Stringers downfall was playing the fence. He needed to pick between being a businessman or a drug dealer. Couldn't do both at the same time. While both use business concepts and tools, they do not have the same rules. Stringer didn't know enough about white collar business to not get played and he was ignorant of the fact that the the streets could not be led by white collar business rules and culture. Ultimately, being on the fence clouded his judges and led to his death.
Plus it was waaaayyyy better executed then it was in Power (which is obviously weaker than The Wire though both shows do two different things so there's not much to compare if at all)
What you're saying is interesting but I disagree you must be involved with business and crime at the same time in order to cover up the crime people have to have a way to clean their money what people don't know is a lot of businesses that are legit now were started with criminal money half of the hip hop industry was drug money they went into the studios with their drug money if it wasn't for that half of the hip hop industry wouldn't even exist
@@ordinaryextraordinarybrotha There is some validity to what you wrote. However, in your example the criminals "invested" in hip hop, they did not manage it. This is the case in many criminal "fronts." For instance, Orlando ran the strip club operations, not Avon or Stringer. They're expertise was the drug game. "Stringer" tried to cross over while still having both feet deep in the drug game. Even with all the books he may have read, he didn't have the "experience" at how to navigate the shady white collar world. He also was so clouded by his ambition to run the Co-Op like a corporation that he crossed Avon and Bro. Mouzone which was the ultimate wrong move as it caused his death.
Stringer's fundamental mistake was a misunderstanding of power. He believed power came from money and that the Baltimore drug game could be run like a business. What Avon knew and Stringer didn't or would never accept was that, outside the realm of what is permissible, the Barksdale organization operated as a de facto state, i.e. an organization for which acts of violence are an accepted part of the framework of society. The rules of Stringer's game, capitalism, are superceded by 'The Game' in which power grows from the barrel of a gun.
Stinger is probably the most misunderstood character I've seen. He's far more intelligent then he gets credit for but he is one of those guys that have a tendency to do to much and take on to much. I've known these guys in real life. They can't just work on one thing. Most have trust issues that's why they do so much. His character really needs more in depth breakdown.
Nah, he was as intelligent as his intelligence took him....an early grave. He swore he was the smartest man in the room, but he wasn't. He thought he was the mastermind, but he wasn't. He absolutely was a smart man, but not as smart as he thinks he was.
@@thermant8452exactly what i wanted to say. The clay davis situation, brother mazone when he asked him who it was etc etc he thought he was being slick and pry some "innocent" information of him and thought he had everything under control while the opposite was true
Letting Wallace live would have also been shortsighted. What happens when people realize you can just snithc on the Barksdale organisation? More people start flipping. I hate to say it but from a pragmatic perspective, it was the intelligent move.
Stringer tried to go the Cosa Nostra route without the other elements that make their rackets work-union influence, sharing income with management, influence outside their sphere and cooperation with others of similar ilk. He essentially tried to go it alone without cooperating with other players and his own management, and ignored many of the rules.
Read about the history of the "Irish "gangs in Boston ,Ma. and view the movie "The Road to Redemption" and you'll see that not only "legit business and 'the streets'" DO MIX ;but 'Politics as well - and quite successfully too.
One of the main issues I see with Stringer was that he was surrounded by guys that were not educated. This gave him in inflated notion of himself and his abilities. All of his subordinates dropped out of school in like the 7th grade and probably could not even read on that grade level. Stringer had gone to a few business classes at the community college, read a few books and in his world he was a genius. It's like the most dominate basketball player at the local gym thinking that he can compete in the NBA. The other issue was that he was far too eager to become a legitimate businessman. Even Clay Davis seemed to be willing to guide him a bit and even told him that he needs to "crawl", then "walk", then "run" when he offered him the smaller grants that he would get at the moment. But Stinger was impatient, uneducated and (most importantly to Clay) willing to pay to skip line. Clay then saw it as an opportunity to bleed him. The way I see it, Clay would have never bled him of so much money so quickly had Stinger not been so eager to "run right now". Yes, Clay would have still gotten paid, but not so quickly. And perhaps not as much.
Stringer was so convinced that the good product was the only thing that mattered, he didn't recruit new muscle, he didn't maintain discipline and he eventually let most of the Hoppers go. Its implied that he convinced most of the Co-Op members to let majority their crews go. That's why New York and Marlo moved in. The business model had no answer for Gangster acquisition tactics.
I wondering if somehow, rather than manipulate Omar into taking out brother Mouzone - he could have organised with Prop Jo to manipulate Omar into taking out Marlo
Stringer sabotage any chance they could have had by killing marlo by tricking Omar into trying to kill brother, by doing that he angered Avon's new York connection that could have helped supply them with enough muscle to handle marlo and his gang.
Avon was on point when he told Stringer , you aren’t gangster enough for the streets and not smart enough for those downtown folks. He hit the nail on the head. Stringer was playing checkers, while Marlo was playing chess.
Stringer was smart enough. However he was just like Duquan/Dukie, the world he wanted to enter was a world he knew nothing about, they both struggled to better themselves and try to get more information about this realm. Both were capable, competent and talented. HOWEVER both lacked the experience and social resources to move through those worlds. Stringer lacked the social experience to know how legitimate business enterprises worked without getting conned while trying to leave the drug trade. Dukie lacked the social experience to know how to find support as a minor or build the right connections with people. Both of these people had you dropped them off in another country would have found success.
The program makes it a point to show that Stringer made more money and took the Barksdale org to new heights while Avon was in jail. He couldn’t go Avon’s route. If he had, the org would have collapsed faster than it did. Avon was trying to hold territory with no product and no muscle. The show takes pains to show that Bell actually worked his way out of a bad spot and saved a declining organization (for a time). Had Stringer been allowed to run it his way, he would probably have been able to maintain or expand. The real tragedy of Stringer is that he failed to respect that the game had its own rules. His downfall was hubris. The show treats Stringers reforms as largely positive, but the theme of the show is that individuals are largely powerless in the face of their institutions.
I disagree.By giving up the corners that easily it showed to Marlo that the Barksdale organization was weak and Marlo would’ve eventually tried to take the connect from them like he did to prop Joe.Stringer forget that the first rule of the drug game is reputation and respect.Willingly giving up your corners without much fight shows takes a big hit on your reputation and respect.
Avon was short sighted and String was the long term thinker .. Avon wanted to stay in the streets, String knew that wasn’t the right play .. as you watch the series, the police usually start cracking down when bodies start dropping, String wanted to be lowkey and so far removed that the cops couldn’t touch them which is the smart move .. Avon’s inability to adapt and change to the game was bringing them down ..String wanted them to be more organized much like the Mafia
If string wasn't getting conned by the business world Avon might have respected his legit moves. The streets was they foundation an he should have been move focused on the streets.
