Marlo Stanfield
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Marlo Stanfield | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| First appearance | "Time after Time" (episode 3.01) |
| Last appearance | "–30–" (episode 5.10) |
| Cause/reason | End of series |
| Created by | David Simon |
| Portrayed by | Jamie Hector |
| Information | |
| Aliases | Black |
| Gender | Male |
| Age | 24[1] |
| Occupation | Drug kingpin |
Marlo "Black" Stanfield is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor Jamie Hector. Marlo is a young, ruthless and ambitious player in the Baltimore drug trade who gains control of the Western District and the head of his own drug crew.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
[edit] Season 3
Marlo Stanfield was introduced in season 3 as an up and coming drug player controlling corners along Eastern Avenue in the West side. Marlo and his primary enforcer Chris Partlow waged war with the Barksdale crew over this territory. His ambition was full control of the drug trade in West Baltimore.
The Barksdale organization approached Marlo through lieutenant Bodie Broadus to discuss exchanging the sharing of territory for a share of their high quality supply of drugs. Bodie had set up his own crew within Stanfield's established territory. Marlo refused to acknowledge Bodie and insisted that he move his crew away. Later Marlo had his dealer Fruit and his crew beat Bodie's team with baseball bats to prove that he wasn't going to lay down and let the Barksdale organization move into his territory. Stringer Bell visited Marlo personally to try to convince him to join the co-op; a group of Baltimore drug players who buy packages of narcotics together to receive discount and try to reduce the violence of their trade to avoid police attention. Marlo listened to Stringer without comment, and shortly after Stringer left, he warned Partlow to prepare for war.
Lieutenant Daniels' major case unit caught on to Marlo when he met with Stringer. Initially they were unsure if he was working with the Barksdale organization like many other crews in the West side. The unit went to the homicide division to learn more about Stanfield and found that he had been investigated for a murder. The police had built a case against him using a key witness who they even put under protection with a tracking device. The case disintegrated when the witness was murdered and the body found using the tracking device, which was still attached to the corpse. The investigating detective, Vernon Holley, believed that Marlo killed the witness. Holley described Marlo as "the spawn of the devil." When a failed Barksdale assault on a Stanfield corner resulted in the deaths of two Barksdale soldiers, the police realized the two gangs were at war.
The assault had been triggered by the parole of Avon Barksdale who took a more confrontational approach to the turf war than Stringer. Marlo believed that the failed assault showed a lack of strength in the Barksdale organization and discussed this with Partlow and his advisor Vinson. He organized retaliatory assaults against Barksdale territory. His soldier Snoop killed Barksdale soldier Rico in a drive-by. Avon responded by hiring a woman named Devonne to seduce Marlo and lure him to a meeting. While Marlo had sex with Devonne he did not go to their arranged meeting. Instead, he had Snoop surveil the location while Partlow waited nearby. Snoop spotted Devonne reporting to Avon, who was waiting in a parked car. Partlow drove by the car and shot and wounded Avon and killed another Barksdale soldier. Marlo and Partlow later tracked Devonne to her home and Marlo murdered her personally as she was leaving one night. The violence continued to escalate and Marlo's lieutenant LaTroy was killed.
When Stringer Bell was murdered, the police and drug gangs thought it was Marlo who had him killed. In reality, Avon had facilitated his death by giving Brother Mouzone and Omar Little information about his whereabouts. At the end of season 3, Avon was arrested for parole violation, weapons charges and drug crimes. Marlo and Chris attended his sentencing hearing. Avon acknowledges Marlo; thus conceding that the crown has been passed.[1]
[edit] Season 4
Stanfield begins season 4 in control of all of the best territory in Western Baltimore. He viciously protects his realm through his enforcers, Chris Partlow and Snoop. When murders are committed on Stanfield's behalf, they hide the bodies in vacant buildings. When Stanfield's crew chief, Fruit, is killed by a dealer from Bodie Broadus' independent crew, he is quick to order the death of the dealer responsible.
Stanfield furthers his reputation around the neighborhood by giving away money to children during the back-to-school period through his lieutenant, "Monk" Metcalf. He keeps his own skills and his soldiers sharp by organizing shooting practice sessions in the woods.
The major crimes unit targets Stanfield and begins to infiltrate his organization using wiretaps, but fail to link him to any murders because of the hidden bodies. They do manage to get Stanfield on tape when he uses Monk's phone to talk to a subordinate known as "Old Face" Andre. The unit is re-staffed for political reasons and the investigation stalls.
