Ep 4. Refugees

With the fourth season of The Wire, the series continues its exploration of the interconnected worlds of Baltimore, focusing mainly on the political, educational, and social realms of the city. In episode four, entitled Refugees, we follow a few different storylines, each of which tie into the season's larger themes of institutional failure and the effects of crime and poverty on children.

One storyline follows the teachers and students of Edward J. Tilghman Middle School, including Mr. Prezbo. Mr. Prezbo is a former cop who has been teaching at the school for a while now, and in this episode, he's tasked with leading a class on American history. The students, however, are more interested in current events, particularly the war in Iraq, and Mr. Prezbo struggles to keep them engaged in his lessons.

Meanwhile, another teacher, Miss Sampson, is dealing with a different kind of challenge. She's trying to teach a group of refugee students who have just arrived in Baltimore, and she's struggling to communicate with them due to language barriers. She turns to Miss Anna, the school's guidance counselor, for help, and together they try to figure out how best to support these new students.

Another storyline follows the Barksdale organization, which is undergoing some changes in leadership. With Stringer Bell dead, the organization is being run by Proposition Joe and Slim Charles. However, tensions are rising between them and another member of the organization, Cheese. Cheese is Stringer Bell's nephew, and he's not happy with the way things are going. He feels like Prop Joe and Slim Charles are treating him unfairly and taking advantage of his family connections. The situation comes to a head in this episode when Cheese pulls a gun on Slim Charles in a tense confrontation.

Finally, we check in with Michael, Dukie, and Randy, three young boys from the show's previous seasons who are now attending Tilghman Middle School. Michael in particular is struggling to adjust to the new environment, both socially and academically. He's being picked on by some of the other students, and he's falling behind in his classes. Dukie and Randy try to help him out, but it's clear that Michael is dealing with some deep-seated issues.

Overall, Refugees is a tense, emotionally charged episode that touches on some of the show's deepest themes. It highlights the struggles of teaching in a system that is woefully underfunded and understaffed, as well as the difficulties faced by refugees and immigrants trying to make a new home in a foreign land. Additionally, the tension between Cheese and the rest of the Barksdale organization adds a layer of danger and unpredictability to the proceedings, reminding us that crime and violence are never far from the surface in The Wire's Baltimore. And, of course, the continued focus on Michael, Dukie, and Randy's struggles underscores the show's larger message about the devastating long-term effects of poverty and neglect on young people.