Season 4
The heat is on in Baltimore. The drug war is being lost, bodies are piling up, and a desperate mayor wants the crime rates down before the election.
The police department has no solutions. Wiretaps haven't worked. Neither have stakeouts or street busts. No matter how hard Baltimore police try, the drug dealers always seem to be one step ahead of the game. It's time to change the rules.
The Wire returns for a fourth season to continue its focus on the vagaries of crime and law enforcement in Baltimore, Maryland.
Season 1 looked at the national drug war through the microcosm of a West Baltimore Housing Project and Season 2 focused on a longshoreman's union and it's struggle to survive.
In its third season the show developed its portrait of a fictional Baltimore by exploring how the political leadership adresses the city's problems.
With the Barksdale investigation concluded, the fourth season expands its focus to include a look at the role of the educational system in an urban environment.
The season focuses on newcomers to the show - four boys from West Baltimore - Michael, Namond , Randy and Dukie who play out their summer vacation in the streets as the fall school semester approaches.
The series begins with the boys being stirred into action after they fail to capture a potentially valuable homing pigeon. Dukie is beaten up and Randy concocts a retaliation plan against the rival gang responsible.
In other events, Marlo and his drug gang have solved the problem that baffled Stringer Bell: how to maintain discipline (through murder) without attracting police attention.
At the detail office, Detectives Freamon and Sydnor put pressure on Asst. State Attorney Pearlman to issue City Hall subpoenas, while Lt. Daniels' replacement, James Asher, surveys the blueprints to his dream house.
With the mayoral race heading into its final weeks, Mayor Royce and his primary challenger, Councilman Tommy Carcetti hit decidedly different campaign trails.
Carcetti's deputy campaign manager, Norman Wilson and his campaign guru, Theresa D'Agostino try to keep their candidate focused, despite the odds. Prez preps for a new career in higher education, while Detective McNulty turns down a promotion.
Newcomers to the cast include Reg E. Cathey as Norman Wilson - Councilman Carcetti's advisor and Gbenga Akinnagbe as Chris Partlow - a ruthless assassin for drug lord Marlo Stanfield.
Playing the four friends who are classmates at Edward J. Tilghman Middle School are Jermaine Crawford as Duquan "Dukie" Weems, Maestro Harrell as Randy Wagstaff, Julito McCullum as Namond Brice and Tristan Wilds as Michael Lee.
