Why Did Avon Help Marlo? | The Wire Explained | The REAL Reason...

In HBO’s The Wire, we follow the drug gangs of west Baltimore looking to claim the streets from each other and simultaneously the cops out to stop them and put them behind bars.
In season 5, Marlo meets Avon in prison, who helps him to get to the Greeks. Now a question here arises - Avon and Marlo were enemies on the streets, they tried to kill each other, take over each other’s turf and product - Marlo currently has pretty much eradicated the Barksdale crew, so why on earth does Avon choose to help Marlo get to the Greeks? Marlo is partly the reason why Avon is sitting in prison - shouldn’t he hate his guts? Why help him? Well, let’s explore this in today’s video, explore the reasons why Avon might assist his rival.
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[@DJVijilante]

Fact is Wood Harris is definitely one of the most underrated, underutilized actors of all time! We need more of him!

[@prospectla6316]

Too bad he's typecasted into these type of roles unfortunately. His brother is doing good on the BMF series.

[@KelticTim]

He’s pretty funny in Southland Tales, his main problem is he lacks the ability to change up. Every character he plays is a variation of the same character. He’s typecasted for a reason.

[@tyronebrown2246]

Ace

[@chesspiece81]

He was in We Own this City that HBO just completed. I've actually seen him in alot of the stuff I have been watching lately. Michael Kenneth Williams was the most underrated actor to come out of The Wire IMO, his portrayal of Chalky White was the best character on Boardwalk Empire.

[@KelticTim]

@@chesspiece81 Wood wasn’t in We Own, Wood plays Avon, you’re thinking of Marlo, played by Jaime Hector. He was in both shows, along with a few others. Too bad Michael B Jordan didn’t come back, they did Wallace dirty.

[@everydaypeoplenetwork5143]

"Let me help you find your tounge" one of the coldest lines. Avon showed Marlo how a real boss conducted himself

[@MarcillaSmith]

Yet people will still show up in the comments talking about how Marlo "wore the crown" and "won the game." As the saying goes, "you can lead a horse to water... "

[@Trav81888]

Yeah that was a real boss line

[@mud5377]

​@@MarcillaSmith People talk like they are a character inside the show's world and incapable of analyzing the story from, you know, an outside perspective as a consumer of the media. It's very strange because I was always under the impression that a HUGE part of The Wire was illustrating how abstract this concept of "The Game" is in the first place and although it's called a game, it's not one that can be "won" by any one man or group of men.

[@BigA678]

I'm sorry but irl most "bosses" are like Marlo. You want it to be one way but it's the other way

[@jamesmoltres8623]

@@mud5377 one side just loses more slowly heh

[@mrgemini82235]

Avon gets out, reaches out to slim and is back on top instantly. That's a good theory

[@aa-.-477]

Avon helped Marlo for 3 reasons. 1) He knew the only thing Prop Joe had over Marlo, was the Greek connect. Once Marlo had that, wont be long before he pushed Joe out of the way & Marlo himself soon self-destructing. 2 birds with 1 stone 2) He also hated Joe for manipulating Stringer and pulling the strings through Stringer in his absence. Dismantling Barksdale & crew. So he sikd Marlo on Joe. 3) He would not of been a hustler and not try to make some $ from it.

[@j.b.225]

this is it

[@loganerb3952]

Don’t forget the amount of money he asked for (100k) was the same amount he lost from prop Joe in the basketball game in season 1. Also 100k is nothing for a line to the connect. This entire move was calculated to take out joe and Marlo without lifting a finger.

[@radricdavis7195]

Facts I think Avon finally realize marlo was a younger version of him and he was from the westside

[@Negus1k]

@@loganerb3952 damnnn that’s cold

[@skipthomas4524]

Thiss it was alot about flexing that the king would remain the king...also Marlo chimed 100,000... that was a low price for the connect, that was a number for Joe head imo..Marlo seen it was Joe the reason Avon was in jail and that joe would always play his chess game

[@hubblito]

Avon is a businessman at the end of the day... It was about the money. AND it was to let Marlo know that even on the inside, Avon is still a man of importance/respect

[@stevenjames7645]

It's always about the money lol how much did Avon ask for 350 thousand

[@mk-ultramags1107]

When Avon gives him the Westside Hand Signal, it's very deliberate. Seems like its just humor, which it is... But, it also shows Avon is a Man with pull and clearly at home while in Prison, with total control of his environment.

[@bwpitlik1290]

It also tells Marlo that there may be a day where you end up in prison like me, and I’ll be higher on the food chain than you so it’s best to get friendly with me now.

[@KOVIDGOON]

Avon is a gangsta I suppose. He wants his corners

[@hubblito]

@@KOVIDGOON Facts!!! The funny thing is that Stringer system was working. They were naming money, and no bodies were dropping. I wonder what would have happened if Avon just let it be... 🤔

[@Steve56001]

Marlo wasn’t respected, only feared. Avon was both. Avon extorted him for the 100k and knew it would be his time again soon.

[@LoneWolf_Cub_Ogami_Itto]

Agreed. And Marlo was only so feared imo because of his serious private city SOCOM of Chris and Snoop. I loved it when he schooled Mike and he was teaching him always hold a pistol with both hands (correct way) never 1 handed and never sideways. There's actually a technique used with the Mauser known as the broom handle where you do that but to shoot a horizontal target pattern, the way they did it in LA in 80-90s was sideways on one target which just makes you miss shots lol. Chris seemed to have been schooled by an urban warfare soldier, not a street guy but an actual soldier with urban warfare experience. Chris and Snoop were outright human hunters, they hunted rather than simply killed. THAT and that alone is why Marlo was feared, we only seen him kill a woman himself in season 3. He just had the bawls to go for it, the "crown" truth is metropolitan black gangs aren't as simple as many think, they are quite organized taking tips from the Italians and Mexicans. There's more truth in The Wire than most would think

[@Sco3000]

@@LoneWolf_Cub_Ogami_Itto there's a fan theory that Chris served in the military.

[@LoneWolf_Cub_Ogami_Itto]

@@Sco3000 I've never gotten into The Sopranos or The Wire fan "Communities" (community is your town/county) but it's a sound theory. The man was serious and much less of a gangster other than the man code, to which most gangsters semi live by.

[@printezstroman]

@@Sco3000 Yeah, I saw a video once that lent more credence to the theory. His clothing works as a makeshift uniform as well as camouflage to blend in(no one expects someone that dresses like he's at work to do what he does). Also, his terminology, he referred to the security guard's job as Mickey Mouse which, as per the video, is something that Marines say.

[@aulekementari7950]

@@Sco3000 Theory or not,i believe that he really had some professional training

[@tommythegreat777]

I think you’re absolutely correct.. Avon played the long game on Marlo.. and as we can clearly see Marlo in all his greatest lasted about 6 months as the boss of all bosses.. He took out the only one who had the brains to deal with Avon on a street level in Prop Joe and the only real muscle left is Slim.. The same Slim that has no problem with Avon in the driver seat

[@judyhopps9380]

I sort of agree but don't. Maybe Avon knew Marlo wouldn't last, but not because of machinations, but just knowing that "the Game is the Game". It consumes everyone over time. There'll always be a fresh up and come'r ready to usurp or hustle. Avon might as well profit from it.

[@ObiKwabKenobi]

Judy Hopps you said it. Avon knew his run was completely over, being a real one and not a hater; let young boy take the crown. Avon had no hate for anyone; only a desire to be king; without that possibility, his final move of influence is choosing his successor. As he had tried to do all along. 🍻

[@MrRyan-wu4jx]

Slim was about business like that but he definitely didn’t seem to like Marlo any.

[@Mike-ge7pe]

Slim is the show’s archetype of the loyal soldier of the elite corps. No reason to think he’s not still loyal. He’s also often a voice of reason, and would likely be playing the long game himself. He’s one of the least investigated players of his rank by the police. His profile can remain low if he’s not the face/name that Avon is. He retains a lot of distance from the central operations, with his co-op presence being an exception. He reminds me of a Serbian secret police commander from the 90’s named Legija, who was elite muscle for the Serbian government, but had very few formal ties. Both he and the government wanted the same thing, but he was able to operate mostly anonymously by foregoing the accolades afforded to the faces of the government. Slim is living that same life

[@josephcamhi5676]

I saw a video on A Man's World where his theory was that Avon blamed Proposition Joe for corrupting Stringer Bell and causing Bell's death, so Avon was setting up Marlo to kill Proposition Joe.

[@asherjohnson6678]

I saw that video too. A man’s world. He make great the wire videos

[@martino5742]

oh he did and rightfully so

[@josephcamhi5676]

@@asherjohnson6678 that's right. It was A Man's World. Thanks for pointing that out.

[@BigA678]

People want it to be one way because they hate marlo but it's the other way

[@georgetoney1455]

Joe didn't cause bell's death Avon did

[@lal2402]

This scene was classic, it also showed Avon using Fools Mate chess move. Even though Avon was locked up, he was known and respected. Avon and Stringer came up the old school way and earned every territory they got. Avon played the game like a player following the playbook. Avon only cared about being the big dog on the Westside. Marlo on the other hand was overtly ambitious, and wanted the crown of Baltimore. Avon knew more sooner than later Marlo’s orginization would implode and he could take the streets back. Had Avon not suffered loosing Weybay and Stinkum, and birdie. I don’t think Marlo’s crew could’ve handled a more established crew. Avon knew Marlo coming to him was a silent victory, that he still needed to go through him if he wanted tha crown.

[@earlpipe9713]

Yes, and Avon knew how to weild the institutional and political powers of his kingship in ways that Marlo would never be interested in even learning. Avon's a dynasty, while Marlo's a one and done hit wonder

[@lal2402]

@@earlpipe9713 🎯🎯🎯

[@mikehunt6511]

"Fools mate chess move" Dont see how that has any correlation here

[@mgee1723]

Also took prop Joe out too

[@pryme42100]

Plus if it wasn't for stringer snitching, Avon and company would of been able to take Marlo out cause slim had the drop in Marlo at the rim shop

[@cbreeze864]

He helped Marlo because he knew Marlo would kill Prop Joe. Avon wanted Prop Joe gone for turning Stringer Bell against him, that’s why he asked Marlo for the symbolic $100,000. That’s the same amount Avon lost to Prop Joe in the basketball game. He used Marlo like a chess piece.

[@geeguy5492]

Dang that’s crazy, I never thought about it like that

[@SittingBull99]

The other thing I keep wondering about is, maybe that's why Marlo took the retirement deal from Rhona. If he got hard time, Avon the authority figure would be waiting for him. Even a total psycho like Marlo can know fear under the right circumstances.

[@chrispenn2725]

That’s true, especially since Chris took life in prison in exchange for Marlo walking.

[@jasoneaster6979]

This scene is a masterclass on how to really show someone who is really the king without any violence

[@johnnyboyspero5470]

"My name is my name". All Marlo card about while Avon was in it for life like family before him.👑👑👑

[@coreycantu3996]

The tell here is when Avon calls Marlo a "Businessman". The same term he used on Stringer when he was coming to realize that they were going down different paths. Avon is always playing the long game and he speaks like a street guy, but everything he says is meant to maintain his control over everything going on around him. He says Marlo is a natural businessman, telling us that he understands Marlo's motivation, and his weakness. Then says the things that get him his money back and get back at prop Joe for putting those ideas in stringers head. The game is the game always.

[@callmehanson9466]

I'm 100% sure that Avon knew that Marlo didn't have the diplomacy to hold The Connect for anywhere near as long as Joe. I would've loved a scene showing Avon's reaction to Joe's death.

[@MrRyan-wu4jx]

Probably wouldn’t show much emotion. He knew Joe was as good as dead when he let Sergei give Marlo the Greek connect.

