Boardwalk Empire: Complete Episode Guide
Boardwalk Empire – Family Limitation
Season One: Episode Six
Directed by: Tim Van Patten
Written by: Howard Korder and Terence Winter (series creator) from the novel by Nelson Johnson
The Spin: Van Patten & Korder upped the sex, violence and general weirdness in this episode which might draw the line in the sand where some of the curious being strummed along now drop off and those hooked stay on for the long haul. Keeping with the theme of female empowerment, Margaret (Kelly Macdonald) makes a conscious choice to become a “kept woman” only to have Nucky (Steve Buscemi) break her heart yet again, while he bemoans about trying to be good. Meanwhile, in Chicago…Jimmy (Michael Pitt) wraps up his revenge in a shocking play for control of the Greek line in the name of Torio’s gang.
My Favorite Parts: Jimmy eating dinner at Capone’s home, Capone’s revelation about his deaf son, the not-so-friendly “meeting”, and that banjo playing at Nucky’s private soiree.
Favorite Lines: Rothstein (Michael Stuhlbarg) letting Lucky (Vincent Piazza) know that he is not bedding Jimmy’s bride…but instead, is the very definition of a mother-shut yo mouth!
Plotlines thickening: The rivalry between Lucy (Paz de la Huerta) and Margaret, the tension building between Capone (Stephen Graham) and Jimmy, and Van Alden’s (Michael Shannon) increasing weirdness and delving into Margaret’s past.
Commentary by David H. Schleicher
To my readers and Boardwalk strollers: Thoughts, reactions, comments?
Van Alden self flagellation was a considerably disturbing way to end this episode. The killing Sheridan and his men was nicely executed (pun intended), and I don’t think we heard the last of Charlie Lucky who got the crap beat out of him. He did not become the boss of bosses by backing off from threats. Overall, a good episode.
John, Van Alden just keeps getting weirder…not sure how long they can keep it up or how far it will go with him. –DHS