"The Detail" is the second episode of the first season of the

HBO Home Box Office (HBO) is an American premium television network, which is the flagship property of namesake parent subsidiary Home Box Office, Inc., itself a unit owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. The overall Home Box Office business unit is ba ...

original television series, ''

The Wire ''The Wire'' is an American Crime film, crime drama Television show, television series created and primarily written by author and former police reporter David Simon. The series was broadcast by the cable network HBO in the United States. ''The ...

'' (2002-2008). The episode was written by

David Simon David Judah Simon (born February 9, 1960) is an American author, journalist, screenwriter, and producer best known for his work on ''The Wire'' (2002–08). He worked for ''The Baltimore Sun'' City Desk for twelve years (1982–95), wrote '' Hom ...

from a story by David Simon and

Ed Burns Edward P. Burns (born January 29, 1946) is an American screenwriter, novelist, and producer. He has worked closely with writing partner David Simon. For HBO, they have collaborated on ''The Corner,'' ''The Wire,'' ''Generation Kill'', ''The Pl ...

and was directed by

Clark Johnson Clark Johnson (born September 10, 1954), is an American-Canadian actor and director who has worked in both television and film. He is best known for his roles as David Jefferson in ''Night Heat'' (1985–1988), Clark Roberts in ''E.N.G.'' (1989� ...

. It originally aired on June 9, 2002.

Plot

Bunk and

McNulty McNulty (also spelled MacNulty or McAnulty) is a surname of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic ''Mac an Ultaigh'' meaning "son of the Ulsterman". Usually considered a branch of the Ulaid ruling dynasty of ''Mac Duinnshléibhe'' ( MacDon ...

investigate Gant's murder. McNulty believes the Barksdales had him killed as a show of force towards potential witnesses; Bunk is skeptical that anybody would kill a witness after they had already testified. McNulty visits

Judge A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as a part of a panel of judges. A judge hears all the witnesses and any other evidence presented by the barristers or solicitors of the case, assesses the credibility an ...

Phelan, who pressures Deputy Commissioner Burrell to have Lieutenant Daniels allow McNulty on the case. Mollified, Phelan agrees not to call the media about the murder. Daniels and his detail arrive at their new office - a damp basement with little furniture. The rest of the detail is introduced, but Daniels dismisses them all as useless "humps", especially after officer

Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski is a fictional character on the HBO drama ''The Wire'', played by actor Jim True-Frost. Pryzbylewski is a detective of Polish heritage in the Baltimore Police Department. Initially seen as incompetent and rash, he pr ...

accidentally discharges his weapon indoors. When Daniels visits Assistant State's Attorney

Rhonda Pearlman Rhonda Pearlman is a fictional character on the HBO drama ''The Wire (TV series), The Wire'', played by actress Deirdre Lovejoy. Pearlman has been the legal system liaison for all of Lieutenant Cedric Daniels' investigations on the show. Later in ...

to complain, she tells him that Prez was nearly

indicted An indictment ( ) is a formal accusation that a person has committed a crime. In jurisdictions that use the concept of felonies, the most serious criminal offence is a felony; jurisdictions that do not use the felonies concept often use that of an ...

for shooting his own patrol car. Daniels confides that he feels that Burrell sent him a message by not allowing him to pick his detail. He meets with Lieutenant Cantrell and convinces him to assign Detective

Leander Sydnor Leander Sydnor is a fictional character on the HBO drama ''The Wire'', played by actor Corey Parker Robinson. Sydnor is a young, married Baltimore Police detective who is a member of the Barksdale detail and later works in the Major Crimes Unit. ...

(Cantrell's best man) to counterbalance Prez (his worst). Carver,

Greggs Greggs plc is a British bakery chain. It specialises in savoury products such as bakes, sausage rolls, sandwiches and sweet items including doughnuts and vanilla slices. It is headquartered in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It is listed on t ...

, and

Herc Thomas "Herc" Hauk is a fictional character on the HBO drama ''The Wire (TV series), The Wire'', played by Domenick Lombardozzi. The series introduces Herc as a detective in the Baltimore Police Department's Narcotics Unit, begrudgingly detailed ...

surreptitiously photograph Bubbles as he marks Barksdale dealers by pretending to sell them red hats. When Greggs brings Bubbles in to identify the dealers, McNulty is surprised by the scale of the Barksdale Organization. Bunk and McNulty visit

D'Angelo Michael Eugene Archer (born February 11, 1974), better known by his stage name D'Angelo (), is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. He first garnered attention after co-producing the single "U Will Know" ...

