Ep 5. Alliances

The Wire season 4 episode 5, titled "Alliances," continues to explore the themes of alliances and loyalty that have been present throughout the season so far. The episode focuses on the alliance between Marlo Stanfield's crew and Prop Joe's organization as they work together to corner the drug market in Baltimore. Meanwhile, the police continue their investigation into Marlo's activities, with McNulty and Freamon attempting to piece together the puzzle of his organization and its leaders.

The episode opens with a meeting between Marlo and Prop Joe, where they discuss the details of their new partnership. Marlo is wary of Prop Joe's trustworthiness, but Prop Joe assures him that their interests are aligned and that they can work together to dominate the drug trade in Baltimore. As they exit the meeting, Marlo's right-hand man Chris tells him that he doesn't trust Prop Joe and that they need to keep an eye on him. Marlo agrees, but reminds Chris that they need the connections and resources that Prop Joe's organization can provide.

Meanwhile, McNulty and Freamon are still working on their investigation into Marlo's crew. They have managed to track down some of the players involved, but they are struggling to piece together the bigger picture. They decide to ask for help from their former colleague, turned state's witness, Lester, who has expertise in wiretapping. Lester is initially reluctant to help them, but eventually he agrees to come onboard and help them with the investigation.

At the same time, Carver is struggling to maintain control over his corner, as the new drug kingpin Bodie has moved in and is taking over. Carver tries to confront Bodie, but is unsuccessful in getting him to back down. He turns to his superior, Bunny Colvin, for advice. Colvin tells him that he needs to find a way to work with Bodie rather than against him, and to seek alliances where he can to maintain control over his corner.

The theme of alliances is further explored in the episode through the storyline of Namond and his mother, who are struggling to make ends meet in the face of eviction. Namond's mother turns to Colvin for help, and he offers her a job in the school system. Namond, meanwhile, is struggling in school and is being pressured by the other boys in his group to take on a more active role on the streets. He turns to his father figure, Michael, for guidance, but Michael is focused on his own life and tells Namond to figure things out for himself.

As the episode progresses, the tensions between the various groups continue to rise. Marlo and Prop Joe's partnership appears to be going well, but each side is keeping a watchful eye on the other. McNulty and Freamon are making progress in their investigation, but the more they learn, the more complicated the situation becomes. Carver is struggling to maintain his power, and it's becoming clear that he will need to make some tough choices to stay in control.

Overall, "Alliances" is a tense and thought-provoking episode that explores the complex relationships between the various players in the drug trade. From Marlo and Prop Joe's uneasy partnership to Namond's struggles to find his place in the world, each storyline reveals new facets of the characters and the wider world they inhabit. As the season progresses, it is clear that the alliances and allegiances will continue to shift and change, creating a complex and engaging storyline that keeps viewers hooked.