Buyer's market out there.

" - Templeton
Freamon and McNulty draw more attention to their fake serial killer by
sensationalizing the murders. McNulty's compulsive behavior jeopardizes his
relationship with Beadie Russell. Campbell learns of Daniels' history but convinces
Burrell to leave quietly with the promise of a comfortable replacement position.
Sergeant Ellis Carver puts his principles first in the Western District and his
former partner Herc is shamed by his integrity. Stanfield convinces The Greeks to
consider him an insurance policy and continues to assimilate Stewart's contacts
including Maurice Levy. Omar returns to Baltimore and quickly learns that Stanfield
was responsible for Butchie's death. Stewart prepares to leave town fearing
reprisal from Omar but is once again betrayed by Cheese and murdered by Partlow as
Stanfield watches.[37]
55 5 "React Quotes" Agnieszka Holland Story by : David Simon & David
Mills
Teleplay by : David Mills February 3, 2008 0.53[40]
"Just 'cause they're in the street doesn't mean that they lack opinions." - Haynes
Stanfield takes over as The Greeks' Baltimore distributor and is given a phone and
a code to use to contact them. Stanfield gives the number to Levy and Herc steals
it and passes it on to the police department. Freamon appeals to Daniels for a
wiretap but is unsuccessful. McNulty leaks further details of his invented serial
killer to the press and the story gains momentum. When Templeton stages a phone
call from the serial killer McNulty uses it as probable cause for a wiretap.
Freamon sets up on Stanfield's phone while the homicide unit believe they are
manning another, disconnected, wiretap of the killer's phone. Dukie struggles with
bullying and searches for a new path. Bubbles learns that he is HIV negative.
State's Attorney Bond announces the Davis corruption case. Campbell convinces Davis
to protect his fellow politicians and he embarks on a publicity campaign suggesting
that his race has motivated the charges. Partlow sets up an ambush for Omar which
he narrowly escapes by jumping from a balcony.[39]
56 6 "The Dickensian Aspect" Seith Mann Story by : David Simon & Ed Burns
Teleplay by : Ed Burns February 10, 2008 0.74[42]
"If you have a problem with this, I understand completely." - Freamon
Omar hides and tends to his injured leg overnight and then resumes robbing the
Stanfield organization. Stanfield assumes control of the New Day Co-Op, telling the
members that Omar was responsible for Stewart's death. Stanfield promotes Cheese,
raises the price of narcotics, and suspends further meetings. The police find
sealed courthouse documents in Stewart's house and realize there is a leak
somewhere. Freamon enlists Leander Sydnor to man the wiretap and realizes that
Stanfield is communicating with picture messages and McNulty abducts and
photographs a homeless man in order to provide probable cause for picture
intercepts. Templeton writes a follow-up story about a homeless Iraq veteran and
draws the praise of his superiors, for once including Haynes. Bunk remains
frustrated with McNulty's scheme and begins to make progress working his old cases
the traditional way. Carcetti delivers a rousing speech about the serial killer and
decides to spin homelessness into a core campaign issue.[41]
57 7 "Took" Dominic West Story by : David Simon & Richard Price
Teleplay by : Richard Price February 17, 2008 0.57[45]
"They don't teach it in law school." - Pearlman
Freamon and McNulty stage a call from the killer to Templeton and send him the
photographs to get the picture intercept equipment they need. Carcetti authorizes
resources for the investigation and McNulty finally has the funds he hoped for.
Bunk interviews Michael about the vacant murders but learns nothing. Omar attacks
more of Stanfield's people and damages his reputation on the street at every
opportunity. After a spectacular courtroom performance, Davis is acquitted of the
corruption charges. Kima Greggs reconnects with her ex-girlfriend's son. Haynes
investigates his suspicions about Templeton and learns that Templeton has lied
about his reporting.[43] Former Baltimore police detective John Munch (of Homicide:
Life on the Street and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit) briefly visits
Kavanaugh's Bar.[44]
58 8 "Clarifications" Anthony Hemingway Story by : David Simon & Dennis
Lehane
Teleplay by : Dennis Lehane February 24, 2008 N/A
"A lie ain't a side of a story. It's just a lie." - Terry Hanning
Partlow keeps word of Omar attacking Stanfield's name from Stanfield. Omar goes to
a corner store to buy some cigarettes and is shot to death by a young drug dealer
named Kenard. The Iraq veteran comes forward to complain that Templeton fabricated
details of their discussion and Haynes is shocked that Templeton's misconduct
involves even this story; Haynes misses the story of Omar's death. Bunk finally
gets a murder warrant on Partlow with a little assistance from McNulty. McNulty
asks Carver to provide a surveillance team for Freamon using the serial killer
funding and with the extra manpower Sydnor breaks the communications code. McNulty
cannot stand to see Greggs spending time on the serial killer case and he admits
inventing the killer. Russell warns McNulty that she will leave him if his behavior
continues and McNulty comes clean to her too. Dukie finds work with street vendors
who collect and sell scrap metal. Carcetti fends off a challenge for the Democratic
nomination from Prince George's county and is forced to make promises to Davis,
Campbell, and a congressman from the county.[46]
59 9 "Late Editions" Joe Chappelle Story by : David Simon & George
Pelecanos
Teleplay by : George Pelecanos March 2, 2008 0.71[48]
"Deserve got nuthin' to do with it." - Snoop
Freamon tracks Partlow to a Stanfield resupply and makes multiple arrests including
Partlow, Stanfield, and Cheese. Carcetti holds a press conference to celebrate the
arrests. Stanfield is suspicious of an informant and orders Snoop to kill Michael.
Michael realizes the danger, murders Snoop, and goes into hiding. Suddenly
homeless, Dukie moves in with the street vendors. Stanfield learns that Omar used
his name on the street and is enraged. Greggs goes to Daniels about McNulty's
actions. Bubbles celebrates a sobriety anniversary and reporter Mike Fletcher
writes a profile about him. Haynes launches a more thorough investigation into
Templeton's lies.[47]
60 10 "-30-" Clark Johnson Story by : David Simon & Ed Burns
Teleplay by : David Simon March 9, 2008 1.10[50]
"...the life of kings." - H. L. Mencken
Daniels tells Carcetti that McNulty fabricated the serial killer. Fearing for his
campaign, Carcetti orders a cover-up and Daniels is angry but accepts the orders
for the sake of the careers of those peripherally involved. Freamon learns that
Levy is involved with leaking courthouse documents to drug dealers and tells
Pearlman. McNulty and Freamon decide to retire when Pearlman warns them that they
are going to be re-assigned to dead-end units. Levy realizes the Stanfield
investigation relied upon an illegal wiretap. As part of the cover-up, Pearlman
negotiates a deal with Levy; Levy will escape charges for the leak, Stanfield's
charges will be suspended and he will go free but be forced to leave the drug game,
while the others in custody will plead guilty to the charges. Stanfield sells the
connection to The Greeks back to the Co-Op and plans to become a businessman.
Daniels refuses to falsify statistics to help Carcetti's election campaign.
Campbell brings up his past to blackmail him into compliance but Daniels instead
elects to stand down and begins a new career as a defense attorney. For their part
in the cover-up, Pearlman and Rawls are rewarded with promotions; Pearlman becomes
a judge and Rawls is made State Police Superintendent. Michael becomes a stick-up
artist. In the closing scenes: Dukie begins using heroin. Carcetti goes on to
become governor, Campbell replaces him as mayor and promotes Valchek to
commissioner. Haynes is demoted while Templeton celebrates winning a Pulitzer
Prize. Kenard is arrested for murdering Omar.[49]
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