Boardwalk Empire 4.1 FAQ
What’s it called?
“New York Sour.”
Who’s responsible?
Teleplay is credited to “Lakeview Terrace” screenwriter Howard Korder (who also scripted last year’s Harrowing finale, “Margate Sands”).
What says HBO?
“Following his battle with Gyp Rosetti, Nucky makes a peace offering to Joe Masseria (Ivo Nandi) while working the odds with Arnold Rothstein. While Chalky is busy running the Onyx Club on the Boardwalk, the impulsive Dunn Purnsley (Erik LaRay Harvey) clashes with a booking agent. Fresh-faced Federal Agent Warren Knox arrives in Atlantic City to learn the ropes from Agent Sawicki (Joseph Aniska). Gillian seeks custody of her grandson, Tommy (Brady Noon), while trying to find a “good” man to keep the Artemis Club afloat. Eli’s college-age son, Willie (Ben Rosenfield), turns to Nucky for career advice. Al Capone enlists his brothers, Frank and Ralph, to help him expand his business in the Chicago suburb of Cicero. Richard Harrow returns to his violent ways. Written by Howard Korder; directed by Tim Van Patten.”
“Richard Harrow returns to his violent ways”? At what point did Richard abandon those ways?
There’s little to suggest abandonment, but it’s apparently been eight months since Harrow committed mass murder in the Artemis Club. His “return” comes early in the episode.
What’s doing with Margaret?
Good news for the Margaret-haters! Though Kelly MacDonald is still second-billed in the opening titles, Margaret is wholly absent from this year’s first five episodes.
How does it start?
Far from Atlantic City. A truck drives down a snowy street in Warsaw, Indiana -- about halfway between Gary and Ft. Wayne.
The big news?
Ron Livingston does not appear until the final 15 minutes. He plays an agent of the Piggly Wiggly supermarket chain.
What else is HBO not telling us?
Though Jeffrey Wright’s name appears in the opening titles (right after Livingston’s), his character, New York mob boss Valentin Narcisse, does not appear this week. Also, expect a lot more screen time this season for Anthony LaCiura’s Eddie Kessler and for Nucky’s college-student nephew Willie to emerge as a major character.
What’s great?
T-Man Knox. Harrow’s return to violence. “Our inspection is concluded.” “Will something bad happen if I stay?” “And you interrupt.” “Don’t slam it.” “I don’t mind saying, this has all got me pretty rattled.” “How else could she star on Broadway?”
What’s not so great?
Even though we spend a great deal of time in Capone’s Cicero, we see neither hide nor hair of Michael Shannon’s iron-wielding fugitive Nelson Van Alden. (Happily, Van Alden’s face is the first thing we see next week.)
How does the season premiere end, spoiler boy?
“I’ve come home.”
9 p.m. Sunday. HBO.
