Boardwalk Empire’ Season 2, Episode 2 ’21′: TV Recap

During the first season of “Boardwalk Empire,” Steve Buscemi’s Nucky Thompson was the undisputed king of Atlantic City. But as season two kicked off tonight, the city treasurer-cum-alcohol supplier found himself suspicious of almost everyone in his inner circle — for good reason.

The season two premiere, entitled “21,” begins with a literal bang as several member of the Ku Klux Klan gun down the supply house of Chalky White (whose portrayer, Michael Kenneth Williams, is also bringing his steely-eyed stare to Greendale Community College this season on “Community.”). White is able to shoot back at one member, but the damage is done. The white citizens of Atlantic City want him dead after the man he shoots dies, and Nucky has to have his brother arrest Chalky for his own safety.

White’s liquor is consequently raided by Jimmy, who we know from last season, is now in cahoots with his father, the Commodore, and Nucky’s brother Eli. Newly married to Angela, who looks increasingly like a 20s-era Winona Ryder, Jimmy plots with his father to met the Governor and better insert himself into Atlantic City politics. He also dominates his wife, who feels continuously undercut by both her husband and mother-in-law Gillian (who shares a little too much about her mothering skills tonight.)

As a wedding gift, Nucky gives Jimmy a stack of money, naturally, and also a statue meant to remind Jimmy of their once father-and-son-like relationship. Unimpressed, Jimmy shoves the statue into his closet. Nucky also gives a wad of cash to his latest son substitute, Margaret’s trouble-making son Teddy. Clearly, if how Jimmy has turned out is any indication, Nucky’s easy dispersal of money isn’t going to win him any parenting awards.

On the other side of the law, Agent Van Alden shows his wife Rose around Atlantic City, where she is horrified by the loose women and not-so-hidden selling of alcohol. While at dinner, she becomes completely turned on by her husband after he raids the restaurant they are at and arrests the proprietor for violating the Volstead Act. He also pockets the restaurant’s extra money to give to Lucy Danzinger, whom he knocked up at he end of last season, but at least Rose goes home satisfied and happy.

The episode ends with Nucky getting arrested for election fraud by a representative from the State’s attorney’s office, and Margaret and her children wait for him at the movie theater. Things look they’re about to get bumpy.

i guess that is the way they did it in that family???

very odd to me as well.

and Eli is a total dick. screwing over his own brother like that.

i smell gifs coming vfrom all this. lollll

im sure ill have to yes lolllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. lolllll

What a difference a season makes. Here a recap on the 2nd episode this season:

Nucky sees how his world is crumbling around him. After his arrest, his office is raided. Luckily, Margaret, who is now queen bee of the house who has cooks and nannies who she gets to order around, saves Nucky's ass for the time being by faking a pregnancy so she can ask to use the facilities, and removes the record books and money from the office. She also encourages Nucky that despite everybody is turning their backs on him, he will prevail because he is stronger and smarter than his enemies. Also, there is a dinner at Nucky's house, Irish revolutionaries who at war with England and need weapons to continue the fight, and hoping with his wealth and well-standing, that he can supply them.

Jimmy, who is now in cahoots with his father the Commodore, Nucky's brother Eli, and others plotting to bring Nucky down, goes to New York to make a business dealing with Arnold Rothstein involving liquor. However, even though Lucky Luciano and Meyer Lansky are still under Rothstein, look to strike out on their own by dealing heroin, and they want Jimmy to join them in that enterprise. However, some guys who work for Joe "The Boss" Masseria show up. When Jimmy leaves, they come and threaten him. Even though they disarm him of his gun, he is still handy with his knife, and stabs kill them both.

Chalky White is in jail, which Nucky had Eli arrest in order to protect him. Nucky was jailed with him briefly, but was able to post bail. Chalky's wife visits him while he in jail and gives him a book to read, on the suggestion of his son. While he is in jail he meets some loudmouth who insults Chalky because of the light complexion of his wife and the fact that his nickname is Chalky, despite the fact that he is black. Later, Chalky is moved from a private cell to a cell with that guy and 3 other black guys. That guy continue to insult him and then even rips his book away from him. Then Chalky asks those other inmates about how they are doing and how their families are. This guy now realizes who Chalky is, and when he goes to hit him, the other guys grab him and beat him nearly to death. They get his book back and one of the inmates start to the read the book to him.

We see the Commodore, Eli, and the guys he is in cahoots with talking about how they will bring Nucky down, and how Jimmy will be supplying A.C. with all the liquor that comes in. However, one character, whose name I don't remember at the time, is not down with it, and instead of joining the others, will remain loyal to Nucky.

loved alst nights episode. Margaret is really showing herself to be the most evolved character on there. she has come far in jsut a season plus.

totally AGREEING with you on this one, and i WONDER if anyone will double cross the commedore?? and SHOW him what fore, then JIMMY wikced brutal slicing the guys throat open, and killing the other one, & kodos to chaky, i have a feeling nukkie may have more of a commitment to Margret soon i think