Analyzing Evil: Stringer Bell From The Wire

Hello everyone and welcome to the one hundred twenty-fourth episode of Analyzing Evil! Our feature character for this video is Stringer Bell from The Wire. I hope you enjoy, and thanks for watching. If you have any feedback or questions feel free to let me know below!
Merch Store: thevilestore.com
Cameo: v.cameo.com/e/...
Patreon: / thevileeye
Reddit: / thevileeye
Discord: / discord
Twitter: / thevileeye
​Instagram: / thevileeye​
Video Edited by Stujthevamp. Check him out here: / stujthevamp
Merchandise by Christian Kohn. Check him out here: www.instagram....
Channel Artwork by Dicky Candra Irawan. You can find more of his work on his instagram here: / ​
The song in this video was provided by CO.AG music. Check them out here: / @co.agmusic
#thewire #idriselba #evil

[@Maleek732]

Stringer was too hood to make it to the mainstream business side of things but too clean cut to get the truest respect of the street. Such a fantastic character and glad he’s getting attention with his own video here. 👏🏼

[@StrongandGrand]

Playing those away games!

[@BigA678]

Too bad Fat Joe manipulated him into turning against Avon. First season stringer was my favorite character other than Marlo

[@diobrando1488]

@@BigA678 lmaaoo true that & marlo saw right through him

[@stephengrigg5988]

And avon saw it coming "You know what I see when I look at you man? I see a man without a country. Not hard enough for this right here, and maybe, just maybe, not smart enough for them out there." At the end of the day, Avon knew his place in life and accepted it. Loyalty is what killed Avon(figuratively speaking). Stringer thought he could rise above himself, and found the fall same as Icarus. Also, D'Angelos final synopsis of the great Gatsby actually being about stringer is why the wire will never be surpassed. Had he been ready to "get real with the program", maybe he wouldn't have killed D and in turn saved himself.

[@madarauchiha-yc9hg]

suggestions vick mackey from the shield T bag from prison break jax teller from sons of anarchy

[@russellsales7796]

Here's hoping Marlo also gets an Analyzing Evil episode. That guy deserves a spot on this channel.

[@davidrivette8127]

Marlo, Chris, Avon, Mouzonne, hell even McNulty and Bodie could have their own episodes.

[@Bruhman5thfloor224]

Don’t forget Prop Joe and Snoop .

[@SeemsLogical]

Marlo, Chris, Snoop & Cheese were probably the most evil people in the show. The first 3 were serial murderers, the last one was a greedy rat. Prop Joe, Stringer Bell, Clay Davis & Maury Levy were mastermind deception artists. Not necessarily evil for the sake of being evil, but more like being willing to do evil deeds to get what they wanted. But probably the most evil person on the show was the person we know the least about: The Greek (and he isn't even Greek). He was the person highest up on the hierarchy, the one most responsible for bringing evil into the lives of everyone else through his drug smuggling, prostitution ring and his calculated assassinations. He turned being evil into a successful business, working at optimal efficiency. But he won't ever get an episode on this channel because there isn't enough screen time of him to dissect. The show runners purposely left him in the shadows throughout the show, quietly doing his work pulling strings and watching everyone else move on his actions.

[@madarauchiha-yc9hg]

suggestions vick mackey from the shield T bag from prison break jax teller from sons of anarchy

[@abdulbaseer2096]

Brother muzzuon

[@mattphilcarver6218]

My father used to tell me: "a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing." To me, that's Stringer all over. He was usually the smartest man in the room, so he assumed he'd be the smartest man in any room. Levi and Clay used him. And Omar and Brother outwitted him. Four very different types of criminal, and they were all smarter than Stringer.

[@andrepeters540]

Even Avon showed a little more knowledge when string took him to meet the contractors. He didn't even speak their language but he knew they was running a hustle.

[@thewireboy100]

@@andrepeters540 Y'all fucked up so y'all supposed to take the hit. My man don't know nothing about the cost of no steel or the cost of no land he just trying to get some shit built

[@if6was929]

Knowing what your limitations are may be the most important aspect of intelligence. Stringer Bell always thought he had control of the situation but he didn't account for how random disruptions could affect his plans. His intelligence fed his ego but like a cataract slowly forming over the eye, it eventually prevented him perceiving weaknesses to his convoluted machinations.

[@DG360MaN]

"You know what's more dangerous than a gun" "A N****a with a library card" -brother mouzone

[@billbixby557]

​​@@DG360MaN I tell this line to the folks at the library every time I go... Obviously I substitute 'that word' with 'man, guy, dude, person.'

[@KendrixD]

The Wire is the only TV show that literally any character, however minor, deserves an essay written about them.

[@wambokodavid7109]

Even the streets were a character

[@22don30]

@@wambokodavid7109 Baltimore was the main character

[@australian2]

Same as The Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire.

