Boardwalk Empire Review: Forgive and Forget? Comments (Page 2)
32 Comments
Fred
December 14th, 2011 3:16 AM
I agree with many of the other posters that Jimmy was by far the character with the most depth and likeability. Don't get me wrong, I think the last episode was the by far the best of a surprisingly uninspiring season 2. Basically Jimmy saved Nucky's bacon from wasting away in a federal prison and this is the thanks he gets from Nucky. What a dick! Angela, Jimmy, and Richard were the only likeable characters on the show. I'm not sure I can watch another season of sketchy writing. Bring the Sopranos back! This show ain't even close!!
dan
December 13th, 2011 7:06 PM
I really dont think that with HBO having such big success with all their awards with boardwalk empire Would really want to get rid of the main star, jimmy was coming up since the show began and everyone started getting into jimmys story line and season 2 came and every episode jimmy was becoming the most liked character. Till he became the best character, and everyone was watching just to see jimmys story lines. And boom? ? Hes gone. Yeah right. If he is they are so stupid for throwing the show out the window. I mean come on. I have to fast forward thru nuckys and margarets scenes. Its so dull and boering and not where the fans wanted the show to go. So if jimmy is dead. Say good bye to your biggest hit tv show on hbo. Cause no one wants to waste their time watch margaret cry and show what a lady was like back in. The early 1900's. Puthetic. Either jimmy isnt dead and the show will become bigger and bigger. Or jimmy is dead. And so is the show. And all it could of been.
Alex Roggio
December 13th, 2011 4:41 PM
@Irweezy Duh? It said Cicero, IL for a reason.
Irweezy
December 13th, 2011 2:03 PM
Apparently the town that Van Alden setup in is soon to be the new booze hub for Al Capone's operations. I read that in an interview with one of the show's writers.
not a bored walker
December 13th, 2011 1:46 PM
imho, the show did not progress according to the baseline story set up and the writers went along and jumped on the this past season's television series bandwagon killing off a prime character! to be honest, I am not interested in Margaret's problems and do not want to bear up to another season of her constant whining and nonsensical behavior! when Nucky shot Jimmy I felt really duped sitting through a complex backstory on his character and then just BANG BANG he's killed off. I feel like the writers are throwing out (up) ideas for each episode to see what BS sticks on the wall. they need to sit in a room to work together because the writing appears obviously fragmented and incohesive just like when Mad Men totally fell apart. I would like each series to end after ONE season.... I do not appreciate being dragged along year in and year out by a disappointing TV show! HBO should reprise The Sopranos with the same style of great writing to hold the views attention and not this brand
ZAR
December 13th, 2011 9:51 AM
Jimmy's final shots are interesting and offer a lot of room for speculation.
First of all, when I saw Nucky pointing this tiny revolver at Jimmy I was thinking "this looks ridiculous"! Why not blast him with Eli's shotgun? Or a big caliber automatic like most people seem to carry around? No, it's this "lady" gun (bet it was only a .22, more likely a .38 "snub nose").
Second, a head shot (normally) kills immediately - but here the victim's just losing consciousness while hallucinating. A head shot doesn't have to be a deadly wound! Just think about Richard who lost half of his face and still lives!
In a symbolic/cinematic sense there are also some interesting aspects! A fade to white doesn't necessarily mean death. Besides, Jimmy said he died IN the trench. But his vision is actually about LEAVING the trench! For an upcoming season with him still being alive this would literally mean what he admitted to Nucky before - him being a living dead.
And still, him returning in flas
fortyseven Rank: Regular Character
December 13th, 2011 4:38 AM
I'm going to miss Jimmy. Eli was forgiven too quickly/easily. The court case ended abruptly. Great ending.
Alex Roggio
December 13th, 2011 2:28 AM
Nucky forgiving Eli and not Jimmy felt odd and just out of place. We saw Eli beg for forgiveness and Nucky threw him out the door, yet now they're all "buddy-buddy" again? Especially right after Eli was going to agree to testify against him? Not only that, but Nucky knew Eli lied to him when he said he had nothing to do with the shooting. It can't just be because he's his brother. Eli would have guaranteed Nucky spend his life in jail and the only reason that didn't happen was because Jimmy prevented it from happening.
