They thought Marlo and his crew were just dumb muscle. By the time they found out he wasn't, it was too late. Marlo simply took over by playing the fool so to speak. If they knew Marlo was as calculating as he was, they would have dealt with them. Marlo never showed that side of himself. Sometimes you have to play a sucka to catch a sucka.

Because they thought it was one way, but it was another way

They took him as seriously as a 40 degree day.

Prop Joe and Stringer had the same weakness, to greater and lesser degrees: Both are not as smart as they think they are. Both over estimated their own abilities, while under estimating everyone else. Both underestimated Avon and Marlo. Joe thought he could control Marlo and use him to bring down Avon without getting his own hands dirty. It didn't work out that way.

I don't agree that the co-op would have lost credibility because of killing Marlo. All the members knew he was a problem and would place his own beefs over co-op aims for peaceful earning. They would get over it, that's exactly what happened when Cheese got killed

I clicked this vid faster than Slim Charles bagged up that 15k for Cutty

“If yew happy to dew for me? I’m happy to dew for yew. Yew just dew as yew dew” - Your true and loyal friend, Proposition Joe.

I’ve always thought that they greatly underestimated how ruthless Marlo was. Joe and Stringer were no match for him.

The show definitely made Chris and Snoop out to be The Terminator or something. Every other gang has killers too. Just because they are the best muscle, doesn't mean everyone else has NO muscle. Hungry Man's people would have made war in the streets.

They knew taking Marlo out wouldn’t be enough. They would have to get him, snoop, and Chris which woulda been a tall task. And I think they feared him more than Avon bc Marlo had no code

You mentioned Avon recognizing Marlo for what he was but how could you completely forget Slim Charles?! Especially in regards to the Co-op dealing with Marlo.

15 years after the last season, the wire still gets talked about and examined. That shows u how great thos show was

But at the end of the day the one thing Marlo and Avon had in common was they both instilled fear into their community I honestly think Avon would have been an even bigger problem for the co op because he was more smart then Marlo and was always a half a step ahead

As someone that grew up along psychos like Marlo, not the acting part, but actual cold blooded killers. You want to know what happens when someone like that dies? The block or hood celebrates. It's not like in the movies or shows where some guy is terrorizing a whole city, it's just mainly one guy that thinks he can control 2 or 3 blocks, shooting and killing kids that he played in the sand with.

"When i ran my shop, and the Co-Op dropped, I damned sure did something about it". Marlo

Shows you how street smart Avon was vs everyone else..It's street smarts vs business smarts often in this series that tends to clash.

I’m pretty sure that: a) The co-op didn’t try to kill Marlo in the beginning because they needed his muscle to solve problems of their own (e.g. the New York dealers), as well as consolidate power on the west side, where they had no influence or marketshare following the death of Stringer and Avon’s imprisonment. This isn’t the colonization of South America we’re talking about. Killing Marlo would not have given the co-op control of Marlo’s muscle or his operation b) The co-op were not idealists, looking to make some kind of point about how much peachier the drug game is without violence. They were thuggish businessmen who were willing to acknowledge that they stood to make more money by refraining from constant war. But this doesn’t mean they wouldn’t have been willing to use violence as an expedient to solve certain problems (as they, in fact, *did* on several occasions) c) Prop Joe was not Avon’s “arch-rival.” They represented different markets (East Side vs West). There is not a single instance in the show where Avon expresses interest in conquering the East Side drug market. Even Marlo is not initially interested in this possibility, until his experience with Joe teaches him that it’s actually an achievable goal. To sum up: Marlo and Avon share the belief that the East Side are “a bunch of bitches,” and neither of them care much for it until Marlo is able to chart a path, through the Greeks, to total domination of both sides I hope this helps?

Marlo moved different from everyone on the show. He paid attention to every detail.

Choosing between Marlo and Joe is like choosing between a s*** sandwich or strawberry s*** sandwich

The Co-op never had the overall authority of something like the commission and nobody in the cop op had the balls to to kill Marlo and they were to self serving to unite against Marlo

Marlo and Chris always the Emperor and Darth Vader of the Wire Saga!

I think "You come at the king you best not miss" applies here. As far as they know Marlo disappeared legions of snitches at will. He and his killed Stringer. He and his wounded Omar, then killed him later. None of the Co-Op had the heart or muscle to go up against that for no good reason. Besides, didn't Prop Joe's death get blamed on Omar? Only Slim Charles had any real clue, but he's the ultimate pragmatist. (I truly believe he shot Cheese because he was weak, a liability, likely to flip if/when caught, not out of real revenge for Prop Joe.)

