The BEST episodes of The Wire season 1

Every episode of The Wire season 1, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The Wire season 1!

Follows one single drug and homicide investigation throughout the length of an entire season. Centered on the drug culture of inner-city Baltimore, the series' storyline unfolds from the points of view of both the criminals lording the streets and the police officers determined to bring them down.

Last Updated: 11/28/2024Network: HBOStatus: Ended
The Cost
star
8.26
3807 votes

#1 - The Cost

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 8/11/2002

With Wallace in custody, McNulty and Daniels must figure out what to do with him in the time before he testifies.

Directors: Brad Anderson
Writer: David Simon
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Sentencing
star
8.23
3775 votes

#2 - Sentencing

Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 9/8/2002

Daniels and McNulty turn to a higher authority to crack the case.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Hunt
star
8.13
3905 votes

#3 - The Hunt

Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 8/18/2002

Burrell orders Daniels to hit dealers for results that will impress the media. Meanwhile, Greggs is in the ICU.

Directors: Steve Shill
Writer: Joy Lusco
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Game Day
star
8.03
3775 votes

#4 - Game Day

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 8/4/2002

Barksdale plays an expensive game of one-upmanship with an east-side rival.

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Cleaning Up
star
8.01
4016 votes

#5 - Cleaning Up

Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 9/1/2002

With the detail's future hanging in the balance, Daniels faces off against Burrell and his political allies.

Directors: Clement Virgo
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Lessons
star
7.90
3993 votes

#6 - Lessons

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 7/28/2002

An unlikely source gives McNulty the tag of Stringer Bell's car. Later, Omar earns his 'loose cannon' reputation.

Directors: Gloria Muzio
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
One Arrest
star
7.84
3936 votes

#7 - One Arrest

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 7/21/2002

Tipped off by the wire, Greggs, Herc, Carver and Freamon make a bust.

Directors: Joe Chappelle
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Wire
star
7.80
4422 votes

#8 - The Wire

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 7/7/2002

McNulty and Greggs ask for a delay in a murder bust in order to preserve the wiretap.

Directors: Ed Bianchi
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Pager
star
7.71
4378 votes

#9 - The Pager

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 6/30/2002

McNulty's detail finally gets "clone" pagers to track Barksdale and his gang.

Directors: Clark Johnson
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Buys
star
7.65
4705 votes

#10 - The Buys

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 6/16/2002

The early-morning "field interviews" by Herc, Carver and Prez result in a minor riot.

Directors: Peter Medak
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Old Cases
star
7.65
4387 votes

#11 - Old Cases

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 6/23/2002

Greggs and McNulty try to get Hardcase to turn informant.

Directors: Clement Virgo
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Detail
star
7.58
5455 votes

#12 - The Detail

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 6/9/2002

McNulty feels the heat when a witness who testified against D'Angelo is killed.

Directors: Clark Johnson
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Target
star
7.49
7348 votes

#13 - The Target

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 6/2/2002

Baltimore detective Jimmy McNulty gets assigned to a new task force.

Directors: Clark Johnson
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV