Omar – the quintessential Antihero. A black Robin Hood, with a twist … and a shotgun. Mr Omar Devone Little of The Wire was orphaned at a young age and was raised by his grandmother. He has made a career out of robbing drug dealers on the streets of Baltimore: “I’ll do what I can to help y’all. But, the game’s out there, and it’s play or get played. That simple.” He lives in accordance with a self-defined code from which he is loathe to deviate. The kids on the streets of Baltimore fight over who is going to ‘be’ Omar in their cops and robbers game. The next step is an Omar action figure featuring his infamous shotgun, trench coat and scarred face. (more…)

I am downing Season 3 of The Wire at a rapid rate and thought it best to share the love before the show gets the best of me. Anyone remember a masterful prison drama series called Oz that aired a couple of years back? The Wire runs in a similar vein. Both shows boast a gritty realism that is downright offensive but not the least bit gratuitous – the violence, sex and language are in tune with the brutal reality of a society motivated by the fight for survival in a ‘kill or be killed’ environment. It is not a surprise that the shows share many of the same cast and crew. (more…)