This is where you ultilize your defacto muscle like Slim. Slim was almost close to wiping out Marlo and some of his key personnel and he was sick with the gun game just like Marlo was. All the Co-Op had to do was delegate the task to Slim and help him get an army and let him get loose.

Simple. Marlo had all the muscle. The Co-Op couldn't even run them NY boys off without Marlo.

I'm a former street dude from Chicago. In real life Marlo would have ended up on a t shift. A long with Snoop and Chris. Nobody here would scared of him. It's just a show. He had plot armor 😂

I think it's always like this. Why doesn't a man that bleeds as any other, not get killed in these situations? You've gave several and there are probably several more. Why didn't Avon get killed, or any of the other main characters for so long, even if they eventually did? I'll say this, Marlo's last scene, with the 2 boys on the corner... it kinda shows you who he is. He got stabbed and tasted the blood and laughed AFTER ducking a head shot. #Seasoned

Because not everyone is a killer. That's life . Damn I love these videos. When marlo meets Avon, best scene in the series!

A historical example is appropriate here. Prior to WW2, all of Europe could see that Germany wanted war. They expanded its military in violation of the WW1 peace treaty, it invaded disputed territory, it took over Czechoslovakia. They should have put a stop to all that early on. It was not until Germany invaded Poland when they finally acted. By then it was too late.

Plot armor lol. Every criminal organization has ruthless muscle. And if they didn’t have the muscle, they’d just put a bag on his head. Hell in real life people will kill you just to say they’re the ones who killed you. Marlo survived because the plot needed him to survive.

I really like this channel and The Wire is the greatest show ever. I know of whence I speak. I am a City attorney and I work directly with police most of the time. To say The Wire "follows the drug trade of Baltimore from both the side of the cops looking to take down the drug crews, and the kingpins looking to profit from the system" is a gross understatement of The Wire. It is about the entirety of an American city at the dawn of the 21st century. Yes, the drug crews are part of it. The cops, not only chasing drug crews but all parts of policing, are part of it. Schools are part of it. Politics are part of it. Development - both where it is moving the City forward and where it is lacking - are part of it. As I said I really enjoy this channel - but - the gross understatement of what The Wire is needs to be pointed out.

I think prop joe wasn’t as smart as he thought he was and thought he could control and use Marlo, but (like someone below said) Marlo didn’t have rules like the rest of them. The co-op was all about business and (I feel) by them killing Marlo would have created a vacuum in his territory, thus leading to more violence. I really wish we could have known what each member thought at any given time, because I’m sure some of them wanted him dead simply because they saw the threat of his ambition too be the king., but realized he was too powerful. Just my thoughts

"Or maybe their guys caught a nickel or went an clean dey ack up" 😂❤❤

They was all scared of Marlo cause Marlo crew put in work out of loyalty and was rewarded for it

Great vid. Your Wire content is so good.

Chris was the zombie master had them all shook

Slim Charles also saw Marlo was making a move.

Joe tried to be close Marlo and treat him like a son. Marlo wanted to get close to snake him and he did. All thru the meetings Marlo watched for weakness. Avon was Marlo only threat but they were so weak by the time they clashed.

Because Marlo is a story device. Its why he's impervious and his team is the best and then they arent. The whole point was to show that dynasties like the old Barksdale crews are freying under the drug trade and younger men are more violent. Its the same reason why Omar was killed the way he was - to show that social bonds are fraying further but the drug trade keeps going.

This is pretty common. Look at Stalin. Dude was exiled multiple times. Let out of prisons over and over after failed rebellions. Even Lenin warned about him. But yet he still became the ultimate heartless ruler of the Soviet Union for almost 30 years til he died in 1954 All the red flags were there but he was never taken out

Brilliant video as ever!

Despite what everyone thinks about Marlo, I rather liked his ending, as it defied viewer expectations. Besides, it can be inferred that he will prob meet the end some time after the final episode- his careless/reckless/ruthless/merciless behaviour will catch up with him. Who knows, perhaps that was what Spiros/The Greek were negotiating with Slim/Rick in the final montage. I expect Marlo would meet a similar fate to others in the game. Have a good day reader :)

I always wondered why. Its simple kill Marlo and wait for the Greeks to come knocking. These are all gangstas, not business men

Marlo was Walmart amongst Grandpa’s, Sears and JC Penny. The only one that saw Marlo coming was Tall man and Avon (AKA Target). 😆

Amazing how this series is still buzzing through peoples minds

Strings problem was that he thought that he was the smartest nigga in the room, corporately and on the Streets….. Never think that you are intellectually superior than those around you! You can always learn from others.

