A New Day (The Wire episode)

Infobox The Wire episode


caption =
episode_name = A New Day
episode_no = 48
epigraph = "You play in dirt, you get dirty."
- McNulty
teleplay = Ed Burns
story = David Simon and Ed Burns
writer =
director = Brad Anderson
guest_star = "see below"
prod_code = 411
airdate = November 26, 2006
season = four|"A New Day" is the eleventh episode of the fourth season of the HBO original series, "The Wire". The episode was written by Ed Burns from a story by David Simon & Ed Burns and was directed by Brad Anderson. It originally aired on November 26, 2006.

Production

Title reference

The title is spoken by Kima Greggs in reference to the new Mayor's plans for the city. It may also refer to the New Day Co-Op where Proposition Joe conducts business.

Epigraph

McNulty uses this phrase to explain his dislike of Officer Walker and his feeling that Walker got what he deserved.

Credits

tarring cast

Although credited Chad L. Coleman, Glynn Turman, and Corey Parker Robinson do not appear in this episode.

Guest stars

#Isiah Whitlock, Jr. as Senator Clayton "Clay" Davis
#Jermaine Crawford as Duquan "Dukie" Weems
#Maestro Harrell as Randy Wagstaff
#Julito McCullum as Namond Brice
#Tristan Wilds as Michael Lee
#Gbenga Akinnagbe as Chris Partlow
#Robert F. Chew as Proposition Joe
#Anwan Glover as Slim Charles
#Method Man as Melvin "Cheese" Wagstaff
#Al Brown as Major Stan Valchek
#Jay Landsman as Lieutenant Dennis Mello
#Delaney Williams as Sergeant Jay Landsman
#Jonnie Louis Brown as Officer Eddie Walker
#Rashad Orange as Sherrod
#Ramon Rodriguez as Renaldo
#Thuliso Dingwall as Kenard
#Rakiya Orange as Charlene Young
#Jason Wharton as Albert Stokes
#Stacie Davis as Miss Duquette
#Dan DeLuca as Dr. David Parenti
#Tootsie Duvall as Assistant Principal Marcia Donnelly
#Sandi McCree as De'Londa Brice
#Felicia Pearson as Snoop
#Franklin Ojeda Smith as Reverend
#Felix Stevenson as Reverend Frank Reid
#Ed Norris as Detective Ed Norris
#Michael Salconi as Officer Michael Santangelo
#Gregory L. Williams as Detective Michael Crutchfield
#Brian Anthony Wilson as Detective Vernon Holley
#Yolanda Gaskins as School Board Representative
#David Goodman as Budget Advisor
#Mark Joy as Ed Bowers
#Michael Willis as Andy Krawczyk
#Nathan Corbett as Donut
#DeAnte McCullough as Unknown
#Michael Norbin as Unknown
#Jasmine Pitts as Unknown
#Corbin Smith as Monell

Uncredited appearances

*Derek Horton as Officer Brian Baker
*Bobby Brown as Officer Bobby Brown
*Davone Cooper as Darnell Tyson
*Taylor King as Zenobia Dawson
*Na'Dria Jennings as Chandra Porter
*Shamika Cotton as Raylene Lee
*Shelia Cutchlow as Miss Sheperdson
*Michael Coley as Kwame
*Traeauna Harris as Unknown
*Unknown as Latonya
*Unknown as Markeith
*Unknown as Miss Rennert

Plot

ummary

Western district

Namond Brice buys dinner for his friends Michael Lee, Randy Wagstaff and Duquan "Dukie" Weems. They sit on a stoop with Donut and discuss the recent murder of Little Kevin. Randy is dismayed to learn of Kevin’s death. Leaving the laundromat, Officer Walker walks by and tells the boys to move on, accusing them of being up to no good. The boys plan revenge on Walker for his brutal assault on Donut. Michael says he knows of a bar that is well-known as a police hangout that Walker frequents and vows to handle the problem.

