Boardwalk Empire S5E3 Review: "What Jesus Said" By Greg Hernandez

An episode with a lot of Chalky in it, is always a great episode. Michael Kenneth Williams is best known for his portrayal of Omar Little on the HBO classic, "The Wire." His second best role is of course, Chalky White. The redemptive arc of this popular character was on full display this episode.

Think back to last season's finale, where Chalky lost his eldest daughter, Maybelle. The agony and soul-crushing heartache is still etched all over his face. By episode's ends, the stone is cracked.

Over the last five seasons, no other BW character has gone through more adversity than Chalky. With his beard and prison clothes on, he resembles an entirely different man. Throughout this episode we see flashes of the old Chalky. A sort of a reawakening, of the familiar fire, that burned out seven years ago, is actually a small ember.

"What Jesus Said," opens up with Milton and Chalky on the lam. The young convict leads the duo into suburbia in search of a safe place with food and in Milton's case, riches. The pair stumble upon a mother and daughter. A tense hour of back and forth drama ensues.

Fern, the 15 year old, captive daughter, unknowingly touches a nerve in Chalky. While Milton is asleep with the gun in his hands, Fern takes it upon herself to ask Chalky about his life. His connection to this hostile situation revolves around family, primarily Chalky's deceased daughter. Seeing how the predatory and unhinged Milton threatens and ultimately abuses Fern awakens something in Chalky. It compels him to murder his fellow convict and counterpart in typical brutal BW fashion.

Not to mention, his numerous, warnings and misgivings...Milton, you had it coming.

Fern figures out the essential connection without knowing all of the details: "Does she know what you are?" she snaps when Milton is put down. Now, earlier, she told Chalky, "There's forgiveness for everyone. That's what Jesus said," "Baby girl," he replies, "Jesus was wrong." Chalky cannot forgive himself for destroying his family.

Nucky, unlike Chalky has no family of his own to destroy. Hence, his reply to Joe Kennedy's meticulous probing is "I want to leave something behind." Boardwalk Empire is at its best when Nucky is being backed into a corner by a formidable opponent. This time Nucky is backed into a corner verbally and emotionally, instead of physically. Although, one could argue that it eventually turned physical when Nucky lunged for some alcohol after Joe finally left. Their meeting made me think of what would happen if Roose Bolton was transported to the 20th century. "I don't partake, it dulls the senses."

Nucky and Joe dance around a deal. Joe is dissimilar from Nucky's past political contacts. He is cunningly smooth and he simply gets it. He sees that he is antithetical to Nucky. Think of it this way, Nucky is standing in front of that Hogwarts mirror and he sees himself in Joe's shoes. Nucky is envious of Joe. Joe has a large family, a loving wife and of course lots of entrepreneurial interests. Joe is legitimate on the surface. He is not stained like Nucky. His choice of weapon is the stock-market, not a gun.

With this season being the last, the audience is learning more and more about Nucky. The flashbacks are beginning to provide more shape to the character that is Nucky. We see that he cannot wine and dine Joe. No, Joe is on a whole other level. He masterfully pushes Nucky into the proverbial corner of his own mind. Nucky is forced to confront his own fears and short-comings. Their deal will not be struck until Nucky admits a truth, or more like the truth. What does he want? The answer has not been answered in this show yet. What does he want to leave behind? What's the point of the deal? Joe is not a selfish man, he wants/knows how to get ahead, but he is providing for his family by nearly any means necessary. His white collar crime is all stealth and numbers.

We see Margaret who is on the hot seat. Her dealings with the now deceased Arnold Rothstein have come back to haunt her. The feds have all of the records with her signature. The alias, "Mr. Redstone" is tied to Rothstein. Carolyn Rothstein proves to be obstinate in her pursuit of the money. She will even go as far as to sue Margaret for what little money she has.

We're back at the epicenter of this episode. The over-arching theme is family. This leads Margaret to finally seek the help of Nucky. She turns up in his room in a stunningly creepy yet, unbelieving fashion.

Overall, this slow moving type of episode is the kind that true Boardwalk Empire fans can learn to appreciate after viewing a second time.

I found this episode to be quite predictable with the dealings of Chalky and Milton, Luciano, Sigel and Narcisse meeting and Margaret turning up at Nucky's place. That being said, this is a season. Some episodes may be easier to call than others.

-Best bits

-The use of religion was beautifully done in this episode. Milton quotes the good lord and Fern quotes Jesus. We human beings can say what we want about our beliefs, but family, money and survival come before religion any day.

My favorite was the man from the flash back scene. who says: "Would you hazard everything you hold dear - family, friends, respect, judgment in the eyes of an all-seeing God - and call it a price worth paying?"

Of course, Nucky being naive to the man's true intentions blurts out a yes. Later, it is revealed that the prostitute who that pays the real price, her life.

-The flashbacks proved to be far more significant this episode. They were tied to the present day. Mabel is a well-off traveling tourist, who toys with a young Nucky. "You were watching me," she says. She's Nucky's first crush. Mabel is privy to the differences in their economic states. She toys with Nucky, but later sends him a note, saying she would have let him kiss her.

Present day Nucky wakes up from a drunken nap and sees Margaret. Perhaps they will reconcile? I doubt it...

-Narcisse says no to Maranzano. As predictable as this episode was, that is not a bad thing. This was a set up for the rest of the season. I imagine seeing some turf wars shortly.  The consolidation of power must occur in New York City.

-The killing of the prostitutes and pimp mirrors the flashback scene where the prostitute is brutally killed. Violence does not end.

-Luciano's quote - "You know what I love about the city? Everything's close by."

-Sally and Nucky have a nice moment of listening to music over the phone together. The song is called, "Happy Days Are Here Again." Could that be an omen?

-Nucky telling Mickey Doyle to get more "roscoes" that means any type of gun. He is obviously still on high alert, after nearly being bumped off.

-Nucky to Doyle, "It's MY business, you're running."

"Those bums who hang around the rail yard?" Doyle scoffs. "I don't like them hanging around."

"You could be one of them," Nucky darts back.

Final bit: No Capone, Van Alden, Eli or Gillian this episode.

Expect them to be back next episode.

Here's the preview for this Sunday's episode: Boardwalk Empire Episode 4 Promo: