What I’m Watching: Boardwalk Empire

Boardwalk Empire: Season 4, Episode 5 “Erlkonig” (B+)

It’s always a bad sign when a previously supporting character gets a big spotlight. Eddie had the time of his life last episode, finally letting his hair down and enjoying being someone’s equal rather than someone’s servant, and he had it all taken away by episode’s end when Knox came to arrest him. It was immensely devastating and disturbing to see Eddie so abused so horrifically by Knox, both physically and emotionally. Returning home to have Nucky demean him by showing him his shoes and socks was miserable, and I only hope that Nucky is somehow made aware of Eddie’s despair after finding his body and reading his suicide note. Without much for him to do lately, it was fascinating to see Nucky step in to coldly help his nephew out of a tight spot, and to train him on how to withstand questioning so emotionlessly. Nelson is getting in deep with Al, and though he had the chance to kill him and almost took it, he’s now most likely going to be his number one confidante after Frank’s brutal death. Gillian was in especially bad form in this hour, and trying to take her grandson from his school was a humiliating moment. Roy seems to be a good guy, and it looks like he’ll be taking care of her even if she doesn’t quite deserve it. In an episode without any Richard Harrow, Arnold Rothstein, Chalky White, Valentin Narcisse, and a whole slew of other characters, there’s plenty to look forward to as this season gradually kicks into gear.