Later, Namond, Randy and Dukie express doubts about Michael's plans for Walker, but they proceed regardless. Michael does not hesitate. As Walker leaves the bar, Duquan scratches Walker’s car, luring Walker to chase him into an alley. In the alley, Michael confronts Walker with a gun, ordering Walker to turn around and kneel. He takes the ring that Walker is wearing, and then gives a signal to Namond, who then splashes him with yellow paint.

Walker later characterizes the incident in the alley as a declaration of gang warfare against the police to his fellow officers, embellishing the facts by claiming there were three attackers with shotguns. Officer McNulty is dubious of the story. McNulty finds Bodie Broadus hiding out in a diner when he goes for lunch. Bodie explains that the police activity has driven him indoors and McNulty reveals to him that the assault on Walker has riled the patrol officers. He confides a dislike of Walker to Bodie because of his corrupt actions. McNulty is called away and the two joke together as he leaves.

Bubbles

Sherrod returns to Bubbles's garage. Bubbles checks how long he is staying and then offers him food. Sherrod confesses that he owes money to the drug dealer he was working for and admits he felt out of place working on the corner. Bubbles promises to help to sort out the problem and reassures Sherrod that he is home again.

Sherrod and Bubbles get to work the next day. Bubbles is enthusiastic about having Sherrod back and pleased when they find a toppled street light. Their day takes a turn for the worse when the addict who has been tormenting Bubbles robs them again.

Politics

Reverend Frank Reid and the minister who was accosted by Sergeant Thomas "Herc" Hauk attend a meeting with Mayor Tommy Carcetti to complain about Herc's actions. They try to persuade Carcetti to introduce a civilian review board for police complaints. Norman Wilson reminds them that, with African Americans as commissioner and as Internal Investigations Division commander, the racial aspects of the incident will not go unexamined. The ministers respond by stating that they believe commissioner Ervin Burrell's authority has been limited. Carcetti asks the ministers not to pre-judge the investigation of the complaint and tells them he takes the matter seriously. They leave disappointed but thank the Mayor for keeping an open door. After the ministers leave, Wilson and Carcetti discuss the difficulty of their position; if Carcetti fires Herc, then the rank and file of the police department will be upset, but leniency will upset the black political infrastructure.

Colonel Cedric Daniels and Assistant State's Attorney Rhonda Pearlman host a meeting with the homicide unit. They ask for suggestions to pass on to the new mayor and state's attorney. Detective Crutchfield suggests improved witness protection and a pay raise, the latter is greeted with much enthusiasm from the other detectives. Detective Freamon asks for more proactive investigation and more time for case prep. Detective Norris suggests greater investment in lab work and technicians. Detective Greggs is exhilarated at the prospect of "a new day" but Sergeant Landsman is skeptical.

Wilson meets with Deputy Commissioner William Rawls and gives him a memo from Carcetti asking for community-based policing and high-end police work. Rawls asks Wilson about firing Burrell. Wilson explains that they do not have the political capital available, which is compounded by the situation with the ministers. Rawls asks if they want Herc fired and Wilson tells him they do not want to interfere with the day-to-day running of the department. Rawls confirms that new administration is interested in the perception of the investigation and recommends assigning the task to Daniels as Herc's new commanding officer.

Rawls meets with Daniels and passes him the investigation. He tells Daniels that in minor cases he can issue a summary judgment or pass the case to a trial board. Daniels asks Rawls what City Hall would want, and to Daniels's surprise, Rawls tells him to do the right thing.

The following morning Carcetti visits the Department of Public Works and tells them to tow an abandoned vehicle that he noticed. He does not offer the location of the vehicle. This galvanizes the department into action. He offers similar instructions to the Department of Parks and Recreation, telling them that a constituent called and asked them to clean up a hazardous playground in her area, but again, does not giving any location. He repeats the trick at the water department. All three departments initiate a flurry of activity soon afterwards.

Senator Davis and Burrell play golf and discuss the summary judgment Daniels has issued. Burrell believes the punishment of two weeks extra duty is too lenient for the ministers. Burrell arrogantly suggests that he is the only person who knows how to play the game.

