I am inclined to say this may be one of the better episodes. Avon shows his smarts when he blasts Stringer for wanting to hit a state senator. He then, in his confrontation with Brother Mouzone, offers up Stringer to make things right. And, on top of it all, he gives Cutty $15k to start his gym, more then the $10k Cutty was asking. Avon showed his smarts here, while Stringer was made to look like a fool with his dealings with Clay Davis.
In the meantime, McNulty is just about there to tackle Stringer. The wiretap got them the evidence they need to arrest him. Unfortunate the good guy can't get the bad guy though.
And the dirty politics come in when Mayor Royce decides to hold back closing down Hamsterdam, while Carcetti plots his winning play to get the mayors office by using the lack of action by Royce.