[@targetegrat]

That is the best part about the show. There is no main character.

[@rubub8455]

minors 😋😋

[@rafaelgustavo7786]

And to think that, in the end, Marlo managed to reach the level of acceptance, wealth and (possible) influence that Stringer so dreamed of, but that's the difference between the two characters: Stringer's dream was Marlo's nightmare (who lived and "breathed" the "game" of the streets).

[@marlom7882]

They both wanted wealth, influence, and power but in the 2 opposite ways. Stringer wanted to go legit, live a normal life he never had. Be legit and didn’t want to die in the streets like another thug. He wanted more for himself than to just be another corner boy that lived and died by the street. Marlo wanted the exact opposite. He wanted to wear the crown be the best and most influential distributor in west Baltimore. But that way was made in a river of blood and violence and that’s what it’ll end in. But that’s what Marlo *wanted.* Stringer story ended with the streets finding his way back to him and Marlo’s ended with him having a chance to make it out the hood but went back to the streets. Both of their nightmares was the other person’s dream.

[@gps9679]

That right. Marlo's dream was having what Omar had, respect and reputation among the streets, but since he was away from the game, nobody even knew who he was. His the definition of "Even when you win, you can lose"

[@minnumseerrund]

Marlo wanted the crown, nothing else. Stringer kinda feels like he still wanted that convenience store all along - although obviously his ambitions grew, he still wanted recognition and respect in the legal world more than anything.

[@Ashas.Garden]

To be fair Marlo benefited from inroads, agreements and contacts developed by Joe and Stringer. In essence, he stood on some of Stringer’s accomplishments to reach legitimacy and had a shorter come up.

[@marlom7882]

@@Ashas.Garden damn that made both their stories even more sad

[@petajammeh]

I would say there are multiple characters you could deeply analyse from this series in regards to their moral compass; obviously Stringer Bell and Marlo, but you can’t overlook Avon, Omar, Brother Mouzone, Slim Charles, Michael. And we can’t forget Chris. So many characters who dance along the cross line of morality, depending on their specific circumstances.

[@2russo.phobic4u]

I would think Clay Davis is the most evil of them all no?

[@leeann5442]

SNOOP ... you forgot the main one ... SNOOP

[@WHIPLASHVideosTBT]

The best one would be McNulty

[@distranthegloriouslydeform9259]

@@WHIPLASHVideosTBT mcnulty is flawed for sure. But not evil

[@high5807]

@@distranthegloriouslydeform9259 you are right but he definitely isnt a good guy

[@Dethmaster64]

How ironic that Stringer’s obsession with talking behind closed doors foreshadows his downfall when he is trapped in a building full of closed doors

[@TheSquad4life]

This!! His one strength was somehow is death trap . Poetic in a weird way

[@YourBlackLocal]

This is got to be the biggest reach I’ve ever heard. “Building full of closed doors” so all buildings… Ironically he was trapped in a construction site that was missing doors.

[@dbearded130]

​@@YourBlackLocalif this is the biggest reach you've heard you haven't heard much.

[@madarauchiha-yc9hg]

suggestions vick mackey from the shield T bag from prison break jax teller from sons of anarchy

[@YourBlackLocal]

@@dbearded130 you ever heard of hyperbole? Saying a character liked closed doors is foreshadowing because he died in a building with closed doors. Which is all buildings, is just laughably reaching.

[@TheSquad4life]

Stringer is one the more fully developed antagonist. Even when he was underhanded you never fully rooted against him. He let his guard down thinking he was step ahead from everyone & that was kinda of his Achilles heel

[@GeorgeWC6543]

I think it also works well because it appears that he is going to make it out for a good amount of season 3

[@chrisschick38]

I was fortunate to watch The Wire early on, when Idris Elba was a virtual unknown. It was the very scene you highlighted-when Stringer told D how to spot the snitch-that I knew I was watching a great actor and a star in the making. His portrayal of Stinger made him such a fascinating character, a man who yearned for power and credibility beyond the streets. The sad moral of The Wire is that the game chews up those who f with the system. While It’s too trite to say that Stinger’s pride did him in, it did. String knew Baltimore wouldn’t allow gangsters like him to go legit, but he thought he was smarter and better than anyone who’d already tried. He thought he was that unicorn and paid the price. Also, in a way, he went out on his own terms; not by a street kid or a McNulty, but he did it while trying to attain his lofty goals. Thank you for this analysis, Vile Eye.

[@TeamCat1128]

Same and totally agree.

[@eastsidereviews727]

Stringer getting absolutely played all of season 3 was beautiful to watch. Avon is just as smart as Stringer, maybe even smarter because he was able to immediately sniff out the game Clay Davis and the others were running and tried to warn Stringer, but he would not believe that Clay would be so brazen to play him like he did.

