So I’m on my fifth-plus rewatch, and after S02 showing how careful and premeditated the “two Greeks” were, now in S05 Vondas is doing briefcase full of cash deals with Marlo in the exact same coffee shop and booth, even? [and even the “Greek” back at the counter!]
Not hating, just thought it was funny, as a superfan.
I never did get why they still used the same venue after everything that happened at the end of S2. Perhaps they figured they just had to disappear for a short while and then the police would either give up surveilling the place, or, upon learning that they were 'in the wind' for a while, the same venue would be the last place the police would expect them to start operating from again - either way, they were proved right!
I also find it funny that in S1, Avon is this untouchable, 3 steps removed kingpin and it takes half the series and a moment of brilliance from Lester for the unit to even find out what he looks like. Then in S3 he's a gang-banging action fiend going along on murder attempts and hanging out at their illegal armoury. Did a couple of years in prison really change him that much?
I figured something similar re: the Greeks.
And re: Avon, it's gotta get tiresome being so cautious, and I frankly can't remember if he went inside before or after String, who always seemed to be the truly cautious one, who kept Avon out of trouble. Now that I've given it some though I'm thinking String was an observer at Avon and crew's big trial, and ran things while Avon was inside.
tl;dr: nothing and nobody is perfect. The Wire was damn close, though...
I also find it funny that in S1, Avon is this untouchable, 3 steps removed kingpin and it takes half the series and a moment of brilliance from Lester for the unit to even find out what he looks like.
excellent replies, thank you. You're right, all Avon's caution in S1 was directed by Stringer, so after he still ended up going to jail anyway, he possibly figured it would be better to take a more hands on approach when released.
It also shows the deteriorating relationship throughout S3 between Stringer and Avon that Avon's behaving so recklessly and isn't taking Stringer's advice anymore - if anything Stringer gets usurped by Slim Charles.
And you're right about the "small time" thing - probably summed the whole situation up when Avon says
"just a gangster I suppose (and I want my corners)"
Sorry to the OP, this has gone completely off-topic now!
I don't think Avon gained the terrace and towers and low rises peacefully, he probably won them in gang wars, very likely with a lot of dead bodies, that was what he was good at. I think he just wanted to keep doing what he does best.
Stringer had all the potential of being big time, the sad thing was that he was not the boss, Avon owned the streets, he won it, and everyone was loyal to Avon.
Otherwise Stringer would have been working on money laundry and running legit businesses, in his view they would probably leave street dealing completely, moving on to wholesale, and start buying up politicians. Even he was a bit clumsy, but he was new at that.
But Avon did not have a business degree, or wanted to wear a suit, probably never even finished high school. I think he just wanted to own the streets.