Down to the Wire

If you’re a regular viewer of The Wire, by now you surely know that Stringer Bell is dead. Arguably the most cunning, calculating and charismatic criminal on one of the best dramas on television, someone viewers either loved to hate or just loved to look at, he met his end when he made one too many missteps.

Now between he and Avon Barksdale, I always liked Stringer best. I thnk we all did. As drug dealers go, he at least had a more worldly view. Even back in season one, you could tell he had no intentions of doing that “gangsta bullshit” his whole life. He took classes in business at a local college. He had the Barksdale drug money laundered in legitimate enterprises and invested in downtown real estate. He understood that all the killing that comes with the drug trade only drew police surveillance and community opposition. He looked good in a suit. In short, he had all the brains and polish that Avon lacked.

But maybe there was something to Avon’s contention that Stringer wasn’t tough enough for the game. When Stringer called for someone to be killed--young Wallace; various witnesses who were gonna testify against Avon; even D’Angelo, Avon’s nephew--it was always “just business.”

But when Avon wanted someone dead, it was almost always personal first, business second. The vendetta against Omar, resulting in his lover Brandon’s death, was Avon’s idea. This latest war with Marlo Stansfield. He needed to kill to send a message and prove his dominence over his opponents. You got the impression Stringer already knew he was better than everyone else, Avon included.

But he blew it, when he revealed that he had called for D’Angelo’s death. Business or not, that was Avon’s flesh and blood and surely he had to know that wouldn’t sit well. He allowed himself to get played by Senator Clay Davis, justifying in Avon’s mind, the foolishness of all that legitimate business activity.

But while Avon could love him like a brother and try to understand the rationale, and Davis had the protection of his prominent position, Stringer laid the foundation for his own demise last season when he tried to play both Omar and Brother Mouzone in the same stroke. They’re professional killers, who take their business personally. You got the sense they enjoyed pulling the trigger.

This season was interesting in other respects too. Cutty, the ex-con and would-be shooter for the Barksdales, along with Major Colvin, seemed to symbolize a community grasping for alternatives and an escape from all the crime. Cutty just didn’t have it in him any more and found himself trying to turn other young black men around. They wouldn’t have even been looking for alternatives if Colvin hadn’t set up Hamsterdam and taken away the allure of street running.

So, how will next week’s season finale wrap things up, and what’s in store for season four? Let’s speculate together:

• Stringer has already given Avon up to Major Colvin, so I’m guessing when he turns up dead, Colvin will put 2 and 2 together and carry out the raid on his hideout. Parole violation means a trip back to jail for Avon.

• Marlo Stansfield, another straight up gangsta, will now feel empowered to take over the west side. But he’s no Avon or Stringer and without the good heroin supplied by Prop Joe--who will now rise in stature among the cartel--he may find himself a target of either the police or the other dealers. Either way, I don’t feel he’s long for this world.

• Will Brianna step up? I doubt it. All those men will not take orders from a woman, even if her family name is on the business.

• The political establishment and the police brass will get a shakeup. Even though his plan was effective, Major Colvin will probably get the axe, along with Commissioner Burrell and possibly even the Mayor. Councilman Carcetti may be in line to take over afterall and Lt. Daniels wife may also step into a council seat. Corrupt Senator Davis escapes unharmed for yet another season.

• If the Barksdale empire collapses, what happens to the detail? Will they continue after the other drug dealers? Prop Joe still has the connection with the Greeks. Attorney Levy is the man with all the secrets. Will he cut a deal--maybe give up Davis--to try to get Avon a light sentence? What about Slim Charles and Shamrock, Avon and Stringer’s lieutenants, respectively? Slim could fall if Avon gets raided, while Shamrock’s voice is on lots of audio tape.

• Will Daniels continue his affair with Rhonda Pearlman or go back to his wife for her political career? Will Kima and Cheryl reconcile? Will McNulty find a woman to settle down with (don’t bet on it). Will Bubbs get clean? Will Herc and Carver ever become “good police” or will they remain head bangers who don’t know how to work a real case?

• With his vendetta settled, what’s in store for Omar?

Posted by bernie at December 14, 2004 12:44 AM | TrackBack