The Wire - Avon and Stringer's Rooftop Reminiscing

[Madorem]

i can't even watch sitcoms anymore

[Britex123]

such a great scene. "its just business"...brothers for life

[goalmonds]

They both entered the game for the money. Avon put the game before money and Stringer the money before the game.

[ghana5]

It's like that was a goodbye hug - cause they then go on and sell each other out!!

[Prestrev]

@ghana5 No String sold Avon out. Avon did what he needed to do.Avon knew that String was was a foul man, he also was a liar and a backstabber. And trust Avon seen through all of that he was just waiting for the right time. i can remember plenty of shows where Avon had to check String about reckless and/or not so smart actions. Avon was the real smart one String just thought he was smart and now look where he's at. a lot of people dont give avon the proper dues when it come to the buisness side

[AlvinHDavernport]

@Prestrev Of course, you're free to disagree, but I think your version is somewhat one-sided. Avon was likewise a reckless, bloodthirsty, reputation-hungry motherfucker who no less than sold his "brother" just for a contact that wouldn't have been necessary, had he heard Stringer out regarding the co-op in he first place. Don't get me wrong, I'm an Avon man through and through--I always sided with him and still think he was the smarter one, but he was by no means the "good" one.

[Prestrev]

@AlvinHDavernport Avon was not "Reputation Hungry". Being aware of the fact that your repuation is how people perceive you one needs to carry himself in the light of the perception(if noble). Your name is all that you have. No matter the profession,however people of that profession view you the assumed or deserving stigma,people will treat you accordingly. Reputation hungry is committing reckless unwarranted acts of crime for a rep and i think its a profound different difference between the 2

[Prestrev]

@AlvinHDavernport Check out Drug-activity website

[superdoobo]

Loved this scene.

[maxjordan90]

dat long shot at the end

[liamarmson4]

Shakespeare all over this scene.

[TheMisterthunder]

This is truly one of the best scenes I've ever seen on TV. It's heartbreaking because we, the viewers know that both of them are double crossing each other. Stringer gave Avon up to the cops, and Avon was forced to hand Stringer over to Brother Mouzone. That last hug definitely fucked with Avon.. Felt like he was finally realizing that there are prices to be paid in his line of work.

[ddsmooth]

@TheMisterthunder yes the storytelling of this series was spectacular

[SavageLifeTronnie]

@TheMisterthunder real shit i love this series

[mzakha01]

I have never ever seen a movie or a series where the authors love characters that much

[IronTim33]

@3:38 - Avon has a gut wrenching feeling...saying to himself that was the last time i will ever hang out with my best friend...I had a similar moment myself on a different level of course, but it is something you never forget.

[dmvsista]

greatest show of all times.

[dmvsista]

clever how they were both about to do each other. true to form. stringer attempting to take avon out "by the book" by involving the police - makin sure he keeps his hands clean...and avon keepin it "gangsta wild wit it" by taking String's life out the game all together.

[PeteyRocks13]

Honestly could there be any better scene? 2 lifelong friends both about to double cross each other, saying goodbye. The acting, writing, storytelling... Simply brilliant.

[no14boxing]

Kill the muthafucka who disliked this !

[kaseydashing]

diid he stringer was gonna die

[QuicklyMrScott]

Why the hell am I so annoyed that Stringer died? He was a piece of shit....Anyone else feel the same?

[PieandBiscuits]

@QuicklyMrScott because in the first few seasons I thought he was a genius so I think that sentiment stayed with me.. I was glad String died though, happier that moubane and omar killed his ass.

[dmvsista]

@QuicklyMrScott i'm still hurt by it...although when I watch season 1 i can't wait for his demise because of what he did to wallace. same w/ bodie. in season 1 i'm consoled by the fact that i know he's gonna get got in season 4 ...but then when it happens, i'm damn near tears. the love/hate relationship you have w/ some of these characters is crazy.

[blckbenbiggiefan123]

this one scene alone deserves all types of awards! God they had GREAT chemistry together!!! I would have loved to see them do a movie together!

[meneldur666]

Such a powerful scene between two close friends who just sold each other out. Great acting on both their parts. I mean, you can almost see them being torn between being friends and having to do what needed to be done in order to preserve what was most important to them - the reputation and keeping the business going. The "Us, motherfucker, us." line and the hug make a perfect ending to this farewell scene.