"Proposition Joe" Stewart engineers a conflict between Stanfield and Omar Little. Stewart uses the conflict to demonstrate the benefits of joining his drug cartel - the New Day Co-Op. Stanfield agrees to join the Co-Op to learn more about Omar and the mounting police interest in his own organization.
Stanfield plans to have Omar framed and killed in jail. The plan fails and Omar retaliates by stealing an entire shipment of narcotics meant for the New Day Co-Op. Stanfield is suspicious of Stewart's claim that the shipment has been stolen, and insists on some kind of satisfaction. Stewart agrees to set up a meeting between Stanfield and his suppliers The Greeks. Stanfield meets with Spiros "Vondas" Vondopoulos and is convinced that Stewart was not involved in the robbery. Stanfield begins having Vondas followed in order to learn more about his role in importing drugs into Baltimore.
Stanfield is impressed with then 13-year-old Michael Lee for standing up to him and believes that he will make a good soldier. He orders Partlow and Snoop to recruit Michael. Michael's abusive step-father is released from prison and Michael, believing that no one else can help him, goes to Marlo for help. Michael agrees to join the Stanfield Organization in exchange for having his step father killed. Stanfield sets up Michael and his brother Bug in an apartment, and gives him his own corner, with Dukie, and Kenard working for him. When Lester Freamon finally discovers Stanfield's tombs in the vacant houses, a massive police investigation begins, and the re-established major crimes unit begins investigating Stanfield once again.
[edit] Season 5
After more than a year of investigation Stanfield and his people are extremely cautious in communicating with each other. They only speak face to face and often drive all over the city in an effort to lose any tails before arriving at their meeting spot. Eventually, the Major Crimes unit's investigation is shut down by Mayor Tommy Carcetti for economic reasons.[2][3]
Stanfield and his crew become more relaxed in their routine, convinced that they have worn the police down. Once confident that he is not being watched, Stanfield orders Chris Partlow and Snoop to undertake several murders. He first dispatches them to execute a drug dealer named Junebug for spreading rumors about Stanfield and to attack another drug dealer named Webster Franklin's territory until he agrees to take the Stanfield package. Stanfield also orders Partlow and Snoop to find Omar Little, who has left Baltimore and retired from robbing drug dealers, and kill him.[4][5]
Stanfield quietly plans to strongarm the supply and control of the New Day Co-Op from "Proposition Joe" Stewart. Stanfield aims to establish a direct relationship with Spiros "Vondas" Vondopoulos and drug trafficking organization The Greeks. Stanfield has Partlow investigate the 2002 port case at the courthouse,[2][3] and then pays former Greek soldier Sergei Malatov to put him on his visiting list at MCI Jessup.[4][5] Stanfield goes to visit Malatov, in the hopes of getting a direct line to Vondas, but finds himself blocked by Avon Barksdale.[4][5] Barksdale reminds Stanfield that he is still a man of formidable reputation and considered an authority figure in the prison. He tells Stanfield that all business in Jessup must go through him and demands that Stanfield pay his sister one hundred thousand dollars in order to gain access to Malatov.[4][5] Stanfield makes the payment, and Barksdale grants him access to Malatov.[4][5] Malatov is disrespectful towards Stanfield but is convinced by Avon to help Stanfield reach Vondas.[4][5]
Stanfield is directed to Little Johnny's Diner, the headquarters for the Greeks. He delivers a case of money to the counterman, Andreas, and tells him to inform Vondas of his desire to meet. Stanfield seeks Stewart's guidance in money laundering while simultaneously preparing to overthrow Stewart. Stewart introduces Stanfield to a pastor with relationships to overseas charities that he uses to launder money for a ten percent donation fee. When Stanfield meets with Vondas, Vondas is displeased that Stanfield has presented him with dirty bills from the street. Stanfield returns to Stewart to get his money cleaned. Stanfield later drops off the clean money at Little Johnny's, telling the counterman to inform Vondas that he meant no misunderstanding. Afterwards, Stanfield takes a trip to the off-shore bank in Antilles in order to make sure his laundered money is safe.[6][7]
Stanfield learns about Omar's confidante Butchie from Stewart's nephew Cheese. Stanfield has Partlow and Snoop torture and kill Butchie. They leave a witness to ensure word reaches Omar but Snoop is concerned that they are provoking Omar without gaining any idea of how to get to him.[6][7]
Stanfield also has Stewart introduce him to defense attorney Maurice Levy to assist in his money laundering. Stanfield continues to pay tribute to The Greek and convinces him to consider him as an insurance policy should anything happen to Stewart. Stanfield senses a growing rift between Cheese and Stewart and looks to capitalize on it. After Cheese argues with a rival drug kingpin named Hungry Man at a Co-Op meeting Stanfield sees his chance. He has Partlow and Snoop kidnap Hungry Man and deliver him to Cheese. Stanfield asks Cheese to betray Stewart in exchange. Cheese leaves Stewart unprotected at his home and Stanfield traps him there. Stanfield looks on as Partlow murders Stewart.[8][9]
