Is Chris A Former Cop? | The Wire Explained
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The Wire is a crime drama series set in Baltimore, Maryland, created and written mostly by David Simon, a former police reporter.
At face value, The Wire is about the drug scene, the economy of the drug trade, the business, the environment, and the efforts of a city like Baltimore to police drugs. Factors like race and systemic discrimination are also explored, with each season of the show primarily tackling different institutions to showcase the interconnectivity of such establishments, such as the Baltimore port authorities, the educational system, the city bureaucracy, and journalism.
One of the more memorable characters of The Wire, something of a fan-favourite, is the cold, calm, grim reaper-like figure of Chris Partlow. Chris is the primary enforcer of the Stanfield organisation, led by the force of nature Marlo Stanfield, who eats up the Barksdale territories after Avon Barksdale is sent to prison at the end of season 3. - Krátké a kreslené filmy
Chris wasn’t a cop. He just had a role at first, and he got another role as Chris later. They just don’t think no one would catch it.
There is a behind the scenes interview with Chris where he confirms your theory.
Vito was just a fat guy waiting in line in a bakery before he became Vito in later seasons on the sopranos.
And I for one didn't catch it. Even a big fan of the show, such as myself, has a limit.
Chris is just an actor they probably liked and thought they could use later on in the show.
@@LS-Zit’s the truth or fact not a theory
@@jackietreehorn8643gino
I think the more common 'head-canon' on Chris is that, a: Chris and Marlo grew up together (hence their closeness, which Marlo has with no-one else), b: Chris went off to the military at some point and served a term, and then c: Chris and Marlo teamed up and formed a powerful team after Chris' military service, with Chris being responsible not just for hits, but also for training new 'talent' - like Snoop, and Michael, and ...
I always subscribed to this theory as well, but it makes you wonder what Marlo did to win him over: They're not close in age as far as kid groups go, so something big had to have happened to get someone a few years older than him to follow him.
Yeah that makes more sense too as people that are part of this forgotten underclass are often exploited by military recruiters. He could have been recruited around the time of Afghanistan or something. And of course some of the training obviously had utility on the streets of West Baltimore
Wouldn't Chris' veteran status be something Bunk or (especially) Lester take special note of when looking over his sheet?
I remember when I was in basic training, one of the drill sergeants said a lot of guys from the streets actually join the army with the sole purpose of learning combat tactics. They even questioned one guy from LA on whether he was doing just that.
@@halfcadence1417 yeah, especially since his entire job revolves around guns and violence it would’ve been a little important to mention lol. And they 100% would’ve mentioned if he was a cop. The fan theories are cool and all, but at the end of the day I think Chris was just a stone-cold killer who knew a little bit more about what he was doing compared to his colleagues
Chris was undercover the entire time lol
Oh yeh man 19 bodies in the vacants he was like Daniel day Lewis with the method acting.
Sure if he didn't kill a bunch of them possible. Undercovers can commit smaller crimes with impunity but murder is off the table. They also have to try to prevent murder as much as possible even undercover
@@crazychase98 Ppl that don't know shit about the life.
DeepCover Lawrence Fishburn style
Chris escorted his victims to their grave like a polite waiter would escort you to your table at a restraunt
Facts. "We got u covered, boss"
That's hilarious.
I'm 100% sure Chris was a military guy. We know nothing about his past, but things that are strongly hinted at are the fact that he was molested, and his calmness, discipline, tactics and clothing, hinting at military training. He also has a family he cares about, and he seems to view Marlo as a smaller brother of sorts, being as loyal to him as one can be, to the point of even protecting him against his wishes. I think Chris has a lot of rage inside him, for what he went through as a kid. He most likely ran with Marlo and Snoop back when he was young. I'm just guessing, but maybe he was sent to military school after getting into trouble? It is clear that at some point he had a family, and most likely came back to the life of crime, because he needed to support them, and couldn't make an honest living. Seeing as Marlo had little profile before then (Only one of the detectives knew that he was real trouble), I think it's Chris rejoining his crew, that gave Marlo the confidence to move from being just another independent street crew, to going after the crown.
It's whatever the writers want. They had to give Marlo an terminator esque killer to justify making him appear out of nowhere as a kingpin. Marlo should have been killed off early with Bodie taking on his story arc. Bothers me to this day.