@@primetheory258 “N*66az spend some much time trying to be hood Ni66az they forgot the goal is to get out the hood ni66a!” - Jay - Z.... the streets might’ve been their foundation but they were growing to a point where they didn’t need “them corners”.. They grew larger than the typical street beef for Avon’s pride he needed to hold on to them corners
One of the most valuable lessons we get from Stringer I think is that theory and practice are two different things. Not all business principles are universal, and not every good idea is going to work out.
I couldn’t disagree more with the notion that stringer “wasn’t intelligent enough” or as intelligent as he thought he was. I’ve seen multiple people say this before but I feel a lot of the basis for stringer not being smart enough is influenced by him not being likable. This is more a case of the Peter principle run amuck. He was absolutely “in over his head” but it was mostly because he naively believes that the skills he used up to this point would translate directly to legitimate business. His drug money allowed him to skip steps that normally let people make mistakes in low risk positions as they developed specialized skills. He came in on the top floor like a rapper who gets an acting job without having to endure the bumps and bruises to hone his craft. If he had a mentor that had made the transition to guide him like pretty much everybody needs to succeed at the highest level or if stringer started on a smaller scale to learn he’d probably have been able to adapt eventually . Early on He made a bunch of well planned moves that left veteran detectives flabbergasted when he had time to think. The pressure to complete that prop joe deal caused him to make a couple quick short sited moves that set into motion a domino effect that required him to make even more high stakes hurried decisions until there were too many leaks in his boat for him to plug
Yeah season 1 Stringer is definitely smart and knows what he’s doing, but season 2 is where we really see his transition into the unknown (being a leader and trying to go legit) so he makes plays he thinks are as good as his others but we see later are very short sighted or not what he thought they’d be and once season 3 comes around its the beginning of the end for him with all the bad plays he’s made since Avon got locked up and Stringer became head honcho come knocking and lead to Stringers downfall
Exactly, I think people throw around the word "intelligence " too much when it really has nothing to do with a given situation. I think the show tried to present that Avon and Stringer were most successful when they worked in tandom not on their own. As insightful as Avon was in the show at times, he could be too hard headed at times and blinded by his allegiance to his family to a fault.
I agree with most of this but I do initially believe Stringer was trying to insulate Avon from the streets to protect him. But once Avon went down and went to prison and he was “promoted” that’s when he went rogue.
I grew up with dudes that started off like Avon and Stringer who now own a construction firm that's pulls in 8 figures a year approaching 9. They are politically connected completely legit and went from the mud to the penthouse. Behind every fortune there's a crime. Stringer was moving in the right direction .
What you have made here is just plain perfect... the description of Stringer Bell without a halo. I’m going to look for more. You really know The Wire!
This is the best one so far! So many gems that ain’t easy for many in Bell’s shoes or from the outside looking in can see. It actually happens to the best of us all the time. You me bought into your channel bro. I’m sharing all of these with me team. New subby on deck
Stringer didn't know how to live in both worlds Avon had to remind him that you couldn't be a halfway gangster. String couldn't see the flaw in the business man could make it in the street. Love your channel you hit all the right points.
Great work you are doing on video what and how I reference points and reflect on situations to people by giving a visual image by introducing plots and scenes in movies! Bravo!!!!!
If you add more elbow grease to your videos and add video clips to illustrate your breakdowns, you will reach 1 million subscribers easily, I really enjoy your videos
Thanks! I'm still experimenting with my delivery and style so I know it's not totally polished yet. I'm also just a bit hesitant to add video clips since TH-cam has gone crazy with its copyright striking lately.
@@LionsandLegions as long as the clips are 30 secs or shorter you will be good on copyright also if the clip doesn’t take up the whole screen you should be good
You keep saying Stringer wasn't as smart as he thought he was, and that he was way over his head. How? Other than Omar, Stringer had never been touched, never been arrested, hell the guy was never even shot at. He was always ahead of the game. Stringer's demise was due to the fact that he couldn't choose whether he wanted to be a Shot Caller or a Legitimate Entrepreneur.
So what was Stringer supposed to do? You're saying that Stringer wasn't supposed to have made that deal with Prop Joe? Then, what were the Barksdale crew members supposed to sell?? Avon's organization ran out of dope. The main supplier had cut them off. If you ask me, Stringer kept things going while Avon was locked up.
That was what I got when I watched the series. Stringer was in a difficult position; the product was weak and they were losing customers. He made the best deal he could at the time. I don't think he anticipated what Avon would do when he got out of prison.
@@shazlx From what I remember Prop Joe wasn’t interested in just the money from the Barksdale crews, I think he wanted the territory also cause that would be seen as a power move on in the streets and he’d also be making more money with said territory. If Joe was just in it for the money then Stringer probably would’ve just got his supply from Joe like he does later on
He tried to be somthing hes not and wasnt meticulous enough to make up for his weaknesses. Its kinda sad. Its one thing to be gifted or trained and lose. You had a real shot but it just didnt work out.But stringer didnt have talent or training and lost being in a race he wasnt made for. He was basically damed from the jump and that made his whole ambition in the show tragic and even darkly comedic. The harder he pushed for success, the harder success ran from him. I feel the Shakespeare in his character.
I think Stringer had the right idea with the co-op he just wasn't intelligent or ruthless enough to implement it. Dude thought he was Lucky Luciano, but he wasn't.
Russell "Stringer" Bell was intelligent, resourceful , calculating, and decisive. One should take into account that HE looked after practically ALL aspects of the "Barksdale Organization" on his own with little assistance from Avon while continually laboring under intensive assaults from those entities within "THE GAME" and from without .Stringer, all the while dealing without ANYONE to confide/consult in, made sound ,logical actions based upon rationality that was afforded him. The writers of the screenplay really "SHORTCHANGED " the character and made him appear to be weak, ill-tempered, and worse of all; someone prone to be impulsive when BELL was quite the opposite. The analysis as conveyed in this TH-cam video does the very thing the screenwriters and directors have done to this impressive character - assassinated him !
I definitely think you're on to something. I missed a lot of Stringer's depth when I made this video. He's got his faults for sure but I think he was moving in the right direction. I may redo this video since it was one of my first and I think his character deserves a second look
the writers made the character...so no, they can't shortchange a character by showing you who he really is emotionally. he was always that hot-tempered, he just needed to be provoked.
String had a habit of disregarding long-standing rules just so he could orchestrate a hit or a murder. Not caring about the potential wrath that he may face. Marlo was the same way except, Marlo knew what his role was in the game. String on the other hand could not figure out if he wanted to be Wall-Street, or a ghetto tyrant. String was a little TOO versatile for his own good & suffered from "hood ADHD." His focus was always on multiple things at once & he was never really focused on what truly mattered.
