Boardwalk S1E1: Why Did They Kill?

The Murder of Manny Horvitz

The first episode of the HBO series Boardwalk Empire begins with the murder of Manny Horvitz, a Jewish gangster who is shot and killed by Jimmy Darmody, the son of Nucky Thompson, the corrupt treasurer of Atlantic County, New Jersey. The murder sets off a chain of events that will ultimately lead to the downfall of Nucky's empire.

Why Did Jimmy Darmody Kill Manny Horvitz?

There are several reasons why Jimmy Darmody may have killed Manny Horvitz.

• Revenge: Horvitz had previously killed Jimmy's father, James "Jim" Darmody, in a botched robbery attempt. Jimmy may have been seeking revenge for his father's death.
• Power: Horvitz was a powerful gangster who controlled a significant portion of the bootlegging trade in Atlantic City. Jimmy may have killed Horvitz in order to take over his territory and increase his own power.
• Jealousy: Horvitz was having an affair with Jimmy's mother, Gillian Darmody. Jimmy may have been jealous of Horvitz and killed him in a fit of rage.

The Consequences of Horvitz's Murder

The murder of Manny Horvitz had a profound impact on the characters and events of Boardwalk Empire.

• It set off a war between Nucky Thompson and Jimmy Darmody. Nucky was furious that Jimmy had killed Horvitz, and he vowed to avenge his death. This led to a bloody war between the two men that would ultimately destroy both of them.
• It led to the downfall of Nucky's empire. The war between Nucky and Jimmy weakened Nucky's position in Atlantic City, and he eventually lost his power to his rivals.
• It changed the course of Jimmy Darmody's life. Jimmy was haunted by the guilt of killing Horvitz, and he eventually turned against Nucky and joined forces with his enemies.

Conclusion

The murder of Manny Horvitz was a pivotal event in the history of Boardwalk Empire. It set off a chain of events that would ultimately lead to the downfall of Nucky Thompson's empire.

Additional Information

In addition to the reasons listed above, there are several other factors that may have contributed to Jimmy Darmody's decision to kill Manny Horvitz. These factors include:

• Jimmy's mental state: Jimmy was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of his experiences in World War I. This may have made him more impulsive and violent.
• The influence of alcohol: Jimmy was drinking heavily at the time of the murder. This may have impaired his judgment and made him more likely to act on impulse.
• The pressure from his mother: Jimmy's mother, Gillian Darmody, was constantly pressuring him to avenge his father's death. This may have contributed to Jimmy's decision to kill Horvitz.