Why Wasn't Sergei Killed For His Betrayal? | The Wire Explained

[@henrybiggs3113]

They didn't kill him because they didn't have to... Their names were not their names... All police had were the names that everybody else had... The Greek & his #2 stayed the king, always...💯💯💯

[@StinkyCashFlatEarth]

The Greek was not the king. If you pay close attention, you’ll find out Maury Levy is the true king.

[@henrybiggs3113]

@@StinkyCashFlatEarth / Levi worked for the criminals... When his name came up in incidences, he has to make deals... He couldn't just walk off & assume a new identity & pick up where he left off...💯💯💯

[@StinkyCashFlatEarth]

@@henrybiggs3113 the criminals actually work for Levy and did every single thing he ever told them to do. He even smacks D’Angelo Barksdale across the head and there are no repercussions. He represents every single major dealer in Baltimore for all 5 seasons. He is the true King pin. The jewish lawyer.

[@henrybiggs3113]

@@StinkyCashFlatEarth / Y'all dudes will argue about anything...😫😫😫 I thought this was about the greeks & why they didn't kill Sergei... Levy is a lawyer, he is not apart of a criminal enterprise... He makes extra money on the side from it... It's his job to advise who he deals with... I don't even know what that means, Levy is the true king... King of what...?? He wasn't getting the greeks containers passed through the port nor giving them advice on what to do when it went awry... Levy was local, the Greeks were international...

[@StinkyCashFlatEarth]

@@henrybiggs3113 you obviously weren’t paying close enough attention especially throughout season 5. so what that Levy is a lawyer? Prop joe was an electronics repairman.

[@mariozd971]

Spiros was a little sentimental guy, he hoped he shouldn't have kill Frank Sobotka but it was only possible solution, but he was relieved he didn't have to kill Nicky whom he liked very much.

[@melker-nn4md]

The Greeks? They're a glorified crew!

[@WestSideGorilla1980]

Pygmy thing

[@thru_and_thru]

😂 “bunch of farmers down in Baltimore”

[@allpraisestothemosthigh9418]

They're with the Vipers!!

[@dukedematteo1995]

Fuckin Elvis country..

[@bigkahuna3534]

@@thru_and_thru those greeks never had respect for our thing. they make anyone and everybody over there. no feta on the table no shots of ouzo. disgrace

[@devangnivatkar2649]

This has been my fan theory for years as well. If you get picked up, first stall the cops, allowing your bosses enough time to get out. Sergei does this by asking for vodka (for example) when he clearly knows he's not getting it. He does it by posturing about having done time in Ukraine and the American prison system not scaring him. Then he gives information that's easily covered up or fairly irrelevant to get a lighter sentence

[@BillJones-fn8pt]

Yeah agreed they had a protocol hence why he could still reach out giving false names and a temporary burner address was hardly the nail in the coffin ..

[@davidhowell1415]

he's not Ukrainian

[@napoleonsolo5929]

@@davidhowell1415 I think he is. He's definitely not Russian.

[@_good_for.]

You explained it well thbns

[@VanirTraditionalist]

Season 2 is criminally underrated.

[@Jestin612]

I didn't like it at first but I love it now.

[@KtotheG]

Nick's girlfriend's "twins" scene made it worth the price of admission, lol. Season 2 is great. Ziggy was dynamic. He was like Fredo Corleone from The Godfather.

[@actuallynotsteve]

It really is, people get way too mad about it not being just more of Season 1, because at that time it wasn't known or expected that the focus of the show would shift with each season. I love Season 2.

[@Paul-vf2wl]

@@KtotheG Lotta talent in season 2 strippers hookers even Mcnutty's ex.

[@peaceindarkness.darknessis3494]

Agreed.its my favorite

[@davidemelia6296]

I think The Greeks had a plan for Sergei getting arrested and being 'turned' against them, and part of that was that Sergei would be allowed to 'snitch' on them to avoid the death penalty. That way, The Greeks would know to cut and run if Sergei ever did get arrested (they'd know that Sergei would 'snitch' on them if arrested, and they'd have a contingency plan in place for that), and Sergei would know that he wouldn't have to get executed for his crimes (because of his 'co-operation' with the police), and that The Greeks would still take care of him even though he was doing a life sentence (because he'd gone along with their plan). And the police wouldn't know how The Greeks had gotten away from them, even though Sergei had 'ratted' on them. The police would lose everything they had on The Greeks up until that point, and would have to start from scratch.

[@BruteStrength99]

I think you're right. Often times drug cartels will give associates permission to snitch to cut the best deal they can but they usually send a lawyer to sanitize the information they give authorities so it's either old and useless or directed towards their rivals

[@coolpeople4287]

In the military we write down "lessons learned" from previous deployments or missions and pass this info down to our relief. The drug cartel had learned plenty of "lessons" over the years and always knew how to outsmart the police in every situation.

