The End of Omar on "The Wire"

Perhaps you missed it during last night's nonstop Oscar telecast and coverage, but, your Sunday night television viewing will forever be changed. Omar Little—the black gay homothug and stickup artist with the heart of gold played to perfection by Michael K. Williams—was killed.

The character saw his demise in the most mundane and ordinary of circumstances—buying his usual pack of Newports at a corner store—and lost his life to the most extraordinary of killers: A boy who was no more than 9 or 10 years old. Editors at The Baltimore Sun decline to report on the "routine homicide", but, luckily the crime scene yielded a clue that is sure to take down the Marlo Stanfield crime family.

Omar Little's character defined the television series often described as the "best" on television. Frontrunner Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama channels many basketball players and our blog buddy Shana Naomi at Popnography to say Omar Little was his favorite character. "He's this black, gay gangster who only robs drug dealers, and then gives back," Obama exlains in the audio interview. "He's the toughest, baddest guy on this show, but he's gay, you know. And it's really interesting."

The shootout in the corner store signals the demise of one of the most compelling television portrayals of a black gay character. "The most fearless thing I had to play as Omar was his openness about his sexuality," Michael K. Williams says in a recent NPR interview. (Audio) "I wanted that to be serious, I wanted him to be believable, and, I didn't want to disrespect anyone in the gay community." To that end, Michael K. Williams upheld his promise and presented a conflicted, complex character. Omar lived violently and died just as violently—but he was fearless and open with his sexuality.

And we need much more of that on television.

You May Have Missed ...
Michael K. Williams: Omar's Sexuality is "Fearless" [R20]
Obama: Omar is "Black, Gay, Fascinating" Character [R20]
Michael K. Williams and Being Gay on "The Wire" [R20]
Deb Price on Blacks LGBTs and Obama [R20]
All Up in Omar's Game [Popnography]
The Parts You Can't Make Up [Popnography]
Best Gay Sex Scenes on TV [After Elton]

Comments

[tmoney]

My heart sank last night, I was not expecting that, but I guess that real street life for you. You never know when your turn is going to be. I just wanted Omar to get a peice of Marlo. Its amazing that the gay character is the one with heart and soul and the straight dudes are the cowards. I can not think of any show that I have ever seen with the exception of OZ that is good as the Wire. I will miss it. I actually got a chance to meet Mr. Williams at a All-Star Game and he was the coolest, most down to earth brother you would ever want to meet. I hope his work will be recognized by a larger audience.

[Alan T]

That was one of the saddest moments on recent television. OImar's death was quick, violkent and totally unexpected. But he lived by the code and died by the code. It is amazing that he was so open and marlo and his straight friends were so cowardly.

I'm also quite unimpressed with Snoop's character. Clearly she plays a lesbian 9and is lesbian) and always dfegrades Omar. BTW, there is an interview at Jasmyne Cannick where she has absolutely nothing to say on gay rights or homophobia.

[seanndc]

White truly played Omar well. Omar's death, the papers decision not to report it, and the misidentification of him in the morouge clearly signified just how little the life of a black man is valued in American society.

[Dluv]

All of the above points are right on the money. The fact that he was taken down by a child is totally appropriate for where they are. And there are two episodes left. I told my brother and everyone not to expect a big grand finale shootout or showdown and don't expect all the plots to be tied up. I bet they are gonna go out Soprano-style and suggest everything is gonna go on like it was. I wouldn't be suprised if they cut to black on the very last scene!

[Dluv]

All of the above points are right on the money. The fact that he was taken down by a child is totally appropriate for where they are. And there are two episodes left. I told my brother and everyone not to expect a big grand finale shootout or showdown and don't expect all the plots to be tied up. I bet they are gonna go out Soprano-style and suggest everything is gonna go on like it was. I wouldn't be suprised if they cut to black on the very last scene!

[Tony]

Did you really need to post that huge spoiler on the front page of your site without ANY warning? I know it's an important article, but some of us are still catching up. Knowing a favorite character for many of us dies near the end really deflates watching the rest of the season.

Next time please keep the headline enigmatic and have a "Read More" option for people to decide whether or not they want to read/discuss what happened.

How disappointing.

[Andy in Seattle]

SPOILER! Tony's right. Good GOD, Rod...

[Andrew C]

Tony, it's hardly a spoiler. The show aired at 9PM Sunday evening. Omar's death has been reported in the newspapers and on television.

The series is ending and we knew Omar was going to die. Get a grip.

[Ryan]

the divas who have having issues with the "spoiler" rod posted..

GET A GRIP...that was let out of the bag back when this season started the creators said KEY characters are going to die...and its been pretty clear that OMAR was going to die...

plus, you know you can see the eps on demand all the time..hell, you can even SEE the new ep for the next show monday morning around midnight or later so by now you would have SEEN spoilers...

ITS.NOT.THAT.DEEP.FALL.BACK

[Me]

I was pissed ... I wanted him to go out in a blaze of glory. This week's episode is even better ...

[Tony]

Ryan, you're a moron. My message was civil but when you call me a "diva" and tell me to GET A GRIP while CAPITALIZING random WORDS to MAKE your POINT, it's pretty clear who's a diva and needs to get a grip. This was never life or death but just a suggestion. It's just a comment on a website. Relax. Or, to write it in your style:

CALM. DOWN. IT'S. OK.

See how obnoxious it is to read terrible writing like that? Your website says you're a writer so try writing professionally.

[Ryan]

TONY:

I AM SUCH A MORON. YOU ARE SO RIGHT. MY GOSH, LIKE, I'M SUCH A MORON.

Are you serious? you are were COMPLAINING about Rod putting spoilers in his post about Omar Little being shot on The Wire.

Clearly, if you had sense, blogs and entertainment websites were dropping those spoilers well before Rod even put his post.

you DO need to get a grip--if you don't want to read the post, then don't. Is it really that hard for you Tony?

Terrible writing? Don't play yourself. You don't know me, so please refrain from making comments about who I am professionally or personally.

Since we're going there, I find that you are an incompetent moron who makes snap judgments about people he'll never meet. That's such typical passive agressive behavior.

But, I'm a "moronic and obnoxious" professional writer who has NO concept of writing professionally--according to your "knowledge" of me.

[karamale]

Wow...that was very Lil Ze from "City of God."

[Andy in Seattle]

(okay, everyone go to your corners and reeelaaaaaaax.)

[Mark Norris]

I had to schedule several extra session with my therapist after I saw this episode. I kept watching it over and over, and over, because I just couldn't believe it. I kept saying this is not real, it can't be!!! LOL. On a serious note I hated the fact that he didn't go out like a soldier (think Queen Latifah in Set It Off). That is the way I would have liked to see my favorite character on tv end. But, I am not the writer so Que-Sera-Sera.

[Rod Mc]

That's good advice, Andy. Let's play nice, boys.

BTW, Tony, my first inclination was to give a "spoiler warning", but, the post was written so long after the episode aired. It's also available as VOD, and, there has been plenty of e-chatter about Omar's death. Sorry, though.