It’s impressive how Avon accomplished 3 things in one stroke by meeting with Marlo: 1. Demonstrate that even behind bars he’s still a major player who Marlo has no choice but to respect and do business with. 2. Set Marlo up with the Greeks, thereby sealing Prop Joe’s fate, and finally getting revenge on Joe for his role in breaking the Barksdale organization. 3. Get paid $100k for essentially doing nothing, like a true businessman.
I think he's got Ant-man coming up but he should be in at least close to as much shit as Idris Elba gets now a days. Actually everyone from this show deserves everything!!
OTKP Harris was prefect in the role of Avon or other very similar roles, but sadly he has very limited acting range. He's much more of a supporting actor. Same goes for Micheal K. Willams (Omar), who's had greater overall success but suffers from the same acting short comings.
@@OnYourSquare "short acting range" he played Jimi Hendrix pretty solid. But I agree he kinda was type cast into being a gangsta but thats the role he excelled at. He talks about in an interview of why he thinks Elba and British actors are better, racism in America blah blah.
@@KtotheG u right marlo didnt have bit of charisma but he had tons of things to respect about what lot of viewers didnt catch like how he was always plannin next moves, his work ethic and determinatation. He was villain everyone hated but he was smart af.. he spoke only when he had some serious things to say, he was constantly gettin info about ppl he had conversations and he wanted to be mystery to everyone. He didnt spoke, he let his streetcred do the talkin
@@hihiihihihi8408 Bad boys move in silence. We never see Marlo raise his voice until the final season when he was in jail and Monk let it slip that Omar called him out. Marlo did have a steely presence about him onscreen. His reputation preceded him, so he didn't have to be animated.
I like how Avon doesn't even blink at Marlo's $100k sticker shock - no thought of even the slightest opening for a negotiation, he just transitions seamlessly into the obligatory small talk to close it out.
He called him a “Youngin” 🤣 cuz he a OG and Marlo respects it... Avon basically gave his sis some bread and passed the torch to a fellow westsider “the game is the game,... always”
Marlo was on his back foot the whole conversation. He's completely caught off guard when Avon comes out, and he's speechless. When he does start talking, it's only responsive to avon: "yeah?" "i figured that" "hundred grand, huh?". Avon is in complete vocal control through the whole conversation. Before Marlo can figure out his next play, the meet is over and he owes $100k before he can proceed.
" Number 2 ." Marlo's place in the room is instantly told to him literally and figuratively, hes in the number 2 seat in the room and in the situation. The wire is a masterpiece in story telling.
@@ajmairdhanoa3627 and to think this guy prob made it all the way through grade school without learning any basic comprehension skills. That's RUclips comments for you tho
The subtly of this show is amazing. Marlo walks in and it's literally packed with ppl. Avon walks in and everyone disappears. Avon has the one thing that Marlo will never have, the respect of everyone in every room he steps in. Even Brother Mouzone asked for permission to kill Stringer.
@@TreWimsical I mean Stringer was dead eitherway. But Brother did ask for it, that's why he went to Avon in the first place. In any case even if Avon said no, Brother would still kill him. The permission was more courtesy than actual permission. Had Avon said no, then Brother would kill Stringer and left Baltimore with beef. Which means all the connections that Brother (the people he worked for in NYC), would no longer be available to Avon. Which is why Brother told Avon that the only reason he went there was because of Avon's word and reputation. He gave him the courtesy to approve of Stringer's hit, so that there would be no bridges burnt.
Old comment I realize, but I love this show. Avon was all about the Barksdale name, everybody knew it. Marlo was like that in a way, but different. A lot of people didn't know Marlo, they knew Chris, and they knew Snoop, and a lot of them fools didn't know who they even worked for. Not sure if it makes sense but I feel like Marlo was a little more protective of himself, which is likely why he managed to escape the way he did, whereas Avon was just slightly more reckless. Of course by the end of it everyone knew Marlo and didn't want to end up in an abandoned, but I feel like Avon was known for something different and respect is what came from it.
@@batchagaloopytv5816 a nervous smile and look around after you see the face of your enemy something going down no such thing is that big a coincidence
His whole point in doing so was he said what his price was and there is no more talking about it as far as he was concerned. There won't be a negotiation, so he just changed the topic.
One of the greatest by-products of The Wire is reading fellow RUclipsrs analyses in the comments section. Why don't I know anyone in real life who I could talk this shit to? I love it. High five!
+Rickie See That's the mark of a really good show/movie/book, whatever. There are so many layers to analyze the conversation could go on forever. Even better, it's comparable to not just life in the ghetto but America and the rest of the world. That's why it outdoes Sopranos and any other great TV show - and only the astute ones pick up on it. =)
@@Ramble79 As one RUclips podcaster said, “A true king inspires in his subjects not fear but loyalty.” Also the times Marlo talked about wearing the crown can be tied into the words of Tywin Lannister: “Any man who must say ‘I am the king’ is no true king.”
what's interesting, and funny, about this whole scene is.. Marlo, at this point in the story, TRULY thought HE was the man. but seeing Avon, and hearing the conversation. you see, he's still learning.
Ashley Moore he left the game like he entered it, unknown. The closing scene where here tussles with the young cats, he's left the game and yet his name did not carry any weight for all tne bodies he had stuffed in abandoned row houses, avg corner boys didn't know who he was. Remember the jail scene when he told chris he wanted his name to ring out… Avon, hell Omar never had to make such declarations. Recall when Omar went to get cereal and on His way back to the hideout, leans against a stash house and with not a word uttered they drop the package down to him. For all the carnage Marlo and crew wreaked, that lvl of reputation never was bestowed on them.
@@80sOutrunFan Marlo certainly wasn't no fool tho. I mean Chris and snoop respected him for a reason. Avon definitely had a bigger name but Marlo wasn't no play thing neither...
@@jr5925 yea slim charles had the drop on Marlo, snoop and Chris. The old Avon swuad with webey, bird, stinkum and them definitely would have taken Marlo out but I was just saying folks acting like Marlo got where he's at because of pure dumb luck. Marlo was as cold blooded as Chris an them if not colder. And he was no fool is all im saying.
Oliver B Yes!! And I think it’s one of most important scenes from this series. Although D’angelo taught his boys about “the king stay the king”, in Season 1, Avon showed exactly what that looks like in Season 5.
I say when that one kid, forgot his name, haven't watched the show in 5 years, get left behind after losing everything in season 4 and goes "what about me huh" then ends up in foster care
Wood Harris made Avon Barksdale a legendary icon. The suspense of having seen very little of him in the first season made your eyes glued to him whenever you did see him. His mannerisms, the way he talked, all of that was like magic.
I just peeped what Avon was doin! In season 1 prop Joe took 100 large off Avon from the basketball game. Then put Omar on his ass. So now Avon is getting his revenge on prop Joe by gettin his 100 grand back and puttin Marlon on him! Genius!
😄😄😂😂🤣🤣. I just love that line "I got nothing but love...". LHH. 😄😂🤣 Avon was just about to hit Marlo and his people before he got arrested --- Oh boy!!! LHH
I love reading the RUclips Comment section for this show. You guys are so n'sync with this show that it gives it new life. Much Respect to the true "The Wire" fans!
The comments to some of these type videos are part of the strengths of youtube. You watch these shows for years alone and then finally get a community to talk with about the Wire. There have been a lot of little details the Wire community on RUclips has brought up, that I didn't initially grasp. The Wire fans as a group are cool, witty, and intelligent. :)
I will always remember being a senior in college when season 5 started, my roommates and I had been prepping for weeks watching seasons 1-4. I had a date with new chick earlier in the evening and she had said "let's do dinner early bc season 5 of the wire starts tonight and I don't wanna miss it......." She had good taste so....I married that girl.
"Let me help you find your tongue..." - I've been using that line ever since I heard it when this episode aired. It works perfect when people try to play dumb like they don't know what I'm talking about.....Like my kids.
i've been using a marlo line for a couple years now and it stops people dead in their tracks. when someone doesn't see this big picture and thinks something is unfair i hit em with "you want it to be one way... but it's the other way"
When Marlo says "the game is the game" as a throwaway line, Avon takes it to heart and says "Always". Marlo cared more about his name than the game, but the game was all he had. Avon cared more about the game than his name, and in the end while he didn't run the game any longer like he used to, he had the power of his name and the respect that came with it.
How did you come to this conclusion? Both of them cared equally about their name, and they both cared about the game. They just moved differently. Avon and Marlo was very similar.
In a sense when he said “fuck all them eastside bitches” he got it stuck in Marlo’s head and turned him loose on Prop Joe and the Co-Op. he was using Marlo to get back at Joe. Even after Marlo fell people still knew Avon.
my grandma used to only watch the news and mexican soap operas until one day see sat with me and watched an episode of The Wire with me, she really liked it so i decided to watch it from the beginning with her. ill never forget the first time she watched this scene and was so happy, she really liked avon. i miss her so much
This conversation compared to the one Marlo had with Stringer says a lot about the characters and why Marlo had more respect for Avon than he did for String. Stringer tried to come in schooling Marlo like a youngin' and offering him deals to avoid beef. Avon approached him from a position of power easily reading Marlo's intentions while presenting unwavering terms.
Stringer. Stringer. Stringer. Stringer failed to realized that you have to meet people where they are at. You cannot divulge plans and make moves on the basis of others. Everyone is not meant to be a participant because they don't share the same mentality or vision as you. The irony is that what he envisioned, the East and West sides wound up doing ANYWAYS. Stringer should have been the head of the pack. The lesson learned here is that everyone is not meant to grow with you, move with you and make money with you. Any threat to your plans must be eliminated by any means necessary. That is how a true King operates. When the two groups were warring with one another, Stringer's methodology of taking over the product using the CO-OP probably would have worked because he would have had the power of both the East and West sides. He just should not have told Marlo about it. He should not have snitched on Avon. He could have just let Avon and those who participated in dropping Marlo and his crew, go to prison for life while he runs the CO-OP. Stringer talked too damn much!
@@doveyhandwand Stringer just got too big headed thinking he can actually run things with his way of thinking even Avon saw that however Stringer should have known that the game he was in is how Avon put it best “Streets is the streets” that’s why Stringer got played by them politicians too. Avon was far different breed than Stringer was..🤷🏿♂️
but then when Marlo didn't really bite or switch gears he transitioned immediately back to all business. smooth. not much different from what you would expect from a CEO of a big company, which he essentially was really.
This is one of my favorite scenes in all of The Wire. His whole time in the series, Marlo succeeds through completely obliterating his competition and ignoring the rules of the game. Then, when he’s so close to being at the top, Avon makes a boss move and FORCES Marlo to play the game.
Nah. Marlo never obliterated shit. He was the beneficiary of a whole lot of good luck going his way, like Avon getting taken down by the cops right before Avon and company were heading out to slaughter his entire crew, and then again when Omar got killed shopping for cereal by that little piece of shit Kenard. Marlo never defeated anyone, and that’s why at the end nobody on the street remembers him.
"Forces Marlo to play the game"....this is peanuts for Marlo. Remember that Avon laughed at 10K for Cutty? Marlo would've been ready to pay this money to Sergei himself had he asked for it
@@alexgruzglin4239 Did you watch the show? Marlo was already sending Sergei money in jail and he wasn't interested just off of that. He sent Avon to speak to him. Avon forced Marlo to play the game on his terms and pay him money to vouch for him to Sergei and get access to the Greek. Marlo had bypassed everyone including Prop Joe and the Co-Op to get to that point, but he had no choice but to pay Avon. Also being put into that position by someone you had life or death beef with is deeper lol.
Even locked up, Avon had control of the streets. He could have easily reached out to Slim Charles, and had him give word back to Prop Joe, about Marlo's motives. Avon knew Joe's connect, and had a direct link to them in prison! Another thing about Avon which is constantly referenced in the Wire, is his love of family. By forcing Marlo to pay his sister money, shows that even while in prison, he's still concerned with providing for his loved ones. Avon was a street dude with a good heart, highlighted best, when he donated extra money for that boxing gym-and didn't even want his named associated with it. Wood Harris should have gotten an award for this role.
