u/Crcai

I feel like there are decent arguments both for and against Marlo being realistic. On the one hand, there are criminals who really don’t care at all about the pain they inflict or the morality of their actions and Marlo is a good representation of that mentality. On the other hand, most characters in The Wire have well developed motivations that either receive heavy focus(like with Cutty or Stringer) or are subtly hinted at (like with Chris or Rawls). I’m not trying to hate on Marlo as a character, but I see people calling out plot lines like Serial Killer and Hamsterdam for being unrealistic and I don’t see Marlo get the same type of criticism. I’m wondering what the general consensus on his realism is.

Edit: I was misguided in asking if he’s realistic. What I’m interested in if he’s well developed. I am convinced he’s realistic now but would like people’s takes on whether he’s well developed.

I find Carcetti to be the most interesting character in The Wire. Obviously everyone in The Wire is a nuanced character in some way, but I originally thought Carcetti was supposed to be a similar character to Colvin or Carver in that he’s trying to do the right thing but the system won’t let him. I believe his character is so much more nuanced later on but honestly I can’t really tell what the show is trying to communicate with his character by the end. In some scenes he clearly seems to be a force of good, but in others the show seems to be condemning him for acting in his own self interest. I’m sorry if I sound stupid and am completely missing the point, I’m 19 and don’t really have as much wisdom as most of the people who watch this show. I’m honestly not sure what to take away from him as a character. What do you think are some of the key messages Carcetti’s story tries to communicate?

In season one, Avon and (especially) Stringer are incredibly cautious about discussing anything that could incriminate them, or really even anything at all whenever they could be listened to. There’s the scene in the first episode where Dee is talking in the car and the other guy says something like “never talk in the car or on the phone” but in season 2 and I think 3 as well, Stringer and Avon actively talk about their plans and crimes they are willing or unwilling to commit in the middle of a prison on a prison phone that could easily be tapped and is likely being actively surveilled. Is this a plot hole, oversight, or inconsistency or am I being stupid and missing something obvious?

Edit: to be clear, I’m talking about the visiting booth

How can you ethically exist when your presence as a man can make women feel uncomfortable or unsafe and staying isolated is frowned upon?