The Wire: Season 4

2006
13 episodes

In the projects. On the docks. In City Hall. And now, in the schools. The places and faces change, but the game remains the same. A new story begins. This year, while expanding on storylines introduced in previous seasons — including the new vocations of several characters, the rise of a new drug empire, and the city's imminent mayoral election — the series expands its focus into Baltimore's school system, providing an inside look at the role of the urban educational system in shaping young people's lives. This storyline is played out through four new young characters, each of whom faces difficult choices amidst the temptation of crime and easy money.

Season 4 of The Wire premiered on September 10, 2006 and has 13 episodes, from "Boys of Summer" to "Final Grades". The last episode aired on December 10, 2006.

Where to watch The Wire

In the United States, you can stream The Wire on HBO Max. You can also buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and Fandango At Home. It is on streaming services in 97 countries.

Where to watch

Episodes

Episode 1Boys of SummerAired September 10, 2006
"Lambs to the slaughter here." - Marcia Donnelly Four West Baltimore boys wrestle with what to do with the rest of their summer vacation as the new fall school year approaches. Bodie deals with his corner running slower than usual so he decides to take on a runner. Marlo believes he has finally solved the problem that Stringer could never figure out. Freamon, Greggs, and Sydnor go to Pearlman to see if she will issue City Hall subpoenas. Meanwhile, the mayoral race heats up as Mayor Royce and his primary challenger, Tommy Carcetti each hit campaign trail. Prez begins preparing for his new career in higher education, while McNulty ends up turning down a promotion.
- 59m
- Directed by Joe Chappelle
- Written by David Simon and Ed Burns
Guest stars
- Gbenga Akinnagbe Chris Partlow
- Jermaine Crawford Dukie Weems
- Tristan Mack Wilds Michael Lee
- Sam Coppola Former Mayor 'Young Tony'
- Felicia Pearson Felicia 'Snoop' Pearson
- Brandon Fobbs Fruit
- Maestro Harrell Randy Wagstaff
- Brandy Burre Theresa D'Agostino
Episode 2Soft EyesAired September 17, 2006
"I still wake up white in a city that ain't." - Carcetti In the hopes of possibly saving her job, Pearlman and Freamon continue arguing over the subpoenas, as the election draws closer. Carcetti drops a bombshell on Royce during their televised debate, while Herc makes a shocking discovery about the Mayor himself. Marlo decides to help the young kids in their preparation for school. Namond gets some advice from his father. Bubbles decides to assist his business apprentice in getting an education, while Cutty continues his two jobs; landscaping and boxing mentor.
- 59m
- Directed by Christine Moore
- Written by Ed Burns and David Mills
Guest stars
- Isiah Whitlock Jr. Clay Davis
- Gbenga Akinnagbe Chris Partlow
- Jermaine Crawford Dukie Weems
- Tristan Mack Wilds Michael Lee
- Delaney Williams Jay Landsman
- Felicia Pearson Felicia 'Snoop' Pearson
- Maestro Harrell Randy Wagstaff
- Brandy Burre Theresa D'Agostino
Episode 3Home RoomsAired September 24, 2006
"I love the first day, man. Everybody all friendly an' shit." - Namond Brice Prez is shocked by his students; Royce strikes back against Carcetti; Rawls begins to gut the major case unit from the inside; Colvin embarks on a new career.
- 59m
- Directed by Seith Mann
- Written by Ed Burns and Richard Price
Guest stars
- Amy Ryan Beadie Russell
- Gbenga Akinnagbe Chris Partlow
- Jermaine Crawford Dukie Weems
- Tristan Mack Wilds Michael Lee
- Maestro Harrell Randy Wagstaff
- Brandy Burre Theresa D'Agostino
- Boris McGiver Charles Marimow
- Ramón Rodríguez Renaldo
Episode 4RefugeesAired October 1, 2006
