Characters come and characters go, at least that’s the case for these beloved shows. Whether it’s on one of the best sitcoms of all time, an exhilarating epic fantasy series, or crime dramas holding down a spot on the primetime lineup for decades, these programs all have one thing in common: they lost a fan-favorite before the final episode (or even final season).

Here are 32 TV shows that lost their lead character during their run…

The Office (2005 - 2013)

After being the best character on The Office for the show’s first seven seasons, Steve Carell’s Michael Scott left Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton office back in 2011. Though he would return in a guest capacity in the final season, the absence of the awkward, excitable, yet hilarious regional manager could be felt in the series’ final days.

That ‘70s Show (1998 - 2006)

That ‘70s Show had one of the best runs of any sitcom introduced in the final years of the 20th century, one that would carry on until May 2006. However, the sitcom’s main character, Topher Grace’s Eric Forman, wouldn’t be there for all of it. The actor, whose popularity was rising at the time, left the show after its seventh season. He would return in the series finale one year later.

Two And A Half Men (2003 - 2015)

Amid contract negotiations and a string of controversial incidents, Charlie Sheen left Two and a Half Men and stopped playing fan-favorite Charlie Harper, following the hit sitcom’s eighth season in 2011. One of the most popular shows on TV at the time, the CBS comedy would continue for four more seasons, with Ashton Kutcher coming on to play Walden Schmidt

Cheers (1982 - 1993)

A mainstay of Cheers for the show’s first five seasons, Shelley Long’s Diane Chambers left the friendly Boston bar for good when she was given the opportunity to become a professional writer. However, Diane would later return near the end of the show’s final season in 1993.

ER (1994 - 2009)

Whether it was Anthony Edwards’ Mark Greene being killed off in a spectacular way or George Clooney’s Doug Ross departing following a major scandal, ER lost several of its main characters throughout its 15-season (and 331-episode) run on NBC. However, the show always seemed to rebound from even the biggest losses.

Law & Order (1990 - Present)

Countless beloved characters have come and gone from Law & Order over the years, including NYPD detective Lennie Briscoe (Jerry Orbach), who was a mainstay of the legal drama for 12 years. The series is still on today (after being revived in 2022), but few of the detectives on the show have come close to touching the greatness of the wisecracking cop.

Three’s Company (1977 - 1984)

The late Suzanne Somers became a household name for her portrayal of Chrissy Snow on Three’s Company back in 1977. One of the three leads through much of the show’s run, Somers departed the series after its fifth season. The sitcom would run for three additional seasons after Somers left.

Scrubs (2001 - 2009)

Though Zach Braff’s Dr. John Michael “J.D.” Dorian was technically part of the Scrubs cast until the very last episode of Season 9 (he’s also returning for the upcoming reboot series), he only showed up in less than half of the final run. Maybe it was for the best, because those episodes were of a far lower quality than the previous eight seasons.

Bewitched (1964 - 1972)

This is an odd one simply because the Darrin Stephens character on Bewitched was written off, but instead recast near the end of the show’s run. Played by Dick York for the first few seasons, Elizabeth Montgomery’s on-screen husband was later played by Dick Sargent in the final years of the landmark sitcom about a witch trying to hide her true nature from the world around her.

Mom (2003 - 2021)

When the main star of a show leaves partway through the series run, it can be a nightmare for their co-stars and crew members, and that was the case when Anna Faris departed the hit CBS comedy Mom in 2020. Though the show continued for one more season after Christy Plunkett was written off, the absence of the former lead could be felt.

One Tree Hill (2003 - 2012)

One of the biggest shows of the 2000s, One Tree Hill was a perennial favorite of The WB (and later The CW) through much of its nine-season run. However, the good times didn’t last the whole time, as Chad Michael Murray, who played lead Lucas Scott, departed after season 6 alongside Hilarie Burton’s Peyton Sawyer.

Grey’s Anatomy (2005 - Present)

One of the longest-running shows in TV history, Grey’s Anatomy has always been known for its tremendous cast of characters. And while there are some, like Ellen Pompeo’s Meredith Grey, who have been there all along, others have come and gone. One of the biggest is Patrick Dempsey’s Derek Shepherd, aka "Dr. McDreamy," who was killed off in the show’s 11th season.

Glee (2009 - 2015)

In the middle of Glee’s successful run on Fox, the popular musical series lost one of its main characters when the actor who played him tragically died. In July 2013, Cory Monteith, who played Finn Hudson, died at the age of 31.

The Walking Dead (2010 - 2022)

So many characters came and went on The Walking Dead, which is to be expected considering it was a show set in the zombie apocalypse. However, one of the biggest departures came in the show’s ninth season when Andrew Lincoln’s Rick Grimes was written off the massively successful show.

House Of Cards (2013 - 2018)

House of Cards was a show with one shocking moment after another, including the time the Netflix series had to find a way to get rid of its main character before the sixth and final season. After Kevin Spacey found himself in legal trouble, the show’s producers decided to kill him off and carry on.