@@DblTap317 u think bodie shoulda been marlo?
@@starielife2680 hell yes that made the most sense.
No chance
I don't believe he was molested. We have this thing that molested people only act like this, which is not true. he wanted to school the youngster and found out he had an issue. Honestly, Omar, Avon, Stringer and even Brother Mouzon would have done the same thing.
Could be like the Sopranos where they recycled characters that had minor roles earlier in the show and then went on to play major characters like Vito (Gino in the bakery) Adrianna (restaurant hostess)
Fun fact, the actor who plays Chris is first cousins with Wale.
Word?
@@lochofmceo makes sense considering that wale is from Washington dc and Baltimore is miles away from dc itself
interesting
Fun indeed
Big ups dc
Love your work. There's also the fact that Chris figured out why Mike wanted his step father whacked withOUT Mike having to explain it. Chris knew and he spared Mike the embarrassment of having to explain. This even escaped Snoop.
I definitely took that more as Chris also being a victim of abuse, which is why he reacted so emotionally, even leaving evidence behind.
@@carscoffeeandcannabis-634 that's exactly what it was, nothing is shown for no reason. They couldn't have made this any more obvious without unnecessary exposition dump.
I think Chris was also sexually abused. The only time you see him exhibit emotion while killing is when he beats Mike's step-dad to death with his bare hands. Even Snoop is caught off guard by it.
@@carscoffeeandcannabis-634 Always had the idea that Chris hated the guy for being homosexual in prison aswell, might aswell be that he was raped there himself.
@@DblTap317 And Snoop still couldn't figure it out. Her emotional intelligence was gone..
I think Chris was modeled after Nate Boone Craft. He was an ex sf soldier that worked for Maserati Rick in Detroit during the 80's. Just the way Chris teach the youngins how to shoot and move to do a hit, I get the feeling of a vet.
To the theory of Chris being ex-military, the episode when Cheese meets with the Stanfield inner circle to give them the phone to signal them about the shipment, Cheese calls them "...some semper-fi mofos" because of their serious and silent demeanor.
I like to think Chris was in the military for a time being then coming home he had a very hard time adjusting to the norms and eventually capitalized of his talents him and Marlo go way back due to the way they speak with each other
I believe the military also. Because how he move so militant and his ability to command his troops during the barksdale war. Also the way he was training the young pups on how to kill
ZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz.....that's a white person story. coming ohme and not being able to so this or that.....Chris is very able to work, just don;t want to....choices!!!!
@@aubrey550s2 I agree, and in one episode he was raiding a house to find Omar, the way he was raiding the house was like a military operation.
That's the theme of a punk rock song called Bazooka Joe, by Big Black.
I agree that Chris COULDA served and seen combat, based on his weapon proficiency and calm demeanor during violent situations.
If anything, Chris Partlow was an original creation that after years of viewing films and series I've never seen before. Unlike your typical cliched flamboyant hitmen, Chris was a stone cold professional, calm cool and calculating and even having a seeming empathy for his victims. There is nothing more chilling than watching him smile and talk calmly and reassuringly with a gun over his victim's head. I believe that this character was the basis for the unusual assortment of killers in Breaking Bad and other series and films that followed.
I felt empathetic towards him even though he didn't really earn that as a character. I'll put it down to good acting
Don't forget how Marlo ended Joe's life.
Nah, he was a continuation of the same theme that gets used a lot both before and after. What stuck out about Chris was his professionalism in the streets, where it's usually Amateur Hour Hitters. Al Neri was Chris long before The Wire. Robert De Niro in Heat was Chris long before The Wire. There are dozens of Examples...Chris just stood out because when he had appeared, the closest we had to a Professional was Bay and even Bay wasn't really Professional. Hell, The Greek's Guys like Vondas (and to a lesser extent, Sergei) did the same thing a season before Marlo even first appeared.
@@justinlast2lastharder749Tom Cruise's character from Collateral
@@justinlast2lastharder749 slip and fall school... lol. yeah De Niro in Heat always stood out to me back in the day. I had gotten so used to these over the top, ridiculous villains, that seeing someone play a cool calm and collected professional criminal was pretty awesome. Just a very intelligent guy who knew his stuff and did what he did well and just considered it all business.. Great flick.
