Not for Attribution

"Not for Attribution" is the third episode of the fifth season of the HBO original series The Wire. The episode was written by Chris Collins from a story by David Simon & Chris Collins and was directed by Joy Kecken and Scott Kecken.[1] It aired on January 20, 2008.[2]

For the eponymous category of journalistic sourcing, see Journalism sourcing.

"Not for Attribution"
The Wire episode
Episode no.Season 5
Episode 3
Directed byScott Kecken
Joy Kecken
Story byDavid Simon
Chris Collins
Teleplay byChris Collins
Original air dateJanuary 20, 2008 (2008-01-20)
Running time58 minutes

Plot

They're dead where it doesn't count.

— Fletcher, Not for Attribution

A withdrawn Michael is persuaded to take a trip to Six Flags America with Dukie and Bug. The three boys have a fun day at the park, although Michael is later reprimanded by Monk for leaving his corner. Continuing his efforts to create a fake serial killer and draw funding for the police, McNulty falsifies a connection between two old cases involving homeless victims and the corpse which he had earlier staged. The plan fails when both the media and his superiors are uninterested. Bunk remains outraged at McNulty's plan and, after several attempts to talk him out of it, enlists the help of Freamon. However, this tactic backfires when Freamon makes suggestions to improve McNulty's plan by sensationalizing the killer.

Elsewhere, Deputy Commissioner Stan Valchek leaks rising crime statistics to Mayor Carcetti. When Burrell delivers manipulated statistics, the mayor finally has the political ammunition he needs to fire him. Carcetti plans to replace Burrell with Daniels, which his aide Norman Wilson leaks to The Baltimore Sun. Pearlman presents evidence before a grand jury seeking an indictment against Senator Davis on corruption charges. Davis' former driver, Damien Price, testifies under subpoena about the $20,000 in drug money he was arrested with by Daniels' detail. Davis tries desperately to convince Burrell and Carcetti to protect him.

At the Sun, Alma is disappointed when her story on the deadly home invasion doesn't make the front page. The paper copes with budget cuts by offering reporters "buy-outs" to leave their jobs. Templeton, upset that outgoing crime reporter Roger Twigg was given the story on Daniels' promotion, produces a strongly worded "react" quote implicating him in deposing Burrell. When Daniels learns of the quote, he is alarmed that Burrell may use information about his past corruption. Meanwhile, after Vondas rejects Marlo's monetary gift as figuratively and literally "dirty", Marlo seeks help from Proposition Joe in both obtaining fresh bank bills and laundering his money through Caribbean-based charities. Marlo visits the Antilles after Joe helps him with his financial requests, but Joe does not help him find Omar. Marlo then gives a second, clean gift to The Greeks.

In spite of being told by Joe that he fears Omar's return to Baltimore, Cheese gives Partlow information on the location of Omar's mentor Butchie in return for Marlo's $50,000 bounty. Partlow and Snoop torture and execute Butchie after shooting Big Guy in the leg, thus ensuring that their actions will reach Omar.[3][4]

Production

Guest stars

Uncredited appearances

References
  1. "Season 5 crew". HBO. 2007. Retrieved December 12, 2007.
  2. "HBO Schedule: THE WIRE 53: NOT FOR ATTRIBUTION". HBO. 2008. Retrieved December 1, 2007.
  3. Scott and Joy Kecken (directors); Chris Collins (story and teleplay), David Simon (story) (January 20, 2008). "Not for Attribution". The Wire. Season 5. Episode 3. HBO.
  4. "The Wire episode guide - episode 53 Not for Attribution". HBO. 2008. Retrieved January 22, 2008.
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