Told from the points of view of both the Baltimore homicide and narcotics detectives and their targets, the series captures a universe in which the national war on drugs has become a permanent, self-sustaining bureaucracy, and distinctions between good and evil are routinely obliterated.
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Told from the points of view of both the Baltimore homicide and narcotics detectives and their targets, the series captures a universe in which the national war on drugs has become a permanent, self-sustaining bureaucracy, and distinctions between good and evil are routinely obliterated.
Season 1 episodes
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
"... when it's not your turn." - McNulty. Baltimore homicide detective Jimmy McNulty gets into hot water and winds up assigned to a detail of narcotics outcasts charged with investigating drug lord Avon Barksdale and his powerful operation in Franklin Terrace. Meanwhile, Avon's nephew D'Angelo is fresh off beating a murder rap, but he finds himself demoted upon his return to the gang.
Episode credits
Directed by Clark JohnsonWritten by David Simon, David Simon, Ed BurnsGuest stars J.D. Williams, Seth Gilliam, Domenick Lombardozzi, Michael Kostroff, Delaney Williams, Clayton LeBouef, Peter Gerety, Leo Fitzpatrick
"You cannot lose if you do not play." - Marla Daniels. McNulty feels the heat when a witness who testified against D'Angelo is found murdered. Meanwhile, Greggs is given the lay of the land regarding Avon Barksdale's key players, and Herc, Carver and Prez find big-time trouble at the towers.
Episode credits
Directed by Clark JohnsonWritten by David Simon, David Simon, Ed BurnsGuest stars J.D. Williams, Clarke Peters, Seth Gilliam, Domenick Lombardozzi, Corey Parker Robinson, Michael Kostroff, Jim True-Frost, Delaney Williams
"The king stay the king." - D'Angelo. The early-morning 'field interviews' by Herc, Carver and Prez result in a minor riot, a boy losing an eye and some bad publicity for the department. On the other side of the law, D'Angelo teaches Wallace and Bodie how to play the game (chess) and later impresses Bell with his 'take' from the low-rises.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter MedakWritten by David Simon, David Simon, Ed BurnsGuest stars Michael Kenneth Williams, J.D. Williams, Clarke Peters, Seth Gilliam, Domenick Lombardozzi, Corey Parker Robinson, Jim True-Frost, Delaney Williams
"It's a thin line 'tween heaven and here." - Bubbles. Greggs and McNulty try to get Hardcase to turn informant as arraignment begins for those caught in the raid. Barksdale places a bounty on the head of rival gang leader Omar. Meanwhile, McNulty takes Bubbles on a cultural field trip, and Herc and Carver try to track down Bodie.
Episode credits
Directed by Clement VirgoWritten by David Simon, David Simon, Ed BurnsGuest stars Michael Kenneth Williams, J.D. Williams, Clarke Peters, Seth Gilliam, Domenick Lombardozzi, Corey Parker Robinson, Jim True-Frost, Delaney Williams
"..a little slow, a little late." - Avon Barksdale. McNulty's detail finally gets 'clone' pagers to track Barksdale and his gang, but nobody can crack the codes used by the callers. Meanwhile, Bell instructs D'Angelo on how to school his lookouts while simultaneously flushing out a possible snitch. Later, Carver and Herc find Bodie, but their interrogation doesn't turn up results.
Episode credits
Directed by Clark Johnson, Peter MedakWritten by Ed Burns, David SimonGuest stars Michael Kenneth Williams, J.D. Williams, Clarke Peters, Seth Gilliam, Domenick Lombardozzi, Jim True-Frost, Delaney Williams, Clayton LeBouef
"..and all the pieces matter." - Freamon. When Rawls looks to make a premature arrest for three murders that are linked to D'Angelo and Avon Barksdale, McNulty and Greggs must argue for a delay in order to preserve the valuable wiretap gains they have made. Meanwhile, Wallace and D'Angelo struggle with their consciences after Avon pays them blood money.
