"Alliances" is the fifth episode of the fourth season of the HBO original series The Wire. Written by Ed Burns story by David Simon & Ed Burns, and directed by David Platt, it originally aired on October 8, 2006.

The title refers to the alliance that Marlo enters into with Proposition Joe. It also refers to the alliances formed by Carcetti in the political world: with Rawls, Valchek and Watkins. It also references the breaking of Watkins' alliance with Royce because of the strength of his support for Marla Daniels, and perhaps most obviously, to the offer made by Chris and Snoop to Michael.

Partlow makes this statement when trying to convince Michael Lee to join the Stanfield drug dealing organization. It is counterpointed by Wee-Bey's remarks about the heyday of the Barksdale organization.

Although credited, Dominic West, Chad L. Coleman, J. D. Williams and Michael K. Williams do not appear in this episode.

Duquan "Dukie" Weems, Randy Wagstaff, Namond Brice, Michael Lee, Donut and Kenard discuss Lex's disappearance in an alleyway at night. Namond asserts that Chris Partlow is turning his victims into zombies, and Donut and Kenard agree with him. Randy is distressed by the suggestion that Lex is a zombie. Michael believes that Chris must have some sway over his victims to convince them to enter a vacant building before he kills them. When a man walks up the alley toward them, the boys flee, having scared themselves with their own speculation.

Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski introduces new rules to his math classes. He offers them rewards for good behavior, including stickers and a prize draw for his top four students. Students who disrupt the class will face an hour's detention after school. Namond Brice objects to the rules, but manages to talk Prez out of giving him detention. Another student named Zenobia Dawson expresses a desire to get stickers but has no pencil. However, when Prez gives her his pencil she throws it away and earns herself detention. Prez also penalizes Michael when he refuses to attempt his work. Kareem Williams spots Assistant Principal Marcia Donnelly searching bushes outside the school and alerts Namond. Many other boys also go to the window to watch. Namond is annoyed when Donnelly finds and confiscates a knife he had concealed. Prez tries to get the boys to return to their work. When he finds that Namond has not begun the tasks he set, he gives him detention. Namond responds angrily and swears at Prez, who sends him to the office.

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