Power Law 1 in the Wire: Robert Greene's 48 Laws of Power

In this episode we will evaluate power law 1 in the wire by evaluating the benefits of following it through Slim Charles, the consequences of violating it through Omar Little, two key factors in making it work through Michael Lee and D'Angelo Barksdale, as well as the reversal of the law, which is where we run into Marlo Stanfield and Proposition Joe.

[@bullywhispers9544]

So, who thinks Prop Joe would've stayed retired and who thinks he would've jumped back in?

[@outsidethabox1443]

Joe seems like the type of guy who can't sleep if someone gets over on him so I say Joe couldn't switch it up and stay retired because he got hooked on the money

[@gnolan4281]

@@teleportrings6791 So, Joe wouldn't move to a Palookaville town and open up a quiet little clock repair shop? He'd still be turning corner boys into cadaverous mother fuc kers?

[@Nash9r]

He would have jumped back in. For sure.

[@kevindee3821]

@@outsidethabox1443 à

[@tw82rone5]

Thing is if you take the connect you pretty much also have to kill Joe or handle the loose ends

[@LightsOutLow]

"I am reminded of Louis the whatever's finance minister, the something. He built this chateau, me and Nicole saw it when we were in Paris. It even outshone versales, where the king lived. In the end, Louis clapped him in irons."

[@bullywhispers9544]

One of the best of his many great lines! Thanks for watching!

[@rolondorivas6562]

“The Something.” ⚰️🫡😂

[@LightsOutLow]

@@bullywhispers9544 your content is some of the best out there, always a pleasure

[@woahblackbettybamalam]

Well observed. The sacred and the propane

[@XanderShiller]

The brilliance in this monologue is his regression from "affluent intellect" to "silly bafoonery" with each spoken sentence. I'd love a lil Carmine spin-off. "THE Something".

[@cyrusamaria]

Avon always had respect for Slim, because Avon knew that Slim was just a King without a crown who CHOSE to play the game a certain way. This shows how smart both Avon and Slim were. And look how Slims rise to power went. Nice and smooth, no real enemies, good reputation. He played it best.

[@bullywhispers9544]

I agree. Do you think I should include Slim in the power law 3 episode, or make it its own? Thanks for watching!

[@rolondorivas6562]

@@bullywhispers9544 “Meaning No Disrespect”…Make it its Own.

[@cyrusamaria]

@@bullywhispers9544 You could. Slim seemed to do it with humility. The only one who saw it was Avon because they’re on the same level. Slim was so arguably the most competent and effective of the criminals. He could be in many power law videos.

[@danieljohnson2005]

Slim definitely needs his own video. He proved to be one of my favorite characters on the show.

[@cyrusamaria]

@@danieljohnson2005 And most effective if not the most effective operator on the Streets

[@pwizzle1212]

I think Slim knew that Marlo had ego issues. It wasn't just business with him (see the Security Guard). Accepting a kingdom granted by him was a bad idea. Slim had been in the game long enough to know everyone falls. Best to wait it out. It didn't take very long.

[@MistaP13]

Stringer play out of his position too! Avon was the real boss and String overstepped his bounds by trying to call shots and the biggest slight killing the man’s nephew. 😳💀

[@gioluvs1893]

The nephew thing was forgiven because Avon had to agree with him once he got out of his feelings. But overall you're right. String was way out of bounds.

[@CordaroBlu]

Watching for my boy Slim. He was by far my favorite character in the show. The truth start to finish.

[@ajbianchi85]

Slim Charles is the best. His refusal to kill Clay Davis for Stringer is one of the best scenes in the series

[@steveobrien1052]

Downtown Clay Davis?? Lol

[@danielwarren3138]

Stringer wanting clay Davis dead was a real Ziggy Sobotka moment

[@jasonjones3226]

@@danielwarren3138 😂😂😂😂

[@gnolan4281]

You don't do justice to D'Angelo Barkesdale. He wasn't stepping out of line to shine from a position of weakness. He discovered that he had a moral compass and was in a struggle for his soul. I say this because the murder of the boy Wallace really bothered him from a moral point of view. While in prison he reads and comprehends the lessons of Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby". Some people will do anything to get what they want even if it means being an empty shell inside. What matters to them is appearances. D'Angelo points out that in his mansion Gatsby had bookcases from the floor to the ceiling but he hadn't read any of them. He observes that underneath all the pretense you are still who you are.

[@MiracleinStars]

Well said.