Carcetti has a disappointing budget meeting and learns that it will be difficult to muster the funds he needs to re-energize the police department.

Rawls introduces the policy change to his commanders and is met with pessimism from the patrol division commander. Rawls insists that they follow the Mayor's orders. Daniels approaches Rawls after the meeting to request reconstituting the Major Crimes Unit under his command in the Criminal Investigations Division. Rawls approves Daniels's suggestion. Deputy Commissioner Stan Valchek tells Rawls that he is smart to support Daniels as he is likely to be the next commissioner. Rawls is surprised at the assertion, thinking that he himself would be next in line. Amused, Valchek tells Rawls there is no way he could become commissioner given Baltimore's African American majority.

Daniels then meets with Freamon, suggesting that Freamon return to Major Crimes. Freamon is concerned about Marimow leading the Unit, but Daniels responds by allowing Freamon to pick his own people and his own commander, concluding that as far as Daniels is concerned, Freamon "is the Major Crimes Unit." Freamon returns to the Unit headquarters and reviews the subpoenaed evidence that has been collected in his absence. As Freamon looks at the names on the subpoenas, Carcetti is at a fundraising event with those very same people – Andy Krawczyk, Ed Bowers, Maurice Webber and Clay Davis.

Carcetti meets with the Western District patrol officers and announces the officer pay raise and the new focus on community-based policing. McNulty is dubious of Carcetti's commitment to avoiding stat-based policing, but Carcetti insists that if the current command cannot meet his request then he will replace them.

Burrell arrives at the Mayor's office and Carcetti reluctantly agrees to see him. Burrell tells Carcetti that he does not mind his orders about strategy being countermanded and segues into a discussion about Herc's punishment. He reveals that Daniels is planning to recommend sensitivity training and tells Carcetti that they will need to be more severe for the ministers. Burrell tells Carcetti that he can find a more convincing reason to fire Herc, based on his history in narcotics, that will appease both the ministers and the rank and file. Burrell says his greatest asset is his ability to understand a mayor's needs.

Carcetti meets with the department heads and hears reports of how they have acted on his requests for cleanup. He continues to encourage the public works department by claiming they have not resolved the complaint he received, but congratulates the water department head when it reports that all hydrants are capped. When the heads of the water and public works departments leave, Carcetti is given some bad news; his budget adviser has just learned that the school system is running a deficit of $54 million. Carcetti is stupefied.

chool

Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski takes his class through a lesson about measurements. He tries to help Charlene and Jasmine in halving an odd number but is interrupted by disruptive behavior.

As usual during lunch, Randy tries to sell candy to some younger students. However, the students abandon him, as rumors about Randy snitching to the police continue to spread.

In the special class, Miss Duquette asks about examples of courage. The class has already identified examples from life on the corner. Miss Duquette asks for examples unrelated to the corner and none are forthcoming. She asks for a volunteer for a trust fall exercise. Albert Stokes declines and Namond reluctantly agrees once the exercise has been explained and Colvin gestures his support. Miss Duquette returns to Albert once Namond has successfully completed the task. He responds with profanity and walks out of the class. Mr. Colvin follows Albert and takes him aside with the new social worker, Miss Rennert. They ask Albert what is wrong and he reveals that he discovered his mother's dead body after returning home last night. Despite Albert's desire to stay with his mother, his grandmother still sent him to school.

Namond tells the story about what happened to Officer Walker to Colvin. Colvin tells Namond that he is making good progress and suggests that he is nearly ready to return to normal classes. Namond is reluctant to go back.

After school, Randy is attacked by several of his classmates. Michael refuses to leave his side despite the accusations about him working with the police. Dukie flees to get help. Prez breaks up the fight and brings Randy and his friends into his classroom. He quizzes Randy about what happened and recommends that he not talk to the police in future.

Later, Namond questions Michael about his reckless behavior both in removing his mask in front of Walker and getting involved in the fight. Michael refuses to apologize for either action. The next morning Namond considers cutting his distinctive hair. His mother insists that he do so. Namond decides that he is still not ready. He also questions Kenard about the appropriateness of his haircut as they work on the corner. Namond is approached by Michael's mother for a handout, claiming that it is for a friend. He accepts her story, and is admonished by Kenard.