[@franciscvmpbell]

Avon just knew his place in the world. He knew he was a gangster, through and through, and there’s no other path he can take. He knew the business suits wouldn’t accept him, he’s not one of them. Stringer thought money could buy you into anything, that it was the only thing that mattered, but he forgot where all that money came from, and that no matter what he did, he’d never be able to be one of them. Not truly. That’s what cost him his life in the end. The game is the game. No walking away from it.

[@Vinny6962]

Big facts. Stringer is your typical dude from the hood who went to college, then comes back and starts to think that they’re more cunning then everything else. Like corporate rules of operations doesn’t mix well with street shit.

[@Vinny6962]

The funniest part was when Stringer taught his underlings “Robert’s rules of order”. Then, he got mad at his underling for keeping minutes and taking notes at the Co-op meeting lol 😂. Stringer was a walking contradiction

[@StrongandGrand]

@@Vinny6962 "N*gga, is you taking notes on a criminal fucking conspiracy?"

[@mariahyohannes]

@@franciscvmpbell He believed there was no other path to take, but there’s always a way out.

[@gps9679]

Even being the horrible and manipulative person that he was, you still want to empathize with him. He tried to get out of the game even when everybody he came in contact with played him. A smart person born in the wrong place and in the wrong time. But then again, he was completely responsible for his acts and that was the cause of his downfall

[@tapset]

Nah not after he screwed ds girl and sold out avon

[@Lowtierlightskin]

It's implyed that string snitched on Avon which In my opinion makes what he got deserved, because how you going to kill Wallace and DeAngelo for possibly snitching Then turn around and do it yourself.

[@TheZombieButler]

I see how you see it, GPS . Every time he makes a mistake that leads to his fate it's always because he breaks the rules of the street. If he was in a corporate setting he would have flourished.

[@afrosamourai400]

I never empathized with this sucker...

[@number3stunner118]

It wasn't just implied that Stringer snitched on Avon - it was shown happening. I had no empathy for him. He set Deangelo up, WHILE screwing his girl. He had it coming. It was just a weird to see him finally go by the time he did. But for me, I fell asleep with the DVD on, and woke up at the point when his body was discovered. But I was waiting for him to get his.

[@LucLB01]

Stringer was book smart. He had an advantage over his peers because most of them were high school dropouts while he went to the university. But when he tried getting into the legitimate word, he got played like a beginner by Clay Davis.

[@CREOLEHEAT]

He didn't even know what absolved meant. Muzone sniffed him out in less than 5 mins.

[@lennarthagen8730]

Shiiiiiiiet

[@TheFrostbite324]

It’s was easy on the street because people are playing with their lives. Stringer couldn’t intimidate his way through legitimate business with all the rules and regulations.

[@kefkapalazzo1]

reminds of of this anime hunter x hunter. the protagonists are these extremely gifted kids described as like one in 10 million talents. they're gonna bet stronger than almost every adult in the series. but they dont have the experience and their bodies are still so young so it doesn't really matter even if they have the talent right bow.

[@devonharvey8414]

@@kefkapalazzo1bro the show is peak I love it

[@daniell1483]

Stringer is a great villain because he is so understandable. He wants to better his life; this on its own is not a bad motive. He takes the methods of a refined, logical CEO and applies it to the drug trade. The product is just that to Stringer, a business product. He has customers, employees, market competitors, product breakage, etc. He was a genuinely gifted man, cunning, and it is interesting to imagine what he would have been like if he wasn't immersed in the drug trade.

[@seamusmoran4776]

THANK YOU so much for covering one of the greatest villains of all time, love the channel and your incredible content

[@revolversnake126]

"I look at you these days, String, you know what I see? I see a man without a country. Not hard enough for this right here and maybe, just maybe, not smart enough for them out there."

[@jacobkakyoin6882]

Whoa, literally just finished watching this show a couple days ago. Insane how good it is. Thinking about all the ways Stringer was kidding himself while getting played by all sides to the end all the time. Real bastard.

[@tariqpittman]

I would anticipate a Marlo or overall episode on The Wire, but analyzing evil is an elastic product.

[@SirNxgroUnChained]

For sure! I honestly think “Baltimore” or entire organizations could work as a evil worth analyzing. Whether it be Marlo’s team, bmore police department, bmore co-op, the greeks. So much that can be covered!

[@Lowtierlightskin]

Marlo is kinda like Avon without the respect.

[@jonathonjohnson1227]

@@LowtierlightskinAvon was more of an honor bound man than Marlo. They both roughneck type warrior lords, Avon was just authentic and direct, Marlo was more cerebral and Machiavellian. Not saying Avon didn’t know how to pull strings/play his part. That whole John Blaze section for Avon in season 2 was wild to me, real or a writing mistake, because the power either got to his head, or they wrote themselves in a corner and made him get dopey and aggressive in the street like that to take charges. It’s wild, he had just got cut loose too, so regaining your freedom should make you slow down and assess your surroundings/people thoroughly and change your game plan.

