A wave of urban reform brings down the notorious Franklin Terrace public housing towers, forcing the Barksdale drug crew to find a new home on the streets of West Baltimore.
Omar continues his strikes on Barksdale stash houses, while Bodie faces a critical test against Marlo. Elsewhere, as the wire on Proposition Joe continues to yield little, a restless McNulty launches his own reinvestigation into the suicide of D'Angelo Barksdale.
Colvin feels the sting of Burrell and Rawls during a Comstat assessment of his district's felony numbers. Meanwhile, a blown wiretap forces Daniels' detail to turn to a new target, and Proposition Joe warns Stringer Bell that the police have been tapping phones.
West Baltimore residents get some straight talk at a community meeting from Major Colvin. Elsewhere, Bubbles finds gainful employment, Stringer lunches uptown, and Bunk dangles the promise of immunity to a group of corner boys... in exchange for some help.
Frustrated in his reform efforts, Colvin arms himself with intelligence and delivers a message to the next level of corner management. Meanwhile, McNulty sees Stringer Bell's legitimate business dealings as a sign that he is now unreachable as a drug target.
Stringer Bell gets a lesson in construction management while Bunk uses shoe-leather to catch up with Omar and deliver a message. Elsewhere, Colvin unleashes the troops on the corner boys, and Avon sends Cutty and Slim Charles up against Marlo.
Stringer Bell learns from Donette that she's told Brianna about McNulty's visit and that Brianna is likely to talk to him. Meanwhile, Daniels blows up over the real reason The Detail was reassigned to the Western District, and Herc discovers a blast from the past.
With Amsterdam running full-tilt, Carver and Truck discover there really is no honour among thieves. Elsewhere, Prez impresses the detail with what he's found out from Bodie's cell phone - information that sends McNulty and Greggs on a road trip.
Responding to an officer's call for help, McNulty and Prez turn down the wrong alley, with unanticipated results. Meanwhile, under orders, a Barksdale crew violates the unspoken Sunday truce with gunplay, increasing discontent among the New Day Co-op members.
Brother Mouzone returns to Baltimore on a mission of revenge and casts a wide net in his search for Omar, who has his own plan for vengeance. Elsewhere, Colvin puts off a reporter inquiring about Amsterdam, whilst Burrell delivers news to City Hall.
The wire begins to yield information about the Barksdale organisation, though finding links to the top proves elusive. Meanwhile, Stringer and Avon reminisce about how far they've come, with each harbouring plans for the future.
A reticent Avon readies his troops for a seemingly endless war against Marlo. Meanwhile, as the detail works towards the top rungs of the Barksdale organisation, McNulty reassesses his pursuit of Stringer Bell.