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The Best Episodes Written By George Pelecanos

Every TV Episode Written by George Pelecanos Ranked from Best to Worst by Thousands of Voters

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    undefined Season 3 Episode 11 - Middle Ground
    9.1/10(47 votes)

    S3:E11

    "We ain't gotta dream no more." -- Stringer Bell The wire begins to yield information about the Barksdale organization, while Stringer and Avon reminisce on how far they have come.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:George Pelecanos

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  2. undefined Season 2 Episode 11 - Bad Dreams
    8.7/10(49 votes)

    S2:E11

    'I need to get clean' -- Sobotka With the clock ticking, the Detail makes a desperate move, and Daniels reams out Landsman for dropping the ball. Nick's deceit is in the open as Sobotka is overwhelmed by bad news. The Greeks ease out of an encounter with the Detail, and Omar's suspicions are validated. The Detail hopes to find Vondas's boss, and Nick hopes to repair relations with the Greeks.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:George Pelecanos

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  3. undefined Season 5 Episode 9 - Late Editions
    8.7/10(38 votes)

    S5:E9

    "Deserve got nuthin' to do with it." - Snoop A promising lead makes Freamon's hard work worthwhile, although McNulty doesn't feel like a celebration. Michael is suspicious about his latest assignment;.Haynes gets fresh eyes to help with fact-checking. Namond's debating skills make Colvin proud. Davis points a finger at Levy and the courts. And Bubbles recounts a recent temptation overcome.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:George Pelecanos

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  4. undefined Season 4 Episode 12 - That's Got His Own
    8.5/10(40 votes)

    S4:E12

    "That all there is to it?" - Bubbles While searching for the missing bodies, Freamon goes around the chain of command after being rebuked by Landsman. Carcetti finds that his promises of raises could be undermined by the school debt, forcing him to consider groveling before the Governor for money to pay it off. Colvin tries to keep his experimental class funded. Bubbles considers taking extreme measures to get rid of the man who continues to steal from him. Prez is concerned about Dukie's academic promotion. Omar orchestrates another big sting while Namond and Cutty get a first-hand taste of the "new" Michael. Carver's promise to look out for Randy ends up looking empty.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:George Pelecanos

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  5. undefined Season 1 Episode 12 - Cleaning Up
    8.4/10(52 votes)

    S1:E12

    "This is me, yo, right here." - Wallace. The low-rise pay phones are out of service, so McNulty and Daniels try to keep pace by tapping Barksdale's office. Bodie gets new responsibilities from Stringer; Freamon gives Shardene a 'new look'; and D'Angelo goes to NYC on an errand for his uncle. With the detail's future hanging in the balance, Daniels faces off against Burrell and his political allies.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:George Pelecanos

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  6. undefined Season 1 Episode 4 - Chapter Four: Fugazi
    8.1/10(26 votes)

    S1:E4

    The bones investigation uncovers the family's dark past. As Bosch's court case reaches a climactic verdict, he gets caught up in a dangerous field trip with Waits, who may be setting him up. A stunning turn of events leads to a frantic citywide manhunt, and Bosch is back on the hot seat.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:George Pelecanos

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  7. undefined Season 3 Episode 4 - Amsterdam
    8.0/10(42 votes)

    S3:E4

    "Why you got to go and fuck with the program?" -- Fruit West Baltimore residents get surprising straight talk at a community meeting from Major Colvin. Bubbles finds gainful employment; Stringer lunches uptown; and Bunk dangles the promise of immunity to a group of corner boys, in exchange for help. Greggs learns how Marlo takes care of business as Bubbles instructs her on the next big thing: disposable cell phones.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:George Pelecanos

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  8. undefined Season 3 Episode 9 - Slapstick
    8.0/10(45 votes)

    S3:E9

    "...while you're waiting for moments that never come." -- Freamon Responding to an officer's call for help, McNulty and Prez turn down the wrong alley, with unanticipated results. A Barksdale crew violates the unspoken Sunday truce with gunplay, increasing discontent among the New Day Co-op members. Stymied in his effort to open a gym, Cutty is surprised to find help from within Baltimore's power structure.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:George Pelecanos

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  9. undefined Season 1 Episode 8 - My Name Is Ruby
    7.8/10(18 votes)

    S1:E8

    In the Season 1 finale, Vincent balks at getting in deeper with Rudy, as expansion fever hits Frankie and Bobby. Candy gets a taste of directing, and enjoys the red-carpet perks of a major premiere. Alston finds himself in limbo at his precinct. Abby changes up the Hi-Hat's clientele; Sandra faces editorial and legal hurdles; Vincent settles a score.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:George Pelecanos

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  10. undefined Season 1 Episode 2 - Show and Prove
    7.7/10(23 votes)

    S1:E2

    Vincent moves into a seedy hotel and contemplates an offer from mob capo Rudy Pipilo. Bobby hopes to take advantage of Vincent's new connections. Filmmaking intrigues Candy. C.C. shows Lori the benefits of having a pimp. Larry feels unsettled.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:George Pelecanos

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  11. undefined Season 2 Episode 8 - Duck and Cover
    7.7/10(51 votes)

