Ep 3. Not For Attribution

In The Wire season 5 episode 3, titled "Not For Attribution," the newsroom at The Baltimore Sun is buzzing with excitement as they work on a breaking story about city politicians and their connections to drug dealers. Scott Templeton (played by Thomas McCarthy) is eager to get his name on the front page and will stop at nothing to get the scoop, but his editor Gus Haynes (played by Clark Johnson) is wary of trusting his sources.

Meanwhile, the police department is still struggling to contain the drug problem in the city as Detective Jimmy McNulty (played by Dominic West) and Detective Lester Freamon (played by Clarke Peters) continue their tactic of faking a serial killer to get more funding for their investigations. However, their plan is starting to unravel as Detective Kima Greggs (played by Sonja Sohn) discovers evidence that could expose them.

At the same time, Marlo Stanfield (played by Jamie Hector) is tightening his grip on the drug trade in Baltimore, but his ruthless tactics are starting to alienate his own people. His right-hand man Chris Partlow (played by Gbenga Akinnagbe) must find a way to keep the crew together as Marlo's paranoia grows.

As the episode progresses, the parallel storylines of the newsroom, the police department, and the drug world begin to intersect in unexpected ways. The characters must navigate their own moral dilemmas and face the consequences of their actions as the city spirals out of control.

"Not For Attribution" is a tense and gripping episode that showcases the complex web of corruption and violence that plagues Baltimore. With its nuanced characters and gritty portrayal of urban life, The Wire continues to be one of the most acclaimed and influential television dramas of all time.