1x01 The Target - The Wire Episode Guide

The Wire

- Episode 01x01

Episode: 01x01 (pilot)
Title: The Target
Type: Regular Episode
Production Code: 101
First Aired: Jun. 02, 2002

Season 1 » Episode #01 - The Target

Summary: During the trial of D'Angelo Barksdale, a mid-level dealer accused of murder, the prosecution's star witness takes back her testimony, resulting in a not guilty verdict. After the trial, Detective James "Jimmy" McNulty explains to Judge Phelan how he suspects the Barksdale crew for a slew of related murders. The judge soon contacts McNulty's superiors about this and McNulty is taken to task for his indiscretion. Meanwhile, D'Angelo is free to return to work, but he soon discovers that he's been demoted.

Who appeared in this episode?

Guest Stars:

Maj. William A. Rawls	played by John Doman
Russell 'Stringer' Bell	played by Idris Elba
Dep. Comm. for Operations Ervin H. Burrell	played by Frankie Faison
D'Angelo Barksdale	played by Larry Gilliard Jr.
Avon Barksdale	played by Wood Harris
Judge Daniel Phelan	played by Peter Gerety
Det. Ellis Carver	played by Seth Gilliam
Johnny Weeks	played by Leo Fitzpatrick
Preston Broadus	played by J.D. Williams (II)

Season 1 / Episode 1: - The Target

Det. Barlow: Think I give a fuck? I'll be chalkin' you off someday.
Russell 'Stringer' Bell: You have a nice day.

Season 1 / Episode 1: - The Target

Det. Ellis Carver: What he means to say is that we are effective deterrent in the war on drugs when we are on the street.
Det. Thomas Hauk: Fucking motherfuckers up.
Det. Ellis Carver: Indeed.
Det. Thomas Hauk: Fuck the paperwork. Collect bodies, split heads.
Det. Ellis Carver: Split 'em wide.
Det. Thomas Hauk: The Western District way.
Det. Ellis Carver: A'ight.
Shakima Greggs: You rogue motherfuckers kill me. Fighting the war on drugs, one brutality case at a time.
Det. Ellis Carver: You can't even call this shit a war.
Det. Thomas Hauk: Why not?
Det. Ellis Carver: Wars end.

[More Quotes]

MISTAKES/GOOFS

[none added]

TRIVIA

This is the only episode of the series to contain a flashback.
The Snot Boogie murder story and Bunk's story of shooting a mouse in his kitchen with his service weapon are true stories from David Simon (II)'s book "Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets" which served as the basis for "Homicide: Life on the Street" (1993).
Each season uses a different recording of the opening theme "Way Down In The Hole," against a different opening sequence. This season, the first, the theme is performed by The Blind Boys of Alabama.