+denmark555 What makes you think that money was actually going to his sister? Everything in prison is done this way- drug deals, bribes, etc. Everything is taken care of outside of the prison itself between trusted people from different parties, including family members.
+denmark555 Like i've said in another comment here though, Avon was being blinded by his Westside/Eastside petty BS. Even though he warned Stringer about Marlo being unreasonable, he himself doesn't realize Marlo respects nothing and no one. Avon was getting too old for the game by this point, and it shows.
They ain't no old or young when you about of the game it becomes your life especially when about how avon how family ties that is also in the game that came way before him
That laugh after Avon says “surprise” always gets me😂 Avon knows Marlo thought he’d never see him again. Marlo realizes even with Avon in prison he still can’t get the plug unless Avon allows it. Avon gave it to Marlo knowing he wouldn’t be able to handle all the pressure that comes with the Crown.
I hate that we didn't get one more season with Avon back out and marlo having caught several head shots and ironically left to rot in an abandoned building
People don't realize how Avon manipulated Marlo here. He basically sold a connect for 100k and got rid of his greatest adversary, Proposition Joe. Avon knowing Marlo was far too wild, as he himself was at a younger age, knew he would fuck something up without a Stringer. Lo and behold, Slim his 2nd in command becomes the group de facto leader which means when Avon get's out in 4 years he will single handily run both the East and West side.
Andrew Li He runs the prison , where Sergei is incarcerated. Marlo could not get to Sergei without Avon, thus he sold the plug by letting the meet happen between Marlo and Serg. The Greeks didn't want to do business with Marlo but they understood he would keep coming back until he got what he wanted. So they had to let Prop Joe get whacked. Anyway what people don't realize is that Avon is the boss still, running mental games on people. When he gets out he will have more money and power than before.
prop joe wasnt his biggest adversary ...marlo was...prop was on the eastside its always been like that....marlo was the one he went to war with...not joe... slim isnt giving up the crown to avon cause its not a crown anymore..its still co op
Mike valenzula Prop Joe was the East side leader. Stringer and Avon spent years battling the East side for turf until they split territory. The East side had the ports and thus better connects, but the west had the real estate. Which means the projects which provided hundreds of local buyers who were dependent on state welfare. Meaning easy sales. Avon set up the domino's, making himself the king as he is still the leader of the West-side and prison gangs. Slim being Avon's 2nd in command would control the situation until he got out.
I just love how Marlo instantly checks his surroundings after Avon enters the room to be sure he isn't being set up. NEVER will there be a police/crime drama like The Wire. Five seasons and the only time we see the police shoot their weapons is when that cop was killed by friendly fire. A true masterpiece!
Nah, those three numbskulls fired at ghosts when they harassed the people in the projects. I wanna say it was just Prez who fired his gun. I can't remember if Carver or Herc fired, though Herc did get injured.
@@leroystokes8501pretty sure they were all firing up into the projects blindly. Lmao I laughed so hard at that We also hear Prez shoot the wall in the first season but I don't know if that counts
Marlo was always saying the Barksdales where weak but he seemed pretty impressed and had a certain level of awe when finally facing Avon. He still sensed Avon was dangerous even in prison. Marlo was looking around for his safety when Avon when he saw him coming out the door.
@@SlimBandit211 Just as the scene when Avon brazenly walk across a baseball field and the game stopped for him. He's what they call shot caller inside jail.
The way Marlo dealt with Omar was weak compared to the Barksdales. Avon was willing to let his troops handle it themselves, meanwhile Marlo set Omar up with a false body and was gon have guys on the inside do the deed (and that plan woulda worked had it not been for Bunk)
Avon was shrewd, plain and simple. Somewhere between the natural business mind of Stringer Bell and the sheer ruthlessness of Marlo Stanfield, you get Avon Barksdale - who was the best of both worlds.
True, but for the gangster at heart they don't even care about money once they've gotten to that point. The culture of it was the most important thing to them.
Marlo had no shelf life his career was over before it started and without Stringer Avon would not have had the success he did. The game is the game and once the politicians and the soldiers/policemen got into their game these guys were done. Anonymity was their only protection ultimately.
Vincent said it "prison and graveyards full of boys who wore the crown" and Marlo's response "but at least they wore it". He walked away while very other would be kingpin was dead or locked up.
The brilliance of The Wire was that everything was relevant and how this one scene with Avon and Marlo plays out can be traced all the way back to season 1 where D'Angelo was schooling Bodie and Wallace on chess. The king stays the king regardless if you catch him and Avon proved that.
Stringer had higher opinion of himself than he actually deserved. Marlo was probing for weakness the whole time he was being lectured by Stringer. After the meeting, he told Michael to tool up for war. Here, he was trying to get to Greek to cut out Co-Ops, but Avon was standing in his way. He literally have nothing to hold over Avon except to pay the toll to get what he wanted.
I feel like this is the only time he really lets his guard down when talking to someone outside his circle, especially when compared to how he treated joe and the co op
Contrast this conversation between Avon and Marlo compared to the conversation between String and Marlo. String didn't read him right at all. Avon read Marlo like a book and knew EXACTLY what buttons to push and what words to use. It was like watching a master at work. This is a clear example of why a 'String' needed an 'Avon'. If Avon had met Marlo in one of those vacants rather then String, It would have been a completely different storyline and Avon would have quickly come up with some plan to deal with him. String was blind to Marlo's motives and MO. Avon saw Marlo a 'mile away..' Great scene. Interesting this was the first time they spoke in person. It's like they already had an ongoing conversation.
mikem987 Stringer saw what he wanted to see, Avon saw what was actually there. With Stringer, he wanted things to be different than they were. With Avon, he had no illusions. Unlike Prop Joe or Stringer.
Clarence Clayborne Good analysis. String was more of a 'realist' in Season 1-2, but started to think he could 'change the game' and bring a legitimate side of business to the drug trade. He started to have more missteps as a result, being blinded by his own desires that he could reform 'the game'. Avon continued to 'see what was there' and had an accurate analysis of Marlo, and the need to take action.
mikem987 I love to read these convos about this stuff...truth of the matter....Avon saw a lot of him in Marlo....he was just the new generations version...just as loyal to the game...just as gritty and grimy, but not as thoughtful, and "coded"
mikem987 Yeah! Because at the end of season 3 when Avon was sentenced that was the first time he had seen Marlo when he came to the sentencing. You kind of feel like they really knew each other.
+mikem987 I agree with you except on 1 small point:Avon wouldn't have bothered with meeting Marlo in the vacants.That's a 100% Stringer/co-op type move there.
I honestly believe Wood Harris was one of the best actors in this show, and that's saying something, considering frinking everyone in this show was insanely brilliant.
Thank you! Wood Harris, Lawrence Fishburne and Idris elba are in a league of their own, but Wood Harris was definitely the best actor in this show, it was too obvious.
@@petecodes This isn't about foreign actors being able to play a convincing accent, it is about who is the better actor and who played their role more convincingly. Yes, Idris deserves credit for his accent and acting. But Wood Harris played his role so naturally and well it was on another level.
@@ротатоаск I don't think it's fair to downplay Idris like that. They had different roles, and nobody could have played Stringer better than he did, just like Harris was perfect for Avon, Idris was perfect for Stringer. Maybe you just like Avon's character more.
The way he stands straight, purses his lips, raises his shoulder, takes a stylized cough, raises his pants, takes a seat and says surprise casually. These 10 seconds have more character than the whole of some TV shows. Simply brilliant!
"Sergey stepped to me the other day to say this nigga Marlo... who he didn't know...". Even that was a cold punch to Marlo's egomaniacal gut. He might be earning a lot of money, but already the world seems unaware of him, and it only gets worse for the rest of the season, as you realise he'd pay his final cent to be recognised.
Now that I think about it. Marlo had many problems with his name not carrying the weight he wanted it too. When Omar was running around robbing and burning his stash and money and calling him out, No one told Marlo. Chris told him he didn't need to worry about that kind of stuff. Marlo was pissed, he said his name is his name. Then when he approached those random corner boys, they didn't even know who he was either. All that killing and drug dealing for seemingly nothing.
I think it’s about respect VS fear, would you rather be respected or feared?? Chris and Snoop, on Marlos behalf, envoked fear.. when they showed up together you knew it was the ending for someone. But no one really respected Marlo he muscled his way to the top but he didn’t earn the respect Chris and Snoops name rang out more than Marlos TBH
Avon - OG. Period. People are clearly NOT GETTING the point of this scene. It's very clear, YOU WON'T MAKE IT IF I DON'T LET YOU. Simple. Avon proved once and for all that regardless of his being shot, being locked up twice, losing soldiers, String everything else, what he worked hard to protect remained solid and that is his reputation and NAME. Your name means everything in a game like this. It is make or break. Avon knew his good name was all he needed to stay the king. The King stays the King. Period. Avon showed Marlo what it looks like to really be a Kingpin and it's obvious Marlo knew that. He was somewhat bemused but he knew what it was. Ultimately Avon set his perimeters, made his demand, and SWITCHED the topic of the conversation. It was quick. I want this money. Not because I need it. Because you need me. Now, moving on. How have you been doing? HAHAHA! Avon is the King. Period. Anyone that does not see that does not get the game.
Yeah but unfortunately most ppl missed out on that "observation". Few ppl actually completely understand this show, and it's greatness. It don't make those of us that do "smart". It just makes those that don't, that much stupider.
franciso7 Correct, and that is a product of the superb level of writing exercised on the show. I mean it has been over 10 years since this show aired, and you still find videos, and topics all over about this show littered with petty quabbles about the plot and the characters. A true testament to great writing. Something that is absent today from pretty much the mass majority of products out on television, and the cinema. The casting, direction, and character development seen on The Wire, is what makes it one of the best TV dramas ever made.
franciso7 Well that is fine, you are entitled to your opinion, but why then look up clips on YT? I hate the Sopranos, think it is one of the most overrated TV shows ever. I don't go looking for it's clips on YT either...
franciso7 Because it is a valid point/argument, and because of the large number of trolls who pollute this service. Regardless how you came upon the video. You VIEWED it, and then went out of your way to reply to someone's comments about it. Comments based on an episode which comprised the final (5th) season of the show nonetheless. YT is well known for spamming you with useless recommendations, so if a video's topic is of non interest to you, well then just skip it and keep it moving. If you go out of your way to view it, and then, even reply to a fan's comment, and then pose no argument other than "I don't like the show", well excuse my stereotyping, but I'm inclined to lean on the side of a trolling comment.
I liked how Marlo took Avon calling him a "natural businessman" almost as a compliment. When you think back about his problems with Stringer and Stringer trying to be a "businessman", Avon probably expected Marlo not to last that long in the game.
Marlo got played so hard in this scene lmao. Avon knew that Marlo would fuck up the connect because he's not smart enough to handle business like that, at the same time Avon also knew that he could use Marlo to take out Prop Joe from the picture. At the end who had the Greek connect? Slim Charles aka Avon's crew!
LIBERALGUNSMOKER Marlo didn't buy anything for 100 grand, Avon didn't have the connect to sell it. He got that 100k from Marlo just so he could talk to Sergei and MAYBE convince the greeks to even talk to him... He took out Prop Joe and Marlo from the picture at the same time. I'm not even sure if Marlo ever got his 10 million but that's a fraction of what money they make on selling dope and Avon's crew were only supposed to pay like 500k out of that since everyone from the coop chipped in...
That “always” is incredibly powerful because it signifies the continuous nature of this game. No matter who the players no matter the wins and losses, the game will always be the game. The point of this show I believe is that life/game keeps going no matter what.
Just want to add two little bits to that. The continuous nature is how the creators Dave Simons felt when he covering the Baltimore war on crime. Most of the cops aren' t heroes, and most of the criminals were stucked in their lives since they are born. The game also refered that these gangsters are merely chess pieces. Here we had two kings, they may have a crown, but they never escaped from the board while Clay Davies robbed the city in open daylight in the court of law.
