This week certainly seemed like a little bit of a breather on Boardwalk Empire. As the end of the season rockets toward us, it appeared as if pieces were being moved into place. Yes, there was a good amount of drama, particularly with Emily’s polio diagnosis. After last week I was certain that she was going to die, but this turn of plot may lead to even more drama. Elsewhere, Nucky’s adventure in Ireland seemed like a foregone conclusion, and we got to see a little bit of Jimmy’s honeymoon period. I don’t think it’s going to last for very long.
Jimmy seemed to be all smiles in this episode. It’s clear that he’s enjoying life at the top. I don’t think he has fully realized what that means yet, however. It’s not going to be all happy deal making and women. I continue to be a little disgusted with just how easily Jimmy cheats on Angela. Granted, their relationship is not stellar, but time and again he has proven to be something of a creep when it comes to women — even more so when juxtaposed with Nucky.
It was never more clear that Nucky has really settled into a home life with Margaret and her children than when he received the telegram that Emily had polio. The look of concern and devastation on his face said it all. I was thinking last week that Emily’s illness, and Nucky not being there, was going to drive a wedge between he and Margaret, but my thinking has changed after this week. I think they are both too emotionally invested in the relationship for bad feelings to get between them, if there even are any. I think they are going to share the support and heartache that is sure to come.
It was a curious episode tonight and I have to say that I missed a lot of the familiar faces that usually show up on the boardwalk. Not all the main players appear every week, but it’s funny how some episodes make you completely forget who is left out, while others leave you feeling like it was only half an episode. Where was Gillian and the commodore? What about Van Alden and his hijinks? Angela and her new girlfriend? I’m sure we’ll catch up with all of them soon enough, but they were missed.
Finally, the second part of Nucky’s plan was set into action this week, as Chalky rallied some of the workers in Atlantic City to strike. Things got a little ugly in the hotel kitchen, and I think they are going to get a whole lot uglier before all is said and done. I hope that Nucky’s idea of a headache for Jimmy doesn’t turn out to be a huge mistake that costs some innocent people their lives. Between the strike, Nucky’s return (with a whole lot of Irish whiskey), and the botched hit on Manny, things are going to piling up for Jimmy. I, for one, can’t wait to see completely fall on his face as he tries to handle it all.
Clacked by Bob Degon
on Nov 20, 2011 @ 22:15 EST5EDT
In watching Jimmy “hint” that Manny needs to go…I knew that was going to end badly. Manny is too tough, like superhuman tough to be killed in that manner. The sound of the clever going into that guy’s head was disgusting. I cringed.
Jimmy cheats on his wife, but she cheats on Jimmy. There isn’t love loss there for either one. He married her because it was the only next step and she married him because her “out” left her. Last season he said they should have another kid…that didn’t. I don’t feel bad for either one of them. I do feel bad for their kid because the games Jimmy is playing is putting the kid in danger and his wife (in that sense, I do feel bad for her).
I absolutely love Boardwalk Empire. It’s one the best shows on TV and one I look forward to watching when it’s on rather than DVR it for another day.