Did Levy know Herc leaked Marlo's number? | The Wire Explained

In The Wire, we follow the drug scene of Baltimore, Maryland, and the complex institutions, systems and bureaucracies that inhibit the law and allow the drug trade to flow, such as the broken education system, the press media, and the corrupt port authorities.
One of the most prominent side characters of the show is Maurice Levy, played by Michael Kostroff. Levy is a skilled and sleazy defence attorney, who works on retainer for the Barksdale organisation, the criminal empire led by Avon Barksdale. He is shown in numerous scenes representing members of the drug trade, managing to swindle them out of lengthy prison sentences through gamesmanship and dishonest tactics.
Today I wanted to talk about something that happens in season 5 of The Wire - Herc, now working for Levy, takes Marlo's phone number from Levy's desk and gives it to Carver, and this starts a wiretap on Marlo's number. What I wanted to discuss was whether Levy knew about the leak? Did Levy know about the leak? Did Levy know Herc leaked his number to the police?
Or maybe he planned it all from the beginning, leading us to the question - Did Levy orchestrate the leak? Did Levy know that Herc was going to leak Marlo Stanfield's number to the cops?
SUPPORT THE CHANNEL ON PATREON: www.patreon.co...
FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER: / cineranter
FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM: / cineranter1
FOLLOW ME ON TIKTOK: / cineranter

[@CineRanter]

Please note: I have had to cut segments of this video due to a copyright hit. You can see the full unedited version of this video here for free: www.patreon.com/posts/did-levy-know-112365614?Link&

[@lozano41182]

You dont want a criminal lawyer. You want a criminal lawyer

[@enterthebruce91]

Such as David Kleinfeld 😂

[@xolaningubane3014]

Better call Saul

[@madhattr031]

Like you mention in the beginning of the video, once Levy found out Marlo was using a cell phone he got excited because he knew it was just a matter of time before the police found out and he would be able to make tons of money off them. I always thought he was just expecting it to happen and didn’t question how.

[@serotoninsyndrome]

This is, I believe, the right answer...

[@Jestin612]

And since they had a illegitimate wire tap and made him look a lot more competent by helping their defense right off rip

[@prolifik5]

Yeah, it's similar to when Prop Joe found out Herc was connected to Major Crimes and warned Marlo about it. By now that unit (and Lester in particular) has a reputation for investigative wizardry, so them actually getting their hands on Marlo's number is no big surprise to anyone. It only started to look suspicious when they cracked the clock code so quickly. I also agree that Levy wouldn't be thrilled about one his investigators giving away information to satisfy a private vendetta. Like the video says, it was only dumb luck that it worked out the way it did.

[@clarencesail]

I totally agree with this. I also think Levy knows to some degree that Herc is stupid.

[@positivevibesandmorelife7307]

Exactly Levy knew soon as Marlo said I need more money made clean holla at me soon as he saw the phone his eyes lit up and herc walk in the door levy even told him to cheer up Joe gave him to us right in time planting the seeds in herc head fixing the roller DeX lol dont it get no clearer than that 🤷🏿‍♂️. It just dawned on him when talking to marlo he forgot that that would happen and herc would eventually do it.... "only person that had my number was you" it hit em marlo sensed it but levy spinned him around again

[@SteppesoftheLevant]

The funniest scene in this subplot is when Herc is telling Levy that Freamon does wiretaps. Than Herc tells Levy "Where he would get the phone number I have no idea!" LMFAO

[@stephenbuckley9940]

Herc has a sense of honor that few others have. He owns up to his fuckups and accepts the consequences. He's not stupid. Look at the scene him and Carver are taking the Sargeants exam. I love the name of his fictional CI,Fuzzy Dunlop 🤣🤣

[@MarcillaSmith]