For those saying that Chris may have been ex military, that would come up when his name was being ran into the system. Anyone that is military or formerly served will have that in the database.
Yup, he was just a smart, long time street vet.
My head-canon as a 20-year Army veteran has Chris as a man of military experience. He had to be at least a cav scout with his reconnaissance style.
Adriana started off like that in The Sopranos, played a random hostess first.
same with vito who was geno in the bakery lol
I don't think that's the same though. They kept her being a hostess as part of her character. She very well could've been the exact same character
@@themaddogofcrenshaw7367 She wasn't the same character though, they explicitly said so in interviews. She was just an extra who they liked and cast for a bigger character.
@@paulfrantizek102 they just wanted a reason to put a guedo in a miniskirt
He's definetely ex-military.
I would have loved to hear that Wee Bey and Chris convo
They had mutual respect for one another because they both walked the the same path as loyal West Baltimore enforcers/ muscle/ lieutenants/ lifers. Their murders raps were work-related.
💯Chris and Wee Bey are running that prison!
Chris was most definitely Ex Military, maybe even spec ops. The style of his clothing, tactics, firearms proficiency, the coldness and his ability to control new troops and coordinate targeted killings definitely hints at the likelihood. Plus, when snoop and him were stopped by the police, you can notice a Department of Defence sticker on his SUV.
Not disagreeing at all but many drug dealers and traffickers will have military stickers on their cars and other things to deter police. You’d be surprised how well it works lol
I don’t see police force. However, I can see maybe military for a few years. However due to childhood trauma, probably has some issues like a quick temper and probably got kicked out for fighting someone with a higher rank. Also, I can see him being Marlo’s long time friend, but left Bmore to join marines to avoid a criminal charge.
Chris wasn’t a cop. He was an extra in the show originally before he got the part for Chris partlow. This was explained by the shows creator.
Guess you didn't watch the video
@@mg-ew2xf I didn’t have to I already know the answer. Straight from David Simon.
@@selfmade8884 David Simon created the Wire.
@selfmade you are correct .David Simon said it in and interview I remember watching it
i guess you won that argument😄
I always assumed Chris was ex-military. He probably grew up with Marlo and then Chris left to join the Marines at some point to escape his awful home life. Then he came back sometime between season 2-3.
Marines likely would've caught his pathology. Army sounds right.
@@seanbeavers7055 he seemed too cold and tactical to be army. Marines make killers.
Or probably from another country where conflict was the order of the day
He was in prison. Not military so that kills that theory.
I dont remember why but i always thought chris was a marine
When the kids are all talking about him, I think they said that as a theory. And unlike their "zombie master" theory, it holds up 😅
Doesn't seem like the type. He'd not have been able to take all the shouting and insults in the boot camp phase.
@@goodyeoman4534 you have a strong point; I personally think he could, though, because A) he has discipline and perfect control when it comes to a goal but most likely B) his experiences in the military is what made him cold like he currently is. Marlo def got kicked out for punching somebody though 😅
@@Dungeon_of_Rap Yeah, fair point. You do get all types in the marines. But I just can't picture someone like him going through all the recruitment, travel and training. He's cold and calculating, but not ambitious or adventurous.
@@goodyeoman4534 true, he most likely just moves that way because it's most efficient.
I can see Chirs as an Iraq war vet that fought in Fallujah.
A lot of street-to-street fighting in the city and the heaviest house-to-house fighting the US military has done since WW2.
People think of Chirs as a typical street thug, but it would be a kicker if they found he was a purple heart recipient who is still traumatized and went searching for a new 'warzone' to keep himself going mentally.
Some PTSD vets say the calm of being out of a warzone is scary for them, so they search for excitement. These vets are super calm during situations of high stress for normal people.
Jack Cuff a former NYPD housing Cop and Lieutenant for the notorious Preacher Crew in Harlem....this guy's murder game was tight !
The shootout in Monk’s apartment…discipline, advancing, “cutting the pie” so he could take out Donnie…while everyone else was screaming and hiding and sideways shooting
no he was just an extra on the show at the time
It's more likely that Chris has a military background than a police background cause they'd automatically have WAY more to work off of if he was.
