Boardwalk Empire Finale Fallout: What's the Real Story Behind [Spoiler]'s Shocking Exit?
![Boardwalk Empire: The Real Story Behind [Spoiler]'s Departure](https://tvline.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/michael_final_v2.jpg?w=300&h=300&crop=1)
![Boardwalk Empire: The Real Story Behind [Spoiler]'s Departure](https://tvline.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/boardwalkfinale_dw111212063557.jpg?w=514&h=360&crop=1)
[The following story contains spoilers from Sunday’s Boardwalk Empire finale. Proceed at your own risk.]
Back in October, our sister site Deadline.com reported that Boardwalk Empire co-lead Michael Pitt was fired by his longtime agent “because he’s really difficult on set and otherwise.”
Cut to this past Sunday: Empire fans are reeling from the shocking death of Pitt’s character, Jimmy Darmody, in the show’s Season 2 finale.
Is there a connection? Did Empire whack its second biggest star because of backstage problems? Or did the storyline simply demand it?
Exec producer Terrence Winter says it’s the latter, maintaining in an interview with EW.com that Pitt’s ouster was a creative decision.
“[It’s] absolutely not true,” he says. “Michael is a total professional. He’s intense, of course, but I don’t think you can do that job without being intense.”
Winter said the decision to kill off Jimmy was made “at the beginning of Season 2,” adding, “The idea was to try and push things to their absolute limit, even if it makes it difficult for yourself and your writing team. If you take things to their logical extreme with the situation we created, Jimmy has betrayed Nucky, he tried to have him killed. You want to be honest about the storytelling… Anything short of Nucky [killing Jimmy] wouldn’t feel real, it wouldn’t be real. And it would be a cheat for us to say, ‘We want to keep our beloved character Jimmy Darmody alive.'”
For his part, Pitt shrugged off the rumors surrounding his behavior on set. ”I’m confident that I will be judged by my performance,” he told EW.com, “and not by the ‘he said, she said.’”
I was shocked that Jimmy was killed but more upset that Manny was left alive and Eli gets off scott-free. It WAS Eli’s suggestion that Nucky be killed, and he survives with only a year in prison?
Ugh.
And the worst thing? Gillian gets to raise another boy. That poor kid is screwed.
I totally agree with everything said here.
Blood is thicker than water. It makes total sense that Nucky would of killed Jimmy.
I expect that we will see Nucky take care of his brother after Eli’s prison term is up, remember Nucky needs Eli to do the time so he can beat the conspiracy rap. Nucky’s dispatching of Jimmy clearly took a toll on him, and I think he will have some problems that crop up from that (Richard, obviously, and I’d wager Chalkey as well, Jimmy really did right by him) and I agree it was the only logical ending to Jimmy’s story.
I disagree that it was the only logical outcome. It was *A* logical outcome, but I still think it would have made more sense for Eli to die. Nucky knows the whole thing was Eli, and Jimmy basically fixed ALL of Nucky’s problems at the end. Nucky would be going to prison if not for Jimmy.
As far as blood being thicker than water, Jimmy was like a son to him. Eli was just his whiney idiot brother.
Logical Outcome? Sure; if you wanted to ruin the entire show! That did that nicely!
The way Richard looked after Gillian told her grandson would be the leader of the city one day.. something tells me Richard won’t let that happen.
See that’s the one thing I don’t quite buy. I get that he was traumatized, first by his mother and then by the war. He pretty much dug his own hole double crossing Nucky, and I could buy him essentially committing suicide by going to that meeting if he didn’t have his son. I do not for one minute believe that Jimmy would leave his son to be raised by his deranged mother, no matter how dead he felt inside. I’m pretty sure that next season will play out something like this:
1. Nucky will try to off Margaret for double crossing him.
2. Owen will run off with Margaret because she apparently has some magic up that skirt of hers….
3. The new guy they’re hiring as Jimmy’s replacement will step in as Nucky’s new boy wonder.
He didn’t leave her alone with his son,, he knew he was walking into a death trap and he left the masked guy there with his son and mother, either to take care of them or take his spot
It was Eli’s suggestion, but Jimmy was in charge and ultimately responsible for the decision. He was saying as much to himself at several points, and to Nucky just before the hit.