It seemed to me that Jimmy did much more to deserve forgiveness than Eli. And choosing Manny Horovitz over him? Please, how does that make sense? Manny is a fly on the wall that Rothstein, Waxie, Doyle, Luciano, Jimmy and Lansky would have all liked to see dead. I think this was just played out wrong.
I think the writers have fundamentally misunderstood their own story. Nucky IS James' father, not 'The Commodore'. Despite Jimmy's failings and treachery, Nucky wou
Pam Blakely Rank: New User
December 12th, 2011 11:26 PM
Yes but the gunshot wound to the face could have been some elaborate mask, like Richards' maybe they were trying to fake Horvitz out....I pray that it is all a bad dream, where can the Boardwalk lead without Jimmy Darmondy Alas!
TopherC
December 12th, 2011 11:39 AM
Is Jimmy Darmody REALLY dead?
No, I'm not suggesting a Dallas (the series, not the city) style "Oh, it was all a bad dream" scenario. But, could there be another twist.
We know Nucky is more than willing to order a murder, but have we ever seen him terminate someone at his own hand? Why didn't he leave the task to one of his minions? Could this have been a conspiracy by Nucky and Jimmy to passify Horvitz, who would surely never stand for Jimmy to remain alive? Will we find out next season that Jimmy is tucked away out of town, back in the Army or otherwise on the lamb?
Elements that support this scenario:
Jimmy insists that Owen leave the room when he meets with Nucky. This could allow an opportunit
Chrix Lanier Rank: New User
December 12th, 2011 11:09 PM
Jimmy was the reason I watched this show! Granted I love Nucky, but I don't know if the show can redeem itself now.
MG
December 12th, 2011 6:30 PM
@CheshanaMarshall:
I root for Jimmy because he got messed up by his parents - you can't blame him for that. Yes, Jimmy made a mistake turning against Nucky, but that was because his parents manipulated him. At least Jimmy realized it and tried to make things right; why did Nucky have to kill him? Nucky still has enemies and can't even trust his own brother - so why kill the one guy who was back on his side and even tried to protect him? Jimmy deserved to be punished ... but not with death.
Also, why did Jimmy give himself up? He knew Nucky was going to kill him, and he should have stayed alive at least to be there for his son. Maybe his parting shot was the guilt Nucky will feel.
What truly confuses me is why Nucky keeps fighting for money and power. After the mistrial, he could have just retired with his money and new family. He has nothing left to prove. The fact that he still hangs on makes him unlikeable, and his treatment and manipulation of Margaret just makes it worse.
Nucky is a better man in how he killed Jimmy:
1. He did it himself.
2. He didn't put other people in harms way when he did it (unlike Jimmy's failed attempt in the middle of a party).
Yeah, Jimmy may be all cute and everything, but he's a momma's boy. Nucky gave him the world and Jimmy spat on it. We know some of the reasons why, but that doesn't excuse the fact that he's let others run his life. Not one, but two rapists? Both your parents? Your daddy raped your mother, conceived you, then your mother rapes you? And you know all of this? But you turn your back on the man who's always been there for you for power and greed? And you guys pity Jimmy? Because he's pretty? shakes head
Jackeline
December 12th, 2011 2:22 PM
BOARDWALK SUICIDE......JIMMY WAS THE SUN,,,THE FIRE,,,,THAT THEY WILL BRING A NEW YOUNG FIRE CHARACTER X SEASON 3???WHO CARES?? PITT WAS THE ALL THERE COULD BE & THERE WAS SO MUCH DOORS JIMMY COULD OPEN WITH HIS DEPTH & DARKNESS
TopherC
December 12th, 2011 11:39 AM
Is Jimmy Darmody REALLY dead?
No, I'm not suggesting a Dallas (the series, not the city) style "Oh, it was all a bad dream" scenario. But, could there be another twist.