[@knutinho2001]

@@MrRyan-wu4jx nah he was probably celebrating that shit

[@RIDGEMATIC]

He would've been in the yard blazing a PHAT Cuban cigar

[@flightofthebumblebee9529]

I still get the feeling that after Marlo got so much heat and had to leave the game and lost his muscle, that the Greeks would've had Slim and Rick kill him just for insurance. Marlo of all people should understand why.

[@madgavin7568]

Slim would've probably ordered Marlo's death anyway as revenge for Prop Joe.

[@jduwayne1]

@flightofthebumblebee: I AGREE WITH YOUR ANALYSIS 1000%! IN SEASON 5 SLIM CHARLES DID EVENTUALLY GET TO MEET THE GREEK CONNECT…I ALSO THINK IF AVON DIDN’T GET SIGNIFICANT ADDITIONAL TIME THAT HE WOULD BE DIRECTING SLIM CHARLES FROM WITHIN PENITENTIARY AND HOLDING IT DOWN UNTIL AVON GOT HOME! The King stays the King….

[@vaughnalston2993]

I love the fact that You couldn't wait to do analysis videos of this show.😄 It truly Is a show rich with content

[@atalcot1]

I’d love to see a follow up miniseries featuring Avon getting out into a world where everything has changed and most of the people he knew are all dead or locked up.

[@steveanderson5605]

It was cemented that Avon was king as soon as Marlo walks in. Guard tells him to sit at number 2. Avon knew exactly what Marlo would do with the connection. Avon never liked the Co-op. Not only did he take his enemies out he made money at the same time.

[@stephencallanan3795]

I think the way that the interactions between senior crime figures like Prop Joe, the younger generation of Avon and Stringer, then the youthful brutality of Marlow and his crew draw a really nice analogy about the nature of street crime and the way its expressed throughout the series and is embodied by different generations. There was a magnanimity to Prop Joe. He valued community. He had a somewhat well rounded life, where income, business at his fix-it shop and family were all somewhat balanced. He saw the value of the intangibles that bound Baltimore's communities, and his role within it. He could over come the East/West stuff if there was a chance he could buy for a dollar and sell for two. Avon inherited in part, his desire to be the king, but, much like Cheese, there was an ego and a sense of title that came with being the big dog, and that seems to have been more important to Avon. His name needed to ring out on every corner, whereas Prop Joe was happy laying back and being sustainable, Avon embodies the attitude of a man who grew up in a world where there was less value to community, and more value on controlling ones environment. That's very much reflected in the way he does business, and is very much beholden to the code of the streets and the loyalty systems baked into that. Then as he passes the torch to Marlow, we see a further reflection of Balitmore in how he expresses his ambitions. The product of a corrupt and broken system, growing up in abandoned row houses fighting for subsistence and clawing his way up the economic ladder the only way he knew how. The systems of loyalty are secondary to winning. Community is there to be exploited in order to win. And that makes sense when losing equals death in that context, but there is an escalating brutality in the way business is done, and the nature of the people doing that business. Likewise the police and the politicians and the dock workers on the show, everyone is compromising their integrity to survive in a city that is rigged against survival. Best show ever

[@thebiowatchlist]

Reading this, I think you got the whole point of the wire. The drug trade is like any trade - The first generation do it for community. It's one thing in many. The next generation does it for ego and tries to take and control as much as possible, destroying the first generation in the process. The next generation tries to take everything. They want to control it all, dominate every outlet and decimate every competitor.

[@oliverhunter9495]

Brilliant written comment Stephen.

[@GASA.tvshow]

Well said

[@Paradise2003]

Avon was definitely letting Marlo know he still won.lol in a way Marlo was doing him a favor. Avon didn't want a co-op, he wanted to be king. He knew Marlo would keep them off the Westside

[@johnnyboyspero5470]

Avon been around long enough and schooled by family who in buisness for decades so Avon knew Marlo would either be dead soon or locked up and that his hitmen were known and wouldn't make it much longer whether from Avon's crew or some other street thug. Avon be out soon and crown his again. Building crews and men in prison and just cause who he is,his rep. Hes a Barksdale,legend in B-more

[@garyfrombrooklyn]

Excellent analysis as always, especially with a show like the Wire, the true crime was it's lack of industry recognition but everyone knows it's value, but that's another debate. I like the idea of it being a Long Plan set up by Avon, everything is implied to his ever present respect within that community, the game in prison being stopped, the guard actually appealing to Avon when he presents Wee Bey for that sit down against Tillman (sp). We see that Serge came to him to find out who Marlo was but the one scene that would've solidified the Long Game plan was if Slim Charles was seen meeting with Avon after he and Fat Face Rick met with Marlo to discuss the price for access to the Greeks. Avon only asked for 100k, whilst Marlo demanded 10 million. I can still see Slim getting word to Avon that Marlo was selling the connect and the substance of that conversation implying that Avon will still get his taste out of respect. I don't know if Avon got any additional years but even if he only did the remainder of his original sentence for the parole violation and returned to the streets, he would be comfortable receiving that cut and being something of a Sage to Slim like Butchie was to Omar, running a bar or some place quiet while Slim handles things. Looking forward to more discussions on the Wire from you, that show was beyond amazing, the true star of the show being Baltimore itself.

[@davemccombs]

No. Absolutely not. A thousand times, NO. What you saw is what you saw. There isn't a hidden meaning/plot thread that is taking 20 years and some British clickbait KZbinrs to solve. People like you make being a fan of ANYTHING really difficult. You just show up "wow, you're right, it totally could be lasers and spaghetti and ghosts and it was all a dream!" type shit. Say this out loud, in a mirror, preferably: "No."

[@garyfrombrooklyn]

@@davemccombs didn’t show up. Been watching the Wire since the beginning. If you don’t see anything in it so be it. Don’t come here casting aspersions on people you don’t know.