[@mariozd971]

Sergei said while in prison-for me this isn't prison, i was in a real prison in Ukraine. Makes me think how ukrainian prisons looked in 90s, crowded, with many gangs who controlled various rackets. US prisons to me seen very violent and racially divided

[@maxclifford937]

I agree, also it is probably useful for the Greeks to have some contact inside prison. Honestly they always gave the impression of being a few steps ahead of everyone else so I'd imagine it is planned out to some degree.

[@peaceindarkness.darknessis3494]

Respect the validity of this theory

[@thomasbennett9155]

I love the first meeting they show with Sergei and proposition Joe. Clearly, they connect on several levels and understand that it’s all business, but seem to genuinely like each other as well.

[@JJJ111JJJ]

Do you like that they're black and white and get along well?

[@BigBoneESB]

The Greeks were too connected to miss Sergei snitching. Both parties likely realized Sergei walked the tight rope and only gave up information that was already known, so no harm done. Sergei getting to live (and family probably compensated) guaranteed his loyalty AND an enforcer right in the heart of the East Coast H trade: the Baltimore prison where many deals went down. Sergei was far more valuable alive, but why he wasn't DEPORTED back to his old country is a more interesting question - what is he doing rotting in an American prison for life on American tax dollar?

[@Hgthjhgffhjkhrr]

In the eyes of the concept of the War on Drugs, we win a “battle” by locking him on our soil, so we have eyes on him. Makes sense? Maybe, but no.

[@stevenhaas9622]

as a low level muscle guy he would have def been deported.

[@miseago]

You don't get deported until AFTER you serve your time.

[@TheDCGuitar13]

I believe Sergei informing was a contingency plan all sides agreed to. Marlo still had to go through Sergei to get to the Greeks so clearly they weren’t on bad terms

[@munstrumridcully]

IMO, the "Greeks" spared him for a combination of reasons. A) as you mentioned, they I fo he gave the cops was largely useless to the cops and never led to any arrests or seizures of product of the Greeks B) which is akin to reason A, the Greeks seemed overall less bloodthirsty/rep-obsessed than the way Avon was, or Marlo with his whole "My name is my name!" monologue.the Greeks, while appearing ruthless over business and/or risk from the law, they seemed way less eager than any of them use violence as a first resort. IMO, characters from even shows like The Sopranos could take lessons in restraint and laying low...

[@SuperRobertoClemente]

It's B) all the way. The Greeks are invisible, nameless, faceless and nationless. They don't attract attention by killing anyone. They're the opposite of street hustlers who rely on rep to consolidate power and capital. The Greeks are wholesalers, make big bucks the easiest way and don't fuss about any little stuff-- including Prop Joe getting clipped.

[@Yvanehtnioj2000]

Bro the first scene we see of the Greeks is of them strangling a man after the Greek tells him everything is okay they’re absolutely bloodthirsty and reputation obsessed (those come with it) just not to the same magnitude as a Marlo.

[@doublerdub1]

​@Yvanehtnioj2000 That was a business decision, though. He was the one that basically killed the prostitutes in the stack. That brought the police to their operation as well as it cost them a lot of money.

[@goodyeoman4534]

The Syndicate decided that losing his hair was enough punishment, and losing his life would seem like overkill on top of that.

[@seewhativescene]

This comment was gayer than rawls hiding out at the gay club

[@goodyeoman4534]

@@seewhativescene You're projecting big time.

[@toby099]

@@seewhativescene tell me your bald without telling me your bald lmao

[@rswindol]

I thought his name was Boris.

[@melker-nn4md]

Boris Badenov...

[@KOVIDGOON]

Always Boris!😳🤷🏾‍♂️

[@burniebikeshog2803]

Boris…..why is it alway Boris

[@ndogg20]

Even his wife Natasha calls him Boris.

[@slthjawa5062gggghhjjjjjkkkk]

His name is Robert Paulson

[@GiiipsonPoet]

I know I'm late to the party, but I believe a season 6 that was focused on the prison system would have been super dope. Bringing Avon back to the main character which would bring the the show Full Circle. As far as the streets, they could have had secondary story lines of who ended up taking the place of certain characters and the development of others but the story of showing how much of an authority figure Avon actually is in prison and the effect that it has on the the streets would have been a complete closure to the series in my opinion

[@careyfreeman5056]

Hmm. Oz meets The Wire.

[@eliwhaley4804]

Literally just got done with season two and the next day cina puts this out. Perfect timing

[@flightofthebumblebee9529]

I always assumed because he went to prison and didn't snitch on anyone else but himself. By season 5 Vondas and the Greek are back hanging out at Little Johnny's like the port investigation never even happened. (Kind of silly from a plot and storytelling POV). The main reason Sergei never snitched is because he doesn't need FUHKING CANTEEN.

[@zacharyb2723]

nah they didn't 'hang out' at Johnny's, just Vondas at first went there (i think) when Marlo asked for a meet. they kept the counter man there to keep an eye out, they weren't just grabbing coffee there. still risky, but with their law enforcement contacts they probably know there isn't any real investigation left targeting them.