[hghost08]

Marlo wanted his repuatation regardless.. I agree with you, but eventually he would have come at Avon. His name can not ring bells if Avon was still around. Remember his meeting with Stringer as soon as he left the meeting he told Chris to tool up they were going to war. Marlo was not a threat at that point but Avon knew he was a problem .. Plus you are right about avon nopt being about to admit Marlo only ran a couple of streets.. but Marlo was a nuisance... he had to get got way earlier

[Nation4202007]

God I almost cried after Stringer was killed. Though he had his evil faults, he was a businessman and eventually he moved on past the game

[fizman22]

I really dont understand why Avon wouldn't try to find a way to save his best friend, like a counter ambush, I see Stringer selling out Avon but not the other way. Was it D'Angelo's death that made him submit to it?

[no14boxing]

@fizman22

Brother Muozzone and Omar wanted revenge for what stringer had done.

Avon had to give him up, as he had his word and reputation on the line because of Brother Muozzone's connection with people from New York.

[knileb96]

@fizman22 I think it was D'Angelos death bcus Avon was all about fam.

[arshort2]

@fizman22 He was going to lose his connect to New York for the cocaine. NY people sent him brother on his word. String messed that up. Avon didn't have a choice. Avon was messing up the port connect with the heroine by being so stubborn about a few corners. String didn't have a choice either. Avon accepted the D'Angelo thing.

[hghost08]

@fizman22 I feel that Avon did not give in to D'Angelo's death. He learned ONE THING from Stringer, and it was BUSINESS not personal. Brother M. threatened to ruin Avon's drug line from NY if he did not give in Stringer. As far I am concerned he did the right business move. He tried to pay Stringer's life, but the street is the street Brother M. wanted him. Avon even went as far as LYING to his own sister to protect D'Angelo. It was not personal it was business.

[smoovsouljah]

great scene. amazing acting. ultimately, i think stringer knew avon was setting him up towards the end. its just business

[90sbasketballrule]

theres always gonna be a Marlo.no Marlo no game

theres always gonna be a Levy no Levy no drug dealers operating

theres always gonna be a Clay Davis no clay davis no successful politicians

[wifeofgob]

I like how String leaves Avon abruptly after their embrace; he's uncomfortable. Even leaves his drink behind.

[bstjizzle46]

@wifeofgob he left cuz he knew he was snitchin to get avon out the game just as avon was tryin to get him out the game for fuckin over brother mouzone.

[zrky]

my favourite scene in the series, and probably best season in the series. anyone can say what they want but wire is not wire without avon and string and the whole barksdale organization

[THECHAMPdotCom]

Which season was this? 4th?

[no14boxing]

@THECHAMPdotCom

3rd season, Ep 11

[weeleon81]

genuis scene.. two dudes who grew up 2gether, realisng they goin in different directions

[Theghot791]

So when he asked for the time he was setting him up

[MrTrill1970]

its crazy because they both acting like everything is alright and they both know shit is fucked up. If one of them would have made an effort to be 100 on that rooftop they might have been able to squash it and handle their eneimies one and all. You have to wonder why didnt either one of them at least try to use that rooftop to mend some things.

[passdayak]

the game, no exceptions, gotta follow the rules

[laistar]

Greatest TV show of all time..

[kdalma2003]

both set up each other at the same time...its a shame, they came a long way. but its reality.

did they enjoy life?

the business ran them, they did not run the business.

[AHafan2]

It's nice they had a moment to look back before violent reality came back for them both

[omanualdojogadorcaro]

the wire is perfect because thats the way the things happens in real life... i already saw similar stories in my city, there is no loyalti in this cold game (floripa-Brazil)

[darkknight07100]

The way that hug lasts maybe a second too long is heartbreaking. These two men know this is the last time they'll be together like this but can't show it. This is why season 3 is the best. This is better than any movie of 2004.

[Babyfacedblackjesus]

This Scene is priceless.  I think one of the reasons avon set up string is because of the way he did his nephew D'Angelo. On the other hand, String gave up avon so he could be on top running shit while avon does ten years or so. They played eachother and both lost.

