In the realm of television, HBO is known as a being quite the powerhouse; consistently bringing creative, dramatic television to the homes of millions of viewers. Last fall, the channel hit another home run with their latest addition, Boardwalk Empire. Combining the feel of the best gangster dramas with the look and sound of the 20’s, Boardwalk Empire meshes all of those things together flawlessly and gave HBO yet another must-see series.
Set in 1920’s Atlantic City, New Jersey, during the height of Prohibition, Boardwalk Empire centers on Enoch “Nucky” Thompson (Steve Buscemi), the city’s treasurer and its most powerful political figure. Nearly all of Nucky’s power lies within his penchant for corruption. He’s known to fix political votes, create government issues that he then hires his friends to complete, and even has his brother Eli (Shea Wigham) planted in as Sheriff.
Most importantly, Nucky serves as the figurehead of the biggest bootlegging business in America. It’s his bootlegging that has garnered the attention of Special Agent Nelson Van Alden (Michael Shannon), an overzealous Federal Prohibition agent that will do whatever it takes to bring about justice and restore a sense of decency to society, even if it costs him his along the way.
Although the show focuses on Nucky, it has quite the supporting cast that are equally compelling and any of them at any moment could take the lead and still make for good, captivating storytelling. There’s Nucky’s nephew, Jimmy Darmody (Michael Pitt); a young man just back from serving in WWI who is anxious to get to work in Nucky’s empire, often biting off a bit more than he can chew. Then there’s Margaret Schroeder (Kelly Macdonald), a young Irish mother that has recently become a widow and has become the apple of Nucky’s eye, much to the chagrin of his on the side gal, Lucy (Paz de la Huerta).
And one would be remiss to not mention the undeniable excellence that is Chalky White, as portrayed by Michael K. Williams, previously of another hit HBO show, The Wire. Chalky is basically the “Nucky” of Atlantic City’s Black community, helping aid in the creation of much of the alcohol being distributed, as well as swaying the Black vote in favor of Nucky. There’s literally dozens more characters to be mentioned, but rest assured these are just the tip of a well cast, vastly talented iceberg.
The showrunners do manage to fuse in some historical goings on, helping add an even greater shade of realism to the show. There was indeed a Nucky Thompson, although the Nucky of the show is similar mostly in name only. Thompson does have interactions with quite a few notorious mob legends, ranging from Arnold Rothstein and Lucky Luciano in New York, to Johnny Torrio and Al Capone in Chicago. Whether friend or foe, all of them are after a piece of what Nucky has, which makes for many uneasy alliances as well as some bloody, murderous feuds.
Season 1 didn’t so much leave viewers with cliffhangers as it did establish the coming narrative for season 2. Some things seem headed in a positive turn for Nucky. He has made peace with Rothstein and his New York crew, at least for the time being. Margaret, despite her better judgment, has decided to be Nucky’s gal, despite all the risk and worry that entails.
Not everything is rosy, though. Unbeknownst to Nucky, Jimmy and Eli have banded together with the Commodore to take Nucky down. Agent Van Alden, who has just murdered his partner and been unfaithful to his wife and his beliefs, has found a new reason to stay in Atlantic City and is sure to be a thorn in the side of all Bootleggers.
Season 2 of Boardwalk Empire premieres tonight, and almost all of the promotion for it has teased at, not just Jimmy and Eli, but EVERYONE turning their back on Nucky, leaving him in a very vulnerable state. We’re also shown Van Alden’s diligence in cleaning up Atlantic City, as well as hints at him living with his sins. One of the many reasons people love the show is the brutal and realistic violence, and from the previews there shall be no shortage of that.
Starting with Season 2’s first episode, I’ll be writing reviews of each episode, doing my best to summarize each episode’s proceeding’s while also highlighting the most memorable lines and moments as well as speculating what’s to come. I’d love to have as many of you along for the ride as possible and definitely feel free to comment and speculate with me. I have a feeling we’re in for an excellent season.
– Matt Hardeman