Boardwalk Empire S5E2 Review: "The Good Listener" By Greg Hernandez

Boardwalk Empire's Ear Fetish Continues in "The Good Listener."

Boardwalk Empire's second episode opens up with an extreme close-up of the inside of an ear. I recall a similar opening sequence from last season's opening episode close up of Eli's coffee. It helped to set the mood for the episode right away. At first glance, I thought it was Nucky's bodyguard murdering another would-be-assailant, I was pleasantly surprised. The ear belongs to Eli, it is attached and it is quite filthy. The brief sex filled montage  and Eli regaining consciousness is meant to clue us in on his dismal situation. The last seven years have involved (Drinking, whoring, missing his family and working for a boss who is not apart of his family). Jimmy went through a similar situation in season 1, he realized he did not fit in with the Italians in Chicago. Nucky rescued him from exile, but he won't be doing the same for his back-stabbing baby brother.

Eli awakes to a raucous drug raid by federal agents. Luckily for him, he passed out in the right place. He's able to drag his hung-over self off the floor and avoid getting pinched. Shea Whigham, gives a masterful performance in this episode. He gives us an inside perspective in to the life of a confined and unhinged outsider, who can still pull the trigger when necessary.

Can the ear be a major theme for this season? The Godfather had the ominous oranges. I like the ear imagery, especially how this episode ended, with Tonino (Remember him betraying Gyp Rosetti in Season 3 and Masseria, just last episode) finally getting his comeuppance in style. His corpse is dumped in front of the nightclub. Lansky discovers it and sees the throat has been slit and the ears are missing.

When you play both sides to the middle, you're going to lose. What's that phrase about revenge? Oh, yeah, Nucky captures Tonino and brings him to a restaurant. His bodyguard watches them, very creepy. A picture of Billie Kent is above them. You can bet Nucky, chose that seat for a reason. I wonder if Nucky's bodyguard is a hoarder of ears...or maybe he sells them on some black market..who knows?

Johnny Torrio gives Nucky some advice. "Retire," he says. Torrio, has the wisdom, along with the grievous injuries to prove it. Having survived a brush with lady death in last season's finale, Torrio is content to go to the pictures, feed the birds and eat without choking.

Nucky cannot retire yet because he is not strong enough financially. He's awaiting repeal. He has one last big score in mind, (Bacardi in Havana). The only thing is, can Nucky, live that long? "The trick is to survive long enough to cash out,"says Nucky.

I thoroughly enjoyed the scene between Nucky and his bodyguard. The way the camera panned around was exquisite. It's funny, how powerful do you have to be, to circle a bodyguard like that? Their one-sided conversation is brilliant, because it establishes not only the awesome attitude of the bodyguard, but exemplifies the loneliness of Nucky. Last season he lost his long time butler and friend, Eddie, his brother Eli and his partner Chalky. Nucky still has Sally, but she's not dependent of him. She operates in Florida and Havana. 

The meeting between Nucky and the board members was all a farce, not only was it obvious that those men were afraid of the notorious bootlegger, but their posturing only accentuated their fear of him. One man who did not scare, was Joe Kennedy. I'm happy we're finally getting to see this real life figure. He is precisely what Nucky aspires to be, a businessman who is able to get ahead without shedding blood. Mr. Kennedy was involved in many enterprises, such as film productions, real estate and bootlegging.

The boardroom meeting was a warm up for the real sit down between Nucky, Luciano, Torrio and Maranzano. "You have nothing to fear from me, Mr. Thompson," says Marazano. Nucky, keen to the art of intimidation, shoots back with, "Who said I was afraid." Nucky has gone up against Masseria's men and survived, in large part due to the assistance of  Capone and Chalky. 

Nucky does mention why exactly they are here, First, Masseria was assassinated, then Nucky almost met the same fate. The Lansky sighting in Havana, draws unwanted attention to Luciano, who claims he and Lansky have not seen each other in months. A lie obviously.

The very next scene depicts tension on the Luciano side. Their patience is beginning to wane. Their ambition is palpable. Is Marazano privy to any details? If so, their days could be numbered. Lansky suggests murdering Maranzano now, but Luciano cautions patience, their group does not have the support yet. We see the return of one of my favorite BW characters, a young Bugsy Siegel, who chides Lansky on his failure to avoid Nucky in Cuba. Tonino meets with the gang and they listen to his bumbling bits of information. Marazano is unaware of any betrayal, he's too fixated on Marco Aurelius...

Gillian has hit bottom. Her incarceration in what appears to be a woman's correctional facility, which depicts women on the verge of insanity, for not being "good-girls," is haunting. It is haunting because we see how Gillian has already discovered how to survive, by listening to the rules, not acting out and gaining favor with Dr. Cotton. It is sad to see a character continue to go through such deplorable stages, (Raped and impregnated as a 13 year old, by the Commodore, losing her son, her grandson, nearly dying of a drug overdose, murdering a man and finally being arrested and convicted). Quite the journey.

Finally, we have my favorite parts of the episode, the Capone section and the George Mueller section.

Let's begin with the big fish, Mr. Capone. Who was and still is the most famous gangster of all time. 

His interview with Variety in 1931 actually happened, in fact, many portions of the dialogue used in this episode were taken from the actual script from that interview. Don't believe me? Check out the link below.

boardwalk-empire-revisits-varietys-1931-interview-with-al-capone-1201305823/

Stephen Graham  gives us the sort of insight into the famed mobster's life like we've never seen before. Capone has never been done like this and Graham's performance is impeccable. Getting measured, running around the room and fusing threats and horseplay like it's nobody's business.

Capone is at the height of his power in 1931. He is a celebrity. People all over the world want to meet him, interview him, see him, get his picture, talk to him, get an autograph, everything. Nobody is spelling his name wrong anymore. 

I really enjoyed the shots of him of parading around, kicking his tailor and horsing around with his brother and accountant.

George Mueller is awesome in every episode, because he is played by the magnificent Michael Shannon. His trans formative acting is what keeps this show alive for me. He is the bumbling pariah, that you instantly root for. The cliche scene of his young son coming to ask him for help with his homework is precious. "Mom, said to go ask you." George's answer to the science question of where do clouds come from, is simple, "Atmosphere."

Geroge's wife is clearly not happy with being, what appears to be a house wife. She sits there, bored smoking and speaking improperly. "When you will be back?" she asks. "When WILL I be back," he corrects. Their small argument is but a mere spark of something to come later this season.

The elevator scene was the best scene of the episode for me. The taking off of the hats and avoiding the old lady's decorative hat was hilarious. I knew George and Eli would be a funny pair.

Best bits: 

-George telling Eli, he reeks of urine. Perfect.'

-Geroge saying this is "Pandemonium" after the two murders and escape.

-Torrio drinking behind his wife's back. He looks like a kid doing that. oh wait, that's married life.

-Nucky's bodyguard's facial and verbal responses to him. Awesome.

-Bugsy trolling Lansky was great, a very rare feat to instigate Meyer.

-William flirting with the pretty lady and his interview for the firm.

What I did not like:

-No Chalky, really? He was the star last season. With a condensed final season, you would think he would be featured every episode, but alas, he returns next episode of course, along with his nemesis, Narcisse.

-William got his priorities in order and went to law school...really? So no Jimmy Darmody 2.0.

-Where are the rest of Nucky's men? All he seems to have now is his Cuban bodyguard.

-No women or cocaine for Al this episode, just money and interviews.

This was a well paced episode. It was written by Terrence Winter and directed by Allen Coulter.

Here's a preview for this Sunday's episode. Boardwalk Empire S5E3 Preview