6. Commodore Louis Kaestner
The death of the Commodore (Dabney Coleman) in the penultimate episode of the second season was expected given his ailing health throughout the show. But what is shocking is how he is actually dispatched (in a fight with his son Jimmy). While Jimmy and Gillians (Gretchen Mol) relationship is all levels of messed up, the Commodores relationship with Gillian and Jimmy is equally messed up and here in this scene the house of cards finally fall down. Once again, Gillian is at the centre of the conflict, goading her son and disrespecting the memory of his recently murdered wife. Jimmys rage is pushed into overdrive by her remarks that in a month, little Tommy will have forgotten entirely about his mother. In a violent (partially drug induced) rage, Jimmy begins strangling his mother and repeatedly says Ill remember until he is stopped by a surprisingly strong Commodore who stabs Jimmy in the back and the two struggle before Jimmy eventually overpowers his father and stabs him. Jimmy fatally stabs the Commodore a second time, bringing to an end the life of one of Boardwalk Empires most bitter and resentful characters, who has all but forsaken the Darmody clan.