November 5th, 2012
04:03 PM ET
'Boardwalk Empire': Gillian’s dark twisted fantasy[Editor's Note: This post contains spoilers for the November 4 episode of HBO's "Boardwalk Empire."] I’ll go ahead and say that I won’t miss Billie Kent, but her loss and what led to it will have huge implications for our surviving cast. Before we get to the explosive conclusion for Sunday's “Pony,” we have to start with Mama Jimmy, who pretty much set everything in motion.
In one of the more disturbing scenes from last night, Gillian held a funeral for Later, she was confronted by Nucky, and she proceeded to throw her drink in his face and accuse him of killing Jimmy. For some reason Nucky denied the murder and reminded her she’s only alive because he allows it. Oh, how I wish Nucky would go ahead and finish the family off, sans Tommy of course. Speaking of Nucky, our boy was busy as usual this episode. He met with Gaston Means and Esther Randolph, which led him to a meeting with Andrew Mellon. Turned out Mellon would be the key to Nucky bringing down a Harry Daugherty, a mutual enemy. We’re led to believe Nuck’s pitch to run Mellon’s distillery in exchange for an arrest of George Remus didn’t go well, but more on that later. While Nucky was keeping a close eye on most of his enemies, Johnny Torrio returned to Chicago, and didn’t seem to care for the beef created by Al Capone. Instead, he left Capone and Dean O’Banion to handle their drama amongst themselves, and you got the feeling he’s more or less getting ready to hang up his full-time gangster hat - and Capone knows it. You might have noticed O’Banion’s new “muscle” - a.k.a. George Mueller, a.k.a. Van Alden - holding up on his end of the debt, paying the Irish mob boss back for helping him get rid of that Prohee’s body. O’Banion also had Van Alden brewing whiskey out of his own house. But what about the iron salesmen gig Van Alden had going? In last night’s best scene, Van Alden is picked on by his coworkers and snaps. One unfortunate fellow caught a hot iron to the face and the entire office got turned upside down. To complete his amazing performance, Michael Shannon let out the creepiest/most awesome smile that said, “It’s cool, I’m going gangster.” Even better was Van Alden coming home to find his wife having made bottles upon bottles of booze with a plan to sell some of it to Norwegians in town. Yes, the Muellers are winning. This couple used to weird me out, but now I’m rooting for them. One couple I’m not rooting for is Margaret and Owen Sleater. They spent the episode shopping for a pony, and then sat in a car while it rained and made out. Oh, and Margaret was on the hunt for diaphragms for Mrs. Shearer and, you guessed it, herself. Guess she plans on keeping Owen an undercover lover for the foreseeable future. The future seemed on the up and up for Billie and Nucky. They got in a fight, made up and then Billie dyed her hair blonde and joined Nucky in Atlantic City. Just before that, back at the Artemis Club, Mama Jimmy was entertaining Gyp Rossetti and his right hand man (and probably only friend at this point). Earlier, Mama Jimmy found out via Lucky Luciano (whom she bought out of Artemis) that he, Arnold Rothstein and Nucky would be meeting for dinner at Babette’s that night. She then passed the info along to Gyp, and it became obvious - to me, at least - that an assassination attempt was imminent. Sure enough, as Nucky, Rothstein, Luciano and Billie took a stroll down the boardwalk, you could feel that something was off. Shortly thereafter, as Billie stood in front of Babette’s waiting for Nucky to wrap up a conversation, an enormous explosion literally blew her away and Babette’s. Nucky, Rothstein and Luciano all survived. Rest in Peace, Billie Kent. Nucky Thompson will surely go from whipped to vengeful now. Judging by the previews for next week, two things seem certain, and both make me excited. One is the return of Chalky White, who has felt more like a recurring character this season than major player. And two, the all-out war between Nucky and everyone else. It’s time for some action. Thoughts?
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I like how the director/writers/producers....try to mimic actual 1920s. Eg, Mellon and Nucky frank phone conversation. Ie, not worried about wire taps 90 yrs ago. Phone was probably safest form of communication back then. Wonder why Nucky would be so bold to bring Billie on a date, near where Margaret frequents. A real gigolo, keeps his gumbah in the hotel room, happy with room service and champagne ! Better see some good revenge next week. Gyp is a jerk.
I think Van Alden, who changed his name to George Mueller, might have to change his name again after the work incident. I think he will change it to..........George Moran. That's my theory. That's right George "Bugs" Moran who will eventually become the leader of the North Side Gang after O'banion is killed in late 1924. I know this season is in 1923, sofar. Perhaps I am looking too far ahead. In the mean time Let's Get the Action rolling. I want to see some people get "whacked". LOL
Cool theory. I hope so.
