The Wire Top 50 Characters

[Maynard]

The Wire Top 50 Characters
by Maynard

The Wire is in my opinion the greatest TV show ever made. It tackles drugs, politics, murder, schools and the media. The show does it without a traditional lead actor and uses hundreds of characters all with varying story arcs that span multiple seasons. The one thing that really got me hooked on The Wire is how real the show is. Its not covering crime like most shows and it is not pretty, nor is it trying to be. It does not use actors that are well known and it does not use actors that are attractive. Instead it uses people that fill in this world of ugly truths and intertwines each role in a way that has never been done before, and to my knowledge has never been done again.

So here is my little tribute to the hundreds of characters that graced the show with their small or large contributions to what I feel is the greatest show of all time.
You probably wont agree with my choices, but if nothing else you can remember some of your favorite characters and recall some of your favorite moments from the show.


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[Maynard]

#50 - Scott Templeton

M. Scott Templeton is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor Thomas McCarthy. The actor joined the starring cast as the series' fifth season began.

Templeton is a young reporter who allows his extreme ambition to lead him to falsify stories. He has previously worked at the Wichita Eagle and the Kansas City Star. Templeton sees his current job as a general assignment reporter at The Baltimore Sun as a stepping stone to The Washington Post or New York Times. His prose is reflective of his personality and is often overwrought and exaggerated. Templeton's style is welcomed by Managing Editor Thomas Klebanow and Executive Editor James Whiting.

Scott Templeton is a snake. Not only is he a media person, but he lies to make a name for himself. As a major player in season 5's homeless killings, Scott puts himself into the story by faking a call from the serial killer. He uses this to gain notoriety within his news paper and around the national media. He even earns the Baltimore Sun a Pulitzer.

As part of Season 5 and the new paper angle, which was in my opinion the worst story on the show, Scott is one of very few who earned a spot on my list and was only placed here because the homeless killings were such a large story as part of this season.

Favorite Scene - When Templeton comes to the homicide unit to eyeball photos of the person who tried to kidnap a homeless man outside the Baltimore Sun. McNulty, who is on the other side of the bullshit calls out Templeton for being a liar

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[Maynard]

#49 - Augustus Haynes

Augustus "Gus" Haynes is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor Clark Johnson, who is also a director for the series. Haynes is the dedicated and principled editor for the Baltimore Sun city desk.

Haynes is a dedicated, principled and experienced reporter who now serves as city desk editor of The Baltimore Sun. He has worked at the paper for many years; he claims to have dropped out of journalism school and worked his way up from the police beat and labor beat to his current position. He maintains several contacts within the Baltimore Police Department. Haynes is profane and unrefined and chafes with the management of The Sun. He is a reporter's editor and is quick to both compliment and criticize his team where deserved and likes to keep his reporters motivated

Gus is one of the few memorable characters from season 5 as the editor of the metro section of the Baltimore Sun. He is old school and is honest and has integrity. Even the slightest bit of impropriety will not stand. He would rather dump a story then come across as giving the impression that it may not be accurate. He is respected among his colleagues and works hard knowing full well that the end of printed media is forthcoming. Despite knowing this he rejects the ideas brought forth by upper management.

Gus begins to sense the false reporting of Scott Templeton and over time has another reporter do a follow up to his most recent stories in which he uncovers a slew of lies and misrepresentations. Unfortunately "the great Whiting" does not seem to care and as such ultimately bumps Gus down to the copy desk position. in doing so shows the irony of how politics which are so widely expressed in the police side of the show is not excluded from the media, or any other walk of life.


Favorite Scene - Gus and Templeton are confronted by a homeless war vet about Templetons false reporting of a war story about the vet and another soldier who lost both arms. Later Gus goes to the hospital to talk to the soldier who was injured. During this scene he basically listens to the soldier tell the truth about the story as well as the mindset of the homeless vet and his struggles about the events that took his friends limbs.

Favorite Quotes - "Thats some shameful shit right here"

Sidenote - Clark Johnson, the actor who played Gus, also directed the 1st and last episode of this series. He also directed 2 other shows from season 1

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[Maynard]

#48 - Nick Sobotka

Nickolas Andrew "Nick" Sobotka is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor Pablo Schreiber. Nick is cousin to Ziggy Sobotka, the wayward and rebellious son to his uncle Frank Sobotka.