They didn’t kill him because they didn’t have the heart… only Avon and Omar had the heart to go at Marlo

They should have gotten rid of him at the first red flag when someone shows you who they are believe it, he was selfish and reckless

The reason no one killed Marlo is because the writers needed a new villain

If The Co-op moved like The Italian-American Mafia. They would’ve taken Marlo OUT. As soon as he made a move on any Co-op members. Marlo had no reason to fear The Co-op. SMH 🤦🏾‍♂️ No real organization.

It's always interesting to hear a person that has no idea what the lifestyle is like or about try to explain why things happened the way they did.

You summed it all up, the co-op feared Marlo, Slim Charles warned Prop Joe when he said The Boy Marlo know some shit, and Prop Joe was a complete idiot to attempt to civilize and make an alliance with that man, to even bring him to the co-op plus he was Westside, just like Avon. So the Co-op crumbling was all of Prop Joe's fault, Hungry Man's death Prop Joe's fault, his own death his fault. He should've let Marlo do his own thing, but the Co-op could've killed Marlo and got the connect🤷🏿‍♂️

There’s an interesting parallel between Marlo and Putin and the new day co op and nato. I liked that you touched on it but it’s a topic that deserves to be fleshed out fully.

One word kept Marlo alive, CHRIS

Marlo utilized fear.

they was cowards all that power they had they could have banded together n took out such a huge threat to them all

They didn't take he serious until it was too late to do anything about it.

Marlo soldiers would have took them to a long dragged out war and the money coming in would have slowed down

The mafia had a similar situation with their commission, against carmine galane, they eventually killed galante.

Man, Jamie Hector was absolutely terrifying as Marlo... one of the scariest characters in TV / movie history.

You earned a sub when you referred to prison as the can. Nicely done

Wow… As a native Westside Baltimorean. You cleaned that up exceptionally well. Great job.👍🏾

The Co-Op didn't take him out because the leader was soft. 1st convo they had was about the Co-Op needs him for muscle. Then says nobody messes woth any of them. Lie. Omar tore their asses up. So right there Marlo sensed weakness. The only one that had heart was Slim Charles. Joe, Hungry Man, Fat Face Rick, all soft.

Yes Joe's strategy was to thwart the Barksdales. It was also Avon's aim to help Marlo so he would end up killing Joe out of revenge

Taking out Hungryman, went against what the CO OP was supposed to be for. Stringer wanted reform and Joe Wanted to go by some 'code', but Marlo and the CO OP, represented neither.

I still believe the best option would’ve been to aid Avon in taking Marlo out because even though Avon wouldn’t necessarily have joined the co op,he wouldn’t have gone against it either.Prop Joe of all people should’ve known that at least Avon had the highest respect for the game and could be civilized when need be i.e. the east side vs west side b ball game.Avon and Joe had beef yes but at least unlike Marlo,Avon didn’t care about the whole city and taking over he just wanted his corners and territory.

Someone from within the co-op had to take the initiative and take out Marlo. No one did. Marlo wins

I love your content. Even my father likes your videos.

When he, told them "STFU" it was, game over 🤷🏻‍♂️

You got some things mixed up, in the video you said Marlo was taking Avon corners, but Avon just had the towers or projects and Marlo crew had the corners so when they knocked down the towers Avon crew started expanding out onto Marlo world. Back to the question once Avon was out the picture Marlo really didn’t have to worry about the other crews, they was all older and just tried to stay out the way they was more wholesalers

Really interesting. Thank you. I have to confess I have often posed this question to myself. One thing I must correct you on, however. In the current war you refer to, neither party is a member of NATO though the invaded party would like to be. The invader claimed their reason for attacking was fear that the other would join NATO.

The New Day Co-op is a good example of what happens when an organization has economic cooperation but lacks collective security.

They chose the wrong horse ... Avon was straight up OG and knew just how to handle Marlo because indeed he had handled many just like him coming up. Instead the Co-Op acted like they were running a corporate board as opposed to a street drug cartel. You reap what you sow ..

You know what just dawned on me the co-op where "old fat men" meaning seasoned players in the drug trade and settled, in their minds Marlo would stumble somewhere somehow. Avon was a bit younger and had some fire left in him money was simply a way to keep count. Avon seen a man hell bent on takeover and playing by his own rules.

Avon tried to take Marlo out early on , but was outsmarted by him.

The co-op saw Marlo and his crew as effective muscle for-hire. They were all too arrogant to see how smart and ambitious Marlo was. One guy didn't sleep on Marlo, though. Slim Charles saw what Marlo was cooking up in one of the co-op meetings. He even warned Prop Joe to look out for Marlo, the second Slim smelled it. Throughout the show, Slim always knew what was up. Only other soldiers, like Marlo and Avon, recognized how sharp Slim Charles was.

