"More with Less" is the first episode of the fifth season of the

HBO Home Box Office (HBO) is an American premium television network, which is the flagship property of namesake parent subsidiary Home Box Office, Inc., itself a unit owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. The overall Home Box Office business unit is ba ...

original series ''

The Wire ''The Wire'' is an American crime drama television series created and primarily written by author and former police reporter David Simon. The series was broadcast by the cable network HBO in the United States. ''The Wire'' premiered on June 2, ...

''. The episode was written by

David Simon David Judah Simon (born February 9, 1960) is an American author, journalist, screenwriter, and producer best known for his work on ''The Wire'' (2002–08). He worked for ''The Baltimore Sun'' City Desk for twelve years (1982–95), wrote '' Hom ...

from a story by David Simon & Ed Burns and was directed by

Joe Chappelle Joseph Chappelle is an American screenwriter, producer, and director of film and television. He is perhaps best known for his work on the critically acclaimed HBO series ''The Wire'', where he directed six episodes and served as co-executive pr ...

. It originally aired on January 6, 2008.

Plot

Mayor In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor as well as ...

Tommy Carcetti Thomas J. "Tommy" Carcetti ( ) is a fictional character on the HBO drama ''The Wire'', played by Aidan Gillen. Carcetti is an ambitious and venal Baltimore politician who begins the series with a seat on the city council. Biography Season 3 To ...

's plan to rejuvenate the Baltimore Police Department has been halted by funding cuts necessitated by the city's education deficit. Carcetti and Council President Nerese Campbell meet with a Republican U.S. Attorney who promises to lend a dozen

FBI The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the domestic intelligence and security service of the United States and its principal federal law enforcement agency. Operating under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Justice, t ...

agents to the BPD in exchange for the city allowing the investigation into the corrupt

State Senator A state senator is a member of a state's senate in the bicameral legislature of 49 U.S. states, or a member of the unicameral Nebraska Legislature. Description A state senator is a member of an upper house in the bicameral legislatures of 49 ...

Clay Davis R. Clayton "Clay" Davis is a fictional character on the HBO drama ''The Wire'', played by actor Isiah Whitlock, Jr. Davis is a corrupt Maryland State Senator with a reputation for pocketing bribes. However, throughout the series Davis remains p ...

to be made a federal case. Carcetti fears that the U.S. Attorney will use the case to discredit the Democrats, while Campbell sees

State's Attorney In the United States, a district attorney (DA), county attorney, state's attorney, prosecuting attorney, commonwealth's attorney, or state attorney is the chief prosecutor and/or chief law enforcement officer representing a U.S. state in a ...

Rupert Bond Law enforcement is an integral part of the HBO drama series ''The Wire''. The show has numerous characters in this field and their roles range from those enforcing the law at street level up to those setting laws citywide. The Baltimore City Police ...

's case against Davis as a means of eventually running for mayor. Carcetti's cuts cause the Major Crimes Unit (MCU) to shut down, effectively ending the investigation into the vacant murders. Detectives

Lester Freamon Lester Freamon is a fictional character on the HBO drama ''The Wire'', played by actor Clarke Peters. Freamon is a detective in the Baltimore Police Department's Major Crimes Unit. He is a wise, methodical detective whose intelligence and experien ...

and

Leander Sydnor Leander Sydnor is a fictional character on the HBO drama '' The Wire'', played by actor Corey Parker Robinson. Sydnor is a young, married Baltimore Police detective who is a member of the Barksdale detail and later works in the Major Crimes Unit. ...

take over the Davis investigation. Colonel

Cedric Daniels Cedric Daniels is a fictional character on the HBO drama ''The Wire'', played by Lance Reddick. Daniels is well regarded in the Baltimore Police Department by making his subordinates focus on decent police work and quality arrests. He occasiona ...

is outraged that

City Hall In local government, a city hall, town hall, civic centre (in the UK or Australia), guildhall, or a municipal building (in the Philippines), is the chief administrative building of a city, town, or other municipality. It usually houses ...

is prioritizing Davis over 22 murders. Detective

Jimmy McNulty James "Jimmy" McNulty is a fictional character and the protagonist of the HBO drama ''The Wire'', played by Dominic West. McNulty is an Irish-American detective in the Baltimore Police Department. While talented in his profession, McNulty's c ...