I feel like Avon respects that Marlo understands that. Avon fought Stringer because he wanted to depart from that lifestyle. Avon sees Marlo understands it the way he does.
truthiz I'd say Marlo is the king of the streets but being Avon being in control of the prison made him the king of kings, just as in real life whoever control the prison controls the streets to some degree
Malo actually made it to be Queen piece. Very powerful piece, most powerful piece but still not the most important piece and can still be replaced. A King piece stays King and cannot be replaced, there is just another King but a King doesn't replace the other piece its just his time to rule.
Avon played the long game so well. He knew Marlo would kill Prop Joe who was loved by the entire co-op, would then make enemies on the east-side while still having Omar on his back. Then Marlo would be dead or forced out and everybody would turn to Avon again. Even Chris was in Avon's crew at the end of the series. Damn.
Facts!! even at the end of the series when Marlo beat the charges and tried to reassert himself, them two dudes who he fought off barely knew who he was....he went from a short-term king to a dude fighting off some random dudes on an empty-ass corner, and he didn't even walk away from that without getting touched.
Chris wasn't in Avon's crew. He and Weebay just happened to be in the same predicament, both the right hand/shooter for their mans and both needed up getting life, killers respect killers and it's more likely they were just having conversation
You dont understand that scene at all, it isnt about Marlo not being recognized. Its about how Marlo is 100% ghetto and nothing will change it...apposed to stringer who was the opposite.
somebody didbt understand the show did they? Chris was never in Avon crew. infact there was no Barksdale left by the time Chris got sentenced . that scene was simply showing that Weekend Bay, axons top shooter. and Chris, Stanfield top shooter both ended up the same . doing life in Jessup. They knew if eachother and respected eachother and that was that. Likely Bay was showing Partlow the ropes inside and welcoming him to that world .
Entertain Me yeah but you cant expect two corner boys to know what marlo or avon even look like. I mean Avon didnt even want his pic up in cuttys gym. Kingpins are known by name, they aint gonna go themselves to each corner to check how the package is. They got soldiers to do that like chris and wee bey who corner kids would recognise. Marlo and Avon dont get themselves involved in that shit they stay away keep a distance. Omar was always gonna be known as a gangster though more than anyone he was a hero to people cus he played with dealers like that he went to corners and robbed people. If you ask who was more loved than thats easily avon cus marlo was droppin people like anything and avon had principles. The name Marlo is always gonna be big in Baltimore even if people dont have a face to attach to it
never thought about that whole Marlo, Stringer, Avon wants.. so guess Avon won, cause he end up with what he wanted.. power in the name. he didnt care about being legit from what i remember..
This is probably the only time you see Marlo look nervous. As soon as he sees Avon he checks to the left and right of him to make sure this isn't a hit.
This show had some ABSOLUTE gem scenes. If you don't refresh your memory, you might have seen shows come after it and think they can compare. Then you see scenes like this and remember it was untouchable
SK B I see that first and foremost, I mean when Avon was asking him "What up" he genuinely was trying to bring him in a respected colleague, and wasn't having, politely, I'm saying. Avon was liked and loved and respected, Marlo was feared and respected.
I think to a sense, Marlo was envious of Avon. Here in this scene you can clearly tell the difference in who is really king (Marlo sees it). Avon's stance here took Marlo by surprise. The fact that a dirty cop allowed Avon in to talk to Marlo without duly authorization even shocked him. No corrupt CO would do such a thing for Marlo because of how shallow he is. Marlo doesn't know the difference between respect and intimidation. Avon - You're a natural businessman, right? Marlo - Laughs This conversation between the two influenced Marlo to turn down his shot at making his money legally. Marlo's mindset was the complete opposite of Stringer's. Avon made that slick comment to challenge the type of person Marlo was. Avon basically said "Is your loyalty here in the streets or is your loyalty is with some white man in a suit?" And Marlo's laugh clearly substantiated his disagreement with Avon's assumption. Avon saw String devote his loyalty more to his secondary business than his primary one. "The game is the game" - Marlo "Always" - Avon
just to add to that "natural businessman" line .. marlo laughed because he and his crew took the credit when stringer died and avon subliminally called him on it.. at the same time saying businessmen dnt last
I think likability of characters really fucks with perception of their traits. Avon was rightfully a great character. but he was a legacy. The game is apart of the Barksdale clan. he is very much a family man. being Avon means being a Barksdale which means being in the game. all good things but it also limited his scope on the possibilities. he after all still got his package from a middle man in the Russians. what he considered his kingdom was all he wanted although he wanted every last bit of it. the streets. the jails(the Russians didn't even have those). all of it. Stinger wasn't a Barksdale. he didn't have the motive to continue being synonymous with the game. it wasn't an inherent fault in character. but probably so for someone who was more #2 than a partner. I mean he did do shady shit. but the true fault when it comes to the game he didn't apply his knowledge of it to the white collar world. get was ignorant to how the corporate world would actually be so similar to his own. which is why he got robbed. Marlo isn't Avon. he isn't a legacy. he just got a hair up his ass and said he was going to be king. the difference in their pursuits wasn't shown. but while Avon was given his place by the Barksdales before him(I'm sure he busted his ass like no other reasoning why legal money couldn't be shown since it's new). Marlo was actually risen to prominence by the loyalty and devotion of his generals Chris and Snoop. what inspired this was never seen. but it's obvious they were closer than Avon men. but a distinct relationship from the friendships found by the boys in the Pit. even for cunning characters someone like Prop Joe is different from them all including Stringer. he wheeled and dealed his way to his kingdom. while I'm sure he put down his fair share of problems I would think he had the most working relationships (why the package was originally his). while dealing with Joe everyone benefitted.
Avon's emphasis on "Sergey step to me the other day sayin' this nigga Marlo, who he don't even know" - that would have cut to Marlo's core, as his reputation was everything to him, and he hated anonymity. Funny, I've seen this clip a million times and only now caught that little stab and twist.
I also noticed that when he talked about knowing Marlo, it wasn't through his reputation or because of the war they had. "Everyone in Westside knows everybody" like Marlo is just another guy on the block. Everything in this scene is structured to take hits at Marlo's ego and its incredible.
What I love is the difference here between Stringer and Marlo's conversation and Avon and Marlo's conversation. You can totally tell that they truly understand each other. Marlo didn't want to discuss anything when Stringer came thru
Yeah stringer tried to “lil son” him and Marlo wasn’t having it. Avon was just like “I know what you up to, but I want my taste” so Marlo respected it bc he was being straight up.
01:33 "Let Me Help You Find Yo Tongue" ...LOL.. COLD!!! In other words... Marlo if you gonna sit there and be silent like a lil Itch...then I am gonna go ahead and TELL YOU what you came here for. I have to admit though (and I could be wrong)..but I think Avon got a little respect for Marlo after Marlo answered "The game is the game" at the end of this clip. His look was like...."Damn... I remember Stringer thought like you do way back when...before trying to buy properties". Almost like. Damn it feels good to hear someone who thinks like me"
I think he did have a little respect for Marlo because he's a gangster from West side but he didn't like him. In the end he avoided Marlo's question letting him know that business is business . That look on his face was like "This conversation is over"
Avon respected Marlo because in a lot of ways he reminded him of himself. Both cared more about being on top dog then acquiring money and weren't afraid to get there hands dirty . The only difference is Marlo didn't have loved ones or family to get tied down with. This why by the end of Season 3 Avon lost all respect for Stringer Bell ( because Stringer thought he could negotiate without really having to fight for the drug trade.Not realising that people like Avon and Marlo would never cater to anyone if it meant loosing their street credit . The only difference between Marlo and Avon is Avon was more street smart and intuitive as he was on top for years , where as Marlo's rise was brief in comparison.
Not so much Avon respected marlo he did but Avon undesmated marlo a lot in the war but Avon it was not over but my point is Avon respected the game more then anything
I absolutely love this scene! Jamie Hectors facial expressions when he saw Avon walk through the door was perfect. A mix of surprise, annoyance and disbelief. Marlo has the crown (or so he thought) yet Avon still wields incredible power. Wood Harris was excellent as usual! What a scene
Going a layer deep than the popular "king stay the king" concept, Avon demonstrates his power in a very direct way and tells us about it in this scene. Marlo needed somebody like Avon to vouch for him because Sergei had no idea who he was. THAT is Avon's power. He saw the benefit of vouching for a dude he doesn't even like and got a fee for it along with handicapping his rival Prop Joe. This scene is brilliant in that it's a lot of nuanced trolling/demanding of respect, but the seed of why Marlo needs to give that respect is plain as day. That's the value of keeping one's reputation intact: you get access to information, situations and decision making most folks don't.
"What separates men from lesser men? Predators from prey? Fear. Predators smell it, and walk away when they don't." I've never seen a scene that encompasses this idea more than this one. Marlo is definitely a predator, but a young one: he compensates for his lack of experience with aggression and ruthlessness. So when Marlo runs into Avon, the old predator who's survived every battle and every war up until this point while still maintaining control even behind bars, he's smart enough to know that Avon has no reason to fear him.
It really is like animals in the wild. how the males in some species (social based ones) fight each other to obtain dominance over the pack, and therefore the ability to produce and keep the game going (Although intstead of coke and cash it's the ladies of the pack, as they hold the key to not only keep the pack going, but to make sure that those kids are yours) If you lose, you either get ostricisezed or just become the beta-beast. sent out to do work while the king gets to chill with da ladiez... Edit last bit is an assumption, I haven't seen Attenborough in ages. Memory is bit foggy in my old age.
Watching Avon is so calming and brings back the elementary school/high school days when life was good. Any scene with him or weebay, diangelo etc you can't go wrong watching and is time well spent
0:22 - Avon still looks like the king and dangerous. Walks up to Marlo like a lion. Marlo looks shocked and starts looking around to make sure he’s not about to get ambushed...😂😂
At 1:52 , Probably only time you hear Marlo laughing . Marlo laughing because Avon figured him out and is explaining his play that he has in motion . Marlo was probably flattered. Avon carried this scene like a boss .
This scene just goes to show that Avon understood something Marlo never ever really did throughout the duration of the show, except for maybe at the very end. Avon recognized that to rule the streets he had to balance out the FEAR that people had for him with RESPECT. Avon operated in a way where he had both; people wouldn’t cross him not only because they knew they would suffer, but also because if they were loyal to him, he would look out for them. That’s why even when he was locked up and had most of his muscle swept off the streets by Marlo, he was still in a position of power over him here. He had the respect of the Greeks and the Russians because they knew he lived by a code, and could be counted on to be a reliable partner. Marlo didn’t understand that. He figured he could demand people’s respect through absolute ruthlessness, but all he really did was make people fear him. Sure, they wouldn’t step to him since they couldn’t beat his muscle, but if they ever got a chance to do so, they would, because they hated him. All of Marlo’s ruthlessness was what brought the law down upon him, and it also backfired because people were wary of doing business with him because they knew he was a snake and would off them the second it could benefit him or help him consolidate his power.
In the end Marlo lost Chris and Snoop too. Avon wins the long game. Slim and Fat Rick have the connect. He also put the bug in Marlo's ear to get rid of Prop Joe who fucked him over earlier and gets the 100K back.
Yep and I'd argue that String showing a repeated lack of any kind of code of principles (murdering people on his own side, screwing their girls, repeatedly double crossing and snitching, etc) served to highlight how even with a lot of power and money, living without a code and constantly screwing people over will come back to bite you. Another good foil to Avon
How did he when it was stringer who violated him when stringer got d Angelo killed?
4 года назад+10
@Rational PoC stringer ruined their relationship by killing d Angelo without talking to Avon plus he was not leader like avon was he just started to ego trip i understand because d Angelo snitched on weebay but to to kill your friend nephew without consulting? Is dead wrong
4 года назад+2
@Rational PoC truth but he ruined their relationship because of his ego
I never get tired of watching this scene (or the scene where Wee-Bey cops to all the murders while eating his pit sandwiches). Unbelievable how much is conveyed in 2 1/2 minutes via a brief conversation, verbal intonation, body language, etc. And kudos to many of the commenters for helping me better understand some of the nuance, which broadens my appreciation for the scene with each additional viewing.