[@tariqpittman]

@@jonathonjohnson1227 Yeah, Avon was much more of a man of the people in the way despite the law not knowing who he was, but Marlo was a force of nature that went beyond reasoning.

[@kb4903]

Marlo is pretty simple. The best player and absolute as a gangster. His ending is interesting but we also don’t see enough of his motives and conflicts.

[@isaiahdaddys9379]

My dad’s favorite show is The Wire and I remember asking him who his favorite character was. I for sure thought he was gonna say Wee Bey, Slim or McNulty. But he said it was Stringer. I asked him why and he told me he’s never saw the story of the aspiring black man in America done so well. Shoutout to Idris Elba for a iconic performance, he will never not be String to me in any other form of media lol.

[@yourneighborhoodxenos]

The Wire is my favorite show as well, but for me, the show gives viewers enough that you're not supposed to "like" McNulty. Awesome character, but I hated that guy from Day 1 lol Kima all the way

[@jamescrock2213]

the bunk and lester for me. terribly good show

[@whiteboyphilly4016]

I appreciate you doing characters that fly under the radar.

[@MechaSlash]

Man I screamed out loud when I saw this on my page, stringer is one of my favorite characters from the wire due to how despicable and snakelike he is. I'm glad you covered this.

[@johansmallberries9874]

I believe Stringer and his copy shop front strongly influenced the character of Gus Fring and his fast food joint. Not just the business front idea, but more so that they worked it as their legit day job cover, and ran it to a high standard.

[@makosimp5022]

Gus always striked me as a mixture of Stringer's business mindset, Brother Mouzone's gentlemanly nature and skill, and Marlo's complete and utter lack of humanity

[@MarkotnySzczur]

To me Stringer was the most complex character in the show: ruthless gangster, who killed many people including a child, and yet a visionary who wanted to make game civilized, less violent and strictly business. Intelligent and reasonable (at least when compared to hot-headed Barksdale) and yet Clay Davis hurt his ego so much that he wanted to kill a freaking state senator. He really loved Avon like a brother, but in the end betrayed him in the name of his vision. Ambicious man who studied economy and dreamed about leaving ghetto and entering upper class of Baltimore. He was truly a man of contrasts and, in the end, Idris Elba did just splendid job with him, so it was a pleasure seeing him on screen.

[@leeann5442]

You should do The Vile Eye - The Wire Edition - so many rich characters to choose from to analyze!

[@Saveyourbs]

💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@ubt3606]

💯

[@illberightback5015]

what’s that

[@lunacascade1125]

Stringer tried to "play the away game". His conniving ways caught up with him. Excellent video. Thx

[@StainsStainsStains]

The wire is slept on because a lot of people think it’s nothing but a inner city gangsta show. Plus it was overshadowed by the sopranos during its run.

[@keithjackson6865]

It ain’t ever been slept on.

[@StainsStainsStains]

@@keithjackson6865 sure it has. It never and probably never will reach the mainstream appeal of the sopranos or breaking bad.

[@illberightback5015]

true

[@lebumjames1373]

@@StainsStainsStainsMainstream = white. A show like the wire isn't relatable to most non black people.

[@The_Love_Counselor]

@@StainsStainsStainsit’s listed as the #2 best show, while sopranos is #1 and Breaking Bad is #3. So never been slept on. It had low ratings at the offset but is a slow burn.

[@nappssnapps2891]

YESSSSS its about time we get a Stringer Bell analyzes!! He has been a character who made my blood run cold since the very first time i saw him. This show is my favorite TV Crime drama of all time, period. its the best of the best. i actually just bought the dvd box set recently to always have read when i wanna walk down memory lane. Law and Order has nothing on this show.

[@The2KXperience]

What I love so much about Stringer's character is that while he's clearly very intelligent, his number one weakness is that he was never as smart as he thought he was. And whenever he had to come face-to-face with this fact, rather than accept it and try to learn from it, his ego would force him into acting rashly.What an awesome character, and a stellar performance by Idris Elba.

