The Wire (season 1)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Wire Season 1

DVD cover
Country of origin USA
Network HBO
Original run June 2, 2002 –
September 8, 2002
No. of episodes 13
DVD release date October 12, 2004 (Widescreen, Boxset)
Previous season Chris Penney
Next season 2

The first season of the television series The Wire commenced airing in the United States on June 2, 2002, concluded on September 8, 2002, and contained 13 episodes. It introduces the drug dealing Barksdale Organization and the police detail who are investigating them.

The first season aired Sundays at 9:00 PM in the United States. The season was released on DVD as a five disc boxed set under the title of The Wire: The Complete First Season on October 12, 2004 by HBO video.

Contents

[edit] Production

[edit] Crew

David Simon is the series' creator and head writer, show runner and executive producer. Alongside Simon, many of the creative team behind The Wire are alumni of Homicide and Emmy-winning miniseries The Corner. The Corner veteran, Robert F. Colesberry, was also executive producer. Colesberry is credited by the rest of the creative team as having a large creative role for a producer, and Simon credits him for achieving the show's realistic visual feel.[1] He also had a small recurring role as Detective Ray Cole.[2] Colesberry's wife Karen L. Thorson joined him on the production staff.[3] A third producer on The Corner, Nina Kostroff Noble, also stayed with the production staff for The Wire rounding out the initial four-person team.[3]

Stories for the show are often co-written by Ed Burns, a former Baltimore homicide detective and public school teacher who has worked with Simon on other projects including The Corner.[3] The writing staff includes acclaimed crime fiction novelist George P. Pelecanos from Washington.[3][4] Pelecanos has commented that he was attracted to the project because of the opportunity to work with Simon.[5] Staff writer Rafael Alvarez was a colleague of Simon's from The Sun and a Baltimore native with working experience in the port area.[3][6] Another city native and independent filmmaker, Joy Lusco Kecken, joined the writing staff and served as the script coordinator.[3][7] David H. Melnick and Shamit Choksey complete the writing staff.[3]

Homicide alumnus Clark Johnson,[8] who directed several acclaimed episodes of The Shield,[9] directed the pilot, the second episode, and the fifth episode.[3] Another repeat director is Clement Virgo, who directed two episodes.[3] Single episode directors include Ed Bianchi, Joe Chappelle, Gloria Muzio, Milčo Mančevski, Brad Anderson and Steve Shill.[3] The season finale was directed by Tim Van Patten, an Emmy winner who has worked on every season of The Sopranos.[3] The directing has been praised for its uncomplicated and subtle style.[10]

[edit] Cast

The major characters of the first season were divided between those on the side of the law and those involved in drug-related crime. The starring cast comprised characters from both groups. The investigating detail was launched by the actions of Detective Jimmy McNulty (Dominic West), whose insubordinate tendencies and personal problems overshadowed his ability.[11][12][13] The detail was led by Lieutenant Cedric Daniels (Lance Reddick) who faced challenges balancing his career aspirations with his desire to produce a good case.[11][14][15] Kima Greggs (Sonja Sohn) was a capable lead detective who faced jealousy from colleagues and worry about the dangers of her job from her domestic partner.[11][16][17] Her investigative work was greatly helped by her confidential informant, a drug addict known as Bubbles (Andre Royo).[11][18][19]

These investigators were overseen by two commanding officers more concerned with politics and their own careers than the case, Major William Rawls (John Doman) and Deputy Commissioner Ervin Burrell (Frankie Faison).[11][20][21][22][23] Assistant state's attorney Rhonda Pearlman (Deirdre Lovejoy) acted as the legal liaison between the detail and the courthouse and also had a casual relationship with one of the officers.[11][24][25] In the homicide division, Bunk Moreland (Wendell Pierce) was a gifted, dry-witted detective partnered with McNulty.[11][26][27]

On the other side of the investigation was Avon Barksdale's drug empire. The driven, ruthless Barksdale (Wood Harris) was aided by business-minded Stringer Bell (Idris Elba).[11][28][29][30][31] Avon's nephew D'Angelo Barksdale (Larry Gilliard Jr.) ran some of his uncle's territory, but also possessed a guilty conscience.[11][32][33]