I think in teal world Jimmy would not go alone for being killed. Richard Arrow could be covering him with a sniper. And I think Richard Would took revange on Nick…after all, he Is a killer and Jimmy was his Only friend…
I am disgusted they killed off Jimmy. All that is left are ugly tough guy characters that are boring. Jimmy was handsome, sexy, mysterious. There is no one else like that on the show. I thought of Jimmy the entire time I watched the first of season 3. I felt his presence missing. Getting rid of Jimmy after all that build up of his character was a HUGE mistake! I am so disappointed. I am left with feelings of frustration.
No more eye candy:(
don’t worry, it will ALL come back to bite eli in the ass…
Since Jimmy was killed off, I do not watch Boardwalk Empire!!!!! I LOVE MICHAEL PITT
Cant believe Jimmy’s dead! :'(. I totally knew the second that he and Gillian (his mother) drunkenly started taking their clothes off that they’d sleep together. My boyfriend was traumatized to say the least. He just kept muttering, “No, come on. That’s his mom!” But who could really be surprised though.
Last time I looked, mama Darmody grabbed her son and essentially raped him.
Perhaps Richard’s storyline for season 3 will be raising Jimmy’s son, and offing that horrible woman. I am not sure what Richard’s place will be in the show if he doesn’t have Jimmy, so maybe he takes it upon himself to raise the son. I just hope Gillian doesn’t try to manipulate Richard somehow by giving him the illusion of the family he desires.
Oh heck yeah Gillian is going to manipulate the heck out of Richard to seek revenge on Nucky! Dang I wanted Jimmy to live he was my favorite character. Jimmy knew Nucky wasn’t going to forgive him at the end he just wanted peace.
Boardwalk Empire just shot itself in the foot.
I disagree with the “honest storytelling “angle the producers are trying to sell.
I think that the writers could of made the storyline where Jimmy killed his father as contrition for his betrayal of Nucky work , if they REALLY wanted too.
After all Jimmy’s father is the person who orchestrated the betrayal and had the power to put it into motion.
Laurel, the writers know what they are doing. You can always participate in those dreaful fan fiction groups. Just knock yourself out with whatever fantasy that you wish and satisfy yourself needs that way.
Step off Tania ,you’re a troll.
And you certainly don’t speak for the writers of Boardwalk Empire.
Talk about your Fantasy Reality…
They see me trollin… they hatin…. Empire fans don’t wanna accept Jimmy dyin….
Yes, they probably could have made that storyline work. But why should they have to? The writers felt this option was the best and most organic. Why would they instead choose to use one that wasn’t as suitable and needed work to make it fit?
I agree the writers could have created a honest storyline without getting rid of Jimmy. He was the most interesting character! He could have sought refuge with his pal Capone and taken on Nucky. There was a lot that could of been done without killing JImmy.
I think with the help of the Superior writers of Breaking Bad or Sons of Anarchy ,Jimmy’s character would of had a better storyline.
So would the entire show for that matter.
I couldn’t agree with you more. Killing of Jimmy was plain stupid! I hope Margaret gets whacked and that silly Irish replacement-again stupid part of the story line.
Totally agree w/Laurel. Memo to BE producers: you don’t off your best actor, no matter how difficult he may be, no matter how much you think you need to shake things up, no matter how much you want to shock your audience, no matter how much you want to be talked about.
Michael Pitt was crucial to this ensemble. I don’t care how good your writing, direction, bleahbleahbleah are…the real reason we watch film is to see great acting.
Sorry, producers, but this is another example of how you guys don’t quite get it, and you will never be in the category of The Sopranos or The Wire. On so many levels, this show is good — even VERY good — but it falls short of great.
They ruined the show. I could care less to see the show ever again. It is dead to me. Killing Jimmy was the show’s death nell!
I agree with everything said here. Killing off the Jimmy character just ruined the show. As far as I am concerned this show ended for me. Won’t be watching next season.
Killing Jimmy was bad enough but the fact that it was Nucky who did it was the worst part for me. I don’t think I can get past that to keep enjoying the show. I think this season is gonna be it for me.
Nucky doing it is what shocks the most. Remember when Jimmy in season one told Nucky that you can’t be half a gangster? Well, there you go. Like I said, Nucky has crossed a very BIG line. He is a true gangster now.
Moriah, you need to get over it. This is a world full of nasty gangsters. You shouldn’t be liking anyone and this includes Nucky. This was a very strong, shocking season finale albeit a very sad one.
Tania ,if you could manage to comment on an article without insulting others you wouldn’t be such a troll.
