We are already at the half-way point of this shortened season. This was by far the most engaging of the four episodes.
"Cuanto," is the epitome of a poignant episode. We saw flash backs illustrate several powerful moments for a young Enoch, the buoyant reunion of Margaret and Nucky and the untimely death of Sally Wheet. Plus, George Mueller A.K.A. Nelson Van Alden narrowly escaping a grisly fate. Let's dive in.
The flash back scenes were spot on this time around. Each one of them held my attention. Perhaps, that is due to a sense of resignation as a viewer. I have gotten so used to watching the slowness of Boardwalk Empire, that when things begin to pick up, I am not caught by surprise, but rather given a feeling glee as I relish the chance of being rewarded for my patience. The pay-off is always there. Now, this particular show, is the only one that I am aware of that can generally remain on the same note, but not be flat...
Allow me to explain now with a series of awesome bits:
-Take for example the thirty second countdown for Mueller's date with a mouthful of lead. I KNEW he would not be killed off like that, but the character doesn't know that. Michael Shannon did a remarkable job of delivering a speedy list of reasons why he does not deserve to die. It was reminiscent of last season's face-to-face with O'banion. The demon within Mueller or Van Alden, which ever you like to call him returns to save him. In those 30 seconds, we saw George, Van Alden and the true self of our traveled bumbling big bopper.
- Sally Wheet's effortless, casual and yet impeccable business skills and smarts are ultimately not enough to save her life. She tried everything in that final scene. She spoke English and Spanish, mentioned her association with a powerful man, (Roni), offered money, free booze at her bar, but it was all for naught. She was unaware of any curfew. Her cooperation is rewarded with a bullet to the head.
Sally had seen the trouble with the army and security for of the sugar canes for the Bacardi deal.
She even was savvy enough to mention that her powerful contact might fly the coup to Paris, with his wife, he probably did.
Sally did her absolute best to handle a situation like this. When the commander orders her arrest, she is able to fend off two officers and get a gun. I KNEW going in she would die. As a veteran viewer of this show, the promo for this episode gave me pause. Mueller was in too obvious of jeopardy to be killed off, no lasting suspense there, especially with a countdown. Sally's fate hit me hard. She was the absolute best female character on the show. Even though Margaret and Gillian remain, this feels like a male-centered show once again.
-Margaret's return is essential timing. As I said before, going in, I expected Sally to be killed off by episode's end. I did not foresee a beautiful and enthralling reunion with Nucky. It was quite surprising. The two actors, Kelly Macdonald and Steve Buscemi were once again terrific together. This time, their chemistry was so powerful, that even viewers who are not too fond of Margaret had to appreciate her change. Seven years is a long time. She has not been to church in 3 years. She cursed, drank, called Nucky a bastard a few times and made the first move to kiss him. Margaret is no longer phony. The writers found a way to make her, well...better!
Nucky treating his estranged wife like an equal for the very first time, certainly helps. She single handily, put one over the late Arnold Rothstein, an impressive feat, Now, Nucky teases a solution to Margaret, one that had everyone watching think, wow is he suggesting murdering Carolyn Rothstein?
Far from it, Nucky suggests to Margaret that she go back and handle it. She dealt with Rothstein, she can deal with his fiery widow. Get her to lower her price and bury this problem.
The pair's flirting is quite entertaining. Nucky has that effect on Margaret. He says, when he saw her in that hotel, she looked so lost. She's no longer lost, now. A seven year exile has brought them back together, at least for that one day. The close ups from their time in the cafe/restaurant were some of the best. The acting was a treat.
-Stephen Graham continues to be the driving force of this series. He steals every single scene he is in. His powerful on camera presence is felt the moment we lay eyes on his face. I personally would love to see a spin-off with him portraying Capone from 1925-1931. It would be "BANG ! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
Capone's ferocity is measured in this episode up until Luciano leaves. That is finally when the Rosetti-like beast is unleashed. Shannon's plea to Capone's ego was brilliant. "Telling Capone what to do is goddamn disrespectful." I agree. Great tactic George.
I love that his crew are still serving him like a king, because, well- at that time, he was.
-Luciano, "maybe, you haven't heard, change is coming." The droopy eyed, Italian is cooking things up. With only four episodes left, things are going to intensify. Capone, put the word out to Nucky, "Charlie is trouble."
I really enjoyed the contrast in style of Capone and Luciano. Capone points out that Italians cannot all be painted under the same brush. His rhetoric is proven in his manners. Luciano is all stealth, while Capone was the most famous gangster of all time. Their paths are set to diverge.
With the above points mentioned, how can this show be flat?
People want a lot of violence. I say no to that.
Give me a suspenseful episode with terrific acting, a dialogue and a pay-off and I am happy viewer.
-Other awesome moments.
-Margaret teaching Nucky's bodyguard English and then Nucky receiving a courteous greeting/exit from his bodyguard.
-Joe Kennedy, flirting with Margaret. I believe this is the last time we'll see Joe on the show. He was a fantastic character. I wish he could have met Sally. I hate to see Joe go, but he did leave a lasting impression on the show, especially when he found out Margaret is Nucky's wife.
His presence was felt when Margaret reached for Nucky's drink and was eventually drunk.
-Nucky and Margaret held hands in the restaurant. "Partners in crime."
-George soils himself and does not remember what he said to Capone. Brilliant!
-Young Nucky showing Eli, a nice house, their sanitary system, enjoying a nice bath and later an actual family dinner. Young Nucky was wise for his age. The part when he told his brother, that he would have to figure things out on his own soon was perfect.
Sheriff Thompson.
-Capone finally acknowledges his height deficiency. It's about time. The real Capone was a large man 5'11 I believe. Mr. Graham is only 5'6.
-Van Alden is in trouble now. After 10 years on the run, he is discovered, thanks to Luciano.
That agent in Capone's camp is supposed to stick to the ledger, well, Mueller can't wait.
This episode delivered on so many levels. I'll be watching it again later this week.
Very sad that Sally was killed off. I loved her character, but expect more deaths to come.
-No Chalky, Gillian and Narcisse, this episode.
We also, briefly saw Eli. I believe we will see more of all three of them next episode.
Boardwalk Empire Episode 5 Promo
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