History Recap / TheWireS03E06Homecoming

Marlo rejects Stringer's offer to join the New Day, and instead makes plans to go to war. Believing that Marlo is the new Barksdale enforcer, [=McNulty=] and Greggs try to pressure Daniels into switching the MCU target back to Stringer. [=McNulty=]'s attempts to open an official investigation into D'Angelo's death hit a brick wall. As the drug tolerant zones begin to take off, Colvin unleashes his troops on the dealers still occupying corners, giving his men free reign to use whatever force is necessary to get them to relocate. Bunk decides he is no longer wasting his time looking for the missing gun, and switches his attention to the shooting involving Omar's crew. Avon is underwhelmed with Stringer's movement into real estate, and is more concerned with what is happening on the street. When he learns Marlo's crew ran Bodie's off a corner, he is furious Stringer didn't retaliate, and orders Slim Charles and Cutty to hit back at Marlo. As Stinger is forced to pay more money to Clay Davis to speed up the necessary permits for his condos, Carcetti manipulates Gray into thinking about entering the next mayoral race so as to divide the city's black votes.

* CowboysAndIndians: Bunk sees children pretending to be Omar and robbing the Barksdale crew. [[spoiler:Ironically, the kid pretending to be Omar goes on to ''kill'' Omar in the fifth season.]]

* CatchPhrase: This is the first episode we hear Clay say "Sheeit."

* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Bunk delivers a particularly stinging one of these to Omar.

* VillainousRespect: Stringer brings up the success of Hamsterdam to Avon, clearly admiring Colvin’s business-like [[PragmaticHero pragmatism]] and efforts to change the way the game’s played, [[NotSoDifferent not unlike]] [[PragmaticVillainy his own]].

** When the dumb driver in the plan to ambush Marlo's crew is talking about ambushing before Cutty's call, the passenger says "we should wait for the call; man, what if that crew got lookouts?" ''Not even 30 seconds later in real time'', a dude riding by on a bicycle goes up to the crew and warns them (he was the lookout).

* HeelFaceTurn: Cutty (who hereafter
will be known by his first name, Dennis).

* EvenEvilHasStandards: Avon and Stringer are dismayed to say the least by the delays and BSing involved in the building contracting.

* LeroyJenkins:

* RedOniBlueOni: Avon and Stringer’s relationship as this is on display more than ever with the newly-released Avon being disappointed with how their operation has changed while String is vexed by no longer being able to be a [[HyperCompetentSidekick successful]], self-sufficient [[DragonInChief]].

* HeelFaceTurn: Cutty (who hereafter will be known by his first name, Dennis).

* {{Troll}}: Carver and the rest of the cops are having ''way'' too much fun coming up with ways to harass the dealers who refuse to go to Hamsterdam.

* {{Rainmaking}}: Carcetti calls Watkins "the rainmaker himself".

* DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything: Once again, references to the WarOnTerror, with Bubbles saying the western district is getting to be like Baghdad.

* JustAGangster: This episode is the TropeNamer.

* PetTheDog: Avon allowing Cutty to walk away from the game, which swiftly follows Slim taking the blame for Fruit getting away to hide the fact that Cutty couldn't pull the trigger.

* {{Foreshadowing}}: Cutty's (or Dennis') decision to go straight, how Omar is affected by what Bunk told him, the EscalatingWar between Avon and Marlo (as well as the growing rift between Avon and Stringer), Stringer's increased dissatisfaction with Clay, and Gray's political ambitions all become important later. Also, within the episode, Slim tells Avon at how one of the "soldiers" they had did a HeelFaceTurn, which foreshadows Cutty's. Cutty and Slim's planning session for the raid also mentions that the car needs to drive out from the correct direction, or the driver will be the first person in the line of fire, and the shooter won't be able to get a clear shot at the target, which is precisely what happens when the idiots break from the plan and jump out early.

Carver, Colvin and other officers look on as dealers do brisk business in Hamsterdam. Carver says, "It ain't pretty," but Colvin says as long as the neighborhoods worth salvaging get better, it's fine. He then tells Carver and the others to do what it takes to make sure no one's dealing drugs on any corners by the end of the week, anything up to "a body that can't walk itself out of the emergency room", and he'll back them. Colvin also tells them Mello will handle all civilian complaints (Colvin detailed the I.I.D. rep who would normally handle such complaints to the range for the week), so they're covered there as well. In a HardWorkMontage, we see what Carver and others do to dealers who aren't in Hamsterdam; driving them to the country and stranding them there, throwing their sneakers down the sewers, and having their vehicles towed, among other things.

When Colvin visits his corners at the end of the week, and sees them quiet and peaceful for the first time in a long time, he smiles. He also visits Hamsterdam and sees it going full swing. However, he also sees Mrs. Hazel, [[Recap/TheWireS03E05StraightAndTrue the old lady at the vacant row houses by Vincent Street]], is still living there.

Stringer is at the construction site with Avon. While Stringer is upset with Krawczyk and the contractor over the rising prices, Avon is bored, and when they invite him to lunch, says he's got somewhere to be.

Kima and [=McNulty=] try to sell Daniels on the idea Stringer is still in the drug trade, and that he's partnering up with Marlo. Daniels points out they're not killing anyone, and that the Major Case unit is all about murders, which frustrates [=McNulty=].

Jay is in his office when Bunk comes by with a ten-page report detailing his search for Dozerman's gun, which he claims should keep the bosses out of Jay's hair for a while. Jay asks if he really did this, and Bunk points out it wouldn't matter if he did, but he has a murder to investigate. Jay nods his assent.

Slim is driving Avon and Stringer around the neighborhood, and Avon is upset they're no longer on what he considers good corners. He's especially upset [[Recap/TheWireS03E03DeadSoldiers Marlo's crew ran Avon's crew off a corner]] because Marlo isn't connected to anyone.

Bunk visits Tosha's family, and tells them while he means no disrespect, he knows [[Recap/TheWireS03E03DeadSoldiers Tosha was involved in the fight that killed her]], and wasn't an innocent bystander. One woman says she knows Tosha was no angel, but asks Bunk what people are saying. Bunk says he wants a word with Tosha's people, and leaves his card.

Kima and [=McNulty=] try to get the DA in Baltimore county to investigate D'Angelo's death, but she says there isn't enough evidence to make any kind of case, and dismisses them.

At an AIDS fundraiser held by fraternity alumni, Marla attends with Daniels, as Clay Davis, Gray, and Watkins look on. The three of them discuss whether the mayor can get his ticket through with all the problems he's been having; Clay is confident, but the others less so. Watkins congratulates Gray for [[Recap/TheWireS03E05StraightAndTrue going after the police brass on witness protection]].

Kima and [=McNulty=] are at a lesbian bar, drinking. Kima comments on how hard it is to make their jobs matter. She asks how things are with [=McNulty=] and Elena, and [=McNulty=] grumbles that [[Recap/TheWireS03E01TimeAfterTime she's with a new guy]], but he does say [[Recap/TheWireS03E05StraightAndTrue he hooked up with an interesting woman]] (he describes Terri as "Freamon with tits", which makes Kima chuckle), though he doesn't have her phone number.

Daniels and Marla are having a nightcap after the fundraiser, and Marla thanks him and compliments him for how well he did. Daniels modestly says he's getting used to it. However, when Marla starts to indicate she'd like to get back together, Daniels says while he's perfectly happy to show up where she needs him to be, he's not ready to do anything else.

Avon and Stringer are at the funeral home, and Stringer says while he'll back Avon in a war, he doesn't think it's necessary, and that it's bad for business. He also tries to remind Avon they have a good deal with Proposition Joe, and they're making so much money in the straight world they can get out of the drug game if they want. Avon, however, is dubious about being a "businessman", and says he wants his corners. Stringer offers to talk to Marlo.

Omar and Dante are at home watching TV when Kimmy comes by, telling them about Bunk visiting Tosha's people, and leaving his card. Omar recognizes Bunk's name from the card, and says he'll take care of it.

While dealers are doing brisk business in Hamsterdam outside, Colvin visits with Mrs. Hazel, who tells her how long she's owned the house. Colvin shows her the house he wants to move her to, and points out it's all paid for, plus it's safe, near a bus line, and also near her church, but she doesn't want to move. Outside, Bodie shows Stringer, who's in a car, how things are in Hamsterdam, and intrigued, Stringer tells him to put a couple of their people in Hamsterdam just to test the waters.

At the funeral home, Shamrock tells Avon Stringer's running late, but Avon's more interested in talking to Slim Charles. Slim tells him most of their muscle is either locked up, running with another crew or running scared, or gone straight. He does say Cutty will work out fine, and Avon orders Slim and Cutty make a move on Marlo.

Stringer walks by the construction site, and is upset to see no one working. He goes to Krawczyk, who says there's been a delay with the inspectors, and he tells Stringer to call Clay, insisting Clay is the one who can get things done.

Cutty and Slim tell Country, Gerard and other crew members how they're going to hit one of Marlo's corners. Cutty tells them to wait on his signal.

Colvin is trying to convince Foerster to approve transferring Mrs. Hazel to another house. He points out she's moving into a house that's been foreclosed on, so it won't cost them anything, and [[BlatantLies adds she's a witness against a violent drug crew]], reminding him [[Recap/TheWireS03E05StraightAndTrue they just lost a witness]]. Foerster isn't happy, but signs.

While Cutty and Slim wait in an alley, Country sits in the car with another member of Avon's crew, and he convinces Country they should go despite the fact they still haven't received a signal. A guy riding a bike goes up to the corner and points out the car to Marlo's crew. They get their guns, and when the car drives up, Marlo's crew is ready and lights them up, killing both of them. Cutty and Slim, upset at being preempted, flee through the alleyway.

Carcetti and Gray are playing racketball, and Gray tells him about the fundraiser he was at, and how Watkins complimented Gray and criticized Royce. They speculate at who could take Royce on.

Marlo is with Vinson and Chris. Vinson says he should be wary of Avon's crew, but Marlo says he has superior firepower, and he's ready to take over the head of the table, as it were.

Bubbles checks in with Kima. She tells him he needs to check out Kintel Williamson, but when he tells her about the gunfight between Marlo and Avon's people that left two dead, she becomes interested.

At the Western, Colvin is being chewed out by Rawls over the phone about not only the shooting, but over the fact he has no information other than "rival gangs". When he hangs up, Colvin asks Carver about it, but he doesn't know any more than that either.

[[Recap/TheWireS03E05StraightAndTrue Bruiser]] is playing cards with three other men when Omar drops by and greets him.

Carcetti comes home and distractedly greets Jen and his two children (a boy and a girl). He looks for a tape of himself at a city council meeting, but when he looks in the VCR, he finds his children hid a sandwich in there instead. He starts to get upset, but changes his mind.

Brianna is doing Donette's hair as Donette tells her she wants to get with Stringer. Brianna has no problem with that at all, but gets curious when Donette tells her about [[Recap/TheWireS03E02AllDueRespect [=McNulty=]'s visit]].

Daniels, having just gotten out of bed with Rhonda, tells her they have to keep things quiet because of Marla. He tells Rhonda he's only doing it for show, but at the same time, after Marla stuck by him for the sake of his career all those years before, he feels he owes it to her to do the same for her.

At the funeral home, Slim tells Avon Gerard got away, but he doesn't know any more than that, and Cutty tries to point out they won't know how it went wrong until Gerard gets back, but Avon is furious. Stringer counsels caution again, especially when Avon acts as if he wants to take care of Marlo himself (Stringer reminds Avon he'd go right back to jail if that happened), but Avon doesn't listen. Slim says he and Cutty will take care of it themselves, and they leave. Stringer tells Avon about what he saw at Hamsterdam, but Avon isn't really listening.

Kima and [=McNulty=] are trying once again to sell Daniels on the idea of going after Stringer, pointing out he's now responsible for murders. Daniels, however, has had enough; he tells Kima and [=McNulty=] they're both being insubordinate, and if they can't respect who he is, they should leave.

Bunk meets Omar, who's sitting at a row house near the park. Omar says he's heard about Bunk's [[Recap/TheWireS03E04Hamsterdam attempts to try and find Dozerman''s gun]], but Bunk says he's more concerned with Tosha's murder. Omar says Kimmy won't talk to him, and adds Bunk won't get anything out of Bruiser, because he's not only blind, but will recant his story.

