List of The Wire episodes

This is an episode list for the drama television series The Wire. The series began on HBO on June 2, 2002 in the United States with the episode "The Target" and has aired through its fourth season. It will return for a fifth season in 2007.

The episode total to date is 50. There is expected to be a final total of 60 episodes when the show concludes.

Season 1: 2002

Screenshot	Title	Story	Teleplay	Original airdate	Director	#
1	"The Target"	David Simon, Ed Burns	David Simon	June 2, 2002	Clark Johnson
"...when it's not your turn." - McNulty Homicide detective Jimmy McNulty observes the murder trial of a mid-level drug dealer, D'Angelo Barksdale, and sees the prosecution's star witness recant her testimony. McNulty recognises drug king-pin Stringer Bell (pictured) in the court room and believes he has manipulated the proceedings. McNulty circumvents chain of command by talking to the judge, who then places pressure on the police department about the case. D'Angelo is acquitted and returns to his work with the Barksdale drug-dealing organization moving to the low rise projects known as "the pit." A homeless drug addict named Bubbles acts as mentor to another addict in an ill-conceived scam with severe consequences.
2	"The Detail"	David Simon, Ed Burns	David Simon	June 9, 2002	Clark Johnson
"You cannot lose if you do not play." - Marla Daniels The witness who testified against D'Angelo is killed, and the Barksdale organization is suspected; a detail is formed to investigate their drug dealing activity in the low rises. The detail's Lieutenant Cedric Daniels (pictured) is concerned with the quality of his team, while Detective McNulty is concerned with the departments plan for the investigation. Daniel's protégé Kima Greggs uses Bubbles as a confidential informant to identify members of the Barksdale organization. However, Daniel's suspicions about his other detectives prove correct when a late night foray into the West side projects by Herc, Carver and Prez goes awry.
3	"The Buys"	David Simon, Ed Burns	David Simon	June 16, 2002	Peter Medak
"The King stays the King." - D'Angelo The detectives' actions lead to a minor riot and bad publicity for the detail. D'Angelo gives young dealers Wallace and Bodie Broadus a lesson about their place in the Barksdale hierarchy (pictured). Stick-up man Omar Little robs the pit's stash of narcotics. The pit is later raided by the police and Bodie receives a beating for striking an officer.
4	"Old Cases"	David Simon, Ed Burns	David Simon	June 23, 2002	Clement Virgo
"It's a thin line 'tween heaven and here." - Bubbles Bodie manages to escape from juvenile detention. Avon Barksdale marks Omar and his crew (pictured) for death. McNulty and his partner from homicide Bunk Moreland investigate an old murder.
5	"The Pager"	David Simon, Ed Burns	Ed Burns	June 30, 2002	Peter Medak
"...a little slow, a little late." - Avon Barksdale Stringer warns D'Angelo that there may be a snitch in his camp. The detail gets its affidavit approved for a cloned pager but are puzzled at the results. Prez begins to redeem himself in the eyes of his colleagues by taking a fresh approach to the pager information (pictured). Wallace spots Brandon, one of Omar's crew, in an arcade and passes the information on to the Barksdale enforcers.
6	"The Wire"	David Simon, Ed Burns	David Simon	July 7, 2002	Ed Bianchi
