Final Grades (The Wire episode)

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The Wire episode
"Final Grades" "If animal trapped call 410-844-6286." - Baltimore, traditional
Episode no.	50
Teleplay by	David Simon
Story by	David Simon and Ed Burns
Directed by	Ernest R. Dickerson
Guest stars	see below
Prod. code	413
Original airdate	10 December 2006
The Wire Season 4 10 September 2006 – 10 December 2006
"Boys of Summer" "Soft Eyes" "Home Rooms" "Refugees" "Alliances" "Margin of Error" "Unto Others" "Corner Boys" "Know Your Place" "Misgivings" "A New Day" "That's Got His Own" "Final Grades"
Episode chronology

"Final Grades" is the thirteenth and final episode of the fourth season of the HBO original series, The Wire. The episode was written by David Simon from a story by David Simon & Ed Burns and was directed by Ernest R. Dickerson. It originally aired on December 10, 2006.

[edit] Production

[edit] Title reference

Although most obviously referring to the test grades received by the school's students, the title also refers to the final evaluation of Parenti and Colvin's pilot program, and to the end-of-year statistics which Carcetti leaves in Royce's name.

[edit] Epigraph

“

If animal trapped call 410-844-6286. - Baltimore, traditional

”

This is printed on the wooden doors used to close off the vacant houses in West Baltimore. The text has appeared several times in past seasons. The number displayed on screen does not actually work.

[edit] Music

Paul Weller's "I Walk On Gilded Splinters" plays over the episode's closing montage.

[edit] Non-fiction elements

Cutty's hospital roommate is watching the episode "E.B. Was Left Out" from another HBO series, Deadwood.
Walon (played by Steve Earle) has the cover of Earle's album Copperhead Road as a patch on the back of his jacket.

[edit] Credits

[edit] Starring cast

Although credited, Glynn Turman does not appear in this episode.

[edit] Uncredited appearances

Rick Otto as Officer Kenneth Dozerman
Benjamin Busch as Officer Anthony Colicchio
Ryan Sands as Officer Lloyd "Truck" Garrick
Sho Brown as Phil Boy
Mike D. Andersen as Ghost
Larry Andrews as Donnie
Marvina Vinique as Nurse
Unknown as DSS Bureaucrat

[edit] Miscellanea

The running time of this episode is 78 minutes, making it the second longest episode of the series.

[edit] Plot

[edit] Summary

[edit] Homicide

Sergeant Jay Landsman walks into the homicide unit office humming a carol. His Christmas spirit is rapidly dispelled when he sees several red names being added to the case board. He quizzes Detective Ed Norris about the board; Norris tells him that Lester Freamon is responsible, having received the go-ahead to search vacant houses for concealed bodies. Landsman is angry at the sudden drop in his squad clearance rate and calls Freamon a vandal and a visigoth. Landsman next asks what Norris is working on and is dismayed to find out that he is also working a case without a body – that of a deliberate killing using poisoned narcotics. Landsman is somewhat forgiving when Norris tells him that he has the perpetrator in custody as he came in and voluntarily confessed to the crime.

Accompanied by Landsman, Norris returns to the interview room to discuss Bubbles' confession. Bubbles is distraught and is undergoing withdrawal. He vomits all over the detectives and they leave the room to clean up. When they return Bubbles has attempted to hang himself from the ceiling. The detectives cut him down.

Later, Landsman is pleased to learn that Bubbles survived. He spots Detective Crutchfield leaving the unit office and is downcast once again when he learns that Freamon has found yet another body. Landsman checks with the paramedics and then quizzes Bubbles about his thinking having mixed up the poisoned drugs and then confessed to the crime. Bubbles tells him the entire story behind Sherrod’s death. Bubbles is filled with remorse and regret and pleads with Landsman to lock him up.

Landsman tells Norris to let Bubbles go. Norris worries about losing the clearance and about Bubbles's safety. Landsman tells him to send Bubbles to rehab. Later Kima Greggs and Walon visit Bubbles at the rehab centre. Walon comforts Bubbles but Greggs cannot bring herself to go in.

[edit] Major Crimes

Freamon marshals his team as they search vacant houses in the Western District. They have uncovered nine bodies so far in clusters around certain blocks. Greggs is there from homicide. Freamon remarks to her that the scary part of the investigation is that they are only searching a single district. He telephones Colonel Cedric Daniels who is at a staging area set up in the gym of a disused school.

