# More with Less > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/More_with_Less > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/More_with_Less.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/More_with_Less > Source revision: 1312945099 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) 1st episode of the 5th season of The Wire "More with Less" The Wire episode Episode no. Season 5 Episode 1 Directed by Joe Chappelle Story by David Simon Ed Burns Teleplay by David Simon Original air date January 6, 2008 (2008-01-06) Running time 58 minutes Episode chronology ← Previous "Final Grades" Next → "Unconfirmed Reports" List of episodes "**More with Less**" is the first episode of the fifth season of the [HBO](/source/HBO) original series *[The Wire](/source/The_Wire)*. The episode was written by [David Simon](/source/David_Simon) from a story by David Simon & [Ed Burns](/source/Ed_Burns) and was directed by [Joe Chappelle](/source/Joe_Chappelle). It originally aired on January 6, 2008. ## Plot The bigger the lie, the more they believe. — Bunk, in *More with Less* [Mayor](/source/Mayor_of_Baltimore) [Tommy Carcetti](/source/Tommy_Carcetti)'s plan to rejuvenate the [Baltimore Police Department](/source/Baltimore_Police_Department) has been halted by funding cuts necessitated by the city's education deficit. Carcetti and [Council President](/source/Baltimore_City_Council) [Nerese Campbell](/source/Politicians_of_The_Wire#Nerese_Campbell) meet with a [Republican](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States)) [U.S. Attorney](/source/United_States_Attorney) who promises to lend a dozen [FBI](/source/Federal_Bureau_of_Investigation) agents to the BPD in exchange for the city allowing the investigation into the corrupt [State Senator](/source/Maryland_State_Senate) [Clay Davis](/source/Clay_Davis) to be made a federal case. Carcetti fears that the U.S. Attorney will use the case to discredit the [Democrats](/source/Democratic_Party_(United_States)), while Campbell sees [State's Attorney](/source/State's_Attorney) [Rupert Bond](/source/Law_enforcement_characters_of_The_Wire#Rupert_Bond)'s case against Davis as a means of eventually running for mayor. Carcetti's cuts cause the Major Crimes Unit (MCU) to shut down, effectively ending the investigation into the [vacant murders](/source/The_Wire_season_4). Detectives [Lester Freamon](/source/Lester_Freamon) and [Leander Sydnor](/source/Leander_Sydnor) take over the Davis investigation. Colonel [Cedric Daniels](/source/Cedric_Daniels) is outraged that [City Hall](/source/Baltimore_City_Hall) is prioritizing Davis over 22 murders. Detective [Jimmy McNulty](/source/Jimmy_McNulty), having already fallen back into his old habits of [alcoholism](/source/Alcoholism) and infidelity while working in the MCU, is despondent upon his return to Homicide. In the [Western District](/source/Baltimore#West_Baltimore), Sergeant [Ellis Carver](/source/Ellis_Carver) struggles to keep up morale following pay cuts. [Herc](/source/Thomas_%22Herc%22_Hauk) is now working as an investigator for defense attorney [Maurice Levy](/source/Maurice_Levy_(The_Wire)). [Marlo Stanfield](/source/Marlo_Stanfield) intimidates other drug dealers into buying his product and causes unrest in the [New Day Co-Op](/source/New_Day_Co-Op). He gets [Chris Partlow](/source/Chris_Partlow) to find [Sergei Malatov](/source/Sergei_Malatov) as a connection to the Co-Ops' suppliers. Partlow visits the courthouse, where he unwittingly approaches Daniels, Bond, and [Rhonda Pearlman](/source/Rhonda_Pearlman) to ask for directions. [Michael Lee](/source/Michael_Lee_(The_Wire)) is acting as an enforcer under Partlow, while his friend and cohabitant [Duquan "Dukie" Weems](/source/Duquan_%22Dukie%22_Weems) runs their drug dealing crew. Dukie has not gained the respect of the crew, and Michael suggests paying him for looking after his younger brother [Bug](/source/School_system_of_The_Wire#Aaron_"Bug"_Manigault) instead. *[The Baltimore Sun](/source/The_Baltimore_Sun)* also faces budget cuts, but editor [Augustus "Gus" Haynes](/source/Augustus_Haynes) remains principled and efficient. The *Sun* breaks a story about Campbell's relocation of drug dealer [Ricardo "Fat-Face Rick" Hendrix](/source/Street-level_characters_of_The_Wire#Fat_Face_Rick)'s [strip club](/source/Strip_club) out of a redeveloping neighborhood at a considerable cost to the city budget, linking the plan to campaign contributions from Hendrix and Campbell's associates. Ambitious reporter [Scott Templeton](/source/Scott_Templeton) remains dissatisfied while his colleague [Alma Gutierrez](/source/Alma_Gutierrez), who got a choice quote from Hendrix for the story, is happy with her work. [Bubbles](/source/Bubbles_(The_Wire)) lives in his sister's basement and no longer uses drugs, but leaves each evening that his sister is assigned to night shift, as she does not trust him enough to leave him alone in her house. He works as a [rush hour](/source/Rush_hour) distributor for the *Sun* to commuters. He sells a copy to Campbell, who is outraged by the Hendrix story.[1][2] ## Production ### Guest stars - [Frankie Faison](/source/Frankie_Faison) as [Ervin Burrell](/source/Ervin_Burrell) - [Amy Ryan](/source/Amy_Ryan) as [Beatrice "Beadie" Russell](/source/Beadie_Russell) - [Marlyne Afflack](/source/Marlyne_Afflack) as [Nerese Campbell](/source/Politicians_of_The_Wire#Nerese_Campbell) - [Robert F. Chew](/source/Robert_F._Chew) as [Proposition Joe](/source/Proposition_Joe) - [Delaney Williams](/source/Delaney_Williams) as [Jay Landsman](/source/Jay_Landsman_(The_Wire)) - [Felicia Pearson](/source/Felicia_Pearson) as [Felicia "Snoop" Pearson](/source/Snoop_(The_Wire)) - Duane Rawlings as [Hungry Man](/source/Street-level_characters_of_The_Wire#Hungry_Man) - Troj Marquis Strickland as [Ricardo "Fatface Rick" Hendrix](/source/Street-level_characters_of_The_Wire#Fat_Face_Rick) - [Anwan Glover](/source/Anwan_Glover) as [Slim Charles](/source/Slim_Charles) - [David Costabile](/source/David_Costabile) as [Thomas Klebanow](/source/Journalists_of_The_Wire#Thomas_Klebanow) - [Sam Freed](/source/Sam_Freed) as [James Whiting](/source/Journalists_of_The_Wire#James_Whiting) - [Dion Graham](/source/Dion_Graham) as [Rupert Bond](/source/Law_enforcement_characters_of_The_Wire#Rupert_Bond) - Bruce Kirkpatrick as [Roger Twigg](/source/Journalists_of_The_Wire#Roger_Twigg) - [Jay Landsman](/source/Jay_Landsman) as [Dennis Mello](/source/Police_of_The_Wire#Dennis_Mello) - [Ed Norris](/source/Ed_Norris) as [Ed Norris](/source/Police_of_The_Wire#Ed_Norris) - [Method Man](/source/Method_Man) as [Melvin "Cheese" Wagstaff](/source/Cheese_Wagstaff) - Joseph Urla as Maryland District US Attorney - Gregory L. Williams as [Michael Crutchfield](/source/Police_of_The_Wire#Michael_Crutchfield) - [William F. Zorzi](/source/William_F._Zorzi) as [Bill Zorzi](/source/Journalists_of_The_Wire#Bill_Zorzi) - Bobby J. Brown as [Bobby Brown](/source/Police_of_The_Wire#Bobby_Brown) - [Benjamin Busch](/source/Benjamin_Busch) as [Anthony Colicchio](/source/Police_of_The_Wire#Anthony_Colicchio) - Rick Otto as [Kenneth Dozerman](/source/Police_of_The_Wire#Kenneth_Dozerman) - Ryan Sands as [Lloyd "Truck" Garrick](/source/Police_of_The_Wire#Lloyd_"Truck"_Garrick) - Ron Tucker as Unknown - Thomas J. McCarthy as [Tim Phelps](/source/Journalists_of_The_Wire#Tim_Phelps) - Donald Neal as [Jay Spry](/source/Journalists_of_The_Wire#Jay_Spry) - Robert Poletick as [Steven Luxenberg](/source/Journalists_of_The_Wire#Steven_Luxenberg) - Kara Quick as [Rebecca Corbett](/source/Journalists_of_The_Wire#Rebecca_Corbett) - Todd Scofield as [Jeff Price](/source/Journalists_of_The_Wire#Jeff_Price) - Eisa Davis as Bubbles' Sister - Gil Deeble as Hucklebuck - Edward Green as [Spider](/source/Stanfield_Organization#Spider) - Dante Painter, Jr. as DeShawn - Corbin Smith as Monell - Peter Linari as Pete the Bartender - [Laura Lippman](/source/Laura_Lippman) as Laura Lippman - [Michael Olesker](/source/Michael_Olesker) as Michael Olesker - Gene Terinoni as [Jimmy Asher](/source/Police_of_The_Wire#Jimmy_Asher) - Brandon Young as [Mike Fletcher](/source/Journalists_of_The_Wire#Mike_Fletcher) - Lee Everett Cox as [Aaron Castor](/source/Police_of_The_Wire#Aaron_Castor) - Dennis Hill as [Detective Christeson](/source/Police_of_The_Wire#Christeson) - Juhahn Jones as Drug Dealer - Brian E. McLarney as Officer Brian McLarney - Jermaine Shorts as Unknown - Jay Spadaro as Officer Lee Everett Cox and David Costabile's names are misspelled in the credits as Lee Evertt Cox and David