Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
Prez deciphers the Barksdale pager code, giving the detail the time and place of an approaching resupply. Greggs, Herc, Carver and Sydnor arrest the courier but let Stinkum leave so the crew will not realise its pager traffic is being monitored. Sydnor photographs Stringer as he returns Stinkum’s call, giving the police grounds to listen to that phone. During questioning, Prez recognises the courier as Kevin Johnston, the teenager he blinded in the towers. Daniels urges Kevin to contact him if he wants a different life, but Kevin mocks him. McNulty and Pearlman persuade Judge Phelan to keep backing the wiretap, while Rawls leans on Santangelo to report anything that could hurt McNulty.
Omar’s information helps Bunk and McNulty find a witness who links Bird to William Gant’s murder. The detail arrests Bird, and ballistics confirm that his gun was used. Bird refuses to cooperate, and Daniels, Landsman and Greggs beat him in the interrogation room. Later, Omar gives Bunk a clue that solves one of Santangelo’s old cases. McNulty passes the lead to Santangelo, who warns him that Rawls is trying to undermine him. The operation gains evidence against Bird, though the courier arrest does not expose the whole crew. At a Narcotics Anonymous meeting, Bubbles listens to Walon and leaves feeling hopeful, telling Johnny that he wants to live.