[@gioluvs1893]

Yeah but he still thought he could go off on his own in prison. Talk all that shit to Avon about how he wanted nothing more to do with him, when Avon is the only reason he made it as far as he did. Without Avon he would have died long ago. Or he would have been in prison for life since Avon rigged the case for him. And once he dismissed Avon he was done. You are right but so is the uploader.

[@woahblackbettybamalam]

Marlo: Couldn’t stay retired? Prop Joe: Marlo, for gods sake you know me!

[@GHOST91141]

😆😆 Sopranos

[@tomwalsh63]

I wrote a college paper years ago about how instruments of power, their captains/lieutenants, become more dangerous when they manifest their realized power without their leaders knowledge.

[@PaulMojo1581]

Slim had the gift of being able to see three moves ahead. He knew when Marlo was going for the crown that he wouldn’t be at the top for long. Best to just bide his time

[@PowerJuice438]

Agree , Marlo's situation could be a reversal of the law he end up with lots of Money- Or Im i bugging?

[@heavymetal3122]

WE BACK BABYYYYYYY

[@bullywhispers9544]

You know it! Thanks for watching!

[@jacoboswald4726]

LOVE this series !

[@bullywhispers9544]

Glad you like it. Thanks for watching!

[@laurenpeterson9510]

Great video!

[@bullywhispers9544]

Thanks for watching!

[@dogecoinbrothermouzone2500]

MOST PEOPLE YOU ENCOUNTER ASSOCIATE WITH BEFRIEND IN LIFE WILL CONCEAL THEIR TRUE INTENTIONS & ARE VERY UNGRATEFUL 💯🤞🏿

[@doctornazgul547]

The Bateman reference was classic

[@randydegner]

Thank you for giving a unique example instead of rehashing the stories from the book like so many other videos have done.

[@smoothshot9562]

Excellent work mate, keep it up

[@bullywhispers9544]

Glad you like it. Thanks for watching!

[@gregoryjones1426]

An excellent analysis!

[@willmiller9981]

1:18 “it even outshone versalles”

[@djangogeek]

I've been binge watching these videos. This channel is a gem!

[@WinnerSinner]

Fire vid bro, you should do the whole 48

[@tanveerhasan2382]

1:05 was he the guy Carmine Jr was referring to?

[@laurenpeterson9510]

He wouldn't retire

[@bullywhispers9544]

I dont think so either. Thanks for watching!

[@nathaniel972ful]

He definitely would. Joe was caught, all the way, Cheese made sure of that. His very last proposition was his most desperate, bow out in exchange for his life. Joe although being a master manipulator, valued his life very much, so he wouldn't waste his chance if Marlo would've ever showed him any mercy.

[@micahrobinson216]

Please please do this for snowfall and power.. this is amazing content

[@benmerliss7702]

Nicely done sir. Do you know if you intend to continue your Machiavellian Monday series?

[@bullywhispers9544]

I do. Lining up the next couple now. Thanks for watching!

[@jonathonjohnson1227]

Goated

[@bullywhispers9544]

Thank you!

[@michaelvansant273]

Great Video! I think Slim never wanted to be boss because he's loyal and most of the time to become boss in his game you have to betray someone. However, Slim had no loyalty to Cheese and knew he had to take him out for Joe.

[@TheSoonToBePurgedJackMeHoff55]

"Loyalty" Slim worked for the Barksdales, prop Joe and Marlo...

[@jamaalmoses8821]

In a sense Marlo outshined Avon too,for a brief moment..he had both sides covered..Joe's politics and Barksdale's ruthlessness.

[@tairaino-tsui1282]

Dope series man! Love the Wire, love Robert Greenw

[@teejaylecapois9741]

Great character study

[@willnotbtalevised]

With the betrayal of cheese, if his nephew cheese had lived, he would have been plotting against cheese. but on the other hand, with cheese getting killed, he also would have had motivation to entangle himself because of that. How about this.. if you take his nephew cheese totally out of the equation and Marlowe had gotten the connect and forced Joe out... I think he would have stayed out until Marlo fell upon bad fortune. With being able to respect and honor the fact that Marlowe didn't kill him. But in a cold-blooded game like they are in, I believe you're correct ..why do all of this could've would've should've...when you don't have to in a treacherous game and just crush your enemy totally?

[@houdewink]

Excellent. Please continue the 48 laws in the Sopranos. I really enjoy that series.

