13 Episodes
Short on time? Here's the essentials:
This season of "The Wire" focuses on the devastating impact of the drug trade on Baltimore's youth. We follow four middle school boys – Michael, Namond, Randy, and Dukie – as they navigate a system that offers them few positive alternatives. Michael, a quiet but capable teenager, is driven by a fierce desire to protect his younger brother. Namond, pressured by his mother, is being groomed for street life. Randy, an observant and resourceful kid, tries to survive by sharing information. Dukie, loyal and kind, struggles with his family's addiction.
The central conflict revolves around Marlo Stanfield, a ruthless drug kingpin, and his expanding operation. Marlo recruits Michael, recognizing his potential, and uses him to eliminate rivals and solidify his power. This leads to a series of violent events, including the brutal murder of Bodie, a street dealer who questions Marlo's authority. The season also sees the police, led by Detective Jimmy McNulty, struggling to make meaningful progress against the drug organizations, often hampered by political interference.
The season ends with the boys facing grim futures. Michael, hardened by his experiences, takes over Bodie's corner, demonstrating a chilling capacity for violence. Randy, having been placed in protective custody after being perceived as a snitch, faces severe repercussions, including his foster mother being severely injured in a firebombing. The season highlights the cycle of violence and despair, with few characters finding a path to escape the harsh realities of their environment.
Season 4 of The Wire covers episodes 1-13. Here's everything that happened:
Season 4, Episode 1: Boys of Summer - The season opens with a focus on four middle school students navigating their summer and the approaching school year. Bodie's corner struggles, while Marlo Stanfield's organization continues its operations, including the brutal murder of Lex, who is lured to his death and then disposed of in a vacant house. Meanwhile, political campaigns heat up, and McNulty turns down a promotion. The episode concludes with the grim reality of the drug trade impacting the younger generation.
Season 4, Episode 2: Soft Eyes - Herc stumbles upon Mayor Royce in a compromising situation, leading to political maneuvering. Meanwhile, the police investigate the murder of a state's witness, which Carcetti later uses to his advantage in a mayoral debate. Michael Lee impresses Marlo Stanfield with his defiance, and the episode concludes with the mayoral debate, highlighting the interconnectedness of the city's various struggles.
Season 4, Episode 3: Home Rooms - Prez struggles to control his new homeroom class, where Laetitia slashes Chiquan with a razor. Meanwhile, Marlo eyes Michael as a potential runner, and Mayor Royce employs political tactics against Carcetti. Omar returns, robbing a corner store, and Dukie offers a repaired fan to Laetitia after the violent incident.
Season 4, Episode 4: Refugees - The episode sees Omar successfully rob Marlo's poker game, taking his ring and money, a move that significantly impacts Marlo's reputation. Meanwhile, Kima Greggs returns to Homicide, and Bodie reluctantly agrees to work for Marlo. The episode concludes with Michael showing discomfort around older men, hinting at potential past abuse, and the police department facing political pressure to slow down an investigation.
Season 4, Episode 5: Alliances - Political maneuvering intensifies as Mayor Royce faces pressure, leading to strategic leaks within the police department. In the streets, Marlo Stanfield solidifies his power by recruiting Michael Lee, while Randy confesses his role in Lex's murder, and Dukie reveals the grim reality of his family's addiction. The episode concludes with Marlo forming an alliance with Proposition Joe, securing vital information.
Season 4, Episode 6: Margin of Error - Election Day in Baltimore sees Tommy Carcetti win the mayoral primary, while Herc's attempt to catch Marlo red-handed backfires. Randy admits to knowing about a murder, leading to him being placed in protective custody. Meanwhile, Namond is pressured by his mother to enter the drug trade, and Omar is arrested and faces danger in prison.
Season 4, Episode 7: Unto Others - Omar, facing a bounty in jail, calls in a favor to Bunk Moreland, who arranges for him to be moved to a safer facility. Meanwhile, the police investigation into the Braddock murder takes an unexpected turn, and Randy is placed in Herc's care, leading to further complications. The episode concludes with the election over, and politicians assessing their next moves.
Season 4, Episode 8: Corner Boys - Prez struggles to connect with his students, while Colvin finds a way to engage the "corner kids" by discussing their street knowledge. Michael is deeply disturbed when his abusive father returns, and Herc's aggressive pursuit of Marlo leads to a raid on his hangout. Michael's father's return signifies a dangerous escalation of his home life, and Herc's reckless actions jeopardize the investigation. The episode concludes with the boys facing new, harsh realities.
Season 4, Episode 9: Know Your Place - Omar is released from jail after Bunk makes him promise to stop killing. Andre is murdered by Marlo's crew after seeking Proposition Joe's help to flee the city. Michael, desperate to protect his brother Bug, seeks out Marlo for assistance. The episode concludes with Michael entering Marlo's territory, signifying a dangerous alliance.
Season 4, Episode 10: Misgivings - In this episode, Commissioner Burrell, advised by Senator Davis, doubles street arrests to improve his standing. Michael marks his father for death, leading to a brutal murder by Chris Partlow. Meanwhile, Bodie learns that Marlo ordered the death of Little Kevin, causing him to question his own past actions. The episode concludes with Michael embracing his new, hardened role in the family after his father's demise.
Season 4, Episode 11: A New Day - Michael leads the boys in a revenge plot against Officer Walker, culminating in a tense confrontation where Michael pulls a gun. Randy faces repercussions for his perceived snitching, leading Prez to protect him. Omar confronts Proposition Joe, revealing his knowledge of the New Day Co-op and Marlo's involvement. The episode ends with the boys walking into darkness after their act of retribution, and Randy facing severe consequences for his actions.
Season 4, Episode 12: That's Got His Own - Michael Lee, on the run, demonstrates his lethal potential by ambushing Chris and Snoop. Randy's foster mother, Miss Anna, is severely injured in a firebombing, and Randy himself faces an uncertain future. Bubbles, attempting to deal with a tormentor, accidentally causes Sherrod's death, leading to a suicide attempt. Cutty is shot in the leg by Monk, and Michael chooses to leave him. The episode concludes with the children facing dire circumstances, highlighting their lack of safe havens.
Season 4, Episode 13: Final Grades - The season concludes with Bodie's brutal murder on his corner, orchestrated by Marlo, and Bubbles attempting suicide after confessing to Sherrod's death. Namond is placed with Colvin, offering a glimmer of hope, while Michael is hardened and tasked with running Bodie's corner. The episode ends with McNulty rejoining the Major Crimes Unit, driven by a personal vendetta against Marlo.
