The Dark Psychology of Characters from The Wire

Video editing tutorials, early screenings and behind the scenes (+ more) on the Patreon: / jwisdom
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Betraying the ones you love, taking lives simply for business, and acts of pure evil are just some of the actions done by characters in the HBO show 'The Wire'. Stringer Bell, Marlo Stanfield, Omar Little plus others have some dark minds that needed to be analysed
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0:00 - The Dark Psychology of Characters from The Wire
1:06 - Russell 'Stringer' Bell
10:06 - Avon Barksdale
14:06 - Marlo Stanfield
19:29 - Preston 'Bodie' Broadus
22:35 - Michael Lee
26:07 - Omar Little
29:13 - Chris Partlow
#thewire #documentary #psychology

[@billybobley6781]

This pops up as I’m watching the wire for the 3rd time in my life. I watched it as a kid, a teen and now a man. Each time it hit differently. From loving the villains as a kid, relating to them as a teen and now pitying/despising them as a man. What a series.

[@coolzay8921]

Where can I watch?

[@brandoncook3574]

@@coolzay8921hbo max

[@buggytheprophet1017]

@@coolzay8921lookmovie

[@buggytheprophet1017]

I watched it twice once as a teen and now as a man, to me it’s the opposite, first I despised the players and felt bad for the cops, now I fell bad for the hustlers and despise the police characters, except Bunk and kima

[@derrickstarling3946]

You broke it down really well.

[@bubbz4315]

You should definitely do a part 2 of this, but about the police/politician side of the show

[@Exzactz]

Would be pointless😅the whole show is a mirror image

[@QuellyQ]

Decent idea

[@spinceiling7442]

Yeah the police and politicians in this show get ignored too often. They're just as great as the characters in the game

[@nopillpill]

I'd like to see a part 2 including "the Greek".

[@kevinbest8664]

I agree ☝️ it would be longer than this

[@BruceJohnson-fo5ko]

The long stare Chris gave Michael said so much. Incredibly captured. Didn't show that was a relatable thing or just that he recognized abuse But, HE SEEN IT!

[@buggytheprophet1017]

I loved that scene, because that was the moment I realized why michael hates him so much, the actors told us something without saying a word that’s amazing

[@boogb6766]

@@doogieFiveFour Exactly. He painted his abusers face right over MIchaels father and let it all out. This show was everything man.

[@CamJames]

@@buggytheprophet1017 nah, y'all missed some dialogue. Chris literally asks Devar "you like boys? you like f***** 'em?" before beating his face in. It was very clear.

[@grillacoupe]

One thing I loved about the show is that they don't over explain most dynamics. You have to pay attention to the acting and dialogue to truly understand all the complexity of even the smallest characters.

[@kefkapalazzo1]

I was in my phone during that scene. Not even for a long time. Luckily my friend told me

[@annrodriguez2891]

A girl that loves Breaking Bad.....The Wire which i just binged 2 months ago...blew my mind!!!!!Snoop and Omar were my favorites..but nothing broke my heart more than seeing Dukie shooting up at the end of the series

[@AquarianAngel]

Yea, The Wire is better.

[@stannistrump4622]

Dukie is bubbles in the making Same as Micheal is omar So many of these in this great show

[@annrodriguez2891]

@@stannistrump4622 Yes the Wire is a masterpiece

[@darnellclinton8958]

@@stannistrump4622and syndor as mcnulty

[@stannistrump4622]

@@darnellclinton8958 correct 👍

[@BruceJohnson-fo5ko]

When you mentioned Barksdale, there is a history there that is why Avon is so concerned with reputation. His family had high standing in them streets. And feels obligated to hold that up. That's why he's worries about what people think other than what they say like Marlo.

[@NateBullock-ow6on]

​@@doogieFiveFourthat's because he was too busy doing the grunt work for Avon 😢

[@sirbreeze3369]

The Game in Baltimore is treacherous and fierce so you have to have to make sure your reputation is strong. When weakness is shown that’s when the wolves come out to eat. I use to see them filming a lot when the show was on the air, I ran into Omar one night at the gas station in the trenches of the hood one time.

[@BabyBoiQue]

Need part two on this. Clay Davis, McNulty, Prop Joe, Bro Mouzone, Weebay, Slim Charles... It's so many deep characters that this could be a series all by itself.

[@kevinperry707]

Especially McNulty

[@vaid.]

@@kevinperry707 I would love to see a character breakdown of Bubbles

[@lifeiswonderful22]

Stringer's mistake was underestimating brother's intelligence.

