bill bodkin looks at the season premiere of the hit HBO series …
The trailer for the second season of Boardwalk Empire is one of the most electric trailers I’ve seen for a television series in a long time. By the end of it, we’re left breathlessly waiting for this Sunday’s premiere.
The amazing thing about the show is that its plot subscribes the simple philosophy of: With every action there are equal, if not greater consequences. It’s brilliant. Every move made by Atlantic City treasurer Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi) has serious ramifications on every single character involved in the show. It’s this interconnectivity that develops massive amounts of narrative layers that compel you to watch every week.
And do we really need to talk about the cast? It’s probably one of the best ensembles you’ll find in dramatic TV.
Now from the trailer, there a number of storylines and characters that really intrigue me …
Richard Harrow: The WII veteran (Jack Huston) with half a face returns. He’s a fearsome yet somehow loveable assassin. His presence alone is a reason to be excited about Season 2.
Chalky White vs. The KKK: Last season we saw Chalky (The Wire’s Michael Kenneth Williams) clip the ring finger off of a klansman. This season the men in hoods are coming back, this time with machine guns. Seriously.
The Conspiracy: The Commodore (Dabney Coleman), Jimmy (Michael Pitt) and Eli (Shea Whigham) are up to something … like taking over Atlantic City.
Nucky and Mrs. Schroeder: Last season, the two became an item, fell apart and at the end of the season got back together. However, is this love, or is this a relationship of convenience? Has the once pure Mrs. S become as corrupt as Nucky? Is she just using him as a sugar daddy?
Agent Van Alden: Michael Shannon’s G-Man is a fascinating character. Seemingly a religious fanatic, he’s fallen into the sinful city on the Atlantic. He’s knocked up Lucy Danzinger (Paz de la Huerta), he’s killed his partner and is obsessed with taking Nucky down.
That’s a fantastic trailer and I cannot wait for the premiere. So glad to see Richard Harrow will be featured again this season – BAD ASS.
Exciiiiiited!