"...and all the pieces matter." - Freamon Brandon's bloodied body is discovered in the pit. Wallace gets even more unsettled about the situation after Avon rewards D'Angelo and him for their parts in Brandon's murder. The detail gets a wiretap running. Daniels clashes with homicide Major William Rawls (pictured) over their approach to the evidence they have gathered thus far.
7	"One Arrest"	David Simon, Ed Burns	Rafael Alvarez	July 21, 2002	Joe Chappelle
"A man must have a code." - Bunk Using information from the wiretap Detectives Greggs, Herc, Carver, and Sydnor catch a runner on his way to the pit with a re-supply. Avon worries about a possible snitch and Stringer confounds the detail's investigative efforts by cautiously instructing his people to stop using payphones (pictured). Rawls pressures his detective in the detail for information on their case.
8	"Lessons"	David Simon, Ed Burns	David Simon	July 28, 2002	Gloria Muzio
"Come at the king, you best not miss." - Omar McNulty uses his children to tail Stringer after a chance encounter in a local market. Greggs and Carver arrest a driver picking up a large amount cash from the Towers and known gang members, but are forced to return the money when the drivers political connections to Senator Clay Davis are revealed. Daniels discusses his problems following the money trail with his wife, Marla (pictured).
9	"Game Day"	David Simon, Ed Burns	David H. Melnick, Shamit Choksey	August 4, 2002	Milčo Mančevski
"Maybe we won." - Herc Veteran detective Lester Freamon gets Syndor and Prez started on the Barksdale money trail. Omar gives East side kingpin Proposition Joe a stolen package for the opportunity to parlay with him. Avon and Proposition Joe host an East side vs. West side basketball game (pictured), giving the detectives the first glimpse of their elusive target.
10	"The Cost"	David Simon, Ed Burns	David Simon	August 11, 2002	Brad Anderson
"And then he dropped the bracelets..." - Greggs After being clean for three days, Bubbles gets some strong advice from another former addict. Omar attempts to murder Avon causing Avon and Stringer to tighten up ship (pictured). The detail identifies a major Barksdale stash house but then an undercover operation has terrible consequences.
11	"The Hunt"	David Simon, Ed Burns	Joy Lusco	August 18, 2002	Steve Shill
"Dope on the damn table." - Daniels While Greggs' life hangs in the balance, Daniels is ordered to raid the Barksdale operation. The details hand is forced and a series of city wide raids and arrests are made to appease the Commissioner's desire for "dope on the table" (pictured). Bubbles unwittingly implicates himself in the shooting.
12	"Cleaning Up"	David Simon, Ed Burns	George Pelecanos	September 1, 2002	Clement Virgo
"This is me, yo, right here." - Wallace Avon and Stringer meet with Levy to discuss a potential leak in the wake of the raids (pictured). Wallace goes back to the pit and asks to be let back in but Stringer has another plan. With the loss of their wiretaps the detail takes a fresh approach and makes a significant arrest.
13	"Sentencing"	David Simon, Ed Burns	David Simon, Ed Burns	September 8, 2002	Tim Van Patten
"All in the game." - Traditional West Baltimore Daniels and McNulty's evidence of political corruption is rejected by the FBI. D'Angelo is convinced to stand with his family by a visit from his mother. Business resumes in the pit with Bodie and Poot leading the way (pictured).