[redvenomweb]

@Babyfacedblackjesus I think Avon knew that Stringer was ultimately right... D had to go. It was the failed hit on Mouzone (and the blowback that would have resulted) that pushed Avon to give up Stringer.

[timhorgs]

avon did not need brother mouzone and his NY people. He should have told him to get lost!!

[MyMojosSoDope]

@timhorgs If Mouzone spread the word about how Stringer set him up and went behind Avon's back it would have really hurt the Barksdale reputation. Also Mouzone had NY connections and Avon didn't want it with them.

[ravenouscolonelhart]

@timhorgs If Avon told Mouzone to fuck off it would have been war, and Mouzone is the deadliest character in the show. He's an ex-terrorist in business for himself who can blend in perfectly. He's smarter and more dangerous than even Omar. Plus he has connections, probably in the government. He told the other assassins not to deal with Avon and they listened. Defying him would mean the end of the Barksdale organization. The game is the real villain in this scene, as it is in the whole series.

[ThePrinceII]

Avon has some of the best scenes, despite not being the greatest Wire character. This and the "I'm just a gangsta, I suppose" but are some of the best scenes I've seen in any medium ever. This one is gut wrenching knowing what happens to the two of them.

[D39MUSIC]

@ThePrinceII he is one of the greatest wire characters.

[followurdreams1000]

this scene gives me chills knowing avon knows stringer will die

[hghost08]

This is the scene where Avon uses his street cunning to set up Stringer. If Stringer was a bit more like Avon he would have caught up on this detail. Avon didnt want to, but Stringer was always right about ONE thing. ITS ALL BUSINESS

[TheJoe971]

I felt so much tension in that scene, and the end told me i was right ^^.

[reppntime]

@Gardash111 Homie you are right you could also see how they was taking shots at each other even though this was suppose to be genuine when it comes to their brotherhood!

Avon: You need to relax more man (look at his facial expression)

Stringer: When the time is right I will...You know I don't take my work too SERIOUSLY (talking slick)!

Avon: That's right..........it's just BUSINESS!

Stringer's facial expression how he looked at him!

[Secret911]

Is this the Greatest Scene Ever in the Wire?

How many Dislikes does this have?

Question Answered!

[reppntime]

@Secret911 No doubt it shouldn't be any dislikes on this video!

[Secret911]

@reppntime

Real talk

[donorleone]

most people like stringer but i always preferred avon. i guess its because his acceptance of his place in life shows a certain humbleness and he may be violent and ruthless but his heart is much bigger than bell's.

[osarsour]

such a powerful scene. the look in stringer's eyes when avon asks him what time his meeting is...there's a paranoia in his expression. he's now skeptical of avon's motives and whether he could be trusted. Then when Avon says, "its just business," I think Stringer understands what Avon is foreshadowing as his betrayal of Stringer is not personal (the D'Angelo revelation) but was business. And once again Stringer's look of worry after that line is symbolic of a friendship that has been tainted.

[Secret911]

@osarsour

Well said G

[Shack83]

Them reminiscing when they were kids shows how, even back then, Avon is more street smart (and, to one degree or another, common sense-smart) than Stringer. It kinda gives something of a backstory to Stringer's actions (robbing/killing Orlando, having D'Angelo killed, arranging the Omar-Brother Mouzone conflict, dealing with Prop Joe behind Avon's back, et al.).

[deathcab4oc]

i dunno why, but this is my favourite scene from the Wire. it was so touching...best show ever made on TV

[nathair82]

This goes down as probably my favourite scene in The Wire. The double cross is genius. modern day Shakespere haha. Also, best show ever made!!!

[iscottm]

i thought maybe Stringer was lying or trying to avoid telling Avon when he was like "uhh...what time...uh...12...i think..."

[nougatzimmerframe]

Love Stringer's reaction when Avon says, "It's just business", echoing what String himself said to Bunny when he gave Avon up.

[Paralyt1c]

I think everyone forgot that in that same episode avon gave up stringer and stringer gave up avon.

And they still acting like best friends here, maybe there's a bigger picture being portrayed in this scene.

