Banana Scoop

I’ve heavily spent that last 2 weeks or so catching up on both seasons of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire.  And I will tell you now, that I’m very hooked.  This series is compelling, graphic, unforgiving, and just oh-so good.  It’s an absolute gold mine for US history buffs and those who love the gangster drama.  Martin Scorsese produces and even directed the very first episode and the amount of detail in representing the best and the worst of the 1920s.  I highly recommend if you aren’t watching, that you find yourself some copies and sit through the literal 24 hour [2 seasons, 12 episodes each, one hour long] roller coaster ride that Nucky Thompson and friends take you on.

Enoch ‘Nucky’ Thompson (Steve Buscemi)is a crooked county treasure in the beautiful town of Atlantic City, New Jersey.  Just as the Volstead Act [Prohibition] is passed, he and his council including mayors, governors, sheriffs, and other political figures raise a glass of the finest whiskies.  Just like the tagline said: “When alcohol was outlawed, outlaws became kings”.  Thompson technically owns Atlantic City as he controls the influx of Alcohol and hands out money like candy.  In the eyes of the public, he’s a dedicated man of service, and in the criminal underworld, he’s one of the most feared men on the Eastern coast.  When he gets tangled with the law, rival factions, lovers and betrayers, Thompson must use his wit and resources to keep control of the town he owns.  By any means necessary.

The Iconic Opening Speech

As you would imagine, Nucky Thompson must resort to all sorts of people to keep his ducks in line.  He dispatches his loyal henchmen, led by recently returned WWI veteran James ‘Jimmy’ Darmody (Michael Pitt) who Nucky himself raised due to an absent father.  His brother, the sheriff of the town, keeps the law on his side.  He’s close friends with the most influential black man in Atlantic City, Chalky White (Michael Kenneth Williams), to control the African American vote. And his interventions in local elections have mayors and governors owing him many favors in his back pocket.  All while maintaining the honesty in his love relationship with the recently widowed [thanks to Nucky himself] Margaret Schroeder (Kelly MacDonald).  In addition, we have characters that are opposed to Nucky, including the law and even other territory leaders in Pittsburgh, Chicago, and New York, as well as a couple of betrayers right under Nucky’s nose.  Each of these characters are just as interesting as the last, with honorable mention to Jack Huston’s Richard Harrow, the half faced war veteran.  Buscemi leads this amazing cast as they argue, fight, cut, shoot, strangle, and make love to each other.

Jimmy Darmody (left), Al Capone (right)

In addition to the amazing cast, the writers have made a very interesting story in relation to the undertones of the time.  The Prohibition era was a very interesting time when outlaws rose to power with so much influence over their area and the means to execute whatever they wanted.  In this series, we see ordered hits, extortion, prostitution, cold-blooded murder and infidelity of all sorts.  All in the name of maintaining control.  The first season revolves around preparing for a new election and using alcohol to maintain control of the city.  All sorts of bumps in the road include a gang war, a new political rival, factions stealing money from the wards, along with many other things.  The second season is heavily based on Jimmy trying to retake Atlantic City from Nucky as he faces trial for fixing the election.  More murder, extortion, etc. occurs as characters try to achieve their goals.

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"I ain't building no book cases"

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