Ep 2. The Detail

In The Wire season 1 episode 2, titled "The Detail," a new detail is formed by the Baltimore Police Department to investigate the drug lord Avon Barksdale and his organization. The detail includes two detectives named McNulty and Bunk, who we met in the previous episode, as well as two other detectives named Greggs and Prez.

McNulty, who was previously assigned to the Barksdale detail but was removed due to his insubordination, meets with judge Phelan to explain his theory that the Barksdale organization is responsible for the recent spike in violence in the city. Phelan is initially dismissive of McNulty's claims but becomes interested when McNulty suggests that the Barksdale organization is somehow connected to the death of a witness in a previous case.

Meanwhile, the other members of the detail begin their investigation by collecting evidence on street-level drug dealers associated with the Barksdale organization. They start with a dealer named Bubbles, who has a long criminal history but is willing to cooperate with the police in exchange for protection from the Barksdale crew. Bubbles leads them to another dealer named D'Angelo, who is the nephew of Avon Barksdale and a higher-ranking member of the organization.

As the episode progresses, the detail begins to piece together a clearer picture of the Barksdale organization's operations and hierarchy. They identify key members of the organization, including the enforcer known as "Wee-Bey", and speculate about how the drugs are being distributed and money is being laundered.

Throughout the episode, we also see glimpses of the personal lives of the various characters. McNulty has a strained relationship with his estranged wife and children, while Bunk spends time with his girlfriend and admits to being "bored" with his job. Greggs, who is a lesbian, has a brief conversation with a fellow officer about her sexuality. Prez, who is revealed to have shot a fellow officer in a previous case, struggles with guilt and self-doubt.

"The Detail" is an important episode in the series as it sets up the overarching plot of the Barksdale investigation and introduces several key characters. It also establishes the themes of corruption and dysfunction within the police department, as well as the broader societal issues that fuel the drug trade in Baltimore. The episode is notable for its attention to detail and realism, as well as its complex portrayal of both the police and criminal worlds.