When talent like Martin Scorsese, Mark Wahlberg and Terence Winter (writer on The Sopranos) get together this is the result. I am like a broken record but HBO rarely has a misstep. The series concerns itself with a fictional version of the vibrant Atlantic City during the 1920s and the life of the man who ran the city, Enoch “Nucky” Thompson (an actual person). The backroom politics and underhanded dealings are an exciting watch.
Season 1:
Episode 1: Boardwalk Empire: January 1920 and the U.S. begins Prohibition though you wouldn’t be able to tell in the far from dry Atlantic City.
Episode 2: The Ivory Tower: FBI Agent Van Alden (played by Michael Shannon) believes that there is plenty of illegal booze and maybe even murder going on in Atlantic City and that it is city Treasurer Nucky Thompson (played by Steve Buscemi) who is behind it all.
Episode 3: Broadway Limited: Van Alden pursues the men he feels are behind the massacre in the forest.
Episode 4: Anastasia: Jimmy (played by Michael Pitt) has fled to Chicago and is working under Al Capone (played by Stephen Graham) and his new boss, Johnny Torrio (played by Greg Antonacci).
Episode 5: Nights in Ballygran: Nucky plans to throw a big bash for St. Patrick’s Day but finds himself having to deal with problems from his brother Eli (played by Shea Whigham).
Episode 6: Family Limitation: Margaret (played by Kelly Macdonald) finds the courage to stand up to Lucy (played by Paz de la Huerta).
Episode 7: Home: Jimmy begins a partnership with a fellow veteran and Nucky deals with some bad childhood memories.
Episode 8: Hold Me in Paradise: Nucky is off to Chicago to attend the Republican National Convention but is suddenly called back to Atlantic City.
Episode 9: Belle Femme: Jimmy is back from Chicago in order to help Nucky deal with the D’Alessio brothers.
Episode 10: Outside: Nucky asks Margaret to support his candidate and to use her influence with the women of the Temperance Movement to get votes.
Episode 11: Paris Green: Jimmy has some problems on the home front and Van Alden deals with Agent Sebso (played by Erik Weiner).
Episode 12: A Return to Normalcy: Torrio tries to broker a truce between Nucky and Rothstein (played by Michael Stuhlbarg) while Margaret, Jimmy, Van Alden and Eli consider their futures.
Season 2:
Episode 1: 21: Nucky has to deal with some betrayal from those he most trusted. Margaret has to deal with her unruly son.
Episode 2: Ourselves Alone: Nucky has to deal with the fact that he might be losing control over Atlantic City. He also has to figure out who stabbed him in the back.
Episode 3: A Dangerous Maid: Nucky, who realizes his alcohol supply is not getting through, turns to a friend in politics for some help. Margaret deals with the house staff.
Episode 4: What Does the Bee Do?: Nucky makes a deal to try and get some alcohol into Atlantic City. Eli is not sure that The Commodore (played by Dabney Coleman) is the most capable leader.
Episode 5: Gimcrack and Bunkum: Nucky hires a new lawyer. One of The Commodore’s men teaches Jimmy a tough lesson.
Episode 6: The Age of Reason: Nucky tries to get some alcohol delivered to Philadelphia. Margaret finally goes to Confession.
Episode 7: Peg of Old: Margaret travels to New York to see her family. Jimmy goes a long way to prove his loyalty to his new ally.
Episode 8: Two Boats and a Lifeguard: While recovering after being shot, Nucky finds out some shocking information about his father. Now that he is more powerful it is causing Jimmy to rethink his relationship with Angela (played by Aleksa Palladino).
Episode 9: Battle of the Century: Nucky goes to Belfast in order to make a deal with the Irish. Margaret gets some bad news about Emily (played by Lucy and Jose Gallina).
Episode 10: Georgia Peaches: Jimmy tries to set up a new stream of incoming money. The city’s striking workers have to be dealt with by The Commodore.
Episode 11: Under God’s Power She Flourishes: The police suspect Jimmy in the murder of his own wife. Nucky finds out that Margaret has had an affair.
Episode 12: To the Lost: Jimmy is set to make a statement at Nucky’s trial. Margaret decides to change her life.
Special Features: Making of Boardwalk Empire, “Atlantic City: The Original Sin City”, Speakeasy Tour, “Creating The Boardwalk”, Character Dossier: evolving character guide, Enhanced Viewing Picture-in-Picture on all 12 episode, Character Dossiers, Back to the Boardwalk, Secrets of the Past: Storytelling in Episode 11, Living in 1921, The Money Decade, New Characters, Updates to the Boardwalk, Season Two Promo Spot