Did anyone else notice, just before Nucky passed out at the end, he watched Owen Slatter comforting Margarette away from the firey remains of Babettes?
NO. I went back to watch the ending agian and sure enough there they were. Good catch. I am glad I read you comment.
Slow season yes, but things are bound to pick up for Richard and Tommy, the Muellers, and hopefully Chalky too. Gyp and Gillian have it coming. Margaret and Owen? Hmm... My biggest complaint is that there are so many characters at this point that we go weeks without seeing some of them. And all of these rivals are just too many guys in suits and hard to keep straight.
This season seems so slow especially compared to last season. We have no one to really root for, and it seems as though the whole episode goes by and then the last 5 minutes are what we all have been waiting to see throughout the whole hour. I'm hooked, but slowly losing interest!
i'd rather be doing something else.
Continue to be amazed at how addicted I am to this program. I eagerly await every new episode on Sunday evening. Love to watch how all the sup-plots come together at some point and how we find ourselves rooting for or hating the characters. This Sunday should be really interesting as Nucky seeks his revenge and goes after all his enemies. Am always rooting for Richard and hope he ultimately takes out Gillian, who is, by all accounts, "one sick puppy". Was not surprised to see Van Alden finally lose it and go ballastic on his co-worker at the iron company. Margaret is getting a little reckless and wonder what the future holds once her affair is discovered by Nucky. As for me, I intend to stay tuned and watch the fireworks this Sunday.
i don't really watch the show until friends explained the script to me...i understand now and the show is fantastic they need to expand the margaret character
he deserves better then that
I believe the line from Richard Harrow was “He deserved better than this” – meaning, the poor schmuck Gillian seduced and murdered so that she had a body with which to claim her son’s inheritance. Richard knows full well that Nucky is responsible for the real Jimmy’s demise (and even alluded to it during a conversation with Nucky in a previous episode). His comment last night was a dig at Gillian, and teemed with disapproval that she would stoop so low to get what she wanted. While I’m sure he suspected her to be capable of such things all along, it must be incredibly frustrating for him to be forced to stand by powerless in the wake of her conniving and destructiveness…
i've always been curious how would you rate "it"?
8 out of 10. Maybe higher.
Looking forward to seeing Gillian & Gyp meet gory ends .
Hope Richard & the other war vets daughter marry & raise Tommy .
They should have more of Chalky to begin with since the actor who plays him is so good and Chalking is a great character . Hope he's the Lone Ranger who saves Nucky .
could have been on a "rampage" every single day...
i love her...my dik gets hard when i think of her
send it into legal–
but Lori will...
Gillian seems to not want to face the reality that it is a direct result of her pushing Jimmie to betray Nuckie that led to his death. I see the house burning down around her.
It was a great show! Chalky White is a great main character – That is exactly how we became fans of the show! Boardwalk is a guaranteed hit with my co=workers and FB friends... Billie was young, dum and full of, er, dumbness... Naive and not wise... Nucky always needs someone to save – He's such a poor excuse for a man – but a good business boy. Margaret is getting it IN honey – She is not gonna miss out on the resident handy stud she has on CALL! wahooo – rooting for Margaret, Chalky, annnnnnd the IRON MAN! lol He burned THE hayle outta that man's face – Keep up the great work, cast and crew! Thumbs up up up up and UP!
I just love the name margaret–she makes my you know what tingle.
I loved the latest episode! Gillian will get her due, can't wait for that! I also was hoping that Nucky and Margaret would get back together, but I kind of like Margaret and Nucky's right hand man! I found myself rooting for George and was glad that he let that other guy have it!! I can't wait for the next epîsode!
Say whatever you want about Billie Kent, but I'm going to miss the hell out of Meg Steedle. Can't wait to see her do some more work! I had to go back and watch her movie audition scene twice. Brilliant!
Lordy...Gillian is just as ganster as the rest of 'em....lol. Had the man cremated...dayum...and trust me her faith will be surprising...I don't see it coming from Nucky...but none other than Mr. Harrow...as I've said before...it will be Mr. Harrow who raises little Tommy... oh Billie Billie Billie...Gyp you have taken it over the top and your faith "will be" at the hands of Nucky himself...as was Jimmy's...what a riot these characters are. Mr. & Mrs. Van Alden....she's another one going ganster...bring it on ladies....lol. Can't wait until next week to see what Chalky White has been up too...
Well said, Sista Girl!
I keep thinking how Van Alden lucked out with his new wife. Where would he be without HER.