Agree with a lot of your arguments but would quibble on a few points of detail. I would say that the Wallace hit was not only justifiable (pragmatically not morally) but was at least tacitly sanctioned - if not flat-out ordered - by Avon. This all came out of the meeting in the club where Levy essentially told them to get rid of anyone who could "hurt" them. When they brought in D to press him on Wallace's whereabouts, it was so obvious they intended to have him killed that D refused to answer their questions. Stringer just happened to be the guy giving the order to Bodie, but that's because he was the "go get shit done piece" of the organisation. The D'Angelo hit was less clear-cut, but it's worth noting that if Stringer had explicitly instructed Donette not to mention McNulty's call to anyone (as opposed to just implying it was bullshit), the matter probably wouldn't have come up again. As it happened, the only reason Avon even found out the truth is that Stringer got pissed off and told him. I've seen people suggest that Stringer was angling to take over from Avon early on when he confiscated the pager, but I don't see it. Stringer's issues with Avon as the leader only arose when Avon started operating in a way Stringer thought was bad for business. With all that said I'm enjoying these breakdowns, keep them coming.
I did not see it this way when I watched The Wire. Stringer was smart and skilled at the game. His downfall was trying to rise above, trying to reform and trying to leave, the game. The show is a tragedy. Stringer, the ultimate brain of the game, keeps slowly losing by circumstances and good intentions. David Simon said his show was not about characters really, more about institutions controlling the characters’ lives. Stringer did t bring down the Barksdales. It’s just what happens inevitably was the point. But, cute “analysis”
The truth of the matter is Avon made a very bad decision to put dangelo in that situation of caring those drugs deangelo wasn't built to do 20 years it was a good chance he may have ended up snitching you couldn't handle the pressure but I don't think stranger should've had him killed you should've just left town once it got to that point but avons responsible because he should have put D Angelo in charge of marijuana because the sentence would have been light
*Good stuff!...* Once again you don't disappoint and your astute observations are outstandingly on point. *Although I did have an issue with one matter...* It was mentioned in this episode that *Avon and Stringer* actually knew the one was setting up the other during the roof top meeting scene over looking the city. Yes, most of the viewing audience was fully aware of both setting up the other but I don't think the characters themselves actually knew what the other was planning. I believe had Avon or String known or even suspected a set-up they would not have been so forth coming divulging their plans, times and locations. Most likely both would have simply lied about where they would be, yet we do indeed see both parties at the locations and times they said they'd be at. Unfortunately, Stringer's deceit cost him his life and was essentially the catalyst that wiped out the Barksdale organization as you already know the majority of that crew including Avon was busted in the police raid with enough weapons to start a small war.
I don't believe D'Angelo's murder was the final straw for Avon. He seemed to accept Stringer's decision to do so. In the end, it was the threat of losing his New York connect that made Avon betray Stringer. Even after realizing Stringer had gone behind his back with Joe, and despite knowing that Stringer had D'Angelo killed, Avon attempted to bargain with Mouzone to keep Stringer safe. Mouzone wouldn't have it, and Avon finally acted like the King that Stringer had urged him to become: he threw away his sentimentality and acted in the interest of his kingdom instead of his own personal emotions. Stringer on the other hand still believed Avon could become a proper King, but also that he first had to ensure there was a kingdom left for Avon to rule. For that, he was willing to send Avon to jail again, hoping that Avon would return one day, ready to rule the kingdom, not realizing that his own past decisions would soon lead to his death and the fall of the kingdom. I don't know if Joe played Stringer, either. If so, why did Joe too try and fail to "civilize" Marlo, if he'd merely hustled Stringer in the same way? I think Joe simply didn't like the violence of the game, and hoped that when he had a stranglehold on the good drug connect, he could force everyone else in the Baltimore drug trade to comply. For that goal, Stringer was a true ally, not just some dupe playing into Joe's hands. Likewise, Joe truly believed Marlo would one day come around.
To understand Stringer one would have to understand “A Street Hustlers Mentality”. Stringer tried so hard to avoid the things that come with being apart of that street lifestyle, so for example he allied other suppliers and created a table to stop violence, while also increasing revenue. But on the other hand in the corporate world, Stringer had the look of a businessman but not the same patience and empathy he showed as a street hustler. Yes, he made indecisive decisions, in which lead to people getting murdered but he ultimately failed due to his unwillingness to accept reality for reality. So hear me out when I say that Stringer and Avon unwillingness to accept reality for what it is , allowed both of them to succeed in the “Street Game”. Unfortunately that mindset doesn’t get you far in life, so in context one should learn from his character that “The turtle always wins the race”. Stringer’s life would have turned completely opposite and for success had he simply changed his associates, stayed in school and focused on business.
I think Stringer was indeed a visionary. The problem wasn't so much him as it was Avon not being willing to work with the Co-op and give up the corners and street rep. Avon even admits later to Slim Charles that Stringer was right. "String was right. Fuck Marlo, fuck this war, fuck all this beef over a couple corners..." Stringer could've had the entire Barksdale organization at the point of making complete straight money and leaving the street game behind, but none of them had the foresight or vision to play the long game. IMO stringer was playing the long game, and everyone else was focused on the short. Where String went wrong was being impatient with city officials. He thought Clay was playing him, but that's actually just how city permits and licensing just goes. The government will bleed you dry and make you wait forever to get what you need. Stringer took that personally when it's what happens to everyone. He should have gone to Levy for sure when it came to getting those things sorted out.
Good takes on the wire n the many messages n topics the show was tryna get across.. i dont agree with ALL ur takes on everyrhing in the wire but i do agree with alot of wat u say, n i also love to see other peoples take on my favorite show ever made(regardless if i agree with the takes or not) always love discussing the wire due to its perfection of a show . And all the many, deep, real, concepts/topics this show gets across (tries to get across) to it viewers.. the new show david simon made (we own this city) is a clear example of how everyone (politicians in bmore) say that the wire is their favorite show, n how much they love the show.. yet NONE of them actually address the problems the show covers . N the show exposes how NOTHING has changed in bmore since the show was made in the early 2000s… n that in fact things have only gotten WORSE.. mayors n police chiefs being jailed for tax evasion , money laundering, n they prolly involved in much of the profits received from the drug dealin goin on in the community.. Edit: A mans world podcast is the best channel when it comes to “the wire” content. Homie mustve been as big if a fan of the wire as me cus homie legit hits every point with 100% accuracy of what david simon was tryna expose with this show.. D.S. Couldnt even expose all the TRUE corruption that goes on in the police departments in inner cities around the country.. just legal gangs that break the law n their own “rules” more then the criminals do.. THEY (the corrupt”all of em are corrupt” politicians) are the true criminals of the country n they feed n take advantage off of those in the “poverty” lower class… capitalism at its finest ladies n gents. In a imaginary perfect world this system works.. but when ur dealing with greedy, scummy, corrupt, grimy humans… Baltimore is wat happens in capitalism…
You are very accurate! More than most commenters analysing the WIRE! I can certify that... From me being Born and raised in 2 separate notorious "MurdaLand" Projects! Bodymore instincts is not what people guess it is smh.. Its what you Know! And you... KNOW (about 99.99%) lol 💯
I knew Stringer was slow when he tried to rob Orlando. Avon asked him how would Orlando be able to front $30,000 in cash? It was a setup from the beginning. And Stringer should've known that because they pay Orlando. Had he consulted with Avon first, they wouldn't have shot Kima and still would've had muscle with both Weebey and Littleman. Because of all of this, he ordered Weebey to hit Littleman to keep him from talking. Stringer was responsible for taking down the entire Barksdale organization.