Yes, it's really good writing. It's exactly the sort of line someone of Herc's mind would consider a "brilliant" subterfuge. The fact that Levy doesn't bat an eye over it is evidence that Levy was written with the idea that he figured out the leak, if not anticipated it, if not even orchestrated it. Now imagine Levy trying to use that same line with Marlo - he never would have. If Herc had said it to Marlo, he would have suspected Herc immediately. Instead, Levy says to Marlo, "there's a lie in here somewhere." It's a somewhat odd way to word something, rather than the more direct, "one of your people is the leaker." Marlo has just finished speaking, so it would be natural to assume Levy means there's a lie in _what Marlo has just been saying_ somewhere, and this is exactly how Marlo takes it. Not only does this take suspicion off of Levy - and, by extension, his office - it goes further and places Marlo on the defensive. Of course, this being fiction, there's no real answer to the question, "did Levy know?" but the way it's written, it certainly seems that way to me. That's not to say that Levy would have 100% known what Herc was going to do and was depending on it, but he certainly anticipated that the number would get Marlo in trouble _some_ way, and he took no precautions to prevent it. I mean, not only did he knowingly hire an ex-cop, he *gave him an expense account* to take out his cop buddies and act like a big shot.

[@TheShahofBaltimore]

@@MarcillaSmithvery well put 👏👏👏

[@nathaniel972ful]

Levi ate from everybody's plate: Kingpins, real estate people, and politicians . Sold out his own clients out of convenience, had people killed, participated in the drug trade and real estate scams. Levi was the toughest player in the game. He probably cleared at least a million a year.

[@TheTerranscout]

agreed, but it might not be directly. he might have to launder it a little and or feed it through charities and foundations, just to not draw unwanted attention from the IRS, SEC, FBI, etc. Like he might have a charitable foundation that pays for providing pro-bono legal coverage for underprivileged juveniles facing legal trouble, and the biggest donors are B and B enterprises and whatever legal companies Prop Joe and Marlo have, and then the foundation "works with" his law firm to "cover" the fees.

[@bryaningle6034]

I doubt Levy cared. He got another case to litigate from it.

[@tgraham1961]

Levy's view was that chaos = more billings. lose the case appeal the case, its all billable.

[@scottymacdewder5229]

"I got the shotgun, you got the briefcase... it's all in the game right?" Literally watched Omar v. Levy last night.

[@roomservicetaco]

These Wire discussions are excellent. Thanks.

[@hatuletoh]

"You wanted to be in the game, right? Now you're in the game."

[@automaticmattywhack1470]

I wondered the same thing myself, but came to the same conclusion you did. Levy may have known, but he's too smart to say anything as it would open him up to a host of legal and other problems. Great video again!

[@jdevine42]

Herc is the little Carmine of The Wire...Brillant in his stupidity

[@toudi_p]

He even looks stupid

[@ashleyschaefferkia2734]

Might be the single biggest fuckup in the series. His stupidity had many rough consequences such as leaving Randy with no family (he gave Randy up to lil Kevin), had his part on Bubbles resorting to spiking the dope (and sherrod dying) after Herc failed to keep his promise. Also he made the first call to shut hamsterdam down

[@zulubeatz1]

@@ashleyschaefferkia2734 He also found the nailgun in Snoops wagon and ignored it leading to it being thrown away.

[@blest5132]

he's a bit of a poseur if you ask me...

[@BaronSaturday66]

​@@blest5132Very allegorical ...

[@amareu3133]

Herc gave Carver Marlo's number out of guilt. He was trying to make up for what he did in Season 4 that led to Randy getting beat up, firebombed, and put in that foster home.

[@isaiahdaddys9379]

That Herc and Marlo standoff was so tense. Gotta be one of my fav moments of the show hands down.

[@stephenbuckley9940]

Herc watching the video feed from Marlo's pigeon cages was priceless. One of countless priceless moments from The Wire. The best show ever on television.

[@Danny-sd5vm]

Every character in The Wire has so much depth that you can make a video about Maurice Levy esquire. Levy had such limited screen time, but you knew how important he was to the plot.

[@StoneThatTheBuilderRefusedKK]

A lawyer makes his living with caught criminals.

[@rogueprince1341]

Levy and Omar in court is one of my favorite scenes in the whole show.

[@darthknowl9222]

He knew that the money would rain down as soon as that number was leaked

[@LoneWolf_Cub_Ogami_Itto]

I think it's too deep looking at it. Marlo chuckled when he asked Herc find that camera and Herc replied it cost me the job, seeing he works under Levy. So Marlo probably thought that was over, which for all intents and purposes, it was over.