[mymanjay]

Classic rule of the game if somebody that you know starts reminiscing all of a sudden you got to take them out because it is a setup. stringer should have thrown him off the roof then

[twmmay]

he was on your ass like carl lewis!

[Twisttheawesome]

"We ain't gotta dream no more."

or

"We ain't got a dream no more."

The beautiful layers of The Wire.

[kimbolasponekeflipas]

no marlo no game

[Secret911]

This scene consists of incredible acting and amazing dialogue.

'We ain't gotta dream no more, man'

Avon claims he still wants to dream but stringer explains to him that they no longer need to. However in actuality it is the total opposite as Avon is prepared to fulfil his dreams and let things slide whereas Stringer wants more and always wants to reach his ideal, trying to attain perfection.

Avon wants to dream but truly, Avon is more accepting of his reality while Stringer is still dreaming.

[ShamelessNation]

@Secret911 Not really. Stringer was shooting higher...advancing. Avon wanted to continue playing the street punk role. Stringer grew up and reminded Avon that he had not.

[Secret911]

@ShamelessNation

No, your clearly missing the point, watch season 3 closely and you'll understand.

[ShamelessNation]

@Secret911  I watched all 5 seasons....I get the point. Maybe you feel Stringer was shooting too high, especially if in your mind he was just meant for the streets. He was better than that, so he was not dreaming but striving.

[illvillan]

@Secret911 Truth. I like how the quote "We ain't gotta dream no more" means what you said, and also can be interpreted as "We don't have a dream anymore" since at this point in time, both avon and stringer crossed each other, and their era of prosperity begins to come to an end. Dope scene.

[reppntime]

@Secret911 Damn that's real deep homie I like how you analyze that!!

[Secret911]

@reppntime

Thanks G

[reppntime]

@Secret911 No doubt,that was real shit I read your comment twice and watched this scene twice to make sure I got a full understanding stay up homie!

[Gardash111]

@reppntime

There's even more to it. Do you feel that great tension towards the end of the scene? It's just perfect. Best scene ever. Both Stringer and Avon are trying get rid of eachother. Both don't know that both are trying the same. Stringer Bell is trying to get legit, but is too corrupted by the game. He tries to cut his tie with Avon. However, Avon wants to continue the game, and feels Bell is getting too soft for it.

It's just bussiness. Their path's are parting. Their dream is gone.

[kandinskyforfootball]

Wow! A+

[dRiskYn]

I saw Sopranos season 1 and 2, thinking it was fucking great.

Then I watched 5 seasons of the wire.

FUCK SOPRANOS

[kizzle1203]

@dRiskYn

i see where you're coming from. i watched the sopranos before i watched the wire, and it's a much better show than the sopranos.

[kandinskyforfootball]

So Avon looks stringer in the eye while betraying him?

[kandinskyforfootball]

Did Avon betray stringer because of D?

[madrespectvolleyball]

@kandinskyforfootball I think that's part of it...but the beauty of season 3 is "Reform" and the fall of one empire and the rise of another. It seems that almost every scene except this one there was a lot of tension. Stringer was more business and Avon was just a gangsta...one of the most epic relationships on tv, and the best crumbling of a relationship I've ever seen

[DANGEROUSKO86]

@kandinskyforfootball stringer was fucking the game up and he did set d up and u know blood is thicker then mud

[mattd687]

This scene is great. Both guys reflecting on their friendship with one another while simultaneously planning to get rid of one another.

[tygear34]

The beauty of this scene is that they both knew that they'd sold the other one out, but their history together was still stronger than the actions that they had taken against one another. And even with all that they'd been through, 'the game' caught up with them in the end. Avon got put away by String, and String got killed by Mouzone and Omar because Avon sold him down the river. This is why no show will ever compare to The Wire in TV history. No other show has ever had a scene like this.

[AlvinHDavernport]

@tygear34 This scene is unreal. Listen to the way Avon says "It's just business" and look at the way Stringer stares back at him. Look at how how sincere the way they embraced was. This scene couldn't have been better acted if the actors had actually lived through everything that built up to it.

[arshort2]

@tygear34 Game of Thrones is the only competition. The Wire killed every other show that has police officers in it for me.