We know Nucky is more than willing to order a murder, but have we ever seen him terminate someone at his own hand? Why didn't he leave the task to one of his minions? Could this have been a conspiracy by Nucky and Jimmy to passify Horvitz, who would surely never stand for Jimmy to remain alive? Will we find out next season that Jimmy is tucked away out of town, back in the Army or otherwise on the lamb?
Elements that support this scenario:
Jimmy insists that Owen leave the room when he meets with Nucky. This could allow an opportunity to hatch a secret plot. Jimmy goes to meet with Nucky (and Horvitz) alone, without the aid of his friend Richard, who might have instinctivly shot Nucky. Jimmy shows up without a weapon.
Elements that would be difficult to overcome:
That bullet hole in Jimmy's left chee
Chris Morgan Rank: New User
December 12th, 2011 11:13 AM
I'm blown away...but not in a good way. I loved Jimmy. He was the heart of the show, especially this season...I love Richard too, but they were a partnership and I don't know how Richard is going to continue without him and Angela. This throws me a little bit...in all honesty I don't know how interested I am in watching next season now.
Nucky just became really unlikable really fast. Moreover, I don't understand WHY! Jimmy went against him, yes, but he wasn't lying about Eli being the one who wanted Nucky dead, then Jimmy went and murdered the Treasurer, and Nucky still deicded to forgive his brother rather than his son! WTH!? This was incredibly ballsy by the writers, but I think they may have actually gone too far with this one...who else is left to root for? Richard and Owen? I like them but they're not enough to carry the show....they just lost a HUGE part of this show, and potentially a lot of viewers...I really don't know what to think.
CJ
December 12th, 2011 8:20 AM
As well written a series as "Boardwalk" is, Michael Pitt was able to bring a depth to Jimmy that I doubt even the writers could have anticipated. With Jimmy's death at Nucky's hands I feel that the only two sympathetic characters in the series have been lost. I have little interest in the stories of Nelson, the Nanny, Gillian, or even Margaret. Simply put: I don't like them and don't want to invest an hour in their lives. The only other sympathetic and interesting character in the story now is Owen Slater's, and I don't believe it'll be enough to pull me back into the series.
I am really beginning to not like Margaret. She is trying to change Nucky and that is just not going to work and she should know that by now. It will definitely be interesting to see what Nucky does when he finds she has signed over his deeds to the church.....I look for him to threaten The Priest and get them signed back to him.....
It will also be interesting to see how Van Alden handles life outside the law.
I am wondering who Nucky's next nemesis will be......Capone? Richard? Gillian????
Cannot wait until next year .........
Chris
December 12th, 2011 8:01 AM
They are going to need some powerful new characters next season to make up for killing Jimmy off..
darmody
December 12th, 2011 6:14 AM
well the show is dead to me now. Jimmy was the heart of the show amongst these gnagsters there is no one to root for anymore. Why even care now. Nucky even condoned the killings of Angela and the other woman by letting him live. Laughing while Jimmy gets killed
The show got killed with this "series" finale
Nicole
December 12th, 2011 6:14 AM
My heart hurts a little. Jimmy was such an amazing character, And Michael Pitt played him so well. The camera loved him, there were some especially beautiful shots of him in this last episode... I will miss him limping from room to room next year. I can't imagine this show without him. As far as van Alden, I assume he and Capone will cross paths next year, considering Cicero is his backyard.
n!ck
December 12th, 2011 3:30 AM
Even though the writing was on the wall, spelled out for us, I couldn't help but hope. Jimmy gave a lot of depth, in addition to heart. I always rooted for Nucky, hoped our faith (as fans) would pay off... but to see how heartless he really was to one he considered a son (in the least family) leaves me disinterested. The only joy was Margaret listening as Nucky lied, knowing she did not believe him, seeing the resolve & watching as she signed that deed to the church.
I don't know that I'll be watching next season.
It felt like a denouement to this season. I was hoping Jimmy would continue on into next season, but the didn't drag that on. Kudos to the writers/producers. I'm curious how van Alden will develop in his new role outside the law. Will his nanny fall in love with him? Will they have more children? Jimmy's mom Gillian has no one to latch on to, at least no one with wealth/power and a strong interest in her. Will she finally get her comeuppance? Will we finally see the rise of Al Capone, now that the fictional characters are swept aside?
