The Wire
The Target
Season 1, Episode 1 · Aired 2002-06-02
Synopsis
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, so he circumvents the chain-of-command by talking to the judge, Daniel Phelan, who then places pressure on the police department to investigate the Barksdale drug-dealing organization, which, McNulty claims, has gotten away with ten murders in the last year. D'Angelo is welcomed home by his uncle, Barksdale patriarch, Avon, who is frustrated with him for placing himself in a situation where the police could charge him. Nevertheless, Avon allows him to return to work, but in what D'Angelo sees as a demotion, he is moved to a low-rise housing project known as "the pit." Meanwhile, homeless drug addict Bubbles, acts as mentor to another addict, Johnny Weeks, in an ill-conceived scam with severe consequences.
From the desk: The Wire opens its catalog run with “The Target” (2002-06-02). Novelistic TV as critic-proof scripture (and slow-burn cult). Low ratings vs. towering reputation — the original 'you had to be there later' flex.
In the series
This episode is part of The Wire (2002–2008) on HBO.
Institutions as characters — the show people cite to win arguments.
Key cast
- Dominic West as Jimmy McNulty
- Idris Elba as Stringer Bell
- Wendell Pierce as Bunk Moreland
- Lance Reddick as Cedric Daniels
- Sonja Sohn as Kima Greggs
- Clarke Peters as Lester Freamon