[@jacko250]

Other classic TV villains you need to cover are: T-Bag - Prison Break Bob - Twin Peaks J. R. Ewing - Dallas Trevor Goodchild - Æon Flux The Governor - The Walking Dead The Hood - Thunderbirds Khan - Star Trek Ben Linus - Lost Arthur Mitchell aka the Trinity Killer - Dexter Nina Myers - 24 Red John - The Mentalist The Smoking Man - The X-Files The Swede - Hell on Wheels Sylar - Heroes

[@Regular-Sized]

One thing my father taught me young is you never wanna be the smartest person in the room. You learn increasingly less, your ego grows, and you get sloppy. You start underestimating the other people and thats when you get caught slipping. So, once you feel the knowledge you can glean from start to wane, you gotta find better rooms. Sure, you drop down on the totem pole a bit, but the climb back up is where you gain the most anyways. Stringer wanted to be worthy of smarter rooms, but he didn’t embrace that drop on the totem pole. He tried to bring that inflated ego he gained in the rooms he came from with him to the next level, which made it impossible for him to learn from and adapt to people like Clay Davis and not even consider consulting with Levy until he was already floundering. And in the end, he’s shot to death by two unadulterated killers who are entirely unconcerned with that sort of social elevation, in a stalled construction site. That’s pure poetry.

[@shadejakva9367]

Judge Doom from "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" remains my top pick for future villain to review. Scared the absolute hell out of me when I was a child seeing the movie in theaters especially at the movie's climax. Another would be the Ghostface Killers from Scream if you felt like covering them all as their motives vary(or maybe the original two from the first). Love your work and takes on so many memorable evil-doers!

[@kenrobinson7563]

Scared the shit outta me as a kid

[@StrongandGrand]

I didn't watch the movie for years after the first time. That was traumatic.

[@shadejakva9367]

@@StrongandGrand SAME! When his true nature was revealed I was so scared i couldn't look at the screen the whole time my parents had to tell me what it was over before I'd look up at the screen again and I had nightmares. Mind you and I was like four at the time but still!

[@shadejakva9367]

@@kenrobinson7563 God yeah. When I saw his real eyes I was so terrified. Doom scared an entire generation of kids that's for sure.

[@isaiahdaddys9379]

Thank you Vile eye. I think Levy deserves an episode as well.

[@anophelesnow3957]

Maurice deserves a long episode. Though I sympathise with him not wanting cold brisket.

[@James-vc1kc]

I don’t think Levy really would have enough content for a stand alone video, maybe he’d have to do something similar to the Pulp Fiction video. Levy’s strategy boils down to making more billable hours: that’s why he was so excited when Marlo got a phone. He doesn’t care whether he wins or loses ultimately. Yes winning a case improves his reputation, but if he loses he still profits.

[@CT-Irodion]

A lot of characters from The Wire need an episode. Omar Little, Tommy Carcetti, Clay Davis, the Barksdale Organization (Avon, D’Angelo, Poot, Bodie), the Stansfield Gang (Marlo, Chris and Snoop), New Day Co-Op (Cheese and Prop Joe), and the Greeks.

[@transformersrevenge9]

Levy was more evil than any gangster. Case in point, those men are raised in a world of struggle and violence, so they can be forgiven just a little bit. Levy grew up in wealth and went to college. He has no excuse to order a hit on witnesses. And that's just what he did in season 1. He brought up old witnesses to two murderous drug lords, and told them that they need to clean house. He can't hide behind ignorance or bad upbringing. He ordered the deaths of two people who are not in the game.

[@MrTekKnowledge]

Levy - the only person who could laugh at stringer bell and get away with it.

[@suncu91]

I like how his school grade describes his character. A- Smart, but not smart enough.

[@homelessknight4651]

This couldn’t have been released at a better time. Stringer is one of the greatest TV villains of all time.

[@JayCity10]

Her yo lock that door.

[@anophelesnow3957]

String had his good points. He did not like heat loss and poor insulation, he carefully and regularly reminded his staff to shut the door.

[@anophelesnow3957]

Idris Elba is still the man, though

[@SpicyTexan64]

That's a weakness

[@StrongandGrand]

Ayo, lock that door.

[@loworochi]

I been waiting for this one. I really feel like he’s been naive the whole time. As if he could run the hood like a business would work. He thought he could escape where he came from but you can never run away from ‘the game’.

[@D3athL1vin]

Just recently finished the series and it's good to see the depth of the writing still being recognized. Characters like Stringer have so many subtle weaknesses (doors) that are never outright emphasized by the show but feel perfect when analyzed in retrospect

[@Nefville]

Y'all are giving me too many 40 degree days. Glad to see Stringer on here. I'd love to see Omar Little or Brother Muzone!

[@kb4903]

I never noticed stringers clothes and how they change based on who he is talking to. Sweats for the street, suits for the lawyers and business people. Even at the coop he dresses gangster. He is in more suits in s3 around gangsters showing how he is losing any relevance and connection in his mind to the game.

[@phoenixtylewitters5442]

I think a scene you could've talked about is when he finds out about clay davis' scam and immediately tries to get someone to kill davis. Its a perfect illustration of how stringer is clean until it personally affects him and his habit of making others just do it for him. I think avon said it best "When I see you I see a man without a country, not hard enough for the street life and not smart enough for the politicians"

[@davidschelkens9481]

Hubris is what did Stringer in. So confident in his street skills he couldn't envision himself being played by people he thought were lesser men.

