Remote Destination – The Wire: The Debates

Shows

First off, and I don’t know why I’m writing this part since the season has ended, but if there’s anyone reading this that doesn’t want tine final season of The Wire completely ruined you should read no further. I plan on discussing two kind of pivotal moments and I’d hate to ruin them for you. So, read no further.

Now I’ve discussed the death of Omar with quite a few people. What I’ve found out is that Omar has a large and loyal fanbase. I’ve also come to realize that women love Omar. Maybe it’s because he was manly, yet had a sensitive side. I don’t know the rationale behind it, but every woman I knew who watched the show was disappointed with Omar’s death, to the point of proclaiming that they’d stop watching the show because of it.

Naturally they didn’t follow through, but before Omar’s blood had dried they’d said they were done with the show.

I’m going to run down a few reasons why Omar had to die and how it was a fitting death.

First off, Omar had to be taken down a peg. The man was practically superhuman. I had no problem with Omar robbing the Barksdales blind in the first season. And I didn’t have a problem with Omar testifying in open court. And I could even accept Omar’s showdown with Brother Mouzone, because even if he missed “he can’t miss.”

But Omar escape from the trap set by Chris and Snoop pushed things to the limit. I’m sure it’s grounded in some sort of factual reality, as most things in The Wire are, but it just seemed extra.

Let’s not forget that Omar had a story of mythical status. He was like the Batman to those corner boys. He could clear streets and alleys just by whistling a song. And once you get to that level, you’re just asking to be taken out.

Another thing to remember is that Omar had gotten sloppy. In an effort to avenge Butchie, he’d fallen for a trap and gotten injured. And ultimately it was that injury that contributed greatly to his death.

Like I said, Omar was like an urban legend; he was larger than life. So when Omar went to Michael’s corner to sent his message to Marlo, some of those kids were frightened by his rep (and his gun.) But Kenard just saw a hobbled man. He saw a guy who could be hurt and certainly didn’t live up to his rep. At that moment, Kenard saw him as mortal instead of a myth, which proved to be Omar’s undoing.

Omar also got sloppy by regarding Kenard as a kid. Back in season four, Omar made the same mistake with Michael. When Michael met with Marlo to talk on his situation with Bug’s dad, a spying Omar wrote Michael off as “just a kid.” That’s probably the same thought he had when he saw Kenard enter the corner store. And that’s how Kenard got the drop on him.

Plenty of people wanted Omar to get his revenge against Snoop, Chris and Marlo for what happened to Butchie, but that’s really a shortsighted stance to take. If Omar had survived and “won” his war with Marlo it would have ruined Lester’s case. Don’t forget it was Omar’s death that lead Lester to figuring out Cheese’s role in Marlo’s operation. So if Omar survives, the wire is for naught.

And does no one remember the anticlimax for the third season’s ending? Omar got his revenge against Stringer Bell and the season ended on a deflated note. If Omar kills Snoop, Chris and Marlo who are the bad guys who fall in the finale? What about all of the hard work put in by Lester and Jimmy? If Omar wins then Lester and Jimmy put their badges on the line for nothing.
Plus a big dramatic shoot out wouldn’t have fit with the tone of show. Believe me, it would have been totally out of place.

Another gripe I’ve heard some vocalize is how Michael ended up becoming the “new Omar.” And while it may have seemed kind of corny, within the context of the show and those character, it makes perfect sense.

Now in the language of the show Michael appears to be the “new Omar” because he’s last seen robbing Marlo’s former money manager. He’s got the shotgun and the hoodie, so the similarities to Omar are immediate and obvious.

But it does make sense that Michael would end up taking that route. Look at it like this; he’s got to be a ghost because Marlo thinks he’s a rat. Marlo probably put a bounty on Michael’s head for a) his belief that Michael gave him to the cops and b) killing Snoop. Michael is a wanted man who really can’t get any rest.

By the same token, all he really knows is the game. He knows how to kill, though he’s got a conscience about it, and he’s familiar with Marlo’s operation. So Michael using his knowledge of Marlo’s operation to make a quick score make sense. He’s got the skills, thanks to his training by Snoop and Chris, to pull it off and he knows how they work.

And when you factor in how Michael’s stock has likely risen because of his killing Snoop it makes even more sense. Don’t forget, Snoop was just below Omar in terms of urban legend “you don’t want them looking for you.” So if Michael could get the drop on her and kill his teacher in cold blood, folks are going to stay out of his way. In that light, Michael as Omar makes a ton more sense.

There are many other quibbles that people have that I could go into, but I’m tired, so I’ll end it here.

Sir Linksalot: Television News