Oh Boardwalk Empire, oh how I missed you so.

Rclark · « **on:** 6 Oct 2012, 05:07 am »

That's all I wanted to say. Best show ever made. That's all. HBO. Woot!

neobop · « **Reply #1 on:** 6 Oct 2012, 11:26 am »

Me too. Three shows into the new season, I still miss it. The series has gone flat. First episodes this year are boring and I no longer care about the characters. Maybe it will pick up - lets hope so, but maybe they need a new writing staff. They probably need Scorsese to get it going again. When you have that level of violence, there has to be a gripping story to go along. Sorry, I just don't care about Margaret and her church BS. I know it effects Nucky, but I still don't care. A series like this has a lot of time to fill and it's a challenge to add to the story and make it more interesting, instead of less.

Goodfellas was great because it documented an era, had great music, and the characters/situations were compelling. Taxi Driver was a mind blower. De Niro was an avenging angel. Steve Buscemi is excellent as Nucky, but he doesn't write the script.
I see Boardwalk has been renewed for a 4th season, maybe Scorsese will salvage this before it's too late.
There's another episode tomorrow night, hopefully it will improve.
neo

Rclark · « **Reply #2 on:** 6 Oct 2012, 11:34 am »

Oh lol, I just watched EP 1, we reupped HBO a few episodes late, but I've got them in the que. It felt like good old Boardwalk to me though? I didn't sense any change in the writing. Really liked it. Hoping I like 2 and 3 as well.

neobop · « **Reply #3 on:** 7 Oct 2012, 12:00 pm »

Sorry to rain on your parade, but I think Scorsese blew it. They already killed off the most interesting character, Jimmy Darmody and now his sidekick, Richard Harrow (guy with face 1/2 shot off) works for Nucky and babysits Darmody's kids? They were the characters with a moral dilemma and Darmody's relationship with both Nucky and the Commodore gave it the tension and drama it now lacks. We're left with Nelson, the psycho religious fanatic who's into self flagellation, various famous gangsters from the era, and people who work for Nucky or his family. Yawn.

I guess it's still possible to turn it around, but they need to turn it back into a drama. Now it's just a series of incidents.

jackman · « **Reply #4 on:** 7 Oct 2012, 02:30 pm »

I agree this season has started off a bit slow but there are lots of sub plots ANC characters with interesting drama potential. I just hope it doesn't go off the tracks like the Soppranos. That show totally sucked in the end.

dflee · « **Reply #5 on:** 7 Oct 2012, 02:45 pm »

It seems to be a season of self reckoning. Jimmy knew who he was basically from the beginning
while the others are now realizing they have to get their hands dirty. Not real sure how I take these
first three eps but time will tell.

neobop · « **Reply #6 on:** 8 Oct 2012, 12:32 pm »

Jimmy was different from the rest of the thugs. He had post WWI stress, even had nightmares about it. He was hesitant at first, not because he was incapable of violence, but because of guilt and that stress. Nucky raised him and that went far beyond a business relationship. Jimmy's dilemma was both moral and one of allegiance. The Commodore and his natural mother vs Nucky. Nucky is a SOB and his own brother is against him, part of the Commodore's gang, so why should Jimmy remain loyal to Nucky?
If the writers had more foresight, they would have prolonged that central relationship between Jimmy and Nucky. The entire local aspect was right there and could have included all the secondary players like Chalky, and the gangsters from out of town.

With characters that include virtually every famous person from the era, Eddie Cantor to Al Capone, they can make up stories like last nights', for years. That doesn't make it good. With the soft core sex and gruesome violence, people are going to watch. I don't know about you guys, but I thought last night sucked, and not just in the bedroom.
neo

BobM · « **Reply #7 on:** 8 Oct 2012, 01:39 pm »

I'm waiting for Nelson to go psycho, blame Nucky for his depleted lot in life, and set out to assassinate him under a flag of religous zeal.

But now we have that NY Italian psycho that thinks everyone is dissing him when they say "hello". Unfortunately I know too many people with this same kind of personality disorder. They are truly scary, so I try and stay away, but it does hit close to home and raises my hackles.

I want to see the Chicago guys, Capone and friends, get more involved and try and do a takeover so theres a full out war.

Rclark · « **Reply #8 on:** 8 Oct 2012, 02:01 pm »

Yeah Nelson, he's on the verge of getting caught. On to ep4 now and loving it, hasn't missed a step from last season, and it seems like they're starting this one off with a nice slow burn. Things are about to go haywire on a lot of fronts.

Rclark · « **Reply #9 on:** 22 Oct 2012, 05:44 pm »

... man that whole mother/son thing was creeepy!

jackman · « **Reply #10 on:** 22 Oct 2012, 07:58 pm »

Not as creapy as the time Gillian actually bumped uglies with the real son, Jimmy. Gillian is totally nuts, but she's a fun character. Even though she's no spring-chicken, it was nice to see all of her "assets" in yesterday's episode. I also kind've dig Nucky's new girlfriend, the "actress" Lucy...or maybe she spells it Loosy.