December 14th, 2011 3:16 AM
I agree with many of the other posters that Jimmy was by far the character with the most depth and likeability. Don't get me wrong, I think the last episode was the by far the best of a surprisingly uninspiring season 2. Basically Jimmy saved Nucky's bacon from wasting away in a federal prison and this is the thanks he gets from Nucky. What a dick! Angela, Jimmy, and Richard were the only likeable characters on the show. I'm not sure I can watch another season of sketchy writing. Bring the Sopranos back! This show ain't even close!!
December 13th, 2011 7:06 PM
I really dont think that with HBO having such big success with all their awards with boardwalk empire Would really want to get rid of the main star, jimmy was coming up since the show began and everyone started getting into jimmys story line and season 2 came and every episode jimmy was becoming the most liked character. Till he became the best character, and everyone was watching just to see jimmys story lines. And boom? ? Hes gone. Yeah right. If he is they are so stupid for throwing the show out the window. I mean come on. I have to fast forward thru nuckys and margarets scenes. Its so dull and boering and not where the fans wanted the show to go. So if jimmy is dead. Say good bye to your biggest hit tv show on hbo. Cause no one wants to waste their time watch margaret cry and show what a lady was like back in. The early 1900's. Puthetic. Either jimmy isnt dead and the show will become bigger and bigger. Or jimmy is dead. And so is the show. And all it could of been.
December 13th, 2011 4:41 PM
@Irweezy Duh? It said Cicero, IL for a reason.
December 13th, 2011 2:03 PM
Apparently the town that Van Alden setup in is soon to be the new booze hub for Al Capone's operations. I read that in an interview with one of the show's writers.
December 13th, 2011 1:46 PM
imho, the show did not progress according to the baseline story set up and the writers went along and jumped on the this past season's television series bandwagon killing off a prime character! to be honest, I am not interested in Margaret's problems and do not want to bear up to another season of her constant whining and nonsensical behavior! when Nucky shot Jimmy I felt really duped sitting through a complex backstory on his character and then just BANG BANG he's killed off. I feel like the writers are throwing out (up) ideas for each episode to see what BS sticks on the wall. they need to sit in a room to work together because the writing appears obviously fragmented and incohesive just like when Mad Men totally fell apart. I would like each series to end after ONE season.... I do not appreciate being dragged along year in and year out by a disappointing TV show! HBO should reprise The Sopranos with the same style of great writing to hold the views attention and not this brand
December 13th, 2011 9:51 AM
Jimmy's final shots are interesting and offer a lot of room for speculation.
First of all, when I saw Nucky pointing this tiny revolver at Jimmy I was thinking "this looks ridiculous"! Why not blast him with Eli's shotgun? Or a big caliber automatic like most people seem to carry around? No, it's this "lady" gun (bet it was only a .22, more likely a .38 "snub nose").
Second, a head shot (normally) kills immediately - but here the victim's just losing consciousness while hallucinating. A head shot doesn't have to be a deadly wound! Just think about Richard who lost half of his face and still lives!
In a symbolic/cinematic sense there are also some interesting aspects! A fade to white doesn't necessarily mean death. Besides, Jimmy said he died IN the trench. But his vision is actually about LEAVING the trench! For an upcoming season with him still being alive this would literally mean what he admitted to Nucky before - him being a living dead.
And still, him returning in flas
Rank: Regular Character
December 13th, 2011 4:38 AM
I'm going to miss Jimmy. Eli was forgiven too quickly/easily. The court case ended abruptly. Great ending.
December 13th, 2011 2:28 AM
Nucky forgiving Eli and not Jimmy felt odd and just out of place. We saw Eli beg for forgiveness and Nucky threw him out the door, yet now they're all "buddy-buddy" again? Especially right after Eli was going to agree to testify against him? Not only that, but Nucky knew Eli lied to him when he said he had nothing to do with the shooting. It can't just be because he's his brother. Eli would have guaranteed Nucky spend his life in jail and the only reason that didn't happen was because Jimmy prevented it from happening.