[hghost08]

@tygear34 Stringer sold out Avon and became very personal. Avon stuck to what he knew which was his streets and word and reputation. I feel Avon did not betray him Stringer brought his fate upon himself and Avon. Stringer was the downfall of the whole organization. Avon should have went to war, and eliminated Marlo.

[shegwin]

@hghost08 i disagree, although stringer had lost money when he fucked up wit senator clay davis but avon was fuckin the business up. Everyone likes to commend avon for bein so street but the new day co-op was makin SERIOUS MONEY but avon wanted to keep beefing. Stringer just wanted to be doin the illegal without having to shed blood but Avon was too stubborn and hard headed to care about just chillin out.

[hghost08]

@shegwin I disagree with you. The Co Op was making real money yes it is true, but none of them saw Marlo in the same manner as Avon. He knew Marlo was trouble, and he wanted him got right away. After all Marlo was the downfall of the Co Op.

[Antrizzle2009]

@hghost08 Exactly. Avon was the one person who saw Marlo for who he really was. Avon understood that he was a threat that had to be taken care of. Stringer and Joe trying to work things out with a guy like that only made them look weak. Add to that Avon's contempt for eastside and he'd never willingly work with Joe. Let's say String had lived, and Avon got locked up. Eventually Marlo woulda killed Stringer and took over westside anyway. He had more muscle at that point and was built for war.

[shegwin]

@hghost08 i disagree. Marlo was not trouble. If you have the whole westside plus barksdale against Marlo's small crew, its not even justifiabe to say that Marlo was a threat. AVON simply couldnt stand the fact that his east side was losing territory, thats IT. Prop joe controlled most of the west but didnt care if he had to share it wit the rest of the co-op. Avon forced string to improsin him, WHY? cause when avon was in jail, shit was goin good.

[shegwin]

@hghost08 stringer sacrificed territory for wealth which in my opinion isnt a problem. THEY HAD THE WAY BETTER PRODUCT.... Marlo can have all the territory he wants but all the co-op needs is the better product and marlo cant do shit. Had marlo actually started atttackin for territory well then everybody woulda went off on his ass. Stringer simply let him have territory, no problem.

[hghost08]

@shegwin This is very true. Marlo was not just content with money or territory he wanted reputation like Avon and Omar had for themselves. He would eventually have went after the Co-Op and would have love for the streets to know him as the man who single handledly dismantled the Co-Op. He was a problem there is NO way anyone could have co-existed with Marlo. In my opinion of course .

[shegwin]

@hghost08 yeah so i mean really it was a win win situation with stringer. Give up land and territory to marlo, still make a huge amount of paper while marlo is given the idea that he 'runs the streets'. Had he FULLY WENT AFTER the co-op meaning instead of being given streets, he actually went after them, especially on the west side, theres no way marlo woulda stood a chance. All 20ish of marlos bodies were all random dealers anyhow, he doesnt have muscle, just alotta bodies on him.

[shegwin]

@hghost08 Marlo was pretty harmless before avon tried going after him, lets face it. Marlo was just running streets and thats it. Avon just couldnt wrap the idea around his head that his side of the city was being taken over, but just like a corrupt politician, stringer was in the background without ever havin to touch anything dirty while still making a huge profit.

[704Hustle]

they need to do a prelude on these two for real..it would be interesting to see how they met up and started doing business with one another...by the way this is the only time you really see stringer bell letting out a genuine laugh or showing some real emotion..even after that short lil burst of laughter he quickly gets back to his usual demeanor..of business

[Antrizzle2009]

"It's just business". When he said that, you knew the deal. Both of them knew what was up.

[bullmilk]

"We ain't gotta dream no more." Such an obvious double entendre, but a brilliant one given the placement.

[aisimpkins1]

Best scene in the series..Stabbed in the back and didn't even know it..Scene shot with class, tact and just all that man..Loved it!! Lessoned Learned-.stay sharp, you'll never see it comin'!!!

[Secret911]

I cant help but shed a tear when i watch this scene...

Theres something so special about this moment...something that cant be described...thats the wire for you...Epic television

[LoPeSHoL718]

THE BLACK VERSION OF TONY AND SIL

[SpectralViral]

@LoPeSHoL718 More like the black version of Tony and Puss. Sil could never rat out Tony out of pure loyalty.

