Baltimore's mayor, Clarence Royce, puts pressure on the Commissioner Burrell to keep the murder rate for the city down. The Barksdale crew eyes some new territory after their public housing projects are demolished. A parolee tries to start over after spending 14 years in prison. McNulty and Greggs are still searching for a way to catch the elusive Stringer Bell.

original airdate--September 19,2004

music--Theme song--"Way Down In the Hole" by Domaje

1. In da Club by 50 Cent
2. Theme from "Shaft" by Isaac Hayes

Epigraph--"Don't matter how many times you get burnt, you just keep doin' the same. - Bodie

Bodie says this referring to Poot's repetitive behaviour with women but it also refers to the season's theme of reform through explaining entrenched behaviour.