The first season featured several significant characters in recurring roles. Like Detective Greggs, partners Thomas "Herc" Hauk (Domenick Lombardozzi) and Ellis Carver (Seth Gilliam) were reassigned to the detail from the narcotics unit.[34][35] The duo's initially violent nature was eventually subdued as they proved useful in grunt work, and sometimes served as comic relief for the audience.[11][36][37] Rounding out the temporary unit were detectives Leander Sydnor (Corey Parker Robinson), Lester Freamon (Clarke Peters) and Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski (Jim True-Frost).[38][39][40] Sydnor was a rookie detective with a reputation for solid undercover work.[41] Though not initially important players in the operation, Freamon proved a quietly capable investigator with a knack for noticing tiny but important details, and Prez, while a liability on the street, turned out to be a natural at his desk job.[11][42][43] McNulty and Bunk served in a homicide unit squad led Sergeant Jay Landsman (Delaney Williams), the jovial squad commander.[11][44][45] Peter Gerety had a recurring role as Judge Phelan, the official who started the case moving.[11]

There were also several recurring characters in the Barksdale Organization. Loyal Wee-Bey Brice (Hassan Johnson) was responsible for multiple homicides carried out on Avon's orders.[46][47] Working under D'Angelo were Poot (Tray Chaney),[48] Bodie (J.D. Williams),[49] and Wallace (Michael B. Jordan), all street-level drug dealers. Wallace was an intelligent but naïve youth trapped in the drug trade, Bodie a violent and determined young dealer, and Poot a lascivious young man happy to follow rather than lead.[11][50][51] Omar Little (Michael K. Williams), a renowned Baltimore stick-up man robbing drug dealers for a living, was a frequent thorn in the side of the Barksdale clan.[11][52][53]

[edit] Reception

 Please help improve this section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (November 2007)

[edit] Episodes

See also: List of The Wire episodes

"Series #" refers to the episode's number in the overall series, whereas "Season #" refers to the episode's number in this particular season.

Season # Series # Title Story Teleplay Director Original airdate
1 1 "The Target"  David Simon, Ed Burns David Simon Clark Johnson June 2, 2002
"...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.[54][55] 
2 2 "The Detail"  David Simon, Ed Burns David Simon Clark Johnson June 9, 2002
"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.[56][57] 
3 3 "The Buys"  David Simon, Ed Burns David Simon Peter Medak June 16, 2002
"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.[58][59] 
4 4 "Old Cases"  David Simon, Ed Burns David Simon Clement Virgo June 23, 2002
"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.[60][61] 
5 5 "The Pager"  David Simon, Ed Burns Ed Burns Clark Johnson June 30, 2002
"...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.[62][63] 
6 6 "The Wire"  David Simon, Ed Burns David Simon Ed Bianchi July 7, 2002
"...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.[64][65] 
7 7 "One Arrest"  David Simon, Ed Burns Rafael Alvarez Joe Chappelle July 21, 2002
"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.[66][67] 
8 8 "Lessons"  David Simon, Ed Burns David Simon Gloria Muzio July 28, 2002
"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.[68][69] 
9 9 "Game Day"  David Simon, Ed Burns David H. Melnick, Shamit Choksey Milčo Mančevski August 4, 2002
"Maybe we won." - Herc
Freamon gets Sydnor 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.[70][71] 
10 10 "The Cost"  David Simon, Ed Burns David Simon Brad Anderson August 11, 2002
"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.[72][73] 
11 11 "The Hunt"  David Simon, Ed Burns Joy Lusco Steve Shill August 18, 2002
"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.[74][75] 
12 12 "Cleaning Up"  David Simon, Ed Burns George Pelecanos Clement Virgo September 1, 2002
"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.[76][77] 
13 13 "Sentencing"  David Simon, Ed Burns David Simon, Ed Burns Tim Van Patten September 8, 2002
"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 flouting 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.[78][79] 