[@bullywhispers9544]

I am. The next one is almost done, but wont be released till next week. Thanks for watching!

[@bigsixx1314]

I don't think Joe would've retired he would've slithered his way back Marlo knew that and even said it to Joe.

[@Robopercy]

It’s still crazy how Prop Joe literally talked Marlo into killing him smh.. Marlo didn’t even want to talk to him 😭

[@stevenoreilly7357]

Other people have pointed out good reasons Joe would jump back in. But knowing cheese sold him out and that Marlo would be boss likely taking out most people mot loyal to him, Joe would retire or wait for marlo to get killed or busted. I’m reminded of him saying “I managed to crawl outta my own grave, no way do I get back in.” Joe was capable of counting his blessings and staying out, and recognizing he couldn’t pull strings like he used to. Speaking of String, because his ideology was so close to Joes, looking back in hindsight Joe should have tried to have Avon killed like stringer had D killed. Or got Avon when he was released. Stringer wouldn’t miss a step and Joe and Stringer would have ruled over a Pax Baltimora.

[@josephyongue1171]

Joe try to have Avon killed in Season 1. He gave Omar Avon’s pager number but Weeby showed up

[@Nitolordgrave]

Please continue doing wire content I love your videos

[@MolemanSA]

Well researched.

[@amarevanhook7453]

Great video as always bro

[@matt5543]

Keep em coming

[@WeMakeMontages]

Did you stop 48 laws for the sopranos?

[@bullywhispers9544]

No, the next one comes out next week. Thanks for watching!

[@streakslinger]

When did the Omar flashback to childhood happen? 6 times through and i don't remember that scene.

[@bullywhispers9544]

Its a deleted scene thats available on HBO Max

[@sobisas]

wait a min! where did that video of little omar come from????

[@artimussantiago4779]

3:16. Lol. Dont just stare at it. Eat it!

[@s.h.7613]

I’d like to see your thoughts on Kenard

[@orourkeda]

Omar's Comin' yo.

[@jpVari]

It makes sense we see Tony be more toxic because he's the main character... But it would be a mistake to use this fact to say anyone equals him in spreading misery. His murders and decisions as boss give him far more reach with his spread than his mother or sister could ever dream of.

[@collinmonette9795]

Make more for the wire !

[@bullywhispers9544]

The mythology of Omar is set to come out tomorrow. Thanks for watching!

[@frankmurphy7234]

I feel like he was a loyal Soldier with no want for upper management up until cheese had Prop Joe back doored

[@dam11232]

I think you got D'Angelo all wrong. That dude was Just tired about all that his gamely represented. I think he didn't even want to benefit from it at all.

[@treeskii1301]

Slim did want to be a ceo he told Avon that slim just smart enough not to tell Marlo

[@rutessian]

The first law doesn't apply because none of those people were Omar's master and he wasn't trying to make himself liked by them. He lived outside their power structures.

[@jasminehill6312]

Joe may have stayed retired only because I think he began to realize that it was a young man's game now and with Marlo in it, he was better off retired. Oh, and his terrible nephew Cheese 😡😡

[@yourztruly8255]

About the fouqet situation the party was not really the reason he got arrested and died the real reason was because of the fact fouqet was well connected with many powerful nobles of France many of whom from the past rebelled against Louis xiv in the Fronde when he was very young and was pardoned by then prime minister and regent cardinal Mazarin and fouqet being the wealthiest man in France and very close friends to these past rebels made him very insecure that they might start another rebellion with the full financial support of fouqet and the fact that he tries to gain his favor while being friends with those nobles made it worse

[@DigitxlRxse]

Prop Joe definitely wasn’t trustworthy ultimately being his downfall

[@DigitxlRxse]

Omar frfr was Robin Hood lol

[@vdotme]

09:08 - his power lied in his exclusive control of the Greek connection.... Not true, that's why he had to die and it had to be definite one attempt death hence the use of Cheese as the assassin. For most other people such a gamble (yes Cheese was an asshole nephew) would have been suicidal. The co-op was no small feat in such a gun happy warzone like B-more. Prop Joe's power lay in his charisma, business smarts & networking ability plus ability to convince them they wanted to do business they could do elsewhere with him especially - how he got the connect in the first place.

[@nneely613]

The real number 1 law is never allow yourself to have a master or in others words never allow another flawed human being rule over you, another flawed human being.

[@lachlanmclennan2188]

The real number 1 law is "never outshine the master"

[@eddieb608]

Laughable