Stanfield assumes Stewart's position as The Greek's narcotics distributor in Baltimore. Stanfield is given a phone and is shown how to communicate with the Greeks without speaking by Vondas.[10][11] The phone is used to send pictures of clock faces that are coded to indicate meeting places.[12][13] Stanfield plans a visit to Atlantic City to celebrate his victory but Partlow reminds him that they must remain in hiding until Omar has been dealt with. Partlow prepars an ambush for Omar in Monk's apartment but Omar escapes by leaping from the balcony.[10][11]
Stanfield continues to use Levy to launder money and gives Levy his new cell phone number. Levy's defense investigator Thomas "Herc" Hauk copies the number after hours and passes it to the police department,[10][11] ultimately resulting in an illegal wiretap being set up by rogue detective Lester Freamon.[14][15]
At the next Co-Op meeting Stanfield publicly blames Stewart's death on Omar and assumes control. He appoints Cheese the head of distribution on the East side and Monk the West side. Stanfield increases the bounty on Omar and the cost of the product and rules that no further group meetings will take place - instead the members will either have to keep their problems to themselves or meet with Stanfield alone.[14][15]
Partlow marshalls his people to search for Omar but he eludes them and remains a thorn in the Stanfield Organization's side. Omar robs a money pick-up and wounds a Stanfield soldier.[14][15] Omar also robs a Stanfield stash house, where he kills an enforcer named Manny and later kills Savino Bratton.[16][17] Omar calls for Stanfield to face him in the streets and attacks his reputation at every opportunity but Partlow prevents this information from reaching Stanfield. Omar is ultimately killed by a young drug dealer named Kenard who Stanfield does not know.[12][13] Omar's possessions include a list of Stanfield personnel which is passed to Detective Freamon and allows him to make the connection between Stanfield and Cheese.[12][13]
Freamon's partner, Detective Leander Sydnor, breaks the clock code[12][13] and the police are able to follow Partlow to a major resupply from the Greeks using the evidence from their illegal wiretap. Monk is arrested with large quantities of drugs and Stanfield, Partlow and Cheese are arrested for conspiracy to supply narcotics. Partlow also has a murder warrant for Devar Manigault. Stanfield believes that Michael Lee may be the source of information listed in the arrest warrants as Manigault was his stepfather. Stanfield orders Snoop to kill Michael but Michael senses the betrayal and kills Snoop first. Stanfield is enraged when he learns that Omar had been assaulting his street reputation and insists that when released his people will re-establish his name.[18][19]
Levy senses that the timing of the arrests was too soon after the initial arrest of Monk and surmises that the police used illegal surveillance. Sensing the state's reluctance to take the poisoned evidence to court Levy negotiates a deal for Stanfield - Stanfield will go free with his charges suspended on the stet docket but will face prosecution if he returns to drug distribution. Partlow will face life without the possibility of parole and will have to plead guilty to all of the vacant house murders. Monk faces a lengthy sentence on a plea bargain with no possibility of bail. Cheese is also facing a long sentence but is granted bail so Stanfield charges him to kill Michael.[20][21]
Stanfield holds a meeting with three Co-Op members (including Fat-Face Rick and Slim Charles) from the prison and offers to sell them the connection to the Greeks for ten million dollars, claiming that he plans to become a businessman. The Co-Op raise the funds but Slim Charles murders Cheese in revenge for his betrayal of Stewart before he can carry out Stanfield's order. Fat-Face Rick and Slim Charles assume control of the connection.[20][21]
Once he is released Stanfield is introduced to property development and other business ventures by Levy at an evening event. He sneaks out of the event and approaches two young corner boys and provokes a fight. The boys are armed with a knife and a gun but Stanfield singlehandedly drives them off. His arm is cut in the process and he is left alone on the corner.[20][21]
[edit] Production
[edit] Analysis
Jamie Hector has commented that he sees the character as striving to obtain power rather than profit and revelling in using that power over others.[22] The series' creator David Simon has also commented that Stanfield is driven by a desire for totalitarian power.[23] Hector has said that much of his performance stems from trying to capture Stanfield as a man of power and economy using minimalist movement and speech.[22]
Critic Alan Sepinwall interviewed Simon about the fate of the character and Simon said that he consider Stanfield's fate to be a kind of justice as he is cut off from his power and reputation.[24] Simon also commented that the ending was intended as ironic as Stanfield receives everything that his one time rival Stringer Bell desired in terms of becoming a businessman but does not value it.[24] Simon has also said that the characters ending was deliberately ambiguous.[23]
[edit] Reception
Sepinwall hailed Stanfield's ending as defying the viewers' expectations to see the character incarcerated or murdered in the streets.[24]
Popular speculation amongst fans and critics is that Marlo's final scene symbolized his return to the drug game. Others speculate that him getting shot and surviving might lead him to venture further into the business world. Him returning to the corner and driving the two young men off might have just been a mere act of bravado to prove that he was still hard enough for the streets and he probably wasn't seriously thinking of becoming a narcotic trafficker again.
