Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
Colvin forces dealers toward Hamsterdam by threatening arrest everywhere else. Information from the Major Case Unit helps him identify the people who control the crews, but Marlo refuses to cooperate. Carver and Herc retreat when they find him surrounded by armed men. Officers then gather addicts for the relocated dealers, including Johnny. Cutty returns to Barksdale enforcement work and helps confront a dealer suspected of stealing. He slaps the man’s girlfriend but is disturbed when Gerard and Sapper beat the dealer unconscious. An appointment with the Deacon also disappoints him: he had hoped to see Grace rather than discuss work and education.
Shamrock collects Avon from prison. Stringer welcomes him back with an apartment and a party, stressing how much they can now own legitimately. He also tries to bring Marlo into the dealers’ cooperative, but Marlo answers with silence and subsequently orders his people to gather weapons. Bubbles gives Greggs a phone used by Fruit and identifies Chris Partlow as Marlo’s chief bodyguard. McNulty confronts Stringer at his copy shop and comes away believing he has insulated himself behind legitimate businesses. Meanwhile, Carcetti raises a murdered witness with the mayor, who promises action, and Omar prepares his crew for another robbery while warning them to settle their arguments.