[@danyf.1442]

The Wire had incredibly complex characters, and Stringer is one of the most interesting, intelligent, charismatic, but a bit too cocky and that in the end got him killed. Imho he was not cut for that world. Omar coming!!!(next pretty please)

[@DandifiedToe]

Thank you for making an episode on a character from this show. The Wire loved to implicitly tell you little tidbits about characters and what they represent for Baltimore as a whole and as a result most of a characters strengths and weaknesses are often overlooked by most on first watch. It’s great to see somebody appreciate characters like this that mostly go under the radar

[@SirNxgroUnChained]

We’ve been waiting on these!!!! All the wire content you can bring Vile Eye Lets gooo!!!! 💯🤠

[@chrisgarrett5942]

ABSOLUTELY!

[@thenobleson94]

The problem that plagued Stringer was that he was “ a idiots genius or a Jail house philosopher” I think the best example I can give is him meeting his match against brother Mouzone. When he went to go visit him in the hospital after manipulating Omar into shooting him, he showed his cards even Avon expressed how stupid that was and honestly, I believe Avon is more intelligent than Stringer.

[@charlesdesobry9446]

Very clearly Avon is more intelligent. Even in the first season he fucks I’ll big time by trying to rip off Orlando, not realizing the only way Orlando could get 30gs is if it is a set uo

[@blacksuede]

I imagine we'll have a thorough Playlist eventually from The Wire.

[@QuintBlitz]

You could do this type of video for almost every single big character on the 'street' side, which is yet another reason why The Wire is one of the best shows ever made!

[@mappingshaman5280]

Not really. You could really only do this for marlo plus chris and snoop, and MAYBE Avon. You can't really say Dee, Bodie, Prop Joe, Poot, Omar etc are EVIL per se, just criminals enraptured in a fucked up world. I guess you could say Cheese is evil but the guy has no screen time.

[@transformersrevenge9]

On the other side, he could make a whole video about ''the system'' and how it's the villain too.

[@anatoldenevers237]

@@transformersrevenge9 Honestly The Wire is one of those series where it would probably make most sense to do a big video about the series as a whole rather than just individual character videos.

[@transformersrevenge9]

@@anatoldenevers237 well Stringer was unique enough to deserve his own video. But overall just as the Wire analyzes every layer of corruption, from the streets, to the schools, police, news, politics and etc., an analyzing evil episode on the rest of the show, should analyze the system itself, and how it creates evil.

[@RacingHeartMedia]

Up there with the corner

[@carsoncomplains]

There are quite a few memorable characters in The Wire. Stringer was definitely one of them. There's just something about Omar. I've never seen a character be both so mythical and so human at the same time

[@jaredmello]

He was Obama’s favorite character lol

[@holdinweight]

I've been a follower of yours for a long time and The Wire is one of my all-time favorite shows and you actually hitting on stringer is so clutch!! Can't wait for Marlo!

[@shumishumi2059]

One of the best Shows ever, so glad you covered Stringer

[@Sully0020]

I like how Stringer mirrors Bunny Colvin in Season 3. The theme of the season is basically people trying to reform the system and failing. Both Stringer and Colvin had ambitious goals, but in the end, they were each "killed" in pursuit of those goals. Even their last words are the same: "Get on with it motherfucker".

[@King-wl6zj]

Stringer is perhaps the best written tv antagonist ever in the best written tv show I’ve seen.

[@elliota.1063]

You GOTTA do Marlo. His combo of strategic thinking, knowing his limitations, and COMPLETE disregard for (and often enjoyment of) taking human life makes him the scariest (in a realistic way) character I've ever seen in TV/Movie history...

[@hgbugalou]

You have to cover Omar too. He isn't pure evil, but certainly does evil work and suffering. His code makes him far more complex than stringer or Marlo too IMO. Let's be real too, Chris Partlow would be a short video as just the most evil mfer on the planet.😅

[@jeremyarrington9427]

yeah i absolutely hated chris.

[@МаркоАврамовић-п1т]

"You throw the guns, into the water. Splash." -- Stringer Bell. Thanks, Vile Eye. Stringer's such a good villain that I never perceived him as one. A selfish and treacherous piece of shit that did everything he did out of completely human motivations and emotions.

[@andrewemerson7861]

Yes! One I love! Can next be Ramses from The Prince of Egypt?

[@kingjeter4921]

Stringer Bell was one of the best ever. I would like to see a future vid on Clay from Sons Of Anarchy, Franklin from Snowfall

[@Ryan-Dawes]

One of your best videos! Idris Elba became one of my favorite actors after the first season. Stringer Bell's intelligence and ruthlessness as a business man would have made him a billionaire if he would have had a better start to life.