->'''Omar:''' You gonna have to call this one of them cost-of-doin'- business things you all police be talkin' about all the time. Ya feel me? No taxpayers. Shit, way y'all lookin' at things, ain't no victim to even speak of.
->'''Bunk:''' (''getting angry'') Bullshit, boy. No victim?! I just came from Tosha's people, remember? All this death, you don't think that ripples out? You don't even know what the fuck I'm talkin' about. [[Recap/TheWireS01E07OneArrest I was a few years ahead of you at Edmondson.]] But I know you remember the neighborhood, how it was. We had some bad boys for real. Wasn't about guns so much as knowin' what to do with your hands. Those boys could really rack it. My father had me on the straight. But like any young man I wanted to be hard, too. So I'd turn up at all the house parties where the tough boys hung. Shit, they knew I wasn't one of them. Them hardcases would come up to me and say, "Go home, schoolboy, you don't belong here." Didn't realize at the time what they were doin' for me. As rough as that neighborhood could be we had us a community. Nobody, no victim, who didn't matter. And now all we got is bodies, and predatory motherfuckers like you. [[Recap/TheWireS03E03DeadSoldiers And out where that girl fell, I saw kids actin' like Omar callin' you by name. Glorifying your ass.]] Makes me sick, motherfucker, how far we done fell.

As Bunk walks away, Omar spits. Bunk turns to look back, but then continues on, and Omar looks troubled.

Clay tells Stringer he needs to pay $25,000 to get the permits he wants; twenty is for the permits, and the other five is to bribe people. Stringer isn't happy about this, but agrees, as long as the permits come when they're supposed to.

Cutty and Slim drive past Fruit, who's on the phone with his girlfriend. [[Recap/TheWireS03E01TimeAfterTime Cutty recognizes Fruit]]. Slim walks up to one of Fruit's crew and shoots him. Fruit flees the scene down the alley, and Cutty has a clear shot at him when Fruit falls over, but he can't bring himself to take the shot. Fruit eventually gets up and runs away. Slim blames himself for spooking Fruit, and says they should leave.

Bodie brings a couple of dealers to Hamsterdam, which again is showing brisk business.

Carcetti is once again trying to sell Terri on the idea of him running for mayor. She's skeptical, especially when he talks about how much he's going to make crime an issue, telling him how patronizing he sounds, but he points out African-Americans are already pissed at Royce. He also points out Gray is getting ready to take on Royce, and more importantly, Odell Watkins is criticizing Royce. Terri looks intrigued, but adds Carcetti needs a lot of money as well.

Kima and [=McNulty=] are at the detail office, still upset that Daniels isn't going along with them on Stringer, though Kima understands Daniels at this point would rather be wrong if it's [=McNulty=] bringing the argument. She suggests Daniels might change his mind if ordered to.

Royce and Parker are chewing Burrell out over the new murders, pointing out Burrell promised to keep the number under 275 for the year, and at October, they're already at 260. Burrell tries to explain his department is doing what they can, but Royce says if Burrell doesn't do better, he can't justify keeping him as commissioner for the full term.

[=McNulty=] is outside the western district police station, telling Colvin about Marlo and Stringer. Colvin shakes his head at what [=McNulty=]'s asking, but [=McNulty=] points out the murders are affecting Colvin's district.

Cutty and Slim go to see Avon at the funeral home. Slim tells Avon about what happened; Avon is somewhat mollified by the fact they killed one of Marlo's men, but wonders why Cutty didn't shoot. [[ItsAllMyFault Slim again blames himself, saying he drew too soon and didn't leave Cutty an opening]], but Cutty interrupts:

->'''Cutty:''' Hold on. It's on me. I had that kid in my sights close enough to take off his [[ProductPlacement Kangol]] and half his dome with it. I couldn't squeeze the trigger. Couldn't do it, man.
->'''Avon:''' Why not?
->'''Cutty:''' (''{{Beat}}'') Wasn't in me, I guess. You know, whatever it is in you that lets you flow like you flowin', do that thing, it ain't in me no more.
->'''Avon:''' All right. So you done soldierin', but you ain't done. I could use you for what you got in your head. We're gonna put you on a corner, you can be inside-
->'''Cutty:''' (''interrupting'') Aw, man. I'm ain't makin' myself clear. The game ain't in me no more. None of it.
->'''Avon:''' But you ain't done shit else. You know what I'm sayin', so what you gonna do?
->'''Cutty:''' I don't know. But it can't be this.
->'''Avon:''' (''{{Beat}}'') [[CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming Alright, then, we straight.]] (''he and Slim each hug Cutty, and Cutty leaves'')
->'''Slim:''' B, he was a man in his time, you know?
->'''Avon:''' [[CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming Yeah, he a man today. He a man.]]