[@pcharl01]

@@zacharyb2723 to be fair on the time difference between season 2 and season 5 I believe might be 4 to 5 years. So in that case, would the police even be looking into the diner?

[@sillysailor5932]

Sergi did snitch. He told the polce what hotel the greek was in. The police were to slow

[@jwouter]

I don’t think he wanted to help Marlo at all , I think Avon made it clear that if he doesn’t prison will get a lot worse ….. Avon wanted Marlo to cut out the east side as he still held on to the east side west side beef ….

[@Paul-vf2wl]

He was doing a favor for Avon because he needed protection being a white guy in a Baltimore jail.

[@cj-hw3pv]

I think Avon figured out that Prop Joe was a major reason Stringer did what he did and blamed him for Stringers death, Avon did this to get revenge.

[@maxclifford937]

@@cj-hw3pv yea and I think he probably thought Marlo wouldn't last. He would pick a flight with the wrong person in the end and it'll go wrong or get bored when he is the only one left and mess up. Someone like Marlo will always self destruct or make mistake so might as well make use of him while you can.

[@georgejackson4426]

​@@Paul-vf2wlSergei was not being protected by Avon. Unlike most other state prisons the dominant White prison gang in Maryland is affiliated with the BGF.

[@cookieanddabutt2843]

Love this possible Bot. Avon was very analytical.

[@johntaaustin293]

The Greeks knew he talked. Marlo and Chris found him through court paperwork that was a matter of public information. No way the Stansfield Organization knew about his documented cooperation and the Greeks didn’t.

[@zacharyb2723]

Is it in the court papers that he snitched? They try to protect informants, the court papers just say that he took life to avoid the death penalty, am I right? doesn't look like a snitch on paper. With Avon, his sentence was so light that people thought he snitched even though he didn't.

[@johntaaustin293]

@@zacharyb2723 yes everything regarding your case including cooperating is in the papers when you take a plea. If you remember Stringer told the attorney for the connect that he sent all of the document over so that they could see that Avon didn’t cooperate. Sergei’s cooperation would have been used in a trial had they caught Vondas and The Greek so there would be no way for the state to keep what he gave them out of the documents.

[@octavioherschberg5280]

This was always my biggest question. I get the name is not my name thing, but he still tried to sell them out. And why would they take his call for Marlo? I wrote this before watching because I like to pontificate.

[@andrewcook1246]

Contingency plans out the wazoo with them Greeks. Hell of an outfit they were. Tentacles everywhere. He only knew names and he was a good worker. He could've spoke about other murders. "Murders stay murders" or at least for a few decades. Like Vondas said he looks into his peoples eyes and knows if they snitch or turned soft. Knew Sergei was like Bey. Gave up dead and people who were already caught at the scene of the crime. He definitely put in more work that what was shown on S2 and knew plenty more. They probably gave him or his people a small pension and he still has ways to get in touch with them to feed them info. They are the heroin trade so knowing who's trying to do what with Sergei on the inside close to the Avon's up at Jessup. Seems profitable.

[@Natalialoboorca]

I think it's actually simple. There is a good chance they didn't know he was a snitch. He associates with Avon who is "some sort of authority figure up in here" meaning Sergei has status in Prison. You can not get that respect as a known snitch.

[@moneymikz]

The Greeks aren’t bound by the snitch code of the streets, they would have no problem with Sergei giving up useless info to save his life

[@JJJ111JJJ]

Well, he gave the cops the hotel room within hours of them leaving, as indicated by the room not being cleaned by the hotel staff when the police arrive. He couldn't possibly have known they wouldn't be there.

[@actuallynotsteve]

Isn't it possible that Sergei played both sides? He could have ratted to save his skin, and then made his first call The Greek, saying he won't be home for dinner or whatever

[@drmartin5062]

I think they all had plans to rat with info that ultimately leads nowhere

[@jeffvanmeter1330]

According to the book “The Godfather of the Kremlin,” a large percentage of Russian mafia, especially in the upper echelons of power, are former KGB, which would mean that they have specific training in how to avoid giving really important information during interrogation. One technique, is to give information that may seem like gold to interrogators, but is in fact of little value. “The Greek” would have known that Sergei had been arrested, and if he was former KGB himself, he would not only have known that Sergei would give up ‘Something’; but likely have known exactly what Sergei would say.

[@alanmjohnson]

I think it is a slight mischaracterization to say that DeAngelo was killed as retribution for snitching. I mean, he did, but ultimately he didn't do it officially. He was killed to prevent him from having second thoughts somewhere down the line. Also, why would Sergei have been under Avon's protection? Avon never even knew who the Greeks were, if he even knew that they existed (all he knew is that Joe had a good source to heroin).

[@h.o.o.d.recordingandmanage2841]

Because he runs the prison and the Greeks have no pull in the state prisons only the blacks

[@dksoulstice6040]

D'angelo snitched on Weebay and told the cops where he was.

