The Wire may not have received the attention it deserved while it was on on television, but in the years since it finished, people have hailed it as one of the greatest shows ever. The gritty, accurate portrayal of Baltimore’s drug trade included interesting, complicated people on both sides of the law. Omar Little, though, was unquestionably the show’s most memorable character.
Omar robbed drug traffickers for a living, which was risky. Along with being a true badass, he also adhered to a remarkably noble ethos that made him one of the show’s most respectable characters. The legacy of the character has only gotten stronger after the actor Michael K. Williams passed away. Omar demonstrated that he was unafraid of anyone and was behind some of the best scenes of the show.
A Dangerous Enemy
“You Come At The King, You Best Not Miss.”
Omar is always putting other people’s lives in danger while also facing threats to his own life. He is ready for it and is aware that this is a requirement of his position. But it doesn’t mean he won’t respond violently to any attempt on his life.
Omar is on the hunt when Avon’s crew kills his boyfriend and attempts to kill him. He kills one of Avon’s top men while firing at Wee-Bey, his right-hand man. He then yells out from the shadows, reminding everyone not to get on his bad side with this well-known statement.
A More Honorable Profession
“I Got The Shotgun. You Got The Briefcase.”
Omar may be a criminal, but it doesn’t mean he isn’t also very brilliant. Omar has a gift for explaining his position in a way that makes it difficult for his adversaries to disagree with him.
When Omar is testifying in court against one of Avon’s triggermen in a memorable episode of The Wire, the smarmy defence attorney questions him by claiming that he makes his living from the drug trade. Omar notes that aside from their work materials, he and the lawyer are identical in that sense.
Always Prepared
“And I Keeps One In The Chamber In Case You Pondering.”
Brother Mouzone is one of the rare figures who can confront Omar without yielding. Avon Barksdale brings in the notorious hitman, who immediately runs into Omar. The two guys engage in a difficult but admirable standoff during which they warn one another of their potential for peril.
Omar is under Brother Mouzone’s gun, yet he confidently pulls his own gun. Omar is always ready for a fight as seen by the fact that he is considerate enough to inform his adversary that he has a round ready to fire.
An Honorable Man
“A Man Gotta Have A Code.”
Omar lives in a violent environment where vicious criminals would stop at nothing to maintain their position of power. Omar is undoubtedly one of these criminals because he has killed several people in cold blood, but he also follows a code that very few people do.
He is a folk hero because he insists on never hurting anyone outside of “the game.” Omar views this mindset as essential in order to give him purpose beyond simply being a thug.
An Intimidating Reputation
“Sometimes Who You Are Is Enough.”
Omar is a bit of a folk hero in Baltimore. His name is well-known on the streets, and his legend only spreads. A shout of “Omar comin'” can be heard whenever he travels the streets, and as bubble says, he doesn’t need a last name because Omar is sufficient.
Omar surprises McNulty by not having a weapon in his possession when they speak on the streets. Omar notes that in some situations, just having his name attached to him provides sufficient security.
His Motto
“It’s All In The Game, Yo.”
Omar doesn’t think of himself as a bad person, and he isn’t in comparison to many other characters on the show. Even though he robs people, he considers them fair targets because they are all “in the game,” which means they have consented to live in a hazardous and chaotic society.
Omar has a rigorous rule that forbids him from intentionally harming a member of the public, but everything else is fair game. This phrase ends up serving as his personal mantra and type of catchphrase. Additionally, it blends in well with the entire series, increasing its rewarding revisit value.
No Fear
“Omar Don’t Scare.”
Omar needs to have guts in order to do his job. He is a man who must deal with the danger of dying every day. He has never run from the innumerable foes who wanted to take his life. He is undoubtedly a man without fear.
Omar sought retaliation for the murder of his boyfriend by Avon Barksdale’s followers by promising to testify about a recent homicide. Omar merely chuckles and says, “Omar don’t scare,” and it’s simple to believe him when he is reminded of how dangerous this is for him.
No Worries
“Worrying About You Is Like Wonderin’ If The Sun Gonna Come Up.”
