What I’m Watching: Boardwalk Empire

Boardwalk Empire: Season 3, Episode 6 “Ging Gang Goolie” (B+)

Nucky sure tends to disappear for a while these days, leaving both women in his life waiting without a clue when he’ll return. Getting arrested by Harry wasn’t exactly his fault, though he did incite the attorney general considerably. Paying his $5 fine with a $100 bill was amusing, but taking Esther Randolph out for breakfast after suggested that he wasn’t taking the matter lightly. Offering her full access to Remus with an impressive degree of transparency came as a surprise, and Gaston Means seemed eager to help take down both Remus and Harry as well. With Gyp absent from this episode, Nucky may finally be able to take down another enemy and establish himself as the sole bootlegging kingpin. He is neglecting his duties at home, however, and, unsurprisingly, Owen is there to keep Margaret company, watching over her as Tommy reveals his own protective instincts. It’s an interesting regression for Margaret, who has managed to become quite independent recently and perhaps can now see it as her making the choice to have an affair since she has certain confirmation that her husband is doing the same. Margaret is not the only one finding ways to improve her situation, as Gillian found someone who looks a lot like her dead son to fill the empty hole in her heart in that disturbing, incest-heavy way. It’s good to see Richard making a female friend too since Jimmy’s actions got the woman he was closest to killed as well, and he’s now seeming lonelier than ever.