Cheese, a prominent character in The Wire, was murdered by Slim Charles in the final episode of the series, meeting his end as retribution for his involvement in the death of his uncle, Proposition Joe.
The Role of Cheese in the Eastside Crew
Cheese was the nephew of the shrewd drug kingpin Proposition Joe, who controlled the Eastside drug trade and was a key figure in the New Day Co-Op. As a crew chief in Joe's organization, Cheese held a significant position, overseeing operations and managing street-level dealers. His role placed him directly within the inner workings of Baltimore's complex drug distribution networks, often appearing alongside Joe and other high-ranking members of the Co-Op.
Betrayal and Its Consequences
Despite his familial connection and high-ranking position within Proposition Joe's crew, Cheese played a crucial part in a significant betrayal. He conspired with Marlo Stanfield and his enforcers, including Chris Partlow and Snoop, to orchestrate the murder of Proposition Joe. This betrayal was a pivotal moment in the series, allowing Marlo to seize control of the valuable Eastside territory and, by extension, the entire New Day Co-Op's heroin supply line from the Greeks. Cheese's motivations for this betrayal were rooted in a desire for power and a short-sighted ambition to align himself with the rising force of Marlo Stanfield.
Key Events Leading to His Death
- Alliance with Marlo: Cheese increasingly aligned himself with Marlo Stanfield, seeing him as the future of the drug trade.
- Proposition Joe's Demise: He assisted Marlo in the setup and execution of Proposition Joe, his own uncle, a move that shocked many within the criminal underworld.
- Taking Over Territory: Following Joe's death, Cheese expected to gain more power and status under Marlo's new regime.
Cheese's Final Moments
In the series finale, "-30-", Cheese's treachery ultimately caught up with him. During a meeting where Marlo was attempting to sell his drug empire to the New York drug dealers facilitated by Slim Charles and Fat Face Rick, Cheese, ever opportunistic, began to make demands and slight those present. Specifically, he insulted Slim Charles, who had been a loyal associate of Joe and had a strong sense of the old-school code of honor. As a direct consequence of Cheese's role in Joe's death and his continued disrespectful demeanor, Slim Charles executed him on the spot with a single gunshot to the head. This act served as a swift and brutal form of justice for Proposition Joe's murder, reinforcing the idea that betrayal, particularly of one's own, often has severe repercussions in the world of The Wire.