Daniels answers the call leaving ASA Rhonda Pearlman alone to field questions from Deputy Commissioner William Rawls and Commissioner Ervin Burrell. She reports that forensics teams are attending each crime scene and they are recovering 9mm bullet casings, vacuuming for hair and fibre and laser printing for footprints. Daniels returns and is asked to confirm that the bodies are linked to one organization. He tells Burrell that Marlo Stanfield’s drug organization is their prime focus and is then asked what they have on Stanfield. He explains that Major Crimes was building a case against Stanfield until three months ago when their wiretaps were pulled by Lieutenant Marimow. Burrell offers Daniels whatever support he needs. Daniels tells Burrell that he needs the patrol division to begin searching for houses. Daniels leaves to begin organising a city wide search.

Rawls remarks to Burrell that if Daniels manages to solve this case then he will be closer to the commissioner position. Burrell tells Rawls that Daniels is a long way from his job and that he is too. He taunts Rawls by saying that he made his move against him too soon. Rawls admits to the mistake and Burrell warns him never to cross him again.

Freamon receives word from Daniels and assigns Leander Sydnor and Kenneth Dozerman to introduce the specifics of the search to the patrol division. Greggs asks what she can do and Freamon asks her to raise Sergeant Thomas "Herc" Hauk – currently suspended from duty pending the results of an internal investigation. Greggs’ finds Herc drinking in the morning and reluctant to become involved while suspended. She questions whether he is police or not and he agrees to accompany her. She takes him to the site of his recent traffic stop of Chris Partlow and Felicia "Snoop" Pearson as he told Freamon that he fired a nail from their nail gun into the road. They find the mark but are unable to locate the nail. Herc spends the whole time questioning why IID are investigating him when Marimow has been transferred away and Daniels gave him a mild punishment for the incident with the minister. Tired of Herc's complaints, Greggs asks what he did as a means of reassuring him that he will have an easier hearing. When Herc admits the falsified paper work and stolen camera, Greggs and her partner Bunk Moreland shake their heads in disbelief. Herc goes into further dismay concerned that he may lose more than just his Sergeant's position.

Each patrol officer is given orders to search his post for vacant houses sealed with non-HCD materials. They are instructed to report any such houses to their sector sergeant and told that they can enter but upon finding a body they are not to disturb the scene further.

Daniels convenes a meeting with the detectives. Bunk and Greggs report that Herc identified the nail gun as the same one used to nail the vacant houses shut but that they were unable to recover the nail. Freamon suggests that their next move is to seize Chris’ truck and take hair and blood samples from both Chris and Snoop. Pearlman interjects telling the detectives that they do not have the probable cause for these actions. Bunk suggests using Randy Wagstaff as a witness because he is able to link Chris and Snoop to the death of Curtis "Lex" Anderson but Freamon insists that Randy is simply a source. Bunk becomes impatient and says that he will provide the necessary probable cause within an hour. He visits Lex’s mother and pressures her into speaking up. She states that she has heard that Chris and a girl, possibly named Snoop, were responsible.

With their warrant Greggs, Freamon and Bunk effect a stop and search of Chris and Snoop. Greggs finds the wiring for the hidden glove box compartment and discovers the concealed firearms within. They arrest them for the weapons charge and then have the grand jury serve a warrant for blood and hair samples once they are in custody.

Back at the staging area Daniels relays the ballistics report to Freamon. The guns found in the car are clean of prints and do not match to any shootings. Freamon suggests that a trace DNA match or a witness could break the case but that they are probably facing a lengthy investigation. Freamon asks Daniels how he chose the staging area and learns that he once went to school there.

[edit] Omar Little

Omar Little and his crew divide up the spoils of their robbery. Kimmy is pleased with their success and tells Omar that she is going back into retirement. Omar’s adviser Butchie asks how much of the shipment is left. Omar tells him that there is more than he could ever sell on his own. Butchie suggests selling it back to Proposition Joe for a profit; it is initially taken as a joke but Renaldo and Omar begin to see the idea's potential.

[edit] New Day Co-Op

Proposition Joe hosts a meeting with the heads of the New Day Co-Op consortium of drug dealers. He is in an awkward position having had an entire shipment of narcotics stolen by Omar. He tries to convince his colleagues that they should pay for a replacement shipment while they work on recovering the stolen drugs. The rest of the Co-Op are dubious and tell Joe that as the drugs were in the possession of his people when they were stolen he will have to make up for the loss. Joe threatens to cut them off from his supplier in the future if they insist on this course and this quiets their protests. Marlo Stanfield quizzes Joe about which of his people was there when the shipment was taken. Joe admits that it was his nephew Cheese but tells Marlo that he will protect Cheese from any retribution. He offers to put Marlo in touch with his connection so he can reassure him that Cheese did not steal the drugs for himself.