What Stringer was doing was like taking a life and death situation and bottling it up into an experiment without taking the proper precautions.... of course it wasn’t gonna end well for him.
“Pick a side and stay on it, you can’t play both” you can serve two masters and that’s exactly what Stringer tried to do. He lowered the morale of the troops trying to make drug dealers think like legitimate businessmen.
The true beginning of the end for Stringer wasn't D'Angelo but when he tried to get Brother Mouzone killed. It was Mouzone that not only throttled support for Avon when he returned from prison but it was Mouzone who leveraged Avon's connections to the New York crime lords to get him to give up Stringer.
It's funny because you're not wrong, but when I was watching, I didn't see Stringer as in over his head or being outsmarted by everyone. I thought he was right about a lot of things and Avon was wrong, but was just a victim of circumstance. Stringer saw the way out of the ghetto, but got pulled back in by Avon.
Thanks for the great vid. A lot of people think he is the genius he himself thinks he is. At least what I read in the comments. He really was way over his head.
Stringer was right. Avon Barksdale Stringer made mistakes bc of Avon wanting his “corners”. Stringer idea of owning the package, which would give them a low profile with nobodies. Stringer weakness was Avon but he did not have Avon’s street respect or muscle. I love your analysis but Stringer was right. Avon was his demise. Avon said it himself. Avon wanted the real estate with inferior product. Stringer had a great coke connection with Prop Joe. Stringer was more profitable when Avon went in. Avon although my favorite character was the ghetto hood dude. Stringer was the smartest and sometimes too smart for his own good. That was his demise as well. “Own nothing control everything” Paul M. “Stringer was right” Avon Barksdale
Facts my brother, people are missing the point Barksdale Ego was the downfall of the organisation, how long are you going to fight over street corners, there’s a time you need to elevate and Stringer was clearly trying to do that..
Went down the rabbit hole with these videos. Watched several of these back to back. Keep them coming.
Thank you!
Maybe The Sopranos good sir
@@StormCrow702 This Show Is So Much Deeper Than Sopranos could ever be
@@nationalblackaccord494 FACTS...THE WIRE IS REAL LIFE just on screen
Sopranos was a great fictional almost satire
The Wire, was real life and nothing funny about it.... I watched these vids back to back heavily
When Stringer tried to get Slim to take out Clay Davis 😂
Slim: “THE Clay Davis?...DOWNTOWN CLAY DAVIS?!”
This here is some straight up assassination shit
"That supposed to mean something to me?"
“They saw your ghetto ass a miles away”.
Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitttttt
Kingkong ain't got shieeeeeiiitttt on Clay Davis
Stringers downfall was playing the fence. He needed to pick between being a businessman or a drug dealer. Couldn't do both at the same time. While both use business concepts and tools, they do not have the same rules. Stringer didn't know enough about white collar business to not get played and he was ignorant of the fact that the the streets could not be led by white collar business rules and culture. Ultimately, being on the fence clouded his judges and led to his death.
Plus it was waaaayyyy better executed then it was in Power (which is obviously weaker than The Wire though both shows do two different things so there's not much to compare if at all)
@@devonmunn5728
I'm a Power fan, but The Wire blows Power away! Power is more novela. The Wire was a masterpiece!
What you're saying is interesting but I disagree you must be involved with business and crime at the same time in order to cover up the crime people have to have a way to clean their money what people don't know is a lot of businesses that are legit now were started with criminal money half of the hip hop industry was drug money they went into the studios with their drug money if it wasn't for that half of the hip hop industry wouldn't even exist
@@a.m.m.4592 true
@@ordinaryextraordinarybrotha
There is some validity to what you wrote. However, in your example the criminals "invested" in hip hop, they did not manage it. This is the case in many criminal "fronts." For instance, Orlando ran the strip club operations, not Avon or Stringer. They're expertise was the drug game.
"Stringer" tried to cross over while still having both feet deep in the drug game. Even with all the books he may have read, he didn't have the "experience" at how to navigate the shady white collar world. He also was so clouded by his ambition to run the Co-Op like a corporation that he crossed Avon and Bro. Mouzone which was the ultimate wrong move as it caused his death.
People ARE watching these. You should make more
Definitely will! Thank you for the support!
This video was highly entertaining and informative. I definitely plan on rewatching!!
Yeah I like these videos, very in depth and explains each character perfectly.
Lions and Legions do one on the greek
Stringer's fundamental mistake was a misunderstanding of power. He believed power came from money and that the Baltimore drug game could be run like a business. What Avon knew and Stringer didn't or would never accept was that, outside the realm of what is permissible, the Barksdale organization operated as a de facto state, i.e. an organization for which acts of violence are an accepted part of the framework of society. The rules of Stringer's game, capitalism, are superceded by 'The Game' in which power grows from the barrel of a gun.
Yeah but String was on to something. He thought he would pull things off like Gus Fring who controlled drug game and chicken restaurant
Nah he just thought he could outsmart everybody. He consistently overestimates his own intelligence throughout the show
"What did I tell you about playing those away games?"
Stinger is probably the most misunderstood character I've seen. He's far more intelligent then he gets credit for but he is one of those guys that have a tendency to do to much and take on to much. I've known these guys in real life. They can't just work on one thing. Most have trust issues that's why they do so much. His character really needs more in depth breakdown.
Agreed. I’m never satisfied with analyses on him.
I mean McNulty was literally obsessed with The guy, personally, And you felt the depth of that.
Not really. Think Stringer was portrayed correctly...he was misunderstood within himself
Nah, he was as intelligent as his intelligence took him....an early grave.
He swore he was the smartest man in the room, but he wasn't. He thought he was the mastermind, but he wasn't.
He absolutely was a smart man, but not as smart as he thinks he was.