"let me help you find your tongue" Avon was diplomatic n a gangster at the same time he put his emotions to the side for business. very well written for each character
When Avon gets out, his loyal friend and soldier Slim Charles will be there with new found experience. The Barksdale organization will rise from the ashes.
***** I've already watched the entire show 2 times, I'm pretty sure I know what I'm talking about. I don't know how you got that impression of Avon treating Slim like just some random subordinate, he was always there to back Slim up, and you could tell by the way Slim treated Avon that he had massive respect for him. Judging by comments on various Wire videos that I've watched on youtube, most people share my viewpoint about their relationship.
HiddenWen Best way to explain it is using the last episode of season 3, in that episode Avon is sitting in his office not allowing anyone to enter except Slim, at that point he is basically shown telling Slim the truth about why Stringer getting killed.
***** Not true. Slim Charles was the one guy other than Stringer that Avon trusted. His fustration with Slim Charles is that he was the messenger of bad news. But Slim was definitely third in the pecking order in season 3.
HiddenWen when avon got out he would run things again an even more with slim Charles. The Russian went to avon before seeing Marlo and avon knows about the greeks. With that said, im sure the Russian would put in a good word for avon to take over the shipments. Especially since the greeks proved they are loyal to their own and dont care that much who their shipments goes to.
I love analyzing this show. Not sure if I'm overthinking it, but at the beginning the guard says "Number 2" to Marlo, and I can't help but feel like he's signifying that Marlo is #2 in "the game", while Avon is still #1 (the OG boss).
zack palmer probably a subtle thing the writers threw in to make people think and make connections like that. Just another example of the brilliance of this show how they threw those little Easter eggs in there for the shrewd listeners.
*The difference between Avon and Marlo is that Avon was respected. Marlo was feared. Respect gets you a long way in life. Feared can only take you so far. Notice by the end of the series that the 2 corner kids who confronted Marlo didn’t even know, recognize or acknowledge Marlo. It’s like he never even existed in the game. That’s how you know that fear will never get you as far as respect does.*
Reminds me of the scene in Season 3 where Avon walks across the baseball field to talk to Cutty before Cutty's release and the game stops until he is off the field. He never even looks at the game, it's just assumed that he has the respect that he can cross a field and a bunch of convicted violent felons won't do a thing to stop him.
This is not only brilliantly written in terms of the series timeline, but it is also crafted to perfection regarding Avon's pick for words and phrases. It shows how well he knows Marlo and understands his motivations/frustrations in the context of the "game" they're playing. He really addresses Marlo's insecurity about being a nobody, saying Sergei doesn't even know who he is, despite all the cash he handles, and then he says how he told Sergei he does know him, but then adds "in the west side everybody knows everybody" making it clear that to him, he's just a fella from the block, not the guy he had a war to death with. Add to all that the fact that Avon emphasizes his "authority figure" status on prison -a tougher place than the streets- and it just ends up being mind-boggling how much little relevant details were set into the developing of this series. Man, sometimes I wonder if these guys really put so much effort into every little thing, or all of these small blinks are over analytical traces of ours, as spectators. But oh well, I don't think Mario Vargas Llosa said this was as well written as a 19th century novel for no reason whatsoever.
"So whassup man whassup wit you otherwise?" "Nah the game is the game" "Always" One of the best and most and underrated quotes from this entire series.
Jamie Ramsay bro you OP as fuck rn lmao stop it. If you don’t understand why the line draws weight just don’t even comment. It’s a subtlety, not a legendary line or sumn like that.
It’s impressive how Avon accomplished 3 things in one stroke by meeting with Marlo:
1. Demonstrate that even behind bars he’s still a major player who Marlo has no choice but to respect and do business with.
2. Set Marlo up with the Greeks, thereby sealing Prop Joe’s fate, and finally getting revenge on Joe for his role in breaking the Barksdale organization.
3. Get paid $100k for essentially doing nothing, like a true businessman.
And on top of all that, his top soldier Slim Charles is in charge of the connect!! So if everything holds up, he is straight when he gets out!!
@@grapelund that part
@@grapelund do you think he home yet ?
@@tonystarke9820 yeah he only got 5 years if i remember
A living businessman first . That other man "bleeding green" is deader than TUPAC lol
Wood Harris is a Painfully UNDERRATED ACTOR!
Painfully underrated. Man he should be doing more because he isn't just a good thug. He plays so many roles magnificently. Smh.
I think he's got Ant-man coming up but he should be in at least close to as much shit as Idris Elba gets now a days. Actually everyone from this show deserves everything!!
OTKP Harris was prefect in the role of Avon or other very similar roles, but sadly he has very limited acting range. He's much more of a supporting actor. Same goes for Micheal K. Willams (Omar), who's had greater overall success but suffers from the same acting short comings.
True
@@OnYourSquare "short acting range" he played Jimi Hendrix pretty solid. But I agree he kinda was type cast into being a gangsta but thats the role he excelled at. He talks about in an interview of why he thinks Elba and British actors are better, racism in America blah blah.
Avon Barksdale stole EVERY scene he was in. The definition of Original Gangster.
Yea, pretty much!
His charisma. Something that Marlo lacked.
@@KtotheG u right marlo didnt have bit of charisma but he had tons of things to respect about what lot of viewers didnt catch like how he was always plannin next moves, his work ethic and determinatation. He was villain everyone hated but he was smart af.. he spoke only when he had some serious things to say, he was constantly gettin info about ppl he had conversations and he wanted to be mystery to everyone. He didnt spoke, he let his streetcred do the talkin
@@hihiihihihi8408 Bad boys move in silence. We never see Marlo raise his voice until the final season when he was in jail and Monk let it slip that Omar called him out. Marlo did have a steely presence about him onscreen. His reputation preceded him, so he didn't have to be animated.
@@hihiihihihi8408 the crown aint worth wearin if the dude wearing it always be getting his shit took!
I like how Avon doesn't even blink at Marlo's $100k sticker shock - no thought of even the slightest opening for a negotiation, he just transitions seamlessly into the obligatory small talk to close it out.
The point of $100k isn't to pay for introducing Marlo to Sergei. Avon wants to put Marlo in a subservient position to flex his dominance over.
@@dyingearth Exactly. If it was about money I’m sure Avon would ask for more. This is about dominance.
Avon was using Marlo to pay the debt he lost to prop Joe in the basketball game while indirectly green lighting Joe to be killed off...💯💯💯
If u have in Prison, I think 100 pretty much for just a favor. He had about 1-3 million legal cash max.
@@dyingearth he was letting Marlo no that you run streets now because I’m in here but I run this prison surprise
"Let me help you find your tongue." Nobody else talked to Marlo that way.
can you imagine that? nobody else talked to marlo that way? they were in no position to go into the unknown not knowin
because Avon been runnin the game waay before marlo.
@@JahmilBlair avon been runnin the game waay before marlo. only avon's got a trial comin up.
He called him a “Youngin” 🤣 cuz he a OG and Marlo respects it... Avon basically gave his sis some bread and passed the torch to a fellow westsider “the game is the game,... always”
Marlo was on his back foot the whole conversation. He's completely caught off guard when Avon comes out, and he's speechless. When he does start talking, it's only responsive to avon: "yeah?" "i figured that" "hundred grand, huh?". Avon is in complete vocal control through the whole conversation. Before Marlo can figure out his next play, the meet is over and he owes $100k before he can proceed.
" Number 2 ."
Marlo's place in the room is instantly told to him literally and figuratively, hes in the number 2 seat in the room and in the situation. The wire is a masterpiece in story telling.
I didnt catch that detail, nice one.
Missed that. Thanks
Totally underrated comment. Very nice catch!
Best comment
Check ur own video you'll always be number 2, real rekognize itself blood n u look familiar
Remember in The Wire Avon didn't appear for a whole season before this scene..So the shock value and the writers on this was off the chain
Underrated observation.....
What? He was in the second or third episode of season one.
@@mckenziesmall6275 He meant any episode of this season, not the whole show man 😂🤦🏽♂️
@@ajmairdhanoa3627 and to think this guy prob made it all the way through grade school without learning any basic comprehension skills. That's RUclips comments for you tho
@@prow6 lol
The subtly of this show is amazing. Marlo walks in and it's literally packed with ppl. Avon walks in and everyone disappears. Avon has the one thing that Marlo will never have, the respect of everyone in every room he steps in. Even Brother Mouzone asked for permission to kill Stringer.
His word is what got him there.
Brother Mouzone wasn’t asking for permission, his mind was already made up before talking to Avon at the barbershop, he jus needed time and location
@@TreWimsical I mean Stringer was dead eitherway. But Brother did ask for it, that's why he went to Avon in the first place. In any case even if Avon said no, Brother would still kill him. The permission was more courtesy than actual permission.
Had Avon said no, then Brother would kill Stringer and left Baltimore with beef. Which means all the connections that Brother (the people he worked for in NYC), would no longer be available to Avon. Which is why Brother told Avon that the only reason he went there was because of Avon's word and reputation. He gave him the courtesy to approve of Stringer's hit, so that there would be no bridges burnt.
Damn. Never caught that. Cleared the room out.
Old comment I realize, but I love this show. Avon was all about the Barksdale name, everybody knew it. Marlo was like that in a way, but different. A lot of people didn't know Marlo, they knew Chris, and they knew Snoop, and a lot of them fools didn't know who they even worked for. Not sure if it makes sense but I feel like Marlo was a little more protective of himself, which is likely why he managed to escape the way he did, whereas Avon was just slightly more reckless. Of course by the end of it everyone knew Marlo and didn't want to end up in an abandoned, but I feel like Avon was known for something different and respect is what came from it.
On my life, I will find a reason to say "let me help you find your tongue" to someone.
I say it to you Girl A LOT
😂👆🏾😂👆🏾😂👆🏾😂👆🏾😂👆🏾😂👆🏾
Lol
Straight facts I need to use this line 😂
On my mama 😂😂😂
Ima say that and then proceed to kiss him
A Wood Harris masterclass in under 3 minutes. One of the best to ever do it.
Its such a shame he didnt get good lead character roles after the wire
Amen, his subtlety in key scenes (rooftop scene, this, his arrest) speaks volumes about the direction and his understanding of the character.
Facts, bro should be a drug dealer in every movie 🤣😂🤣
Extremely underrated.
FACTS
I love how Avon gives him a smile when he walks in and Marlo looks around like he checking to see if it's a hit
Haha, for real
Marlo is looking around in disbelief. I bet he was kicking himself for going to that sentencing.
hes looking around to see who Avons "meeting" on visiting hrs he doesnt realize how its about to go down.
lol he looked around in disbelief...he lost his tongue because he was coming face to face with a real kingpin.
@@batchagaloopytv5816 a nervous smile and look around after you see the face of your enemy something going down no such thing is that big a coincidence
The fact that Avon didn't repeat himself was his biggest flex of power.. "So what's been going on wit u otherwise " as if he really gaf😂😂😂
i think he was fishing weakness
He really did give a fuck tho.
@disturbedconfessions only because of Carlos proximity to the game. That's what the question was. How's the the streets, the game.
His whole point in doing so was he said what his price was and there is no more talking about it as far as he was concerned. There won't be a negotiation, so he just changed the topic.
Straight up as they come lmao
One of the greatest by-products of The Wire is reading fellow RUclipsrs analyses in the comments section. Why don't I know anyone in real life who I could talk this shit to? I love it. High five!
+Rickie See That's the mark of a really good show/movie/book, whatever. There are so many layers to analyze the conversation could go on forever. Even better, it's comparable to not just life in the ghetto but America and the rest of the world. That's why it outdoes Sopranos and any other great TV show - and only the astute ones pick up on it. =)
+Rickie See Im raping my bellybutton!
+R JN your completley
up until the bit about sopranos nothing or ever will out do Sopranos
+G Man Sapranos is below Breaking bad at this point
+Rickie See Cheers mate. I have nothing but love in my heart... for fans of The Wire. Nothing but love. And I won't ask for a hundred large for it!