[@samuelhuggins3173]

You're definitely right. The moment at the hospital when Brother Mouzone chose how he worded his statements caught Stringer by surprise. You can tell how he responded to them. Brother knew he had him then.

[@RAWhitening]

Chris saw himself as a helpless child like Mike . Chris took a stand a long time ago that he would never be harmed again

[@nikopriest3905]

20 years later and we still get think pieces on this show, love it!!!

[@dukejohnson6025]

I liked Stringers character because he didn't fit the gangster figure. He disguised his character to the point that even if he did do something, they really had to have hard evidence on him. His business profile made him blend in so well, that he was hard to catch. But in the end, he messed up by greed.

[@Zikk0_o]

Think it was more than just greed. He was trying to turn the game into something that it could never be, a business. Both him and Joe thought they could turn street gangsters into businessmen and professionals.

[@Hegotflow99]

When Chris is looking for Omar after the ambush in the abandoned building. Chris was clearing those rooms like a trained soldier. The wire is so ill man

[@Steve-vp6mm]

Chris also shows some resistance to having Bodie killed, but of course ultimately follows orders.

[@kingsavage5832]

I think we should do a deep background check into the relationship between Marlo & Chris..

[@b9479]

​@@kingsavage5832I wish we got a backstory

[@kingsavage5832]

@@b9479 I believe Chris who's probably an ex marine trained Marlo like he trained Snoop, O-Dog & Michael, and Marlo trained Monk.. And as far as how they met, I would think in a group home together (or just Marlo by himself along with Monk and Chris who seem to have grew up in a broken family home like Michael) That would probably be their backstory.

[@thinweasel1]

Omar is one of the greatest characters ever to bless the screen

[@raymondsims7042]

The wires boy a couple of those

[@benjamies4136]

"My name is my name" absolute class act. All of the characters are just so powerful and believable. Ok i gotta watch it again.

[@stannistrump4622]

Spiros Vondas My name is not my name Other side of the game 😉

[@ChooseCompassion]

I watch the entire series once a year and have since it’s original air dates. I’m grateful HBO hung onto the show even though the ratings were very low and it really only had a small cult audience until years later. There’s so much depth there that I always find something I missed before. I could go on and gush for days but I do believe this is the best 5 seasons ever produced. All of the social issues addressed in the show are tragically still the same, if not worse.

[@Nylon_riot]

My first apartment was West Baltimore and my job two blocks where it was filmed. Never watched it because we have to deal with this everyday. And it is much worse. The state government moved to Annapolis, killing jobs. And the last tourist bastion, Fells Point, is now under assault. The worst part? The city isn't poor. The industry didn't leave, it is making more money than ever. It is nothing but pure, unadulterated corruption. The state has been trying to fix it for years, but outside of an outright invasion, there aren't many options. Though hilarious y, a lot of drug dealers are the most sane people there. They are business men.

[@beverlycarter6916]

Really do find something new every time you watch.

[@therealharshlycritical]

How completely Omar was broken/felt guilt over Brandon was tragic. The fact he believed anything stringer had to say showed that.

[@righteousone8454]

This series is definitely the best series I ever watched, and I am not even born in USA, so it allowed me to see shows from other countries while living overseas, as well as my native ones. I watched everything from French, to English, to Brazilian, to Argentinian shows, and the Wire is simply the best to me. What made The Wire the best is that no character here is the "main" character. Everyone plays the role, and everyone (even lower ranked soldiers) played the arc of some kind. From Bubbles, to Wallace, to Stringer, to Avon, to Slim Charles, to Snoop and Chris, to Marlo. None of these characters are main characters, they just play part of the movie's roll. It's the only show that I remember that did it so well. Compared to Soprano's where you had clearly Tony as main character almost at all times. The Wire managed to find a perfect balance of reality

[@helicoptersrkool]

Bruh! This is the type of content I would expect to see in the special features section of The wire box set or Blu Ray. The content and production quality was excellent. 🙌

[@jordanburton4147]

Omar and Michael's pieces made me emotional.

[@tishe5269]

ong

[@afrosamourai400]

Michael was such a innocent good hearted kid..

[@leebyakkoprizziano]

@@doogieFiveFourheavy facts. The real stand up dude from the hood who ended up getting sucked into the vortex of Dark Psychology.

[@jonnykilroy9762]

The stories of Michael, and more or less Randy are the perfect pictures of why The Wire is the 🐐. Plenty of movies/shows depict the monsters that terrorize their neighborhoods but this really the first time we got to see how they might've gotten to that point. How the system chewed them up left them to fend for themselves

[@jameshw9751]

It's why season 4 is my favorite one

[@manniking233]

Marlo, the ruthless INTJ, being the final form of the game is pretty apt. Play the game long enough, someone will find the shortest way to win without any sense of morality.

