The Black Donnellys – the brothers continued….

We gave you two days to learn more about The Black Donnellys' lead character, Tommy Donnelly. Today you will get a chance to understand an equally complex brother, Jimmy Donnelly.

Jimmy Donnelly, portrayed by Tom Guiry , is the eldest Donnelly but is far from the wisest brother. He can best be described as a loaded gun and is always looking for the next opportunity to self-destruct. Jimmy's erratic behavior is further fueled by his alcoholism and drug abuse. However, we learn over time that Jimmy's behavior is more of a front that he puts on in attempt to camouflage the guilt and insecurity that he's carried with him since he was a child. While Jimmy is seen as physically weak due to his crippled leg, he desires to be stronger by other means and wants the respect that his younger brother Tommy has. Thus Jimmy tries to make up for what he lacks physically with his headstrong emotions and irrational and blunt behavior. Though it's hard to feel sympathy for Jimmy sometimes, he certainly is not a monster. Instead, he's just a lost soul who blames himself for his father's death and for his youngest brother Sean's severe beating--a beating that was the result of Jimmy's own misdeeds.

One thing is clear from the outset though--Jimmy doesn't think anything through, he just reacts. A great example is his involvement in Louie “Downtown”'s murder. By kidnapping Louie Downtown, Jimmy causes his brother Sean's beating which in turn leads to Jimmy killing Louie Downtown which eventually leads to repercussions for the entire Donnelly family. Tommy, as the second oldest, continues to pick up the pieces and Jimmy, while he loves his brothers, continues to lead them deeper and deeper into the life they never wanted.

As Tommy said, "Don't you care about anybody?" Jimmy's only reply is, "You're right. I forgot, Tommy. You're the big savior. I'm the scumbag!"

Jimmy does mean well and does place family above all. Why else would he have shot Louie “Downtown” if not to avenge Sean's near-death beating by the Italians?

Interestingly, one of Jimmy's greatest achievements so far has been refurbishing The Firecracker, the Donnelly's family bar. In fact, Jimmy is so proud of the bar that he purchased a new sign for it. The new sign, which features a “cracker” and a “flame,” represents a new beginning for the Donnelly brothers, according to Jimmy.

From the pilot to the finale, we learn more and more about Jimmy that explains why he is the way he is and we are left to wonder if Jimmy will change further as the show progresses. The season finale made us think that he might begin to change his ways but ultimately left us hanging . . . As of now, we can only speculate, but we can find out if you join us in the fight for season two!!!