[@ernestomendez2173]

​@@dksoulstice6040 DeAngelo pensó que weebay lo iba quebrar en el sotano donde estaban las peceras. 😂😂

[@answerman9933]

Sergei should have known that being sentence to death, especially in a state like Maryland, means you will more than likely die of old age.

[@sayseriously]

Great vid. Sergei was one of the best side characters.

[@dzilla4208]

I thought it’s like heavily insinuated that the Greek had an FBI informant so I guess I always assumed that he was given a heads up after Sergei told on them

[@jamiegodfather]

I always thought Sergei worked with Marlo because Avon had told him too!! I think he just told Marlo about the Diner it wasn’t a bar!!

[@KtotheG]

I think Sergei was acting because he was so quick to give them up.

[@wynwilliams6977]

Its common in the military when people go on missions, hold out for a certain amount of time, they change codes, call names, mission parameters etc within that time then you can talk about it all you want

[@cookieanddabutt2843]

Never heard of that.

[@Banzai51]

I always got the impression they had a protocol for what info they could safely give up if caught.

[@muntublackson4757]

Season two was the most dynamic and complex in terms of character development and storylines I know its everyone least favorite after season 5 but season 2 was some pretty extraordinary writing

[@JayyJay92]

It was probably established that he could tell them all that on purpose. Cuz he never told the cops about the little deli they operated out of. Or else they would’ve set up cameras there waiting for Greeks to return.

[@lampshade3795]

The first theory makes the most sense.

[@RileyFree1]

It’s simple, whatever he said to the police for the most part couldn’t hurt the Greeks. None of their real names were said, and they had already fled and ducked the indictments. The things Sergei said didn’t further the police’s investigation, the only thing they really got from him was wrapping up who killed that crewman. And you see later on when Marlo is trying to back door prop Joe to get to the plug, Sergei still had a line to the Greeks. I imagine they probably had a meeting about what to do if you were caught just like when they all met and get new identities and passports when the operation was compromised. Blame it on “Vondas” cause Vondas is nobody anyway! We’ll just get him another name! Simple

[@frankmurphy7234]

Haven't watched the video. But I kind of always felt that Sergio was the perfect soldier / Fall Guy kind of like what El Chapo is 2 El Mayo

[@JayyJay92]

That would be a better comparison if it was vondas. Everyone knew vondas very few had talks with the Greek.

[@TheCmascagni]

There is no way they wouldn’t know he snitched.

[@monadreher2428]

They absolutely knew he snitched. It was literally in the dialogue between him and Marlo. Him helping Marlo and putting The Greeks onto a potential promising asset is what would've put him back on The Greek's organization good side.

[@dantemackey7471]

I like that thought.... I didn't think about it like that....that would make more sense... I've always wondered why would they even talk to him again

[@TheCmascagni]

I’m not even Greek….

[@JayyJay92]

Guarantee he was told he could give the fake names in order to save himself. The only thing I didn’t get is he knew they would leave so in season 5 how did he know they were back ? Unless they reached out to him somehow.

[@wilsonblauheuer6544]

The Greeks didn't have access to Sergei's place of incarceration. That makes it difficult to target him, and someone would have to risk life in prison just to set up the assassination. Sergei was lockked away forever and it wasn't likely he could help the police any further, so maybe the Greeks thought Sergei had been punished sufficiently.

[@defAngel]

I always struggled with seasons 1 & 2

[@luisd7636]

good stuff.

[@erics362]

I never understood why Vondas and The Greek returned to Baltimore after their close call with police there.

[@JayyJay92]

I think they went whenever their fbi contact was. When they were in San Diego it’s cuz he was there and now that he’s in Baltimore area they came back.

[@trenttrip6205]

$$$

[@stevenhaas9622]

Because they still have connects on the docks. The docks are the key to their business.

[@erics362]

@@stevenhaas9622 Not my point. I understand why that was a great location for them. But wouldn't their return pose an extreme risk to them given how close the police got to them last time?

[@StephNuggs]

@@erics362 The Wire isnt as well written as the hipsters would have you believe

[@samus282]

I think the writers used Sergei to help unfold the plot. He is the character that connects 3 elements of the story in season 2; the docks, the police and 'the greeks'.

[@johnpenley]

We really have no clue as to how Sergei was related to the connect itself? Could be simply a case of that if anything happens to Sergei, the dope connect goes south? 🤔

[@geordiejones5618]

Any criminal operation needs guys who are willing to "talk" because they know enough to know what not to say and what's gonna be found out no matter what. If your operation depends on total isolation/deniability of upper management, there's not much that anyone below that level can damage more than cops and feds will. That's why you only tell subordinates what they NEED to know and get rid of anyone who suggests they outta know more than they should. If you truly take care of your people and give them no reason to doubt the safety of their family, you'll have people willing to fall for the cause, knowing their loved ones aren't being left out in the rain. It's easy to turn traitor if you feel like the other side will give your dependents a better chance.

[@rooseveltsmith6963]

Sergei wasnt a snitch he did what he was told thats y he was still able to reach out to them.

