Daniels". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  8. ^ "Character profile - Lieutenant Cedric Daniels". HBO. 2006. Retrieved December 19, 2007.
  9. ^ "Cast & Crew - Seth Gilliam as Ellis Carver". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  10. ^ "Cast & Crew - Robert Wisdom as Howard "Bunny" Colvin". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  11. ^ "Cast & Crew - Sonja Sohn as Shakima "Kima" Greggs". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  12. ^ "Character profile - Detective Shakima "Kima" Greggs". HBO. 2006. Retrieved December 19, 2007.
  13. ^ "Cast & Crew - Clarke Peters as Lester Freamon". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  14. ^ "Character profile - Lester Freamon". HBO. 2006. Retrieved December 19, 2007.
  15. ^ "Cast & Crew - Corey Parker Robinson as Leander Sydnor". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  16. ^ "Cast & Crew - Domenick Lombardozzi as Thomas "Herc" Hauk". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  17. ^ "Character profile - Thomas "Herc" Hauk". HBO. 2006. Retrieved December 19, 2007.
  18. ^ "Cast & Crew - Wendell Pierce as William "Bunk" Moreland". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  19. ^ "Character profile - Bunk Moreland". HBO. 2006. Retrieved December 19, 2007.
  20. ^ "Cast & Crew - Deirdre Lovejoy as Rhonda Pearlman". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  21. ^ "Character profile - Rhonda Pearlman". HBO. 2006. Retrieved December 19, 2007.
  22. ^ "Cast & Crew - Andre Royo as Bubbles". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  23. ^ "Character profile - Bubbles". HBO. 2006. Retrieved December 19, 2007.
  24. ^ "Cast & Crew - Jim True-Frost as Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski". HBO. 2008. Retrieved August 6, 2008.
  25. ^ "Cast & Crew - Frankie R. Faison as Ervin Burrell". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  26. ^ "Character profile - Ervin Burrell". HBO. 2006. Retrieved December 19, 2007.
  27. ^ "Cast & Crew - John Doman as William Rawls". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  28. ^ "Character profile - William Rawls". HBO. 2006. Retrieved December 19, 2007.
  29. ^ "Cast & Crew - Aidan Gillen as Thomas "Tommy" Carcetti". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  30. ^ "Character profile - Thomas "Tommy" Carcetti". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  31. ^ "Cast & Crew - Reg E. Cathey as Norman Wilson". HBO. 2008. Retrieved August 6, 2008.
  32. ^ "Cast & Crew - Glynn Turman as Clarence Royce". HBO. 2008. Retrieved August 6, 2008.
  33. ^ "Cast & Crew - JD Williams as Preston "Bodie" Broadus". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  34. ^ "Character profile - Preston "Bodie" Broadus". HBO. 2006. Retrieved December 19, 2007.
  35. ^ "Character profile - Marlo Stanfield". HBO. 2004. Retrieved August 14, 2006.
  36. ^ "Cast & Crew - Michael Kenneth Williams as Omar Little". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  37. ^ "Character profile - Omar Little". HBO. 2006. Retrieved December 19, 2007.
  38. ^ "Cast & Crew - Wood Harris as Avon Barksdale". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  39. ^ "Character profile - Avon Barksdale". HBO. 2006. Retrieved December 19, 2007.
  40. ^ "Cast & Crew - Idris Elba as Stringer Bell". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  41. ^ "Character profile - Stringer Bell". HBO. 2006. Retrieved December 19, 2007.
  42. ^ "Cast & Crew - Robert F. Chew as Proposition Joe Stewart". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  43. ^ "Character profile - Proposition Joe Stewart". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  44. ^ "Cast & Crew - Method Man as Melvin "Cheese" Wagstaff". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  45. ^ "Character profile - Melvin "Cheese" Wagstaff". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  46. ^ "Cast & Crew - Hassan Johnson as Roland "Wee-Bey" Brice". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  47. ^ "Character profile - Roland "Wee-Bey" Brice". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  48. ^ "Cast & Crew - Anwan Glover as Slim Charles". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  49. ^ "Character profile - Slim Charles". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  50. ^ "Cast & Crew - Gbenga Akinnagbe as Chris Partlow". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  51. ^ "Character profile - Chris Partlow". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  52. ^ "Cast & Crew - Felicia Pearson as Felicia "Snoop" Pearson". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  53. ^ "Character profile - Felicia "Snoop" Pearson". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  54. ^ "Cast & Crew - Tray Chaney as Malik "Poot" Carr". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  55. ^ "Character profile - Malik "Poot" Carr". HBO. 2006. Retrieved December 19, 2007.