I don’t think I need to get over anything. I’m not telling anyone else what to think or for them to stop watching the show. I get that these are bad guys but FOR ME I need to find at least some redeeming characteristics in the main character in order to be invested in the show and Nucky killing someone he practically raised like a son ruined that. For all his faults I was invested in the Jimmy character. I wanted to see his story even though he was doing bad things. That’s how compelling the actor was. I’m not saying Steve Buscemi isn’t compelling also but there is less and less about his character to root for and this heartless act took away for me any reason to be invested in the character of Nucky. If you don’t feel the same and will continue to enjoy the show than that’s great. Good for you.
Blow it out your toot Tania! The show is ruined because Jimmy got killed off-end of story!!!
I agree the show is ruined now. There is no show without Jimmy. I wont be watching next season!
It was better for Nucky to kill Jimmy out of respect than to have some random goon kill him.
Nikki Finke is the worst. Yes, worse than Britta.
HEY! You did not just call Britta the worst.
word! ^ although britta may be much worse lol
So sad my eye candy on this show is dead. They should’ve killed off Margaret.
Margaret is really annoying. Her storyline actions make little sense. Maybe it’s the writing, but whatever, I think they’ve killed off or gotten rid of the wrong characters. Jimmy was the most interesting dramatically, not to mention eye candy. At least Pitt got to show his acting chops this last episode.
Jimmy family life with the commodore and Gillian were very interesting. And that wife of his! but Margaret is very annoying and they should of killed her and Eli, instead of Jimmy
As someone who unfortunately dated a devote Catholic for a year, let me say, the character of Margaret is realistic.
I agree! The show would have been better off without their stupid characters, Margaret and Eli, and the boooooooorrrrrrrriiiiiiinnnnnngggggg storlines that went along with their characters.
Definitely agree. Hate Margret. It makes me angry when they make a female character this misogyny magnet. She contributes nothing and constantly is stealing show time whining. She gets everything and ruins it. She is made to be hated; I can’t help it.
She actually reminds me of the mom off Malcom in the Middle, everything she does is baseless antagonism and everytime she speaks I wish death upon the character. I hope Margret gets tortured to death soon.
Why in the world would you guys put these spoilers on the front page of your website? You have ruined this for me and I would have never read that article prior to watching the episode – but you took that option from me. Not cool!
I tried to make the same comment and it wouldn’t take it. Why put a spoiler tag in the title and then PRINT the spoiler right below it??? THANKS
Jimmy had to die. If Nucky was ever going to be taken serious, he had to kill Nucky. Now people will know that he is not one to be messed with. Had he not killed him and had either Manny or Eli do it, people would still try to test him. As for Richard, I have a feeling that him and Owen will become close. They seemed to respect each other in the scene where Owen stopped Richard from selling liquor to a shop owner. Owen is going to need some friends once Nucky finds out about him and Margaret. That will come to a head pretty quickly next season as Katie is on to both of them. I’m excited about season 3. I almost gave up on the show after season 1. I’m glad that I stuck with it, because season 2 was outstanding.
Totally Disagree! If he wanted to prove a point to not mess with him killing off his own brother and his wife would have sent that message with an exclamation point better than killing off Jimmy. The show will suck now!
All of what precedes my comments are right on the ball. Which ever way you’re leaning. I’m just furious that, if I read Margaret’s betrayal of Nucky correctly, is so infuriating. Would have loved to have seen her offed and hope it takes place next season. The writers have provided us with the most outrageous hypocrite to come along in a long, long time. You can expect “evil” from these guys because that is their way of life. But she only benefited from her husband’s murder and she turns out to be the real heavy in this piece. Way to go Terrance!
Was this the blind item about someone who wanted to leave, then wanted to take it back?
No that’s someone from The Walking Dead.
i am still despondant over jimmy`s shooting….i`d like to think that the writers are having their way with us and jimmy will survive the shooting. After all, he`s survived WW1, getting stabbed by the commadore and being sexually absconded by his mother. He`s one tuff cookie and i don`t think we`ve seen the last of him. Honestly, i don`t think i could watch another season without looking into those baby blue eyes. :(
You are all wrong!!
This was just a dream sequence, a common ploy of writers.
Marvbay…as much as I’d love for you to be right, you’re wrong. Jimmy is dead. Terrance Winter said so without a doubt!
