What I'm Watching: Boardwalk Empire

Boardwalk Empire: Season 1, Episode 7 “Home” (B+)

Even though he's the star of the show, we really don't know all that much about Nucky Thompson. This episode was interesting on so many levels, particularly for the insight it offered into the past of Nucky and his relationship with his father. What struck me, besides his violent torching of his history, was the relatively forthcoming nature with which he shared details of his relationship with his father with Margaret. His admissions seem all the more selfish and insensitive when Margaret reminds us that she's very familiar with abuse. Their romance is truly interesting, and it's fascinating to watch Margaret continue to get closer to Nucky as she learns more about his lifestyle and, more importantly, her own. Jimmy's newfound friendship with his fellow patient was very compelling, and it seems that their common interests have led to them engaging in business of sorts together. The prize for the scariest speech is a draw this week between Jimmy and Chalky, with the former scaring the hell out of the man who cut Pearl up before having him taken out by a bullet through the window and the latter refusing to be bullied by someone who is clearly very determined to catch him off-guard. I thought that it was cool that the bullet's trajectory was traced back through the hole to Richard thanks to some speedy camera work; it made the show feel like more of a thriller than it usually is, since gangster fare can often teeter on the brink of drama and spy intrigue.