It seemed to me that Jimmy did much more to deserve forgiveness than Eli. And choosing Manny Horovitz over him? Please, how does that make sense? Manny is a fly on the wall that Rothstein, Waxie, Doyle, Luciano, Jimmy and Lansky would have all liked to see dead. I think this was just played out wrong.
I think the writers have fundamentally misunderstood their own story. Nucky IS James' father, not 'The Commodore'. Despite Jimmy's failings and treachery, Nucky wou
Rank: New User
December 12th, 2011 11:26 PM
Yes but the gunshot wound to the face could have been some elaborate mask, like Richards' maybe they were trying to fake Horvitz out....I pray that it is all a bad dream, where can the Boardwalk lead without Jimmy Darmondy Alas!
TopherC
December 12th, 2011 11:39 AM
Is Jimmy Darmody REALLY dead?
No, I'm not suggesting a Dallas (the series, not the city) style "Oh, it was all a bad dream" scenario. But, could there be another twist.
We know Nucky is more than willing to order a murder, but have we ever seen him terminate someone at his own hand? Why didn't he leave the task to one of his minions? Could this have been a conspiracy by Nucky and Jimmy to passify Horvitz, who would surely never stand for Jimmy to remain alive? Will we find out next season that Jimmy is tucked away out of town, back in the Army or otherwise on the lamb?
Elements that support this scenario:
Jimmy insists that Owen leave the room when he meets with Nucky. This could allow an opportunit
Rank: New User
December 12th, 2011 11:09 PM
Jimmy was the reason I watched this show! Granted I love Nucky, but I don't know if the show can redeem itself now.
December 12th, 2011 6:30 PM
@CheshanaMarshall:
I root for Jimmy because he got messed up by his parents - you can't blame him for that. Yes, Jimmy made a mistake turning against Nucky, but that was because his parents manipulated him. At least Jimmy realized it and tried to make things right; why did Nucky have to kill him? Nucky still has enemies and can't even trust his own brother - so why kill the one guy who was back on his side and even tried to protect him? Jimmy deserved to be punished ... but not with death.
Also, why did Jimmy give himself up? He knew Nucky was going to kill him, and he should have stayed alive at least to be there for his son. Maybe his parting shot was the guilt Nucky will feel.
What truly confuses me is why Nucky keeps fighting for money and power. After the mistrial, he could have just retired with his money and new family. He has nothing left to prove. The fact that he still hangs on makes him unlikeable, and his treatment and manipulation of Margaret just makes it worse.
Rank: New User
December 12th, 2011 4:45 PM
Nucky is a better man in how he killed Jimmy:
1. He did it himself.
2. He didn't put other people in harms way when he did it (unlike Jimmy's failed attempt in the middle of a party).
Yeah, Jimmy may be all cute and everything, but he's a momma's boy. Nucky gave him the world and Jimmy spat on it. We know some of the reasons why, but that doesn't excuse the fact that he's let others run his life. Not one, but two rapists? Both your parents? Your daddy raped your mother, conceived you, then your mother rapes you? And you know all of this? But you turn your back on the man who's always been there for you for power and greed? And you guys pity Jimmy? Because he's pretty? shakes head
December 12th, 2011 2:22 PM
BOARDWALK SUICIDE......JIMMY WAS THE SUN,,,THE FIRE,,,,THAT THEY WILL BRING A NEW YOUNG FIRE CHARACTER X SEASON 3???WHO CARES?? PITT WAS THE ALL THERE COULD BE & THERE WAS SO MUCH DOORS JIMMY COULD OPEN WITH HIS DEPTH & DARKNESS
December 12th, 2011 11:39 AM
Is Jimmy Darmody REALLY dead?
No, I'm not suggesting a Dallas (the series, not the city) style "Oh, it was all a bad dream" scenario. But, could there be another twist.
We know Nucky is more than willing to order a murder, but have we ever seen him terminate someone at his own hand? Why didn't he leave the task to one of his minions? Could this have been a conspiracy by Nucky and Jimmy to passify Horvitz, who would surely never stand for Jimmy to remain alive? Will we find out next season that Jimmy is tucked away out of town, back in the Army or otherwise on the lamb?
