Back Burners
| "Back Burners" | |
|---|---|
| The Wire episode | |
 |
|
| Episode no. | Season 3 Episode 7 |
| Directed by | Tim Van Patten |
| Story by |
David Simon Joy Lusco |
| Teleplay by | Joy Lusco |
| Original air date | November 7, 2004 |
| Running time | 55 minutes |
| Guest appearance(s) | |
"Back Burners" is the seventh episode of the third season of the HBO original series, The Wire. The episode was written by Joy Lusco from a story by David Simon & Joy Lusco and was directed by Tim Van Patten. It originally aired on November 7, 2004.
The title refers to the disposable cell phones used by the Barksdale organization. The idiom "put on the back burner" refers to making something less of a priority, or switch focus to something else. The drug dealer Williamson is put on the back burner as Bell and Stanfield are made the new targets and arresting Bodie's crew becomes less important than the Hamsterdam cops-dealers pact. The title can also refer to the "back door" move made on Lieutenant Daniels by Detective McNulty in getting the investigative targets changed.
Butchie uses this phrase when talking to Omar about his problems with Bunk over the death of Tosha.
A dedication ran at the beginning of the closing credits:
"In memory of Geraldine Peroni; editor, colleague, friend. 1953-2004"
Omar Little visits Butchie to discuss Bunk Moreland's recent lecture about the loss of morality in their neighborhood. He reveals that he has been feeling guilty and Butchie says that this is a ploy that Bunk is using against him. Despite Butchie's advice, Omar cannot put his conscience to rest. He uses Butchie's contacts to locate Officer Dozerman's weapon for Bunk.
Bunk cuts detective Crutchfield's tie as part of a running joke in the homicide unit - a sleeping detective's tie is cut and the bottom half is tacked to the bulletin board. He gets a call from Butchie and travels to his bar. Butchie gives Bunk the weapon, wrapped in Omar's tie from his court appearance in the Bird trial. Bunk returns the tie and asks Butchie to tell Omar he is hoping he might need the tie in court some day.
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