Joe discusses this course with his lieutenants Cheese and Slim Charles. Both are dubious of the wisdom in letting Marlo meet their supplier as they believe he will try to circumvent them. Omar arrives at the store and faces hostility from Cheese and Slim Charles. Joe is more pragmatic and listens to Omar’s sales pitch of returning the heroin at twenty cents on the dollar. Cheese threatens to torture Omar. Joe sees the futility in this and agrees to buy the drugs. Omar collects the clock that he gave Joe to fix and pays him for the work.

Joe chaperones Marlo to his meeting with Spiros "Vondas" Vondopoulos. Vondas guarantees Joe’s word on the stolen shipment of drugs and leaves. Marlo instructs Monk to have Vondas followed. Monk informs Marlo that Chris and Snoop have been arrested and Marlo tells him to call their bondsman.

[edit] Dukie

Duquan "Dukie" Weems arrives home and overhears his friend Michael Lee having sex with a girl. He goes to attend his first day of high school but changes his mind on the way there. Dukie visits Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski at school and gives him a gift. Prez tells him that he can stop by any time.

[edit] School

Prez supervises his class while they take the statewide tests. Calvin refuses to begin the test but most students are working hard. In the special class, the majority of the students are not participating but Namond, Zenobia, and Darnell Tyson are attempting the test.

Howard "Bunny" Colvin announces the cessation of the special class to the students. The majority are pleased but Zenobia is reluctant to return.

Prez receives the test results and is pleased to learn that over a third of his students are classified as proficient. Miss Sampson grounds him by explaining that a score of proficient means reading at a level two grades below the student's age. Prez admits that he is still learning and Sampson tells him that he is going to be fine. Prez welcomes the special students back to class. Only Albert makes a disruptive comment, but he is stared down.

[edit] Randy

Sergeant Ellis Carver desperately tries to find somewhere suitable for Randy Wagstaff to stay following the firebombing of his previous home and serious injuries to his foster mother. He is insistent that Randy cannot go back to a group home. Lieutenant Mello is unsympathetic and tells Carver to take what is on offer.

Carver visits the social services offices personally and tries to convince them to put Randy at the top of the list for foster placement. Carver offers to foster Randy himself and the department tells him that he needs to go through three months of screening before he can take custody. At days end Randy is still sleeping on the bench in Carver’s office. The next morning Mello gives Carver an angry tirade when he discovers Randy and orders him to hand him over to DSS. Randy offers Carver his savings to bribe someone for a foster place.

Carver drops Randy off at a group home. Randy offers him forgiveness and gratitude for his attempt to help. Randy is met with contempt from his new co-habitants. Carver leaves completely frustrated and vents his anger in a tantrum in his car.

[edit] Namond

Dennis "Cutty" Wise is recuperating following a fracture of his leg in a shooting. The nurse believes that Cutty is a gangster having reviewed his medical records. Colvin arrives and asks Cutty for help with Namond. They meet again later and Cutty reports that Wee-Bey Brice has agreed to meet with Colvin. Cutty tells Colvin that Carver now owes him a favour. On his way out the nurse asks Colvin when they are arresting Cutty and he relays that Cutty runs a community gym.

Colvin visits Wee-Bey in prison. Wee-Bey recognises him from his time as a patrol officer. Colvin tells him that he is now a sort of teacher rather than a police officer. Colvin tells Wee-Bey that Namond is a bright boy with a lot of potential but that he will not survive life on the streets. Wee-Bey believes the risks of the game will determine Namond’s fate but Colvin convinces him that Namond’s nature has a large part to play. He asks Wee-Bey to give him custody of his son.

Colvin picks Namond up from school where he is being watched by Miss Duquette and Dr. Parenti. He tells his colleagues that he believes that Wee-Bey will return Namond to his mother. Parenti states that they have a meeting at City Hall.

Colvin is nervous about meeting with the Mayor because of his history with the police force but finds that Carcetti will not be in the meeting. Andy and Gerry are skeptical about the technique characterising it as tracking of students and leaving a subgroup behind. Colvin claims that the children are already being left behind and laughs about the system's refusal to admit its failings. Andy brings the meeting to a swift close. As they leave Colvin berates his short comings in the political arena. Parenti blames the failure on the process and seeks consolation in his academic findings. Meanwhile Wee-Bey tells De’londa Brice that if she has thrown Namond out then he will stay out of her care. De’Londa claims that she is trying to harden Namond and Wee-Bey threatens that if she does not let their son go he will use his reputation against her. She asks Wee-Bey if he is cutting her off and he reassures her that their marriage is not over.