[@Sangria]

He who doesn't respect the "The Sunday Truce" is evil.

[@TheKingOfN0thing]

Ohhhh man, this is something I didn’t even know I needed. I recently finished the wire for the first time and Stringer was def my favorite character

[@MrKeepItGoing]

Been waiting on this one! Loving the content Vile Eye! It’s only right that you do Marlo or Omar next!

[@Ninja1Ninja2]

do one on bubbles lmao

[@rustyhook69]

@@Ninja1Ninja2 😂

[@afrosamourai400]

Omar is not evil

[@smithjeff3002]

@@afrosamourai400 peace! Hmm…an evil man with an honor code, perhaps?

[@kiandraquinn8238]

YES!!! I've been waiting for you to analyze villains from The Wire. It's such a great series.

[@Mikechain97]

With Snowfall now over I would love an Analyzing Evil of Franklin Saint. Snowfall was definitely inspired by the wire.

[@TheBlaxstones]

🤣🤣🤣 @9:18 "Does the chair recognize we gonna look like some punk ass bitches?" - - No matter how many times i watch this series I crack up at this part every time

[@Ekklo]

Never have I clicked a notification so fast. Thank you Vile.

[@jamesthomison4356]

So many people from this show deserve videos. Marlo, Levy, Clay Davis, the Greeks, Snoop and Chris, even Omar to a certain extent

[@jaisonbruce4780]

Avon, Michael, Mayor Royce, Cheese. You really can get in depth with the wire

[@jamesthomison4356]

@@jaisonbruce4780 was Royce evil?

[@Haul98900]

Analyzing omar, marlo, Chris partlow, Snoop, Avon... the wire is a gold mine for the channel

[@deathbywords]

Snoop would be so good!!

[@senorpepper3405]

​@deathbywords6285 you earned that money 💰

[@liljoe31]

"You earned that bump like a muh fkuh"

[@jasperhayes-klein2929]

"Trying to wash the unwashable" = That's the BEST!!!! description of String I've ever imagined

[@clownroyal1]

Amazing TV series. One of the absolute best.

[@chaylewis7678]

Brilliant video, one of the most complex and well written characters on television

[@Lizardprez69]

Your voice is so satisfying to hear its like a anxiety medication I swear

[@heavybre]

Yet another great analysis of a great villain Mr. Vile. May I suggest for your future analysis the following characters: Franklin Saint from Snowfall Louie Saint from Snowfall Teddy from Snowfall Vaz from Farcry 3 Alduin from Skyrim Lulu from League of Superpets

[@kb4903]

This has amazing analysis on a brilliant character. What’s amazing about the word is that it makes you think that the criminals could be amazing human being if they grew up outside the game. Marko and stringer could be very successful business people. Stringers two sides of the game is fascinating.

[@keanucooper2103]

2:52 why does that dude look like the black version of Vito from The Sopranos😂😂

[@Success4u247]

Best television drama ever made and couldn’t be made today.

[@316shizacies]

I loved how they did stringer ... I understand what he tried to do, but doing it his way , you put it so well "using oily rag to clean". He got what he deserved in the end

[@mrbucket1571]

My excitement when seeing this is immeasurable

[@0749Rockystar]

The next episode should be for Omar. Omar is able to significantly impact Barksdale's day-to-day operations on numerous occasions. Omar is even seen as a hero to the kids throughout the hood.

[@YackaSleep]

The ONLY knock I have about the show’s writing involving Stringer is, it feels more like String was brought in to maintain things than him actually growing up with Avon. He seemed like a stranger to the city at times. Avon had to explain too many things to him that he would’ve known growing up there. The main example is the “ Sunday Truce”. I understand why it was written that way. The wanted a way to to explain the different situations to the unfamiliar audience. But for them to have been together So long and made it So far, I feel like they would’ve understood each other to the point of not having to speak about the basic rules of Baltimore. Like Marlo and Chris. Avon had to check Stringer on a Few basic rules like he was from out of town. They kinda felt like strangers and it felt a little unnatural calling them childhood boys. But I’m splitting hairs, the writing is amazing and they had to do it this way for the audience’s sake. This is the greatest show to get lost in and everything I’ve said is all just my opinion. Thank you for reading.

[@erroneouse1929]

it felt like stringer was friends with avon but grew up in private school. he had intelligence but no street smarts compared to avon

[@will_cashgrow2294]

The Snowfall series is now over I can't wait to hear your (The Vile Eye/Analyzing Evil) analysis of Franklin Saint and everyone else from the show

[@legoqueen2445]

Just started watching the Wire after years of hearing how good it is. Only up to the start of Season 2 but it seems to me Stringer is setting things up so he can take over the whole empire. Watching this will probably spoil watching the series but I'd like to have my hunch confirmed. Also, I was genuinely heartbroken for the kid getting killed by his mates on Stringer's command in Season 1. I understood he wanted to ensure there were no loose ends and the kid seemed like he was going to testify, but still, ruthless! Plus all the little kids don't have anyone looking out for them anymore😢

[@oviniciussiqueira]

Amazing video! Can't express how long I waited for this.