[edit] References

  1. ^ David Simon. (2005). "The Target" commentary track [DVD]. HBO.
  2. ^ Org Chart - The Law. HBO (2004). Retrieved on 2007-10-16.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k The Wire season 1 crew. HBO (2007). Retrieved on 2007-10-14.
  4. ^ Dan Kois (2004). Everything you were afraid to ask about The Wire. Salon.com.
  5. ^ Birnbaum, Robert. Interview: George Pelecanos. Identity Theory. Retrieved on 2007-09-17.
  6. '^ Goldman, Eric. IGN Exclusive Interview: The Wires David Simon. IGN. Retrieved on 2007-09-27.
  7. ^ Alvarez, Rafael (2004). The Wire: Truth Be Told. New York: Pocket Books, 10. 
  8. ^ Todd Weiser (2002). New HBO series The Wire taps into summer programming. The Michigan Daily.
  9. ^ Jim Shelley (2005). Call The Cops. The Guardian Unlimited.
  10. ^ Chris Barsanti (2004). Totally Wired. Slant Magazine.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Dan Kois (2004). Everything you were afraid to ask about "The Wire". Salon.com. Retrieved on 2006-07-12.
  12. ^ Character profile - Jimmy McNulty. HBO (2006). Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
  13. ^ Cast & Crew - Dominic West as Jimmy McNulty. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  14. ^ Character profile - Lieutenant Cedric Daniels. HBO (2006). Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
  15. ^ Cast & Crew - Lance Reddick as Cedric Daniels. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  16. ^ Character profile - Detective Shakima "Kima" Greggs. HBO (2006). Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
  17. ^ Cast & Crew - Sonja Sohn as Shakima "Kima" Greggs. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  18. ^ Character profile - Bubbles. HBO (2006). Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
  19. ^ Cast & Crew - Andre Royo as Bubbles. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  20. ^ Character profile - Ervin Burrell. HBO (2006). Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
  21. ^ Cast & Crew - Frankie R. Faison as Ervin Burrell. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  22. ^ Character profile - William Rawls. HBO (2006). Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
  23. ^ Cast & Crew - John Doman as William Rawls. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  24. ^ Character profile - Rhonda Pearlman. HBO (2006). Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
  25. ^ Cast & Crew - Deirdre Lovejoy as Rhonda Pearlman. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  26. ^ Character profile - Bunk Moreland. HBO (2006). Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
  27. ^ Cast & Crew - Wendell Pierce as William "Bunk" Moreland. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  28. ^ Character profile - Avon Barksdale. HBO (2006). Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
  29. ^ Cast & Crew - Wood Harris as Avon Barksdale. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  30. ^ Character profile - Stringer Bell. HBO (2006). Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
  31. ^ Cast & Crew - Idris Elba as Stringer Bell. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  32. ^ Character profile - D'Angelo Barksdale. HBO (2006). Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
  33. ^ Cast & Crew - Larry Gilliard, Jr. as D'Angelo Barksdale. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  34. ^ Cast & Crew - Seth Gilliam as Ellis Carver. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  35. ^ Cast & Crew - Domenick Lombardozzi as Thomas "Herc" Hauk. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  36. ^ Character profile - Thomas "Herc" Hauk. HBO (2006). Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
  37. ^ Character profile - Ellis Carver. HBO (2006). Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
  38. ^ Cast & Crew - Corey Parker Robinson as Leander Sydnor. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  39. ^ Cast & Crew - Clarke Peters as Lester Freamon. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  40. ^ Cast & Crew - Jim True-Frost as Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  41. ^ Character profile - Leander Sydnor. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  42. ^ Character profile - Lester Freamon. HBO (2006). Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
  43. ^ Character profile - Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski. HBO (2006). Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