[@aa-.-477]

Avon helped Marlo for 3 reasons. 1) He knew the only thing Prop Joe had over Marlo, was the Greek connect. Once Marlo had that, wont be long before he pushed Joe out of the way & Marlo himself soon self-destructing. 2 birds with 1 stone 2) He also hated Joe for manipulating Stringer and pulling the strings through Stringer in his absence. Dismantling Barksdale & crew. So he sikd Marlo on Joe. 3) He would not of been a hustler and not try to make some $ from it.

[@patmustard8795]

Wrong. He did it as he knew Marlo was going to push out and kill Joe. Avon blamed Joe go turning Stringer into a snitch (when Mizoune explains Stringer doubled crossed him Avon mutters Joe’s package). He blames Joe for splitting the two ‘brothers’ and saw an opportunity with Marlo to exact revenge on the fat man.

[@willar7]

fuck I never copped that and ive wached the series 5 times now, good spot man. are the police still after you ?

[@caribou617]

Yeah I always took it as that as well. 'Send 100 large to my sister I'm not talking to at this point'. He knows Marlo approaches everything as transactional so this request for money is just camouflage.

[@jayday1503]

Facts... Prop Joe's Plan was to get Stringer to flip on Avon. If he did that then he'd control The Barksdale Operation thru supplying Stringer

[@devzeppalin]

Wrong as far as Avon “blaming” Joe, Avon understood that Stringer hung himself and “tried to fix it” as he told Slim. Avon just never ever liked Joe or Eastside.

[@Paul-vf2wl]

Avon's assessment of himself as "just a gangster" was accurate. His motivation for helping Marlo was "West Side vs East Side" it wasn't any deeper than that it wasn't personal with Joe he didn't blame him for anything.

[@ObiKwabKenobi]

Stringer was the businessman; after declaring String as one, Avon stated “I’m not a businessman like you, I’m just a gangsta, I suppose.”. Avon wasn’t setting up Marlo, he gave him the crown, because Marlo is Westside. Thereby keeping the crown in Avon’s home even if he can no longer be the king.

[@marcelburton4686]

Facts he said Marlo was the young hungry lion in the jungle now

[@alejandrocrespo7633]

I always thought that Avon resented Prop Joe due to his manipulation of Stringer, which Avon caught up on when Mouzone confronted him about giving up Stringer. So, Avon gave Marlo a back channel to the Greeks b/c he knew once Marlo had the connect, he'd take Prop Joe out.

[@mbryson2899]

Yup, and Avon got to see Joe end up dead at no risk to himself or his family. It was a wonderful play.

[@waltjones6927]

This is confirmed when he says "fuck all them Eastside bitches"... That was his way of tellin Marlo to handle that...

[@geordiejones5618]

Thats why he asked for 100k the same amount he lost at the basketball game.

[@raoulhery]

Dont forget Prop Joe gave up Avon info to Omar in season One. Maybe Avon learned about it

[@RisingRapture]

@@raoulhery I forgot about that. He did the same with the card game.

[@djfacts9770]

I agree with half of what you said. But Avon wasn't desperate & saving face. If he wanted to he could've easily charged marlo a million for that co-signing. Also when Avon used levy to set up officer tilghman, levy allowed Avon to speak knowing that Avon can hold his own in a business oriented prison conference that may lead to an early release. When levy invited marlo to a business conference around other business men, marlo ran out like a dog with his tail between his legs. Avon & marlo are extremely different. Avon played him real good & bragged in his face while doing it. Long live the king!

[@mitchelll3879]

Nah, these kind of street criminals can't think beyond the first to second level..way down several moves? No effing way they have that intellect

[@powerhardy1]

@@mitchelll3879 to get the high up the totem pole you definitely do. Honestly he could've became a doctor or lawyer if the situation for him was different

[@illinoisbanks1470]

@@mitchelll3879 if you watched the show then you’d know

[@TribalScan.]

​@mitchelll3879 you know nothing

[@Manyfacedgodd113]

I'm ecstatic that you picked up on one of my favorite series. I really enjoy your analysis and I'm looking forward to seeing if any of your thoughts sync with my own

[@mateocalderon6822]

One of the best scenes in the series. Marlo won the battle but Avon won the war cuz at the end of the day Marlo still had to go through him to get to the top. And everywhere Marlo is going, Avon had already been. Avon was showing Marlo that at the end of the day he's gonna end up in prison too where Avon is gonna still be the king. He knew that prop Joe was a tough adversary and was smart enough to keep the throne, where Marlo was too ambitious and would eventually fall. Avon was thinking 10 steps ahead clearing the way for when he makes a return.

[@erickennedy8534]

Avon was the King , play and simple.

[@vaughnalston2993]

Internally Avon blames Prop Joe for Stringer

[@usdjpy8929]

Naw Avon would have let brother Mozon Know of Joe's involvement at the babarshop. String was "a man without a country"

[@jwanecraig]

Avon wanted Marlo to kill Prop Joe because Prop Joe indirectly destroyed the Barksdale Organization by manipulating Stringer through their drug deal in Season 2

[@erickennedy8534]

Avon did blame Prop Joe

[@printezstroman]

@@usdjpy8929 Avon didn’t know about that part.

[@usdjpy8929]

@@printezstroman yeah right

[@TJY-mb5hk]

Excellent analysis of one of my top 3 shows of all time.

[@datniggaeazye.5968]

what're the other 2

[@stonecoldkenray81]

I think maybe we misunderstood why Marlo questioned the 100k (especially considering the price he eventually ran the connect for). He was probably wondering why so low I mean Avon could’ve gotten more than even with prop off Marlo for sure. He just didn’t question it enough. If someone uses you to get rid of another threat it’s not because that other threat is more personal it’s because it’s a greater threat

[@Curious_KJ]

I would love to see a 6th season of The Wire with Avon finally getting out of prison with a new season focusing on the prison system and how the game has changed since Avon first went to prison.