[@mecachislamar]

i think they were structured, and hence, i buy the line of sergey knowing it was ok to give info. they would know in due time about the information given, and disappear. win win. it is about win win for them to supervise, as seen through the season.

[@CaptainTripppz]

The line-of-thinking near the end of the video seems the most acceptable. The Greek's probably wouldn't have deep reach into the American prison system and simply cut their losses figuring Sergei couldn't do any more damage anyway (due to their cautious nature and knowing he is facing death they would assume he talked). Some of the comments that Sergei would know the Greek's have already cut their losses and limits his cooperation to mostly corroborating what they already know is reasonable. It is heavily implied by the nationalities of their members and Russia prison tattoos they are a trope/caricature of a 'Russia mafia' family. As for Sergei needing Avon's protection in prison: how many white prisoners did you seen in all the season 2 prison scenes? Sergei is tough, but he's in there for a life. Marlo didn't even understand online banking so it's doubtful Sergi gave him a Tor/Freenet or other online way to contact them. All the phone numbers he knew would be burned. And, since Vondas gives Marlo a phone specifically for contacting them, it seems Sergei simply gave Marlo the location for Johnny's Diner (which I think would actually piss them off more...). Nick or Sergei never gave up the Diner to the police, and the other other people alive who knew about it is Ziggy and maybe Johnny Fifty. In the show's final montage we see Fat-Face-Rick and Slim Charles meeting Vondas at the Diner, again suggesting Marlo simply gave them the location. The diner stuff is a bit thin, but most of this is S5 which has a lot of thin and rushed plot points. But, it's good enough two bring back two fan-favorite characters: Avon and Sergei. Also, if you've read this far there is a funny easter egg involving the diner where in S2 Ziggy asks about the pie and Nick says 'it's shit- lets go' and in S5 we see Snoop eating pie at the counter during the meet.

[@bjt81366]

Sergei popping up in season 5 and not dead was just as unrealistic as Marlo being able to meet the Greek in person or the Greek located in the hood. First, the death of the women in the container was national news and his capture would have been big news. Second, if dude just disappeared the Greek would have wanted to find out why because Sergei knows all about the operation. Third, arrests are public records, a couple of phone calls and anyone with a phone can find out who's been pinched. Season 5 was good, but it was the only season that was not realistic.

[@johntaylorson7769]

Can't help but notice a lot of these "why did-?" questions about The Wire come from season 5. Could it have just been substandard writing (and I don't mean bad writing per se, just substandard from the amazing writing of the previous seasons. There's a bunch of stuff about S5 that doesn't make any sense and I don't think it's anything more than a bit of a duff season.

[@CineRanter]

You know, while I was making these videos I was actually thinking that. In fact, I mentioned it in my recent video about Levy.

[@johntaylorson7769]

@@CineRanter Yeah, I watched that one yesterday and it got me thinking about it. S5 is still cracking entertainment and head and shoulders above a lot of other TV, but there's a lot of contrivances which don't wash under close observation. On a couple of rewatches of The Wire I tend to stop after S4 (the last shot of which, possibly intentionally(?) is a STOP sign!). Love your channel by the way- great content and astute observations of some great cinema and TV. You ever looked into The Shield? For my money, the best long game and finale of any crime show (including the behemoth that is The Wire).

[@CineRanter]

@@johntaylorson7769 Thank you. I may do down the line. Currently watching a show that many subscribers have asked for. Going through my list one by one

[@zacharyb2723]

Season 5 had less time to make and fewer episodes, its definitely messier and some stuff was just them rushing to meet HBO's schedule.

[@grinchoi1]

Why would Joe think Marlo was business orientated? He knew that he was beefing with Avon over corners and he had no interest in the co-op or any of those Eastside bosses. Also there is no breaking of the code in killing Marlo. That code applies only to members of the co-op and as stated Marlo didn't care for the co-op. The simple truth is that Marlo had more muscle than all those guys put together. We knew this all of those East Side guys could drive the New Yorkers from THEIR OWN TERRITORIES. They had to get Marlo on it. It would have been cool to see if one of em could get Brother Mouzone to get at Marlo. That would have been fun to watch

[@WittynotSilly]

Joe knew marlo wasn't interested in the co op or the "business" as you put it joe wanted to manipulate marlo he knew that mf was dangerous so he wanted to keep him close sorta how he played stringer you know the saying keep your friends close but your enemies closer killing marlo was certainly not an option.. marlo had monopolized the west side and had 2 of the top hitmen in the city on his team but what prop joe should of known was that marlo wasn't just sarisfied with the westside he wanted control over the whole city but prop joe was in the way of that marlo couldn't muscle his way on the east side because joe had the plug my suspicion is that marlo was plottin on joe from day one he just needed to get up under him and pick his brain knew joe was up to something he just didn't know what so he played dumb , joined the "co op" and let joe show his hand so he could meet the plug once he got in with them he could knock off joe , disband the co op have the whole city on his nipple prop joe played himself into a corner he was the last kingpin in the city after avon got popped.. so he's in marlo's crosshairs , omar got him by the balls over the set up at the card game , new day co op , robbing of the shipment so he can't sic omar on marlo like he did avon.. and avon being locked up has hand enough time to think and he figured out it was prop joe who played on stringer and brought down his whole operation.. joe underestimated marlo's cunning