@@thermant8452exactly what i wanted to say. The clay davis situation, brother mazone when he asked him who it was etc etc he thought he was being slick and pry some "innocent" information of him and thought he had everything under control while the opposite was true
Inspired me to start analyzing wire characters. Just passed 1000 subs a few days ago because of it👌🏽 thanks 💯
Letting Wallace live would have also been shortsighted. What happens when people realize you can just snithc on the Barksdale organisation? More people start flipping. I hate to say it but from a pragmatic perspective, it was the intelligent move.
I agree. Especially since he really was snitch. Can't take that chance
@@joeski1073 he was at his Granny house.
@@straightletterz2596 yeah after he snitched about them snatching Brandon up.
Perfectly explained.
Could have set him up to get killed in a different way, that didn’t point back to the Organization
Love this! Cannot think of a better way of teaching leadership skills than breaking down this sort of show!
Stringer tried to go the Cosa Nostra route without the other elements that make their rackets work-union influence, sharing income with management, influence outside their sphere and cooperation with others of similar ilk.
He essentially tried to go it alone without cooperating with other players and his own management, and ignored many of the rules.
Dont forget violence. Without that key element the Cosa Nostra way would never work
2:23 Nah, I’d say Stringer just didn’t understand that legit business and the streets don’t mix.
AlwonDomz but they do if you know what you’re doing....” make the check payable to Montana Realty Co.” 😝
@@FLEASPIRIT13 only person to do it at the highest level was nipsey. R.i.p
I agree!!! Stinger was just supposed to front wash and invest!!!! Never be seen!!!!
Read about the history of the "Irish "gangs in Boston ,Ma. and view the movie "The Road to Redemption" and you'll see that not only "legit business and 'the streets'" DO MIX ;but 'Politics as well - and quite successfully too.
@@718datbxkid but even nipsey street life came back on him. He was out and legitimate but his past came due
One of the main issues I see with Stringer was that he was surrounded by guys that were not educated. This gave him in inflated notion of himself and his abilities. All of his subordinates dropped out of school in like the 7th grade and probably could not even read on that grade level. Stringer had gone to a few business classes at the community college, read a few books and in his world he was a genius. It's like the most dominate basketball player at the local gym thinking that he can compete in the NBA.
The other issue was that he was far too eager to become a legitimate businessman. Even Clay Davis seemed to be willing to guide him a bit and even told him that he needs to "crawl", then "walk", then "run" when he offered him the smaller grants that he would get at the moment. But Stinger was impatient, uneducated and (most importantly to Clay) willing to pay to skip line. Clay then saw it as an opportunity to bleed him. The way I see it, Clay would have never bled him of so much money so quickly had Stinger not been so eager to "run right now". Yes, Clay would have still gotten paid, but not so quickly. And perhaps not as much.
To be fair he had inferior muscle when Avon is in prison..Slim and Cutty were the only capable hitters.He knew he could not war with Marlo..
He tried to have his own muscle hit
Stringer was so convinced that the good product was the only thing that mattered, he didn't recruit new muscle, he didn't maintain discipline and he eventually let most of the Hoppers go. Its implied that he convinced most of the Co-Op members to let majority their crews go. That's why New York and Marlo moved in. The business model had no answer for Gangster acquisition tactics.
I wondering if somehow, rather than manipulate Omar into taking out brother Mouzone - he could have organised with Prop Jo to manipulate Omar into taking out Marlo
Stringer sabotage any chance they could have had by killing marlo by tricking Omar into trying to kill brother, by doing that he angered Avon's new York connection that could have helped supply them with enough muscle to handle marlo and his gang.
Avon was on point when he told Stringer , you aren’t gangster enough for the streets and not smart enough for those downtown folks. He hit the nail on the head. Stringer was playing checkers, while Marlo was playing chess.
Marlo is the guy who tips the board over and punches you if he is losing.
@@SantomPh at least he’s making sure he isn’t going to lose 🤣🤣
@@richkid1970 but he did lose?
Stringer was smart enough. However he was just like Duquan/Dukie, the world he wanted to enter was a world he knew nothing about, they both struggled to better themselves and try to get more information about this realm. Both were capable, competent and talented.
HOWEVER both lacked the experience and social resources to move through those worlds. Stringer lacked the social experience to know how legitimate business enterprises worked without getting conned while trying to leave the drug trade. Dukie lacked the social experience to know how to find support as a minor or build the right connections with people.
Both of these people had you dropped them off in another country would have found success.
The program makes it a point to show that Stringer made more money and took the Barksdale org to new heights while Avon was in jail. He couldn’t go Avon’s route. If he had, the org would have collapsed faster than it did.
Avon was trying to hold territory with no product and no muscle. The show takes pains to show that Bell actually worked his way out of a bad spot and saved a declining organization (for a time). Had Stringer been allowed to run it his way, he would probably have been able to maintain or expand.
The real tragedy of Stringer is that he failed to respect that the game had its own rules. His downfall was hubris. The show treats Stringers reforms as largely positive, but the theme of the show is that individuals are largely powerless in the face of their institutions.
Great points. Do you feel Stringer had it in him to make it on his own eventually without Avon at all?
No!! Stringer was a wannabe Avon but felt he was superior because of his business sabby
@@LionsandLegions no one was too mad and one too upper class they needed each other
I disagree.By giving up the corners that easily it showed to Marlo that the Barksdale organization was weak and Marlo would’ve eventually tried to take the connect from them like he did to prop Joe.Stringer forget that the first rule of the drug game is reputation and respect.Willingly giving up your corners without much fight shows takes a big hit on your reputation and respect.
Stringer wasn’t street enough like Avon said. Even Bodie and Poot knew
Avon was short sighted and String was the long term thinker .. Avon wanted to stay in the streets, String knew that wasn’t the right play .. as you watch the series, the police usually start cracking down when bodies start dropping, String wanted to be lowkey and so far removed that the cops couldn’t touch them which is the smart move .. Avon’s inability to adapt and change to the game was bringing them down ..String wanted them to be more organized much like the Mafia
This is more similar to my analysis as well.
If string wasn't getting conned by the business world Avon might have respected his legit moves. The streets was they foundation an he should have been move focused on the streets.
@@primetheory258 “N*66az spend some much time trying to be hood Ni66az they forgot the goal is to get out the hood ni66a!” - Jay - Z.... the streets might’ve been their foundation but they were growing to a point where they didn’t need “them corners”.. They grew larger than the typical street beef for Avon’s pride he needed to hold on to them corners
Stringer and Avon are the perfect example of ying and yang. To me they definitely covered up each other's deficiencies.
A gangster is still a gangster and violence is part of the game.
One of the most valuable lessons we get from Stringer I think is that theory and practice are two different things. Not all business principles are universal, and not every good idea is going to work out.
I just found this series and i love it the wire is one of my favorite shows !
