TRANSITION

HBO’s Killer With A Code

 
 
 

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Omar Little, 34, Armed Robber
A charming, cunning shotgun surgeon who made his living robbing drug dealers, Omar Little had an aura of permanence—amazing considering he wasn't a real person, he was a TV character (played by actor Michael K. Williams). On "The Wire," HBO's Baltimore crime drama, we're used to lives ending abruptly. But the death of Omar—a cult figure among "Wire" fans, felled by a bullet to the head from a tween triggerman—was especially jolting. And the subsequent scenes, in which news of his death spread, were even more sobering: neither the cops nor the corner boys showed any affect, a response that was faithful to the world of the show, but created dissonance between the observers and the observed.

We spent years with Omar. In his way, he was principled, committed to hustling those who hustled others. ("A man got to have a code," he said once.) His moral compass so endeared him to viewers that he long outlived the seven-episode arc his creators had originally planned for him. More than any other death on "The Wire," Omar's made us know the agony of caring for a murder victim—even one who, by all rights, had it coming. For a moment, we knew how it felt to have someone close to us die, and to wait in vain for someone to give a damn.

© 2008

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  • Posted By: dre1981 @ 03/03/2008 6:06:03 PM

    I am happy to see the show getting more recongnition. Since its first season I have been hooked. It very well maybe the best show on television in the 21st century. I am a little dissapointed that the finale won't be shown a week earlier as were the other episodes, but that build more anticipation. I am anxious to see what happens to McNulty and Freeman. R.I.P Snoop as well.

  • Posted By: cderricott @ 03/02/2008 7:31:34 PM

    To those of you who read this article before the episode aired, so sorry. Focus on the fact that a national publication has given this outstanding program the "props" it so strongly deserves. Me and my network of family and friends have anticipated, discussed and savored each and every episode. We have mourned the loss of Stringer Bell, Prop Joe, and now, our beloved Omar. The thought of only 2 more episodes is a sad pill to swallow. Sunday's at 9:00 will not be the same..........

  • Posted By: cderricott @ 03/02/2008 7:26:04 PM

    To those of you who saw the article before this episode aired, so sorry. Focus on the fact that a national publication has give this outstanding program the "props" it so greatly deserves. Me and my network of family and friends across three states have mourned the loss of Stringer Bell, Prop Joe and now, our beloved Omar. We have anticipated, discussed and savored each and every episode. Sunday's at 9:00 will never be the same......
    C. Derricott

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