THE WIRE

THE WIRE 

By: LM

It's that time of year.  My annual theme blog.  In 2011, I went with the Sopranos and 2010 The God Father.  In my previous themes, you could distinguished between a cool character and a slimy one, in the Wire, I doubt if anyone can walk away feeling totally good about their character.

For the people not familiar with the past HBO series The Wire, it's a cable series that depicts the grimy side of Baltimore's Police Department, Politicians, and Citizens.  This is no Andy Griffith or Hill Street Blues it's straight "Gutter".

THE WIRE BY WIKIPEDIA

The Wire is an American television drama series set and produced in and around Baltimore, Maryland. Created and primarily written by author and former police reporter David Simon, the series was broadcast by the premium cable network HBO in the United States. The Wire premiered on June 2, 2002, and ended on March 9, 2008, comprising 60 episodes over five seasons.

Each season of The Wire focuses on a different facet of the city of Baltimore. In chronological order they are: the illegal drug trade, the seaport system, the city government and bureaucracy, the school system, and the print news media. The large cast consists mainly of character actors who are little known for their other roles. Simon has said that despite its presentation as a crime drama, the show is "really about the American city, and about how we live together. It's about how institutions have an effect on individuals. Whether one is a cop, a longshoreman, a drug dealer, a politician, a judge or a lawyer, all are ultimately compromised and must contend with whatever institution they are committed to."

Despite only receiving modest ratings and never winning major television awards, The Wire has been described by many critics as the greatest TV drama of all time. The show is recognized for its realistic portrayal of urban life, its literary ambitions, and its uncommonly deep exploration of sociopolitical themes.

Omar Little

Josh Innes (610) - When you think of Omar, you ask yourself "how in the hell can this guy be so raw".  The attraction of the Wire may lie in this character because it's one of the most dynamic characters in cinema. A homosexual assassin.You will find yourself engaged in his character and out of know where you are hit with a homosexual scene and you are like,  TMI.  Omar shows no fear and go's after the top of the food chain in the crime world.  He jacks Marlo, Avon, Prop Joe all why being somewhat of a snitch for the police.  He's a "hood"  Robin Hood.  The only allies he have is a big sawed off pump shotgun and a bullet proof vest and of course a stable of boys. In season 5, he gets wacked by the least likely of characters, a kid.

Jimmy McNulty

Sean Pendergast (1560) - Some may call him the star of the show, I would disagree but he is definitely one of the funniest.  The one feature that equates him to Sean is his inability to stay in one place.  Just about every season, Jimmy was in a new division or pouncing on some new tail.  Instead of calling Jimmy a star he was simply the point man in all of the cases.  The lead detective.

LT. Daniels

Nick Wright (610) - Is over the Wire Unit with somewhat of an accelerated promotion path that was clearly not deserved on merit. Sometimes he can come off as cool and other times he can get just as crooked as the rest.  Not to mention that boy got that Jungle Fever.  One of the flaws of the Wire IMO, they never explained why Daniels left his wife for the prosecutor.

Proposition Joe

Lance Zierlein (790) -  This guy whole character is making deals and some how coming out clean as a whistle,  It catches up to him by way of someone on his team.  Cheese his nephew wacks him on the order from Marlo.

Brandon

John Lopez (610) - Brandon is Omar's lover and I could be wrong, but I believe there was a giggling scene or two. Well, Brandon and Omar were naughty and robbed Avon's crew.  Stringer Bell (Avon's dude) had Branden mutilated.  His character was meaningless and really didn't bring anything to the show.

Kutty

Adam Clanton (1560) - Once, a life of danger and destruction.  Retired from the life of crime while occasionally flirting with his past but decides to fly right and help the community. 

Craig, pull my coat on this one, in season 3, Kutty Slapps a High school girl and later in the season freezes up when it was time for him to bust a dude that messed over him.

Stringer Bell

Jerome Solomon (Chronicle/97.5) - This guy is down with what's ever in style and beneficial for him.  He is a team player but he's out for self.  He will stab any and everyone in the back to get what he wants.  Afterwards, we learned, this guy was pretty damn intelligent but not intelligent enough for the streets.  This is Avon Barksdale right hand man.

Levy

Adam Wexler (790) - He represents some of the lowest forms of life while managing to make a lucrative income.  He is the person you always have to watch because of his intellect. Somewhat of a team hopper because he represented Avon Barksdale in the beginning and later teamed up with Marlo.  Marlo and Avon were bitter enemies. CREAM.
Is it me or does Levy and Adam Wexler  resemble each other?

Lester Freamon

Charlie Pallilo (790) -  The brains of the WIRE tap.  Commonly overlooked with fans but in the end, he's knocking down strippers. He and McNulty are pure cops and will do anything to make a case including staging homicides

DeLonda

Brien Straw (610) -  This has nothing to do with sex but attitude.  She is a pitbull but ends up ass out because she is too much of a prick. Her attitude was unstable, one minute she loves her son, the next minute she's calling him a punk and forcing him to sell dope.  She and WeeBay share a son together.