"No one wins. One side just loses more slowly." - Prez Freamon and Greggs move to Homicide, while Herc and Dozerman join Marimow in the lackluster Major Crimes Unit. Cutty gets a "custodial" job at Tilghman School picking up truants, but struggles to make progress while trying to mentor Michael. Bubbles works to get Sherrod back in school as an 8th grader. Burrell finds a way to sabotage the state-witness murder investigation before the election, impacting Greggs. Prez's struggles as a teacher continue while Bodie finds himself working for a new "company". Meanwhile, Colvin pitches his pilot program to the middle school and Carcetti meets with a constituency when he knows that they won't support him regardless of what he says. Randy is faced with a dilemma after being busted for his candy scam and Proposition Joe plays Marlo in a high-stakes heist.
- 59m
- Directed by Jim McKay
- Written by Ed Burns and Dennis Lehane
Guest stars
- Gbenga Akinnagbe Chris Partlow
- Jermaine Crawford Dukie Weems
- Tristan Mack Wilds Michael Lee
- Delaney Williams Jay Landsman
- Rick Otto Kenneth Dozerman
- Felicia Pearson Felicia 'Snoop' Pearson
- Maestro Harrell Randy Wagstaff
- Brandy Burre Theresa D'Agostino
Episode 5AlliancesAired October 8, 2006
"If you with us, you with us." - Chris Partlow Commissioner Burrell loses Royce's support; Chris Partlow tries to recruit Michael to become a soldier in Marlo's unit; Dukie shows Randy and the boys that the missing are really dead; Odell Watkins drops his support for Royce and considers an offer from Councilman Carcetti.
- 59m
- Directed by David Platt
- Written by David Simon and Ed Burns
Guest stars
- Gbenga Akinnagbe Chris Partlow
- Jermaine Crawford Dukie Weems
- Tristan Mack Wilds Michael Lee
- Delaney Williams Jay Landsman
- Rick Otto Kenneth Dozerman
- Felicia Pearson Felicia 'Snoop' Pearson
- Maestro Harrell Randy Wagstaff
- Brandy Burre Theresa D'Agostino
Episode 6Margin of ErrorAired October 15, 2006
"Don't try this shit at home." - Norman Wilson Carcetti responds to a campaign smear. Randy is accused of a serious transgression. Colvin's special class gets its first enlistees.
- 58m
- Directed by Dan Attias
- Written by Ed Burns and Eric Overmyer
Guest stars
- Isiah Whitlock Jr. Clay Davis
- Gbenga Akinnagbe Chris Partlow
- Jermaine Crawford Dukie Weems
- Tristan Mack Wilds Michael Lee
- Delaney Williams Jay Landsman
- Felicia Pearson Felicia 'Snoop' Pearson
- Maestro Harrell Randy Wagstaff
- Brandy Burre Theresa D'Agostino
Episode 7Unto OthersAired October 29, 2006
"Aw yeah. That golden rule." - The Bunk Omar calls in a favor to the police; Carcetti gets advice from the ex-mayor and then Mayor Royce and his team; Cutty finds out why Spider has been avoiding him and explains to the rest of his boxers that it won't happen again; Prez makes a break through with his students; Herc loses his camera; Greggs solves the Braddock case with soft eyes; Bubbles gets robbed repeatedly and searches for Sherrod; Namond begins to work a package and finds it hard to get suspended from school; Daniels catches Carcetti's eye.
- 59m
- Directed by Anthony Hemingway
- Written by Ed Burns and William F. Zorzi
Guest stars
- Michael Kostroff Maury Levy
- Jermaine Crawford Dukie Weems
- Tristan Mack Wilds Michael Lee
- Delaney Williams Jay Landsman
- Sam Coppola Former Mayor 'Young Tony'
- Maestro Harrell Randy Wagstaff
- Daniel Lee Robertson III Shaun Williams
- James Lewis Marvin (uncredited)
Episode 8Corner BoysAired November 5, 2006
"We got our thing, but it's just part of the big thing." - Zenobia Prez wants to teach off curriculum. Carcetti visits the Homicide Department and goes on ride-a-longs for drug busts. Colvin and Dr. Parneti's class discuss the Corner Boy rules. Bunk convinces Holley to take another look at the Old Face Andre/Omar Little case. Herc and Dozerman begin shaking down Marlo and his crew as they try to have their surveillance camera returned. Chris Partlow and Snoop look to send the New York crew a message. Marlo asks Proposition Joe to look into Herc. Michael's father comes home, while Namond recruits a lieutenant.
- 59m
- Directed by Agnieszka Holland
- Written by Ed Burns and Richard Price
Guest stars
- Gbenga Akinnagbe Chris Partlow
- Jermaine Crawford Dukie Weems
- Tristan Mack Wilds Michael Lee
- Delaney Williams Jay Landsman
- Rick Otto Kenneth Dozerman
- Felicia Pearson Felicia 'Snoop' Pearson
- Maestro Harrell Randy Wagstaff
- Boris McGiver Charles Marimow
Episode 9Know Your PlaceAired November 12, 2006