Nick is a stevedore on the docks who helps his uncle Frank unload cargo to the greeks. He eventually gets caught up in his own smuggling with the greeks and ends up dealing drugs in the Southeast. Niko, as he is refered to by the greeks doesnt appear to be to wise when it comes to the street, but he catches on quickly and begins to make alot of bank. He is a major role in the the docks angle from season 2, but doesnt have a strongly developed story arc. His main role seems to be baby sitting his cousin Ziggy and making sure he doesnt fuck up anything.

Favorite Scene - My favorite scene has no meaning, its just Nick and his girl in his basement getting ready in the morning. His girl, Aimee, has by far the best rack in all of TV. My actual favorite scene is when Nick informs Frog (a white drug dealer) that he is not black. Something that most white people should point out to other white people who try to black.

Sidenote - Nick makes a small appearance in season 5 when Carcetti is announcing the development of the grain pier. Nick is seen yelling some obscenities before being escorted out by police.

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[krulmichael]

I really need to finish this series. I remember watching the 1st season and enjoying it a lot. Then I watched the 2nd season and for some reason it bored me and I never got back into it. Think this thread has revitalized that urge. Might have to watch through season 1 again since it's been about 2-3 years since I saw it.

 

[Buzzman]

The part where hes in the basement with his girlfriend, I liked when he just kinda pinched her nipple.

 

[EmpireWF]

I really need to finish this series. I remember watching the 1st season and enjoying it a lot. Then I watched the 2nd season and for some reason it bored me and I never got back into it. Think this thread has revitalized that urge. Might have to watch through season 1 again since it's been about 2-3 years since I saw it.

The Polish storyline is pretty much contained in season 2, so season 3 and beyond (well, part of season 5 isn't too great, either) pick up the greatness of season 1.

 

[Ravin]

 

[krulmichael]

The Polish storyline is pretty much contained in season 2, so season 3 and beyond (well, part of season 5 isn't too great, either) pick up the greatness of season 1.

So essentially what you're saying is that Season 2 is probably the weakest?

 

[EmpireWF]

So essentially what you're saying is that Season 2 is probably the weakest?

That's certainly the opinion of many (IMO, the Polish aspect caught many off guard and was so different from the original...plus, all the characters people fell in love with were absent for the majority of season 2)......I didn't think it was that bad after a few episodes in, but I understand the criticisms.

 

[krulmichael]

That's certainly the opinion of many (IMO, the Polish aspect caught many off guard and was so different from the original...plus, all the characters people fell in love with were absent for the majority of season 2)......I didn't think it was that bad after a few episodes in, but I understand the criticisms.

Appreciate the quick responses. Yea, I think the lack of those characters I enjoyed in the 1st season is a good part of what threw me off. Regardless, Seasons 1 & 2 are downloading right now and I plan to truck on through them this weekend.

 

[Maynard]

#47 - Thomas "Herc" Hauk

Thomas "Herc" Hauk is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire played by actor Domenick Lombardozzi. The series introduces Herc as a detective in the Baltimore Police Department's Major Case Unit and the partner and loyal friend of Ellis Carver. Following promotion to sergeant, he is dismissed from the force and subsequently works as a private investigator for attorney Maurice Levy.

Herc is one of my least favorite characters on The Wire. So why is he on this list? Well, he is a character who had a major role in all 5 of the shows seasons. We got to see him in all his stupid antics starting as a unrespected grunt for the detail in season 1 and season 2 and then progress into season 3 as an unrespected grunt working for the western districts DEU. From there is he is bumped to sergeant as a means to remove him from his detail as a guard for Mayor Royce only to get himself busted out of police and into a high level role with Maury Levy.

This police is a poster child for everything that is wrong with police in Baltimore. He cuts corners, breaks laws, steals money and he abuses suspects. But yet he managed to get promoted because he caught the Mayor getting a blowjob. Then after getting a job as Levys investigator, he steals a phone number that brings down Marlow Stanfield and allows him to gain the respect (finally) that he feels he always deserved. The phrase Lie, Cheat and Steal apply to Detective Hauk.


Favorite Scene - Sitting in Maury Levys office with Prop Joe and discussing Ervin Burell's competency at the high school level.

Favorite Quotes - "I said Mr Mayor thats a good strong dick you have there and I see you know how to use it."
"Listen, I was gonna axe her for her panties to make some soup with but I was afraid she would take it the wrong way."

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[Maynard]

#46 - Slim Charles

Slim Charles is a fictional character in the HBO drama The Wire, played by Anwan Glover. An enforcer for the Barksdale Organization and later the top lieutenant of kingpin Proposition Joe Stewart, he is portrayed as principled, loyal, and competent throughout his career.

