What I’m Watching: Boardwalk Empire

Boardwalk Empire: Season 4, Episode 3 “Acres of Diamonds” (B+)

I was glad to see Nucky featured so centrally in this episode because I feel like he’s barely had a part in this season when he used to be the show’s protagonist. Having him lay low has made him much less of a lead, but it’s good to see him back and better than ever. Sparking up a conversation with Skeeter Walsh after hearing his sales pitch was the first sign of Nucky starting up again, though his lack of enthusiasm for his friend’s business deal indicated that he, smartly, was thinking about what partnerships actually made sense and that going into business with unreliable loose cannons probably wasn’t the wisest option. Unfortunately, Nucky came around to the idea a little too late for Bill, and now he’s unintentionally earned himself a different loose cannon for a partner. Nucky’s bar conversation with Patricia Arquette’s Sally was pretty great, and it’s good to see him connecting with someone in Margaret’s absence. Another notable female on the show, Gillian, is doing very well with her new man, and it’s a shame that her past just keeps catching up to her. Richard, on the other hand, is leaving his past behind and heading back to civilization after his sister saved his life following his crisis of conscience. Narcisse continues to be an enigmatic and intriguing character who is going to cause trouble for everyone around him, and working with Arnold Rothstein will only make him more powerful and dangerous. The focus on Eli’s son Willie is interesting, and it was nothing if not a great opportunity to see Mickey again, and I’m sure we’ll see plenty more of Willie in the near future.