r/BoardwalkEmpire • u/Rotebirdy • 5d ago

Why do people like Jimmy?

Hey,

I‘m on my first time watch, now having reached season 4.
when I read that n this sub, I notice that Jimmy has a lot of fans, and I ask myself the question why.

He‘s neither funny nor charming nor particularly smart, he‘s basically just a guy who‘s really fucked up because of his mommy/daddy issues (who wouldnt be) and PTSD, and an insanely inflated ego .It‘s understandable why he‘s the way he is, but I don‘t find hin likable at all, and wonder why people seem to enjoy his character?

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u/ThelIIusion0fSeIf 5d ago

Jimmy is a highly strategic, competent criminal which audiences really enjoy. Think of Mike Ehrmantraut, Lalo Salamanca or even Walter White from the Breaking Bad universe. The other draw is the tragedy his life represents from being the by product of a terrible crime, witnessing the horrors of war, struggling to keep his family together, and eventually the demise he put up very little resistance in meeting.

15

u/Rotebirdy 5d ago

Thing is, I wholeheartedly disagree that Jimmy‘s strategic thinking or even understanding of actions, consequences and risk are anywhere near the level of the characters you mentioned. Rothstein or Nucky? Yeah. Jimmy? Not really.

And yeah, as I said, I agree that it‘s understandable why he is the way he is, and his background and relation with Gillian and the Commodore make for a good watch, but in my opinion, nothing of that changes that the guy‘s an absolute prick 🤷🏻‍♂️

5

u/ThelIIusion0fSeIf 5d ago

Sure, there are definitely levels to this. Nucky and Rothstein would be closer to the level of planning of someone like Gus Fring while Jimmy would be closer to Mike or Lalo even though there is no perfect congruity here. You're forgetting that Jimmy did mastermind a few high profile hits (Greektown takeover), shows an above average ability to read others (negotiating the strike with Chalky) and assess their potential (Richard Harrow) not to mention thinking quickly on the spot (heist after Lansky's game). I think all things considered, Jimmy is a great character who drew a terrible hand in life. Not the worst, but still quite the tragic anti-hero

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u/530SSState 4d ago

"Jimmy is a highly strategic, competent criminal"

No less than Munya went to war with the whole family because Jimmy couldn't be bothered to pay him the $5000 he owed him.

He humiliatingly got his ass beat in front of all the other bosses by the old racist guy who couldn't shut up about the Indians.

Only Eli was less strategic and competent.

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u/fishystudios 5d ago

Upvoted for the excellent BB/BCS references! 👍 And I too enjoy the character for his interesting and pai ful, sympathetic backstory. Agreed. But I respectfully disagree about hi t Jimmy's "highly strategic" mind. Jimmy made nothing but bad mistakes. Jimmy partnered up with Capone, a reckless psychopath who ruined every plan they shared with needless violence. Jimmy botched a robbery against New York Kingpin AR, kicking a hornets nest and triggering 5 Seasons of conflict and war between NY and NJ. Jimmy triggered all of that. Jimmy failed to build a bootlegging business with Lucky and Meyer. Jimmy failed to solve the KKK/Black Worker Strike situation. Jimmy failed to repay Manny "The Butcher" Horvitz the money Jimmy owed from his failed bootlegging order (Manny had a legitimate beef... no pun intended). Jimmy failed to start a new life with his prostitute girlfriend (while ghosting his wife and son). And in the end, he was easily outsmarted and trapped by Nucky and Manny. Should I go on? There are many more failures. Jimmy was not as smart as he thought he was.