[@Lawtlknguy18]

I don't think Marlo would be cool with Herc or any ex-cop working for his lawyer. Levy could explain attorney-client confidentiality but a street guy like Marlo would never risk it. And it it turned out he would be right to do so

[@martijnstroobants824]

I think you re totally right. It even seems herc is better off anyway so...

[@Dilomight]

@@Lawtlknguy18I couldn’t get this either. Levy and Marlo both knew who Herc was, how did the show justify this relationship? I haven’t seen the series in a while so can’t remember if the show provided reasons an explanation

[@alijuman195]

Levy knew that herc would leak it

[@leoguad832]

I think Herc pruposely portrays how “stupid” people fare well and even thrive in a sistem so clumsy and devoid of foundations. We saw from the get go in season 1 that no higher up really cares about effectiveness, just about efficiency. It makes sense that he stands as a symbol for this idea since we also note that every aspect of the show comes to matter in the finale with lots of ramifications and such. Great show! I loved it!

[@mitchelll3879]

What is efficiency if not effective? Circular argument

[@33moneyball]

Indeed….”stupid” is a brilliant long term strategy for survival in an ecosystem like this.

[@33moneyball]

@@mitchelll3879two completely different things….there’s often though not necessarily a correlation between the two. Something can be quite effective and horribly inefficient…the inverse is common as well. Using a solar panel to power a car would be far more efficient but laughably less effective than an internal combustion engine.

[@wskrrr6874]

I was discussing this with a buddy after we got done with this series the other day. We came to the conclusion that, even if Levy suspected Herc of doing it, he might not have cared at the end of the day because of the results of Herc leaking that number

[@thallus23]

Levy was too smart not to know or at least have suspicions, but you don’t look a gift horse in the mouth 😏

[@mariaceciliapedrosa4484]

Your theory makes A LOT of sense. It's the season about lies turning into results. I think Levy orchestraded the whole thing. He is also a part of the game.

[@erics362]

As sleezy as he was, I found myself loving his character.

[@youngcypherbillions2336]

Levy was definitely a war time consigliere

[@Orgasinism]

Your viewing of the wire just so happened to coincide with mine, loving the content keep it up

[@T-roc57]

Of course he did...he knew he was gonna cash in off Marlo & that Avon would get back out soon enough.

[@szveszs]

Pragmatic genius Herc, a discussion that people doesn't still ready.

[@chrisfreimiller4878]

This was the best series HBO made. I'm from Baltimore I moved to MS in 06 so soon as people would find out where I was from first question was is Baltimore like the wire

[@Jemz35]

I LOVE the Vito reference at 8:07 😂😂😂

[@LostInBoston617]

I think Herc figured out how to play both sides of the fence and used it to come out smelling like roses.

[@Paul-ty1bv]

The best line I ever read about Herc was that he fails upwards.

[@foreignofficeclub5815]

Of all the characters that could've had a spin off series, Levy could've been the most interesting

[@ButtersCCookie]

Most lawyers are Levy. All lawyers are Levy.

[@yusefinc1096]

Marlo probably figured Herc could not touch him or incriminate him because of the lawyer-client privledge

[@stephenbuckley9940]

There was never going to be a 6th season. David Simon said it was never going past 5 seasons. It was a novel to him. He said this about season 3 or so. He had novelists writing episodes (Dennis Lehane, etc) by then. This is simply the best series I have ever seen on tv. The cast was truly amazing. Brilliant performances by all involved. Bunk,Omar,McNulty..Best show ever.

[@soundshape6496]

There was talks of a 6th season. Would’ve focused on illegal immigration and undocumented workers.

[@CapitalFProductions]

I'm sure he was counting on it

[@brennanc4321]

Seems like more of a case of stumbling upwards

[@andrewcook1246]

Knew and didn't care or justs didn't care due to all the money heading his way as a result. Plus he ain't admitting that his associate snitched his main client out. That's bad business.

[@Jimmyfly215]

Levy was so high up in the city. He had way too much risk to not know what was going on. He was always a step ahead, even when he looked behind.

[@businesssecretsofthepharao8901]

Great video as ever!

[@Governing368]

I think it's a solid theory and very possible.