Love how they sent Marlo to the #2 meeting area. Very symbolic to Marlo's status...never could get his name to ring out #1 like Avon.
Brilliant observation.
Crazy!!!!
🤯🤯🤯
Damn! Stop playing!
If this was planned by the writers, this is pretty dang slick!
Just like at the greek spot with the No Smoking sign marlo was covering which he was blocking the letters SMO and it read No King instead
I love how Avon can easily charm people and come off as a charismatic dude but we know he is cold ruthless
It's appropriate you say this with your pfp n all. Avon had his charisma points maxed out
Marlo lacked charisma. More anti social and ruled with an iron fist. But couldn’t stay on top for long. Was feared but not respected
@@Ramble79 Exactly. Can't rule with iron fist alone
Trust me you wouldn’t like it if you were on the other side of that 45. Ultimate chess player right here
@@Ramble79 As one RUclips podcaster said, “A true king inspires in his subjects not fear but loyalty.” Also the times Marlo talked about wearing the crown can be tied into the words of Tywin Lannister: “Any man who must say ‘I am the king’ is no true king.”
The quickest way to hurt Marlo's feelings is to say that someone in the game doesn't know him.
My Name is My Name 🤣
FACTS!
The Boy stays ego trippin
He was probably crying after his check-in with Avon 🤣
Good point
what's interesting, and funny, about this whole scene is.. Marlo, at this point in the story, TRULY thought HE was the man. but seeing Avon, and hearing the conversation. you see, he's still learning.
Da Wolf Name is the only thing important to Marlo. name, reputation & word is what Avon had. and then some
Ashley Moore he left the game like he entered it, unknown. The closing scene where here tussles with the young cats, he's left the game and yet his name did not carry any weight for all tne bodies he had stuffed in abandoned row houses, avg corner boys didn't know who he was. Remember the jail scene when he told chris he wanted his name to ring out… Avon, hell Omar never had to make such declarations. Recall when Omar went to get cereal and on His way back to the hideout, leans against a stash house and with not a word uttered they drop the package down to him. For all the carnage Marlo and crew wreaked, that lvl of reputation never was bestowed on them.
Marlo was lucky he had stone cold killers behind him, the kid was a dumb as a brick. In RL he would be 187 in 72 hours lol.
@@80sOutrunFan Marlo certainly wasn't no fool tho. I mean Chris and snoop respected him for a reason. Avon definitely had a bigger name but Marlo wasn't no play thing neither...
@@jr5925 yea slim charles had the drop on Marlo, snoop and Chris. The old Avon swuad with webey, bird, stinkum and them definitely would have taken Marlo out but I was just saying folks acting like Marlo got where he's at because of pure dumb luck. Marlo was as cold blooded as Chris an them if not colder. And he was no fool is all im saying.
"I'm what you might consider an authority figure." Best line in the whole show lol. That's how a real OG would talk to a youngin acting out of pocket.
this is, frankly, one of the best scenes in the show. unreal.
this and the other jail visit scene with wee bay and colvin! both are pure gold
CHEESE BURGER Yeah that was another great scene. The Wire is the greatest TV show of all time and I'm not trying to hear different either!
Oliver B Yes!! And I think it’s one of most important scenes from this series. Although D’angelo taught his boys about “the king stay the king”, in Season 1, Avon showed exactly what that looks like in Season 5.
I say when that one kid, forgot his name, haven't watched the show in 5 years, get left behind after losing everything in season 4 and goes "what about me huh" then ends up in foster care
Seriously. I can watch this scene over and over
Wood Harris made Avon Barksdale a legendary icon. The suspense of having seen very little of him in the first season made your eyes glued to him whenever you did see him. His mannerisms, the way he talked, all of that was like magic.
Underrated actor. Probably the best performance in the show.
I just peeped what Avon was doin! In season 1 prop Joe took 100 large off Avon from the basketball game. Then put Omar on his ass. So now Avon is getting his revenge on prop Joe by gettin his 100 grand back and puttin Marlon on him! Genius!
True
numba1soulbrotha OH SHIT WOW!
numba1soulbrotha/The Solution Podcast Dope analysis!! But Avon was still running the chessboard and he wasn’t through yet!
life sucks a lot of the time. but then there's watching clips of the Wire and reading the youtube comments. it evens out...
numba1soulbrotha/The Solution Podcast that’s a brilliant analysis..... I never thought 💭 about that 💯💯💯
This scene is so well written, acted, and edited-the tension, the humor, the rhythm. I got nothin but love...
Fu%$ all them Eastside bitches. I got nothing but For Westside Ninjas, nothing but love ❤️!!! Avon’s the truth.
This show seemed to go from great scene to great scene.
😄😄😂😂🤣🤣. I just love that line "I got nothing but love...". LHH. 😄😂🤣
Avon was just about to hit Marlo and his people before he got arrested --- Oh boy!!! LHH
Yes this is the perfect scene.
And the background noise!
I love reading the RUclips Comment section for this show. You guys are so n'sync with this show that it gives it new life. Much Respect to the true "The Wire" fans!
This, I'm gonna have to rewatch. I clearly missed a lot of stuff.
The comments to some of these type videos are part of the strengths of youtube. You watch these shows for years alone and then finally get a community to talk with about the Wire. There have been a lot of little details the Wire community on RUclips has brought up, that I didn't initially grasp. The Wire fans as a group are cool, witty, and intelligent. :)
N'sync 🤣
Do what I did and rewatch it 5 times
Real Talk
I will always remember being a senior in college when season 5 started, my roommates and I had been prepping for weeks watching seasons 1-4. I had a date with new chick earlier in the evening and she had said "let's do dinner early bc season 5 of the wire starts tonight and I don't wanna miss it......." She had good taste so....I married that girl.
“Nicely Done”. ~McNulty Voice~
better to be lucky than to be good
Haaaaaa 😂
"All in the Game." - Traditional West Baltimore
Bless you and your happiness
Wood Harris is that nigga, The Wire and Paid in Full makes him a legend.
Christian Charles Wood Harris CHI-TOWN!
Chistability thats my dude Avon in this piece
don't forget above the rim
Word up
Yo mama is a legend since ive had so many mamas.
"Let me help you find your tongue..." - I've been using that line ever since I heard it when this episode aired. It works perfect when people try to play dumb like they don't know what I'm talking about.....Like my kids.
Yes lol I'm Abt to start using that line on ppl to 💯💯
That’s brilliant
i've been using a marlo line for a couple years now and it stops people dead in their tracks. when someone doesn't see this big picture and thinks something is unfair i hit em with "you want it to be one way... but it's the other way"
@@sickdawg22I’ve got a Marlo line I use too, I always tell folks to “do it or don’t” and that usually makes them stop in their tracks aswell
@@sickdawg22Do you also have the lollipop? 🍭
When Marlo says "the game is the game" as a throwaway line, Avon takes it to heart and says "Always". Marlo cared more about his name than the game, but the game was all he had. Avon cared more about the game than his name, and in the end while he didn't run the game any longer like he used to, he had the power of his name and the respect that came with it.
Avon did run the game even in prison,
Great commentary. 💯
How did you come to this conclusion? Both of them cared equally about their name, and they both cared about the game. They just moved differently. Avon and Marlo was very similar.
In a sense when he said “fuck all them eastside bitches” he got it stuck in Marlo’s head and turned him loose on Prop Joe and the Co-Op. he was using Marlo to get back at Joe. Even after Marlo fell people still knew Avon.
His name is what let him run the game. Like Brother M said; his word and reputation is what continues to give him an open line to New York
my grandma used to only watch the news and mexican soap operas until one day see sat with me and watched an episode of The Wire with me, she really liked it so i decided to watch it from the beginning with her. ill never forget the first time she watched this scene and was so happy, she really liked avon. i miss her so much
“Surprise” 😂 that and the little chuckle he does after that always gets me.
I been waiting on someone to comment this lol
It's like when you catch someone slipping. Surprise lol
Marlo was star-struck.
The smile and chuckle let you know who is running the meeting before a word is spoken
This conversation compared to the one Marlo had with Stringer says a lot about the characters and why Marlo had more respect for Avon than he did for String. Stringer tried to come in schooling Marlo like a youngin' and offering him deals to avoid beef. Avon approached him from a position of power easily reading Marlo's intentions while presenting unwavering terms.
Stringer. Stringer. Stringer. Stringer failed to realized that you have to meet people where they are at. You cannot divulge plans and make moves on the basis of others. Everyone is not meant to be a participant because they don't share the same mentality or vision as you. The irony is that what he envisioned, the East and West sides wound up doing ANYWAYS. Stringer should have been the head of the pack. The lesson learned here is that everyone is not meant to grow with you, move with you and make money with you. Any threat to your plans must be eliminated by any means necessary. That is how a true King operates. When the two groups were warring with one another, Stringer's methodology of taking over the product using the CO-OP probably would have worked because he would have had the power of both the East and West sides. He just should not have told Marlo about it. He should not have snitched on Avon. He could have just let Avon and those who participated in dropping Marlo and his crew, go to prison for life while he runs the CO-OP. Stringer talked too damn much!
@@doveyhandwand You're absolutely right baby girl. 💯🙂🙃
@@doveyhandwand Stringer just got too big headed thinking he can actually run things with his way of thinking even Avon saw that however Stringer should have known that the game he was in is how Avon put it best “Streets is the streets” that’s why Stringer got played by them politicians too. Avon was far different breed than Stringer was..🤷🏿♂️
@@williegordon5287 facts
Avon was a soldier. Stringer was more of a businessman. Killers will always respect killers.
"You gotta go through me first"
"Yeah?"
"YEAH."
He's what you might call.... an AUTHORITY FIGURE
@@TheLethalIntrospectionCrew Gotta love that even while he's in prison and Marlo's a free man, Avon holds all the power in this scene.
Avon's "so whats with you, otherwise?" always gets me after that serious as talk 😭😂
but then when Marlo didn't really bite or switch gears he transitioned immediately back to all business. smooth. not much different from what you would expect from a CEO of a big company, which he essentially was really.
Anybody Peeped How The Guard Said "Number 2" When Marlo Walked In? 😂😂 "The King Stay The King"
He is telling Marlo to go to booth 2, because that is where he is slated to talk to Avon.
@@williamblackfyre4866 I know that... 🙃
Good catch
@@CampaignWxlf ☺️
@@williamblackfyre4866 yeah but it's subliminal clever writing
This is one of my favorite scenes in all of The Wire. His whole time in the series, Marlo succeeds through completely obliterating his competition and ignoring the rules of the game. Then, when he’s so close to being at the top, Avon makes a boss move and FORCES Marlo to play the game.
Good point.
Nah. Marlo never obliterated shit. He was the beneficiary of a whole lot of good luck going his way, like Avon getting taken down by the cops right before Avon and company were heading out to slaughter his entire crew, and then again when Omar got killed shopping for cereal by that little piece of shit Kenard. Marlo never defeated anyone, and that’s why at the end nobody on the street remembers him.
Well said. Salute.
"Forces Marlo to play the game"....this is peanuts for Marlo.
Remember that Avon laughed at 10K for Cutty?
Marlo would've been ready to pay this money to Sergei himself had he asked for it
@@alexgruzglin4239 Did you watch the show? Marlo was already sending Sergei money in jail and he wasn't interested just off of that. He sent Avon to speak to him.
Avon forced Marlo to play the game on his terms and pay him money to vouch for him to Sergei and get access to the Greek. Marlo had bypassed everyone including Prop Joe and the Co-Op to get to that point, but he had no choice but to pay Avon. Also being put into that position by someone you had life or death beef with is deeper lol.
