Rawls puts Freamon on the Sobotka detail and recommends that Bunk bring in a fresh detective as a partner on the case.
Bunk, Beadie, and Cole serve grand jury summons on checkers in Frank's stevedores union, including Johnny Fifty and Horseface, as part of the investigation into the Jane Does.
Nathan is surprised at Omar's candor and history, but calls him a sociopath and worries about putting him on the stand in front of Levy.
Daniels orders DNRs and finance investigations to be done quickly to placate Valchek, and has Greggs, Herc and Carver look into the drug trade around the port.
Meanwhile, Valchek receives another photo of his missing surveillance van, this time from San Diego, and is able to pull a fingerprint.
Stringer attends his economics class at the Baltimore City Community College and asks his teacher, Mr. Lucas, about selling an "inferior product" in a competitive marketplace.
After visiting Avon in prison, Stringer hosts a meeting with Barksdale dealers to solicit ideas for solving the organization's problems.
Ziggy arrives to collect money from a drug dealer named Frog, who comes short and claims his stash was stolen.
Nick asks Vondas and Serge to put their smuggling on hold while Frank deals with the Jane Doe investigation.
[1][2][3] The title refers to the tide effect that traps unsuspecting swimmers; a metaphor for Frank Sobotka's inability to extricate himself from the smuggling operation despite his desire to.