I couldn’t disagree more with the notion that stringer “wasn’t intelligent enough” or as intelligent as he thought he was. I’ve seen multiple people say this before but I feel a lot of the basis for stringer not being smart enough is influenced by him not being likable. This is more a case of the Peter principle run amuck. He was absolutely “in over his head” but it was mostly because he naively believes that the skills he used up to this point would translate directly to legitimate business. His drug money allowed him to skip steps that normally let people make mistakes in low risk positions as they developed specialized skills. He came in on the top floor like a rapper who gets an acting job without having to endure the bumps and bruises to hone his craft. If he had a mentor that had made the transition to guide him like pretty much everybody needs to succeed at the highest level or if stringer started on a smaller scale to learn he’d probably have been able to adapt eventually . Early on He made a bunch of well planned moves that left veteran detectives flabbergasted when he had time to think. The pressure to complete that prop joe deal caused him to make a couple quick short sited moves that set into motion a domino effect that required him to make even more high stakes hurried decisions until there were too many leaks in his boat for him to plug
Yeah season 1 Stringer is definitely smart and knows what he’s doing, but season 2 is where we really see his transition into the unknown (being a leader and trying to go legit) so he makes plays he thinks are as good as his others but we see later are very short sighted or not what he thought they’d be and once season 3 comes around its the beginning of the end for him with all the bad plays he’s made since Avon got locked up and Stringer became head honcho come knocking and lead to Stringers downfall
Stringer wasn't good enough to clean up the money all the way. His fronts alone only washed 15% of the drug money.
Exactly, I think people throw around the word "intelligence " too much when it really has nothing to do with a given situation. I think the show tried to present that Avon and Stringer were most successful when they worked in tandom not on their own. As insightful as Avon was in the show at times, he could be too hard headed at times and blinded by his allegiance to his family to a fault.
Intelligence is subjective. Stringer was crafty. Clever. Selfish
@@dnice4145 exactly this.They we’re ying and yang and they wanted the audience to see both sides of the coin
I agree with most of this but I do initially believe Stringer was trying to insulate Avon from the streets to protect him. But once Avon went down and went to prison and he was “promoted” that’s when he went rogue.
I completely agree. He got the crown when Avon went to jail. By the time Avon got out, Stringer didn't want to give the crown up.
Naw stringer wanted him to be less gangsta n more business
I love this series. You say a lot of really interesting things about life, not just The Wire.
Your analogies in describing stringer bell are spot on. It’s like the old outage a little knowledge can be dangerous.
I grew up with dudes that started off like Avon and Stringer who now own a construction firm that's pulls in 8 figures a year approaching 9. They are politically connected completely legit and went from the mud to the penthouse. Behind every fortune there's a crime. Stringer was moving in the right direction .
What you have made here is just plain perfect... the description of Stringer Bell without a halo. I’m going to look for more. You really know The Wire!
This is the best one so far! So many gems that ain’t easy for many in Bell’s shoes or from the outside looking in can see. It actually happens to the best of us all the time. You me bought into your channel bro. I’m sharing all of these with me team. New subby on deck
Stringer didn't know how to live in both worlds Avon had to remind him that you couldn't be a halfway gangster. String couldn't see the flaw in the business man could make it in the street. Love your channel you hit all the right points.
Great work you are doing on video what and how I reference points and reflect on situations to people by giving a visual image by introducing plots and scenes in movies! Bravo!!!!!
If you add more elbow grease to your videos and add video clips to illustrate your breakdowns, you will reach 1 million subscribers easily, I really enjoy your videos
true
Thanks! I'm still experimenting with my delivery and style so I know it's not totally polished yet. I'm also just a bit hesitant to add video clips since TH-cam has gone crazy with its copyright striking lately.
@@LionsandLegions I look forward to seeing your page grow, youtube is a tyrannical platform I know.
@@LionsandLegions as long as the clips are 30 secs or shorter you will be good on copyright also if the clip doesn’t take up the whole screen you should be good
Talk a bit (not a lot) slower and pause between each conclusion you make, like written paragraphs.
I love this break down!!!
Keep up the good content 💯
Stringer run a company like Ryan from the office: foolishly
This was an excellent breakdown, I’ve watched the Avon breakdown too, good shit!
1000th like, love your Wire character analysis videos.
Keep them coming.
I just came across this by chance! This is good! Hello from DETROIT!
You keep saying Stringer wasn't as smart as he thought he was, and that he was way over his head. How? Other than Omar, Stringer had never been touched, never been arrested, hell the guy was never even shot at. He was always ahead of the game. Stringer's demise was due to the fact that he couldn't choose whether he wanted to be a Shot Caller or a Legitimate Entrepreneur.
These videos are informative & addictive 🖤
Stringer Bell. Suave, charisma, ambition..... yet not enough gun and definitely not enough experience.
Massivee respect. Your analysis skills are off the chain.
Keep these videos coming like Avon Barksdale next
Thank you! I have been putting off Avon just because I feel like there is so many ways you can go with his characters. I'll get to him though!
B-Money's Cribs and Pads. That, alone, was enough to get me to watch your other videos.
That line killed me 🤣🤣
So what was Stringer supposed to do? You're saying that Stringer wasn't supposed to have made that deal with Prop Joe? Then, what were the Barksdale crew members supposed to sell?? Avon's organization ran out of dope. The main supplier had cut them off. If you ask me, Stringer kept things going while Avon was locked up.
That was what I got when I watched the series. Stringer was in a difficult position; the product was weak and they were losing customers. He made the best deal he could at the time. I don't think he anticipated what Avon would do when he got out of prison.
Buy wholesale from prop Joe at a higher price. As its purer, he could cut it once and sell it on the territories they held.
@@shazlx From what I remember Prop Joe wasn’t interested in just the money from the Barksdale crews, I think he wanted the territory also cause that would be seen as a power move on in the streets and he’d also be making more money with said territory. If Joe was just in it for the money then Stringer probably would’ve just got his supply from Joe like he does later on
@@cryptokid138 and that unnecessary expansion got them both killed. Stay in your lane and get rich!
Your channel is going to blow up! I really enjoy hearing your thoughts and analysis on characters.
These videos are 🔥 🔥 🔥. Just subscribed. Keep em comin!!
He tried to be somthing hes not and wasnt meticulous enough to make up for his weaknesses. Its kinda sad. Its one thing to be gifted or trained and lose. You had a real shot but it just didnt work out.But stringer didnt have talent or training and lost being in a race he wasnt made for. He was basically damed from the jump and that made his whole ambition in the show tragic and even darkly comedic. The harder he pushed for success, the harder success ran from him. I feel the Shakespeare in his character.
I think Stringer had the right idea with the co-op he just wasn't intelligent or ruthless enough to implement it. Dude thought he was Lucky Luciano, but he wasn't.
