What I’m Watching: Boardwalk Empire

Boardwalk Empire: Season 4, Episode 6 “The North Star” (B)

This wasn’t a bad episode by any measure, but it’s one of those that gets caught up in its period setting without managing to be fully engaging the whole time. It was wonderful, however, to see Margaret, if only for a moment, perfectly content in her current life and far from eager to let Nucky think that she was anywhere near as overjoyed to see him as he was to see her. Nucky’s visit to Tampa was decently productive, and the best scene was the unexpected moment with Sally where she responded to his venting by punching him in the face until they started having sex. It seems that such foreplay is common, as in the similar case of Chalky being rude to Daughter and obsessively glaring at her before finally making his move. The aftermath of Eddie’s death was strangely remiss of any tributes to his steadfast nature, and it was interesting to see his absence affecting Eli most when he gave Knox the German suicide note which likely didn’t say what he said it did. It was good to see Richard back home, first encountering Julia’s alcoholic father after he received some life-altering news at the hospital and then walking around with Julia and Tommy. Richard is probably this show’s most dependable character, rarely one for excessive conversation, but always putting his own needs after those around him. Let’s hope his return to Atlantic City, however permanent or impermanent, doesn’t have adverse consequences for those he cares about.