The Wire

Seasons

2002

USA

9.3

TV-MA

The Baltimore drug scene, as seen through the eyes of drug dealers and law enforcement.

Episode List

S1 • E1

The Target

After a murder trial exposes the reach of a West Baltimore drug empire, Det. Jimmy McNulty prods superiors into launching an investigation -- setting police and dealers on a collision course.

S1 • E2

The Detail

As the new detail comes together, detectives pursue Baltimore's Barksdale drug crew and push for a wiretap, but red tape, clashing egos, and scarce resources complicate the case.

S1 • E3

The Buys

Under pressure for quick results, Daniels' detail attempts an undercover buy with Bubbles to reach Avon and the Barksdale crew. On the corner, D'Angelo's dealers face a new stick-up threat.

S1 • E4

Old Cases

Daniels' unit reopens old homicide files looking for a path into the Barksdale organization, while McNulty and Bunk work a stubborn cold case. With pressure mounting, Avon and Stringer adjust crew tactics to stay ahead.

S1 • E5

The Pager

Baltimore's new drug detail scrambles to decipher the Barksdale crew's pager code, testing surveillance and informant work as the organization adapts to stay ahead.

S1 • E6

The Wire

McNulty and Greggs ask for a delay in a murder bust in order to preserve the wiretap.

S1 • E7

One Arrest

Tipped off by the wire, Greggs, Herc, Carver, and Freamon make a bust, but the incident makes Avon and Stringer suspicious.

S1 • E8

Lessons

An unlikely source gives McNulty the tag of Stringer Bell's car. Later, Omar earns his 'loose cannon' reputation.

S1 • E9

Game Day

Barksdale plays an expensive game of one-upmanship with an east-side rival.

S1 • E10

The Cost

With Wallace in custody, McNulty and Daniels must figure out what to do with him in the time before he testifies.

S1 • E11

The Hunt

While Greggs' life hangs in the balance, the entire department attempts to hunt down Savino. When Wallace flips, willing to testify that Stringer, Wee-Bey and Bird killed Brandon, Daniels stashes him in his grandmother's house on the outskirts of the city.

S1 • E12

Cleaning Up

Kima slowly recovers in the hospital. Stringer changes operations in the pit and the towers, rendering the wiretaps and clones useless, and prompting Burrell to begin dismantling the detail. Avon and Stringer meet Levy to discuss where their organization is vulnerable.

S1 • E13

Sentencing

Due to the camera at Orlando's, the detail gather enough information to arrest Avon and many of his people, but with Wallace dead, they are unable to bring charges against Stringer, who's left on the street. Wee-Bey is arrested and gladly admits to murder after murder.