Even locked up, Avon had control of the streets. He could have easily reached out to Slim Charles, and had him give word back to Prop Joe, about Marlo's motives. Avon knew Joe's connect, and had a direct link to them in prison! Another thing about Avon which is constantly referenced in the Wire, is his love of family. By forcing Marlo to pay his sister money, shows that even while in prison, he's still concerned with providing for his loved ones. Avon was a street dude with a good heart, highlighted best, when he donated extra money for that boxing gym-and didn't even want his named associated with it. Wood Harris should have gotten an award for this role.
you got that right
+denmark555 What makes you think that money was actually going to his sister? Everything in prison is done this way- drug deals, bribes, etc. Everything is taken care of outside of the prison itself between trusted people from different parties, including family members.
+denmark555 Like i've said in another comment here though, Avon was being blinded by his Westside/Eastside petty BS. Even though he warned Stringer about Marlo being unreasonable, he himself doesn't realize Marlo respects nothing and no one. Avon was getting too old for the game by this point, and it shows.
They ain't no old or young when you about of the game it becomes your life especially when about how avon how family ties that is also in the game that came way before him
Nah...Avon did that out of guilt for all that shit that went down with his nephew.
That laugh after Avon says “surprise” always gets me😂 Avon knows Marlo thought he’d never see him again. Marlo realizes even with Avon in prison he still can’t get the plug unless Avon allows it. Avon gave it to Marlo knowing he wouldn’t be able to handle all the pressure that comes with the Crown.
I hate that we didn't get one more season with Avon back out and marlo having caught several head shots and ironically left to rot in an abandoned building
Guy had so much charisma, what a role
It's really not debatable. This is the best show ever.
Joseph Pinto I love this show but I like the sopranos more
no he is not, i prefer sopranos a little more to this
I'd say Justified is better. Both badass shows though.
Greatest show ever. And the most undebatable thing is the script. No other show has dialogue this authentic and well written. Just fantastic.
No argument here
I say " HELL YEAH I know Marlo, real well."
LOL
over west side everybody know everybody lololol
lemme help you find ya tongue
People don't realize how Avon manipulated Marlo here. He basically sold a connect for 100k and got rid of his greatest adversary, Proposition Joe. Avon knowing Marlo was far too wild, as he himself was at a younger age, knew he would fuck something up without a Stringer. Lo and behold, Slim his 2nd in command becomes the group de facto leader which means when Avon get's out in 4 years he will single handily run both the East and West side.
Andrew Li He runs the prison , where Sergei is incarcerated. Marlo could not get to Sergei without Avon, thus he sold the plug by letting the meet happen between Marlo and Serg.
The Greeks didn't want to do business with Marlo but they understood he would keep coming back until he got what he wanted. So they had to let Prop Joe get whacked.
Anyway what people don't realize is that Avon is the boss still, running mental games on people. When he gets out he will have more money and power than before.
avon was killed in jail
stop saying that you moron he wasn't killed in jail.
prop joe wasnt his biggest adversary ...marlo was...prop was on the eastside its always been like that....marlo was the one he went to war with...not joe...
slim isnt giving up the crown to avon cause its not a crown anymore..its still co op
Mike valenzula Prop Joe was the East side leader. Stringer and Avon spent years battling the East side for turf until they split territory.
The East side had the ports and thus better connects, but the west had the real estate. Which means the projects which provided hundreds of local buyers who were dependent on state welfare. Meaning easy sales.
Avon set up the domino's, making himself the king as he is still the leader of the West-side and prison gangs. Slim being Avon's 2nd in command would control the situation until he got out.
I just love how Marlo instantly checks his surroundings after Avon enters the room to be sure he isn't being set up. NEVER will there be a police/crime drama like The Wire. Five seasons and the only time we see the police shoot their weapons is when that cop was killed by friendly fire. A true masterpiece!
NOW I GOTTA REWATCH
Nah, those three numbskulls fired at ghosts when they harassed the people in the projects. I wanna say it was just Prez who fired his gun. I can't remember if Carver or Herc fired, though Herc did get injured.
These details matter so much for a great story!
@@leroystokes8501pretty sure they were all firing up into the projects blindly. Lmao I laughed so hard at that
We also hear Prez shoot the wall in the first season but I don't know if that counts
Second season was trash 🗑️ and acting editing of the extras trash 🗑️
Marlo was always saying the Barksdales where weak but he seemed pretty impressed and had a certain level of awe when finally facing Avon. He still sensed Avon was dangerous even in prison. Marlo was looking around for his safety when Avon when he saw him coming out the door.
I think that was the moment Marlo finally realized Avon's influence, he was expecting Sergei to come out of the door, not Avon.
Plus u see how everyone cleared the room for Avon? The King stay the King 🤴🏿
@@SlimBandit211 Just as the scene when Avon brazenly walk across a baseball field and the game stopped for him. He's what they call shot caller inside jail.
The way Marlo dealt with Omar was weak compared to the Barksdales. Avon was willing to let his troops handle it themselves, meanwhile Marlo set Omar up with a false body and was gon have guys on the inside do the deed (and that plan woulda worked had it not been for Bunk)
Facts
Avon was shrewd, plain and simple. Somewhere between the natural business mind of Stringer Bell and the sheer ruthlessness of Marlo Stanfield, you get Avon Barksdale - who was the best of both worlds.
Except he should have followed Stringer's advice to go wholesale only.
True, but for the gangster at heart they don't even care about money once they've gotten to that point. The culture of it was the most important thing to them.
Marlo had no shelf life his career was over before it started and without Stringer Avon would not have had the success he did. The game is the game and once the politicians and the soldiers/policemen got into their game these guys were done. Anonymity was their only protection ultimately.
Vincent said it "prison and graveyards full of boys who wore the crown" and Marlo's response "but at least they wore it". He walked away while very other would be kingpin was dead or locked up.
+mcdonagh4 Stringer was dead in that life w/o Avon smh...fantasy is just that
The brilliance of The Wire was that everything was relevant and how this one scene with Avon and Marlo plays out can be traced all the way back to season 1 where D'Angelo was schooling Bodie and Wallace on chess. The king stays the king regardless if you catch him and Avon proved that.
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Christopher Payne Bruh fuck yes.
Facts!!!!
truth
Christopher Payne damn son
You can tell that unlike his conversation with Stringer, Marlo was actually invested in what Avon was telling him.
Stringer had higher opinion of himself than he actually deserved. Marlo was probing for weakness the whole time he was being lectured by Stringer. After the meeting, he told Michael to tool up for war. Here, he was trying to get to Greek to cut out Co-Ops, but Avon was standing in his way. He literally have nothing to hold over Avon except to pay the toll to get what he wanted.
I feel like this is the only time he really lets his guard down when talking to someone outside his circle, especially when compared to how he treated joe and the co op
Avon came in like an authority figure, Stringer basically was pleading in a way, Marlo was the authority figure
Marlo had no choice, in one fell swoop Avon wins the long game.
Difference is, Avon had something Marlo wanted and didn't have to plead with him to make a deal.
His entrance was so long because they originally planned to have an audience clap as he appeared on Stage, with fireworks and shit
Dafuq!! 😂😂😂😂😂
aperturesciencegames lmao
I know damn well my corny ass was clapping first time I saw this lmao.
with Michael Buffer annoucing
*fanfare* The Rightful King of the Streets approacheth!! *fanfare*
Contrast this conversation between Avon and Marlo compared to the conversation between String and Marlo. String didn't read him right at all. Avon read Marlo like a book and knew EXACTLY what buttons to push and what words to use. It was like watching a master at work. This is a clear example of why a 'String' needed an 'Avon'. If Avon had met Marlo in one of those vacants rather then String, It would have been a completely different storyline and Avon would have quickly come up with some plan to deal with him. String was blind to Marlo's motives and MO. Avon saw Marlo a 'mile away..' Great scene. Interesting this was the first time they spoke in person. It's like they already had an ongoing conversation.
mikem987 Stringer saw what he wanted to see, Avon saw what was actually there. With Stringer, he wanted things to be different than they were. With Avon, he had no illusions. Unlike Prop Joe or Stringer.
Clarence Clayborne Good analysis. String was more of a 'realist' in Season 1-2, but started to think he could 'change the game' and bring a legitimate side of business to the drug trade. He started to have more missteps as a result, being blinded by his own desires that he could reform 'the game'. Avon continued to 'see what was there' and had an accurate analysis of Marlo, and the need to take action.
mikem987 I love to read these convos about this stuff...truth of the matter....Avon saw a lot of him in Marlo....he was just the new generations version...just as loyal to the game...just as gritty and grimy, but not as thoughtful, and "coded"
mikem987 Yeah! Because at the end of season 3 when Avon was sentenced that was the first time he had seen Marlo when he came to the sentencing. You kind of feel like they really knew each other.
+mikem987 I agree with you except on 1 small point:Avon wouldn't have bothered with meeting Marlo in the vacants.That's a 100% Stringer/co-op type move there.
I honestly believe Wood Harris was one of the best actors in this show, and that's saying something, considering frinking everyone in this show was insanely brilliant.
Stringer kept his American accent up the whole time...
Thank you! Wood Harris, Lawrence Fishburne and Idris elba are in a league of their own, but Wood Harris was definitely the best actor in this show, it was too obvious.
Totally agree.. just amazing acting..stellar cast.. never wanted the show to end....
@@petecodes This isn't about foreign actors being able to play a convincing accent, it is about who is the better actor and who played their role more convincingly. Yes, Idris deserves credit for his accent and acting. But Wood Harris played his role so naturally and well it was on another level.
@@ротатоаск I don't think it's fair to downplay Idris like that. They had different roles, and nobody could have played Stringer better than he did, just like Harris was perfect for Avon, Idris was perfect for Stringer.
Maybe you just like Avon's character more.
The way he stands straight, purses his lips, raises his shoulder, takes a stylized cough, raises his pants, takes a seat and says surprise casually. These 10 seconds have more character than the whole of some TV shows. Simply brilliant!
that cough is genius, no joke.
"Sergey stepped to me the other day to say this nigga Marlo... who he didn't know...".
Even that was a cold punch to Marlo's egomaniacal gut. He might be earning a lot of money, but already the world seems unaware of him, and it only gets worse for the rest of the season, as you realise he'd pay his final cent to be recognised.
Now that I think about it. Marlo had many problems with his name not carrying the weight he wanted it too. When Omar was running around robbing and burning his stash and money and calling him out, No one told Marlo. Chris told him he didn't need to worry about that kind of stuff. Marlo was pissed, he said his name is his name. Then when he approached those random corner boys, they didn't even know who he was either. All that killing and drug dealing for seemingly nothing.
@@wilsonholts9991 🎯💯
@@wilsonholts9991 I feel you.....he wanted his name to ring out more than it did. It did ring out tho. Them youngins didn't know any better.
FACTS!!!
I think it’s about respect VS fear, would you rather be respected or feared?? Chris and Snoop, on Marlos behalf, envoked fear.. when they showed up together you knew it was the ending for someone. But no one really respected Marlo he muscled his way to the top but he didn’t earn the respect Chris and Snoops name rang out more than Marlos TBH
IN THE END, MARLO STILL NEEDED TO GO THRU AVON, AVON NEVER NEEDED MARLO. LONG LIVE THE KING.
Brian Payne That’s right!! If you’re the king, you don’t need another king to co-sign for you!
👑 Avon
Avon - OG. Period. People are clearly NOT GETTING the point of this scene. It's very clear, YOU WON'T MAKE IT IF I DON'T LET YOU. Simple. Avon proved once and for all that regardless of his being shot, being locked up twice, losing soldiers, String everything else, what he worked hard to protect remained solid and that is his reputation and NAME. Your name means everything in a game like this. It is make or break. Avon knew his good name was all he needed to stay the king. The King stays the King. Period. Avon showed Marlo what it looks like to really be a Kingpin and it's obvious Marlo knew that. He was somewhat bemused but he knew what it was. Ultimately Avon set his perimeters, made his demand, and SWITCHED the topic of the conversation. It was quick. I want this money. Not because I need it. Because you need me. Now, moving on. How have you been doing? HAHAHA! Avon is the King. Period. Anyone that does not see that does not get the game.
Observation on point like Lilliard!
