The Wire | [s1e6]

The Wire, Season 1, Episode 6, "The Wire" (Veterans edition)

This line, spoken as Freamon explains the nuances of a conspiracy charge to Prez, becomes a mission statement for the entire series. [S1E6] The Wire

In the sixth episode of The Wire , titled (originally aired July 7, 2002), the series formally begins to embrace its name as the major drug investigation finally goes electronic. The episode is a turning point that contrasts the high-tech aspirations of the police detail against the brutal, low-tech reality of the street. The Epigraph "…and all the pieces matter." — Lester Freamon The Wire, Season 1, Episode 6, "The Wire"

After weeks of bureaucratic stalling, the detail finally gets their wiretaps active on the project pay phones. Freamon quickly proves he is the "natural police" of the group, matching pager activity to the timing of Brandon’s death and linking various Barksdale lieutenants. The Epigraph "…and all the pieces matter

Major Rawls continues his personal vendetta against McNulty, attempting to force him back to Homicide and pressuring Santangelo to "snitch" on his partner. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Daniels manages to bypass Rawls by appealing directly to Deputy Commissioner Burrell to keep the investigation alive. Character Highlights

Devastated by the sight of Brandon's body at the morgue, Omar breaks the street code of silence. He meets with McNulty and Greggs, identifying "Bird" (Marquis Hilton) as the shooter in the William Gant murder and offering to testify.