Season 2: 2003

Screenshot	Title	Story	Teleplay	Original airdate	Director	#
14	"Ebb Tide"	David Simon, Ed Burns	David Simon	June 1, 2003	Ed Bianchi
"Ain't never gonna be what it was." - Little Big Roy McNulty - sidelined to harbor patrol (pictured) - makes sure to pay back Rawls by sticking City Homicide with a whodunit; Major Valchek feels slighted when the boss of a local stevedore union donates a more impressive gift to a local Polish church. Port Police Offer "Beadie" Russell makes a horrifying discovery amidst the cargo containers at the Baltimore docks.
15	"Collateral Damage"	David Simon, Ed Burns	David Simon	June 8, 2003	Ed Bianchi
"They can chew you up, but they gotta spit you out." - McNulty After the murders of the fourteen women discovered in the cargo container get dumped on Officer Russell, McNulty offers to help, ensuring that it goes back to Rawls homicide department; Valchek, still angered at Frank Sobotka for the incident at the Church, strikes a deal with Burrell - in return for supporting him in his aspirations for promotion, he demands Burrell set up a detail to investigate Sobotka and his union. "Horseface" complains of sudden police pressure to Sobotka (pictured) and the two come up with a plan to further embarrass Valchek. In Prison, Avon's relationship with his nephew begins to sour.
16	"Hot Shots"	David Simon, Ed Burns	David Simon	June 15, 2003	Elodie Keene
"What they need is a union." - Russell Nick Sobotka, concerned over how he is to provide for his girlfriend and their daughter, joins his errant cousin Ziggy and other dock workers to steal containers for Vondas and his partners. Avon confers with Stringer (pictured) about troubles with their drug supply and D'Angelo's growing distance from Avon and the others. Sobotka attempts to court political favor, including Clay Davis, in order to fulfill his hopes for the regeneration of the dock. Omar signs up some new partners in crime. At the request of Wee-Bey, Avon deals with an abusive police officer in the prison who also deals drugs to inmates - his method of choice horrifying his nephew.
17	"Hard Cases"	David Simon, Joy Lusco	Joy Lusco	June 22, 2003	Elodie Keene
"If I hear the music, I'm gonna dance." - Greggs D'Angelo confronts his uncle about the bad package and washes his hands of the business as Avon brokers a deal to give up officer Tilghman for a reduction in his sentence. Lieutenant Daniels manages to secure a promise of his own major crimes detail after the Sobotka investigation ends from Burrell. Frank Sobotka, angered at his son and nephews unauthorized smuggling deal with the Greeks, chastises his nephew - defending his illicit deals as a means toward regenerating the ailing dockyard (pictured). Ziggy continues to enjoy his new found wealth as McNulty takes a personal interest in the murdered women.
18	"Undertow"	David Simon, Ed Burns	Ed Burns	June 29, 2003	Steve Shill
"They used to make steel there, no?" - Spiros Vondas Ziggy's inability to move a package costs him the Camaro and nearly his life as he falls foul of East side dealers (pictured); Daniels sends Herc, Carver, and Greggs out for some hand-to-hands as they step up their investigation of the docks. Officer Russell gains a tip off from an old boyfriend. Frank Sobotka's frustration with the Greeks begins to grow as he is once again denied a meeting with their boss.
19	"All Prologue"	David Simon, Ed Burns	David Simon	July 6, 2003	Steve Shill
"It don't matter that some fool say he different..." - D'Angelo The detail continues to look for the source of the union's money as they begin to monitor container movements (pictured) while Detective Greggs tracks down a lead on the murdered girls. Stringer, concerned over D'Angelo's distancing from the organization, goes behind Avon's back to deal with the problem once and for all. Nick requests help from the Greeks to solve Ziggy's woes. As Frank Sobotka outlines his plans for the docks, several of his union colleagues express suspicion at the source of his income. Omar emerges from hiding to testify against Bird.
20	"Backwash"	David Simon, Rafael Alvarez	Rafael Alvarez	July 13, 2003	Thomas J. Wright
"Don't worry kid, you're still on the clock." - Horseface Ziggy is further demoralized when he becomes the target of a practical joke; the detail stakes out and tracks a stolen cargo container; Stringer discusses a business deal with Proposition Joe to revitalize the Barksdale organization, but Avon turns it down flat. D'Angelo's funeral brings together the Barksdale crew members (pictured). Frank becomes frustrated with the pace of his political aspirations and makes a decision unpopular within the union.
21	"Duck and Cover"	David Simon, George Pelecanos	George Pelecanos	July 27, 2003	Daniel Attias
"How come they don't fly away?" - Ziggy Frank and Nick visit the diner to meet with The Greek (pictured); The Greek tells him to deliver more disappeared but clean containers to the shut down warehouse as suspicions mount about possible interest from the police. Ziggy gets a new pet while violence between rival drug dealers further demoralizes the Barksdale organization.
22	"Stray Rounds"	David Simon, Ed Burns	David Simon	August 3, 2003	Tim Van Patten
"The world is a smaller place now." - The Greek On the new drug corner they commandeered from their rivals, Bodie and crew sell their repackaged dope, then are involved in a shootout that kills a child.
23	"Storm Warnings"	David Simon, Ed Burns	Ed Burns	August 10, 2003	Robert Bailey
"It pays to go with the union card every time." - Ziggy The detail uses satellite technology to its advantage; Bodie is unhappy that Proposition Joe's people are slinging on his turf; Ziggy's deal with Double G goes bad.
24	"Bad Dreams"	David Simon, George Pelecanos	George Pelecanos	August 17, 2003	Ernest Dickerson
"I need to get clean." - Sobotka A report detailing Sobotka's plan to turn state's evidence in exchange for leniency toward Nick and Ziggy reaches Agent Koutris; Sobotka meets with The Greek.
25	"Port in a Storm"	David Simon, Ed Burns	David Simon	August 24, 2003	Robert F. Colesberry
"Business. Always business." - The Greek Sobotka's woes are finally submerged; Nick trades information about The Greek for a soft place to fall with the Feds; urban reform hits Baltimore.