in the Pit to press him on the Gant murder. When D'Angelo refuses to cooperate, they arrest him. Under interrogation, they play upon D'Angelo's conscience; he is moved to begin writing a letter of condolence to Gant's family. Barksdale attorney Maurice Levy arrives and stops D'Angelo from further self-incrimination. Greggs and McNulty show the letter to Daniels, who is skeptical about its usefulness in building a case. Now free, D'Angelo takes his girlfriend, Donette, and their infant son to a family party, where Avon rebukes him for the letter. While drinking late at night, Herc, Carver, and Prez decide to intimidate the Barksdales. Prez

pistol-whip Pistol-whipping or buffaloing is the act of using a handgun as a blunt weapon, wielding it as an improvised club. Such a practice dates to the time of muzzle loaders, which were brandished in such fashion in close-quarters combat once the wea ...

s a young man, Kevin Johnston, for leaning on his car and mouthing off, prompting a hail of projectiles and gunshots from the towers. Herc is injured as Carver calls for back-up. The next day, Daniels berates the three and asks who hit Johnston. Prez confesses and Daniels instructs him to lie about his actions and suggests a plausible story. He warns Prez that he must be convincing or he cannot protect him. Bunk informs McNulty that the Gant murder has made the front page and that Phelan appears to be the source. Major Rawls becomes enraged yet again. McNulty visits Phelan, who denies alerting the media, but quickly leaves. Alone, McNulty drinks heavily and is too inebriated to effectively intervene in a nearby car theft. Daniels dines with his wife

Marla Marla is a town and locality in the Australian state of South Australia located in the state's north-west about north-west of the state capital of Adelaide and about south of the town of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. History Marla ...

, who admonishes him for covering up

police brutality Police brutality is the excessive and unwarranted use of force by law enforcement against an individual or a group. It is an extreme form of police misconduct and is a civil rights violation. Police brutality includes, but is not limited to, ...

. She counsels him to withdraw from the politically charged case. Daniels is later awakened with news that Johnston has permanently lost use of one eye.

Production

Title reference

The title refers to the newly formed Barksdale detail.

Epigraph

This line is spoken in a conversation with Marla's husband Cedric about his impossible position of running the Barksdale investigation while trying to further his career. Extended to the episode as a whole, the quote can also mean that if you do not become involved with the drug trade, commonly referred to as "The Game", you will not lose your life. This is most obviously evidenced in the episode by the murder of William Gant, about which D'Angelo exclaims, "he ain't have to testify"; if Gant had chosen not to testify he would not have become involved in D'Angelo's murder trial and would have still been alive.

Credits

Guest stars

Ty Warren Ty'ron "Ty" Markeith Warren (born February 6, 1981) is an American football coach and former defensive end who is the defensive line coach for the Orlando Guardians of the XFL. He played college football at Texas A&M from 2000 to 2003. He then ...

as Bottle Thrower *

Peter Gerety Peter Gerety (born May 17, 1940) is an American actor. He is best known as Judge Daniel Phelan in ''The Wire'' (2002–2008). Career Gerety is a veteran of stage, screen and television. In early 1992, he performed to critical acclaim on Broadway ...

as Judge Daniel Phelan *

Seth Gilliam Seth Gilliam (born November 5, 1968) is an American actor. He is best known for his portrayals of Ellis Carver on ''The Wire'', Clayton Hughes on '' Oz'', Detective Daniels on ''Law & Order: Criminal Intent'' (2007–2008), Dr. Alan Deaton on ''T ...

as Detective Ellis Carver *

Domenick Lombardozzi Domenico "Domenick" Lombardozzi (, ; born March 25, 1976) is an American actor. He is best known for portraying Herc in ''The Wire'', and is also known for his roles in ''A Bronx Tale'' (1993), ''Entourage'', and ''The Irishman'' (2019). Care ...

as Detective Thomas "Herc" Hauk *

Clarke Peters Peter Clarke (born April 7, 1952), known professionally as Clarke Peters, is an American-British actor, writer, and director. He is best known for his roles as Lester Freamon in the television series ''The Wire'' (2002–2008) and Albert Lambrea ...

as Detective Lester Freamon *

Jim True-Frost Jim True-Frost (''né'' True; July 31, 1966) is an American stage, television and screen actor. He is most known for his portrayal of Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski on all five seasons of the HBO program ''The Wire'', as James Woodrow in '' Treme ...

as Detective Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski * Maria Broom as Marla Daniels *

J. D. Williams J.D. Williams (born May 22, 1978) is an American actor known for his starring roles in the HBO television programs '' Oz'' as Kenny Wangler, ''The Wire'' as Bodie Broadus and ''Pootie Tang'' as Froggy, ''Surviving Family'' (2012) as Bobby, ''T ...

as Preston "Bodie" Broadus *

Hassan Johnson Hassan "Iniko" Johnson is an American actor from Brooklyn, New York. He portrayed Roland "Wee-Bey" Brice on HBO's ''The Wire'' and also appears as Drew in '' Flatbush Misdemeanors'' on Showtime. Career Johnson's first acting role was in th ...

as Roland "Wee-Bey" Brice *

Michael B. Jordan Michael Bakari Jordan (; born February 9, 1987) is an American actor. He is known for his film roles as shooting victim Oscar Grant in the drama ''Fruitvale Station'' (2013), boxer Adonis Creed in ''Creed'' (2015), and Erik Killmonger in ''Bl ...