[@wowitseligh]

On my first watch i genuinely assumed the point was that levy knew herc leaked it but didn’t care or knew he would ahead of time and is cool with it for the case that will come out of it

[@IronMikeDyson1979]

If levy actually knew, he would not want that getting out😂

[@paychexx]

I think Levy knew...He could sniffed out the not so bright ones. Levy been around long enough to know, a cop is always a cop. Plus Levy still had the connect at the courts...

[@NuttyV2]

Pretty sure Marlo never took Herc seriously. He squashed Herc with the missing camera and all

[@MrThehoyce]

I think he had his suspicions but couldn't prove it and found it at least as likely that one of Marlo's people got sloppy as that it was Herc himself.

[@edwardmwai4969]

Working with a lawyer who has an ex cop working in his office is honestly dumb. Poor writing

[@chrisarabia2142]

Many if not most criminal defense investigators are ex-law enforcement.

[@theflyingdutchman1301]

Levy not knowing it was Herc would have been very unlike him it would actually destroy his whole story arc in a way. Not saying he baited/manipulated him into it. Could be could not be but when sitting with Marlo going over it would be extremely unlike Levy not figuring it out it was Herc.

[@rodneymiller2500]

I think Levy knew when he was telling him the story of how they work a wire he knew that only ones that knew that number were him and Marlo and whoever had access to his office which is his security I think that's truly why he rewarded him after Marlo deal

[@brizzy4932]

Should He have? Well it wasn't in the script...🤷

[@jpmnky]

I actually wondered if he brought all that up to Herc for that very reason. Knowing he would leak that phone number the second he was able.

[@JJJ111JJJ]

I never understood what use Levy could have of Herc. The guy is dumb as a brick and useless as an investigator. And before anyone mentions cop connections, what benefit is that exactly?

[@Tom-uv7ry]

😂 levy tells us more or less and thanked herc for leaking the number and for joe giving him up just in time of course he knew herc would leak the number and wanted him too

[@adamshelton6229]

He knew! Rewatch the scene when levy and herc are talking in the jail after getting Marlo a walk. Levy thanks herc and invites him to dinner at his house.

[@ohen]

Love the Sopranos reference at 11:03

[@keiwinnmitchell3212]

Always wondered why Marlo would do business with Levy with Herc in his office?!?!🤔

[@napoleonsolo5929]

They sometimes discussed business in a private room while Herc waited in the main office.

[@keiwinnmitchell3212]

@@napoleonsolo5929 yeah but still…Marlo knew Herc had it out for him.

[@Sandlund93]

I didn't think of Levy as something like Darth Sidious, until now. Well, okay let's not give him such praise but if he did orchestrate for Herc to leak Marlo's number it would certainly be impressive.

[@Nerdy_The_Punk]

People who keep horrible people out of jail through illicit means are worse then the people they keep out. One guy may kill 10 people but levy keeps 20 people like that out of jail so each guy is responsible for 10 deaths but I would argue levy is responsible for 200 because each dependent adds to the kill count.

[@LoneWolf_Cub_Ogami_Itto]

The amount of failing upwards I see in American Politics and Hollywood alone, yeah I believe it.

[@gregoryporch8395]

I'd say Levy did not know, based on him inviting Herc to dinner. The events that lead to Marlo's arrest involved Levy being implicated and both of them getting an impasse in the same breath.

[@deb8911]

He’s an essential character on this show…I don’t appreciate him practically laughing in Stringer’s face in season 3 but he’s still essential.

[@Joeri20cm]

Yoo laughing in Strings face is also essential. Stringer thought he could do it by his own. I don't remember exactly why he laughed at him, but I thought it had to do with being 'rain-made' by Davis and he just should've called Levy or something.

[@deb8911]

@@Joeri20cm I didn’t say it wasn’t essential, just said I didn’t appreciate it 🤣😂 but yeah..he gave Clay a quarter mil and never asked Levy for advice

[@satyris410]

"oh hey there Herc, don't mind me just putting the drug kingpin's phone number in this here rolodex. I do hope nobody leaks it to the serious crime unit that you used to be attached to..."

[@tuomasketola6863]

Good Stuff! You Should do a video on Kima!