[edit] Real Life Origins
In the mid-1980s, Timmirror Stanfield was a major Baltimore drug trafficker. In 1986 Stanfield was 25 and ran a gang which included over fifty members. The Stanfield gang controlled South Baltimore's Westport area and West Baltimore's Murphy Homes housing project. [1] The gang committed multiple murders, and drew the attention of authorities, who were able to persuade fifteen witnesses to testify. The core of the gang was convicted. [2] Marlo is based on this real life criminal.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Character profile - Marlo Stanfield. HBO (2004). Retrieved on 2006-08-14.
- ^ a b "More with Less". Joe Chappelle, Writ. David Simon (story and teleplay), Ed Burns (story). The Wire. HBO. 2008-01-06. No. 1, season 5.
- ^ a b The Wire episode guide - episode 51 More with Less. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-22.
- ^ a b c d e f "Unconfirmed Reports". Ernest Dickerson, Writ. William F. Zorzi (story and teleplay), David Simon (story). The Wire. HBO. 2008-01-13. No. 2, season 5.
- ^ a b c d e f The Wire episode guide - episode 52 Uncomfirmed Reports. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-22.
- ^ a b "Not for Attribution". Scott and Joy Kecken, Writ. Chris Collins (story and teleplay), David Simon (story). The Wire. HBO. 2008-01-20. No. 3, season 5.
- ^ a b The Wire episode guide - episode 53 Not for Attribution. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-22.
- ^ "Transitions". Dan Attias, Writ. Ed Burns (story and teleplay), David Simon (story). The Wire. HBO. 2008-01-27. No. 4, season 5.
- ^ The Wire episode guide - episode 54 Transitions. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-05.
- ^ a b c "React Quotes". Agnieszka Holland, Writ. David Mills (story and teleplay), David Simon (story). The Wire. HBO. 2008-02-03. No. 5, season 5.
- ^ a b c The Wire episode guide - episode 55 React Quotes. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-05.
- ^ a b c d "Clarifications". Anthony Hemingway, Writ. Dennis Lehane (story and teleplay), David Simon (story). The Wire. HBO. 2008-02-24. No. 8, season 5.
- ^ a b c d The Wire episode guide - episode 58 Clarifications. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-29.
- ^ a b c "The Dickensian Aspect". Seith Mann, Writ. Ed Burns (story and teleplay), David Simon (story). The Wire. HBO. 2008-02-10. No. 6, season 5.
- ^ a b c The Wire episode guide - episode 56 The Dickensian Aspect. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-29.
- ^ "Took". Dominic West, Writ. Richard Price (story and teleplay), David Simon (story). The Wire. HBO. 2008-02-17. No. 7, season 5.
- ^ The Wire episode guide - episode 57 Took. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-29.
- ^ "Late Editions". Joe Chappelle, Writ. George Pelecanos (story and teleplay), David Simon (story). The Wire. HBO. 2008-03-02. No. 9, season 5.
- ^ The Wire episode guide - episode 59 Late Editions. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-03-10.
- ^ a b c "-30-". Clark Johnson, Writ. David Simon (story and teleplay), Ed Burns (story). The Wire. HBO. 2008-03-09. No. 10, season 5.
- ^ a b c The Wire episode guide - episode 60 –30–. HBO (2008). Retrieved on 2008-03-10.
- ^ a b Bilge Ebiri (2008). Jamie Hector on Playing Marlo on ‘The Wire’ — and Keeping Secrets About ‘Heroes’. New York Magazine. Retrieved on 2008-03-10.
- ^ a b Heather Havrilesky (2008). David Simon on cutting "The Wire". Salon.com. Retrieved on 2008-03-10.
- ^ a b c Alan Sepinwall (2008). Sepinwall on TV: 'The Wire' ends. New Jersey Star Ledger. Retrieved on 2008-03-10.
