On Sept. 10 at 10 p.m. the 18-month wait ends. HBO will air the first episode of the fourth season of “The Wire.”
Because HBO films the series in Baltimore, many people here have saved the date for months.
But a couple of million fans from everywhere also eagerly anticipate fresh episodes of a truly great show that portrays the underside of an American city with unnerving authenticity.
Those fans hunger to see more of the show?s most distinctive character, Omar Devone Little. Omar is a “homothug,” a gay stick-up artist who makes his living robbing drug dealers.
A typical show would exploit such a character for his shock value, as a vehicle for stylized violence or to explore gay themes.
In the world of “The Wire,” though, Omar is the only character who thinks, acts and thrives on his own terms.
Organizations ? like the police department or a drug crew ? and addiction, as in the junkie snitch and scavenger Bubbles ? constrain other characters into particular roles.
Omar stands alone.
Actor Michael K. Williams uses his deep eyes and scarred face to give Omar a laconic swagger that demands attention.
Think Clint Eastwood?s Man with No Name transported from the desert to the ghetto.
“He doesn?t get high, he doesn?t use any sort of drugs, he doesn?t drink, he doesn?t go to fancy clubs, he doesn?t buy fancy clothes and he doesn?t wear fancy jewelry unless he took it from you,” said Williams, offering a reason for Omar?s popularity.
“He has a code of morals that he lives very, very close to.”
Williams answered my questions about his character and the new “Wire” season on a break from shooting “Six Degrees,” an upcoming series for ABC.
As is often the case, the actor does not resemble his character. In addition to being straight, Williams is talkative and engaging. And as far as I know, he doesn?t walk around carrying a shotgun under a black trench coat.
But the recognition the Omar role has brought him makes him justifiably proud.
“My work on ?The Wire? speaks to a different group of people, and when I connect with them in Baltimore there?s nothing but love and respect,” said Williams.
“I?m talking about people on the street who get affected by what goes on or who are mixed up in it. They love it.”
“A string that goes through all the compliments is that they love the fact of how real and how truthful the story is,” said Williams, adding that police love the show as much, if not more, than anyone else.
I asked him why “The Wire” hasn?t grabbed an audience more than a fraction of that enjoyed by a show like “The Sopranos.”
“I?ll answer your question with a question,” Williams said.
“Do you sift through your garbage after you?ve thrown it out? That?s what [the subject matter of] ?The Wire? is to a lot of people. It?s America?s trash.”
“[Season four] is gonna be crazy, crazy, crazy hot,” Williams said.
“I can?t wait to see how it unfolds.”
As much as he seemed to want to tell me, Williams wouldn?t release any spoilers about his character, particularly details of any additional showdowns with freelance hit man Brother Mouzone.
“I will say one thing, this season he?s definitely in love,” Williams said. “You?re gonna see Omar doing slightly different things than you?ve seen him do before.”
This is the first of three columns about the new season of “The Wire.” Next week, Aaron reports on his one-on-one discussion with series creator David Simon. He can be reached at [email protected].