[@Cbart23]

Levy is the real King Pin

[@StylzGTNT]

I definitely think Levy knew, but made sure to stay tight lipped about it as to avoid any legal ramifications; but it wasn’t amiss of him to forget that Herc had police friends he was still close with.

[@rogfusionkid]

I've just been thinking about the writers of The Wire and how much thought they put into all the backstories and what the characters may be thinking, which is analyzed here in these videos. I don't know how writers do this job but you could spend so much time on all these things.

[@thebettingpublicsportsshow]

Good point. This is poor writing. No major drug dealer would trust Herc being a former cop and being in the room.

[@Spanner249]

I dunno. Marlo was shown to A. Not be very smart, and B. Herc wasn’t in the room for anything important. To Marlo Herc was just protection for Levy. It made sense for a lawyer to hire a former cop for that job.

[@marqmorris8670]

He figured it out, the damaged was already done.

[@adamwatson6916]

I always assumed Levy knew Herc leaked the number .

[@michaelmiles2305]

“ Thee clay Davis! “ 😂😂😂 idk string

[@mazalblues]

The theory that Levy orchestrated the leak and it makes perfect sense. Marlo was becoming the undisputed king of the game, and the crime monopoly generates more order and fewer cases for him. A war between drug traffickers generates more cases for Levy. Therefore, it would be in Levy's interest if Marlo Regin doesn't last long. Its also very complex and sinister thinking that Levy its an agent in suit that is always making sure that the gangs are always fighting and the streets never gets one true kingping

[@NoName-rv9vy]

Also remember that the producers were excepting a 6th season, and everyone found out half-way through production of season 5 that HBO wasn't going to renew the show for a season 6. A lot of stuff that was being setup for season 6, had to be quickly buttoned up in season 5. It's why the 2nd half of season 5 feels for disjointed and "rushed" compared to the 1st half. This could have been one of those plot points that they were going to further develop in season 6...

[@mickeysmouse4800]

Of course he knew. But that was his plan.

[@samirascarlett]

He most certainly knew lol he was a a ninja too

[@yermanowiththehairfromdown5618]

2:04 DOWTOWN Clay Davis

[@MGBillionaire]

Back in the day you could call that number and Marlo would answer. Idk if you can still do it.

[@MarcillaSmith]

I think it's a restaurant now. You gotta try some of their Peppa steak, tho.

[@erics362]

Herc, the mastermind? 😂

[@erics362]

Little known fact, the grand jury leak, (ASA Gary DePascal) had a different character name in an earlier season. His original first name was Charlie.

[@janconner2087]

He wasn’t a State’s Attorney. He worked in the Clerk of Courts office

[@napoleonsolo5929]

It's the scene with Bunk & Old Face Andre at the courthouse.

[@erics362]

@@janconner2087 He was definitely a State's Attorney who worked for in the Grand Jury Unit.

[@coachcoach1176]

So many holes in season 5

[@chrisdraughn5941]

It wasn’t the leaked number that saved Levy. It was that the police were running a warrant-less wire tap. It wasn’t a payday that made Levy happy, it was being saved from prosecution for buying court records and sealed indictments.

[@therapiststeve3294]

IMHO, Levy purposely "entrapped" Herc. Doing it this way gave him (Levy) plausible deniability, yet he was able to expedite Marlo's grand need for his services. By entrapping Herc, if Marlo suspected a leak, Marlo's first thought would've been that Herc was acting out of retaliation. Levy probably would've survived unscathed. Remember, Levy told Herc the big gain was the Law Firm's street cred with other big time criminals given he got Marlo off from serious charges with no prison time.

[@OntarioAndrews415]

No Levy didn't know. And you are right - Herc kept failing upwards so just consider Herc a lucky some of a gun.

[@Jestin612]

I think he knew. He knew why he got fired I'm sure. It was big news on the news. Levy is a slimey bastard. But he's not stupid.

[@chrisgarrett5942]

Thank you for the thought provoking insight. I like that you mentioned that Herc was failing upward, but I don’t agree with you that Herc was completely stupid/dumb. Inexperienced yes, impulsive yes, incompetent yes, Herc needed within himself to move up through the ranks of the BPD to be validated as real police.

