Ep 8. Moral Midgetry

In the third season of the critically acclaimed series The Wire, episode 8, "Moral Midgetry," continues with the theme of corruption and political maneuvering in the city of Baltimore. The episode delves deeper into the ongoing conflict between the Barksdale organization and the Major Crimes Unit (MCU) of the Baltimore Police Department.

As the police continue their investigation into the Barksdale crew, they realize that there are few options left to bring them down. The organization has grown to the point where it is virtually impossible to infiltrate, and the MCU is running out of leads. However, Lieutenant Daniels (Lance Reddick) is determined to find a way to bring down the drug kingpin Avon Barksdale (Wood Harris) and his second-in-command Stringer Bell (Idris Elba).

At the same time, the police department itself is dealing with its own political struggles. Deputy Commissioner Burrell (Frankie Faison) is under pressure from Mayor Royce (Glynn Turman) to clean up the city's crime rate, but he is more focused on his own career than actually combating the problem. Meanwhile, Major Rawls (John Doman) is plotting against Daniels, hoping to derail his career before he becomes too much of a threat.

In "Moral Midgetry," these various plot threads come to a head. Daniels and his team are forced to confront the reality that they may never be able to bring down the Barksdale crew, while at the same time facing opposition from their own department. Rawls is doing everything in his power to undermine Daniels, and Burrell is only concerned with passing the buck to protect his own interests.

The episode also touches on the personal lives of the characters. Detective Kima Greggs (Sonja Sohn) is struggling with her relationship with her girlfriend, while the drug-addicted Bubbles (Andre Royo) is attempting to rebuild his life after his latest relapse.

As always, The Wire is a masterclass in storytelling. The writing, acting, and direction come together to create a dark, gritty world that feels all too real. "Moral Midgetry" is a standout episode that captures the complex, often disheartening nature of law enforcement and politics.

Overall, The Wire is a must-watch for anyone interested in crime dramas. It's not an easy watch, but it's worth it for the depth of its characters and the nuance of its storytelling. If you're a fan of shows like Breaking Bad or The Sopranos, you owe it to yourself to give The Wire a chance.