Elements that support this scenario:
Jimmy insists that Owen leave the room when he meets with Nucky. This could allow an opportunity to hatch a secret plot. Jimmy goes to meet with Nucky (and Horvitz) alone, without the aid of his friend Richard, who might have instinctivly shot Nucky. Jimmy shows up without a weapon.
Elements that would be difficult to overcome:
That bullet hole in Jimmy's left chee
Rank: New User
December 12th, 2011 11:13 AM
I'm blown away...but not in a good way. I loved Jimmy. He was the heart of the show, especially this season...I love Richard too, but they were a partnership and I don't know how Richard is going to continue without him and Angela. This throws me a little bit...in all honesty I don't know how interested I am in watching next season now.
Nucky just became really unlikable really fast. Moreover, I don't understand WHY! Jimmy went against him, yes, but he wasn't lying about Eli being the one who wanted Nucky dead, then Jimmy went and murdered the Treasurer, and Nucky still deicded to forgive his brother rather than his son! WTH!? This was incredibly ballsy by the writers, but I think they may have actually gone too far with this one...who else is left to root for? Richard and Owen? I like them but they're not enough to carry the show....they just lost a HUGE part of this show, and potentially a lot of viewers...I really don't know what to think.
December 12th, 2011 8:20 AM
As well written a series as "Boardwalk" is, Michael Pitt was able to bring a depth to Jimmy that I doubt even the writers could have anticipated. With Jimmy's death at Nucky's hands I feel that the only two sympathetic characters in the series have been lost. I have little interest in the stories of Nelson, the Nanny, Gillian, or even Margaret. Simply put: I don't like them and don't want to invest an hour in their lives. The only other sympathetic and interesting character in the story now is Owen Slater's, and I don't believe it'll be enough to pull me back into the series.
Rank: Extra
December 12th, 2011 8:04 AM
I am really beginning to not like Margaret. She is trying to change Nucky and that is just not going to work and she should know that by now. It will definitely be interesting to see what Nucky does when he finds she has signed over his deeds to the church.....I look for him to threaten The Priest and get them signed back to him.....
It will also be interesting to see how Van Alden handles life outside the law.
I am wondering who Nucky's next nemesis will be......Capone? Richard? Gillian????
Cannot wait until next year .........
December 12th, 2011 8:01 AM
They are going to need some powerful new characters next season to make up for killing Jimmy off..
December 12th, 2011 6:14 AM
well the show is dead to me now. Jimmy was the heart of the show amongst these gnagsters there is no one to root for anymore. Why even care now. Nucky even condoned the killings of Angela and the other woman by letting him live. Laughing while Jimmy gets killed
The show got killed with this "series" finale
December 12th, 2011 6:14 AM
My heart hurts a little. Jimmy was such an amazing character, And Michael Pitt played him so well. The camera loved him, there were some especially beautiful shots of him in this last episode... I will miss him limping from room to room next year. I can't imagine this show without him. As far as van Alden, I assume he and Capone will cross paths next year, considering Cicero is his backyard.
December 12th, 2011 3:30 AM
Even though the writing was on the wall, spelled out for us, I couldn't help but hope. Jimmy gave a lot of depth, in addition to heart. I always rooted for Nucky, hoped our faith (as fans) would pay off... but to see how heartless he really was to one he considered a son (in the least family) leaves me disinterested. The only joy was Margaret listening as Nucky lied, knowing she did not believe him, seeing the resolve & watching as she signed that deed to the church.
I don't know that I'll be watching next season.
Rank: Extra
December 12th, 2011 1:54 AM
It felt like a denouement to this season. I was hoping Jimmy would continue on into next season, but the didn't drag that on. Kudos to the writers/producers. I'm curious how van Alden will develop in his new role outside the law. Will his nanny fall in love with him? Will they have more children? Jimmy's mom Gillian has no one to latch on to, at least no one with wealth/power and a strong interest in her. Will she finally get her comeuppance? Will we finally see the rise of Al Capone, now that the fictional characters are swept aside?