[@kingfelix1966]

One thing people don't understand about the game.. No one reaches the upper echelon without working with the folks.. Like it or not.. Even the cartels worked with their government and the us government

[@josephlawler1213]

I don't think the greeks forgave Sergei. Avon is probably protecting him in exchange for protection. Avon and the greeks knew Marlow would burn out because he was too vicious. Avon and Prop Joe were stable influences on the game, and with Joe dead, Avon was the only OG who could smooth out all the dealers and get the money flowing again.

[@kamiioo3289]

Why would they kill Sergei when he most likely is serving a life sentence w/o the possibility of parole? Even if he flipped on them, they have many passports, many identities. They'll, most likely, never be caught. He takes the dead bodies in that can, as well as the trafficking that's caught on the wire. The Greek will compensate him, or he'll leave him where he is. Either way, Sergei is not a threat.

[@Nerdy_The_Punk]

Why bother risk getting caught killing a guy who is now nothing and in jail and can do nothing to hurt you.

[@ramstacp]

It’s all about reputation and scaring anyone else from doing the same

[@zacharyb2723]

@@ramstacp But the Greeks aren't interested in street rep. All they want is to stay off the radar and print money.

[@Potatoshaneko]

Sergei is Ukrainian, not Russian. Nicky: "You're Russian right?" Sergei: "No, Ukraine, Kiev is Ukraine" Ziggy: "It's the same difference though" Sergei: "No, you are wrong". I was actually very impressed by that particular dialog to be honest, Ukrainians have predominantly tried to distance themselves from Russia since before the collapse of the Soviet Union. And I'm sure you've all seen what's happened in Ukraine the last 18 months.

[@mbryson2899]

The Greeks could also take street credit for getting Sergei out of the death penalty. That likely got traction with their other minions.

[@ramstacp]

No, just no. Smh

[@mbryson2899]

@@ramstacp Why not?

[@stephenswift9896]

@@mbryson2899 Yeah I think it makes sense that they would have a contingency unlike some one such as Marlo who kills at a whim.

[@tmofee]

First of all. They didn’t know enough. Apart from spiros, none of them really knew the Greek. Secondly, if they hurt or killed him, it could possibly put them in a position where not even the FBI could protect them.

[@mysticx0]

he gave them exactly what he was supposed to give them. what we dont see is what probably would have happened: counter-terrorist agency gave him witness protection before the trial ever started and serge reconnected with the greeks down the line.

[@Paul-vf2wl]

What makes you think Sergei wasn't Russian? Also it wasn't a bar that the Greek hung out in it was a diner. Other than that I agree with you the Greeks likely had no clue Sergei ratted on them and they probably reached out to him when he was in prison.

[@THEjoelivingstone]

In one of the sitdowns, Zig calls him Boris. Sergei gets annoyed. He's called a Russian, and Sergei immediately corrects him to say he's Ukrainian. Nick responds "Same thing." Sergei responds "Actually, you're wrong." So yeah, Sergei wasn't a Russian.

[@user-xm9ms5dl8d]

@@THEjoelivingstone But they are the same ethnicity. He was born before 1991, before ukraine was invented by NATO.

[@THEjoelivingstone]

@@user-xm9ms5dl8d Ukrainians are a distinct ethnic group of eastern Slavs that predate NATO by centuries. FOH with that bullshit, Boris.

[@joachimwalle3760]

@@user-xm9ms5dl8d Where do you get your information from? NATO did not invent the Ukraine.

[@aggrodkreg4321]

@@joachimwalle3760 it's a recent Russian propaganda line to justify their expedition into Ukraine.

[@LesterBrunt]

. In that business it is inevitable that people are going to get locked up with heavy sentences, getting rid of them is a costly and risky, so it is better to keep them in your pocket as they might end up being useful in prison.

[@T-roc57]

Clearly the greeks had no beef with Sergei if marlo had to go directly through him to get the connect.

[@ernestomendez2173]

Se puede interpretar que les aviso en cuanto pudo con su abogado o algún tercero, porque en la escena cuando llega la policía al hotel aparecen los griegos alerta en un aeropuerto.

[@WoronzoffPawel]

BTW, there's no such last name like Malatov, although it may sound similar. I was always wondering why scenarists don't use normal names, instead of weird ones - Foma Kiniajev, Malatov. It could be Malakhov or Molotov, but not Malatov. Like englishman with last name Jucksen, or something like that.

[@LoneWolf_Cub_Ogami_Itto]

Probably because his testimony didn't matter do to no Greeks, no Vondas. So they likely have it on file but wasn't used in court. The Greeks may or may not know about Sergei talking, but there is no Vondas, no Greek.