[@cpeacenlove]

Levy was deliciously slimey 😂

[@erics362]

"You got the briefcase. I got the shotgun."

[@stephenbuckley9940]

It's all in how you play the game, yo! Probably my single favorite moment of The Wire. Omar was one bad muthafucka. His testimony before Levy questioning him is absolutely priceless.

[@MGBillionaire]

You can call that number and Marlo will answer.

[@gretzatalic]

What if Levy thought that Herc might be undercover?

[@bgthakid3598]

Are you going to put out more Wire videos? If so, how frequently?

[@CineRanter]

Yes I have a lot more planned. I usually flip flop between The Godfather, The Sopranos and The Wire...so probably every 3 weeks or so.

[@incogneto2834]

Herc had a beef with Marlo for the camera ,so it was revenge.

[@shreddersaurusrex323]

What episode is this?

[@virgolife8832]

When are you going to do the clay Davis video ??

[@CineRanter]

THE Clay Davis? Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeit

[@rccrforeverfrrdfortuneshav9823]

@@CineRanter😂😂😂😂

[@smilingwolf7259]

Whether it's Omar not considering Kenard to be a problem or Marlo not considering Herc to be a problem, the theme is that often people are not as smart or savvy as they think themselves to be. Contrast this with Marlo thinking Michael snitched or sending dudes to destroy all that was good with Randy ... in those situations, the acts of people were OVERestimated ... They don't study people so much as they fall into thinking that everyone is on the same page from the same book they like to read: thieves thinking everyone steals or squeals, cops thinking everyone should be harmed, even to the extent of breaking the fingers of a kid, and most not understanding the worlds of others unlike their own. There are no absolutes, but ... they make mistakes in not seeing that people could change up on them ... that the box they have put a person in may not be the box they want to stay in or, worse, was never a box to that person. Marlo doesn't think Herc would do such a thing because "cops don't do that" and "somebody who works for my attorney would never do that" ... "that's not how the game works". In reality, the "rules" were more likely written by "Calvin" from "Calvin and Hobbes", who has created his own shifting rules for crazy games that end up with everyone broken and on their backs ...

[@slimetime3270]

I think it was poor writing. Idk what started to go left from this show that is so amazing but they started to go off the rail after a while. Last season wasn’t the best

[@stevenjones2220]

In my opinion, Levi probably just assumes that it could've come from anywhere. He isn't the only person to get Marlo's phone #. It could've been the connect, a snitch, or any other underhanded tactic that the police use, which Levi is familiar with already. It is possible either way.

[@aidanwatson910]

Levy didn't want to know but once he heard Marlo had a phone number it was just a matter of time anyway

[@johnwachowicz1966]

I love the British pronunciation of Maryland

[@positivevibesandmorelife7307]

Exactly Levy knew soon as Marlo said I need more money made clean holla at me soon as he saw the phone his eyes lit up and herc walk in the door levy even told him to cheer up Joe gave him to us right in time planting the seeds in herc head fixing the roller DeX lol dont it get no clearer than that 🤷🏿‍♂️. It just dawned on him when talking to marlo he forgot that that would happen and herc would eventually do it.... "only person that had my number was you" it hit em marlo sensed it but levy spinned him

[@isaiahdaddys9379]

Levy is the biggest gangster in the show arguably

[@NotSureJoeBauers]

Levy is a different person with everyone. When you're paying that $500+ per hour rate, he's the best criminal lawyer you could hope for. When you're "off the clock" (as Marlo even says) he's setting you up for the next big thing. Marlo is too ghetto to be needing legal representation for anything other than criminal defence. He just keeps his money under a mattress somewhere. Avon and String were paying Levy hundreds of thousands for very typical boilerplate "legitimate" non-criminal defence related legal work. Levy knows his way of getting more out of Marlo is to defend him on a wire-tap case. Levy knew Herc lost his job trying to take down Marlo and surely would suspect him of holding a grudge and passing on information to police if it helps take down Marlo. To be so careless with a critical part of a wire-tap (the phone number) is not thoughtless oversight. If Levy was actually watching out for Marlo he would have told him to quit using phones or at the very least kept the number to himself.