, having already fallen back into his old habits of

alcoholism Alcoholism is, broadly, any drinking of alcohol that results in significant mental or physical health problems. Because there is disagreement on the definition of the word ''alcoholism'', it is not a recognized diagnostic entity. Predomina ...

and infidelity while working in the MCU, is despondent upon his return to Homicide. In the Western District, Sergeant

Ellis Carver Ellis Carver is a fictional character on the HBO drama ''The Wire'', played by actor Seth Gilliam. Carver is a former Sergeant of the Baltimore Police Department's Western District Drug Enforcement Unit. While initially matched to the simple-mi ...

struggles to keep up morale following pay cuts.

Herc Thomas "Herc" Hauk is a fictional character on the HBO drama ''The Wire'', played by Domenick Lombardozzi. The series introduces Herc as a detective in the Baltimore Police Department's Narcotics Unit, begrudgingly detailed to the initial Barks ...

is now working as an investigator for defense attorney Maurice Levy.

Marlo Stanfield Marlo Stanfield is a fictional character on the HBO television drama ''The Wire'', played by actor Jamie Hector. Stanfield is a young, ambitious, intelligent and ruthless gangster and head of the eponymous Stanfield Organization in the Baltimore ...

intimidates other drug dealers into buying his product and causes unrest in the

New Day Co-Op ''The Wire'' is an American crime drama television series created and primarily written by author and former police reporter David Simon. The series was broadcast by the cable network HBO in the United States. ''The Wire'' premiered on June 2, ...

. He gets Chris Partlow to find

Sergei Malatov Sergei "Serge" Malatov (Ukrainian: Сергій Малатов) is a fictional character on the HBO drama series ''The Wire'', played by Chris Ashworth. He acts as a driver and enforcer for The Greek. He is Ukrainian, although Americans often ...

as a connection to the Co-Ops' suppliers. Partlow visits the courthouse, where he unwittingly approaches Daniels, Bond, and

Rhonda Pearlman Rhonda Pearlman is a fictional character on the HBO drama ''The Wire'', played by actress Deirdre Lovejoy. Pearlman has been the legal system liaison for all of Lieutenant Cedric Daniels' investigations on the show. Later in the series, she begins ...

to ask for directions. Michael Lee is acting as an enforcer under Partlow, while his friend and cohabitant

Duquan "Dukie" Weems Duquan "Dukie" Weems is a fictional character on the HBO drama ''The Wire'', played by Jermaine Crawford. Dukie is a student at Edward Tilghman Middle School. He has a difficult home life because the adults in his home are either alcoholics or d ...

runs their drug dealing crew. Dukie has not gained the respect of the crew, and Michael suggests paying him for looking after his younger brother Bug instead. ''

The Baltimore Sun ''The Baltimore Sun'' is the largest general-circulation daily newspaper based in the U.S. state of Maryland and provides coverage of local and regional news, events, issues, people, and industries. Founded in 1837, it is currently owned by Tr ...

'' also faces budget cuts, but editor Augustus "Gus" Haynes remains principled and efficient. The ''Sun'' breaks a story about Campbell's relocation of drug dealer Ricardo "Fat-Face Rick" Hendrix's

strip club A strip club is a venue where strippers provide adult entertainment, predominantly in the form of striptease or other erotic or exotic dances. Strip clubs typically adopt a nightclub or bar style, and can also adopt a theatre or cabaret-style. Am ...

out of a redeveloping neighborhood at a considerable cost to the city budget, linking the plan to campaign contributions from Hendrix and Campbell's associates. Ambitious reporter Scott Templeton remains dissatisfied while his colleague

Alma Gutierrez Alma M. Gutierrez is a fictional character on the HBO drama ''The Wire'', played by actress Michelle Paress. Gutierrez is a dedicated and idealistic young reporter on the city desk of ''The Baltimore Sun''. Biography Gutierrez joins the staff of ...

, who got a choice quote from Hendrix for the story, is happy with her work. Bubbles lives in his sister's basement and no longer uses drugs, but leaves each evening that his sister is assigned to night shift, as she does not trust him enough to leave him alone in her house. He works as a rush hour distributor for the ''Sun'' to commuters. He sells a copy to Campbell, who is outraged by the Hendrix story.

