What I’m Watching: Boardwalk Empire

Boardwalk Empire: Season 3, Episode 9 “The Milkmaid’s Lot” (B+)

Seeing Nucky unable to concentrate or comprehend what’s going on around him is extremely disconcerting, and reminiscent of Tony Soprano’s episode-long hallucinations that plagued him on more than one occasion. Obsessing about the party and the pony and telling everyone to stop muttering, as well as asking Eddie for the time twice in a row, indicated just how out of touch with reality he was, a dangerous position for a man like him. His confusion of Margaret’s role was perhaps the most unsettling, thinking that she was Billie and telling her to stay for his brutal business conversation with Eli and Owen. Margaret’s relationship with Owen is becoming increasingly fascinating (somewhat reminiscent of Carmela and Furio, actually), and I don’t think there’s any way that it results in a happy ending for both of them. Arnold rallying everyone against Nucky shifts the balance of power considerably, and Gyp’s donning of the hat indicates that he’s more determined than ever to ensure that his seizure of Tabor Heights makes him the most powerful bootlegger. Nucky wil now have to focus his attention on Esther’s latest gain, which was the arrest and apparent cooperation of Remus. Richard managed to show some serious dancing skills and earn himself a public kiss from Julia, and it’s a shame that his happiness had to be taken away upon returning home. It’s not surprising that Tommy walked in on Josephine having sex with a client since he leaves in a brothel, and it’s too bad that Richard has to work for the controlling, manipulative, and spiteful Gillian.