Side-Note, I highly doubt that Chris and Marlo were long-time friends, more likely than not Chris met Marlo through a third party like with Slim and Avon.
I am leaning towards more military. The way he was searching the vacant houses for Omar with a shotgun proves he had training.
Marlo and Chris probably grew up in the boys home like Randy. Chris goes to the military and then comes back.
He may have had military experience because after that shootout at monks apartment Omar jumped off the balcony and Chris and another Soldier went looking for him and the way that Chris was clearing each room trying to find out where Omar could have been holding up at
The way he handled his shotgun clearing each room
He wouldn't be a former cop if he's in General Population in prison.
A friend who did time knew two men who had worked for the Sheriff's Department. Neither needed protective custody, both were respected by all sides for their inside job experience and were only disliked for their affiliation.
Neither was treated like a cop at all because by reputation they were playing for the criminal side the whole time. Respectable.
Even the COs had to tread carefully with them.
Not true
Yeah im guessing it depends whst they were in for....I'm gonna assume the cops from we own the city were in protective custody
@@mbryson2899 no way any cop could do time in gp in a prison with lifers or even felons anywhere I've done time. maybe in a really weak jail or low security prison maybe. but not where I come from...
@@asadULTRAwalker Even ones who took the job to get inside the department for their people?
Theres no way marlo, snoop and Chris would be that close and trusting of each other if they'd only just met. They knew each other from a young age. Chris could've had some military training still, though
They used him as an extra and prayed no one noticed.
I could see formerly military but not police
I'm from Baltimore as well and grew up there around the time this show takes place. There was a huge sting a few years back after this show went of the air where it was discovered that some local cops were affiliated with an extremely powerful gang at the time, called "BGF".
No, he was playing a different character there cause they needed extras, there’s a video of him saying it in one of the The Wire’s behind the scenes or auditions
What if Chris was a former child soldier in Africa? He was good with younger kids, and that could be where he got his training. Escaped, came to America, and picked up an American accent quickly. 🤷🏾♂️🤷🏾♂️
Gay
They pulled a Star Trek, he went red shirt his first go ‘round, production liked it and decided to bring him back as someone else long term like bro who plays Tuvok.
I think Chris shares a lot of similarities to Mike from Breaking Bad; Chris strikes me as former military, much like Mike; its implied that they both do what they do to support their families because they know they don't have much else to offer professionally, they both work for exceptionally ruthless bosses and act as counsel for them, offering suggestions that said bosses often take heed of; they also display a similar personality, treating the work they do as just another job, not having any strong emotions towards it (apart from Chris killing Michaels stepdad, and Mike killing those two corrupt cops in Better Call Saul). There is more but I don't want this to become more of an essay than it already is haha.
I’ve always thought there was something that set Chris apart from all the other Baltimore gangsters. His “country” wardrobe for starters. This was obviously intentional. Yet another great character played to perfection.
I always thought in my head it was something like Marlo and Chris were in a foster home or something, thats why they're so close and so hard. Chris was abused by some foster family hence his reaction to beating Bugs dad. He probably served in the military for awhile afterwards but stayed close to the other 2 and then he left and they all joined up and started their crew.
Idk if you guys remember but there is this scene where chris was throwing a army knife into the wooden floor. He was also wearing a combat boot. Ever since then I knew he had some miltery style I respected.
I always thought he was former Military, this being the Era of Afghanistan and Iraq. Either that, or he was schooled by a vet that had real combat experience.
To me Chris and Marlo grew up together. Marlo was always in the streets but Chris tried to change his life so he joined the military. But he was dishonorably discharged after someone tried to take advantage of him in his sleep resulting in him almost beating the person to death. He came home with military training, joined back up with his day one friend, and gave up on changing his life.
It's really cool and thank you for keeping The Wire at top of mind.
I've heard someone else say, when he is scoping out the security guard, he refers to this "Mickey Mouse shit". Which to others is reminiscent of marines or something.
I could definitely see him having a military background.
The way he carries himself is more ordered than would be expected if he'd just learned all from the streets.
