Getting an accurate read on his state of mind was next to impossible, but a few things become increasingly clear as you watch his journey throughout The Wire.
For one, Marlo cared deeply about his name, and he was feared because of it. Looking at the Wire with a fresh set of eyes, it made me think about brands and how he became big in the streets.
It didn’t matter what he was selling – it could’ve been bootleg dvd’s and fruit snacks. Any of that would’ve worked because Marlo was the brand, not the product.
With that in mind, today is a deep dive into the world of the Wire so we can see what some of the biggest branding lessons are the greatest villain of the series.
**Spoiler Alert: if you’ve never seen The Wire & plan on watching it, you should probably stop right here, hit the subscribe button, and wait for next week’s spoiler-free post.
Published on July 23 2025
Yo, what’s good fam! Today we gonna dive deep into one of the most memorable quotes from HBO’s legendary series “The Wire” – Marlo Stanfield’s infamous line “price of the brick going up.” As someone who’s watched this series like 5 times (no cap), I’m here to break it down for ya’ll.
The Scene That Changed The Game
Remember that kitchen scene where Marlo’s just sitting there, looking cold as ice? That 2-second moment became one of the most quoted scenes in TV history. But fr fr, it’s way deeper than just some dude talking about prices.
What’s Really Behind “The Brick”?
Let me break this down for you:
- Power Move: When Marlo says “price of the brick going up,” he ain’t talking about construction materials
- Street Economics: In the show’s context, “brick” refers to kilos of drugs
- Boss Talk: This line shows Marlo establishing himself as the new king of Baltimore’s streets
Why This Scene Hits Different
The scene gives me chills every time I watch it Here’s why it’s so significant
-
Market Control
- Shows who runs the game
- Demonstrates supply and demand in the streets
- Establishes pricing power
-
Character Development
- Reveals Marlo’s business mindset
- Shows his cold, calculated approach
- Demonstrates his growing influence
The Impact on Pop Culture
This line became more than just a TV quote. It’s now used everywhere:
- Business negotiations
- Social media memes
- Economic discussions
- Street culture references
Real Talk: Breaking Down The Scene’s Elements
Location: Kitchen settingDuration: 2.1 secondsVisual: Marlo sitting calmlyImpact: Immediate tensionModern Day References
ngl, this scene still hits in 2025. We see this quote used in
- Crypto Twitter when prices pump
- Business meetings about inflation
- Street culture references
- Economic discussions about price increases
The Wire’s Lasting Legacy
The show might’ve ended years ago, but scenes like this keep living rent-free in our heads. Here’s why:
- Authentic storytelling
- Complex character development
- Real economic principles
- Iconic memorable scenes
What We Can Learn
Fr fr, this scene teaches us about:
- Power dynamics
- Market control
- Business negotiations
- Price leverage
Cultural Impact Today
The phrase has evolved beyond its original context. These days, we see it used when:
- Inflation hits different sectors
- Companies announce price increases
- Market dynamics shift
- Power moves in business
My Personal Take
Ngl, whenever I’m in a business situation where someone’s flexing their market power, this scene comes to mind. It’s crazy how a simple TV moment can teach us so much about economics, power, and business.
Final Thoughts
The “price of the brick going up” scene from The Wire ain’t just about drugs or street life. It’s about power, economics, and control. Whether you’re in business, economics, or just a fan of great TV, this scene hits different.
Quick Reference Table
| Aspect | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Literal | Price increase |
| Symbolic | Power assertion |
| Business | Market control |
| Cultural | Status symbol |
Keep It Real
Remember fam, whether you’re watching The Wire for the first time or the tenth, scenes like this show why it’s considered one of the GOAT TV shows. The way it breaks down power dynamics and economics through street life is just chef’s kiss.
Y’all feel me? Drop your thoughts in the comments below about how this scene hit you different. Don’t forget to smash that like button and subscribe for more deep dives into iconic TV moments!
#TheWire #MarloStanfield #TVClassics #BusinessLessons #StreetEconomics
“YOU WANT IT TO BE ONE WAY… BUT IT’S THE OTHER WAY”
In season 4 of The Wire, Marlo walks into a convenience store to buy water. Upon paying, he steals a few pieces of candy from the register and stares down the security guard.
The security guard reluctantly confronts Marlo in the scene you see below, but unfortunately it doesn’t go as planned.
A young Marlo reminded the security guard of his station in life, warning him that though he wants the situation to be “one way” it’s in fact the other way.
In short, “you don’t tell me what to do, I tell you.”
The consumer dictates who you are in their lives, not you.
Believe it or not, some brands have a disdain for their customer base. They want to be for the affluent, but in reality the data could show that their offering is more suited for the average joe (something I learned saw working with a QSR brand back in the day).
That leaves them with two options:
- Double down and serve those who are already buying what you’re selling
- Pivot… And maybe you win… or maybe you don’t. It’s a gamble.
However, beyond marketing and in any area of life, the truth is that just because you want it a certain way, or want a certain customer, or a certain status doesn’t mean you’ll get it.
You want it to be one way, and that’s cool. But sometimes, it’s the other way.
**Bonus points if you can guess what happened to that security guard a few days after his encounter with Marlo**
“THE PRICE OF THE BRICK IS GOING UP”
So boom… Marlo goes to the Co-op meeting in season 5, and tells everyone he was the new plug to the Greeks.
If that wasn’t shocking enough, there was also speculation that he had something to do with Proposition Joe’s death (speculation that he confirmed with no hesitation).
But, the real shocker came as the meeting concluded. Marlo insisted that he would no longer be attending co-op meetings, and that the price of the brick was going up by 30 more.
Everyone was BIG MAD.
This isn’t a race to the bottom. Sometimes you’ve gotta up the price – not because the costs of production went up, but because people have to remember who you are.
You have appeal to your base, no doubt. BUT, if what you’re offering is THAT GOOD, sometimes it’s only right to up the price. Remind people of your caliber, or they’ll forget. Real sh*t
The Wire – Marlo Dismantles the Co-Op
FAQ
What episode of The Wire is the price of the brick going up?
“The Dickensian Aspect” was a sixth episode of season 5 of “The Wire”.