Season 3: 2004

Screenshot	Title	Story	Teleplay	Original airdate	Director	#
26	"Time After Time"	David Simon, Ed Burns	David Simon	September 19, 2004	Ed Bianchi
"Don't matter how many times you get burnt, you just keep doin' the same." - Bodie A wave of urban reform brings down the notorious Franklin Terrace public housing towers, forcing the Barksdale drug crew to find a new home.
27	"All Due Respect"	David Simon, Richard Price	Richard Price	September 26, 2004	Steve Shill
"There's never been a paper bag." - Colvin Under orders from Stringer Bell, Bodie faces a critical test against a fierce young dealer with lucrative corners near the now-toppled Franklin Terrace towers.
28	"Dead Soldiers"	David Simon, Dennis Lehane	Dennis Lehane	October 3, 2004	Rob Bailey
"The gods will not save you." - Burrell Omar and crew get more than they bargained for during a stick-up of a Barksdale stash house; Colvin hatches a secretive crime-reduction plan.
29	"Hamsterdam"	David Simon, George Pelecanos	George Pelecanos	October 10, 2004	Ernest Dickerson
"Why you got to go and fuck with the program?" - Fruit West Baltimore residents get some surprising straight talk at a community meeting from Major Colvin; Carcetti reveals his political ambitions.
30	"Straight and True"	David Simon, Ed Burns	Ed Burns	October 17, 2004	Daniel Attias
"I had such fuckin' hopes for us." - McNulty Frustrated in his grass-roots reform efforts, Colvin arms himself with intelligence; McNulty sees Stringer Bell is now unreachable as a drug target.
31	"Homecoming"	David Simon, Rafael Alvarez	Rafael Alvarez	October 31, 2004	Leslie Libman
"Just a gangster, I suppose." - Avon Barksdale Stringer Bell gets an education in construction management, and a frustrated Colvin unleashes the troops on the corner boys ignoring his new edict.
32	"Back Burners"	David Simon, Joy Lusco	Joy Lusco	November 7, 2004	Tim Van Patten
"Conscience do cost." - Butchie Daniels is distressed over the reason the detail was reassigned from Pimlico; Marlo dispatches a drive-by on a Barksdale corner from the calm of his pigeon coop.
33	"Moral Midgetry"	David Simon, Richard Price	Richard Price	November 14, 2004	Agnieszka Holland
"Crawl, walk, and then run." - Clay Davis Brianna and McNulty sit down for a heart-to-heart, while Avon dispatches the troops to track Omar and wrestles with a revelation by Stringer.
34	"Slapstick"	David Simon, George Pelecanos	David Simon	November 21, 2004	Alex Zakrzewski
"...while you're waiting for moments that never come." - Freamon A Barksdale crew violates the long-standing but unspoken Sunday morning truce, increasing discontent among the co-op.
35	"Reformation"	David Simon, Ed Burns	Ed Burns	November 28, 2004	Christine Moore
"Call it a crisis of leadership." - Proposition Joe Brother Mouzone returns to Baltimore on a mission of revenge and casts a wide net in his search for Omar, who has his own plan for vengeance.
36	"Middle Ground"	David Simon, George Pelecanos	George Pelecanos	December 12, 2004	Joe Chappelle
"We don't need to dream no more." - Stringer Bell The wire begins to yield information about the Barksdale organization, though finding links to the top proves elusive.
37	"Mission Accomplished"	David Simon, Ed Burns	David Simon	December 19, 2004	Ernest Dickerson
"...we fight on that lie." - Slim Charles A reticent Avon readies his troops for war against Marlo; as Cutty struggles to keep his young boxers off the corners, he and Fruit cross paths once again.

