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On The Verge Of War, Nucky’s Allies Abandon Him In 'Boardwalk Empire' (Episode 9, 'The Milkmaid's Lot')

By Edward Davis
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November 11, 2012 8:59 PM
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4 Comments

Television

In case you missed last week's "Boardwalk Empire" episode, "The Pony," well things concluded with a bang. Literally. In a plot to kill rival bootleggers Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi), Arnold Rothstein (Michael Stuhlbarg) and Lucky Luciano (Vincent Piazza), Italian gangster Gyp Rosetti (Bobby Cannavale) attempted to obliterate them all with a well planted bomb, thanks to the information of their meeting whereabout supplied by Gillian Darmody (Gretchen Mol).

By Edward Davis
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November 5, 2012 12:07 PM
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3 Comments

Television

"Jimmy deserved better than this," Richard Harrow (Jack Huston) says with disgust. The "funeral" for Jimmy Darmody (Michael Pitt) is equal parts sham, disgrace and an utter joke. Shockingly killed off at the end of season 2 by his mentor and only real father figure Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi) as vengeance for an earlier betrayal, Jimmy's mother Gillian (Gretchen Mol) has spent the last few months in delusional mourning, claiming Jimmy was off on one of his "adventures" rather than acknowledging his death. But when faced with practical matters -- her brothel business is failing, the house being in Jimmy's name stopping her from acquiring a loan -- Gillian proves her head's not entirely in the clouds and she can be sinisterly lethal. Buried in lieu of Jimmy is the dead-ringer Roger McAllister (Billy Magnussen), a handsome bumpkin Gillian lured into her web for the specific purposes of having a surrogate body to bury. It's ruthless stuff and it makes Harrow, Jimmy's dear friend, ill and sickened by the charade Gillian puts on.

By Rodrigo Perez
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October 28, 2012 6:42 PM
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6 Comments

Television

The midway point of “Boardwalk Empire” suddenly came explosively alive, especially in the fifth episode, “You’d Be Surprised.” An unsuccessful assassination was attempted on the hostile and unpredictably bad-for-business gangster Gyp Rosetti (Bobby Cannavale) by Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi) and Arnold Rothestein’s (Michael Stuhlbarg) men, and Washington is finally trying to take accountability for the failings of the Volstead Act (national prohibition). These after effects are still rippling outward, but the curiously involving “Sunday Best” takes a sharp detour from these plot points, which will rule the rest of the season, in favor of a quieter, character-driven episode that lets all of its players interact. And while we’ve complained in the past about a lack of momentum, this chamber piece is “Boardwalk Empire" at its best -- be patient, as good things are coming to those that wait.

By Edward Davis
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September 17, 2012 1:35 PM
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6 Comments

Television

Season 2 of the Terence Winter (“The Sopranos”) created, Martin Scorsese-exec-produced "Boardwalk Empire" ended in a spectacularly bloody and vengeful fashion that left many viewers in mourning (spoilers will follow for those who have not seen the show).

By Kevin Jagernauth
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August 8, 2012 2:44 PM
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2 Comments

Television

Yes, there are just a few weeks to go before the summer is over and the blitzkrieg of the fall festival and movie season begins. For most folks, all of these highly touted movies vying for awards and acclaim will be making a slow roll to theaters -- if they even arrive at all -- but HBO has got your entertainment needs covered. "Boardwalk Empire" is back in September, and a batch of new images are here to get you ready.