Ep 4. Hard Cases

The Wire season 2 episode 4, entitled "Hard Cases," begins with the continued investigation into the mysterious deaths of women whose bodies have been found in the Baltimore harbor. This time, the focus is on a young woman named Squeak who has just disappeared, and the pressure is on the detectives to find out what happened to her before it's too late.

Meanwhile, the stevedores at the docks are still struggling to make ends meet in the face of the port's declining business. Many of them have turned to drug dealing to supplement their income, and tensions are high among the workers as they fight for their piece of the pie. The union leader, Frank Sobotka, is caught in the middle, torn between his loyalty to his men and his desire to keep the union afloat.

As the episode progresses, the detectives become increasingly frustrated with their lack of progress in the case. The few leads they have all seem to go nowhere, and there's a sense of despair among the investigators as they realize just how difficult it will be to unravel this mystery.

At the same time, Frank Sobotka is dealing with his own set of problems. His son Ziggy, who has been involved in some shady dealings with drug dealers, is arrested and brought in for questioning. Frank tries to protect him by taking the fall himself, but it quickly becomes clear that the situation is more complicated than he thought.

Eventually, the detectives are able to piece together the clues they have been working with and make a breakthrough in the case. But the resolution is bittersweet, as they discover the terrible truth behind the deaths and realize that there's no easy way to fix the systemic problems that led to these tragedies in the first place.

As for Frank Sobotka and his family, they too face difficult choices and uncertain futures. The episode ends on a somber note, with the weight of the characters' struggles and the harsh realities of life in the city all too apparent.

Overall, "Hard Cases" is a gripping and intense episode that showcases the show's ability to delve into complex social issues while still delivering a compelling narrative. The writing is sharp and thoughtful, and the performances from the cast are top-notch. It's a must-watch for fans of the show, and a good starting point for anyone who has yet to discover the world of The Wire.