Boardwalk Empire premiere episode – entitled Boardwalk Empire – has started the new HBO series out on sure footing. Enoch Lewis “Nucky” Johnson (Steve Buscemi) – Thompson in this series – is charismatic politician whose subterranean street violence only shows itself when extremely provoked. He is a controlled individual. For fans of the Sopranos, this show is no let down and in many ways is a step up. The environments in Boardwalk Empire are more interesting to look at as are the people’s attire and their mode of speak – though its not as good as Dead Wood‘s. I really have not heard that much slang from that time period – except in the book Billy Bathgate – so I am no expert in lingo from the prohibition era.
Why Jimmy Darmody (Michael Pitt) would rather kill people than finish a Princeton University education was not explained in a satisfactory way, especially since he could go to class during the day and work nights. He could do work study or attend classes part-time. I also found it curious that Enoch does not encourage Darmody to go back to school. From the ending of the first episode, it doesn’t look as though that will happen.
I’m looking forward to the rest of the series, are you? What did you think of the first episode of Boardwalk Empire?