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The Wire - The Complete First Season (2002)
Starring: Lance Reddick, Sonja Sohn Director: Agnieszka Holland Rating: Not Rated
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From David Simon, this unvarnished, highly realistic HBO series follows a single sprawling drug and murder investigation in Baltimore. Told from the point of view of both the police and their targets, the series captures a universe of subterefuge and surveillance, where easy distinctions between good and evil, and crime and punishment, are challenged at every turn.
Unlike most television crime dramas, which neatly introduce and then solve a case all in the space of one hour, HBO's THE WIRE follows one single drug and homicide investigation throughout the length of an entire season. Centered around the drug culture of inner-city Baltimore, the series' storyline unfolds from the points of view of both the criminals lording the streets and the police officers determined to bring them down. This first season introduces detective Jimmy McNulty (Dominic West) and his supervisor Cedric Daniels (Lance Reddick) as they begin to pursue evidence against drug kingpin Avon Barksdale (Wood Harris). Meanwhile, Barksdale and his henchmen Stringer (Idris Elba) and Wee-Bey (Hassan Johnson) concern themselves with a rival drug dealer (Michael K. Williams) who's been cutting into their profits. Created by writer David Simon (THE CORNER, HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET), THE WIRE's multifaceted approach offers a nuanced overview of every aspect of the drug trade and the complex morality of its participants.
Episodes:
1. "The Target"
"...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 in the court room and believes he has manipulated the proceedings. McNulty circumvents the chain of command by talking to the judge, who then places pressure on the police department over the case. D'Angelo is acquitted and returns to work for 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"
"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, is concerned with the quality of his team, while Detective McNulty is concerned with the department's plan for the investigation. Daniels' protégé Kima Greggs uses Bubbles as a confidential informant to identify members of the Barksdale organization. However, Daniels' 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"
"The King stay the King." - D'Angelo.
The detectives' brutal actions lead to a minor riot, bad publicity for the detail, injury to Herc, and Prez being placed on administrative leave. D'Angelo gives young dealers Wallace and Bodie Broadus a lesson about their place in the Barksdale hierarchy. The detail finally starts to see results as Lester Freamon obtains an old picture of Avon Barksdale. Stick-up man Omar Little takes advantage of D'Angelo's crew's lapses and steals their stash of narcotics. The pit is later raided by the police and Bodie receives a beating for striking an officer, but nothing turns up due to Omar's robbery. .
4. "Old Cases"
"It's a thin line 'tween heaven and here." - Bubbles.
Bodie wakes up from his injuries in a Washington, D.C. juvenile detention center and manages to escape just before Herc and Carver arrive to interrogate him. Avon discusses the loss of the pit's stash with his enforcers and marks Omar and his crew for death. McNulty and his partner from homicide Bunk Moreland investigate an old murder that may be related to D'Angelo. .
5. "The Pager"
"...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. Wallace spots Brandon, one of Omar's crew, in an arcade and passes the information on to the Barksdale enforcers. .
6. "The Wire"
"...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 him for his part in Brandon's murder. The detail gets a wiretap running. Daniels clashes with homicide Major William Rawls over their approach to the evidence they have gathered thus far. .
7. "One Arrest"
"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. Rawls pressures his detective in the detail for information on their case. .
8. "Lessons"
"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 from known gang members, but are forced to return the money when the driver's political connections to Senator Clay Davis are revealed. Daniels discusses his problems following the money trail with his wife, Marla. .
9. "Game Day"
"Maybe we won." - Herc.
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, giving the detectives the first glimpse of their elusive target. Omar attempts to kill Avon, but is himself wounded. .
10. "The Cost"
"And then he dropped the bracelets..." - Greggs.
After being clean for three days, Bubbles gets some strong advice from a former addict. Avon and Stringer tighten up ship following Omar's attempted hit on Avon. The detail identifies a major Barksdale stash house and an undercover operation has terrible consequences. Omar and Stringer Bell meet for a parlay. .
11. "The Hunt"
"Dope on the damn table." - Daniels.
While Greggs' life hangs in the balance, Daniels is ordered to raid the Barksdale operation. The detail's 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". Bubbles unwittingly implicates himself in the shooting. .
12. "Cleaning Up"
"This is me, yo, right here." - Wallace.
Avon and Stringer meet with their attorney, Maurice Levy, to discuss a potential leak in the wake of the raids. 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 installs a camera in Avon's club. They catch Avon discussing a drug run with D'Angelo and arrest him en route. .
13. "Sentencing"
"All in the game." - Traditional West Baltimore.
Daniels and McNulty's evidence of political corruption is rejected by the FBI. Daniels and McNulty face the ire of their superiors for flaunting orders for a quick resolution to the case. D'Angelo is convinced to stand with his family by a visit from his mother. The detail has enough information to arrest Avon and many of his people but Stringer is left on the street. Business resumes in the pit with Bodie and Poot leading the way. . |
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| Cast & Crew: |
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Starring:
Lance Reddick | Sonja Sohn | Dominic West | Wendell Pierce | Jim True-Frost | Clarke Peters | Domenick Lombardozzi | Seth Gilliam | ...more
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Directed By:
Agnieszka Holland | Alex Zakrzewski | Anthony Hemingway | Brad Anderson | Christine Moore | Clark Johnson | Clement Virgo | Dan Attias | David Platt (III) | Elodie Keene | Ernest Dickerson | Gloria Muzio | Jim McKay | Joe Chappelle | Leslie Libman | Peter Medak | Robert Bailey | Steve Shill | Thomas J. Wright | Tim Van Patten | Ed Bianchi | Milčo Mančevski | Robert F. Colesberry | Seith Mann
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| Technical Information: |
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Genre:
Drama, Television/TV Series, Thriller/Suspense
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DVD Release Date:
October 12, 2004
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Format: Region 1
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Rating:
Not Rated
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Year:
2002
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Regional Coding:
R1:
Will only play on North American Region 1 or multi-region DVD players.
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Number of Discs:
5
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Subtitles:
English, French, Spanish
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Screen Ratio:
Anamorphic (16:9), Widescreen Edition - 1.85:1
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| Sound System: | |
English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)
English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)
Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround) | |
Running Time:
780 minutes
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Studio:
HBO
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UPC/Barcode Number:
026359887321
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Color: Yes
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| DVD Features: |
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- Commentary by creator/writer David Simon, writer George Pelicanos and director Clark Johnson on 3 episodes
- All 13 episodes from the 2002 season
- Number of discs: 5
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