Yeah but unfortunately most ppl missed out on that "observation". Few ppl actually completely understand this show, and it's greatness. It don't make those of us that do "smart". It just makes those that don't, that much stupider.
franciso7 Correct, and that is a product of the superb level of writing exercised on the show. I mean it has been over 10 years since this show aired, and you still find videos, and topics all over about this show littered with petty quabbles about the plot and the characters. A true testament to great writing. Something that is absent today from pretty much the mass majority of products out on television, and the cinema. The casting, direction, and character development seen on The Wire, is what makes it one of the best TV dramas ever made.
franciso7 Well that is fine, you are entitled to your opinion, but why then look up clips on YT? I hate the Sopranos, think it is one of the most overrated TV shows ever. I don't go looking for it's clips on YT either...
franciso7 Because it is a valid point/argument, and because of the large number of trolls who pollute this service. Regardless how you came upon the video. You VIEWED it, and then went out of your way to reply to someone's comments about it. Comments based on an episode which comprised the final (5th) season of the show nonetheless. YT is well known for spamming you with useless recommendations, so if a video's topic is of non interest to you, well then just skip it and keep it moving. If you go out of your way to view it, and then, even reply to a fan's comment, and then pose no argument other than "I don't like the show", well excuse my stereotyping, but I'm inclined to lean on the side of a trolling comment.
I liked how Marlo took Avon calling him a "natural businessman" almost as a compliment. When you think back about his problems with Stringer and Stringer trying to be a "businessman", Avon probably expected Marlo not to last that long in the game.
Yeah. This was a double edged compliment. Flew completely over the head of Marlo
@@gouenne backhanded
*LET ME HELP YOU FIND YOUR TONGUE* LOLLLL 😂😂😂
I hollered !! 😂
Classic line!
Classic
Stagetail LMAO!! Yep... calling him a young’un!
he the only nigga that kould say that to marlo without being put in a vacant
Marlo got played so hard in this scene lmao. Avon knew that Marlo would fuck up the connect because he's not smart enough to handle business like that, at the same time Avon also knew that he could use Marlo to take out Prop Joe from the picture. At the end who had the Greek connect? Slim Charles aka Avon's crew!
EXACTLY!!!
The game is the game!
007thday Always!
SLIM ended up taking over joe's crew after he killed cheese. Marlo sold the connect for 10 million, he brought it for 100 grand. who played who?
LIBERALGUNSMOKER Marlo didn't buy anything for 100 grand, Avon didn't have the connect to sell it. He got that 100k from Marlo just so he could talk to Sergei and MAYBE convince the greeks to even talk to him... He took out Prop Joe and Marlo from the picture at the same time. I'm not even sure if Marlo ever got his 10 million but that's a fraction of what money they make on selling dope and Avon's crew were only supposed to pay like 500k out of that since everyone from the coop chipped in...
That “always” is incredibly powerful because it signifies the continuous nature of this game. No matter who the players no matter the wins and losses, the game will always be the game. The point of this show I believe is that life/game keeps going no matter what.
Just want to add two little bits to that. The continuous nature is how the creators Dave Simons felt when he covering the Baltimore war on crime. Most of the cops aren' t heroes, and most of the criminals were stucked in their lives since they are born. The game also refered that these gangsters are merely chess pieces. Here we had two kings, they may have a crown, but they never escaped from the board while Clay Davies robbed the city in open daylight in the court of law.
And just because you took an L one day don’t mean you can’t come back and snatch a W the next. Until you’re dead…you can still be a player.
Great summation... One of the best shows ever
I feel like Avon respects that Marlo understands that. Avon fought Stringer because he wanted to depart from that lifestyle. Avon sees Marlo understands it the way he does.
Kind of like Marlo is the only one who still understands it too. Everybody else was trying to change the game up.
I think it's funny how Marlo laughs when Avon tells him what his (Marlo) plan was, it's almost a chuckle of admiration
This is honestly one of the best monologues I’ve ever seen in any show or movie. Harris’ delivery is nothing short of legendary
The king stay the king. That's Avon. Marlo was a "smart ass pawn". He got to da end and could be any piece he wanted... Except the king.
+truthiz oh snap!!!!!
Word to Boadie
No, Slim was the smart as pawn. He got to the end and became the Queen.
truthiz I'd say Marlo is the king of the streets but being Avon being in control of the prison made him the king of kings, just as in real life whoever control the prison controls the streets to some degree
Malo actually made it to be Queen piece. Very powerful piece, most powerful piece but still not the most important piece and can still be replaced. A King piece stays King and cannot be replaced, there is just another King but a King doesn't replace the other piece its just his time to rule.
Avon played the long game so well. He knew Marlo would kill Prop Joe who was loved by the entire co-op, would then make enemies on the east-side while still having Omar on his back. Then Marlo would be dead or forced out and everybody would turn to Avon again. Even Chris was in Avon's crew at the end of the series. Damn.
Facts!! even at the end of the series when Marlo beat the charges and tried to reassert himself, them two dudes who he fought off barely knew who he was....he went from a short-term king to a dude fighting off some random dudes on an empty-ass corner, and he didn't even walk away from that without getting touched.
Chris wasn't in Avon's crew. He and Weebay just happened to be in the same predicament, both the right hand/shooter for their mans and both needed up getting life, killers respect killers and it's more likely they were just having conversation
You dont understand that scene at all, it isnt about Marlo not being recognized. Its about how Marlo is 100% ghetto and nothing will change it...apposed to stringer who was the opposite.
somebody didbt understand the show did they? Chris was never in Avon crew. infact there was no Barksdale left by the time Chris got sentenced . that scene was simply showing that Weekend Bay, axons top shooter. and Chris, Stanfield top shooter both ended up the same . doing life in Jessup. They knew if eachother and respected eachother and that was that. Likely Bay was showing Partlow the ropes inside and welcoming him to that world .
nah trust me they teamed up!
This is the scene that proves D'Angelo was right when he said "The King stay the King."
Yes, it's so cool how the chess game symbolism remains true until the last season.
Marlo will be never be Avon, Avon is the man
Avon all day!!!!! Marlo was nothing
Entertain Me
yeah but you cant expect two corner boys to know what marlo or avon even look like. I mean Avon didnt even want his pic up in cuttys gym. Kingpins are known by name, they aint gonna go themselves to each corner to check how the package is. They got soldiers to do that like chris and wee bey who corner kids would recognise. Marlo and Avon dont get themselves involved in that shit they stay away keep a distance. Omar was always gonna be known as a gangster though more than anyone he was a hero to people cus he played with dealers like that he went to corners and robbed people. If you ask who was more loved than thats easily avon cus marlo was droppin people like anything and avon had principles. The name Marlo is always gonna be big in Baltimore even if people dont have a face to attach to it
never thought about that whole Marlo, Stringer, Avon wants.. so guess Avon won, cause he end up with what he wanted.. power in the name. he didnt care about being legit from what i remember..
@@mooooooveBITCH123 but his picture winded up anyway in da gym
Why everybody coming for Marlo when he kills everything that move? Joe didn't dare even misspeak in front of Marlo.
This is probably the only time you see Marlo look nervous. As soon as he sees Avon he checks to the left and right of him to make sure this isn't a hit.
Wood Harris is such a good actor
Matt the Creator...breaking bad, the wire then sopranos
frandemarco when was he on breaking bad??
frandemarco yeah what are you talking about?
@@frandemarco Lool The Wire is way better than Breaking Bad
@@reebul8768 it's different, no reason to compare in such a toxic way
This show had some ABSOLUTE gem scenes. If you don't refresh your memory, you might have seen shows come after it and think they can compare. Then you see scenes like this and remember it was untouchable
Its top 5 but not untouchable
'Let me help you find your tounge.'' Some of Avon's lines are just too sharp
"So wassup man, what's up wit you otherwise, y'know?"
+Karl Jones the game is the game....ALWAYS
+Karl Jones Tried for light friendship, got turned down, politely.
+Myk McGrane nah kid. understand the genius of the writing. he just fucked him. showed him who's boss. even from inside. he's toying with him.
SK B I see that first and foremost, I mean when Avon was asking him "What up" he genuinely was trying to bring him in a respected colleague, and wasn't having, politely, I'm saying. Avon was liked and loved and respected, Marlo was feared and respected.
+Myk McGrane I agree with SK B. He said what he had to say and brushed it off as if it was nothing so Marlo didn't get to say a word over his word.
I think to a sense, Marlo was envious of Avon. Here in this scene you can clearly tell the difference in who is really king (Marlo sees it). Avon's stance here took Marlo by surprise. The fact that a dirty cop allowed Avon in to talk to Marlo without duly authorization even shocked him. No corrupt CO would do such a thing for Marlo because of how shallow he is. Marlo doesn't know the difference between respect and intimidation.
Avon - You're a natural businessman, right?
Marlo - Laughs
This conversation between the two influenced Marlo to turn down his shot at making his money legally. Marlo's mindset was the complete opposite of Stringer's. Avon made that slick comment to challenge the type of person Marlo was. Avon basically said
"Is your loyalty here in the streets or is your loyalty is with some white man in a suit?" And Marlo's laugh clearly substantiated his disagreement with Avon's assumption. Avon saw String devote his loyalty more to his secondary business than his primary one.
"The game is the game" - Marlo
"Always" - Avon
just to add to that "natural businessman" line .. marlo laughed because he and his crew took the credit when stringer died and avon subliminally called him on it.. at the same time saying businessmen dnt last
+Taylor Giavasis Great analysis!
Your analyses are always spot on!
Perfect analysis 👌
I think likability of characters really fucks with perception of their traits.
Avon was rightfully a great character. but he was a legacy. The game is apart of the Barksdale clan. he is very much a family man. being Avon means being a Barksdale which means being in the game. all good things but it also limited his scope on the possibilities. he after all still got his package from a middle man in the Russians. what he considered his kingdom was all he wanted although he wanted every last bit of it. the streets. the jails(the Russians didn't even have those). all of it.
Stinger wasn't a Barksdale. he didn't have the motive to continue being synonymous with the game. it wasn't an inherent fault in character. but probably so for someone who was more #2 than a partner. I mean he did do shady shit. but the true fault when it comes to the game he didn't apply his knowledge of it to the white collar world. get was ignorant to how the corporate world would actually be so similar to his own. which is why he got robbed.
Marlo isn't Avon. he isn't a legacy. he just got a hair up his ass and said he was going to be king. the difference in their pursuits wasn't shown. but while Avon was given his place by the Barksdales before him(I'm sure he busted his ass like no other reasoning why legal money couldn't be shown since it's new). Marlo was actually risen to prominence by the loyalty and devotion of his generals Chris and Snoop. what inspired this was never seen. but it's obvious they were closer than Avon men. but a distinct relationship from the friendships found by the boys in the Pit.
even for cunning characters someone like Prop Joe is different from them all including Stringer. he wheeled and dealed his way to his kingdom. while I'm sure he put down his fair share of problems I would think he had the most working relationships (why the package was originally his). while dealing with Joe everyone benefitted.
Avon's emphasis on "Sergey step to me the other day sayin' this nigga Marlo, who he don't even know" - that would have cut to Marlo's core, as his reputation was everything to him, and he hated anonymity. Funny, I've seen this clip a million times and only now caught that little stab and twist.
Good catch
I also noticed that when he talked about knowing Marlo, it wasn't through his reputation or because of the war they had. "Everyone in Westside knows everybody" like Marlo is just another guy on the block. Everything in this scene is structured to take hits at Marlo's ego and its incredible.
@@kingjacko302 Good shout. So many little layers that you only unpick through re-watching.
This shxt right here is 21st century Shakespeare shxt, yo.
Lorenzo Franco stfu...yo
Yes
What I love is the difference here between Stringer and Marlo's conversation and Avon and Marlo's conversation. You can totally tell that they truly understand each other. Marlo didn't want to discuss anything when Stringer came thru
Yeah stringer tried to “lil son” him and Marlo wasn’t having it. Avon was just like “I know what you up to, but I want my taste” so Marlo respected it bc he was being straight up.
He didn't want to but he did.