Episode credits
Directed by Ed BianchiWritten by David Simon, David Simon, Ed BurnsGuest stars Michael Kenneth Williams, J.D. Williams, Clarke Peters, Seth Gilliam, Domenick Lombardozzi, Corey Parker Robinson, Michael Kostroff, Jim True-Frost
"A man must have a code." - Bunk. Tipped off by the wire, Greggs, Herc, Carver and Freamon make a bust, but the incident makes Avon and Stringer suspicious, leading them to close shop in the Pit. Meanwhile, Bunk and McNulty look for another witness in the Gant slaying and hunt a suspect known as 'Mr. Bird.'
Episode credits
Directed by Joe ChappelleWritten by Rafael Alvarez, David Simon, Ed BurnsGuest stars Michael Kenneth Williams, J.D. Williams, Clarke Peters, Seth Gilliam, Domenick Lombardozzi, Corey Parker Robinson, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Jim True-Frost
"Come at the king, you best not miss." - Omar. An unlikely source gives McNulty the tag of a car driven by Stringer Bell. Meanwhile, Greggs and Carver bust a congressional aide carrying dirty cash, but are forced to let him go. Omar earns his 'loose cannon' moniker.
Episode credits
Directed by Gloria MuzioWritten by David Simon, David Simon, Ed BurnsGuest stars Michael Kenneth Williams, Clarke Peters, Seth Gilliam, Domenick Lombardozzi, Corey Parker Robinson, Jim True-Frost, Donnell Rawlings, Clayton LeBouef
"Maybe we won." - Herc. Barksdale plays an expensive game of one-upmanship with an east-side rival. Meanwhile, Herc and Carver take some cash off of Wee-Bey's hands, and Omar resurfaces with a bang.
Episode credits
Directed by Milcho ManchevskiWritten by David H. Melnick, Shamit Choksey, David Simon, Ed BurnsGuest stars Michael Kenneth Williams, J.D. Williams, Clarke Peters, Seth Gilliam, Domenick Lombardozzi, Corey Parker Robinson, Jim True-Frost, Clayton LeBouef
"And then he dropped the bracelets..." - Greggs. With Wallace in custody, McNulty and Daniels try to figure out what to do with him in the months before he testifies. Sydnor and Carver track down one of Barksdale's stash houses, and Prez shows off his 'gift for the paper trail.' McNulty's estranged wife Elena takes desperate measures after learning that he had their kids follow Stringer Bell.
Episode credits
Directed by Brad AndersonWritten by David Simon, David Simon, Ed BurnsGuest stars Michael Kenneth Williams, Clarke Peters, Seth Gilliam, Corey Parker Robinson, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Michael Kostroff, Jim True-Frost, Delaney Williams
"Dope on the damn table." - Daniels. The police turn up the heat on tracking down Savino, Wee-Bey and Little Man. Burrell orders Daniels to hit drug dealers for results that will impress the press. Barksdale sees his ranks thinning after the hit on Orlando. Bubbles tries to stay sober while scoping out the projects for McNulty; and Freamon determines there's a rat in the detail.
Episode credits
Directed by Steve ShillWritten by Joy KeckenGuest stars J.D. Williams, Clarke Peters, Seth Gilliam, Domenick Lombardozzi, Corey Parker Robinson, Michael Kostroff, Jim True-Frost, Delaney Williams
"This is me, yo, right here." - Wallace. The low-rise pay phones are out of service, so McNulty and Daniels try to keep pace by tapping Barksdale's office. Bodie gets new responsibilities from Stringer; Freamon gives Shardene a 'new look'; and D'Angelo goes to NYC on an errand for his uncle. With the detail's future hanging in the balance, Daniels faces off against Burrell and his political allies.
Episode credits
Directed by Clement VirgoWritten by George PelecanosGuest stars J.D. Williams, Clarke Peters, Domenick Lombardozzi, Corey Parker Robinson, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Jim True-Frost, Michael B. Jordan, Michael Hyatt
"all in the game..." - Traditional West Baltimore. Every crew has weak links--including Avon Barksdale's. With the heat turned up in the high-rises, Daniels and McNulty turn to a higher authority in an effort to crack the case wide open. Season finale.
Episode credits
Directed by Tim Van PattenWritten by Ed Burns, David SimonGuest stars Michael Kenneth Williams, J.D. Williams, Clarke Peters, Seth Gilliam, Domenick Lombardozzi, Michael Kostroff, Jim True-Frost, Delaney Williams
