Boardwalk Empire Recap: Don’t Get Too Attached

Recaps

By vallegirl | Thursday, November 8, 2012 | 12:00 pm | 7 Comments
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Posted in: Boardwalk Empire, Recaps

Gillian starts speaking elliptically so Uncle Jun reminds her she’s working toward something on his way out. Nucky offers “his condolences” like it’s a threat. Gillian lies that “Jimmy” was a troubled young man. They go back and forth pretending they don’t know the truth. Gillian’s holding it together well until Nucky says “To James.” Her barely suppressed rage bubbles over and she throws her drink in Nucky’s face telling him it’s time they stop this nonsense.

Wasn’t expecting that.

Never one to consider how his actions (like killing a woman’s son) impact others, Nucky turns his anger on Gillian and says they should be drinking to the “poor sap who died in her tub.” While he’s right in theory I believe he is the very definition of “Right message, wrong messenger,” since as Gillian points out he killed her son. Nucky actually gets righteously indignant and calls it a lie but Gillian’s got a good head of steam going and she points out that he, a man who lost his own son, could so easily cut down hers after all the promises he broke to Jimmy and to her.

You don’t become that rich and that powerful by considering the consequences of your actions so Nucky takes umbrage at Gillian’s ingratitude and decides to threaten the unhinged, cunning and grieving woman whose son he killed and tells her she best remember she only exists in Atlantic City because he “allows her to.” She spits out that it’s very generous of him and he tells her she’d be wise to say it like she means it. Believing he made his point, Nucky leaves but…

Not to be trifled with.

Over at the hospital, the nun’s meeting with Margaret and Mason to discuss how they’ll teach about “the act itself.” Mason can’t resist that kind of opening and asks the nun if she’s looking forward to it but she’s a nun so she’s used to a naughty boy’s insolence and doesn’t even flinch. She just powers on that she wants to make sure it’s discussed in the proper moral context. Margaret promises to keep Mason on the proper path and Mason seems a bit interested in going down that path with her.

The nun leaves with maximum peeve and Mason wonders if she was flirting with him because every time they talk she always brings it around to sex. Margaret chuckles because it’s nice to have a friend but their reverie is broken up when Mrs. Shearer wants to talk to Margaret. Mason doesn’t take it personally, he just excuses himself to finish some reports and maybe, actually, finally get some dinner.

Margaret tries to chat with Mrs. Shearer and thanks her for being part of the classes but Mrs. Shearer gets down to brass tacks. Her husband won’t leave her alone because he wants more children and she doesn’t. Margaret tries to explain that the classes aren’t for family planning and contraception but Mrs. Shearer explains to Margaret that it’s the primary reason ALL the women are taking the class. Margaret tries to toe the political line and offers Mrs. Shearer a pamphlet and Mrs. Shearer looks near to punching Margaret for being so intentionally obtuse.

You CANNOT be serious.

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vallegirl
About

Vallegirl has never actually lived in a valley, has a lot of time on her hands and likes to yell at kids about how things were in her day.  Currently in LA, she's also spent a lot of time in the great states of  New York and Florida so she's not crazy, it's just a cultural thing.

7 Comments

  1. 1
    plockeness monster plockeness monster
    Posted November 8, 2012 at 6:09 pm

    “That demon alcohol doesn’t need an enamel handle as a selling point.” Awesome!!!!

    Loved the scene when Eddie informed the guys that “Jimmy” had died. It was perfect.

  2. 2
    megalicious
    Posted November 9, 2012 at 6:54 am

    Great recap as usual, though surprised that you didn’t initally notice that Van Patten directed it (I always look for him since u astutely commented last year that his shows are usually filled with foreshadowing and heart-wrenching Richard moments) and that you didn’t mention (or notice?) the ticking clock in the background (since u always seem to pick up on the little things in this show, hence the reason i love reading your recaps) when Gillian is telling Rosetti that Nucky will be at Babettes. I agree with you that so far the show has been all over the place, while still managing to be entertaining. Only 4 more episodes left!

  3. 3
    hot cawfee
    Posted November 9, 2012 at 8:08 am

    awesome recap Valle!!!!! I was wonderin g when the explosio would happen (we had alot of chatter in NY about it while the show was being filmed–so no one would call 911). Anytime we can begin with my beloved Richard I am happy. The tones used on his face were beautiful.

    OMG–is Babette herself ok???–She is blonde as is Billy now so maybe mistaken identity??? (That of course would be another show–not a great episode for all blondes I guess). I loved Billy’s screen test and am sorry to see her go.

    Nelson—slow clap—wow…..He is awesome. I nominate Nelson and Al for the “sublte changes in the face” acting award. Nelson went full on Frankenstein wrecking the office and then—stops to get his hat, puts it on and leaves–Killer.

    I hope we will get some more info on all things past with Gillian and Nucky–there is something there I agree so much more than Jimmy. Was it Nucky who brought her to the Commodore and started the ball rolling??

    This era is so exciting–I have to geek out a little bit right now. I think this season’s Margaret begining to embrace a little New Woman/Flapper is awesome. More advanced birth control, more makeup, learning to drive—will she bob her hair?? I hope not but why not???
    She and Sigrid are nicely paralled this season—the woman being clear, rational and focused for her man. Sigrid making the hootch echoes Margaret telling Nucky to get ahold of himself and commit his dealings to memory while she burns the ledger she sneaked from his office.

  4. 4
    plockeness monster plockeness monster
    Posted November 9, 2012 at 10:52 am

    Hot C – I was wondering the same thing about Babette!!!!!!!

  5. 5
    BlueCanary
    Posted November 10, 2012 at 6:50 pm

    Am I the only one who’d love to see Gyp push Richard a shade too far? That’d be the shock of a lifetime for old Gyp, that’s for sure.

    And Nelson, my god. I’ve been waiting for that moment all damn season. It’s like those internal fantasies Mihael C. Hall has in Dexter, when he visualizes going apeshit and then snaps back reality and you realize it’s all in his head. Except Nelson actually went there. Nelson Van Alden: crazier than Dexter Morgan. I really think Sigrid is his soul mate.

  6. 6
    hot cawfee
    Posted November 11, 2012 at 6:40 am

    @ 5 Blue Canary– would love to see my beloved Richard go all sniper on Gyp—it could well happen!!!!

  7. 7
    vallegirl vallegirl
    Posted November 11, 2012 at 3:58 pm

    @megalicious, I usually do read the opening credits just to see what’s in store but just skipped over this week. Of course, the lovely shot of Richard to open the episode should have told me it was at least a Van Patten episode. I guess I was just really pre0ccupied this week because I never heard the ticking clock, either.

    @Blue Canary – I hadn’t seen the Dexter parallel until you pointed it out, but it is saying something that Nelson is crazier than Dexter. Although, I think it’s more that he has less control of his id. I think Dexter would slow clap for Nelson. And Sigrid has now become my favorite tertiary character. I have a fondness for poor, put upon Eddie, but Sigrid’s nuttiness and grit is admirable.

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