The Lucky Luciano character is a bit cartoon-like but I can't wait to see what happens next. He's a total psycho and an interesting addition to the cast of characters.

jimdgoulding · « **Reply #11 on:** 22 Oct 2012, 08:45 pm »

Hang tight. There has to be some kind of coup d'etat coming with Nucky at odds with the the Gyp Rosseti and Attorney General charactors. And what might there be in store for Nelson getting indebted to the florist and Chicago crime boss O'Bannion? The plot does seem to be in limbo just now altho ya can't beat the writing. And what will they do with the tin face charactor? He's priceless.

BobM · « **Reply #12 on:** 23 Oct 2012, 12:51 pm »

I thought he was going to ask out the other guys daughter when he dropped off the jacket and medal. Too bad - maybe in the future he will kill somebody to protect her and she will get scared and run away from him. More tradegedy.

Nookie is in deep shit again, but I guess thats the nature of the game. Interesting ploy with the female attorney though. I bet she goes for it.

dflee · « **Reply #13 on:** 23 Oct 2012, 01:59 pm »

What do you guys think of the intro music? My wife thinks it's one
of the best out there for fitting with the show and really well produced.
She really likes True Blood intro. Must be HBO took the time to get
it right.

bprice2 · « **Reply #14 on:** 23 Oct 2012, 02:43 pm »

Quote from: dflee on 23 Oct 2012, 01:59 pm

What do you guys think of the intro music? My wife thinks it's one
of the best out there for fitting with the show and really well produced.
She really likes True Blood intro. Must be HBO took the time to get
it right.

I agree, great intros. I'll also throw in Game of Thrones' opening as very well done, and Rome too.

jimdgoulding · « **Reply #15 on:** 23 Oct 2012, 06:16 pm »

Quote from: BobM on 23 Oct 2012, 12:51 pm

I thought he was going to ask out the other guys daughter when he dropped off the jacket and medal. Too bad - maybe in the future he will kill somebody to protect her and she will get scared and run away from him. More tradegedy.

Nookie is in deep shit again, but I guess thats the nature of the game. Interesting ploy with the female attorney though. I bet she goes for it.

Yeah, the female attorney thing looks promising. Nucky needs some revenge and I'm bettin its coming.

jackman · « **Reply #16 on:** 23 Oct 2012, 06:26 pm »

Didn't she sell him out to the crooked guy at the end (the guy from Office Space with the stapler)? Nucky is a crafty guy and I expect him to worm his way out of this one. I wonder if he'll bang that lawyer? She's kind've hot...

This is one of my favorite series on HBO. Much more compelling than the Sopprano's, etc. The intro song is perfect for the series, although I like it more as an intro song than one I would listen to for fun. The Brian Jonestown Massacre was an interesting choice, and it works well. Another good intro song was from Entourage, the one by Janes Addiction, I believe. There was a time when I really loved that band. One of the best concerts I've ever seen (a long time ago).

Chazro · « **Reply #17 on:** 23 Oct 2012, 08:28 pm »

Boardwalk's still a good show, but it used to be better. Sunday night's the single best night for television between HBO's BE, Treme, and Shotime's Dexter & Homeland, with BBC's Copper also very enjoyable.

The clear winner on Sunday (or just about ANY night!) IMO is Homeland. Manoman, that show's firing on all cylinders!! AND did any of you guys see American Horror Story this past Wed? Jessica Lange won an Emmy for her work on this show last year. Well, she's playing a completely different character this year and based on the ONE episode aired so far, they oughtta be giving her a truckload of Emmys this year! She's THAT good, not to mention the show's infinitely better with a completely new storyline. Wed. nights, don't miss out!;)

Rclark · « **Reply #18 on:** 23 Oct 2012, 08:46 pm »

I think it's maintained a consistent high quality between all seasons. It was just fresh and new once, and now on season 3, it isn't. But no loss in quality that I can see. Just as riveting as ever.

neobop · « **Reply #19 on:** 23 Oct 2012, 10:52 pm »

They seemed to pick it up a little after the first few shows this season. I still think it was better previously, not because it was fresh, because of drama or lack of it. I still say they killed off Jimmy too soon. The most intriguing relationship with Nucky is replaced with sensationalism. Sex and violence sells, the rest is mostly soap opera.

Nelson might elude the authorities even though it looks like he's screwed. He's in Chicago isn't he? He could become Baby Face Nelson, but Nelson and Dillinger were in the '30s. Baby Face was a psychopath, so it would fit. Maybe he'll hook up with Al Capone, but I don't think they'll get rid of him yet.

Most of these series go downhill after the second or third season. Boardwalk might be a little different with greater appeal to prurient interest.
neo