[@SimonKnight1023]

Avon been home lol

[@peppersaltman1805]

The Wire: Revenge of Avon

[@user-sk4wf3ve6z]

He would be like 60/70 years old by that stage 😂

[@TerpsMatterPodcast]

If am not mistaken season was going to show the hispanic side of the game.

[@kennethjacobs3716]

You are correct. I would've really liked to see that too@@TerpsMatterPodcast

[@brandondennis3387]

Happy you’re covering the wire. Such a great show.

[@washingtoncommandcenter5541]

Man, I would love for them to come out with a new season, or even just a movie of Avon getting out and linking back up with Slim Charles, who was a way better match for Avon than Stringer. Slim still had that cool-headed voice of reason when things get too hot, without some crazy illusions of grandeur like Stringer.

[@codyallen43]

Hell yeah can't get enough of The Wire vids. My all time favorite TV series

[@stevenguevara2184]

I never saw Marlo show up to Avons sentencing. This was an excellent analysis. Really made me think even though Ive watched this a bunch of times. Great job.

[@holidayfish]

quality scene, avon turns to see whos sat in and we get a slowmo reaction from avon

[@4tfbenjiglo63]

He also mumbles Marlo under his breath

[@jamone5]

I love how avons character evolves. And you see his vision come full circle. And as a viewer you wish he came back once Marlo starts his ish. But once it’s all said and done, it’s avon and his people still running things either in prison or on the streets.

[@taysmith9321]

Bravo sir good job analyzing and putting time into this need more 👍🏽

[@munstrumridcully]

Personally, I think it's a bit of everything that you mentioned-- Avon playing the long game; getting rid of Prop Joe and Marlo in one stroke; needing the 100K; --all of that played into it, in my opinion. In all three scenarios, Avon gains something, so I really do think that it's a combination of all of them. Avon gets 100K as like a little nest-egg to rebuild; he gets Prop Joe out of the way and, like you said, he knows Marlo will self-destruct and so Marla will be out of the way; and then Avon could be the King again. He could even be directing Slim Charles on the streets from prison, in that season 5 montage. I think it really is all three and the King stays the King...

[@ejkboxing]

There was only two real Kingpins in The Wire, Prop Joe & Avon. Marlo was a queen who wanted to be King. Avon was setting up Pro Joe in the scene between him & Marlo. He used Marlo as his queen to get to Prop Joe & connect. (We can assume Slim was making regular visits to see Avon because we saw Stringer doing it). He was also making moves with his pawn, Slim, to get to the connect & take out Marlo's Knight, Cheese.. Remember, Slim knows he's no CEO but now he's the right hand man to a CEO, Avon. Avon moved his pawn to the end of the chessboard to become Queen.aka. his new Stringer. But remember, "The King stay the King".

[@KNByam]

All the heat would be on Marlo and with his hot headed ambition, instead of staying quiet like Avon, he wanted to be known.

[@katana2k]

You could even argue that Avon went from being the King of West Baltimore to being the King of Jessup County Prison

[@mikimiyazaki]

He definitely runs the prison. Thats made extremely apparent.

[@jaroka9041]

he was still king of Westside. His senctence only a couple of years left. Then he be out ruling again. Slim Charles be loyal to Avon

[@stefanschleps8758]

Thanks, your breakdown of the Wire is on point. I got nothing to add to it. Only that the Wire is a fairly accurate portrayal of B-More. I lived in the B/W corridor and for over twenty years we went uptown to get our blow. There's always a "shop" open. Pulaski and Edmondson, Cherry Hill, S.Carey, Fayette, West Port, Federal Hill. All over the city. It's dangerous up there.The first time I went up there I almost got my throat slit. Many times we almost got busted. The raw up there be spanking, and sometimes we'd get beat. But mostly we were treated fairly by the brothers. They just chasing that cheddar. Many of them are the only ones putting bread on their families table. I got nothing but love for Baltimore. Good looking out cousin, you keep stacking that paper. We'll be back. Peace.

[@dondeigo9218]

No marlo wasn’t being played. He just had to accept Avon’s terms because he didn’t have much bargaining power, so he kinda just went with the flow. Sometimes to move up the ladder you have to make some concessions.

[@mikimiyazaki]

And whats 100k to marlo? Lol nothing. He literally got what he wanted and marlo facilitated that for him and avon runs that prison so serge had to defer to him.

[@shawngreene4896]

It’s the principle. If such a reasoning were true he could have left the game already. The had to pay homage, kiss the ring. Oh yeah he got worked big time

[@mikimiyazaki]

@@shawngreene4896 its just business. Avon is the king in prison. He runs jessup period, marlos the king on the streets. If he wanted to further his aims, nothing is free like stringer said whether it costs money or something else. Price of doing business, and i dont see how either "lost" in any way including principle. Thats how things are. He wanted something that sergei could provide and Avon being that he runs the prison, the point of that is he gets a piece of basically any kind of business there. Sergei wouldve caught a beating or worse if he made the decision himself and especially if he took the money. Thats how it works in prison with a kingpin like avon, its already been established that he runs shit in there.

[@willigagbob8243]

@@mikimiyazaki I don't think that's how it went. It was a matter of trust, Sergei went to Avon for reassurance that a business deal with Marlo would be as fruitful as Marlo claimed. Avon, being a former enemy of Marlo, he could trust that if he said yes that it was purely because Avon knew Marlo could move that weight.

[@mikimiyazaki]

@@willigagbob8243 bro thats definitely what happened. Thats why avon pointed out "see im what you would call an authority figure in here" bro it was a matter of respect and a matter of avon being the boss of the entire prison.

[@efanamethesequel]

Avon’s talk about West Side vs East Side wasn’t nonsense. It’s because of the East Side that he’s is the position he’s in now. Damn near every move Stringer Bell made that set them back was him following the lead of Prop Joe. That’s the reason he’s dead.

[@nonadeplume1145]

Stringer simply could not accept the fact he would never be considered legitimate, no matter how far removed he was from the game. He, as hot as he was, sat atop Hubris Mountain and couldn't see the forest for the trees. Plus could he come up with a stupider plan than to bring Bro. Mouzon in?

