Dead Soldiers

"Dead Soldiers"
The Wire episode
File:TheWire28.jpg
Episode no.	Season 3 Episode 3
Directed by	Rob Bailey
Story by	David Simon Dennis Lehane
Teleplay by	Dennis Lehane
Original air date	October 3, 2004 (2004-10-03)
Running time	58 minutes
Guest appearance
see below

"Dead Soldiers" is the third episode of the third season of the HBO original series, The Wire. The episode was written by Dennis Lehane from a story by David Simon & Dennis Lehane and was directed by Rob Bailey. It originally aired on October 3, 2004.

Synopsis

At the weekly COMSTAT meeting, Burrell demotes Major Marvin Taylor for failing to bring down crime figures in his district. Councilman Carcetti submits to an interview in which he blames high crime rates on Mayor Royce's failure to fund police training. Burrell is outraged that Carcetti has gone to the press, and is forced by the mayor to take the hit over the story. He later meets with Royce, Parker, Watkins and State's Attorney Steven Demper to discuss the murder rate. Watkins urges Royce to fire Burrell, but the mayor decides to continue backing the acting commissioner as a reward for his political loyalty. After attending a fundraiser with his wife and children, Carcetti has sex with a woman he noticed in the crowd.

As Omar's crew scope out a Barksdale stash house, Kimmy questions Omar's vendetta against the Barksdale Organization. Their robbery the next day goes awry when the Barksdales open fire on the crew, causing Dante to accidentally kill Tosha. Kimmy shoots Tank before the crew make their escape. Stringer is called to meet Proposition Joe, who says that the Major Case Unit has tipped their hand by bringing in Cheese and telling him about the wiretap. Stringer orders his enforcers to cover Tosha's funeral and wake in case Omar shows up. Omar takes responsibility for Tosha's death and watches Stringer's funeral home from across the street as they hold Tosha's memorial services. Donnette repeatedly tries to contact Stringer without success.

McNulty goes to Bunk for his opinion on D'Angelo's death. Bunk has been tasked with recovering Dozerman's stolen weapon, and accompanies Holley go to the scene of the botched robbery. There he notices children nearby pretending to be Omar and acting out the shooting. Daniels convenes a meeting to discuss shifting the MCU's focus from Stringer and Joe to a new target in the Northwestern District, to Greggs' vocal displeasure. McNulty is angered by both the unit's change in direction and Pearlman's new relationship with Daniels. McNulty and Greggs decide to cruise the Western to see what has changed since the towers fell instead of focusing on Daniels' target. While observing Fruit's crew the next day, McNulty learns that Ray Cole has died while exercising at the gym. He and the other detectives go to the bar to attend Cole's cop wake, where Landsman delivers the eulogy.

Colvin and a reluctant Mello survey quiet territory in their district to push drug activity into. He later orders his men to stop reclassifying crimes and give the statistics straight. At the next COMSTAT meeting, Burrell and Rawls berate Colvin for a minuscule rise in his district's figures, and threaten to remove him from his post if they do not improve. As the commanders discuss their plans to meet Rawls' demands, Colvin says that he is considering legalizing drugs; the other commanders laugh, assuming that Colvin was joking. Later, Colvin informs his men that he plans to move drug trade into three specific areas. Later, McNulty and Greggs track down Bubbles and Johnny to offer them work. Bubbles takes the offer, saying that he is always willing to go for easy money. Marlo orders Fruit to help him invade Barksdale territory, leading Fruit and his team to assault Bodie's crew. Dennis "Cutty" Wise tracks down his former girlfriend Grace Sampson, who is now a teacher at a middle school. Grace seems impressed that Cutty is out of the game, but gently rebuffs his attempt to rekindle their past relationship.

First appearances

• Gerard and Sapper: Young and idiotic Barksdale enforcers involved in the gunfight following Omar Little's heist attempt.
• Kenard: A young boy who idolizes Omar.
• Jen Carcetti: Tommy Carcetti's loyal wife.
• Jeff Price: A city council reporter for the city desk at The Baltimore Sun. The character would not be seen again until Season 5, which focuses heavily on the Sun and its staff.
• Grace Sampson: A school teacher and Cutty's old flame.

Deceased

• Tank: Shot by Kimmy defending a Barksdale stash house.
• Tosha Mitchell: Shot by Dante during a heist on a Barksdale stash house.
• Ray Cole: Died exercising on a StairMaster. (This occurs off-screen; the role was played by series producer Robert Colesberry, who died shortly after the second season.)

External links

• "Dead Soldiers" at HBO.com
• "Dead Soldiers" at IMDb
• Template:Tv.com episode