I’ve been watching Boardwalk Empire - sticking with it despite the fact that subsequent episodes have paled in comparison to that spectacular premiere - because I still find it interesting. The show has it’s issues, certainly. I don’t buy Nucky Thompson’s (Steve Buscemi) virility for one. He’s a fantastic actor and the role suits him for the most part, but there are limits to any fiction - Donny from The Big Lebowski boning 3 ladies in one day is one of those limits. It isn’t even about how gross the man looks (which of course he does) - but I just can’t buy into someone that sickly being such a demon in the sack. He’d faint first.
I have even more issues with the weak female characters in the show. One of the best aspects of Mad Men is how well written the women are. Even Betty, who is insufferable, has an immense amount of effort put into her character (for one of the best articles explaining what made Betty transform from a demure housewife to a monster, read this - it is a spot-on analysis). On Boardwalk however, we’re given nothing! Well, that’s not entirely true - we’re given Margaret Schroeder, played by Kelly MacDonald (whom I normally really like) - who I know we are supposed to connect with on some level, I’m sure. But… I don’t. I feel like the writers don’t know who she really is, so they change her over-arching motivations from episode to episode. Development in drama is good, of course, but Mrs. Schroeder’s character development seems inconsistent and uneven. It’s too early to tell, and I really do want to be proven wrong because there certainly is a lot of potential there. The blink-and-you’ll-miss-it immigration revelation about her activities as a 16 year old in Episode 6, was over-shadowed by Agent Van Nelson (the fantastic Michael Shannon) and his kinky atonements.
This wasn’t a very well written review, but I’m trying to watch Episode 7 and my player keeps freezing, so I’m writing in between scenes.
Some parting thoughts however:
-I always forget Jimmy’s mother Gillian (Gretchen Mol), even 7 episodes in, and am always like “who the hell is that?” before I clue in that she is actually a real character. Poor Gretchen Mol, I’ve known her name for years but apparently had no idea who she actually was until this show (and even now!) She’s not bad either, though it is about time they address that she must have been about 12 when Jimmy was born.
-Mrs. Schroeder Lysoled her vagina.
-I want them to start showing how Al Capone (Stephen Graham) managed to become the biggest player in the game. If I didn’t know that it was historically relevant, then I wouldn’t believe it for a second. They are playing him like Spike the Bulldog.
-Why don’t I recognize Dabney Coleman in this role, but I do normally?
-My sister doesn’t like the theme music, and I actually totally agree. She felt I was being facetious when I suggested they instead use a song called “The Merkin Hop”. I wasn’t, though (at least, not to her).
-Vincent Piazza as Lucky Luciano is just knocking my socks off. But maybe that’s just because he is pretty handsome. That’s one thing I like about show business… the actors portraying real people are always much better looking than the real thing. Is it accurate? No, but I wouldn’t want to look at this all night, either.
-I know it's bad but the guy with the face (or um... without, rather) in Episode 7 is freaking me out.
EDIT:
-HOLY SHIT... the episode just loaded more and I take it back about them not giving the ladies enough to do!
Second Edit:
-I don't recognize Dabney Coleman because he doesn't have a mustache anymore!
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