[@Paul-vf2wl]

Everything happened because Avon decided he needed to send a message to the street and had a witness murdered.

[@jetstreamdefalpha5411]

I haven't watched one episode The Wire. But it's my 3rd favorite show

[@forcemajeur.5138]

This is great. We need more Wire videos with Sopranos/Mafia analysis.

[@rashadwilliams7468]

I have to say as a Baltimore native I'm glad I heard this view bc you're 💯% right about everything and you analyze this to the threads... Good job with the psyche of both men

[@jebbush6473]

Just found all of your Wire videos....well there goes 1/3 of my life.....

[@kevinrussell403]

“You want it one way, you want it one way..but it’s the other way.” Marlo

[@doctajuice]

I had to pause and skip off for a second just to watch the scene again. It's so epic

[@Claggyt]

A lot of good stuff in the Wire but the Avon/Marlo scene in prison was head and shoulders above everything else. No surprise you cherry picked this scene but If you want to make a real deep-dive, go with an analysis of the epic Slim Charles.

[@mud5377]

Slim Charles is such an amazing character, I've noticed over the years that it seems more and more people are discussing just how great that character was. Plus I heard he dun went and cleant his whole ack up.

[@KingAshleys]

This comment was so passive aggressive

[@mud5377]

@@KingAshleys Yeah you probably overlooked this simple fact and might not have understood the relevance as deeply as myself (a true wire fan), BUT: OH SHIT OMAR COMIN', RUN YALL IT'S OMAR.

[@stanspliff92]

@@mud5377 I know, fucked us all up.

[@TheZackofSpades]

My man the Rook. Slim was the real deal.

[@GenerationExcrement]

Avon played this perfectly. He wanted Joe out the way (he probably wanted Joe out the way years before season 1). Marlo comes on the scene, and for Avon, presents himself as someone to get rid of Joe. Avon sees how Marlo operates, knows he'll even self-destruct, wind up in jail, or even in the morgue. Avon does not want Marlo to think that he's doing a favour for him, so he sets Marlo tiny (and easily-achievable) tasks -- 100k to his sister, in order to make Marlo think there is some sort of 'negotiation' here, but the truth is Avon would've done it for free. He didn't want Marlo thinking he was doing Avon's bidding. One of major rules in business negotiation -- never let the other party know what you really want (or don't want). The way this was written into the dialogue is legendary. It really truly is...

[@kennethjacobs3716]

"You pretty desperate" -Asian lady on King's Ransom 😂🤣

[@ahfimiwonawun]

Marlo knew he was being played. He just didn’t know exactly for what. He thought it was just about the hundred large.

[@EddyTheMartian]

Great video, so excited to see you make more videos on The Wire!

[@briansmith5444]

I feel like Avon already has a line on the Greeks through Sergei anyway. Of course he was still somewhere in the shadows waiting on Marlo downfall. Slim ends up with the connect

[@erics362]

Short answer: To buy Briana's love back for 100k.

[@mattlangevin9167]

Helping Marlo ensured chaos.. Noone should be comfortable when boss man behind bars.. there must be chaos

[@hardybryan]

I imagine Avon being beyond thrilled when Sergei came to him with this. He may be the man inside. A lot of his people are in Jessup with him. But there is nothing coming in for the business anymore. I actually feel like some of Avon's over the top antics are because he's desperate to get everything he can out of the minimal leverage he has here. I also agree with a lot of what you say in this video, but I think it also exposes this obvious weakness in Avon's position that he desperately needs to keep deflecting from.

[@myronsanders4563]

People keep saying, "Oh Avon has this and that." Any of his assets, back accounts, real estate, businesses, and material possessions would have been seized after he would serve the remainder of his sentence. The Police and likely the FBI aren't going to be like, "Oh, you can keep all your Drug Money. No Biggie" Avon was DESPERATE The Barksdales are out of business. Nothing was coming in. At this point, his sister couldn't care less about him and probably perfered he rot in jail. Of course, he was happy when Sergei came to him w/ this. Easy to have bygones be bygones when Cash starts drying up And 1 thing people miss on is him asking for 100 large. Yea, he was thinking about the money he lost on Prop Joe. And I do think he had a plan to take him out, but asking for so little shows how out of touch he is with the world at that time. Around this time, Marlo would have a Quarter Million Dollar contract on Omar's head (compared to Barksdale's 4k) and Then Avon sells a contact worth Millions for a measly 100,000. Marlo sells it for 1,000 times that. The World got bigger when Avon was in the clink. And he's still stuck on his old school values and Worldview But hey, he has to make amends w/ his sis and bills got to be paid

[@justinlast2lastharder749]

Yes and No. Avon knew if he put Marlo on, he'd wind up behind Bars in Avon's World where Avon could reach out and touch him...but at the same time, he does actually believe its better to have West Side running shit, because then when Marlo goes down he can just walk back in. Eastside Beef runs deep, and Marlo going down wouldnt help Avon (beyond revenge) if Eastside had taken over the Westside. So Avon Benefits on both ends satisfying Revenge and Business Prospects by helping Marlo get the Connect.

[@Howwerelivingfishing]

7:41 if Avon had pull in prison, he had power on the streets. That’s just how it goes. If you run the prison, your enemies will run into you there one way or another. Also I wouldn’t assume he isn’t making good money in there. Prison has a very profitable (but risky) drug business.

[@ronaldcuriel4398]

This is the best analysis of a persona i have ever seen, great job psychologically breaking down Avon motive.

[@CineRanter]

Thank you

[@ppiorkowski1502]

​@@CineRanterafter seeing what high regards Sergei has for Avon wouldn't that give Avon a direct connection to The Greeks? I know Avon is in prison but they must have did some type of time together before Avon was released in season 3. That would have made for an interesting angle.