[@yesway980]

You need to look into American prisons, mate. There's very little, to no, chance that Sergei would have had to rely on Avon. Colours don't mix in there. Avon went to Sergei for the contact for money. The look back to Avon in the interview room was to check if Marlo was being legit. It was not for receiving further instructions. In that room, Sergei was the boss. And remember, Sergei was in a Russian prison before.

[@kidlast4154]

Using bars as drop off and for communication is a normal pre cellphone thing...some people got their mail sent, u could cash your paychecks...gone are those days😔

[@mwenvlay]

they didn't kill him because they didn't have to. anyway, i think the more interesting question is why did avon ok the transfer on the connect to marlo for a measly 100 large. that always struck me as a false note. and tbh, i'd like to know if, in a real life version of this plot, would marlo really have been able to get 10 million from the co-op? seems like there were too many people involved in that deal to make it a good bet.

[@maxclifford937]

Probably the fact 100k is a better than 0. I think Avon assumed Marlo wouldn't last anyway (which is generally a good bet for someone like Marlo) and so he might as well make a but before Marlo burns out. Maybe thd next guy will do the same and he can make another 100k.

[@trenttrip6205]

I think that was just a power play, Avon wanted to show Marlo he still ran shit at some level

[@jb3151]

That’s also how much he lost to Prop Joe in Season 1

[@mwenvlay]

@@jb3151 ahhhhhhhhhhh, good catch! thanks so much for pointing that out.

[@woahblackbettybamalam]

He wanted to get back at prop Joe for swindling him on the ball game.

[@KMacMerlin]

They weren't exactly long gone though lol cigs were still warm

[@IvalDeLo]

He is in jessup md in prison. There we literally HUNDREDS of “ bikes “ ( cellphones ) throughout jci. I even had one myself from 2016- till I was transferred to wci in Cumberland at the end of 2017. He could easily contact them. Not to mention Sergei looks like he’s put on weight. That’s not from working out. That’s from Sitting in a cell eating commissary and watching tv. You gotta have money for that. Not to mention Sergei is a stone cold killer. A man with skills like that can make ALOT of money in prison. Especially Maryland. The Greeks definitely didn’t know and took care of Sergei.

[@views4rmthasix596]

“The Greek Will be mad?” “This is Business, The Greek will be smart.”

[@terranman4702]

"Urkainian"... "Same difference." .... "NO! You are wrong!" Thanks WIRE! One dialogue explaining the ukraine conflict with russia!

[@Whatisright]

Probably wasn’t worth the trouble to have Sergei killed. The Greeks being about business and nothing else it probably would have just brought more heat onto them. If they have him killed it’s probably a sign that their either still around or back. Why stole the flames when they can let them die down and resume business later when no one is looking.

[@simondb99]

"his estimation of him as a man just plummeted"...yeah I see you Iranian Shah, at least you didn't mention Sergei getting 20 years in the can but he did have to eat grilled cheese off a radiator.

[@MilkmanC]

Not enough transpired for Sergei to be on let alone be seen on any "Discovery" report, but also, The Greek said it himself ...he's not even Greek lmao

[@RayAtkins-wk9zv]

I miss this show

[@wayne9077]

It was one of HBO's best series

[@Void7.4.14]

We actually never see the Greeks in a bar, mostly just a diner, family. I personally think it can be more than one of these at a time. In the streets there is a code. And while it's not as adhered to as it once was it is still followed by plenty. Snitchin is one of the absolute worst thing ya can do. Not necessarily civilians witnessing, not necessarily civilians reporting crimes that happen to em, but being in the dirt and selling others out when the heat comes to save yourself is just foul on so many levels and can't be tolerated or it all falls apart. But that's the streets. It's actually pretty common at high levels for the people involved to rat with a quickness, sometimes even as a preemptive measure to get protection down the road (like it kinda seems like the Greeks may have done, or they never were actually informants but their man on the inside had em listed as such for protection). A lotta these high level mfs give it up. They aren't in the streets like that, they aren't as emotional about these things, they're typically pretty greasy themselves so they have to be more pragmatic about others doing the same. It's less a must to end rats and more calculated, might happen, or a dozen other things might. It also probably wasn't the easiest thing to get em touched even if they wanted and they probably didn't think he could hurt em in any meaningful way. If they could easily get him maybe they would, but it's also just as likely that they didn't know exactly what he said in the box, only that he put himself in. I know when I used to be out there before a job, a lick, or a run it was routine for me and whoever I was with to game plan and come up with a story, Plan B, what to do if we got pinched, all that. Ya gotta be a fool to play with your life without a plan. So it's very possible they also had that set up ahead of time for him and others to fall on their sword and give em some useless info. But even though it kinda appeared so initially, he didn't seem to be on that inner circle like that so they may not have even needed to plan it, all he ever had was bs. I always wondered this too, but I guess for them they need to pick and choose who they wack. They rely on their ability to be ghosts and if they go around dropping anybody and everybody for every little betrayal and infraction it's hard to stay low-key. It's also possible that even a compromised Ukrainian is still potentially useful down the road so that saved his life for the time being. Who knows.

