Revisiting ‘The Wire’ Characters Part 3 – Bodie Broadus

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bodieOngoing for a serious chunk of the future, I will be revisiting some of the best characters to appear in HBO’s The Wire. My series will be a 30-part piece of admiration to the greatest show in entertainment history. With lists come inevitable omissions and controversies, and The Wire is known for amassing a selection of numerous legendary figures. This list will be my best attempt to pay homage to these characters, ranging from popular fan favorites to occasional lesser known ones who made an impact. Parts are placed in no special order.

While disagreements may still come even with a lengthy series, I contend that 30 parts will be a plentiful total to give respect and please fans simultaneously. Certain days will feature two articles and thus two parts being published, others will just be one. If you’re a fan of The Wire and you find my series fulfilling, please share it with others. Pop Culture Spin appreciates your viewership and your efforts to spread the word. You will find each published entry in the series linked at the bottom of this article. Each fresh installment will link all published entries in the same spot. Landing next in the series, we have Bodie Broadus, played by J.D. Williams.

Bodie was an original member of the Avon Barksdale and Stringer Bell crew. He worked the housing projects and did work on the corners. To get this out of the way before I get emotional (kidding, sort of), Bodie’s death was one of the most unsettling parts of The Wire. He was a constant for a tremendous portion of the show, and his death came out of sheer pride and a refusal to back down – he wouldn’t surrender his corner. Bodie was a kind individual in moments, but his societal placement also contributed to incredible violence.

This signified a clear subtheme to The Wire – defined socioeconomic circumstances shape people. Any fan of the show realizes how outspoken creator David Simon has been against the war on drugs. While he never portrayed his characters on the wrong side of the law as heroes, his design seemed to prefer showing individuals on the wrong side of circumstance rather than the law.

Bodie backed the Barksdale Organization to the literal death, and he continued to do so even after it crumbled. Jimmy McNulty called Bodie a “soldier” in recognition of his loyalty. He was loyal to the point of sickening fans, by this I’m of course referring to when Bodie gunned down Wallace, the sweet kid played by now rather famous Michael B. Jordan. Bodie’s pulling of the trigger on Wallace was the moment I realized The Wire wasn’t an ordinary show. No individual would be safe. Innocence wouldn’t be guaranteed season survival. Cared for characters could be murdered at any second.

Bodie was also responsible for one of the greatest The Wire quotes ever. “This game is rigged, man.”

Perhaps no quote better summarized David Simon’s mission with his HBO baby more accurately. Bodie was one of the numerous beloved characters to meet a sad fan perspective death, but his time on The Wire was without doubt unforgettable. Out of the characters who worked under Avon and Stringer, Bodie was the best.

Published Entries of my Revisiting The Wire Characters List
Part 1 – Chris PartlowPart 2 – Jimmy McNulty / Part 4 – Frank Sobotka
Part 5 – Tommy Carcetti / Part 6 – D’Angelo Barksdale / Part 7 – Marlo Stanfield
Part 8 – William Rawls / Part 9 – Bubbles / Part 10 – Ellis Carver
Part 11 – Michael Lee / Part 12 – Stringer Bell / Part 13 – Roland Pryzbylewski
Part 14 – Wee-Bey Brice / Part 15 – Lester Freamon / Part 16 – Slim Charles
Part 17 – Wallace / Part 18 – Bunk Moreland / Part 19 – Howard “Bunny” Colvin
Part 20 – Avon Barksdale / Part 21 – Snoop / Part 22 – Clay Davis
Part 23 – Brother Mouzone / Part 24 – Cedric Daniels / Part 25 – Proposition Joe
Part 26 – Maurice Levy / Part 27 – Dennis “Cutty” Wise / Part 28 – Randy Wagstaff
Part 29 – Kima Greggs / Part 30 – Omar Little / Extra Part – Final Thoughts

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About Author

Tyler is the Editor-in-Chief for Hardwood and Hollywood's pop culture section. He has an unrelenting fascination with Lisbeth Salander and Omar Little. If you're looking to work on a writing project with Tyler or to be interviewed, reach him at [email protected].

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  1. Pingback: Revisiting 'The Wire' Characters Part 2 - Jimmy McNulty - Pop Culture Spin

  2. Pingback: Revisiting 'The Wire' Characters Part 4 - Frank Sobotka - Pop Culture Spin

  3. Pingback: Revisiting 'The Wire' Characters Part 1 - Chris Partlow - Pop Culture Spin

  4. Pingback: Revisiting 'The Wire' Characters Part 5 - Tommy Carcetti - Pop Culture Spin

  5. Pingback: Revisiting 'The Wire' Characters Part 6 - D'Angelo Barksdale - Pop Culture Spin

  6. Pingback: Revisiting 'The Wire' Characters Part 7 - Marlo Stanfield - Pop Culture Spin

  7. Pingback: Revisiting 'The Wire' Characters Part 8 - William Rawls - Pop Culture Spin

  8. Pingback: Revisiting 'The Wire' Characters Part 14 - Wee-Bey Brice - Pop Culture Spin

  9. Pingback: Revisiting 'The Wire' Characters Part 9 - Bubbles - Pop Culture Spin

  10. Pingback: Revisiting 'The Wire' Characters Part 10 - Ellis Carver - Pop Culture Spin

  11. Pingback: Revisiting 'The Wire' Characters Part 12 - Stringer Bell - Pop Culture Spin

  12. Pingback: Revisiting 'The Wire' Characters Part 11 - Michael Lee - Pop Culture Spin

  13. Pingback: Revisiting 'The Wire' Characters Part 13 - Roland Pryzbylewski - Pop Culture Spin

  14. Pingback: Revisiting 'The Wire' Characters Part 16 - Slim Charles - Pop Culture Spin

  15. Pingback: Revisiting 'The Wire' Characters Part 21 - Snoop - Pop Culture Spin

  16. Pingback: Revisiting 'The Wire' Characters Part 22 - Clay Davis - Pop Culture Spin

  17. Pingback: Revisiting 'The Wire' Characters Part 18 - Bunk Moreland - Pop Culture Spin

  18. Pingback: Revisiting 'The Wire' Characters Part 15 - Lester Freamon - Pop Culture Spin

  19. Pingback: Revisiting 'The Wire' Characters Part 23 - Brother Mouzone - Pop Culture Spin

  20. Pingback: Revisiting 'The Wire' Characters Part 27 - Dennis "Cutty" Wise - Pop Culture Spin

  21. Pingback: Revisiting 'The Wire' Characters Part 17 - Wallace - Pop Culture Spin

  22. Pingback: Revisiting 'The Wire' Characters Part 19 - Howard "Bunny" Colvin - Pop Culture Spin

  23. Pingback: Revisiting 'The Wire' Characters Part 24 - Cedric Daniels - Pop Culture Spin

  24. Pingback: Revisiting 'The Wire' Characters Part 29 - Kima Greggs - Pop Culture Spin

  25. Pingback: Revisiting 'The Wire' Characters - Entire 30-Part List, Omissions, and Final Thoughts - Pop Culture Spin

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