The Target (The Wire episode)
| "The Target" | |
|---|---|
| The Wire episode | |
Promotional screenshot
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| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 1 |
| Directed by | Clark Johnson |
| Story by | David Simon Ed Burns |
| Teleplay by | David Simon |
| Original air date | June 2, 2002 |
| Running time | 62 minutes |
| Guest appearance(s) | |
"The Target" is the pilot episode of the HBO original series The Wire. The episode was written by David Simon from a story by Simon and Ed Burns and was directed by Clark Johnson. It originally aired on June 2, 2002. The title refers to Detective Jimmy McNulty setting his sights on Stringer Bell and Avon Barksdale's drug-dealing organization as the target of an investigation.
Jimmy McNulty, a Baltimore homicide detective, observes the trial of D'Angelo Barksdale, a young drug dealer charged with murder of "Pooh" Blanchard, a low-ranking gang member. The first witness, William Gant, identifies Barksdale, but the corroborating witness, a security guard named Nakeesha Lyles, changes her story and refuses to identify him. The jury therefore returns a not guilty verdict. Judge Phelan calls McNulty into his chambers, where McNulty reveals that he has noticed that D'Angelo's uncle Avon Barksdale and Stringer Bell have been tied to many murders and tells Phelan that he believes they are major players in West Baltimore's drug trade. McNulty makes the point that nobody is investigating their organization, and Phelan calls Deputy Commissioner Burrell. Major Rawls is incensed by McNulty's evasion of the chain of command, and forces him to write the report which Burrell requests about the Barksdale murders. Sergeant Landsman arrives in the morning warning McNulty that his behavior could end up in reassignment. McNulty reveals that his nightmare posting would be working "the boat" – the Baltimore Police Department's harbor patrol unit.
Wee-Bey Brice drives D'Angelo to Orlando's strip club, a front for the Barksdale Organization. When D'Angelo discusses the trial in Wee-Bey's car, Wee-Bey pulls over and curtly reminds him of the rules: business is not to be discussed in the car, on the phone, or anywhere they are unsure of being recorded. At the club, Avon chides D'Angelo for committing an unnecessary and public murder, costing the organization time, effort, and money. D'Angelo also meets a stripper named Shardene Innes working in the club. When D'Angelo arrives at the high-rise towers, Stringer tells him he has been demoted to heading a crew in the low-rise projects, including Bodie Broadus, Poot Carr, and young Wallace.
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