[edit] Politics

Carcetti watches a news report about the exhumed bodies and discusses the political implications with his staff. Norman Wilson remarks that the bodies are attributable to the Royce administration and Andy, the new chief of staff, states that the silver lining of the story is that it draws attention away from the massive school deficit. Andy counsels that they should use this as cover to avoid dealing with the deficit as it would hamstring Carcetti’s plans to run for governor and that Carcetti will have the funds to address the city’s education problems when he becomes governor. Wilson is disappointed to see that Carcetti is willing to trade fulfilling his responsibilities as Mayor with increasing his chances of becoming governor.

At home by the Christmas tree Carcetti discusses his options with his wife, Jen. She tells him that she believes he will do the right thing. Later, Wilson and Carcetti return from a second meeting with the governor. Wilson is enraged that Carcetti could not swallow his pride to rescue the school system. Carcetti is angry that the governor was going to call a press conference belittling him if he took the money. Andy consoles Carcetti, again telling him that he can do more good as governor himself.

Wilson meets with Coleman Parker in a bar. He confides his disappointment in Carcetti and Parker tells him that all politicians disappoint. Wilson asks who Parker is working with next and he says he might stay with Royce or back a young politician.

[edit] Western District

Poot Carr and Bodie Broadus visit the site where one of the bodies was found. They have heard that Little Kevin’s body was found inside. Bodie becomes increasingly agitated about the unjustifiable nature of the killing of his friend. Officer Jimmy McNulty recognises Bodie when he vandalises a patrol car and is swiftly arrested.

McNulty visits the staging area and asks Pearlman how many bodies have been recovered. She reports that 17 corpses have been discovered so far. He asks Pearlman to sign off on releasing Bodie without charge. McNulty quizzes his colleagues about the case they are building. They taunt him by saying that a real police officer would feel compelled to help them.

McNulty waits for Bodie as he is released from jail and offers to buy him lunch. As they leave Monk arrives with the bondsman and notices Bodie getting into McNulty’s car. McNulty takes Bodie to Cylburn Arboretum. Bodie tells him that he is not an informant but admits his frustration with his life as a drug dealer and Marlo’s leadership. He tells McNulty that the game is rigged and that he feels like a pawn on a chessboard. He offers McNulty information to bring down Marlo. McNulty, out of genuine respect, tells Bodie that he is a soldier.

[edit] Stanfield Organization

Monk reports sighting Bodie to Marlo and a newly released Chris. Marlo instructs Chris to have Michael kill Bodie on the chance of him being an informant. Chris tells Marlo that Michael worked for Bodie so the task should go to someone else. Marlo relays the latest news about the theft of their shipment and Omar’s offer to sell it back to them.

Bodie returns to work on his corner with Poot and Spider. He notices someone approaching in the shadows and Poot sees someone coming from the other direction. Poot urges him to flee but Bodie bravely refuses to run from his own territory. Spider runs while Bodie fires into the darkness. Poot makes a final plea and then takes flight himself. As Bodie is distracted by Chris and Snoop, O-Dog steps from a doorway and shoots him in the head.

Marlo, Chris and Snoop visit Michael at home. Marlo questions him about the ring he wears around his neck and Michael reports that he took it from someone. Marlo is shocked, as the ring had been stolen from him by Omar several weeks ago. Michael offers to give him the ring. Dukie descends and offers to ready Bug for school. Marlo tells Michael that he is putting him in charge of Bodie's corner and that he has another task for him. Snoop asks Michael who they killed for him and he reveals that it was Bug's father.

Michael kills a drug dealer in a close range shooting as Chris and Monk look on. When Michael gets into the car Chris tells him that he should look his victims in the eye.

[edit] McNulty

Carver reports Bodie's death to McNulty as he arrives for work. McNulty rushes to read the report and throws the sheet across the room in despair. McNulty searches Poot at his corner and asks him who killed Bodie. Poot refuses to offer him anything beyond blaming the murder on the police for talking with Bodie. McNulty lets him go.

McNulty discusses Bodie's murder with Beadie in bed. He tells her about the new major case investigation and she immediately realises that he wants to get involved. McNulty tells her that he feels that he owes it to Bodie. He speculates that he will be different with less vices and anger now that he is with Beadie.

