I think the hospital scene was just a microcosm of the family dynamic that had been simmering so many years. Chuck's perception is that his parents always liked Jimmy more than him, even though Chuck was "good" and successful, and Jimmy was "bad" and a screwup. Chuck believes that Jimmy has everyone fooled but him, including their parents, and I think he resents that his parents didn't see Jimmy through the same eyes as him. In Chuck's view, his parents were *victims* of Jimmy, but they couldn't see it (or refused to see it). In Chuck's mind, their parents' continued doting on Jimmy was profoundly undeserved/unfair/unjust. Plus, from what we've seen, their parents were simple working-class people, and Chuck might feel they never fully appreciated the significance of his own accomplishments.
Just as we've seen Jimmy struggling and craving approval from Chuck, it seems Chuck had a parallel struggle for approval from their parents, while he perceived Jimmy as getting a "free ride".
reply
share
jasonbourne (1027)
8 years ago
Yeah, I see Chuck's pov, but do you actually think Chuck is the "good" guy here? He played Lenny on Laverne & Shirley, but c'mon. Chuck lying to Jimmy about his mother not saying anything before she died says it all. I can't forget that scene. Their parents liked Jimmy more than Chuck just as others like Jimmy more than Chuck. Jimmy is the one who cares about people despite his con games. He even helped Chuck despite his betrayal. Twice. Sure, Chuck helped Jimmy when he was in trouble with the law and got him a job at HHM, but he doesn't want him to be a lawyer because it's against his high standards. In reality, Jimmy wanted Chuck to be proud of him, but his high standards won't accept that. Jimmy can't be a lawyer because his moral character is flawed. Chuck's a hypocrite because he's willing to help Jimmy, but only on his terms. He has to always accomplish more and be better than him. Chuck even thinks that Slippin Jimmy was the one whose behavior killed their father after he found he was taking money from the till. Do we know the full story on this? Chuck even has his medical "condition" due to his high standards. This is my theory on that. I think his condition started after his wife divorced him. It sounds like he can't accept anything that goes against his high standards and will do anything to maintain those standards even lie and cheat and be Slippin' Chuck. It's all great rationalization in his mind. Eventually, we'll see his comeuppance.
reply
share
ernieball5150 (49)
8 years ago
I think Chuck *believes* he's the good guy. And I do think there's a kernel of truth to Chuck's criticisms of Jimmy, though I don't think his cruelty to Jimmy is justified.
Chuck is clearly jealous, and he's in denial about it. Chuck lacks Jimmy's charm, and he resents the way that charm makes many situations "easier" for Jimmy. Lots of Chuck's opinions about Jimmy and his parents are almost certainly true, but what's tragic is Chuck's chronic unwillingness to ever give Jimmy the benefit of the doubt (though Chuck would claim that I only say that because "you don't know my brother as well as I do"). Whenever Jimmy tries to better himself, Chuck undermines him, and then Jimmy sinks to meet Chuck's expectations. This is why season 1 was so important. That "chimp with a machine gun" speech sums up Chuck's refusal to believe that Jimmy can better himself, despite what he said on the sidewalk last week while they were waiting for the cops to come arrest Jimmy. The Sandpiper Crossing case was a perfect opportunity for Chuck to nurture Jimmy along a more "noble" path, but he refuses to give him a chance.
reply
share