  56. ^ "Cast & Crew - Michael Hyatt as Brianna Barksdale". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  57. ^ "Character profile - Brianna Barksdale". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  58. ^ "Cast & Crew - Michael Kostroff as Maurice "Maury" Levy". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  59. ^ "Character profile - Maurice "Maury" Levy". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  60. ^ "Cast & Crew - Isiah Whitlock, Jr. as R. Clayton "Clay" Davis". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  61. ^ "Character profile - R. Clayton "Clay" Davis". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  62. ^ "Org Chart - The Street". HBO. 2004. Retrieved July 27, 2006.
  63. ^ "Cast & Crew - Delaney Williams as Jay Landsman". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  64. ^ "Character profile - Jay Landsman". HBO. 2006. Retrieved December 19, 2007.
  65. ^ "Cast & Crew - Ed Norris as Ed Norris". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  66. ^ "Character profile - Ed Norris". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  67. ^ a b c d "Org Chart - The Law". HBO. 2004. Retrieved July 22, 2006.
  68. ^ "Cast & Crew - Al Brown as Stanislaus Valchek". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  69. ^ "Character profile - Stanislaus Valchek". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  70. ^ "Cast & Crew - Jay Landsman as Dennis Mello". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  71. ^ "Character profile - Dennis Mello". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  72. ^ "Cast & Crew - Gregory L. Williams as Michael Crutchfield". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  73. ^ "Character profile - Detective Michael Crutchfield". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 14, 2008.
  74. ^ "Cast & Crew - Joilet F. Harris as Caroline Massey". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  75. ^ "Character profile - Caroline Massey". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  76. ^ "Cast & Crew - Rick Otto as Kenneth Dozerman". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  77. ^ "Character profile - Kenneth Dozerman". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  78. ^ "Character profile - Coleman Parker". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  79. ^ "Cast & Crew - Brandy Burre as Theresa D'Agostino". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  80. ^ "Character profile - Theresa D'agostino". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  81. ^ "Cast & Crew - Frederick Strother as Odell Watkins". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  82. ^ "Character profile - Odell Watkins". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  83. ^ "Cast & Crew - Christopher Mann as Anthony Gray". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  84. ^ "Character profile - Anthony Gray". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  85. ^ "Character profile - Marla Daniels". HBO. 2004. Retrieved July 22, 2006.
  86. ^ "Cast & Crew - Jermaine Crawford as Duquan "Dukie" Weems". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  87. ^ "Cast & Crew - Maestro Harrell as Randy Wagstaff". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  88. ^ "Cast & Crew - Julito McCullum as Namond Brice". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  89. ^ "Cast & Crew - Tristan Wilds as Michael Lee". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  90. ^ "Character profile - Namond Brice". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  91. ^ "Character profile - Michael Lee". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  92. ^ "Character profile - Randy Wagstaff". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  93. ^ "Character profile - Duquan "Dukie" Weems". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  94. ^ "Character profile – Assistant Principal Marcia Donnelly". HBO. 2006. Retrieved October 29, 2006.
  95. ^ "Character profile – UM Professor David Parenti". HBO. 2004. Retrieved October 28, 2006.
  96. ^ "Character profile – Kenard". HBO. 2004. Retrieved October 29, 2006.
  97. ^ "Character profile – Principal Claudell Withers". HBO. 2006. Retrieved October 29, 2006.
  98. ^ King, Stephen (February 1, 2007). "Stephen King on the brilliant new season of The Wire". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  99. ^ "The Wire: Season 4". Metacritic. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
  100. ^ "The Wire: Season 4". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  101. ^ Sepinwall, Alan (December 31, 2007). "The Wire week 1 thread for the On Demand'ers". What's Alan Watching?. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
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