Season 4: 2006

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

Screenshot	Title	Story	Teleplay	Original airdate	Director	#
38	"Boys of Summer"	David Simon, Ed Burns	David Simon	September 10, 2006	Joe Chappelle
"Lambs to the slaughter here." - Marcia Donnelly Four West Baltimore boys wrestle with what to do with the rest of their summer vacation; the mayoral race heats up; Prez prepares for his new career.
39	"Soft Eyes"	Ed Burns, David Mills	David Mills	September 17, 2006	Christine Moore
"I still wake up white in a city that ain't." - Carcetti Pearlman and Freamon argue over subpoenas; Carcetti drops a bombshell on Royce; Marlo decides to help the young kids; Bubbles mentors a homeless child.
40	"Home Rooms"	Ed Burns, Richard Price	Richard Price	September 24, 2006	Seith Mann
"I love the first day, man. Everybody all friendly an' shit." - Namond Brice Prez is shocked by his students; Royce strikes back against Carcetti; Rawls begins to gut the major case unit from the inside; Colvin embarks on a new career.
41	"Refugees"	Ed Burns, Dennis Lehane	Dennis Lehane	October 1, 2006	Jim McKay
"No one wins. One side just loses more slowly." - Prez A high-profile homicide case gets a new detective; Marlo gets burned in a poker game; Colvin and Cutty get new jobs.
42	"Alliances"	David Simon, Ed Burns	Ed Burns	October 8, 2006	David Platt
"If you with us, you with us." - Chris Partlow Burrell feels the heat from Royce; Marlo tries to enlist Michael; Dukie debunks Randy's 'special dead' theory.
43	"Margin of Error"	Ed Burns, Eric Overmyer	Eric Overmyer	October 15, 2006	Dan Attias
"Don't try this shit at home." - Norman Wilson Carcetti responds to a campaign smear; Randy makes a startling revelation; Marlo proves elusive.
44	"Unto Others"	Ed Burns, William F. Zorzi	William F. Zorzi	October 29, 2006	Anthony Hemingway
"Aw yeah. That golden rule." - The Bunk Royce and Carcetti make their peace; Prez has a good day; Greggs uses 'soft eyes' at a a crime scene.
45	"Corner Boys"	Richard Price, Ed Burns	Richard Price	November 5, 2006	Agnieszka Holland
"We got our thing, but it's just part of the big thing." - Zenobia Carcetti makes the rounds; Colvin uses corner logic in class; Daniels sees his stock rising.
46	"Know Your Place"	Ed Burns, Kia Corthron	Kia Corthron	November 12, 2006	Alex Zakrzewski
"Might as well dump 'em, get another." - Proposition Joe Bubbles fingers a witness for Herc; Colvin offers an incentive; Andre turns to Proposition Joe for help.
47	"Misgivings"	Ed Burns, Eric Overmyer	Ed Burns	November 19, 2006	Ernest R. Dickerson
"World goin' one way, people another." - Poot Burrell's new mandate for quality of life arrests is met with civil disobedience and political maneuvering. Chris takes cares of a problem for Michael. Little Kevin explains his arrest to Marlo. Namond reaches out to an unexpected hand for help. Bubbles gets revenge for Herc's continual betrayals.
48	"A New Day"	David Simon, Ed Burns	Ed Burns	November 26, 2006	Brad Anderson
"You play in dirt, you get dirty." - McNulty Carcetti faces a dilemma over a complaint against Herc. Randy gets the cold shoulder from his school mates. Omar makes a power play in the drug trade. Freamon is tempted back to Major Crimes and has a revelation regarding the missing bodies.
49	"That's Got His Own"	Ed Burns, George Pelecanos	George Pelecanos	December 3, 2006	Joe Chappelle
"That all it is to it?" - Bubbles Prez is rankled by Dukie's academic promotion; Omar orchestrates another big sting; Namond and Cutty get a first-hand taste of the "new" Michael.
50	"Final Grades"	David Simon, Ed Burns	David Simon	December 10, 2006	Ernest R. Dickerson
"If animal trapped call 410-844-6286." - Baltimore, traditional Namond, Randy and Dukie adjust to new realities; Bodie is fed up with the actions of Marlo and his crew; Michael is promoted; Omar makes Prop Joe a new offer.