Almost every big crime show drama has repeat actors that can spark a fun theory like this. Vitto in the Sopranos, as a customer in the bakery then part of the crew in a later season, in Sons of Anarchy one of the Russian Mobsters who was an Undercover agent killed in season 4 was a jail house inmate extra in an earlier season. All fun stuff.
Always had a sense Chris might have been former military..
If you look closely you can see military stickers on the truck he drove. I would say Desert Storm service based off information i read from the shows producer. You even here cheese refer to Chris and company as Semper fi mfs. It could have been just a joking reference or maybe it held truth. If not military what else could describe chris's tactical level being killer elite unless he has just been killing people so long it just comes naturally at this point from being on hunts for so long
Detective Barlow in s1e1 was the white detective that lead DAngelo's case . He spoke to him right after Lekesha Lyles switched her story .
Reminds me of John Cuff.
He was an enforcer for a NYC gang called the Preacher Crew.
He was a NYC police officer turned gangster. Or was a gangster who used the police as a cover.
Game of thrones was always recycling actors for different roles. The one that comes to mind is the kid who played Tommen had also appeared in season one or two as one of the two Lannister cousins that Robb was holding as hostages that were murdered in their cell by Carstark.
oh wild I never knew it was him. Holy that brings soooo many new angles into this show.....
"Did Chris used to be a policeman" 🤣
I always assumed he was in the military. He wore combat boots and camouflage pants a lot.
Remember Vito in the doughnut shop? It happens
It's more fun to imagine that partlow was a cop.
This explains why Chris talked so proper an didn’t have that Baltimore slang
When the cops first mention Marlo, it's something about him killing a witness... I dont believe your theory but here's another leg for it to stand on 😅
There's no grand plan here FYI. The actor that played chris has said in a few interviews that basically his first real acting gig on the show was an extra as a policeman. They liked his work so they brought him back.
Nothing more nothing less.
I like this theory, basically Chris is to The Wire what Mike is to Breaking Bad.
Chris was a navy seal 🦭
A scene that sticks out was in the chicken coop when he said" she hasn't had any action in a while she's somewhat eager" that's not typical hood dialog even amongst friends I always thought the way he stated that was strange and also his choice of clothing no chains, no haircut, no jerseys, didn't sag hard, no hats to the side. That made me feel like he was raised differently or had a very different story up until we meet them.
I think it's the same situation as the Sopranos where Vito played Gino lol
The calm grim-reaper 🥷🏿
Exactly. ^^^This guy gets it.
He spoke on this...that cop role was a small role which served as his way in the door
I think Chris was former military. The way he conducts himself. He maneuvers easily through the streets, but he isn't the typical "street guy". He carries out his killings with brutal efficiency, while taking no joy in killing people. He's not a sadist. He's not above using torture, but he's not like Snoop where he enjoys doing it. He sees it as a means to an end. A tool in his arsenal that he can employ when necessary. He organizes target practice for the Stansfield crew at a makeshift range out in Baltimore County to make sure they're as efficient as he is when it comes to shooting. The way he speaks with Marlo. He offers Marlo advice while not insulting his intelligence. Gives Marlo the smart play rather than the shock and awe play.
Then, you have to pay attention to how he dresses and how he carries himself. He's always in button up collared shirts, a military style coat when its cold, gortex boots, and cargo style BDU pants. He doesn't dress in typical gang member attire. He isn't flashy. He's respectful when he talks to people. Using "sir" or "ma'am". He's obviously educated, and but doesn't have any ambition to be anything more than what he already is. A soldier.
i think what you’re missing from this is that Wee Bay and Chris weren’t two men without an island. Weebay is likely schooling Chris to what life is like at this particular prison and “bringing him home” to Avon’s crew since Avon is obviously running that prison ( if he and Weebay are housed in the same unit
I think Wee-Bay & Chris could kill the whole prison as a team.
Lol no, Chris wouldn't join barksdale
Now im have to go back and watch the episode slow it down and see if it's him😂
I find it funny that people swear he's ex military for knowing people use vests at a time when 50 cent was literally wearing them as a fashion statement and part of mainstream media.
Its like the Joker in the dark knight also having to be military. The leap is incredible
I think Chris had time in the military, at best, probably Rangers during his initial enlistment. Maybe he re-upped a short while before a discharge home. As you said, his movements and thinking is very structured and efficient.