Prez visits Sergeant Carver and accuses him of betraying his trust by endangering Randy. Carver tells Prez that he will have a plainclothes unit assigned to guard Randy's home and promises to find out how Randy was exposed.

Assistant Principal Donnelly hosts a meeting with five 8th grade students, including Dukie and Monell, and announces that they are moving on to the 9th grade and high school at the end of the marking period. Dukie is dejected at the news. When the students leave, Donnelly meets with Colvin to tell him that the board have called an end to the special class program.

Colvin, Parenti and Donnelly meet with Miss Sheperdson and her supervisor at the school board. They make the case for the program but are told that the school system is under too much scrutiny at the moment. The school board advises that they will only continue with the program with approval from City Hall.

New Day Co-Op

Omar and Renaldo continue to follow Slim Charles and wait for him at an intersection. Renaldo questions the logic of waiting at the same place where they lost Slim before and Omar reassures Renaldo that if Slim does not return they will start again tomorrow by following him from his home. Omar is proven right when Slim drives past in his SUV. They tail him to a meeting with Proposition Joe. Omar is astounded that Slim is linked with both Marlo and Prop Joe. Renaldo insists he needs a bathroom break and Omar hands him a toilet paper roll and sends him to an alley.

Omar follows Proposition Joe to a meeting of the New Day Co-Op. He notices Fatface Rick and Marlo arriving and speculates that the Baltimore drug dealers have put all their eggs in one basket.

Omar visits Proposition Joe at his electrical repair store with weapons drawn. He finds him meeting with Cheese and Slim Charles. Omar gives Joe a clock to fix. Omar accuses Joe of lying to him about the card game. He enlists Joe's help in stealing from Marlo and threatens to inform Marlo of his involvement in the card game robbery if he attempts to double cross him. When they leave the store, Renaldo asks Omar if he trusts Joe. Omar tells him that he trusts Prop Joe's fear. They follow Cheese when he leaves the store.

tanfield Organization

Marlo Stanfield meets with Chris Partlow and Snoop and commends them for being up to date on their work. Snoop confirms that they took care of Michael's problem by killing his step father. Marlo comments that he has heard that Michael stood alongside Randy when he was accused of being an informant and Chris is perturbed by the news.

Homicide

Bunk Moreland and Kima Greggs tease Lester Freamon about his return to Major Crimes as he packs up his desk. Carver arrives and quizzes Bunk about Randy. Bunk tells Carver that Herc never passed Randy over to him and both men realize that Herc is to blame.

Bunk and Freamon visit Thomas "Herc" Hauk and quiz him about Randy. Herc claims that Randy had no useful information but Bunk is not mollified. Freamon mediates the discussion and asks Herc to tell him everything he did while working on the case. He learns about Herc's traffic stop of Chris and Snoop and the discovery of their nailgun.

Bunk and Freamon visit Prez at the school. They explain that they went to see Randy but, per Prez's advice, he would not talk to them. Bunk tells Prez that he is siding with the criminals; Prez asserts that he is looking out for his kids. Freamon is diplomatic and wishes Prez well. Bunk asks Prez for a little information and Prez reports Randy's story about telling Lex to meet a girl at the playground.

Bunk and Freamon next visit the playground and search the area. Freamon notices the sealed vacant houses and identifies one door as having shiny nails rather than rusted screws. He tells Bunk that they need a crow bar to open the house. He postulates that the house is a tomb and that Lex is inside.cite web
year = 2006
title = Episode guide - episode 48 Misgivings
publisher = HBO
accessdate = 2007-03-29
url = http://www.hbo.com/thewire/episode/season4/episode48.shtml] cite episode
title = A New Day
episodelink = A New Day (The Wire episode)
series = The Wire
serieslink = The Wire (TV series)
credits = Ed Burns, David Simon
writers = Ed Burns
network = HBO
station =
city =
airdate = 2004-11-26
season = 4
number = 11]

References