It is incredible to watch the types of settings Omar can enter without breaking a sweat. He is constantly under threat, but he doesn’t give it much consideration beyond being prepared. Omar doesn’t seem very concerned even with a threat like Brother Mozone, a rival he is aware of.
Mozone wonders if Omar had anticipated seeing him again when they finally cross paths after Omar shot Mozone but saved his life. Omar compares it calmly to the rising sun, something to anticipate but not fear.
Playing The Game
“But The Game Is Out There, And It’s Either Play Or Get Played”
Unexpectedly, Omar and the police discover themselves cooperating to defeat a common foe. However, it is not a simple reliance because Omar’s violent tactics frequently obstruct police inquiries.
Omar informs the officers that even if they are sort of allies, they live in separate worlds. He says that he will assist when he can, but he is not someone who will yield to pressure from anyone.
Staying Sharp
“How You Expect To Run With The Wolves Come Night When You Spend All Day Sparring With Puppies?”
Omar has survived for so long despite leading such a perilous life because he has remained intelligent and bright. He also exudes a strong sense of confidence and isn’t afraid to challenge the biggest competitors.
Omar complains that achieving such simple gains is weakening him after taking advantage of low-level traffickers who handed over the narcotics and cash to him without a struggle. Although he can support himself well with such work, he is aware that he is in a different league, and if he wants to remain the most dangerous man on the street, he must give them a cause to be afraid of him.
The Return
“Spread The Word, Darlin’. Omar Back.”
Omar never feels secure walking the streets. The most powerful criminals in Baltimore were the ones he stole from, and they did not take kindly to it. Omar has thus had to leave the game on occasion in order to survive. But as the kind of man he is, he can never be gone for too long.
Omar visits a new crew that is assuming his old position at the start of season 2. As rumours circulate that Omar was either killed by Avon or driven out of the city, he doesn’t waste any time in letting everyone know that he is back and up to his old antics.
The Standoff
“I Suppose We Could. Or Settle This Once And Forever.”
One of the best scenes in the entire series and a prime example of the show’s excellent writing is the showdown between Omar and Brother Mozone. Both of these men, who are equally dangerous and terrifying, are prepared to fight without giving ground. However, their growing regard for one another is also obvious when they argue.
They compliment each other’s courage and composure during the time. Omar nonchalantly implies they may bring this to a lethal finish as Brother Mozone asks how they should proceed. Omar seemed to have been interested in seeing which of them would win despite their decision to work together.
Used To A Life Of Crime
“Shoot, I Done Lost Count. Enough, Though, Not To Take It Personal.”
Omar has no need to hide, in contrast to many of the individuals on the show who go to tremendous pains to conceal their illicit activity. Even when testifying in court, he is unusually forthcoming about his life as an outlaw.
When asked how frequently he has been arrested, he freely reveals that he makes a profession by robbing drug dealers and considers it as just another day at the office. Omar’s demeanour can be summed up as someone who neither apologises nor offers justifications.
View On Money
“Man, Money Ain’t Got No Owners, Only Spenders.”
After outlasting Avon Barksdale and Stringer Bell in the match, Omar faces Marlo Stanfield, who is his next formidable foe. As Omar robs a poker game and steals Marlo’s money, the two men cross paths. To his credit, Marlo manages to maintain his composure despite having a gun pointed at him.
Omar says, “Man, money ain’t got no owners, only spenders,” in response to Marlo telling him the money is his. Omar’s intelligence is more than most people think, and this is just one more example of his philosophical outlook, which is what makes him such a fascinating person.
Won’t Ask Twice
“Boy, You Got Me Confused With A Man Who Repeats Himself.”
Omar would rather carry out his robberies the simple way, but he is not opposed to doing it the hard way if necessary. He comes in with a tonne of weaponry and won’t hesitate to utilise it. He expects everyone to follow his instructions, and any hesitation is met with violence.
Omar demonstrates his professionalism and risk during the first robbery he organises on the show. Omar warns everyone that he is not someone you want to test after asking where the stash is and being informed there isn’t any.