Slim Charles is one of those small roles that made a major impact on the story of The Wire. Slim is a hired enforcer for Avon Barksdales organization and is tasked with fighting the war for Avon against Marlow. The reality of the war is that Slim is the man on the frontlines doing battle. Its a wonder how he never got himself killed with all the work he put in. Eventually he helps build up the base of soldiers for Avon only to have the entire organization get locked up. Slim then moves over to Prop Joe and becomes a 2nd in command to Prop Joe leaving the heavy killing work behind.

Slim is fierce warrior with high standards for people in his line of work. We got wind of this when the Sunday truce was broken and when Avon was about to end the war with Marlow after Stringer Bell got hit. He is also loyal to his people and while murder aint no thing, he certainly lives by a code.


Favorite Scene - When all the drug kingpins are trying to put together the money to buy the connect from Marlow and after they realize Cheese was behind Prop Joes murder, Slim steps up and puts one in the side of Cheeses head.

Favorite Quotes - "If its a lie, then we fight on that lie"


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[Maynard]

Favorite Seasons
#5 - Season 5 - The News Papers

The fifth season of the television series The Wire commenced airing in the United States on January 6, 2008, and concluded on March 9, 2008; it contained 10 episodes. The series continued to examine the Baltimore police department, the Stanfield organization and city hall while introducing a fictionalized version of the Baltimore Sun newsroom.

Season 5 is my least favorite of all the seasons. The news paper angle was a good one to cover, but I felt like it was underdeveloped. We never got a chance to get to know the characters of The Sun, and to make matters worse, I thought the homeless killings angle was way to far fetched. For a show that had always been built upon the notion of being a real life drama, I thought the creation of a fake serial killer was a bad and unbelievable angle. Perhaps is they took more time to develop the story and characters of the paper it could have been more interesting.

The season was not a fail though. We still got to see the Major Crimes unit work to bring down Marlow even though it was behind some bullshit, it was still as great as ever to see the detail work hard on the wire to bust up his organization. We also had Marlow being educated by Prop Joe on how to be a untouchable gangster through laundering his money and setting him up with Levy as his drug lawyer. Sadly Joe was not aware that all the while Marlow was sneaking behind his back to steal the connect and eventually did so and killed Joe.

We also got to see the end of Omar Little who came back from Mexico to hunt down Marlows crew after they tortured Butchie. Omars last run was amazing as he survived a 5 story leap and then ran wild all over Marlows people. Killing many top players in Marlows organization, including the ex Barksdale solider Savino Bratton. Omars ending was not one anyone could have expected. As he walked the streets calling out Marlow, he was eventually shot in the head by a 13 year old Kenard while buying menthol's at a store.

The season ended the with the firing of McNulty and Freamon and the awarding of a Pulitzer to The Sun for the fake creations of the homeless serial killer. Daniels was appointed to commissioner only to step down because he refused to play ball with the Mayor and juke the stats. So he was threatened to have the assists investigation that we heard so much about through all 5 seasons be released and smear his and his ex wife, Marla Danial names ruining their careers.

The door was not slammed shut for future seasons, but the 10 episode final season was somewhat of a disappointment because you were left feeling like you wanted more.​

 

[Maynard]

#45 - Rhonda Pearlman

Rhonda Pearlman is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actress Deirdre Lovejoy. Pearlman has been the legal system liaison for all of Lieutenant Cedric Daniels' investigations on the show. Later in the series, she begins a relationship with Cedric Daniels.

As a leading Assistant State's Attorney in the narcotics division, Pearlman has been a guiding legal presence through all of the wiretap detail's investigations. A tough prosecutor and a stickler for process, Pearlman's grasp of the nuance of surveillance law and the legalities of complex casework proves invaluable to the investigations of Barksdale, Sobotka and Stanfield. One of the most morally upright figures on the show, she is ambitious nonetheless, and often worries about the political implications of the casework. As the seasons progress, she becomes more obsessed with her own sucess and willing to cut legal and moral corners in order to advance her own career. She once had a soft spot for Jimmy McNulty, leading to an on-again-off-again affair that was eventually discovered by McNulty's wife - and ultimately contributed to the breakup of the marriage. Although McNulty was honest enough to give Pearlman no hint of a future together, he would occasionally show up drunk on her doorstep. This ended when her relationship with Daniels began.

ASA Rhonda the slut Pearlman was a major character in The Wire. She was the legal force behind all the wire taps and prosecutions during the shows 5 season run. She became quickly known as Jimmy McNultys fuck buddy for the first 2 seasons who transitioned over the Cedric Danials from the 3rd season on. While she remained loyal to her men, she showed her slut side on many occasions by using her sex appeal to win favor with Judge Phelan. She also showed that while she was with Danials she still harbored feelings for McNulty in later seasons. It was blatent, but anyone who watched the show could see she was annoyed by his antics because she was bitter about not being with him.