Russell "Stringer" Bell was intelligent, resourceful , calculating, and decisive. One should take into account that HE looked after practically ALL aspects of the "Barksdale Organization" on his own with little assistance from Avon while continually laboring under intensive assaults from those entities within "THE GAME" and from without .Stringer, all the while dealing without ANYONE to confide/consult in, made sound ,logical actions based upon rationality that was afforded him. The writers of the screenplay really "SHORTCHANGED " the character and made him appear to be weak, ill-tempered, and worse of all; someone prone to be impulsive when BELL was quite the opposite. The analysis as conveyed in this TH-cam video does the very thing the screenwriters and directors have done to this impressive character - assassinated him !
I definitely think you're on to something. I missed a lot of Stringer's depth when I made this video. He's got his faults for sure but I think he was moving in the right direction. I may redo this video since it was one of my first and I think his character deserves a second look
@@LionsandLegions Agreed.
@@LionsandLegions agreed
the writers made the character...so no, they can't shortchange a character by showing you who he really is emotionally. he was always that hot-tempered, he just needed to be provoked.
This channel is great therapy btw
“B and B Enterprises” sounds like it was born in the ghetto” i think homies prejudice jus came out without him noticing😅
String had a habit of disregarding long-standing rules just so he could orchestrate a hit or a murder. Not caring about the potential wrath that he may face.
Marlo was the same way except, Marlo knew what his role was in the game. String on the other hand could not figure out if he wanted to be Wall-Street, or a ghetto tyrant.
String was a little TOO versatile for his own good & suffered from "hood ADHD." His focus was always on multiple things at once & he was never really focused on what truly mattered.
Agree with a lot of your arguments but would quibble on a few points of detail.
I would say that the Wallace hit was not only justifiable (pragmatically not morally) but was at least tacitly sanctioned - if not flat-out ordered - by Avon. This all came out of the meeting in the club where Levy essentially told them to get rid of anyone who could "hurt" them. When they brought in D to press him on Wallace's whereabouts, it was so obvious they intended to have him killed that D refused to answer their questions. Stringer just happened to be the guy giving the order to Bodie, but that's because he was the "go get shit done piece" of the organisation.
The D'Angelo hit was less clear-cut, but it's worth noting that if Stringer had explicitly instructed Donette not to mention McNulty's call to anyone (as opposed to just implying it was bullshit), the matter probably wouldn't have come up again. As it happened, the only reason Avon even found out the truth is that Stringer got pissed off and told him.
I've seen people suggest that Stringer was angling to take over from Avon early on when he confiscated the pager, but I don't see it. Stringer's issues with Avon as the leader only arose when Avon started operating in a way Stringer thought was bad for business.
With all that said I'm enjoying these breakdowns, keep them coming.
Hit the nail 🎯
I gotta say...these are really good. Bravo
I did not see it this way when I watched The Wire. Stringer was smart and skilled at the game. His downfall was trying to rise above, trying to reform and trying to leave, the game. The show is a tragedy. Stringer, the ultimate brain of the game, keeps slowly losing by circumstances and good intentions. David Simon said his show was not about characters really, more about institutions controlling the characters’ lives. Stringer did t bring down the Barksdales. It’s just what happens inevitably was the point. But, cute “analysis”
Your analysis was "cute". Lol!
Avon accepted the fact that Stringer got D killed
The truth of the matter is Avon made a very bad decision to put dangelo in that situation of caring those drugs deangelo wasn't built to do 20 years it was a good chance he may have ended up snitching you couldn't handle the pressure but I don't think stranger should've had him killed you should've just left town once it got to that point but avons responsible because he should have put D Angelo in charge of marijuana because the sentence would have been light
*Good stuff!...* Once again you don't disappoint and your astute observations are outstandingly on point.
*Although I did have an issue with one matter...*
It was mentioned in this episode that *Avon and Stringer* actually knew the one was setting up the other during the roof top meeting scene over looking the city.
Yes, most of the viewing audience was fully aware of both setting up the other but I don't think the characters themselves actually knew what the other was planning.
I believe had Avon or String known or even suspected a set-up they would not have been so forth coming divulging their plans, times and locations.
Most likely both would have simply lied about where they would be, yet we do indeed see both parties at the locations and times they said they'd be at.
Unfortunately, Stringer's deceit cost him his life and was essentially the catalyst that wiped out the Barksdale organization as you already know the majority of that crew including Avon was busted in the police raid with enough weapons to start a small war.
I don't believe D'Angelo's murder was the final straw for Avon. He seemed to accept Stringer's decision to do so. In the end, it was the threat of losing his New York connect that made Avon betray Stringer. Even after realizing Stringer had gone behind his back with Joe, and despite knowing that Stringer had D'Angelo killed, Avon attempted to bargain with Mouzone to keep Stringer safe. Mouzone wouldn't have it, and Avon finally acted like the King that Stringer had urged him to become: he threw away his sentimentality and acted in the interest of his kingdom instead of his own personal emotions. Stringer on the other hand still believed Avon could become a proper King, but also that he first had to ensure there was a kingdom left for Avon to rule. For that, he was willing to send Avon to jail again, hoping that Avon would return one day, ready to rule the kingdom, not realizing that his own past decisions would soon lead to his death and the fall of the kingdom.
I don't know if Joe played Stringer, either. If so, why did Joe too try and fail to "civilize" Marlo, if he'd merely hustled Stringer in the same way? I think Joe simply didn't like the violence of the game, and hoped that when he had a stranglehold on the good drug connect, he could force everyone else in the Baltimore drug trade to comply. For that goal, Stringer was a true ally, not just some dupe playing into Joe's hands. Likewise, Joe truly believed Marlo would one day come around.
This is some good analysis.
"Chair recognize the esteemed rep of the Veronica Avenue Boys."
To understand Stringer one would have to understand “A Street Hustlers Mentality”. Stringer tried so hard to avoid the things that come with being apart of that street lifestyle, so for example he allied other suppliers and created a table to stop violence, while also increasing revenue. But on the other hand in the corporate world, Stringer had the look of a businessman but not the same patience and empathy he showed as a street hustler. Yes, he made indecisive decisions, in which lead to people getting murdered but he ultimately failed due to his unwillingness to accept reality for reality.
So hear me out when I say that Stringer and Avon unwillingness to accept reality for what it is , allowed both of them to succeed in the “Street Game”.
Unfortunately that mindset doesn’t get you far in life, so in context one should learn from his character that “The turtle always wins the race”.
Stringer’s life would have turned completely opposite and for success had he simply changed his associates, stayed in school and focused on business.
Good gracious this vid on point & certainly relatable 💯💯💯
This video applies to so much more than just the wire .. I love it
Worried about Dee and Wallace snitching, but look what String turned out to be in Season 3.
