Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
After the officers’ rough raid on the towers brings bad publicity, Lieutenant Daniels faces pressure from Deputy Commissioner Burrell to keep the Barksdale investigation focused on quick arrests. McNulty wants a photograph of Avon, and Lester Freamon finds one in an old boxing poster. Detective Sydnor goes undercover at the Pit with advice from Bubbles, but sees that the important dealers keep drugs and cash out of sight. McNulty and Kima Greggs seek surveillance gear from FBI agent Fitzhugh. McNulty also learns, privately from Fitzhugh, that the FBI once investigated Daniels over unexplained assets; it is an allegation, not proof that Daniels is on the take.
D’Angelo teaches Bodie, Poot and Wallace to play chess, using the pieces to explain how people move within the Barksdale crew. Omar and his partners watch the Pit and strike when D’Angelo leaves to get food. They steal the hidden supply, and Omar shoots Sterling in the knee after he denies knowing where it is. Bubbles sees the robbery and reports it to Greggs. Wee-Bey berates D’Angelo for being absent, then learns Omar’s name from Bodie. Daniels orders another raid, but the officers find little evidence. When Bodie punches Mahon, Carver and the others beat him; the detail has little to show the waiting camera crew.