Boardwalk Empire: 5 Characters That Got Fitting Endings (& 5 That Deserved Better)

Epic Age Gangster Series seaside empire Set against the backdrop of Prohibition-era Atlantic City’s smuggling operations, the show delivered five seasons of gripping drama and violent imagery. While the hit HBO series primarily focuses on the rise and fall of crime boss Enoch “Nucky” Thompson, his empire-backed allies and enemies seek to unravel it. has as many fans as Thompson himself. As important.

Every character in Nucky’s work is no stranger to tragic endings, and over the course of his long criminal career, many fan-favorite characters have died under fire, due the dissolution of important partnerships or the destruction of their relationships. reputation. The actions of some of them are almost predetermined, while others are just victims of bad luck or bad writing.

Proper ending: Commodore

As a key member of Atlantic City’s outlaw business, Commodore was responsible for promoting the economic prosperity of the city through various criminal enterprises, most notably smuggling. A vengeful, narrow-minded, reprehensible businessman, he not only prepares Nucky Thompson to take on the position of Atlantic City power broker, but also prepares Jillian Dahmody to be his mistress. when she was a teenager.

In an act of justice, the slave Princess Leia miserably strangled Jabba the Hutt. return of jedi, Decades later, Gillian Dharmody not only severely beat the General, but also strangled him with a pillow.

Better Worthy: Jimmy Darmody

Jimmy Darmody, a former student of Nucky Thompson, ended up in his own criminal enterprise after failing to get a promotion and disagreeing with Nucky’s leadership and direction. After learning that Thompson might have been killed, Jimmy, working with his brigade commander father, begins to reconsider.

Jimmy Darmody’s untimely death at the end of season two feels disconnected and abrupt. Following actor Michael Pitt’s absence from the “Farewell to the Empire” special, there were rumors that he was fired from the show for unprofessional behavior, but writer Terrence Winter was adamant that if Pitt can be “emotional” then Jimmy will die at Nucky’s. hand. Whatever the truth of the matter, the execution celebrates the character’s journey in a more meaningful way.

Matching Finish: Gip Rossetti

In the third season, Gip Rossetti decided not to be Joe Masseria’s second-in-command and began working on his own criminal scheme, becoming a thorn in the side of Nucky Thompson. Short-tempered and easily offended, the New York City gangster has a reputation for taking revenge on petty people.

After taking over Nucky’s massive Atlantic City business, Rossetti established himself as the biggest crime boss in the area until he was betrayed by one of his men, who claimed responsibility. responsible for Rossetti killing his cousin. Unsatisfied. Being stabbed in the back is exactly what a sassy thug like Rossetti deserves.

Deservedly Better: Angela Darmody

Angela Darmody, who was married to Jimmy Darmody as a child, has suffered from being an ungrateful wife and mother, throughout the series A Sad Story of Neglect. She was shot dead by Manny Horwitz just before she could truly live and achieve some happiness.

Although Richard Harrow ultimately avenged Angela by killing Butcher at short range with a shotgun, Horwitz’s punishment did not appease fans who viewed Angela’s death as callous and would only push The story goes further with more important characters.

A fitting ending: Gillian Darmody

Due to Jillian Darmody’s depraved past and terrible childhood, she did not have many opportunities to develop into a stable, well-rounded person. After giving birth to Commodore’s child at a young age, she becomes obsessively attached to her son Jimmy for a sense of security, turning their relationship into a spoiled and worthy one. fear.

Gillian uses her tricks to manipulate powerful men, and fleshly money paves the way for her to have some influence in Atlantic City. Unfortunately, after Jimmy dies in season two, she begins to lose her sanity and reality, and is eventually left alone in the institute.

More deserving: Nelson van Alden

in all roles seaside empire, Nelson van Alden has undergone the most notable change. Going from a purely religious fanatic to the fearsome gangster muscle makes Van Alden a compelling character, but his story is increasingly tied to the main events of the series.

Agent Van Alden/George Muller’s double life finally comes to a climax when he is almost unmasked by Al Capone. Just before Van Alden killed the gang boss, he was shot dead by FA agent Malone, who couldn’t risk exposing himself to Capone’s men. Attempts to assassinate him resulted in Capone foolishly handing over his ledgers to Malone, who used them to arrest him for tax evasion. While Van Alden’s death ultimately served a larger purpose and resulted in Capone’s arrest, that seemed too unexpected for a character to survive each season.

Matching ending: Richard Harrow

Veteran Richard Harrow became Jimmy Darmody’s steadfast friend in the first season, serving as his bodyguard and loyal muscle. The marksmanship skills he acquired while fighting abroad in World War I greatly affected his self-esteem and appearance, and the disfigured war hero became The character is a fan favorite for its deep character development and intricate storytelling.

While many fans want Richard to have a happy ending depicted in his scrapbook, the tragic hero definitely needs a tragic ending. He was shot after accidentally killing Chalkey White’s daughter, Maybelle, who was headed for his intended target, Dr. Valentine Narcissus. Actor Jack Huston respects his character’s ending, calling it “beautiful” and believes Richard is finally getting the life he wants.

Better than deserved: White chalk

As a con man, smuggler, and friend of Nucky Thompson, Chalkey White also possessed the ability to rally and influence the black community in Atlantic City. Eventually, Chalkey was overthrown by New York gangsters like Dr. Valentine Narciss and Kip Rossetti, forcing him to flee Atlantic City and temporarily lose his territory.

Despite many personal difficulties, including the loss of his beloved daughter, with the help of Nucky and Al Capone, he has found his feet again. The deal with Dr. Narcissus ultimately proved his failure, as while Narcissus survived the series’ baffling end, Chalki’s misjudgment resulted in a disrespectful death. best.

Matching ending: Nucky Thompson

Nucky Thompson avoids categorization throughout the series. Even as a crime boss, he is brutal and benevolent, and often favors diplomacy over violence. The screenwriters came to the conclusion that the ending of Nucky’s story needed to go back to the way it was, and that the gangster needed to be killed by someone he knew. That man was none other than Tommy D’Armody, the son of Jimmy D’Armody, who pulled the trigger on Nucky in the finale.

Tommy, alias Joe Harper, is a kid who is looking for a job at Nucky’s company and is picked up by the crowd. According to the writers, Nucky needs to be “the cause of his own destruction” and while some fans think his ending is predictable, it’s still poetic justice. dream.

Better Worthy: Owen Slater

The upbeat Irish enforcer Owen Slater brought fame to the blockbuster Nucky Thompson, but the charms of a bandit eventually caught the attention of Margaret, Nucky’s wife. They begin a love affair so passionate that they almost run away together, but their plans are cut short when Owen’s body is finally delivered to the Thompsons’ doorstep in a box.

Fans thought Irving’s death was gruesome because not only did it happen off-screen, but it also cast great doubt on Owen’s character. Normally cunning and resourceful, he lets his guard down when he watches his victims and doesn’t play by his own rules, a misjudgment that eventually gets him killed and makes him appear innocent. unnecessary way.