[@alexjames4770]

I think Avon believed this was the only way to break up the Co-op, by positioning an enemy (Marlo) as their leader. By simply giving over the connect, Prop Joe, Cheese Wagstaff, and Hungry Man we’re all killed, leaving the entire organization in disarray and leading to Fat Face Rick and Slim Charles to betray those loyal to Marlo essentially putting a Barksdale loyalist in charge until Avon got out. It also resulting in the downfall of the Stanfield organization was just icing on the cake, plus the 100k.

[@frankmurphy7234]

Okay so listen I haven't even watched the video yet but I'm just going to say this I felt like the reason why Avon gave him the plug is simply because he knew Marl0 was going nowhere fast and he wanted the plugs to be on the side of Westside guys so that way he could be King when he came home

[@ThePhDSpanish]

The show talks about cycles, people moving on, dying, or going to jail, and new people taking their places. Bunny and Wee Bay reminisce about old gangsters, where big players got gunned down, and how those days are gone. I don't really believe Barksdale would or could come back, but it is fun to think about - "the king stay the king"

[@dmetro9227]

Simple answer, Avon wanted to show thanks & appreciation for Marlo lending his as well as Chris's support Marlo looked so upset during the sentencing that loving "what up" nod said it all

[@richporter1315]

He showed up to Avons court case because through all the beef they had they have actually never seen each other

[@omarmy]

we need more the wire vids!

[@CineRanter]

Stay tuned!

[@DUVAL_County]

Genius level take.. This show was so great!

[@pyropulseIXXI]

Getting the connect's number or ability to contact them is huge; the fact Prop Joe messed up greatly when he set up a meet with Marlo and the greek second is a huge risk and shouldn't have been done, as that set the stage for Marlo to swoop the connect.

[@nonadeplume1145]

Thanks for starting on The Wire. It's simply the best series ever shown on TV, even counting S5. Excellent analysis of Avon and Marlo. I really like the theory Avon is playing the long game. Marlo will self destruct, see foreshadowing S5, and Slim Charles will hand the reins back to Avon. Imo, a dive into Slim Charles would be very interesting. Slim was smarter than a lot of people have him credit for. He was a realest. Plus, watching him chastise those boys and tell them they sure didn't know what a bonafided colored woman was and you certainly did not shoot her church crown was so great because SC was truly offended. Oh, please mention Stringer and the Roberts Meeting Rules. That was so, so funny in the dark vein of the show. Last note, season 2 was awesome! #franksobataforpresident.

[@bryaningle6034]

I wasn't so sure Slim would turn it all back over to Avon. He has no reason to.

[@r.plante2916]

@@bryaningle6034 Slim is self-aware enough that he's a solid worker bee, not a boss. He'd make a great captain for Avon.

[@ArnoldDarkshner99]

"Does the chair recognize that we gonna look like some punk bitches?" Lol.

[@nonadeplume1145]

@@ArnoldDarkshner99 that was hilarious!

[@nonadeplume1145]

@@bryaningle6034 at some point Slim says he's not cut out for the job. I can't recall which episode.

[@shaneikaj.8711]

Marlo did learn Bro said I'm dismantling the co-op...another thing the prince of the brick gon up *walks out the room

[@thejazzman210]

Don't over think this. The reason Avon had no problem helping Marlo was because #1, Avon knew this was a game they were playing and it wasn't anything personal against Marlo, and vice-versa, that's why Marlo showed his respect at Avon's trial. #2, Avon knew this was a way to help out his sister a little bit, by having Marlo give his sister $100,000.00. It's as simple as that folks, nothing to see here.

[@TTJJCC]

Yeah, I do feel that they're over reaching a bit. But I think Marlo came to Avon's trial to personally see what happened, not out of respect. But I wonder why Avon didn't charge Marlo more than 100k.

[@jamesmoltres8623]

i mean maybe your paragraph is right. or maybe bros video is both opinions are valid

[@caribou617]

His sister who he isn't even talking to at this point...

[@Paul-vf2wl]

@@caribou617 Avon has even less use for money in prison than he had on the street. He wants to repair the rift with his sister one as well as make it clear that he's the boss of the prison but he understands that if he asks for too much Marlo will just find another in to the greeks.

[@Dabagboy2020]

Right

[@monabee5044]

Excellent analysis of THE best crime show ever. Let's not forget Marlo had lost his best muscle in Chris and Snoop.

[@adonismay4042]

Mostly Chris , snoop was sloppy

[@thamacckca1585]

Avon was playing chess. Marlo was playing checkers.

[@dcaseng]

Marlo was nothing more than a ruthless gangster. He wasn't on Avon's level as far as being a strategist, or even as a respected adversary. People FEARED him, but that was about it. This scene showed everyone who was who in the pecking order.

[@adamtate3953]

"in the sports game in season 1" yeah I remember the sports scene with the game ball and the back and forth where they played as a team for the desired result. 😂

[@rtpowell7504]

Avon’s favorite phrase is ‘The game is the game’ born generations into the game Avon understands there is many facets to wearing and maintaining the crown even behind bars the king still rules and sees the board more clearly than those moving pieces. Marlo once was in conversation about wearing the crown and still being limited in which he realized in that prison visit. Avon didn’t need that 100k no more than Marlo know he had to pay for the access to the Russian. It showed Marlo that the game is not over and if he F up it’s either death or Jessup in his future. Maybe death is better than dealing with an authoritative figure like Avon in prison.

[@CrimzinEclipse2010]

Avon killed several birds with one stone by helping Marlo: 1. Humble Marlo by demonstrating that Avon was still a major player even behind bars that Marlo was going to have to do business with. 2. Get paid $100,000, when Marlo may have found a different way to reach the Greeks anyway. 3. Having Marlo cut out Prop Joe, thereby sealing Joe’s fate, which would finally give Avon revenge for Joe’s manipulation of Stringer.

[@juwonb4068]

Lester Feamon said Avon's crew clears out an extremely large amount of money weekly and Avon's said he makes more than he "can spend". I don't think Avon was going broke. I think, with his intelligence, he had more than enough sitting and waiting for him when he got out. The 100k lick was 'cold' just like Marlo.

