Ranking Characters Of The Wire: The Streets

Marlo was a psychopathic killer who rose to prominence on the Baltimore crime scene through fear and blood as he murdered his way through the competition. Young and headstrong, Marlo passed on upholding any civilities and respect between the other dealers and members of the Co-Op as he became obsessed with power.

After the power vacuum left by Stringer's death and Avon's arrest, Marlo and his brutal enforcers quickly took over the previous Barksdale territory and positioned himself as the new kingpin of Baltimore. He was often smarter than other people gave him credit for and he was easily the most vicious and sadistic presence on the show.

A borderline sociopath, Marlo felt nothing when killing anyone, even his previous ally and friend Prop Joe. His dead eyes staring blankly into one of his victims was always a terrifying experience. A quiet man, Marlo never raised his voice or became incensed and for nearly all of his time on the show, he is in complete control of all events.

Marlo's storyline is left open ended which works well. Although he technically got out of being prosecuted and could retire if he really wanted to, Marlo may be unable to stay away from the power and rush that being a drug kingpin has, and that temptation will be his downfall.