"Might as well dump 'em, get another." - Proposition Joe Herc and Dozerman search for Little Kevin; Omar gets out of jail; Carcetti has his first meeting with the City Council; Prez and the teachers begin teaching the test; Proposition Joe lets Marlo know Major Crimes is after him; Bubbles looks to Kima and Herc to help him out; Bubbles delivers Little Kevin to Herc; Old Face Andre goes into hiding but Proposition Joe sells him out; Bug's father gets in Michael's face; Michael takes his problems to Marlo; Daniels and Valchek gets promoted; Omar and Renaldo monitor Marlo's activities.
- 59m
- Directed by Alex Zakrzewski
- Written by Ed Burns and Kia Corthron
Guest stars
- Gbenga Akinnagbe Chris Partlow
- Jermaine Crawford Dukie Weems
- Tristan Mack Wilds Michael Lee
- Delaney Williams Jay Landsman
- Rick Otto Kenneth Dozerman
- Felicia Pearson Felicia 'Snoop' Pearson
- Maestro Harrell Randy Wagstaff
- Melanie Nicholls-King Cheryl
Episode 10MisgivingsAired November 19, 2006
"World goin' one way, people another." -Poot Walker catches Donut boosting cars and teaches him a lesson; Commissioner Burrell gets advice from Senator Davis; Little Kevin has a talk with Marlo and regrets it; Herc ignores Bubbles call and regrets it; the Area Superintendent questions the success of Colvin and Parenti's project class; Senator Davis attempts to con Carcetti; Carver arrests Namond but keeps him out of baby booking; Burrell has the police force juke the numbers with street sweeps; Marlo puts the word out that Randy is a snitch; Elena sees McNulty as a grown up; Chris Partlow and Snoop target Bug's father for Michael.
- 59m
- Directed by Ernest R. Dickerson
- Written by Ed Burns and Eric Overmyer
Guest stars
- Isiah Whitlock Jr. Clay Davis
- Gbenga Akinnagbe Chris Partlow
- Jermaine Crawford Dukie Weems
- Tristan Mack Wilds Michael Lee
- Callie Thorne Elena McNulty
- Rick Otto Kenneth Dozerman
- Felicia Pearson Felicia 'Snoop' Pearson
- Maestro Harrell Randy Wagstaff
Episode 11A New DayAired November 26, 2006
"You play in dirt, you get dirty." - McNulty Randy has trouble with his friends at school, while Carcetti faces a huge dilemma. Meanwhile, Omar visits Proposition Joe, while Freamon reveals a secret.
- 59m
- Directed by Brad Anderson
- Written by David Simon and Ed Burns
Guest stars
- Isiah Whitlock Jr. Clay Davis
- Gbenga Akinnagbe Chris Partlow
- Jermaine Crawford Dukie Weems
- Tristan Mack Wilds Michael Lee
- Delaney Williams Jay Landsman
- Method Man Melvin 'Cheese' Wagstaff
- Felicia Pearson Felicia 'Snoop' Pearson
- Maestro Harrell Randy Wagstaff
Episode 12That's Got His OwnAired December 3, 2006
"That all there is to it?" - Bubbles While searching for the missing bodies, Freamon goes around the chain of command after being rebuked by Landsman. Carcetti finds that his promises of raises could be undermined by the school debt, forcing him to consider groveling before the Governor for money to pay it off. Colvin tries to keep his experimental class funded. Bubbles considers taking extreme measures to get rid of the man who continues to steal from him. Prez is concerned about Dukie's academic promotion. Omar orchestrates another big sting while Namond and Cutty get a first-hand taste of the "new" Michael. Carver's promise to look out for Randy ends up looking empty.
- 59m
- Directed by Joe Chappelle
- Written by Ed Burns and George Pelecanos
Guest stars
- Gbenga Akinnagbe Chris Partlow
- Neal Huff Michael Steintorf
- Jermaine Crawford Dukie Weems
- Tristan Mack Wilds Michael Lee
- Delaney Williams Jay Landsman
- Method Man Melvin 'Cheese' Wagstaff
- Rick Otto Kenneth Dozerman
- Felicia Pearson Felicia 'Snoop' Pearson
Episode 13Final GradesAired December 10, 2006
"If animal trapped call 410-844-6286" - Baltimore, traditional Burrell tries to help Daniels. Bubbles' big plan backfires and leaves him in big trouble, Colvin tries to find a solution for Namond while Omar makes new plans. Mcnulty tries to pay back his debt.
- 1h 19m
- Directed by Ernest R. Dickerson
- Written by David Simon and Ed Burns
Guest stars
- Paul Ben-Victor Spiros 'Vondas' Vondopoulos
- Amy Ryan Beadie Russell
- Isiah Whitlock Jr. Clay Davis
- Gbenga Akinnagbe Chris Partlow
- Neal Huff Michael Steintorf
- Jermaine Crawford Dukie Weems
- Tristan Mack Wilds Michael Lee
- Delaney Williams Jay Landsman