[@clarencebrowniii4750]

No Slim Charles

[@jwanecraig]

Marlo is ISTJ..Stringer is INTJ

[@afrosamourai400]

@@jwanecraig string is entj

[@JunebugPresents]

Hey. I'm INTJ!!! 😅

[@angryanakin]

@@JunebugPresentsme too

[@TyehimbaJahsi]

Very good analysis of the characters! Definitely demands a Part 2 and a Part 3!

[@_D_E_N_N_I_S_]

Stringer was a lot of things good and bad. But unfortunately Avons assessment was correct and his downfall: “not smart enough for the business people and not hard enough for the streets”. I respect his endgame, same with Colvin, but unfortunately you need Avon. “You can’t be half a gangster “- jimmy (boardwalk empire). He was so close too.

[@petermj1098]

Stringer was a businessman who did gangbanging for his business. Avon was a gangbanger who did business for his gangbanging.

[@Zikk0_o]

It goes both ways. Avon was short sighted and didn't care about the inevitable future that awaited him and everyone else in the game. Stringer didn't want that and was trying to change it, but you can't change something that doesn't want to change.

[@ArtemisUnderscoreJ]

I’ve always admired Marlo’s “still waters run deep” approach. Complete 180 from his predecessors. Always played his cards close to his chest and those close to him had not interest in wearing the crown but being protected by it. Marlo was probably the only one truly tapped into his feminine side, ruthless yet fair.

[@wil3793]

Very interesting take. Never saw this perspective before

[@bwilson21345]

D’Angelo was too imo I never noticed how much he wanted the glory while trying to pretend to be better then that

[@BigA678]

Marlo was the human embodiment of the 48 laws of power and Machiavelli. That’s why I fw him heavy

[@Etechtroniks]

Marlo was anything but fair. Just ready to kill based on what "might" have happened. Scamming and lying has way to the top smh

[@BigA678]

@@Etechtroniks are you mad at Marlo for not being fair in a game where there is no honor amongst thieves? Y’all act like it’s a job at Walmart

[@JunebugPresents]

I never thought Chris and Omar were part of the dark triad. This was so well done. Big props to you.

[@demejiuk5660]

Chris is one of the clearest Pyschopaths in the show imo.

[@scottiegang2236]

@@demejiuk5660sociopath *

[@BoadieBroadus3211]

How the hell have I seen the entire series at least 10 times and not ever once picked up on Chris possibly having PTSD from a military background?

[@openbloke]

Brilliant analysis, and like many others I'd never considered that Chris might have been in the Military before, but after watching this it makes perfect sense. Nice pull!

[@dazzlernator]

Excellent analysis all round. I would say Stringer's psychopathy was even more layered. He denied and detached himself from the torture, mutilation and murder of Brandon because he "only" ordered the hit. As far as he was concerned, it was Wee-Bey, Stinkum and Bird who were guilty because they committed the act. He had no literal blood on his hands so he could distance himself further from empathy or remorse. All three parts of the Dark Triad contributed very much his undoing. His self-worth was so inflated that he didn't realise he was too much of a businessman to be a gangster and too much of a gangster to be a businessman, chasing two targets and losing both. He had no idea Avon had set him up because he'd been so distracted by his attempt to become legitimate and he was so green in the legitimate business world that he didn't realise Clay Davis had played him and that donations have to be declared in public. He also still believed he could manipulate people when he was staring down the barrels of Omar and Mouzone's guns. He simply thought he could pay Omar off but thanks to his lack of empathy, it didn't occur to him that no amount of money could pay Omar off for Stringer having ordered Brandon's torture and mutilation. Omar accepted that being murdered was part of the game but torture and mutilating enemies went far beyond the game. Stringer thought so much of himself that he still believed, right until the end, he could find a way out of a corner despite realising that Omar and Mouzone were aware of having been played against each other by him.

[@fasidayohanaful]

Marlo is more ruthless then any other tv villain look at Chris kill count. That’s all marlo, he’s litterslly a serial killer. That’s not counting all the other murders made at Marlo’s demand “the security guard” got killed just for trying to be real with marlo. June bug might’ve said something bad about marlo, but because he might’ve said it they killed his whole family

[@malxvz1]

best analysis and probably the best video out there explaining these characters, another solid video on this heavily underrated channel

[@lov4570]

This is a legit psychology class based on my favorite show! Amazing work👏🏽👏🏽

[@Leonard_Washington76]

The Wire & The Sorpanos two of the best shows to ever hit tv.

