S04E05 · EP 42
season 4 · 2006-10-08
Alliances
written by Ed Burns · directed by David Platt · image The Wire Wiki (CC BY-SA)

Episode DNA

21 scenes · 3 threads
tense 37%misunderstanding 15%menacing 9%absurd 7%coincidence 7%social rule violation 7%threat 5%pursuit 4%sad 3%escalation 2%

Story threads over runtime

click a block to open the scene
0:005:0010:0015:0020:00
A · School and Classroom Tensions
B · Police and Political Maneuvering
C · Street Violence and Gang Dynamics
01

Every scene

21 scenes · our breakdown
1 · alleyway · setupKids Discussing Lex's Disappearance

Students discuss Lex's disappearance and speculate about Chris Partlow's involvement.

00:07–03:49social_rule_violation · misunderstanding
2 · classroom · setupPrez Introduces New Rules

Prez introduces new classroom rules and rewards for good behavior.

03:49–08:10social_rule_violation · misunderstanding
3 ▸ 08:10
3 · school office · setupColvin Discusses School Initiative

Colvin discusses a school initiative to separate students into groups based on behavior.

08:10–10:07social_rule_violation · misunderstanding
4 · detention room · escalationStudents in Detention

Students in detention react to Prez's rules and misbehavior.

10:07–13:43social_rule_violation · misunderstanding
5 · classroom · complicationNamond Apologizes to Prez

Namond apologizes to Prez for his behavior and explains his struggles.

13:43–17:56social_rule_violation · misunderstanding
6 · school hallway · complicationRandy and Dukie Discuss Michael

Randy and Dukie discuss Michael's situation and are joined by Donut, who helps Prez retrieve his keys.

17:56–19:28misunderstanding · escalation
7 · street · escalationRandy Talks to Michael About Corners

Randy talks to Michael about working the corners and trying to help him.

19:28–22:01threat · misunderstanding
8 · street · escalationChris Offers Michael a Position

Chris offers Michael a position in the Stanfield organization, but Michael refuses.

22:01–27:10threat · coincidence
9 ▸ 27:10
9 · street · complicationPolitical Discussion and Card Game

Political figures discuss a card game and a potential execution.

27:10–28:20threat · misunderstanding
12 ▸ 30:10
12 · school office · complicationColvin Meets with Principal Withers

Colvin meets with Principal Withers to discuss his initiative and potential challenges.

30:10–31:50social_rule_violation · misunderstanding
13 · Homicide office · setupDiscussion of Street Sweeps

Detectives discuss street sweeps on Marlo Stanfield's crews and political maneuvering.

31:50–35:15misunderstanding · coincidence
14 · Homicide office · escalationDetective Reassignment and Press Conference

A detective is reassigned and a press conference is announced.

35:15–36:21misunderstanding · coincidence
16 · stash house · escalationPolice Raid Stash House

Police raid a stash house but find no evidence.

37:50–38:16pursuit · misunderstanding
17 ▸ 38:16
17 · campaign office · escalationPolitical Tensions Between Royce and Carcetti

Political tensions rise as Royce and Carcetti argue about campaign tactics.

38:16–42:08misunderstanding · coincidence
18 · campaign office · complicationConfrontation Between Watkins and Carcetti

Odell Watkins confronts Tommy Carcetti about campaign tactics.

42:08–43:31misunderstanding · coincidence
19 ▸ 43:31
19 · street · escalationNamond Visits His Father in Prison

Namond visits his father Wee-Bey in prison and discusses Marlo's power.

43:31–46:22threat · misunderstanding
20 · police station · escalationPolice Intercept and Student Candy Sale

Police intercept communication and a student sells candy.

46:22–47:33pursuit · misunderstanding
21 · campaign office · complicationCarcetti Talks to a Voter

Tommy Carcetti discusses the mayor's policies with a voter.

47:33–49:40misunderstanding · coincidence
22 · Homicide office · escalationHomicide Shift and Councilman Meeting

Homicide detectives shift focus to real murders and meet a councilman.

49:40–52:41pursuit · misunderstanding
23 · campaign office · complicationWatkins and Carcetti Discuss Card Game

Odell Watkins and Tommy Carcetti discuss a card game and a planned execution.

52:41–55:16misunderstanding · coincidence
24 ▸ 55:16
24 · alleyway · payoffDiscovery of Lex's Body

Lex's body is discovered, confirming his death and the boys' fears.

55:16–57:06violence · misunderstanding
03

Same DNA

nearest episodes by gene profile

Episode facts

Wikipedia · Wikidata
Aired
2006-10-08
Overall
#42
Writers
Ed Burns
Director
David Platt
Pace
116 words/min · 186 questions

Where to watch

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In this episode

DW
Duquan WeemsJermaine Crawford23 episodes · drives 3 scenes
RW
Randy WagstaffMaestro Harrell15 episodes · drives 6 scenes
NB
Namond BriceJulito McCullum16 episodes · drives 9 scenes
ML
Michael LeeTristan Wilds23 episodes
D
DonutNathan Corbett10 episodes · drives 2 scenes
K
KenardThuliso Dingwall17 episodes · drives 1 scenes
RP
Roland PryzbylewskiJim True-Frost52 episodes · drives 24 scenes
ZD
Zenobia DawsonTaylor King9 episodes