I was on the subway in New York and he was walking towards me, I was scared a.f.... I had to remind myself he was a character in a series and I had a nice conversation with him 😂😂😂
Nice find!
Chris was ex-military and law enforcement. This is obvious in the way he sweeps a house or a structure with a weapon drawn searching for his target.
No! He was an extra at first. Fun fact : He did play a Cop in Pharaoah Monch's "When The Gun Draws" music video tho!🤔😁
I would love some hypothetical break downs of Marlo’s up bringing.
Yeah, he was a cop in my hometown city of Portmore, Jamaica
That is why we need some spinoffs
These videos make me want to rewatch The Wire….it’s easily one of my favorite shows of all time. Up there with The Sopranos, Game of Thrones and The Expanse.
I’m sure it mentions somewhere in one of the episodes that he had served and was ex-military
Idk why but Chris always seems older his aura and I think Chris might just be a soldier that didn't know how to not murder
He would be a great character to do a spin off
The writers have gone on record to say that Chris is ex military….
What episode what that when Chris was in police uniform?
Wow. I never caught that in all these years. 😂 great job!!!! Holy smokes. I think you're correct. He was ex-military, & then became a cop, then a gangsta.
He was actually a extra on the set for season 1 then he auditioned for chis partlow role s3
Been meaning to ask, how do you think Chris Parlow would have reacted to hearing about Snoops death
Wow what a crazy catch!
when he got locked up it would've been mentioned that an ex cop had turned full gangster.
I think it's weirder still that Omar was seemingly never in the military; What with him shooting better than everyone and laying an ambush to trap Bubbles and Johnny.
He was making those plays since he was a kid running w his older brother crew
Omar watched a lot of westerns.
Omar was a stick up kid since he was a youth. Training is good. Hands-on experience is just as good if not better.
well spotted, its like Vito playing two roles in the Sopranos
Agreed, mostly likely the actor who played Chris just got this bit part in the 1st season before being brought back for a more robust role later on in the series. Good call.
I always thought that about Chris. He isn’t just cold hearted he just does what he is told no less no more less. Whereas Marlo and snoop enjoy killing for little or no reason
Chris is military, likely some sort of quasi special ops - cops are trained to query and then shoot, special ops are trained to shoot and incapacitate - which is what Chris does - no pause in his movements due querying lol
Chris was a cop the same way Vito used to be Gino
Better theory, Chris is Marlo’s older foster brother or cousin. Hints his undying loyalty to him. Something happened to Marlo when they was kids, chris wasn’t able to protect him, promised he’d never not protect him again at all cost. Chris after highschool went the marines, maybe even became a cop for a years once he was out. Heard an saw Marlo in the streets being a untamed goon an knew the only way to protect him was to be at his side until the end. Whatever happened turned Marlo into a demon, hints why Chris beat Michael stepdad to death because he saw what that did to Marlo.. which is why both him an Marlo instantly knew Michael was cut different more like them from the moment they met him. Thus Marlo provided opportunity to him an Chris took him under his wing trained taught an protected him like he wish he did with Marlo so he wouldn’t turn out like him. Hints when they both was in jail they agreed they knew it wasn’t Michael who told but Marlo being Marlo still wouldn’t risk it why Chris looked as if he’s throwing in the towel an excepted his fate but also the fact he couldn’t save nor continue protecting Marlo as he knew Michael would kill snoop because he trained him to. Notice when they was training him it was only to hunt an predict snoop not him.
Nonsense.
@@Mrhorrible97 Exactly!!!!! Turn out like him. He wanted Michael to drop anything that came out the back when they killed that dude for supposedly talking stuff about Melo sucking dingalings.
Kinda cool but I would have to put him as being former military. Also the final scene with Chris and Weebay. When Avon left Jessup the first time that left Weebay in charge. I took it as Chris going to work for Weebay just as Slim went to work for Joe.
Wow i never realized that was chris in season 1
Like Viro in the sopranos he played the Random guy in the pastry shop before chris shot the kid working there in the foot
3:35 is where title begins lol -.-
Man I seen that show a million times and nva seen Chris in no police uniform