Costible, respectively. ### Uncredited appearances - Mike D. Anderson as [Ghost](/source/Street-level_characters_of_The_Wire#Ghost) - Keenon Brice as [Bug](/source/School_system_of_The_Wire#Aaron_"Bug"_Manigault) - [Darrell Britt-Gibson](/source/Darrell_Britt-Gibson) as [O-Dog](/source/Stanfield_Organization#O-Dog) - [Chris Clanton](/source/Chris_Clanton) as [Savino Bratton](/source/Stanfield_Organization#Savino_Bratton) - [Thuliso Dingwall](/source/Thuliso_Dingwall) as [Kenard](/source/Kenard) ### First appearances - **[Gus Haynes](/source/Gus_Haynes)** - a veteran of *The Baltimore Sun* and city desk editor[3] - **[Scott Templeton](/source/Scott_Templeton)** - reporter[4] - **[Alma Gutierrez](/source/Alma_Gutierrez)** - reporter[5] - **[James Whiting](/source/Journalists_of_The_Wire#James_Whiting)** - the paper's [Executive Editor](/source/Executive_Editor)[6] - **[Thomas Klebanow](/source/Journalists_of_The_Wire#Thomas_Klebanow)** - the paper's [Managing Editor](/source/Managing_Editor)[7] - **[Steven Luxenberg](/source/Journalists_of_The_Wire#Steven_Luxenberg)** - the paper's Metro Desk Editor[8] - **[Tim Phelps](/source/Journalists_of_The_Wire#Tim_Phelps)** - the paper's State Desk Editor[9] - **[Rebecca Corbett](/source/Journalists_of_The_Wire#Rebecca_Corbett)** - the paper's Regional Affairs Editor[10] - **[Jay Spry](/source/Journalists_of_The_Wire#Jay_Spry)** - veteran [rewrite man](/source/Rewrite_man)[11] - **[Roger Twigg](/source/Journalists_of_The_Wire#Roger_Twigg)** - long-serving reporter[12] - **[Mike Fletcher](/source/Journalists_of_The_Wire#Mike_Fletcher)** - young general assignments reporter[13] - **[Det. Christeson](/source/Police_of_The_Wire#Christeson)** - new member of the homicide unit who has McNulty's old desk ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-The_Wire_E51_1-0)** Joe Chappelle (director); David Simon (story and teleplay), Ed Burns (story) (January 6, 2008). "More with Less". [*The Wire*](/source/The_Wire_(TV_series)). Season 5. Episode 1. HBO. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-The_Wire_EG51_2-0)** ["*The Wire* episode guide - episode 51 More with Less"](http://www.hbo.com/thewire/episode/season5/episode51.shtml). HBO. 2008. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080119143720/http://www.hbo.com/thewire/episode/season5/episode51.shtml) from the original on January 19, 2008. Retrieved January 22, 2008. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Haynes_profile_3-0)** ["Character profile - City Editor Augustus "Gus" Haynes"](http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/paper/augustus_haynes.shtml). HBO. 2008. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080110111100/http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/paper/augustus_haynes.shtml) from the original on January 10, 2008. Retrieved January 7, 2008. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Templeton_profile_4-0)** ["Character profile - Scott Templeton"](http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/paper/scott_templeton.shtml). HBO. 2008. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080110111105/http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/paper/scott_templeton.shtml) from the original on January 10, 2008. Retrieved January 7, 2008. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Gutierrez_profile_5-0)** ["Character profile - Alma Gutierrez"](http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/paper/alma_gutierrez.shtml). HBO. 2008. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080110094454/http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/paper/alma_gutierrez.shtml) from the original on January 10, 2008. Retrieved January 7, 2008. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Whiting_profile_6-0)** ["Character profile - Executive Editor James Whiting"](http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/paper/james_whiting.shtml). HBO. 2008. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080110221827/http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/paper/james_whiting.shtml) from the original on January 10, 2008. Retrieved January 7, 2008. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Klebanow_profile_7-0)** ["Character profile - Managing Editor Thomas Klebanow"](http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/paper/thomas_klebanow.shtml). HBO. 2008. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080110221900/http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/paper/thomas_klebanow.shtml) from the original on January 10, 2008. Retrieved January 7, 2008. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Luxenberg_profile_8-0)** ["Character profile - Steven Luxenberg"](http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/paper/steven_luxenberg.shtml). HBO. 2008. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080110221855/http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/paper/steven_luxenberg.shtml) from the original on January 10, 2008. Retrieved January 7, 2008. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Phelps_profile_9-0)** ["Character profile - State Editor Tim Phelps"](http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/paper/tim_phelps.shtml). HBO. 2008. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080110221905/http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/paper/tim_phelps.shtml) from the original on January 10, 2008. Retrieved January 7, 2008. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Corbett_profile_10-0)** ["Character profile - Rebecca Corbett"](http://www.hbo.com/the-wire/cast-and-crew/rebecca-corbett/index.html). HBO. 2008. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20151208063834/http://www.hbo.com/the-wire/cast-and-crew/rebecca-corbett/index.html) from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved December 4, 2015. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Spry_profile_11-0)** ["Character profile - Rewrite man Jay Spry"](http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/paper/jay_spry.shtml). HBO. 2008. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080110221834/http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/paper/jay_spry.shtml) from the original on January 10, 2008. Retrieved January 7, 2008. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Twigg_profile_12-0)** ["Character profile - Roger Twigg"](http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/paper/roger_twigg.shtml). HBO. 2008. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080110221850/http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/paper/roger_twigg.shtml) from the original on January 10, 2008. Retrieved January 7, 2008. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Fletch_profile_13-0)** ["Character profile - Mike Fletcher"](http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/paper/mike_fletcher.shtml). HBO. 2008. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080110221845/http://www.hbo.com/thewire/cast/characters/paper/mike_fletcher.shtml) from the original on January 10, 2008. Retrieved January 7, 2008. ## External links - ["More with Less"](http://www.hbo.com/the-wire/episodes#/the-wire/episodes/5/51-more-with-less/index.html) at HBO.com - ["More with Less"](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0977178/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier)) v t e The Wire episodes Season 1 "The Target" "The Detail" "The Buys" "Old Cases" "The Pager" "The Wire" "One Arrest" "Lessons" "Game Day" "The Cost" "The Hunt" "Cleaning Up" "Sentencing" Season 2 "Ebb Tide" "Collateral Damage" "Hot Shots" "Hard Cases" "Undertow" "All Prologue" "Backwash" "Duck and Cover" "Stray Rounds" "Storm Warnings" "Bad Dreams" "Port in a Storm" Season 3 "Time After Time" "All Due Respect" "Dead Soldiers" "Hamsterdam" "Straight and True" "Homecoming" "Back Burners" "Moral Midgetry" "Slapstick" "Reformation" "Middle Ground" "Mission Accomplished" Season 4 "Boys of Summer" "Soft Eyes" "Home Rooms" "Refugees" "Alliances" "Margin of Error" "Unto Others" "Corner Boys" "Know Your Place" "Misgivings" "A New Day" "That's Got His Own" "Final Grades" Season 5 "More with Less" "Unconfirmed Reports" "Not for Attribution" "Transitions" "React Quotes" "The Dickensian Aspect" "Took" "Clarifications" "Late Editions" "-30-" --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [More with Less](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/More_with_Less) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/More_with_Less?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.