Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
Bunk, Freamon and Beadie travel to Philadelphia to question the ship’s crew, but the sailors will not help and the detectives let the vessel go. Back at the port, Beadie and Bunk trace the container and find false paperwork. McNulty reaches similar leads after learning about the victims, but homicide has already beaten him there. Daniels discusses retirement with McNulty. Valchek uses Prez’s knowledge of the Barksdale case to pressure Burrell into giving Daniels command of the dock investigation.
Nick and Ziggy join Johnny Fifty in stealing a container of digital cameras and sell them to George Glekas, a fence working for the Greeks. Ziggy’s showboating annoys Glekas, who tells Vondas that Nick is the one he trusts. Frank is uneasy when his lobbyist explains money paid to Senator Clay Davis, but keeps seeking political support. In prison, Stringer and Avon arrange a poisoned drug package for guard Tilghman. Omar returns to Baltimore and joins Dante and two thieves for robberies.
Stringer has Butchie give guard Tilghman deliberately poor heroin after Avon asks him to deal with the guard. The package kills several inmates, but Avon had warned D’Angelo to avoid drugs, and he survives. McNulty’s attempt to contribute to the murder inquiry only shows how much the other detectives have already learned. Elena sends him a separation agreement after he brings their sons home.