Boardwalk Empire is quickly becoming one of the best shows on television. While only two episodes have aired, this 1920s prohibition gangster drama that has Martin Scorsese heavily involved has lived up to the hype.
As we found out in the pilot, Enoch “Nucky†Thompson, played by Steve Buscemi, is the treasurer of Atlantic City and a backdoor dealer of alcohol. He works with his brother, Elias, who is the sheriff, a group of ward bosses and his protégé Jimmy Darmody, who had just returned from serving in World War I and has the job of driving Nucky around.
At the end of the episode, Nucky has a Chicago gangster, Big Jim Colosimo, killed, and he also has another man killed for beating his wife, Margaret, whose story moved him. We also got to meet Al Capone, who befriends Jimmy, and they decided to hijack a delivery of 500 crates of alcohol promised to Arnold Rothstein.
They succeeded, even though they killed four men, and Jimmy gave some of the money to Nucky. Well, Nucky was furious, and in this weeks episode, he fired Jimmy unless he could come up with $3,000 dollars.
In one of the best scenes so far, Arnold Rothstein, a gangster, finds the man who killed Colosimo and tells a chilling story about how he killed a friend with a billiard ball for his own amusement. He offered up the story to persuade a fellow gangster to reveal who ordered the hit on Colosimo.
We also find that Al Capone is moving up in the ranks quickly. Nucky helps out Margaret. And one of the men who supposedly died in the hijacking of the liquor is actually alive.
The only complaint about this show thus far is that it can drag a bit, due to the fact that there is a lot of talking. But, that is a small complaint.
This is the best new show of 2010 so far, and I believe that it will be a contender for awards. Buscemi has never been a huge star, but he is great in this show, as is the rest of the cast.
This show is on HBO, which means that some people might not get the chance to see it. But don’t wait for the DVD; see it now instead of three years from now after it wins its third award for best drama. It appears to be this decade’s Sopranos.
College Couch Potato’s Grade: A+
I havent ever heard of this show, but if you think its up there with the better mob shows I guess i could give it a try, Im sure the roomies wont mind too much, seeing as to how we just watched “The Professional” last night and that was somewhat along these lines. Keep up the good work can’t wait to see what else you write about
I wish I could watch this. Your review makes it sound like an amazing story. I might need to find it online so I can dive into it. Thank you for posting this to entice us to watch what sounds like wonderful show.
I am defiantly going to have to sit down and watch this show… It sounds like something that I can get into.
Very interesting review Frank! I’ve never seen, nor actually heard about this show. Though, now, I think I’m going to check into it. The story seems pretty interesting. Thanks for the review!
I love this show and your review was dead on! Unfortunately, not that many people have heard of this show or seen it since it’s on HBO, but hopefully with more publicity (like your review), other will start watching.
I just started watching this show. I love it! Definitely the best new show of 2010!
Yes, that was a GREAT scene with the billiard balls. Didn’t know that fact about cue balls either. And, I do know almost everything. Also liked when Nucky told Jimmy to give him $3000. That’s what he gets for his individual thinking.
This is the new Sopranos. Nucky gives Jimmy 24 hrs to come up with 3 large or he’ll have him whacked..classic. Al Capone as a young driver, you’re right watching this real live gangster over the next few years will be award winning! Thx