Wallace Wallace may refer to: People * Clan Wallace in Scotland * Wallace (given name) * Wallace (surname) * Wallace (footballer, born 1986), full name Wallace Fernando Pereira, Brazilian football left-back * Wallace (footballer, born 1987), full name ...

Corey Parker-Robinson Corey Parker Robinson (born February 9, 1975) is an American actor. He has appeared on the HBO program ''The Wire'' as Detective Leander Sydnor. He also appeared in ''The Wire'' creator David Simon's earlier ''The Corner'' as R.C., a young dru ...

as Detective Leander Sydnor * Tom Quinn as Detective Patrick Mahon * Michael Salconi as Detective Michael Santangelo *

Delaney Williams Delaney Williams (born December 12, 1962) is an American character actor from Washington, D.C. He appeared on the HBO drama ''The Wire'' (2002–2008) as a recurring guest star playing homicide sergeant Jay Landsman. He also had a small role o ...

as Sergeant Jay Landsman * Richard De Angelis as Major Raymond Foerster * Nat Benchley as Detective Augustus Polk * Shamyl Brown as Donette *

Tray Chaney Tray Chaney is an American actor. He appeared on the HBO program ''The Wire'' as Poot Carr, which became his most successful acting role. He also appears in the Bounce TV soap opera Saints & Sinners as Kendrick. Career Chaney began his entert ...

as Malik "Poot" Carr *

Erik Todd Dellums Erik Todd Dellums (born September 23, 1964) is an American actor and narrator. He played the drug kingpin Luther Mahoney for two seasons on '' Homicide: Life on the Street'' and voiced the roles as the radio DJ Three Dog in the 2008 video gam ...

as Dr. Randall Frazier *

Michael Kostroff Michael Kostroff (born May 22, 1961) is an American actor. He appeared on the HBO program ''The Wire'' as defense attorney Maurice Levy. Kostroff starred in the fifth season of the series and appeared in all four earlier seasons as a guest star. ...

as Maurice Levy * Brandon Price as Anton "Stinkum" Artis * Dave Trovato as Lieutenant Cantrell

Uncredited appearances

* Robert F. Colesberry as Detective Ray Cole *Jarvis George as Ronnie Mo *Micaiah Jones as Little Man *

Chris Clanton Chris Clanton is an American actor best known for appearing in ''The Wire''. Career Clanton had a recurring role as Savino Bratton in seasons one and five of ''The Wire''. He is credited as Christopher J. Clanton in the fifth season. He also ha ...

Savino Bratton ''The Wire'' is an American crime drama television series created and primarily written by author and former police reporter David Simon. The series was broadcast by the cable network HBO in the United States. ''The Wire'' premiered on June 2, ...

*Jimmie Jelani Manners as Kevin Johnston

Reception

The "Chicken McNugget" scene is often cited by fans, and some reviewers, as being one of the most memorable moments in the show. Poot and

speculate that the man who invented

Chicken McNuggets Chicken McNuggets are a type of chicken nuggets sold by the international fast food restaurant chain McDonald's. They consist of small pieces of reconstituted boneless chicken meat that have been battered and deep fried. Chicken McNuggets w ...

must be rich, and

explains to them that

McDonald's McDonald's Corporation is an American Multinational corporation, multinational fast food chain store, chain, founded in 1940 as a restaurant operated by Richard and Maurice McDonald, in San Bernardino, California, United States. They rechri ...

owns the rights to the McNugget, and the man who invented it likely received nothing for it and is now probably "working in the basement for regular wage thinking of some shit to make the fries taste better." Wallace responds with "he still had the idea though." Ironically for D'Angelo, the man who invented the

Chicken McNugget Chicken McNuggets are a type of chicken nuggets sold by the international fast food restaurant chain McDonald's. They consist of small pieces of reconstituted boneless chicken meat that have been battered and deep fried. Chicken McNuggets we ...

, Herb Lotman, was in fact a very wealthy and successful man; founder of one of the largest beef and chicken suppliers in the world, his net worth was estimated at $15 billion.

References

External links

"The Detail"
at HBO.com *
Guardian blogpost on this episode by Paul Owen
{{DEFAULTSORT:Detail The Wire (season 1) episodes 2002 American television episodes Television episodes directed by Clark Johnson Television episodes written by David Simon