13 Episodes
Short on time? Here's the essentials:
Detective Jimmy McNulty, frustrated by a murder trial collapsing due to witness intimidation, launches an unauthorized investigation into the Barksdale drug organization. He assembles a dedicated police detail, including the skilled Lester Freamon, to build a case against the powerful drug kingpin Avon Barksdale. Their primary goal is to gather enough evidence for a wiretap, a difficult task against a sophisticated criminal enterprise.
The central conflict escalates as the police detail navigates internal bureaucracy and the violent realities of the drug trade. Key turning points include Omar Little, a notorious stick-up artist, robbing a Barksdale stash house, leading to a bounty on his head. The police gain crucial intelligence through pager intercepts, but this also leads to the brutal murder of Omar's associate, Brandon. Later, a botched buy-bust operation results in Kima Greggs being critically wounded, and the subsequent investigation leads to the arrest of Avon Barksdale.
The season ends with the Barksdale organization in disarray. D'Angelo Barksdale receives a twenty-year prison sentence after choosing not to cooperate with the police. While Avon gets a shorter sentence, the drug trade continues, and the season concludes with the stark realization that the cycle of violence and addiction persists.
Season 1 of The Wire covers episodes 1-13. Here's everything that happened:
Season 1, Episode 1: The Target - Detective Jimmy McNulty becomes obsessed with dismantling the Barksdale drug organization after a key witness is intimidated during a murder trial. The episode introduces the complex world of Baltimore's drug trade and the police bureaucracy. It concludes with the murder of William Gant, the witness who testified against D'Angelo Barksdale, leaving D'Angelo stunned and McNulty with a new, dangerous target.
Season 1, Episode 2: The Detail - The police detail is assembled, including the incompetent Prez, who accidentally fires his weapon. McNulty and Bunk investigate the murder of a witness, leading them to question D'Angelo Barksdale. Prez pistol-whips a teenager, blinding him in one eye, and the officers cover it up. The episode concludes with D'Angelo writing a letter of condolence that skirts confession, and the detail facing internal scrutiny.
Season 1, Episode 3: The Buys - The police detail struggles to get a photo of Avon Barksdale, while Freamon's investigative skills begin to shine. D'Angelo teaches his crew about chess and the drug trade. The episode features the debut of Omar Little, who robs a Barksdale drug stash, and concludes with McNulty learning that Lt. Daniels is under FBI investigation for financial impropriety.
Season 1, Episode 4: Old Cases - McNulty and Bunk meticulously reconstruct a murder scene, uncovering crucial evidence missed by previous investigators. Meanwhile, Avon Barksdale places a bounty on Omar's crew for the stash house robbery. Lester Freamon reveals his investigative prowess by obtaining D'Angelo Barksdale's pager number, a significant step towards a wiretap. The episode concludes with the police gaining vital intelligence, setting the stage for further escalation.
Season 1, Episode 5: The Pager - Prez cracks the code of the Barksdale crew's pagers, allowing police to track calls, though not record messages. Stringer Bell suspects a mole, leading D'Angelo to test his dealers. The episode culminates with Omar's associate Brandon being murdered after being located via the pager system.
Season 1, Episode 6: The Wire - Wallace, wracked with guilt over his role in Brandon's death, struggles with the brutal reality of the drug trade. Meanwhile, the police face bureaucratic hurdles as Major Rawls attempts to derail their investigation by pressing charges on D'Angelo. The episode concludes with the graphic display of Brandon's mutilated body on Daniels' desk, a stark reminder of the violence, and Wallace's subsequent emotional breakdown as he grapples with his actions.
Season 1, Episode 7: One Arrest - The police successfully arrest Kevin Johnston, the drug runner, and later apprehend "Bird" for the murder of Gant, thanks to Omar's crucial testimony. Stringer Bell, realizing the wiretap is compromised, orders the destruction of all payphones in the Barksdale territory. Meanwhile, McNulty faces pressure from Major Rawls, who demands he find dirt on him or solve a cold case. The episode concludes with McNulty feeling isolated and targeted by internal affairs.
Season 1, Episode 8: Lessons - Omar Little ambushes and kills Stinkum, wounding Wee-Bey, after Barksdale's crew targeted Omar. McNulty uses his sons to tail Stringer Bell, who is taking economics classes. A bust of a senator's aide carrying cash is quashed due to political connections, highlighting corruption. The episode concludes with Stinkum dead and Wee-Bey escaping, while the police grapple with the moral compromises of their investigation.
Season 1, Episode 9: Game Day - The annual East vs. West Baltimore basketball game provides a rare opportunity for the police to identify key players in the Barksdale organization. Meanwhile, Omar Little resurfaces, seeking revenge and striking a deal with Proposition Joe. Wallace, overwhelmed by guilt, decides to leave the drug trade, only to be discovered by Poot in a tragic turn of events. Avon Barksdale narrowly escapes an assassination attempt by Omar.
Season 1, Episode 10: The Cost - The investigation faces a critical setback when a buy-bust operation goes disastrously wrong, resulting in Orlando's death and Kima Greggs being critically wounded. Wallace, overwhelmed by guilt, cooperates with the police, leading to his placement with his grandmother. Omar, sensing a trap in a proposed truce, flees the city. The episode concludes with the stark realization that every action carries a heavy price.
Season 1, Episode 11: The Hunt - Following Kima's shooting, the police department launches a city-wide manhunt for Savino, Wee-Bey, and Little Man. Little Man is killed by Wee-Bey on Stringer's orders. Meanwhile, Wallace, seeking to escape the drug trade, is tragically killed. The episode concludes with Kima in critical condition and the police detail facing pressure to produce results.
Season 1, Episode 12: Cleaning Up - The Barksdale organization attempts to "clean up" loose ends amidst increased police pressure. Wallace is murdered on Stringer's orders, a brutal act that deeply affects D'Angelo. Meanwhile, the police detail, despite losing wiretaps, installs a camera and arrests Avon Barksdale. The episode concludes with D'Angelo also being arrested, leaving Stringer momentarily free.
Season 1, Episode 13: Sentencing - The season concludes with D'Angelo Barksdale receiving a twenty-year prison sentence after his family pressures him to recant his decision to turn state's witness. While Avon Barksdale receives a seven-year sentence, Wee-Bey confesses to multiple murders, avoiding the death penalty. The episode ends with a montage showing that despite the police's efforts, the drug trade continues unabated in Baltimore, and Bubbles relapses into addiction.
