Marlo didn't steal Stringer's dream...Slim Charles did.

In this episode, we will be evaluating the idea that Slim Charles actually wanted to be CEO all along. In examining this claim, we will start by looking at his mentality, before disproving some of the more popular perceptions about his character and then end by looking at his life chronologically, including a couple suspicious actions, where we will see things start to fall in to place once his true motives and personality are understood. In a way, you can argue that it was Slim that stole Stringer Bell's dream, not Marlo Stanfield.

[bena]

Slim was the pawn that made it to the other side of the board. Slim stole Bodie's dream, not Stringer's. Marlo is the one who stole Stringer's dream, but the irony is he didn't want it. That's made very clear at the series finale. You made some good points, but the character analysis that Slim is secretly ambitious is not what the show was trying to get across, IMO. Slim made it to the other side because he was smart, loyal, and content with his position, unlike many other characters constantly scheming.

[timinoent]

Slim is the definition of a few of the 48 Laws of Power:

"Never Outshine the Master", "Conceal Your Intentions", "Always Say Less than Necessary"

[numberstunner]

Slim was just a loyal dude who was wise and fierce. He had honor. When the moment came, he took Cheese out as revenge for Joe, and prevented another dictator stepping in Marlo's place. Slim had way more heart than the others in the co-op, and wasn't power hungry - but it was better for him to take over the co-op than to leave it to someone who would fold to a Marlo type or be a Marlo type.
By the end, you could say he was groomed for leadership.

[JamesLaserpimpWalsh]

The best man to be in a position of power is a man that is not interested in power.

[Dungeon_of_Rap]

It's also worth noting that Omar respected Slim. That scene where they interact is so important 💪😤

[alpha]

Slim’s greatest attribute is he understood the politics of the culture. He also never outshined the master.

[samus]

I think Slim's biggest asset was that he played it straight up - most characters ran games that eventually caught up with them. He also didn't let his ego or pride interfere with his work, so he didn't make many enemies and people saw him as solid.

I don't think he had a masterplan, I think he just took it one day at a time and was lucky enough to be that one pawn who made it to the end of the board. In terms of his status by the end of the series, he became the modern day Charlie Sollers. No profile, no street rep, just buy for a dollar, sell for 2.

[jessmitchell]

Slim was a chameleon. Wasn't blindly loyal to West Bmore like Avon. Wasn't caught between worlds like Stringer. Wasn't over ruthless like Marlo. And never overplayed his hand like Prop Joe. Yet was able to be a top soldier for all them, excluding Marlo.

[gstacks]

slim was worked directly under 4 bosses, & at the end of the show he became a co-boss himself

[breadpirateoverhere]

I think it speaks to the quality of the writing that you could create such a deep theory on a side character.

[enricoflamingo]

Slim reminds me of Bruce Lee’s saying “Be like water”. He was always able to adapt and he never outshined his masters, to reference 48 laws. He understood his role well and played to his strengths. His refusal to attack Clay for Stringer and his advice to Body showed his steady head. One of my favorite characters

[cyrusamaria]

Avon didn’t miss this about Slim at all.. he just knew he wouldn’t go against him and if Slim was CEO elsewhere he could work with him. Slim was also positioned where he well liked so hurting him wasn’t an option either.

[gritzengraby]

I agree with you that Slim is smarter/more crafty than he appears to be throughout the show, but your suggestion that he was plotting to become 'the guy' is problematic. The fact that he was a mercenary doesn't equate with him being a snake (honor amongst thieves). IMO, you don't hold that position in that line of work without being trustworthy and as smart as Slim is, all of those other cats in the co-op are just as smart. So, it would appear to me that if he was using his position within multiple organizations to gain the top spot, he would have been found out.

[The-Canon]

“Not made to be no CEO”
Slim recognized being under Stringer & Prop Joe they always have a board (Co-Op) and Investors (The Greek) to answer to.

Something Marlo didn’t realize is that the crown really isn’t a crown, no absolute ruling.

But being able to play a part in two different orgs he definitely gained a lot of knowledge and prepared unknowingly for the position and learned from Joe’s, Avon’s, Stringer’s and Marlo’s mistakes.

[zulubeatz]

Some interesting points here. It shows the quality of the series that decades after its first showing people are still discussing and debating the plot. Incredible.

[benmerliss]

In a sense when Slim (not Slimothy) said to Shorty Buise "That was for Joe, " it was a reference to the earlier scene where Joe told Slim he wasn't going to move on Cheese (as he was Joe's nephew) until he had more to go on than words, and that Slim was to watch Cheese while Joe was away. Also I don't think Slim being absent when Cheese left Joe to die at Marlo's hands was a calculated move on Slim's part. Joe likely felt he didn't need Slim there when Cheese was ostensibly helping Joe to pack because he did not anticipate the extent of Cheese's betrayal. And neither for that matter did Slim. I can’t picture him giving Cheese that look during the subsequent meeting (and disbanding) of the Co-Op otherwise.

[mikaahkana]

Slim Charles didn’t get over on no one. He played his part and climbed. A real man. Slim was portrayed to show was a stand up soldier can become

[patrickcollins]

Slim crossed his T's and dotted his I's. He became the man because all the Kings ignored his warnings. He wasn't trying to become a King. He just wanted to be on winning teams. Slim played his role and moved up when opportunities fell in his lap. Yet, he listen to his own advice and took out Cheese because Cheese was an enemy he couldn't trust.

[benmerliss]

Remember that Proposition Joe was the one with the connection to the Greeks, not Avon. However due to being King from prison more or less, it’s not especially surprising that Avon would have learned about the relationship between the Greeks and Joe. It’s likely he gave Marlo access to Sergei for the $100K price knowing that Marlo would usurp the connection from Joe and hence give Avon a taste of revenge for Joe’s (implied) manipulation of Stringer Bell in the earlier seasons.

[msrnda]

I like how everyone respected Slim. Even Omar. Slim was a wise counsel to everyone and provided encouragement and hope to the young corner boys when Barksdale folded. Slim knew Marlos time would be temporary. Slim represented old school values with the ability to adapt to new trends. The mark of a great leader. Slim used to call Marlo youngin to his face and Marlo never seemed to be offended and often welcomed the wise counsel of his nemesis.