[Crazymike1975]

Wood Harris and Idris Elba are an awesome pair in this scene. I just hated that both of their characters are written out after the third season. The Wire is still my favorite show.

[trevdiggz]

@DocSkribblez well put. could not have said it better

[gradius22]

forget about that for a while man. just dream with me.

[Vasquez88]

They were both fucking up - Stringer trying to reach for more than he should have, Avon for being stubborn and not changing the way he played his game. And they were both setting to fuck each other over, despite not liking it. Sad scene, great show. I love The Wire.

[jkfp2004]

"I knew it was you Fredo...You broke my heart!"

[DocSkribblez]

I guess all the reminiscing and laughter really alleviates the pain of the knives sticking out both of their backs.

[scaredmonkey]

Perfect. Just perfect.

[carlosZ1981]

if i was avon, i would of told string, " the brothers in Ny want blood string, over that prop joe shit u pulled behind my back, they want ur blood, and i cant fix this one" you're on your own now. i wouldnt have the heart to do family like that. ....epic scene though

[tgodd]

@carlosZ1981 he coulda backed string. just didn't want to

[paradigmse7en]

They know the words, but not the music.

[bgiles26]

The scene was great because you have both Avon and Stringer betraying each other, Avon wanting to get one more "remember when" moment with String and Stringer reminding Avon that he had evolved from the same shit that Avon was still chasing. The last scene of Avon realizing that he and Stringer had moved in two different directions and the result of this would be Stringer's death was classic. The Wire, one of television's greatest series.

[Whatisright]

just knowing what is going on in their heads makes this scene powerful. They know about each other and yet they don't know. 

[Unclefunkle999]

"you know i don't take my work too seriously."

oh stringer, why would you say this to avon? after all, you DID kill his nephew and all, didnt you?

[chrismoore06]

This is the scene that single-handedly invalidates the Emmy's. If The Wire didn't get an Emmy just off of this scene, the award must not be worth much.

[Cryer24597]

The best scene in television history and it only has 2,385 views.

Shamefull.

[Calum666]

Shakespearean in grandure, Chekhovian in its realism. The Wire = best writing on TV ever.

[Macklimeer]

WOW! Thumbs up if this scene was as epic for you as it was for me.... CRAZINESS. Wood Harris and Idris Elba... two of the best in African American film... period.

[SomeDeadMan]

@Macklimeer Idris Elba is English.

[Macklimeer]

@SomeDeadMan --- I said in AFRICAN AMERICAN FILM, not african american actors, dodo brain. I KNOW Idris is British.

[SomeDeadMan]

@Macklimeer African American film isn't even a thing (beyond old Blaxploitation and Martin Lawrence in a fat-suit deals), and Idris Elba hasn't done anything that would even qualify as that non-existent film genre. He's done The Wire, The Office, the Beyonce movie and a few English films.

[kurohige1338]

@Macklimeer r u an idiot?

[ranzingerm]

Hands down best scene of the whole series ! replayed this scene like four times in a row after i first watched on dvd.

[anmndr]

Truly one of the greatest scenes ever filmed. This is straight out of a great novel - the subtext of both guys having just betrayed each other gives it such an edge.

Damn I miss this show.

[ddsmooth]

"it's just business." the last words avon said to stringer before he got him killed. so direct but indirect at the same time.

[MrZugga]

@ddsmooth and it's exactly what Stringer said to Colvin in the graveyard when explaining why he was snitching on Avon

[ddsmooth]

@MrZugga ahhh you're right! it really highlights the characters true motivations, no matter how much love they had for each other, nobody would stand in the way of their business. but it led to the end of business anyway. DAMN!

[njherdfan]

best scene in TV history

[jrog322]

Best scene in the whole series IMO

[ShirtlessLocke]

This scene was done so well. I loved this show, one of the best ever. Great writing and directing and of course acting.

[AndyJmovies]

The wire single handedly ruined all over tv shows and its for scenes like this. nothing compares now.

[poetmm]

@AndyJmovies to be honest i thought no original series show could top sopranos but the wire was too good

[impatientp]

@AndyJmovies haha ive been saying that ever since I first watched it

[JuLss86]

@AndyJmovies True, nothing seems to get my attention any more.

[ptola]

great scene