with cops and criminals engaged in a never-ending war, governed by politics.
The first season of the show is, arguably, the best of the entire series, with Jimmy McNulty, Lester Freamon, and a couple of other cops chasing the drug lords Avon Barksdale and Stringer Bell. This is where each episode of the HBO classic's first season ranks, according to IMDb.
"The Target" (8.0)
The first episode of the series begins with D'Angelo Barksdale's court hearing, who is the part of a huge drug trade in Baltimore.
When witness tampering comes to Homicide detective Jimmy McNulty's attention, he goes to his friend Judge Phelan to put pressure on the Baltimore Police Department. And a detail is formed with Avon Barksdale as the target.
"The Detail" (8.3)
In the second episode of season 1, D'Angelo feels the guilt for the murder of an innocent man, while Jimmy continues to dig into the Barksdale organization after another witness is killed.
Elsewhere, Cedric Daniels, the Lieutenant of the Major Crimes Unit, must manage his resources well, if he has to accomplish what the bosses told him to.
"The Buys" (8.3)
With the detail ready to move into the corners, Sydnor, Bubbles, and Greggs make a couple of drug buys to understand the working of the organization.
Elsewhere, D'Angelo gives some good advice to Wallace and Brodie, while Omar Little robs them of a stash. Also, Jimmy continues to feel the heat from those above him, while Lester does some good police work.
"Old Cases" (8.3)
In the fourth episode of season 1, Jimmy and Bunk investigate an old homicide linked to the Barksdale organization, while Avon tells his crews to put out an offer for the head of Omar.
Bodie, now in juvenile, manages to escape before Herc and Carver could get the opportunity to get anything out of him. Also, one of Barksdale crew's member decides to do time rather than inform the police.
"The Pager" (8.4)
The fifth episode of season 1 picks up pace as the Major Crimes Unit gets closer to the Barksdale Organization's working. Stringer informs D'Angelo that there might be a snitch in his crew, while Pryzbylewski begins to redeem himself by working on the information from the cloned pager.
Also, one of Omar's boys Brandon could be in trouble as Wallace spots him at a store and informs Stringer the same.
"The Wire" (8.6)
In the sixth episode of season 1, the detail finally gets what they have been wanting, especially Lester who thought a wiretap is the best way to bring down Barksdale.
Wallace gets unsettled after watching Brandon's bloodied body. So much so, he goes away from work, all together. Elsewhere, Daniels and William Rawls have an argument.
"One Arrest" (8.6)
In the seventh episode of season 1, it's time to change for the Barksdale organization and their crews. With the help from the wiretap, the detectives on the detail are able to catch a boy, red-handed, with a stash that would have been used for a refill.
Owing to this, Stringer tells everyone in the pit to stop using payphones, while he wonders about a possible informant among their ranks.
"Lessons" (8.6)
In the eighth episode of season 1, Daniels faces the heat from Ervin Burrell after Greggs and Carver catch one of Senator Clay Davis' drivers with a huge amount of cash, picked up from one of the known associates of the Barksdale organization.
In the meantime, Omar goes on a demonstration spree, telling everyone in the corners no one goes against him or else they will suffer.
"Game Day" (8.8)
In the ninth episode of season 1, a frantic and chaotic series of events send Avon into deep thought. Firstly, in the East Baltimore vs West Baltimore basketball game, Proposition Joe, East Baltimore's drug kingpin, comes out on top.
And to add to the misery, Omar goes very close to killing Avon and if not for Wee-Bey, he would have certainly been dead.
"The Hunt" (8.8)
In the eleventh episode of season 1, Jimmy feels guilty for what happened to Kima but Daniels is as motivated as ever to end the Barksdale Organization.
But Burrell wants arrests and "dope on the table", instead of Avon's head and Daniels can do nothing but obey the order. After last night's events, Wee-Bey will have to lay low for a while.