What I’m Watching: Boardwalk Empire

Boardwalk Empire: Season 4, Episode 7 “William Wilson” (B+)

Nucky is still a background player in his own story, but I’m glad to see all of his tangential plotlines coming to fruition. The most satisfying part is the chance to see Margaret again, since I had thought that her appearance at the start of last week’s episode was the one opportunity that we’d have to revisit her departed character. Recognizing Arnold Rothstein as one of her clients was pretty jarring for both of them, and, though it’s far from what she wants to be involved it, it’s good that he’s chosen to see her as an asset rather than as an enemy. Eli’s reaction to the news of Willie dropping out of school was not good, and his relationship with Nucky really has changed to the point that he can yell at him for interfering in his father-son affairs. Torrio wasn’t happy with what Al had been doing without a leash, and getting arrested during an alcohol raid was a bad next step. Roy telling Gillian that he began divorce proceedings the day after he met her is quite the compliment, and that’s a good thing since Gillian could use a pick-me-up right about now. I was pleased to see Esther Randolph again, even though that means the case being built against Nucky is a big one, and the chance to see Remus knocked down a peg for his third-person talk was amusing. Hoover taking credit for Knox’s nationwide conspiracy theory after dismissing it was unwise, and he’s sending Knox right to a man he doesn’t want to be spilling his innermost thoughts to: the incomparable Gaston Means.