Ausiello, WHY THE FRAK DO YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO PUT [SPOILER] IN THE HEADLINE?? YOU MENTION WHAT THIS ARTICLE IS ABOUT IN THE FIRST PARAGRAPH!!! duh-doy
I was very negative on this show for most of its run because of the Jimmy Darmody character. I couldnt stand his constant moping and boorish manner, I thought the season really picked up mid season and am now thrilled that Jimmy is dead. It totally makes sense and helps to finally develop Nucky’s charcter. Great job with the finale as it was a most pleasant surprise.
My main problem with the ending is that they killed off the shows only ambiguous character. This leaves a hole that none of the others can fill. It will take very extremely gifted writing to fill the void.
The show’s only ambiguous character? Does anyone even pay attention? There’s plenty of ambiguity in almost all the characters. Despite all the talk, I’m convinced that the reason so many people liked Jimmy is simply because he’s hotter than Nucky. But Nucky is a bundle of contradictions and a fascinating character in his own right. I’m sad for Steve Buscemi that so many are overlooking the job he’s doing on this show.
It was bs…i didn’t but that ending at all…killing off the must emotionally invested character…. And was I the only one who thought nucky telling Margaret that Jimmy reenlisted was not something a smart human being would do? I’m not interested in season 3… Wet don’t even know Nucky … Not like we knew Tony soprano
smh wow …man they really killed off jimmy…i dont know man….i dont agree with it at ALL
I think they should create a twin of Jimmy that was taken away at birth where only Nucky knew. The twin should be a priest.
Thanks for the laugh vicki. :D
I my family and friends will not watch Boardwalk Empire again without Jimmy. The remaing charactors are boring except maybe Richard, and now we all hate Nucky.Unless he somehow survives or it is a dream sequence.
I don’t care about spoilers, but what’s the point of “hiding” the spoiler if you just list the story right below it? I’m confused about the editing on TVLine’s part. weird…
I have to say when Jimmy died i literaly screamed!! within 20 seconds I was on my iphone texting all my friends who watch the show and we are all amazed and the writer and producers for offing the best character on the whole show!!! I loved Jimmy, Michael Pitt is a great acter and really gave us something interesting to watch. Nuk is alright and all, but he’s ni Jimmy. Gillian grosses me out (lol). As for Margaret I did like her but knows shes on this holy rockers kick and i’m like “alright, we get it your kid got sick, your upset, brake something and lets move on”, but i did like when she signed over the land to the church that was good. But ya who will take over Jimmys sceen time, Owen?? No. Not cutting it…
See that’s the one thing I don’t quite buy. I get that he was traumatized, first by his mother and then by the war. He pretty much dug his own hole double crossing Nucky, and I could buy him essentially committing suicide by going to that meeting if he didn’t have his son. I do not for one minute believe that Jimmy would leave his son to be raised by his deranged mother, no matter how dead he felt inside. I’m pretty sure that next season will play out something like this:
1. Nucky will try to off Margaret for double crossing him.
2. Owen will run off with Margaret because she apparently has some magic up that skirt of hers….
3. The new guy they’re hiring as Jimmy’s replacement will step in as Nucky’s new boy wonder.
Really? They think killing off arguably the most compelling character on the show is a good idea? I’m done watching.
I think they could of kept Jimmy for another season. Like this. When Jimmy asks Nucky how to make it right. They should of had Jimmy killing Eli. Since Eli is one person who could put Nucky away if he testified and he was the one that wanted him dead. And Jimmy should of Killed Manny and the stupid neck brace guy. And it could of ended with a hand shake from Nucky or Jimmy. So people would get excited about them maybe being back for season 3.
Then season 3 They could have Nucky and Margaret fighting a lot until he tries to kill her. Then Nucky’s Irish body guard guy tries to stop him and tries to kill Nucky. Jimmy and Richard are outside hear a fight run in and see the Irish guy on Nucky choking him. Jimmy pushes him off and goes to help Nucky, then the Irish guy attempts to shoot Nucky. Jimmy jumps in front to save Nucky. Richard shoots the Irish guy. And Nucky finally forgives Jimmy. And Richard becomes Nucky’s body guard. haha.
Actually, everything you just said sounds really good. This would be a good way to go.
There was just so much more that could have been explored with Jimmys story line…they didn’t let him get revenge for his wifes murder or ever get rid of his freaky and sick mom…there was so much more that could have been…I think it was a BIG mistake to axe Jimmy…I know for me I’m done with Boardwalk…I literally stared in disbelief when he got shot…what a waste of such a complex and original character….R.I.P…Jimmy Darmody….for me Boardwalk died with you!