When you apply logic to how everyone here is cold blooded the only thing protecting Marlo is plot armor. If it weren't for that he would be cadavarous

Just gotta point out that Frankenstein is the scientist, Frankenstein's monster is the dude with bolts in his neck. So saying "like a Frankenstein growing out of control" , doesnt make mucb sense :P Love the channel though mate , probably watched about 10 of your vids so far ❤

LIKED/SHARED

i rewatch the wire every year and I'm amazed that you still notice things even after multiple viewing When Cheese loses his dog fight theres a close up of the alpha dog the scene then cuts to Marlo, which is a clear i foreshadowing that Marlo will wear the crown

“Dont sleep on Marlo, he’s up to some shit here.”

No one wanted Marlo more than Detective Herk 😂😂

Wonder if Marlo had some run-around connect - somebody in NYC for instance, that helped him rise up so far as an independent. Nothing like the Greeks, or the Barksdale connect, but a smaller plug outside the sticky reaches of the power players.

Marlo lives because he had plot armor. That's it.

The Eastside was about business. The Westside were the killers. That's why Joe wanted Marlo apart of the CO-OP in my opinion. Killing Marlo would collectively make the business vulnerable to outsiders again. Joe rested on his relationship with the connect. Ain't no loyalty if the next man or woman is offering more. Marlo was indeed offering more. Makes me wonder who Marlo's connect was prior to joining the CO-OP!? Cause what made Joe think that Marlo wouldn't find out about the Greeks. Marlo was already his OWN boss on the WESTSIDE. It was ONLY a matter of time before he cut Joe out the picture.

I love that intro 🤣🤣🤣

Because he had the connect. They didnt. Also he benefited them. He had leverage. Make no sense to kill someone they benefit

Overall Prop Joe was the smartest of the three kingpins , his own nephew Cheese sold him out otherwise Marlow would have never been able to kill him!!!! Lets not forget that Prop Joe is the one who actually turned Stringer Omar & Brother Mozune all against eachother which was probably the smartest strategy in the entire show!!!!

In other words; "it's just a kid..."

Hey I'm no one to tell an artist what to paint but I'd like to see somewhat a comparison of old school crime vs new school grey area crime (big tech) which silicone valley does shine a light on in a comedic way. But I think the characters like Gavin belson, Lorry, Jared, Richard all handle these mega moves. The gangsters and criminals of our new age with selling us addiction and taking away parts of us

4:41 “…it ain’t THAT part of it, it’s that other thing”

Excellent analysis. Truly Avon is the only one who recognized Marlo’s ambition. Avon was a master of the game. As he told stringer you’re too soft and not cut out for the game and not smart enough to make it out there.

It was pretty funny how they acted like he was Michael Corleone when he was talkingbout of hand in those Co Op meetings.

Do a video on why slim didn’t talk to the Greeks after Joe died. He had to meet them before

Simple put it the co-op was using Diplomacy by appeasement. Marlo only seen it as weakness.

Avon and Marlo was both Westside. There was no way he was going with Prop Job.

I think that you overlooked a major factor about Marlo's journey throughout the storyline. Marlo only joined Joe's Co-OP so he could find out who all was involved in him getting robbed by Omar at the poker game in front of the only men Marlo truly respected. Plus, Marlo was smart enough to position himself for a clean kill, so that the supplier wouldn't retaliate on him for murdering their connection and disrupting the flow of their product. Marlo's character arc was way more brilliant than most KZfaqrs are willing to give him credit for. Marlo was a mastermind genius level tactician and self-determined business man. Why do you think he survived the storyline with a get out of jail free card? After all, he was the so called serial killer that the homicide detectives were looking for. Yet, the only reason why he went after Avon, who he respected, or Joe, THE FAT MAN who he never liked, was because they impeded upon his brand of business. First, Brody carelessly violated Fruit's corner boundaries; then Avon sent in a spy; Joe orchestrated the poker game robbery. Even the offscreen murder of that pretentious security guard across from around where Marlo was robbed was a strategic and just a little personal.

Marlo had a monopoly on the Westside drug trade. It would be more lucrative to bring him into the co-op, like Stringer originally wanted. If they take him out they could potentially have another half a dozen guys pop up trying to take Marlo's place. That would lead to turf wars and no money being made because of increased police pressure to reduce crime in those areas.

They thought they where smart enough to use him against New York for example. Marlo was only accepting people below him Not anyone above.

I grew you right down the street where Prop Joe's TV repair shop was it was Eastside most of the show was filmed in Highlandtown funny when they said Westside and you knew better .

Why would you create friction in a Co-Op? It’s very obvious why they didn’t band together to form a front against Marlo. It sets a VERY bad precedent when you’re pushing people out of the co-op. Alliances would get everyone paranoid, having the thought in their minds that if Marlo is moved on, were they to be next?