[@damianstarks3338]

This dude is a pretty terrifying villain.

[@devil_pls]

Thank you for covering the Wire. By far one of my all time favorite shows EVER!

[@HorrorManMike]

A cool villain I'd like to see you cover eventually is Mr. Gone from The Maxx comics and MTV cartoon based on the comic. He's a smooth talker, knowledgeable, a mystic master, sage, spirit guide, misogynist, serial rapist. It's like if Obi-wan Kenobi and Darth Vader were the same person.

[@JayCity10]

Great video. I have a top ten list of underrated and great villains. They are among my favorites, from my favorite films. 1. Johnny Ringo from Tombstone 2. Eric Qualan from Cliffhanger 3. Nino Brown from New Jack City 4. Rico from Paid N Full 5. Bricktop from Snatch 6. Tupac from Juice 7. Sgt. Waters from A Soldier's Story 8. Shooter McGavin from Happy Gilmore 9. God from In Too Deep 10. Edward Norton from Primal Fear Can you do a video on these characters? I've been asking for a while now. If I need to join your patron to get a video, let me know, thanks.

[@erxen2]

Yes! More from The Wire please!

[@abeekugeorge3593]

Al Swearengen from Deadwood, Boyd Crowder from Justified, Edward Wuncler 1 from Boondocks, Anasûrimbor Kellhus From R Scott Bakkers Second Apocalypse Novels, Sebastian Shaw From X-men: First Class

[@jonathonjohnson1227]

this may not be the Marlo episode, but still- My name, is my name.

[@JayCity10]

Hey yo, lock that door.

[@mario167100]

"You know the difference between me and you? I bleed red and you bleed green. I look at you these days, String, you know what I see? I see a man without a country. Not hard enough for this right here and maybe, just maybe, not smart enough for them out there." -Avon to Stringer

[@transformersrevenge9]

OH MY GOOD LORD, IT'S THE WIRE! God I love this show so much. Stringer is such a great character. I especially like how my perception of him changes with every watch. Younger me thought that he was the smart one of his group, while older me realizes that he was playing the game wrong, and in the end, he was really a man without a country. Too much of a businessman to be respected by bloodthirsty gangsters, and too much of a thug to be respected by the con artists at the city hall. In theory he was right, but in practice the streets were not ready for his ideas just yet. Sure the coop funtioned like he envisoned, but once predatory mafakas like Marlo and Omar come into the picture, the co-op had to fold, and Stringer got shot. Also, the moment were he and Avon are both acing like bros, while both being heartbroken about betraying each other, is peak fiction. And I highly recommend doing an Analyzing Evil on Vic Mackey from The Shield. It's the most underrated big drama show (often being overshadowed by Sopranos, Breaking Bad, and even The Wire). But the amoral Detective Vic Mackey, who uses every dirty and horrible method to get the job done, is one complex anti-hero to analyze.

[@Broco1L]

Thank You for your Fascinating analyzation! Your mention at the end about Stringer trying to bring others to the surface reminded me of Plato’s Allegory of the Cave showcasing the effect of education and the lack of it on our nature🤔 Stringer tried to share his new view with the others but inevitably will always be betrayed by ignorance afraid of its own shadow😢

[@masonmccarthy9057]

Do Vern Shillinger or Simon Adebisi from "Oz" both characters are insanely vile and fun to watch

[@Daniel-mf3bc]

Frr

[@someokiedude9549]

The Wire's another one of those shows that has a lot of great villains like Stringer, Marlo, The Greek, Snoop, Chris, Clay Davis, even Omar (though he's more of a dark anti-hero/anti-villain than a straight up villain), and so on. This was a great video. String is one of the best!

[@shaun5497]

Please do a George Costanza! He was pure evil and I would love to see you explain it!

[@RiqueG478]

Thank You Vile Eye for evaluating characters from The Wire. I can’t wait till you evaluate Marlo as well.

[@jruss9851]

Please do Bishop from Juice

[@deathbywords]

Best idea

[@kagelynx]

That "part Frank Lucas' killed him 😂

[@salacca2297]

I just binged The Wire again last week thanks to a different channel. HBO is honestly the best for original stories drawn out into long term shows.

[@akilmcdaniel5633]

Please do Marlo Stansfield next in my opinion one of best villains any media has had to offer

[@edstringer1138]

The "Get on with it " was Stringer hearing your analysys and getting it to late