01:33 "Let Me Help You Find Yo Tongue" ...LOL.. COLD!!! In other words... Marlo if you gonna sit there and be silent like a lil Itch...then I am gonna go ahead and TELL YOU what you came here for. I have to admit though (and I could be wrong)..but I think Avon got a little respect for Marlo after Marlo answered "The game is the game" at the end of this clip. His look was like...."Damn... I remember Stringer thought like you do way back when...before trying to buy properties". Almost like. Damn it feels good to hear someone who thinks like me"
I think he did have a little respect for Marlo because he's a gangster from West side but he didn't like him. In the end he avoided Marlo's question letting him know that business is business . That look on his face was like "This conversation is over"
Avon did respect Marlo. It's why he smiled at him when he was in the courtroom and the end of season 3.
Avon respected Marlo because in a lot of ways he reminded him of himself. Both cared more about being on top dog then acquiring money and weren't afraid to get there hands dirty . The only difference is Marlo didn't have loved ones or family to get tied down with. This why by the end of Season 3 Avon lost all respect for Stringer Bell ( because Stringer thought he could negotiate without really having to fight for the drug trade.Not realising that people like Avon and Marlo would never cater to anyone if it meant loosing their street credit .
The only difference between Marlo and Avon is Avon was more street smart and intuitive as he was on top for years , where as Marlo's rise was brief in comparison.
Not so much Avon respected marlo he did but Avon undesmated marlo a lot in the war but Avon it was not over but my point is Avon respected the game more then anything
This is showing how Avon is the king on the chess board. The king stays the king!
I absolutely love this scene! Jamie Hectors facial expressions when he saw Avon walk through the door was perfect. A mix of surprise, annoyance and disbelief. Marlo has the crown (or so he thought) yet Avon still wields incredible power.
Wood Harris was excellent as usual!
What a scene
Avon wasn't wearing a crown, just prison clothing.
Avon was the realest on the show. Never hurt anyone who didn't hurt him first. Always loyal, but still wore the crown with authority.
Wait he killed that security guard and she did what he said
@@cdub828 had too like Levy said “anybody that could come back and hurt you” it was unfortunate but he had to be safe
Avon the true king but he definitely cold blooded. Maybe not as heartless as Marlo but still
omar was the realest
he did poisoned a whole prison bloc
Going a layer deep than the popular "king stay the king" concept, Avon demonstrates his power in a very direct way and tells us about it in this scene.
Marlo needed somebody like Avon to vouch for him because Sergei had no idea who he was. THAT is Avon's power. He saw the benefit of vouching for a dude he doesn't even like and got a fee for it along with handicapping his rival Prop Joe.
This scene is brilliant in that it's a lot of nuanced trolling/demanding of respect, but the seed of why Marlo needs to give that respect is plain as day. That's the value of keeping one's reputation intact: you get access to information, situations and decision making most folks don't.
Exactly. Well said.
"What separates men from lesser men? Predators from prey?
Fear.
Predators smell it, and walk away when they don't."
I've never seen a scene that encompasses this idea more than this one. Marlo is definitely a predator, but a young one: he compensates for his lack of experience with aggression and ruthlessness.
So when Marlo runs into Avon, the old predator who's survived every battle and every war up until this point while still maintaining control even behind bars, he's smart enough to know that Avon has no reason to fear him.
It really is like animals in the wild. how the males in some species (social based ones) fight each other to obtain dominance over the pack, and therefore the ability to produce and keep the game going (Although intstead of coke and cash it's the ladies of the pack, as they hold the key to not only keep the pack going, but to make sure that those kids are yours)
If you lose, you either get ostricisezed or just become the beta-beast. sent out to do work while the king gets to chill with da ladiez...
Edit last bit is an assumption, I haven't seen Attenborough in ages. Memory is bit foggy in my old age.
Watching Avon is so calming and brings back the elementary school/high school days when life was good. Any scene with him or weebay, diangelo etc you can't go wrong watching and is time well spent
The one time in the entire series that Marlo was visibly nervous.
0:22 - Avon still looks like the king and dangerous. Walks up to Marlo like a lion. Marlo looks shocked and starts looking around to make sure he’s not about to get ambushed...😂😂
At 1:52 , Probably only time you hear Marlo laughing . Marlo laughing because Avon figured him out and is explaining his play that he has in motion . Marlo was probably flattered. Avon carried this scene like a boss .
The only other time was when chris said that must be one of them good problems
@@darnellbryant5354 when he asked herc about that camera too
This was still one of the baddest scenes in the show cuz it really showed how deep Avon was in the game. Man was plugged up and hella respected
This scene proves that Marlo wasn’t the king, he was just wearing Avons crown lol
This scene just goes to show that Avon understood something Marlo never ever really did throughout the duration of the show, except for maybe at the very end. Avon recognized that to rule the streets he had to balance out the FEAR that people had for him with RESPECT. Avon operated in a way where he had both; people wouldn’t cross him not only because they knew they would suffer, but also because if they were loyal to him, he would look out for them. That’s why even when he was locked up and had most of his muscle swept off the streets by Marlo, he was still in a position of power over him here. He had the respect of the Greeks and the Russians because they knew he lived by a code, and could be counted on to be a reliable partner. Marlo didn’t understand that. He figured he could demand people’s respect through absolute ruthlessness, but all he really did was make people fear him. Sure, they wouldn’t step to him since they couldn’t beat his muscle, but if they ever got a chance to do so, they would, because they hated him. All of Marlo’s ruthlessness was what brought the law down upon him, and it also backfired because people were wary of doing business with him because they knew he was a snake and would off them the second it could benefit him or help him consolidate his power.
In the end Marlo lost Chris and Snoop too. Avon wins the long game. Slim and Fat Rick have the connect. He also put the bug in Marlo's ear to get rid of Prop Joe who fucked him over earlier and gets the 100K back.
Yep and I'd argue that String showing a repeated lack of any kind of code of principles (murdering people on his own side, screwing their girls, repeatedly double crossing and snitching, etc) served to highlight how even with a lot of power and money, living without a code and constantly screwing people over will come back to bite you. Another good foil to Avon
Avon absolutely hated Prop Joe for destroying his relationship with Stringer and leading him to get killed.
Prop Joe took his queen. The game is the game.
@@KtotheG alwaysh
How did he when it was stringer who violated him when stringer got d Angelo killed?
@Rational PoC stringer ruined their relationship by killing d Angelo without talking to Avon plus he was not leader like avon was he just started to ego trip i understand because d Angelo snitched on weebay but to to kill your friend nephew without consulting? Is dead wrong
@Rational PoC truth but he ruined their relationship because of his ego
I never get tired of watching this scene (or the scene where Wee-Bey cops to all the murders while eating his pit sandwiches). Unbelievable how much is conveyed in 2 1/2 minutes via a brief conversation, verbal intonation, body language, etc. And kudos to many of the commenters for helping me better understand some of the nuance, which broadens my appreciation for the scene with each additional viewing.
Wee-Bey’s ‘Nah’ in that scene. Chef’s kiss.
"let me help you find your tongue" Avon was diplomatic n a gangster at the same time he put his emotions to the side for business. very well written for each character
When Avon gets out, his loyal friend and soldier Slim Charles will be there with new found experience. The Barksdale organization will rise from the ashes.
***** I've already watched the entire show 2 times, I'm pretty sure I know what I'm talking about. I don't know how you got that impression of Avon treating Slim like just some random subordinate, he was always there to back Slim up, and you could tell by the way Slim treated Avon that he had massive respect for him. Judging by comments on various Wire videos that I've watched on youtube, most people share my viewpoint about their relationship.
HiddenWen Best way to explain it is using the last episode of season 3, in that episode Avon is sitting in his office not allowing anyone to enter except Slim, at that point he is basically shown telling Slim the truth about why Stringer getting killed.
Exactly PzychoMantis90
*****
Not true. Slim Charles was the one guy other than Stringer that Avon trusted. His fustration with Slim Charles is that he was the messenger of bad news. But Slim was definitely third in the pecking order in season 3.
HiddenWen when avon got out he would run things again an even more with slim Charles. The Russian went to avon before seeing Marlo and avon knows about the greeks. With that said, im sure the Russian would put in a good word for avon to take over the shipments. Especially since the greeks proved they are loyal to their own and dont care that much who their shipments goes to.
"Lemme help you find your tongue" just the way he says that is fucking brilliant
I like the fact that he had to take a deep breath before saying he was an authority figure 😆
LOL glad someone else finds that as funny as I do. Like he was building up to say those words 😅
It was more of a dramatical pause.
One of the best scenes in this show, shit really comes full circle
avon look like tyler the creators fathers. lmao
Jamie Darren. Foreal😂😂
Tyler himself mentioned it on his album Goblin.
Marlo looks like Lecrae 💀
IM THE PAPPY
I love how ppl always think Wood Harris from NY ....this is Chi town swag all day bitch!
"I got nothing but love in my heart for west side niggas, nothing but love, but you know, I gotta have my taste too." Avon troll level HUNNIT LARGE
I like how Marlo looked right to left when he saw Avon, you never know where that hit is coming from, even on the dance floor.
Wood Harris, sir you are the most underrated actor of all time...i salute you ...much respect
To see Marlo Agreeing with Avon regarding the dudes on the East Side, though they were rivals.....Shows that West Side vs East Side Rivalry was deep
I love analyzing this show. Not sure if I'm overthinking it, but at the beginning the guard says "Number 2" to Marlo, and I can't help but feel like he's signifying that Marlo is #2 in "the game", while Avon is still #1 (the OG boss).
zack palmer probably a subtle thing the writers threw in to make people think and make connections like that. Just another example of the brilliance of this show how they threw those little Easter eggs in there for the shrewd listeners.
zack palmer fuck that is unbelievable
on the money...just like that A- string received
Gotta be one of the dopest wire comments ever
Right on the money there.
*The difference between Avon and Marlo is that Avon was respected. Marlo was feared. Respect gets you a long way in life. Feared can only take you so far. Notice by the end of the series that the 2 corner kids who confronted Marlo didn’t even know, recognize or acknowledge Marlo. It’s like he never even existed in the game. That’s how you know that fear will never get you as far as respect does.*
Reminds me of the scene in Season 3 where Avon walks across the baseball field to talk to Cutty before Cutty's release and the game stops until he is off the field. He never even looks at the game, it's just assumed that he has the respect that he can cross a field and a bunch of convicted violent felons won't do a thing to stop him.
This is not only brilliantly written in terms of the series timeline, but it is also crafted to perfection regarding Avon's pick for words and phrases. It shows how well he knows Marlo and understands his motivations/frustrations in the context of the "game" they're playing. He really addresses Marlo's insecurity about being a nobody, saying Sergei doesn't even know who he is, despite all the cash he handles, and then he says how he told Sergei he does know him, but then adds "in the west side everybody knows everybody" making it clear that to him, he's just a fella from the block, not the guy he had a war to death with. Add to all that the fact that Avon emphasizes his "authority figure" status on prison -a tougher place than the streets- and it just ends up being mind-boggling how much little relevant details were set into the developing of this series. Man, sometimes I wonder if these guys really put so much effort into every little thing, or all of these small blinks are over analytical traces of ours, as spectators. But oh well, I don't think Mario Vargas Llosa said this was as well written as a 19th century novel for no reason whatsoever.
"So whassup man whassup wit you otherwise?"
"Nah the game is the game"
"Always"
One of the best and most and underrated quotes from this entire series.
Match that up with Omar and Brother Mou “the game is the game”
“Indeed” says Omar so that is one of the themes of the show
Jamie Ramsay bro you OP as fuck rn lmao stop it. If you don’t understand why the line draws weight just don’t even comment. It’s a subtlety, not a legendary line or sumn like that.
@CharlesTron108 stfu.
@White Working Class Pride no one is impressed with the quote. In reference to the show, it's powerful and symbolic. Your ignorance is astounding lol.
The look on Marlo’s face when he saw Avon was priceless, Avon was the man
This scene made me appreciate the Avon Barksdale character even more. Wood Harris really did his thing here.