Boardwalk Empire 5.1 FAQ
What’s it called?
“Golden Days For Boys And Girls.”
Who’s responsible?
Teleplay is credited to Howard Korder.
What says HBO?
“Nucky (Steve Buscemi) is awash in memories from pier-boy days growing up in 1884 Atlantic City, when the young Nucky (Nolan Lyons) caught the eye of the Commodore (John Elllison Conlee). In 1931 Cuba, Nucky joins Sally Wheet (Patricia Arquette) and, with a U.S. Senator in tow, forges ties with Bacardi Rum in hopes of Prohibition’s repeal in the U.S. Working on Wall Street, Margaret (Kelly Macdonald) finds herself in the hot seat when her boss, facing an internal investigation, decides his own future. Down but never out, Chalky (Michael Kenneth Williams) seizes an opportunity to extricate himself from a difficult situation. In New York, Lucky Luciano (Vincent Piazza) sets in motion a bold plan that reverberates all the way to Nucky in Cuba.”
1931? When did we last see Nucky, Nelson, Chalky and the gang?
The fourth season finale, “Farewell Daddy Blues,” took place in August 1924.
The big news?
Don’t expect to see Michael Stuhlbarg in these final episodes. Arnold Rothstein was assassinated in 1928, but his storyline continues, thanks to Margaret.
What else is HBO not telling us?
Chalky White’s biggest problem isn’t garnering the respect of his well-spoken wife, daughter, and doctor son-in-law; along with Gillian Darmody, Arnold Rothstein and nephew Willie Thompson, he has seen his circumstances change significantly over the last seven years.
Also, Young Nucky Thompson’s 1884 adventures are not limited to this season premiere; we will see much of how this fisherman’s son began his career with the wealthy, unsavory Commodore. (I wonder if the fellow playing the young Louis Kaestner may be a bit beefier than Dabney Coleman would have preferred.)
“Boardwalk Empire” has long reminded me of the Young Vito segments of “The Godfather Part II,” but with its depictions of Meyer Lansky in Cuba and protests and violence in the streets of Havana and of Nucky compromising the morals of a U.S. congressman, it will now likely remind many of the Older Michael sequences.
Finally, there is a near-beheading. At least in the screener sent to critics.
What’s doing with Nelson Van Alden?
The murderous former treasury agent sits out the season premiere. So does Eli and Willie Thompson, the Darmodys and the Capones.
Gillian Darmody’s still part of this show?
A big part. Just not this week.
With James Tolliver/Warren Knox dead, who’s the Big Bad this season?
Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky and Bugsy Siegel, I’d wager.
Any reference to Eddie Kessler this week?
No. Hopefully he’ll turn up in a flashback in this flashback-happy season.
Any sign of Esther Randolph, George Remus, Gaston Bullock Means or Andrew Mellon?
No. And not in the second or third episodes either.
How does it start?
Underwater in 1884, with CGI coinage.
Be honest and true, boys
Whatever you do, boys
Let this be your motto through life
Both now and forever
Be this your endeavor
When wrong with the right is at strife
What’s great?
“He doesn’t give up.” “Everything’s going to work out fine!” “You handle all the telephones and such.” “However …” Nucky’s bodyguard. Margaret’s boss. The $50. Chalky’s shoelace.
What’s not so great?
No Van Alden, no Gillian, no Eli, no Willie, no Capone – though they’ll all be along next week if I remember correctly. Sadly, great characters like Eddie Kessler, Arnold Rothstein and Richard Harrow did not manage as smooth a transition into the 1930s.
How does it end, spoiler boy?
Old Nucky learns and Young Nucky hides.
9 p.m. Sunday. HBO.