I need more of these ASAP 🤌🏾🤘🏾
You have to look at this from street analysis with street retaliations perspective. In a corporate situation Stringer would fit in perfectly fine
Keep doing these. Very insightful and relatable
I think Stringer was indeed a visionary. The problem wasn't so much him as it was Avon not being willing to work with the Co-op and give up the corners and street rep. Avon even admits later to Slim Charles that Stringer was right. "String was right. Fuck Marlo, fuck this war, fuck all this beef over a couple corners..." Stringer could've had the entire Barksdale organization at the point of making complete straight money and leaving the street game behind, but none of them had the foresight or vision to play the long game. IMO stringer was playing the long game, and everyone else was focused on the short. Where String went wrong was being impatient with city officials. He thought Clay was playing him, but that's actually just how city permits and licensing just goes. The government will bleed you dry and make you wait forever to get what you need. Stringer took that personally when it's what happens to everyone. He should have gone to Levy for sure when it came to getting those things sorted out.
Not going to Levy was the biggest mistake of them all. You ALWAYS go through your Jewish lawyer 😂
@@Boom38119 lmao he was doin legal work without consulting his lawyer smh
You described Idris Elba's character on The Office when you went into the work comparisons lmao, and you didn't even realize it.
Good takes on the wire n the many messages n topics the show was tryna get across.. i dont agree with ALL
ur takes on everyrhing in the wire but i do agree with alot of wat u say, n i also love to see other peoples take on my favorite show ever made(regardless if i agree with the takes or not) always love discussing the wire due to its perfection of a show . And all the many, deep, real, concepts/topics this show gets across (tries to get across) to it viewers.. the new show david simon made (we own this city) is a clear example of how everyone (politicians in bmore) say that the wire is their favorite show, n how much they love the show.. yet NONE of them actually address the problems the show covers . N the show exposes how NOTHING has changed in bmore since the show was made in the early 2000s… n that in fact things have only gotten WORSE.. mayors n police chiefs being jailed for tax evasion , money laundering, n they prolly involved in much of the profits received from the drug dealin goin on in the community..
Edit: A mans world podcast is the best channel when it comes to “the wire” content. Homie mustve been as big if a fan of the wire as me cus homie legit hits every point with 100% accuracy of what david simon was tryna expose with this show.. D.S. Couldnt even expose all the TRUE corruption that goes on in the police departments in inner cities around the country.. just legal gangs that break the law n their own “rules” more then the criminals do.. THEY (the corrupt”all of em are corrupt” politicians) are the true criminals of the country n they feed n take advantage off of those in the “poverty” lower class… capitalism at its finest ladies n gents. In a imaginary perfect world this system works.. but when ur dealing with greedy, scummy, corrupt, grimy humans… Baltimore is wat happens in capitalism…
Keep going this videos are great 👍 👌 👏 🙌
You are very accurate! More than most commenters analysing the WIRE! I can certify that... From me being Born and raised in 2 separate notorious "MurdaLand" Projects! Bodymore instincts is not what people guess it is smh.. Its what you Know! And you... KNOW (about 99.99%) lol 💯
Can’t wait for your Marlo analysis. Great vids sir!
As soon as you said to think of him in an “Office” environment I just thought….hold on a minute lol
I knew Stringer was slow when he tried to rob Orlando. Avon asked him how would Orlando be able to front $30,000 in cash? It was a setup from the beginning. And Stringer should've known that because they pay Orlando. Had he consulted with Avon first, they wouldn't have shot Kima and still would've had muscle with both Weebey and Littleman. Because of all of this, he ordered Weebey to hit Littleman to keep him from talking. Stringer was responsible for taking down the entire Barksdale organization.
This is one of the only commentaries I’ve seen in which I disagree with your Analysis! Love the content!
This was fantastic, please keep them up
What Stringer was doing was like taking a life and death situation and bottling it up into an experiment without taking the proper precautions.... of course it wasn’t gonna end well for him.
I appreciate these videos. Good job my man
B-Money's Cribz and Padz made me laugh.
“Pick a side and stay on it, you can’t play both” you can serve two masters and that’s exactly what Stringer tried to do. He lowered the morale of the troops trying to make drug dealers think like legitimate businessmen.
Pragmatism and diplomacy are soft skills that are not appreciated until you reap the benefits personally.
Great analysis bro !!!!
Thank you!
@@LionsandLegions I hope you'll do one on Avon !
Immense work, deep + rich, keep on! 😁💪
Favorite series
The true beginning of the end for Stringer wasn't D'Angelo but when he tried to get Brother Mouzone killed. It was Mouzone that not only throttled support for Avon when he returned from prison but it was Mouzone who leveraged Avon's connections to the New York crime lords to get him to give up Stringer.
Do the chair know we gonna look like some punk ass bits?
Man how are writing up these breakdowns? Lol!! This one was pretty good. A different take on Bell than I heard but a good one.
Queen got the moves
When he said “think of stringer in the office” the first thing I thought about was Charles miner
It's funny because you're not wrong, but when I was watching, I didn't see Stringer as in over his head or being outsmarted by everyone. I thought he was right about a lot of things and Avon was wrong, but was just a victim of circumstance. Stringer saw the way out of the ghetto, but got pulled back in by Avon.
Thank You
“You foolin wit Avon Barksdale repatation” reputation I know but that’s how he sounded
Your analysis of Stringers shortcomings fits U.K Prime minister Boris Johnson like a glove.
Stringer was Smartest guy in the Cinder. Marlo was titan yet respected no one. Avon played the game like a real Chessmaster.
Great content
I cant wait until this guy analyses the political characters of the Wire like Clay Davis
Leadership coaching based on the characters in The Wire 👌🏾👌🏾👏🏾👏🏾
When people use the term "too smart for their own good", Stringer is the EXACT person they're talking about.
on point analysis nice
Great Information. Do a video on Avon Barksdale.
Thanks for the great vid. A lot of people think he is the genius he himself thinks he is. At least what I read in the comments. He really was way over his head.
Stringer was right. Avon Barksdale
Stringer made mistakes bc of Avon wanting his “corners”.
Stringer idea of owning the package, which would give them a low profile with nobodies. Stringer weakness was Avon but he did not have Avon’s street respect or muscle.
I love your analysis but Stringer was right. Avon was his demise. Avon said it himself.
Avon wanted the real estate with inferior product. Stringer had a great coke connection with Prop Joe. Stringer was more profitable when Avon went in. Avon although my favorite character was the ghetto hood dude. Stringer was the smartest and sometimes too smart for his own good. That was his demise as well.
“Own nothing control everything” Paul M.
“Stringer was right” Avon Barksdale
Facts my brother, people are missing the point Barksdale Ego was the downfall of the organisation, how long are you going to fight over street corners, there’s a time you need to elevate and Stringer was clearly trying to do that..
prop made all the money,