[@raymondsims7042]

100%

[@godlymuse]

Keep Going! With content like this, you'll pop in no time.

[@thenewongoam2486]

My favourite show of all time.

[@jonzxvi7925]

Franklin mom from snowfall was on the wire!!!! Learn something new everyday

[@tetsuosoprano7382]

This is great man. There’s no show like the Wire.

[@God_of_Destruction_Kakarot]

Absolutely excellent video! Keep up the amazing work my guy

[@framinghammallee2846]

You did a GREAT job breaking down these characters!

[@brandonshaw2120]

Brilliant. The Dark Triad of Personality is a fascinating and frightening concept to explore generally. Well done on your use of it when it comes to these characters. I was hoping you would finish with Snoop! If you have already analysed her, my apologies.

[@philipkhatana4227]

Just came across this channel. This is very interesting and impressive! thank you.

[@ARaiderMarketing]

Great Work Bro!!

[@jamar95little24]

Marlo crew was loyal that's why he was the last man standing

[@kingmuzzy8275]

This is crazy, I literally finished watching The Wire for the 1st time yesterday & this video was released!

[@Cigclicks]

Same

[@nickie7763]

This is great. I recently watched The Wire again and often wondered about the mindsets of these characters and why they were the way they were and this completely satisfied my intrigue. Bravo Sir 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@RRR-ox9ud]

You can tell Chris was advanced by his vocabulary, annunciation and strategic approach to everything.

[@TheTitan11]

always a banger bro! keep em coming !!

[@daescha21]

One thing to think about. Is the circle of the game. Meaning for example Omar is killed but Michael steps in his place in a way by robbing dealers. Therefore showing the circle of the game. How once one is gone another steps in that place.

[@jonbranch710]

I love the attention to detail that your videos have. Perfect companion to binge-watching the show😊😊😊

[@JWisdom]

Thank you kind sir 🙏🏼

[@ms.tchristian1609]

This was so good!

[@jacryder735]

6 mins in this is one of, if not my favourite character analyses. great job

[@darkerarts]

Absolutely brilliant work, I'm going to have to watch the series again and see if I can recognise your diagnosis

[@9ethergod561]

Great editing skills bro u got a new subscriber

[@BruceJohnson-fo5ko]

There is no implying about Michael being abused. Bunk had his step dude file in his hand before and when he questioned Michael.

[@fionnmaccurtain8896]

Marlo is the most ruthless TV character I can think of.

[@Cliff_Banger]

Lookup Gustavo Fring, Lalo Salamanca and Tuco Salamanca

[@fasidayohanaful]

Marlo is more ruthless then any other tv villain look at Chris kill count. That’s all marlo, he’s litterslly a serial killer. That’s not counting all the other murders made at Marlo’s demand “the security guard” got killed just for trying to be real with marlo. June bug might’ve said something bad about marlo, but because he might’ve said it they killed his whole family

[@afrosamourai400]

@@Cliff_Banger lalo wasn't ruthless, gustavo was

[@marcrose3403]

@@-lopez- duh… it’s tv characters

[@marcrose3403]

@@-lopez- Walter white is not realistic as well… that’s the point of tv shows give us break from reality . If you want something real watch documentaries.

[@Dness24]

Michael becoming the new Omar at the end... Great writing!!

[@zulio9865]

Finally ur back and better. Very high quality video

[@Kyle_Bu]

Great video. I found this in my recommendations. I just want to say good job and I'm going to subscribe now!

[@teresajenkins4061]

Michael had turned into the shell of Omar. He has to constantly look over his shoulder.

[@baltimoremike9161]

I love psychoanalysis..helps me learn about myself & why I’m so the way I am..

[@BcVenom]

I love content about the wire. As a Baltimore native this warms my heart.

[@chrisleaf]

Middle-class people don't understand what life is really like for those from challenging backgrounds.

[@elizabethclementclement6914]

Excellent video, insightful and interesting. Well done and thank you!

[@tiz116]

Love these videos bro. Please do Joe Goldberg from the show "You" next!

[@DeepDiveDiscipleship]

I'm currently on my 25th watchthrough of The Wire and this is the first time I'm making the potential connection with Chris and the military. This was A1 analysis - you've got to do the cops next!

[@DeepDiveDiscipleship]

@@doogieFiveFour Still noticing new stuff every time as well! I work from home so I have stuff on my second screen all the time.

[@jahvon8083]

Any websites to watch on?

[@nalenation9882]

Huge fan and this vid was such a great watch. Could u also dive more into movie characters and do more analogies like Tony Montana

[@GoodThingsTwo3]

Man you are on another planet bro this was an excellent presentation keep up the good work🙏🏾

[@josephwoodfork2369]

This breakdown was sheer masterpiece 👏🏾

[@theerealatm]

I clicked on this not planning to watch but the first 5 minutes. Watched the whole thing with ease. This is a great in depth.

