S04E06 · EP 43
season 4 · 2006-10-15
Margin of Error
written by Eric Overmyer · directed by Dan Attias · image The Wire Wiki (CC BY-SA)

Episode DNA

22 scenes · 4 threads
scheme 20%tense 17%deadpan 16%investigation 6%angry 5%deal 4%tender 3%betrayal 3%obsession 3%cheerful 3%

Story threads over runtime

click a block to open the scene
0:005:0010:0015:0020:00
A · Carcetti's Mayoral Campaign
B · Barksdale Remnants
C · Major Crimes Unit
D · School and Street Kids
01

Every scene

22 scenes · our breakdown
1 · Reverend Franklin's Church · act1Reverend Franklin's Sermon

Candidates attend church services two days before the primary election.

02:12–06:41scheme · social_rule_violation
3 · Downtown Baltimore Street · act1Smear Flier Discovered

Carcetti learns of a fake smear flier linking him to a slumlord.

06:57–07:26scheme · betrayal
5 · Marlo's Outdoor Hangout · act1Marlo's Phone Call

Marlo arranges a pickup of a skinny girl from New York.

08:42–09:14scheme
6 · Surveillance Van · act1Smear Flier Discovered

Carcetti campaigns downtown; a teacher supports him; Watkins shows a flier linking Carcetti to slumlord Bobby Harrison.

09:14–10:04investigation · coincidence
7 · Carcetti Campaign Headquarters · act1Brianna Cuts Off Brice Family

Brianna Barksdale tells De'Londa and Namond she is ending financial support.

10:04–11:38scheme
8 · Brianna Barksdale's Home · act1Marlo's Phone Call

Marlo arranges a pickup of a skinny girl from New York.

11:38–12:02betrayal · confession
9 · Police Station Briefing Room · act1Campaign Response Plan

Carcetti's staff plans to counter the smear flier.

12:02–12:42scheme · investigation
10 · Carcetti Home · act2Campaign Response and Brianna's Cutoff

Wilson offers to prove photo fake; Brianna tells De'Londa she is cutting off support.

12:42–14:13obsession
11 · Brice Home · act2Carcetti Watches News and De'Londa Pushes Namond

Carcetti and Jen watch news; De'Londa tells Namond he must start dealing.

14:13–15:43scheme · threat
12 · Carcetti Campaign Office · act2Carcetti Second-Guesses and De'Londa Pushes Namond

Wilson finds Carcetti overthinking; De'Londa insists Namond deal drugs.

15:43–17:05obsession
13 · Tilghman Middle School · act2Prez Helps Duquan

Prezbo helps a struggling student Duquan shower at school.

17:05–18:53
15 · Police Station · act2Burrell Intervenes and Prez Helps Duquan

Commissioner Burrell blocks the Braddock investigation; Prezbo helps Duquan shower.

19:30–20:50scheme · betrayal
16 · Tilghman Middle School Office · act2Pilot Program Announced

Principal announces a special pilot program for troubled students.

20:50–21:16scheme
17 ▸ 21:16
17 · Carcetti Campaign Office · act2Clay Davis Deal

Wilson suggests meeting corrupt State Senator Clay Davis for support.

21:16–22:53scheme · deal
18 ▸ 22:53
18 · Tilghman Middle School Classroom · act2Students Selected for Program

Students are pulled from class for the special pilot program.

22:53–23:27
19 ▸ 23:27
19 · Restaurant · act2Meeting with Clay Davis

Carcetti and Wilson meet Davis, who offers to split his support for $20,000.

23:27–24:48deal · scheme
20 · Tilghman Middle School Office · act2Randy Interrogated

Randy is questioned about a sexual assault at school.

24:48–26:05interrogation · secret_exposed
21 ▸ 26:05
21 · Tilghman Middle School Classroom · act2Pilot Program Orientation

Students are introduced to the special pilot program as a form of solitary confinement.

26:05–27:24
23 · Train Station · act2Marlo's Pickup Intercepted

Police stop Marlo's pickup at the train station but find nothing.

28:12–29:13investigation · coincidence
24 · School Office · act2Randy's Case Handled

Carver agrees to handle Randy's murder knowledge discreetly.

29:13–31:46investigation · scheme
25 · Dennis's home · act2Cutler and Dennis Discuss

Cutler and Dennis talk about a kid's judgment and Dennis leaves for a run.

31:46–33:19misunderstanding
26 · Various locations including streets, campaign HQ, harbor, and victory party · act3Election Day and Aftermath

Carcetti campaigns, deals with smear, wins primary, and celebrates.

33:19–56:39scheme · deal
03

Same DNA

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Episode facts

Wikipedia · Wikidata
Aired
2006-10-15
Overall
#43
Writers
Eric Overmyer
Director
Dan Attias
Pace
109 words/min · 190 questions

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In this episode

CR
Clarence RoyceGlynn Turman26 episodes · drives 1 scenes
JC
Jennifer CarcettiMegan Anderson13 episodes
NW
Norman WilsonReg E. Cathey23 episodes · drives 4 scenes
OW
Odell WatkinsFrederick Strother16 episodes · drives 1 scenes
GS
Grace SampsonDravon James13 episodes
G
GerryKaren Vicks8 episodes
MS
Marlo StanfieldJamie Hector35 episodes · drives 36 scenes
BB
Brianna BarksdaleMichael Hyatt15 episodes · drives 4 scenes