McNulty meets with Daniels to request a transfer. Daniels asks if he is certain and McNulty tells him that he is optimistic about his ability to keep himself separate from his work. They make a joke of strategy for the case by quoting their initial conversation about the Barksdale case from “The Target”, but with the roles reversed.

[edit] Omar

Omar returns to his hideout having met with Joe and received payment for their stolen shipment. He gives Butchie a percentage for himself and tells him that he will now act as his own bank. Omar leaves the shipment in a locked garage and calls Joe to advise him. As he leaves Butchie warns Omar that the theft will have further repercussions.

[edit] Chapter closes

As Paul Weller’s cover of Dr. John’s Walk On Gilded Splinters plays, a montage of scenes unfolds: Wee-Bey tells Namond that he is still his father and passes him into Colvin’s custody; McNulty is welcomed back to Major Crimes where Michael's picture is already on the board; Herc faces an internal investigations trial board where he appears to fear for his job with the words "conduct unbecoming" heard from the investigators; Vondas and Joe meet under Marlo’s watchful eye; Parenti presents his findings to academics, but a disgusted Colvin walks out during his presentation; Bunk briefs the homicide unit on the vacant murders; Landsman is distraught at the state of his board; Daniels and Pearlman eat lunch with Carcetti while Burrell and Davis look on; Prez tracks Dukie down working on Michael’s corner with Poot and Kenard; Randy finds his money stolen and is beaten by his room mates; Cutty shows the newly adoring nurse his gym; Carcetti suffers through a budget meeting; Carver moves a group of children on from Randy, Dukie, Michael and Namond’s old hangout; Michael tutors Bug in a dream; Chris rouses Michael and has him throw the gun into a storm drain.

Namond is sent to a new day of school by Colvin and his wife. As he readies himself he sees Donut in yet another stolen car and they share a nod. Donut drives away and the street is peaceful again.^[1]^[2]

[edit] Deceased

Bodie Broadus: Shot twice in the head by O-Dog after a gunfight with Chris Partlow and Snoop. Was killed because he was seen with Detective McNulty by Stanfield lieutenant Monk.

[edit] Reception

[edit] Awards and Nominations

The episode's writers David Simon and Ed Burns were nominated for a Writers Guild of America Award for their work.^[3]^[4]^[5]

[edit] References

^ The Wire episode guide - episode 50 Final Grades. HBO (2006). Retrieved on 2007-10-17.
^ "Final Grades". Ernest Dickerson, Writ. David Simon (story and teleplay), Ed Burns (story). The Wire. HBO. 2004-12-10. No. 13, season 4.
^ 2008 Writers Guild Awards Television & Radio Nominees Announced. WGA (2007). Retrieved on 2007-12-13.
^ WGA announce TV, radio nominees. Variety (2007). Retrieved on 2007-12-13.
^ HBO tops WGA awards list with five noms. The Hollywood Reporter (2007). Retrieved on 2007-12-13.

v • d • e The Wire
Episode list · Season 1 · Season 2 · Season 3 · Season 4 · Season 5 Writers & Directors · David Simon
Characters
Police:	Jimmy McNulty	Kima Greggs	"Bunk" Moreland	Lester Freamon	Ellis Carver	Leander Sydnor
Command:	Ervin Burrell	William Rawls	Cedric Daniels	Stanislaus Valchek	Raymond Foerster	Jay Landsman
School:	Roland Pryzbylewski	Howard Colvin	Namond Brice	Michael Lee	Randy Wagstaff	Duquan Weems
Street:	Omar Little	Bubbles	Dennis Wise	Chris Partlow	Snoop	Wee-Bey Brice
Kingpins:	Avon Barksdale	Stringer Bell	Marlo Stanfield	Proposition Joe	Spiros Vondas	The Greek
Dealers:	Bodie Broadus	D'Angelo Barksdale	Poot Carr	Wallace	Cheese	Slim Charles
Politics:	Tommy Carcetti	Clarence Royce	Clay Davis	Norman Wilson	Michael Steintorf	Nerese Campbell
Courthouse:	Rhonda Pearlman	Maurice Levy	"Herc" Hauk	Daniel Phelan	Rupert Bond	Ilene Nathan
Docks:	Frank Sobotka	Nick Sobotka	Ziggy Sobotka	Beadie Russell	Sergei Malatov	Horseface
Journalists:	Augustus Haynes	Scott Templeton	Alma Gutierrez	Thomas Klebanow	James Whiting	Mike Fletcher

Categories: The Wire episodes | Television season finales

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