[@jourieortiz2131]

I have seen people say Chris is crazy and loves killing. I don’t. I think he sees it as a job and that’s it. Even when he says to one person “ quick and clean you won’t feel anything” I think even though it is his job he want to in his own way show some level of comfort to his victims

[@tainguyen-bp3if]

Fo so fo so,he aint on the thing like that

[@wasteurtime5677]

Killing other people is not a "job". If you can kill someone and act like you just punched a ticket at work them there's something wrong with you deeply.

[@tainguyen-bp3if]

@@wasteurtime5677 so what's wrong with them ? when around them is hell ?

[@BigPoppa07106]

​@@wasteurtime5677yeah go tell that to them trigger happy cops and US soldiers

[@JoSheperd]

​@wasteurtime5677 Soldiers in war are excepted to do it. To the thugs of Baltimore its the same.

[@MrGooseHamilton]

You are a very intelligent human being. I’m sad I’ve only discovered your channel. This is a beautiful piece of art! 🙏🏽👑

[@caydenward9773]

would love to see a part 2 with characters like slim charles,cheese,randy,etc

[@TheLovliestTear]

Very well done!!!!

[@sprinkletoes2074]

The quality is crazy in this show- I saw Michael b Jordan wondering if they used effects to make him look young. 🙄 this show was made in 2007- but I like this vid a lot! I’ve watched most of your vids and hope to see more!

[@kuzon2132]

Love these type of videos

[@adifferentperspective8448]

Great video 👏🏾. It’s sad how these characters are aren’t just on the show but real life too. Smh 🤦🏾‍♂️. It’s a evil world we live in.

[@mariohnyc]

Surprised you didn't hit up Clay Davis in this list. Well done nonetheless.

[@TheBreakpunk]

You really see this, man. Thank you for content

[@Chimagic]

2 points. Michael Lee follows the same path as Omar, he just found his angle in the game as a disruptor. He still has empathy just robs ppl in the game. Secondly Chris displays some socio traits when he helps the postal worker lady to open the door to old face Andre’s shop then kills her in the same scene intentionally

[@anthonymckenzie5182]

Do Alonzo from training day please.

[@giorgikakabadze3379]

I have seen all your vidios and this content is realy facineiting to watch the wire is my favorite show so i realy enjoyed the video carry on you and your channel have huge potencial

[@absquiatav3641]

You Sir are an artist and craftsman and a joy to listen to King. We need more Soul Food from you Pronto.

[@ButtersCCookie]

Thank you for doing them. Outstanding analysis.

[@LyricalIAm]

Most definitely need a part 2 I rarely subscribe but I’m doing it now

[@tajbullard1653]

Great video I'd like to see a part 2 a follow Up to this

[@iwantgoals1566]

Man your breakdowns are cold man. Wish they did so much better on the algorithm.

[@yoldylabathe3954]

I love these series please never stop!!! ❤

[@TheShahofBaltimore]

Do a part 2 GREAT VIDEO! More The Wire stuff plz!!!!!

[@tyrreloneal5178]

Be nice to see this for the rest of the characters of Snowfall!

[@macavelli8905]

Great psychological breakdown, taking one inside the characters mind. In a world of filled with enigma.

[@Juuheardtvv]

That was a beautiful video I really enjoyed watching it!!!!!

[@shanef06]

great video m8

[@aspiratedgamer3072]

Great video, what is the music in the section about Chris?

[@welcometodamal3876]

The way you edit these videos are crazy. Please do Raymond Reddington

[@gogitoDBZ963]

just subbed, you should do one for EZ Reyes from Mayans MC. Series finale happened about a week ago.

[@YOUR_neighbor25]

Micheal was like that bad bitch you KNOW you needed on your team but she had other ideas lol

[@ChrisJWattsTV]

Wtf?! Lol 🤣🤣

[@princesamuels5981]

Stringer belll Barksdale organization under Avon’ The acts done to avoid someone frm giving up the whole operation was on another level

[@deedyindacut]

You Should Do Dark Psychology of Walter White & Jesse

[@rhkagePKMN]

Next vid gotta be about the dark psychology of Teddy McDonald

[@MrX-zy1yk]

The wire,is the G.O.A.T, TV series,writers and actors really told the facts and truth what happens in all faces in America's iner cities,street life,Educational systems,politics and home life,police departments,judicial system,it was brilliant,well done.

[@kc569]

Kanan from power would be a cool one to see