    S2:E8

    'How come they don't fly away?' -- Ziggy McNulty is back to his old self, on a drunken binge. Urged by fellow stevedores to fight Maui, Ziggy is again humiliated. Worried about McNulty, Bunk tries to get Daniels and Rawls to take him on. After some labor, the wiretap is up--just in time to catch another disappearing can. Sobotka meets with The Greek and Vondas, and they decide to change up.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:George Pelecanos

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  12. undefined Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.6/10(22 votes)

    S1:E1

    Twin brothers Vincent and Frankie Martino navigate their way through the rough-and-tumble world of 1971 Times Square. Vincent crosses paths with other midtown denizens while plotting to improve his situation. Abby gets enlisted to buy amphetamines.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:George Pelecanos

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  13. undefined Season 1 Episode 4 - I See Money
    7.4/10(22 votes)

    S1:E4

    Rudy dangles a lucrative offer in front of Vincent. Longo uses strong-arm tactics to restore order among Bobby's unhappy construction workers. Candy attracts unwanted attention and is intrigued by a legitimate suitor. Paul questions his place at the Hi-Hat. Frankie hits a hot streak. Darlene gets a gift from Abby. Alston sees through Sandra. Bristling after a police shakedown, Vincent adds muscle in the person of Black Frankie, a Vietnam war vet.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:George Pelecanos

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  14. undefined Season 2 Episode 8 - Nobody Has to Get Hurt
    7.2/10(15 votes)

    S2:E8

    Kiki finds new partners for a deal for Lori. Vincent visits his father for advice. C.C want to get payed for Red Hot.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:George Pelecanos

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  15. undefined Season 3 Episode 1 - The Camera Loves You
    7.1/10(9 votes)

    S3:E1

    On the eve of 1985, a worn-out Vincent reconnects with his ex-wife, Andrea, as his open relationship with Abby grows more distant. Despite becoming a family man, Frankie continues his risky side hustles. With the newly dominant VHS format shaking up their industry, Candy and Harvey travel to Las Vegas for an adult film convention. Now a bartender at the Hi-Hat, Loretta becomes an active member of Women Against Pornography.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:George Pelecanos

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  16. undefined Season 2 Episode 1 - Our Raison d'Etre
    7.0/10(19 votes)

    S2:E1

    Times Square, 1977. Vincent is now proprietor of a new mob-backed disco, while his girlfriend Abby has brought the nascent punk-rock culture into the Hi-Hat. Vincent's twin brother Frankie remains a problem, "borrowing" money from the sex emporium he manages to pay off his debts. Meanwhile, Candy looks to make more artful, ambitious adult films.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:George Pelecanos

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  17. undefined Season 3 Episode 8 - Finish It
    6.8/10(12 votes)

    S3:E8

    Big changes come to The Deuce as Gene sees opportunity in the city's public health crisis. Vincent looks to get out from under the mob's thumb and makes peace with Abby. Candy makes a critical choice in her relationship with Hank.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:George Pelecanos

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  18. undefined Season 1 Episode 3 - Melbourne
    6.7/10(46 votes)

    S1:E3

    Physically and mentally debilitated after the four-month ordeal on Guadalcanal, Leckie, Basilone and thousands of their comrades land in Melbourne, where they are greeted by adoring crowds and viewed as the saviors of Australia. While his buddies carouse, Leckie becomes deeply attached to an Australian woman and her first-generation Greek family. Meanwhile, Basilone is awarded the Medal of Honor and is asked to return home to help sell U.S. war bonds.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:George Pelecanos

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  19. undefined Season 1 Episode 5 - Part Five
    6.5/10(19 votes)

    S1:E5

    Jensen, Sieracki, and U.S. Attorney Leo Wise prepare to charge the officers of the GTTF. Suiter feels the distrust of Baltimoreans as he works a homicide scene and begins to sense that his past is closing in on him. Steele and Davis seek support from Baltimore’s new mayor on the consent decree before the new administration takes over the DOJ.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:George Pelecanos

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  20. undefined Season 1 Episode 1 - Part One
    6.3/10(22 votes)

    S1:E1

    Sgt. Wayne Jenkins gives a lecture to cadets, while investigators Erika Jensen and John Sieracki question Momodu Gondo about his connection to a known drug dealer. Attorney Nicole Steele looks into complaints against notorious cop Daniel Hersl. Then, after an overdose death in Hartford County, David McDougall tracks the source of the drugs to Baltimore.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:George Pelecanos

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  21. undefined Season 3 Episode 7 - That's a Wrap
    6.0/10(10 votes)

    S3:E7

    A struggling Lori turns to Candy for help before revisiting The Deuce. Candy makes a surprising deal to secure funding for her film. Abby takes a stand against the latest phase of Midtown redevelopment. Tommy explains the new world order to Vincent.

    Director:N/A
    Writer:George Pelecanos

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George Pelecanos Ratings Summary

"Middle Ground" is the best rated episode written by George Pelecanos. It scored 9.1/10 based on 47 votes. It was directed by N/A. It aired on 12/12/2004 and is rated 0.4 points higher than their second-best episode, "Bad Dreams".