Production

Guest stars

Frankie Faison Frankie Russel Faison (born June 10, 1949) is an American actor known for his role as Deputy Commissioner, and, later, Commissioner, Ervin Burrell in the HBO series ''The Wire'', as Barney Matthews in the ''Hannibal Lecter'' franchise, and as Su ...

Ervin Burrell Ervin H. Burrell is a fictional character on the HBO drama ''The Wire'', played by Frankie Faison. Burrell was an officer in the Baltimore Police Department who ascended from Deputy Commissioner of Operations to Commissioner over the course of the ...

Amy Ryan Amy Beth Dziewiontkowski, known professionally as Amy Ryan, is an American actress of stage and screen. A graduate of New York's High School of Performing Arts, she is an Academy Award nominee and two-time Tony Award nominee. Ryan began her pro ...

as Beatrice "Beadie" Russell * Marlyne Afflack as Nerese Campbell * Robert F. Chew as

Proposition Joe Joseph Stewart, better known as "Proposition Joe" or "Prop Joe", is a fictional character on the HBO drama ''The Wire'', played by Robert F. Chew. Joe is an Eastside drug lord who prefers a peaceful solution to business disputes when possible. H ...

Delaney Williams Delaney Williams (born December 12, 1962) is an American character actor from Washington, D.C. He appeared on the HBO drama ''The Wire'' (2002–2008) as a recurring guest star playing homicide sergeant Jay Landsman. He also had a small role on H ...

as Jay Landsman *

Felicia Pearson Felicia Pearson (born May 18, 1980) is an American actress, rapper and author. She played Felicia "Snoop" Pearson on '' The Wire'' and wrote a 2007 memoir, '' Grace After Midnight,'' detailing her troubled childhood and time in prison for seco ...

as Felicia "Snoop" Pearson *Duane Rawlings as Hungry Man *Troj Marquis Strickland as Ricardo "Fatface Rick" Hendrix *

Anwan Glover Ralph Anwan Glover (born May 5, 1971 in Washington, D.C.) is an American rapper, actor, model, DJ, and founding member of the D.C.-based go-go band "BackYard Band" (also abbreviated as "BYB"). Glover is also known for his portrayal of Slim Cha ...

Slim Charles Slim Charles is a fictional character in the HBO drama ''The Wire'', played by Anwan Glover. An enforcer for the Barksdale Organization and later the top lieutenant of kingpin Proposition Joe, he is portrayed as principled, loyal, and competen ...

David Costabile David Costabile (; born January 9, 1967) is an American actor. He is best known for his television work, having appeared in supporting roles in several television series such as '' Billions'', ''Breaking Bad'', ''Damages'', ''Flight of the Conch ...

as Thomas Klebanow *

Sam Freed Sam Freed (born August 29, 1948) is an American actor who has performed on Broadway and television and in movies. His first major regular role on television was as Bob Barsky in the last three seasons of '' Kate & Allie''. In the short-lived ser ...

as James Whiting * Dion Graham as

*Bruce Kirkpatrick as Roger Twigg * Jay Landsman as Dennis Mello * Ed Norris as Ed Norris *

Method Man Clifford Smith, Jr. (born March 2, 1971), better known by his stage name Method Man, is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He is known as a member of the East Coast hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan. He is also half of ...

as Melvin "Cheese" Wagstaff *Joseph Urla as Maryland District US Attorney *Gregory L. Williams as

Michael Crutchfield Michael Paul Crutchfield (born 12 December 1961) is an Australian politician. He was formerly the member for South Barwon in the Victorian Legislative Assembly. Early life Crutchfield was born in Melbourne, but attended high school in the co ...

William F. Zorzi William F. Zorzi Jr. (born 1954) is an American journalist and screenwriter. He worked at '' The Baltimore Sun'' for almost twenty years and covered politics for the majority of his career. He has also written for the HBO television series '' The ...

as Bill Zorzi *Bobby J. Brown as

Bobby Brown Robert Barisford Brown (born February 5, 1969) is an American singer, songwriter and dancer. Brown, alongside frequent collaborator Teddy Riley, is noted as one of the pioneers of new jack swing: a fusion of hip hop and R&B. Brown started h ...

