After just finishing the first of The Wire, there’s one lesson that sticks out in the back of my mind. A very important lesson given by Freamon, one of my favorite characters.

 

This scene, from episode 8, resonates so well for me because of its multiple meanings. The obvious is his message to Prez. As a detective, most of the battle is a battle of minds. The intuition to know what information matters to a case is what makes or breaks an investigator. One needs to be observant, analytical, and sharp. Freamon knows exactly which information is pertinent, even if it doesn’t seem so on the surface.

 

Avon Barksdale knows this too. He is not a stupid person. With the assistance of Stringer Bell. the Barksdale organization managed to elude detection for so long because of their meticulousness and carelessness. They know which pieces are important, and which loose ends they need to tie up.

 

But the message is also important for the show as a whole. If there’s one thing I learned the hard way, it’s that The Wire doesn’t hold your hand. They don’t waste time on exposition for the sake of informing superfluous detail to the viewers. The audience needs to pick up that all the pieces matter. It’s the only way to properly enjoy and understand the show, and appreciate the goals of the writers and directors. This quote doesn’t just feel like a summary of the episode, but a summary of everything I’ve watched so far. It’s very fitting to me that this is the opening quote to the episode that shares the namesake of the program. This is where it all begins.