WeeBay

Greg Koch (790) - Down for it all and will take one for the team.  He has only one gear, GO.  He will not roll over on his team.  Just an old school loyal freak.  One of the more interesting characters to me because he has a fetish for Fish.  Weebay has Uncle Greg written all of him.

Colvin

John Granato (1560) -  Develops a fabulous colossal screwed up idea to legalize drugs in a project.  In the end, he's completely irrelevant and phased out.

Clay Davis

Barry Warner (610) - Sheeeeeeeeeeeeet.  Funny old politician dude and hella crooked.  Dude's whole purpose is for nifty "one liners".  He knows the game but is very outdated.

Kima

Fred Davis (610)- Passionate and want to do things by the book.  Loves her job too much which causes problems in her relationship. At the end of season 1, she was misplaced in a very wrong situation.

Incumbent Mayor

Brien Erickson (790) -  Don't rock the boat and steady as she goes.  A reactionary leader who needs a threat before he acts.

Matt Thomas (790) - Just and all around cool guy and at the same time being a displaced heroin attic snitch.  He is snitching for Kima. One wacky dude who refuses to believe all of the heroin he shot up and don't have HIV/Aids.  He refuses to accept his new lease on life.

Cheese

Adam Rapp (790) - Impulsive.  One of the most vicious  "hits" in the serious on his uncle Proposition Joe.  One of the guys you see every now and then and you always get the fill he's about to bust out a flow because we know his hip hop pedigree. Prop. Joe's nephew.

Dante

Matt Jackson (790) - When I think of Dante running in the shoot out and accidentally shooting his partner because he was scared reminds me of Matt leaving Wexler to handle Jamie Kennedy. Later Omar has to save Dante from getting killed by Muslims.

Bodie

ND Kalu (790) - Too damn loyal to his team. You continuously ask yourself, why does he make the same mistakes in the game?  It's one thing to be loyal but that loyalty shouldn't send you to your grave.  Of the characters, Bodie went out like a true soldier, busting. Bodie is a foot soldier in Avon's crew.

Mayor Carcetti

Fred Fauor (97.5) - Baltimore native and love his city with an idea of  to return to his city to greatness, but it's all a pipe dream.  The system sucks him in too.  Opts to leave City Council for a shot at Mayor.  He won.

FRANK SOBOTKA

AJ Hoffman (97.5) A polish hot head who is way over his head.  He refuses to take responsibility for his fuck ups and tries to blame everyone else.  He is targeted by a Major in the police department because of Polish jealousy.  However, this guy tough guy antics ran it's course when he tried to punk out Vondas and The Greek.  The Greek had him murdered and dumped in the bay naked.

Butch

David Nuno (1560) - Legally blind and out of the loop but very in tune with everything in the streets.

Slim Charles

Marc Vandermeer (Texans Radio) -  Ruthless but a notorious team hopper.  One minute on Avon's team, the next minute working for Proposition Joe.  It's simple, he sides with the muscle and the muscle is what he's supposed to be.  He is somewhat a spoke person for his gang.

Judge Phalen

Rich Lord (610) - Simply in the game for himself.  Acts as if he has good intentions but ultimately he wants to bang the State Attorney.  Can't trust this guy at all. He constantly sells out McNulty and later totally sells out to eh Democratic Party.  He got reelected.

Commissioner Burrell

John McClain (Chronicle) - Is a pond for multiple entities throughout Baltimore.  He will go whichever way the wind blows.  From Mayor to Mayor Elect to delegates, he's just a tenured Commissioner looking to save his job and make everyone happy.

THE GREEK

Gavin Spittle (610) - The man with his hands on everything and completely absolved from any legalities. Commonly overlooked but is the true mastermind of the drug cartel.

VONDAS

Chris

Mike Melster (610) - Calculating and very smart.  He works under THE GREEK and will do anything to protect him.  







                                                           
JO (HMW) - Wild as hell and ready to terminate on site. Low key and behind the scene.  Marlo's muscle.

Michael

Angelo Lawford (HMW) - While young and non threatening, he evaluates the "Game" and cease upon on it.  He becomes  a major factor in the end.  Somewhat of a wildcard being that he's a kid.  In the end, he wacks Bodie.

Odell Watkins

Mike In DA (HMW) - Old school politician with his hand on the pulse of the city.  For an old man in a Wheel Chair, very little gets pass him.

Avon Barksdale

LM aka SIR BLOG ALOT  - Lives by a code and rarely seen.  Don't care about the glitz and glam but want things to be 100 in your face. Upon learning his friend Stringer had his nephew murdered, he allowed Stringer to be killed by Omar/Brother Mouzon. 

Marlo Stansfield



LM aka SIR BLOG ALOT

Craig Shelton - Just a wicked ass dude who always appear to be one step ahead of his enemies.  In the end he tries to leave the streets under "legal pressures" but he can't and finds himself being himself.  Much love for the streets and very cerebral gansta.