Why Omar Little was the Heart of The Wire

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Omar Little is the most iconic character on one of the greatest shows on TV. This essay examines the legacy of Omar, how the character's unique position within the show's structure, and an incredible performance from Michael K Williams made him great.

This video contains spoilers for The Wire.

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[ThomasFlight]

If you enjoyed this video, you'll like the companion video I made about Omar's Code, exclusively on Nebula. I go through every example of Omar talking about his code to breakdown what it is and how it evolves over the course of the show.

[transformersrevenge]

To me, the most interesting thing about Omar, is how he won his war against Marlo, without ever taking direct revenge against him. In a typical hollywood movie, Omar would have taken out Snoop, Chris, Monk and Cheese, in badass ways, and then he would have confronted Marlo, and killed him. But in the Wire, he doesn't get any of his targets, and is gunned down by a little kid. Marlo is so interested in his own name, and the power it carries. He doesn't care about the money, or the life outside of the game, he cares about his own power high, while in the game. Ironically, he gets the exit Stringer was looking for. He leaves the game with a lot of money. But he is an empty man without the game. And there is where Omar won. By the time Marlo walks out of that party, he has already been forgotten. His name no longer has any power to it. Meanwhile Omar's legend has grown to a mythical proportion. Decades later, the city of Baltimore will still be fondly remembering Omar. Nobody will remember Marlo in a matter of months. That's such an interesting and metaphysical way, that Omar won his war against Marlo.

[AlbertoFolres]

* Michael entering heaven *
Angels: It's Omar! Omar comin yo!

[Furthermore]

The Wire is the greatest most layered show I've seen. Like watching a novel, social study, Greek tragedy and Shakespearean play each episode. Great accomplishment

[montyi]

You know a show is good when the characters are still analysed even after 20 years the show started.

[gaurd]

Omar being Black, homosexual, and a thug who brought it to the macho of the macho on the show, added complexity to his character. That mix was brilliant. That's a whole different video.

[ryderdrew]

This man showed me what complexity in acting is, and we've truly suffered a huge loss with his passing.
Rest In Peace.

[paulvece]

Hearing the Omar whistle at the Ravens/Chiefs game was fuckin spine-chilling. Such a perfect tribute to a perfect character/actor. RIP Michael

[gildardorodriguez]

Michael Williams was the real MVP of the show, the character's fate was so shocking for me.

D'Angelo was my favorite character as well.

[vdotme]

Tbh, I didn't hate Bodie & Poot for Wallace's murder. They'd done all they could. If they hadn't killed him, they & Wallace would have been dead anyway. As D'Angelo Wallace String?"

That's who I hated for Wallace's death.

[Ryadic]

Thank you for this. Omar was by far my favorite character because of how mythical he was in the world that was so real. They ran, called out his name, and tried to hide, all with him whistling over the top. It some of the best world building/character building.

[silverXnoise]

This was an excellent character study that perfectly framed the subject within the larger narrative. I spent a semester in graduate school studying The Wire, and you did in 20 minutes what my professor did across 4 months. Of course, we enjoyed a good deal of the other tangential themes the show explores (and good God there are plenty of them), but this video certainly does get at the heart of the series. Well done! Film and television is objectively lesser without Michael K Williams, and his passing should be cause for everyone who cared and had the privilege of enjoying his work to take some measure of action to help promote the reform of drug policies in this country.

[thisisacrummyname]

Michael K. Williams portrayal of Omar Little was the soul reason I watched the show.
I grew up a rough life & this show was one of the most accurate portrayal of that life.
Michael K. Williams Was amazing.
The show was pact full of heavy hitters when it comes to acting talent.
When if the greatest series I’ve ever watched.

[solharv]

Beautiful tribute, Rest In Peace to the legendary Mr Williams

[friendlyboy]

Very well done analysis! Omar little is definitely one of the greatest characters of all time, and it's a tragedy that Michael K. Williams has passed on. No one will ever forget this legend.

[marioncapriotti]

I can hardly believe that Michael K. Williams is gone, and that his unforgettable, brilliant portrayal of Omar Little is over 20 years old. I mourn his untimely death, and can't shake the thought that the world is much, much poorer because we never got to see this incredible actor play Shakespeare's Richard III.

I can almost hear him: "Now is the winter of our discontent. . ."

RIP to a great artist.

[mikeyp]

I keep thinking about the amount of years that have passed since the end of The Wire... and Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, Mad Men, and Deadwood. Are we going to get another extraordinary show like these again?

[Jamaleum]

Seeing this in my infobox made me sad. It is a great video and it summarized well what a legacy Michael K. Williams left behind when he portrayed that character as well as he did. May he rest in peace.

[mok]

I don't leave many comments online in general, and you're one of only a handful of creators I subscribe to.. your breakdowns are amazing, and this one is just immaculate - thank you for this..I was half upset in your opening when you say it's "one of" the best shows, but then in the end you did say it's your favorite so I'll allow it lol.. finished my 6th rewatch of the series about 2 weeks before his passing, I'm scared to watch it again and see him on screen, not ready for that pain...RIP Michael K

[alvaroflores]

I'm a simple man, I see The Wire I click