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The Wire
S3.E11
All episodesAll
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

Middle Ground

  • Episode aired Dec 12, 2004
  • TV-MA
  • 59m
IMDb RATING
9.6/10
8.8K
YOUR RATING
Michael Potts and Michael Kenneth Williams in The Wire (2002)
CrimeDramaThriller

The wire begins to yield information about the Barksdale organization. Stringer and Avon reminisce on how far they have come. McNulty finds the way to a key piece of the puzzle in an unlikel... Read allThe wire begins to yield information about the Barksdale organization. Stringer and Avon reminisce on how far they have come. McNulty finds the way to a key piece of the puzzle in an unlikely place. Awaiting his fate, Colvin works behind the scenes to shape the outcome of Amsterd... Read allThe wire begins to yield information about the Barksdale organization. Stringer and Avon reminisce on how far they have come. McNulty finds the way to a key piece of the puzzle in an unlikely place. Awaiting his fate, Colvin works behind the scenes to shape the outcome of Amsterdam, while protecting his men from possible repercussions.

  • Director
    • Joe Chappelle
  • Writers
    • David Simon
    • George Pelecanos
    • William F. Zorzi
  • Stars
    • Dominic West
    • John Doman
    • Idris Elba
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    9.6/10
    8.8K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Joe Chappelle
    • Writers
      • David Simon
      • George Pelecanos
      • William F. Zorzi
    • Stars
      • Dominic West
      • John Doman
      • Idris Elba
    • 19User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos21

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    Top cast54

    Edit
    Dominic West
    Dominic West
    • Detective James 'Jimmy' McNulty
    John Doman
    John Doman
    • Deputy Commissioner for Operations William A. Rawls
    Idris Elba
    Idris Elba
    • Russell 'Stringer' Bell
    Frankie Faison
    Frankie Faison
    • Acting Commissioner Ervin H. Burrell
    Aidan Gillen
    Aidan Gillen
    • Councilman Thomas 'Tommy' Carcetti
    Wood Harris
    Wood Harris
    • Avon Barksdale
    Deirdre Lovejoy
    Deirdre Lovejoy
    • A.S.A. Rhonda Pearlman
    Clarke Peters
    Clarke Peters
    • Detective Lester Freamon
    Wendell Pierce
    Wendell Pierce
    • Detective William 'Bunk' Moreland
    • (credit only)
    Lance Reddick
    Lance Reddick
    • Lieutenant Cedric Daniels
    Andre Royo
    Andre Royo
    • Reginald 'Bubbles' Cousins
    Sonja Sohn
    Sonja Sohn
    • Detective Shakima 'Kima' Greggs
    Jim True-Frost
    Jim True-Frost
    • Detective Roland 'Prez' Pryzbylewski
    • (credit only)
    Robert Wisdom
    Robert Wisdom
    • Major Howard 'Bunny' Colvin
    Seth Gilliam
    Seth Gilliam
    • Sergeant Ellis Carver
    • (credit only)
    Domenick Lombardozzi
    Domenick Lombardozzi
    • Detective Thomas 'Herc' Hauk
    • (credit only)
    J.D. Williams
    J.D. Williams
    • Preston 'Bodie' Broadus
    • (as JD Williams)
    Michael Kenneth Williams
    Michael Kenneth Williams
    • Omar Little
    • (as Michael K. Williams)
    • Director
      • Joe Chappelle
    • Writers
      • David Simon
      • George Pelecanos
      • William F. Zorzi
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews19

    9.68.7K
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    Featured reviews

    10lachlanbaxter-64542

    This is what great TV is all about

    This is it right here. TV like this is what makes The Wire one of the greatest TV shows ever made.

    I knew after season 2 that this show was some of the best TV I'd ever seen but it just gets better and better and better and never lets up til the series finale.

    10/10
    10cuddlesatusc

    The Writers did it

    I can't believe they actually did it. The complexity of Stringer and his want of changing the game is all tackled in this episode. There's a scene when the two men Avon and Stringer are having a good time and it's one of the most heartbreaking. Again, the payoff in this episode is extremely high and the writers have really outdone themselves. 10/10, I wish I could unwatch this episode to experience it new again.
    10RM851222

    Middle Ground

    Greetings from Lithuania.

    "Middle Ground", 11th episode of "The Wire" season 3 had a huge payoff, and i will leave it at that. I'm not sure if i can spoil a show that is almost 20 years old, but still it is best to be discovered by those who have not seen it.

    This is amazing episode because of same things that carriers this amazing series - perfect writing, superb acting and incredible directing. But the writing is a star of "The Wire". And this episode has it all and beyond. Many plot lines starting to get into finish, and i can't wait to see the outcome in next episode which is going to close this incredible and unforgettable season.
    10snoozejonc

    They saw your ghetto a** coming from miles away

    The B and B partnership shows signs of weakness with numerous predators circling.

    This is a classic episode with some unforgettable character moments and great irony.

    There is little about the plot I can say without spoiling, except that it contains some iconic moments of The Wire.

    Various scenes that certain characters share together are brilliantly made. Some involve characters that are rarely on screen together, but when they are it is always electrifying. Another shows characters that are frequently together but this time it feels more poignant and reflective. One scene wonderfully presents two characters heavily linked to the main themes of season 3 that have never shared centre stage together. All of this builds towards a very powerful final scene that lingers in the memory.

    The politics and fallout from the Hamsterdam situation are plausibly in sharp focus. This depicts some recognisable strategic manoeuvring from senior members of the command structure, plus a very effective scene involving one character taking in the sights and sounds of a free zone.

    Once again the scenes involving Dennis are some of the most enjoyable and rewarding to watch. It is important that they receive this amount of screen time in a show so heavy with realism it might otherwise crush your spirit.

    Visually it is incredibly good, with lots of cinematic shots of characters beautifully framed within atmospheric locations. My favourite involves a Western type stand-off between two almost mythical characters.

    Performances as ever are top drawer, with Idris Elba, Michael K. Williams, Michael Potts, Wood Harris, Robert Wisdom, Chad Coleman, Frankie Faison and Dominic West all having standout moments.
    10ansharora-12638

    Game done changed man, for real this time

    Great great episode with a satisfactory end. Omar Little is people favorite character for a reason. Stringer Bell's character was brilliant and suave to perfection. Man, I love this show.

    Best Emmys Moments

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    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When Omar asks if Brother Mouzine killed Dante, Mouzone responds "He's resting." This is very similar to the exchange between Mouzone and Omar in Bad Dreams (2003) when Mouzone, after Omar has shot him, asked if Omar killed his man, Lamar. Omar responded with "Nah, he's just resting."
    • Goofs
      When Stringer Bell is shot the camera angle behind the staircase shows that his body falls in such a manner that only his legs are showing from that angle. When his killers are leaving the said camera angle shows that his entire body can now be seen.
    • Quotes

      Stringer Bell: We ain't gotta dream no more, man. We got real shit. Real estate we can touch.

    • Connections
      Featured in The 57th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (2005)
    • Soundtracks
      White Tee
      (uncredited)

      Written and Performed by Dem Franchize Boyz

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 12, 2004 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Production companies
      • Blown Deadline Productions
      • Home Box Office (HBO)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 59m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 4:3

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