  44. ^ Character profile - Jay Landsman. HBO (2006). Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
  45. ^ Cast & Crew - Delaney Williams as Jay Landsman. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  46. ^ Character profile - Roland "Wee-Bey" Brice. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  47. ^ Cast & Crew - Hassan Johnson as Roland "Wee-Bey" Brice. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  48. ^ Cast & Crew - Tray Chaney as Malik "Poot" Carr. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  49. ^ Cast & Crew - JD Williams as Preston "Bodie" Broadus. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  50. ^ Character profile - Preston "Bodie" Broadus. HBO (2006). Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
  51. ^ Character profile - Malik "Poot" Carr. HBO (2006). Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
  52. ^ Character profile - Omar Little. HBO (2006). Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
  53. ^ Cast & Crew - Michael Kenneth Williams as Omar Little. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  54. ^ Episode guide - episode 01 The Target. HBO (2004). Retrieved on 2006-07-24.
  55. ^ "The Target". David Simon, Ed Burns. The Wire. HBO. 2002-06-02. No. 1, season 1.
  56. ^ Episode guide - episode 02 The Detail. HBO (2004). Retrieved on 2006-07-26.
  57. ^ "The Detail". David Simon, Ed Burns. The Wire. HBO. 2002-06-09. No. 2, season 1.
  58. ^ Episode guide - episode 03 The Buys. HBO (2004). Retrieved on 2006-07-26.
  59. ^ "The Buys". David Simon, Ed Burns. The Wire. HBO. 2002-06-16. No. 3, season 1.
  60. ^ Episode guide - episode 04 Old Cases. HBO (2004). Retrieved on 2006-07-26.
  61. ^ "Old Cases". David Simon, Ed Burns. The Wire. HBO. 2002-06-23. No. 4, season 1.
  62. ^ Episode guide - episode 05 The Pager. HBO (2004). Retrieved on 2006-07-26.
  63. ^ "The Pager". David Simon, Ed Burns. The Wire. HBO. 2002-06-30. No. 5, season 1.
  64. ^ Episode guide - episode 06 The Wire. HBO (2004). Retrieved on 2006-07-26.
  65. ^ "The Wire". David Simon, Ed Burns. The Wire. HBO. 2002-07-07. No. 6, season 1.
  66. ^ Episode guide - episode 07 The Wire. HBO (2004). Retrieved on 2006-08-02.
  67. ^ "One Arrest". David Simon, Ed Burns. The Wire. HBO. 2002-07-21. No. 7, season 1.
  68. ^ Episode guide - episode 08 The Wire. HBO (2004). Retrieved on 2007-09-05.
  69. ^ "Lessons". David Simon, Ed Burns. The Wire. HBO. 2002-07-28. No. 8, season 1.
  70. ^ Episode guide - episode 09 Game Day. HBO (2004). Retrieved on 2006-08-02.
  71. ^ "Game Day". David Simon, Ed Burns, David H. Melnick, Shamit Choksey. The Wire. HBO. 2002-08-04. No. 9, season 1.
  72. ^ Episode guide - episode 10 The Cost. HBO (2004). Retrieved on 2006-04-08.
  73. ^ "The Cost". David Simon, Ed Burns. The Wire. HBO. 2002-08-11. No. 10, season 1.
  74. ^ Episode guide - episode 11 The Hunt. HBO (2004). Retrieved on 2006-07-26.
  75. ^ "The Hunt". David Simon, Ed Burns. The Wire. HBO. 2002-08-18. No. 11, season 1.
  76. ^ Episode guide - episode 12 The Hunt. HBO (2004). Retrieved on 2006-07-31.
  77. ^ "Cleaning Up". David Simon, Ed Burns, George P. Pelecanos. The Wire. HBO. 2002-09-01. No. 12, season 1.
  78. ^ Episode guide - episode 13 Sentencing. HBO (2004). Retrieved on 2006-08-04.
  79. ^ "Sentencing". David Simon, Ed Burns. The Wire. HBO. 2002-09-08. No. 13, season 1.
v • d • e
The Wire
Episode list · Season 1 · Season 2 · Season 3 · Season 4 · Season 5
Writers & Directors · David Simon
Characters
Police: Jimmy McNulty Kima Greggs "Bunk" Moreland Lester Freamon Ellis Carver Leander Sydnor
Command: Ervin Burrell William Rawls Cedric Daniels Stanislaus Valchek Raymond Foerster Jay Landsman
School: Roland Pryzbylewski Howard Colvin Namond Brice Michael Lee Randy Wagstaff Duquan Weems
Street: Omar Little Bubbles Dennis Wise Chris Partlow Snoop Wee-Bey Brice
Kingpins: Avon Barksdale Stringer Bell Marlo Stanfield Proposition Joe Spiros Vondas The Greek
Dealers: Bodie Broadus D'Angelo Barksdale Poot Carr Wallace Cheese Slim Charles
Politics: Tommy Carcetti Clarence Royce Clay Davis Norman Wilson Michael Steintorf Nerese Campbell
Courthouse: Rhonda Pearlman Maurice Levy "Herc" Hauk Daniel Phelan Rupert Bond Ilene Nathan
Docks: Frank Sobotka Nick Sobotka Ziggy Sobotka Beadie Russell Sergei Malatov Horseface
Journalists: Augustus Haynes Scott Templeton Alma Gutierrez Thomas Klebanow James Whiting Mike Fletcher