As an attorny she was very submissive and often gave way to anyone who directed her. From McNulty to Freamon and Rupert Bond, she took her ques from anyone who directed her. Still though she was an intrical part of the bring down of Stanfield, Barksdale and the port guys. this leads us to believe she is a good lawyer, but to me she will always be the slut.


Favorite Scene - When she is reading the police report McNulty submitted about the brothel raids. She doesnt say anything, she just reads with a wide eyed holy fuck this guy cheated on me look.


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[Maynard]

#44 - Clay Davis

State Senator R. Clayton "Clay" Davis is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor Isiah Whitlock, Jr. Davis is a corrupt Maryland State Senator with a reputation for pocketing bribes. However, throughout the series Davis remains protected by other ranking politicians and Police Commissioner Ervin Burrell.

Clay Davis is the face of political corruption during all 5 seasons of The Wire. There are numerous times when he is a target, but due to his political influence he is never tried for anything. Once he finally gets tried he is prosecuted by an inexperienced litigator in the newly elected States Attorney Rupert Bond who someone how lets Clays "silver tongue bullshit" get him acquitted.

Clay played Stringer Bell like a fiddle during season 3 making him come extremely close to being killed. Avon nixed Stringers plan which put a major rift between the two. But to Clays credit he took Stringer for all he was worth promising to make it rain and show him the golden egg. Clay is another example of a smaller role with a major impact over the shows 5 seasons.

Favorite Scene - Clay faced the grand jury and when all is said and done he walks out with a look on his face like someone just shot his couch. Right after he walks down the court house steps to a slew of waiting reporters and at that moment puts his game face on and with a brilliant smile goes into politician mode.

Favorite Quotes - "sheeeeee-it."


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[Kuzzy Powers]

Hate to jump the gun here but the extremely low rankings of Slim Charles, and ESPECIALLY Clay Davis are quite disappointing.

 

[Kuzzy Powers]

Im also hard pressed to think of a worse character in the history of this show than Scott Templeton. Not sure where you're going with this Maynard, but I hope you get there fast.

 

[Maynard]

i am going to #1 with this.

i cant say i disagree with you about templeton, but his role was to big to overlook and his placement at 50 isnt about him making the list as much as it is about him being at the bottom of the list

 

[Maynard]

#43 - Clarence Royce

Clarence V. Royce is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by Glynn Turman.

Clarence V. Royce is the incumbent Mayor of Baltimore, originally elected to office in 1998 and in the process of seeking re-election at the time of the show. He is advised by Chief of Staff Coleman Parker and State Delegate Odell Watkins. Royce values loyalty and aims to reward it whenever it will not hurt his position to do so. He appoints Ervin Burrell as acting commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department following the retirement of Warren Frazier.

Mayor Royce is a great character on The Wire so placing him at #43 was tough. His role did not develop until the 3rd season when the show began to move to the political angle. Royce was a major role for seasons 3 and 4. As a 2 time mayor he felt invincible and used or abused his power by controlling Acting Commissioner Burrell like a puppet. He expected the Commissioner to juke the stats and take the hits for the high murder rate and Bunny Colvins hamsterdam. He seemed to lose focus and assumed he was untouchable as Mayor. That all changed when Tommy Carcetti decided to take a run at Royce for mayor.

Royces story arc was one of many that carried over from season to season. Mainly the tail end of season 3 and the start of season 4 with the mayoral election. It was one of the best stories on the show because it showed how Royce began the race with no doubts about winning, but the gradually he began to feel the pressure through poorly handled events and debates. Losing key supporters seemed to be the final dagger for Royce who ended up conceding the election.


Favorite Scenes -
1: Odell Watkins confronts Royce about a "people for Royce" campaign flyer in which in one district he was supporting Eunetta Perkins and in another he was supporting Watkins girl Marla Danials. It was a typical shady political move by Royce who was flat out caught for his deception. Watkins called him out and the scene was extremely powerful and showed Royce was all but defeated.

2: Royce has lost a very nasty mayoral race, but when all is said and done he meets with Carcetti in the mayors office and they discuss the election and moving forward. What made the scene great for me was Royce giving Carcetti his chair as a sort of hand shake moment.

Favorite Quotes - "What? Not me, not my chair, not in this town. If the guy came off any whiter he'd be see through. But if thats it cmon with it, please jesus."

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