In terms of overall character development, Stringer Bell is one of the best of any show, period. Omar may be a more "romantic" villain, but in terms of complexity and depth he's simply pretty one dimensional.

When you see how Stringer's character develops in Season 3 you'll know what I'm talking about. Very nuanced and really a lot of insight into the social dynamic.

Omar is interesting and certainly brings something to the show, but in overall importance with what the show was trying to achieve Stringer Bell is more critical. Again, it's really not close. Omar is a likable and entertaining thug, but Stringer Bell is a kingpin. Point being, you could do the show without Omar, you really could. But you have to have a Stringer Bell. You can't have the show without Avon,, either, and in fact you need Stringer Bell for contrast and to portray another path/mentality.

gut;1193261 wrote:Omar may be a more "romantic" villain, but in terms of complexity and depth he's simply pretty one dimensional.

Omar is a homosexual thug who walks the streets of Baltimore holding up drug dealers not only with a shotgun but with his brain. The mere sight of him sends gangsters running screaming "Omars commin" to only end up handing over their stash. He has no problem dropping bodies, but not a villain as he lives by a code to not harm anyone that's not in the game. In a show that uses more foul language than most, he is one of the few characters that doesn't curse. Stringer is a great character and I agree he was very important, but no show has ever had someone like Omar.

Omar is still a one dimensional character. I mean, pirates have a code, too, so maybe he's not even that original outside of borrowing the character type and putting them in a different surrounding.

Stringer is more interesting. Omar may be more compelling (what I meant by "romantic", in terms of rooting for him and "glorifying" the game), but Stringer Bell is the better character. From a literary/dramatic sense, it's really not debatable.

I fully agree with gut.