[@eliwol3789]

This remind of the relationship of a Carlito and Benny Blanco, you know from the Bronx’s. Marlo was a ruthless thug which made he king, but Avon was a street wise gangster, which made him king. Avon saw Marlo as an inferior heir, but he helped him to get paid, and to spite Prop Joe out of revenge.

[@Bigdiego74]

Brianna made it clear that nothing last forever however his reputation alone kept established in prison

[@Mr.BattleRap]

That's crazy.. Marlo bought the connect for 100K and sold it for 10 Million 💰💰💰

[@reddicetwiceX10]

"The King stay the King." - D'Angelo Barksdale.

[@johnlocke8642]

Avon unleashes Marlo on Prop Joe and The Greeks but also knowing Marlo would be too reckless and violent to control the city for long. Once he gets out of Jessup, with no Prop Joe or Marlo in power and Slim Charles set up with The Greeks, the Barksdale crew would jump back on top.

[@be4unvme]

barksdale crew is no longer and slim aint got history with avon, why would he take a seat back for avon

[@johnlocke8642]

@@be4unvme wym he aint got history with Avon, did you watch the show?💀

[@be4unvme]

@@johnlocke8642 he was hired during Avon's time locked up. There's really no reason for slim to be loyal to Avon. He was just another boss and slim was just another soldier for hire

[@johnlocke8642]

@@be4unvme True true, I'll give you that. Slim himself said though he aint cut out to be no CEO so taking a back seat isnt out the question for him. Interesting to think about though

[@be4unvme]

@@johnlocke8642 it was a business move slim was smart enough not to directly come across Marlo because he knew the Stanfield empire was atronger at the time. Slim just let time get to Marlo and waited for his demise.

[@johntaylor-lo8qx]

Gr8 deep dive. I wish this was longer. Gr8 short 🙏

[@andrestamayo5050]

Makes sense to assist Marlo, Avon already showed he can play the long game when he first got out of prison early by waiting for the security guard to slip up. I’m surprised The Wire doesn’t have a reboot on this show since it would be 20 years later and Barksdale would be getting out around this time.

[@bradd2400]

Can you breakdown the BMF HBO series, P-Valley, and/or Power?

[@nchellcatbadboy3625]

Excellent content

[@reflection8578]

I would love to see another season. Avon and slim back in business.

[@raoulhery]

Well, a new serie set up in Baltimore is coming. Apparently Marlo actor is playing a cop. let's hope its a good as the wire

[@reflection8578]

@@raoulhery I didn’t know that. That’s crazy.

[@raoulhery]

@@reflection8578 lets hope for a great show. patience, december 2022

[@reflection8578]

@@raoulhery what network. HBO again?

[@buttonman6262]

The show really felt the loss of Avon in the later seasons.

[@flightofthebumblebee9529]

Ironically season 4 is arguably the best and Avon never shows up except a picture of him hanging on the wall (boxing promotion) in Cutty's gym. Avon said he didn't want his damn name up on no wall, but Cutty was so grateful for what Avon did for him that he honors him by hanging his boxing picture on the wall. The picture likely inspired the ones training there, like Michael.

[@buttonman6262]

Sam Loomis Seasons 4 and 5 were the worst ones for me. I only watched them for a conclusion to the series and I found myself longing for the old days of Avon and the Barksdale crew!🤣

[@dannyjohnson1035]

Besides the basketball game, their ain't no scenes with Avon and prop joe

[@themediumcheese]

"sorry sopranos, the wire is my new best friend"

[@cornpopwasabaddudeandhehad4737]

We need another wire series when Barksdale get out that shit would be fire

[@OnYourSquare]

9 years later? That would have put him out in 2017. If there were a few other characters from differing social/economic backgrounds I'd watch it! Old school gangster, new, younger drill rap gangs, drugs, the economic hit, the change procedurally how gangs and police operate.

[@athirdwhy9734]

Enjoyed your breakdown of the interaction b/n them. The Barksdale organization imploded, was not beaten by Marlo, so I like that Marlo still had to go through Avon to get the connect, but I think Avon really just saw an opportunity to get back at Prop Joe and really would rather see Marlo with the connect than anyone from the East side.

[@OnYourSquare]

Exactly! I tell everyone it was Joe who took down the Barksdale organization. They could've survived the internal splits and arguments but by that point, Joe swallowed up half their turf. When the towers came down, Barksdale were displaced, struggling for market share, which to the Avon/Marlow issues. Which led to Joe threatening to cut the off the 'package. Which led to Stringer setting up Avon.

[@athirdwhy9734]

@@OnYourSquare Yup, and I think if Avon knew what Stringer Bell had been up to with Prop Joe, he would have killed him his damn self.

[@the1only467]

I believe it was for money he could make off the connect, it’s very common thing to sell access to one’s connect (irl). Avons money was running low and I think that is proven when Wee-Beys wife/child’s mother goes to Brianna to ask for more money and she cuts her off. I believe it was not only because they’d given them what Wee-Bey earned but they were running low on funds and Avon had to think about the future. But, not only did Avon need to make money but also to show Marlo he was still the man like you mentioned. Why set Marlo up somehow? I don’t believe that. That’s not how business minded Avon would act, that’s an emotional move. The difference between Avon in prison in season 1-2 and the Avon in prison later on is he had a much longer sentence and no one out on the streets to run his empire. So he passed the torch like you said.

[@chrisstyle7497]

Yes you could say he pass it but with a price and a chess move he know marlo will take prop joe that is a + for him and knows marlo will run out as he did and he still got slim out there don’t forget that even do he wilth somebody else and also Avon got a date to come home 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@martino5742]

Avon is still the king, Charles is just keeping it warm. Definitely playing the long game

[@Scottd86]

I like to think that after Slim killed Cheese he suggested they go to Avon to get the rest of the money they need to buy the connect in exchange for a cut of profits.

[@thomasdr08]

That would be a cold plot twist