* Benjamin Busch as Anthony Colicchio *Rick Otto as

Kenneth Dozerman The Baltimore Police Department plays an integral part in '' The Wire''. Command The department is led by a Police Commissioner assisted by Deputy Commissioners of Operations (often shortened to Deputy Ops) and Administration. The Police Commissio ...

*Ryan Sands as Lloyd "Truck" Garrick *

Ron Tucker Ronald Douglas Tucker (30 June 1921 – 10 April 1986) was an Australian rules footballer who played for and in the Western Australian National Football League (WANFL). Playing in a number of positions, though primarily at centre half-forwar ...

as Unknown *Thomas J. McCarthy as Tim Phelps *Donald Neal as Jay Spry *Robert Poletick as Steven Luxenberg *Kara Quick as Rebecca Corbett *Todd Scofield as Jeff Price *Eisa Davis as Bubbles' Sister *Gil Deeble as Hucklebuck *Edward Green as

Spider Spiders (order Araneae) are air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs, chelicerae with fangs generally able to inject venom, and spinnerets that extrude silk. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species d ...

*Dante Painter, Jr. as DeShawn *Corbin Smith as Monell *Peter Linari as Pete the Bartender *

Laura Lippman Laura Lippman (born January 31, 1959) is an American journalist and author of over 20 detective fiction novels. Life and career Lippman was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and raised in Columbia, Maryland. She is the daughter of Theo Lippman, Jr., a w ...

as Laura Lippman * Michael Olesker as Michael Olesker *Gene Terinoni as Jimmy Asher *Brandon Young as

Mike Fletcher Mike Fletcher (born 14 April 1967) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played as a , or . He spent almost his entire club career at Hull Kingston Rovers, and is the club's record point scorer. He also played for Hunslet ...

*Lee Everett Cox as

Aaron Castor The Baltimore Police Department plays an integral part in ''The Wire''. Command The department is led by a Police Commissioner assisted by Deputy Commissioners of Operations (often shortened to Deputy Ops) and Administration. The Police Commission ...

*Dennis Hill as Detective Christeson *Juhahn Jones as Drug Dealer *Brian E. McLarney as Officer Brian McLarney *Jermaine Shorts as Unknown *Jay Spadaro as Officer Lee Everett Cox and David Costabile's names are misspelled in the credits as Lee Evertt Cox and David Costible, respectively.

Uncredited appearances

*Mike D. Anderson as

Ghost A ghost is the soul (spirit), soul or spirit of a dead Human, person or animal that is believed to be able to appear to the living. In ghostlore, descriptions of ghosts vary widely from an invisible presence to translucent or barely visibl ...

*Keenon Brice as Bug *

Darrell Britt-Gibson Darrell Hadari Britt-Gibson (born August 4, 1986) is an American actor, known for his role as Darius "O-Dog" Hill on the HBO series ''The Wire''. He has also appeared on the Showtime series '' Californication'', the Starz series ''Power'', the ...

as O-Dog * Chris Clanton as Savino Bratton * Thuliso Dingwall as Kenard

First appearances

* Gus Haynes - a veteran of ''The Baltimore Sun'' and city desk editor * Scott Templeton - reporter *

- reporter * James Whiting - the paper's

Executive Editor Executive ( exe., exec., execu.) may refer to: Role or title * Executive, a senior management role in an organization ** Chief executive officer (CEO), one of the highest-ranking corporate officers (executives) or administrators ** Executive dir ...

* Thomas Klebanow - the paper's

Managing Editor A managing editor (ME) is a senior member of a publication's management team. Typically, the managing editor reports directly to the editor-in-chief and oversees all aspects of the publication. United States In the United States, a managing edito ...

* Steven Luxenberg - the paper's Metro Desk Editor * Tim Phelps - the paper's State Desk Editor * Rebecca Corbett - the paper's Regional Affairs Editor * Jay Spry - veteran rewrite man * Roger Twigg - long-serving reporter *

- young general assignments reporter * Det. Christeson - new member of the homicide unit who has McNulty's old desk

References

External links

"More with Less"
at HBO.com * {{The Wire episodes The Wire (season 5) episodes 2008 American television episodes Television episodes written by David Simon