On the drug-infested streets of West Baltimore, there are good guys and there are bad guys. Sometimes you need more than a badge to tell them apart. Season 1 follows a single sprawling drug and murder investigation in Baltimore — one that culminates in a complex series of dangerous wiretaps and surveillance.
Release Date
PremieredThe Wire Season 1 released on June 2, 2002.
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Sign In to Track ProgressSeasons
The Target
Baltimore detective Jimmy McNulty gets assigned to a new task force.
The Detail
McNulty feels the heat when a witness who testified against D'Angelo is killed.
The Buys
The early-morning "field interviews" by Herc, Carver and Prez result in a minor riot.
Old Cases
Greggs and McNulty try to get Hardcase to turn informant.
The Pager
McNulty's detail finally gets "clone" pagers to track Barksdale and his gang.
The Wire
McNulty and Greggs ask for a delay in a murder bust in order to preserve the wiretap.
One Arrest
Tipped off by the wire, Greggs, Herc, Carver and Freamon make a bust.
Lessons
An unlikely source gives McNulty the tag of Stringer Bell's car. Later, Omar earns his 'loose cannon' reputation.
Game Day
Barksdale plays an expensive game of one-upmanship with an east-side rival.
The Cost
With Wallace in custody, McNulty and Daniels must figure out what to do with him in the time before he testifies.
The Hunt
Burrell orders Daniels to hit dealers for results that will impress the media. Meanwhile, Greggs is in the ICU.
Cleaning Up
With the detail's future hanging in the balance, Daniels faces off against Burrell and his political allies.
Sentencing
Daniels and McNulty turn to a higher authority to crack the case.
The Wire
Season 1
On the drug-infested streets of West Baltimore, there are good guys and there are bad guys. Sometimes you need more than a badge to tell them apart. Season 1 follows a single sprawling drug and murder investigation in Baltimore — one that culminates in a complex series of dangerous wiretaps and surveillance.
Release Date
PremieredThe Wire Season 1 released on June 2, 2002.
Your Progress
Track your watching progress by signing in
Sign In to Track ProgressThe Target
Baltimore detective Jimmy McNulty gets assigned to a new task force.
The Detail
McNulty feels the heat when a witness who testified against D'Angelo is killed.
The Buys
The early-morning "field interviews" by Herc, Carver and Prez result in a minor riot.
Old Cases
Greggs and McNulty try to get Hardcase to turn informant.
The Pager
McNulty's detail finally gets "clone" pagers to track Barksdale and his gang.
The Wire
McNulty and Greggs ask for a delay in a murder bust in order to preserve the wiretap.
One Arrest
Tipped off by the wire, Greggs, Herc, Carver and Freamon make a bust.
Lessons
An unlikely source gives McNulty the tag of Stringer Bell's car. Later, Omar earns his 'loose cannon' reputation.
Game Day
Barksdale plays an expensive game of one-upmanship with an east-side rival.
The Cost
With Wallace in custody, McNulty and Daniels must figure out what to do with him in the time before he testifies.
The Hunt
Burrell orders Daniels to hit dealers for results that will impress the media. Meanwhile, Greggs is in the ICU.
Cleaning Up
With the detail's future hanging in the balance, Daniels faces off against Burrell and his political allies.
Sentencing
Daniels and McNulty turn to a higher authority to crack the case.