[@michaelhammond2394]

Big fact

[@an152771]

Sergei had fake names, only faces, and on top of that was a BMF nobody wanted to mess with

[@charlieruehl8589]

It was so fuckin badass when Sergei tells Marlo that US prison is fucking nothing compared to Ukrainian prison, and he doesn’t want or need his fuckin money

[@scottymacdewder5229]

Sergei wasn't taken out, as he could still serve as an asset, even from his cell.

[@nilslindqvist8825]

He was, of course, Ukrainian, no small difference…not least these days.

[@jonahweinshenker]

They are truly just business men. They’ll do whatever makes them the most money for least risk.

[@EdwardSimms]

It would also be to the Greek's advantage to have a skilled killer in prison, to do their bidding.

[@metamodernbarbell]

The big question: what gets The Greek up in the morning? The short answer is 'business; always business'. But that doesn't feel wholly convincing. With Tony Soprano, he is a degenerate gambler and has numerous ties that bind him to his life - not least an oath to the Di Meo family. The Greek....it just doesn't feel that way.

[@trenttrip6205]

He seems to enjoy a great deal of wealth, just on a classier and less flashy level than most gangsters. We see he has a pretty fulfilled social life eating at fine restaurants and stuff.

[@LifeAfterFlint]

That was a long and entertaining video. They didn’t kill him because they didn’t have to. 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@josephhopeless829]

I hated the season 2 at first but I gotta say it’s grown on me for sure used to hardly be able To stand it.

[@terranman4702]

They Had No stealthy assassins like Vito

[@elftax]

This is dumb speculation, Sergei was a key lieutenant so he would have a paid lawyer…a lawyer who is also connected to the Greeks. The Greeks knew exactly what Sergei told the police before the ink was dry.

[@eastbee103]

Everybody was snitchin 1) bubbs 2) omar 3) sergei 4) nick sobatka 5) dee 6) bodie was about to talk 7) avon snitched on the C.O.

[@jdotglenn]

Even the Greek was snitching.

[@JayCity10]

Stringer did also.

[@eastbee103]

@@JayCity10 You right!! I forgot about dat negga!! String was snitchin, settin up his people to get killed, breakin the sundy morning truce and smashin Dee babymoms!! Dat negga string was livin foul!! But in the end he got blast!!

[@eastbee103]

@@jdotglenn the game is foul like that!! Nobody live by them pretend codes because it aint no honor amongst thieves!! Neggaz pick and choose what codes they follow and when they want to follow them!!

[@kingpin6753]

Everybody except wee bay

[@mastod0n1]

Sergei isn't Russian. He's Ukrainian, which was a significant difference to him in that scene with Ziggy and a massive difference nowadays.

[@IronMikeDyson1979]

As i got older, i realized season 2 went into depth regarding corruption, human trafficking, foreign mobs, business moves, strategies etc. Only low level minds want shootouts and corner beefs from season one 24/7

[@teflonson718]

Next vid...why did herc tell levy about the wiretap?

[@DarthWinterMadness]

I'd say because he's a moron and often doesn't think before acting. Or maybe he was bitter his career as a cop went down the sh*tter so he did it as a middle finger. That's an interesting question though... Cheers from France! 🍻

[@StephNuggs]

I mean that is the dumbest shit in the show ever. Herc just became a plot device with the IQ of a carrot. Made no fucking sense at all

[@vincentmedley5091]

That wasn't a bar. That was a diner.

[@Klinfran]

The Greek represents capitalism destilled to its purest essence (said by the creator of the series), he is motivated exclusively by financial gain and nothing else, revenge or disloyalty means nothing to him, if a investment doesnt pay off he wont do it, if something doesnt threat his enterprise he wont act against it. Wathever damage Sergei or Nick could do it was already done, sending someone to kill them for ratting when they couldnt threat him anymore was a wasteful investment so he didnt make it.

[@JTNugget]

Going by your theory, why did they kill Frank Sobotka then?

[@sunnyatkar1982]

Why kill a loyal, trusted soldier that will always help.?

[@Smith13j]

Probably because Boris is too dangerous. He’s obviously a professional.

[@78CRI97]

He got their ear for marlo ,so they must be still in someway conected

[@hatuletoh]

Does he have hands? A face? Yes? Then it wasn't us.

[@pavelshliaha1706]

Yes, second interpretation really. Greeks don’t need to play the game the drug lords are playing. They don’t need to use violence to make a point and they actually are never shown to do this. In fact throughout the season they are shown to have empathy. This is because their strategy is completely different: they are wholesellers with minimum staff. They will never need to kill the staff because the staff never knows anything about them.

[@JOGA_Wills]

They killed 2 people [on the show]

[@pavelshliaha1706]

@@JOGA_Willsso? You misread my point. I’m not saying they don’t kill people, I am saying they don’t need to kill to make a point.