Daniels in the waiting room of Burrell's office. He gets up to ask the man at the front desk how much longer he'll have to wait, and the man doesn't know. Just then, a secretary opens a door and says Daniels can come in. When Daniels comes into Burrell's office, he sees Burrell, Colvin and Rawls waiting for him, and Rawls says, "Cedric Daniels to the rescue."

This episode contains examples of:

* {{Foreshadowing}}: Cutty's (or Dennis') decision to go straight, how Omar is affected by what Bunk told him, the EscalatingWar between Avon and Marlo (as well as the growing rift between Avon and Stringer), Stringer's increased dissatisfaction with Clay, and Gray's political ambitions all become important later. Also, within the episode, Slim tells Avon at how one of the "soldiers" they had did a HeelFaceTurn, which foreshadows Cutty's.

* PetTheDog: Avon allowing Cutty to walk away from the game.

* SurroundedByIdiots: When Avon asks Slim about the quality of soldiers they have, Slim praises Cutty, but adds, "the rest of them dudes, I dunno." And he's proved right after the first attempt to ambush Marlo's corner crew goes wrong because a couple of Avon's crew jump out early.

* {{Epigraph}}: "Just a gangster, I suppose" is what Avon says about himself.

* ThePreciousPreciousCar / SeriousBusiness: Herc's way of getting one dealer to agree to go to Hamsterdam is to have his SUV towed. Naturally, the dealer says he'll and his people will be happy to go to Hamsterdam if the towing crew will only give "Babycakes" back to him.

At the funeral home, Shamrock tells Avon Stringer's running late, but Stringer's more interested in talking to Slim Charles. Slim tells him most of their muscle is either locked up, running with another crew or running scared, or gone straight. He does say Cutty will work out fine, and Stringer orders Slim and Cutty make a move on Marlo.

* HypocriticalHumor: Clay calling the people running the city "thievin' bitches", [[spoiler:when, of course, as Stringer will find out later, he's the biggest thief of all.]]

* {{Foreshadowing}}: Cutty's (or Dennis') decision to go straight, how Omar is affected by what Bunk told him, the EscalatingWar between Avon and Marlo (as well as the growing rift between Avon and Stringer), and Gray's political ambitions all become important later. Also, within the episode, Slim tells Avon at how one of the "soldiers" they had did a HeelFaceTurn, which foreshadows Cutty's.

* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Bunk delivers a particularly stinging one of these to Omar.

* {{Foreshadowing}}: Cutty's (or Dennis') decision to go straight, how Omar is affected by what Bunk told him, the EscelatingWar between Avon and Marlo (as well as the growing rift between Avon and Stringer), and Gray's political ambitions all become important later. Also, within the episode, Slim tells Avon at how one of the "soldiers" they had did a HeelFacedTurn, which foreshadows Cutty's.
* HeelFacedTurn: Cutty (who hereafter will be known by his first name, Dennis).

Daniels in the waiting room of Burrell's office. He gets up to ask the man at the front desk how much longer he'll have to wait, and the man doesn't know. Just then, a secretary opens a door and says Daniels can come in. When Daniels comes into Burrell's office, he sees Burrell, Colvin and Rawls waiting for him, and Rawls says, "Cedric Daniels to the rescue."

Carcetti is once again trying to sell Terri on the idea of him running for mayor. She's skeptical, especially when he talks about how much he's going to make crime an issue, telling him how patronizing he sounds, but he points out African-Americans are already pissed at Royce. He also points out Gray is getting ready to take on Royce, and more importantly, Odell Watkins is criticizing Royce. Terri looks intrigued, but adds Carcetti needs a lot of money as well.

Kima and [=McNulty=] are trying once again to sell Daniels on the idea of going after Stringer, pointing out he's now responsible for murders. Daniels, however, has had enough; he tells Kima and [=McNulty=] they're both being insubordinate, and if they can't respect who he is, they should leave.

Marlo is with Vinson and Chris. Vinson says he should be wary of Avon's crew, but Marlo says he has superior firepower, and he's ready to take over the head of the table, as it were.

Stringer walks by the construction site, and is upset to see no one working. He goes to Krawczyk, who says there's been a delay with the inspectors, and he tells Stringer to call Clay.

Bunk visits Tosha's family, and tells them while he means no disrespect, he knows [[Recap/TheWireS03E03DeadSoldiers Tosha was involved in the fight that killed her]], and wasn't an innocent bystander. One woman says she knows Tosha was no angel, but asks Bunk what people are saying. Bunk says he wants a word with Tosha's people, and leaves his card.