Blue’s Clues (1996 - 2006)

Steve Burns’ Steve was primarily the only human character on the hit Nick Jr. series, Blue’s Clues, for the show’s first four seasons. However, the actor left the animated show and was replaced by his character’s younger brother, Joe (Donovan Patton). Burns would later go on to appear in the Flaming Lips’ wild 2008 sci-fi film, Christmas on Mars.

The O.C. (2003 - 2007)

One of the main characters through the show’s first few seasons, Mischa Barton’s Marissa Cooper was killed off in heartbreaking fashion in The O.C.’s Season 3 finale. Following the departure of the tortured teenager, the show lasted one more season before coming to an end.

Charmed (1998 - 2006)

Prue Halliwell, played by the late Shannen Doherty, was one of the main characters in the first three seasons of Charmed. Though her fate was initially left up in the air following a Season 3 cliffhanger, it was later revealed that Prue died after her run-in with a powerful demonic assassin.

Laverne & Shirley (1976 - 1983)

One of the most popular spinoffs of all time (the characters originated on Happy Days), Laverne & Shirley ran for eight seasons on ABC between 1976 and 1983. However, while Penny Marshall’s Laverne DeFazio stayed around for the whole run, it was a different story for Cindy Williams’s Shirley Feeney. Williams, who was pregnant at the time, departed partway through what would ultimately be the final season.

Game Of Thrones (2011 - 2019)

Though Game of Thrones had numerous “main” characters over the course of its eight-year run, Sean Bean’s Ned Stark was one of the biggest in the first season. Creating one of the most shocking moments in TV history, Ned lost his head before the end of the first year, which set the tone for the unpredictable nature of the series moving forward.

The Vampire Diaries (2009 - 2017)

The Vampire Diaries was on the air for eight seasons between 2009 and 2017, but The CW’s popular book-to-screen adaptation lost its main character, Nina Dobrev’s Elena Gilbert, two-thirds of the way through. Though her character didn’t die, Debrov left for other opportunities.

Spin City (1996 - 2002)

The popular satirical comedy series, Spin City, ran on ABC for six seasons between 1996 and 2002, with most of those being led by Michael J. Fox as New York City deputy mayor Mike Flaherty. However, a couple of years after Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, the actor left the series after its fourth season, with his character being written off by moving to Washington, D.C.

The Wire (2002 - 2008)

The Wire’s cast was full of incredible actors playing some of the best characters to ever grace the small screen. One of the major players in the landmark HBO series’ first three seasons was Idris Elba’s Stringer Bell, a ruthless and ambitious drug lord who aspired for more than running the corners in Baltimore. However, he made far too many enemies and he was brutally killed in the show’s Season 3 finale.

Oz (1997 - 2003)

Though Oz had a killer ensemble cast throughout the HBO series’ run between 1997 and 2003, it lost one of its lead players when Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje’s Simon Adebisi was killed off in the show’s fourth season. Imagine fans’ reactions the following year when he showed up in 2001’s The Mummy Returns.

Roseanne/The Conners (1988 - 2025)

Not long after Roseanne was brought back to TV in 2018, its star, Roseanne Barr, was fired in the fallout of a controversial tweet. The show was quickly cancelled and morphed into The Conners, which ran for seven seasons before coming to an end in 2025.

NCIS (2003 - Present)

A lot of people have left NCIS over the years, but the CBS crime drama continues to be one of the most popular shows on network TV. Perhaps the biggest character to come and go since the show’s 2003 debut is NCIS Supervisory Special Agent and Special Agent in Charge Leroy Gibbs, played by Mark Harmon, who stayed on through the 19th season. Talk about longevity.

8 Simple Rules For Dating My Teenage Daughter (2002 - 2005)

8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter, later shortened to 8 Simple Rules, had a nice little run on ABC back in the early 2000s, and even helped launch the career of Kaley Cuoco. The series was originally led by John Ritter, but his character, Paul Hennessy, was written off after the Three’s Company and Problem Child star suddenly died at the age of 54 while shooting the second season.

Lost (2004 - 2010)

Much like the show’s story, talking about main characters dying on Lost is a bit confusing, considering the non-linear structure of the long-running ABC drama series. Numerous characters like Shannon Rutherford (Maggie Grace), Michael Dawson (Harold Perrineau), and Charlie Pace (Dominic Monaghan) were written off and brought back later on in the series.

Homeland (2011 - 2020)

A once-great show that went on way too long, Homeland had its fair share of shocking moments and final episodes for major characters. At the top of that list is Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis), a former prisoner of war whose true alliances are ambiguous through much of the show’s first three seasons. However, his time would come to an end a few years into the run when Brody was hanged in a public execution in Iran.

Boardwalk Empire (2010 - 2014)

Michael Pitt’s Jimmy Darmody was pretty much the 1B lead to Steve Buscemi’s Nucky Thompson in the first two seasons of Boardwalk Empire, but the up-and-coming gangster wouldn’t survive the 2011 season finale. The series would run for another three seasons before coming to an end in 2014.

Downton Abbey (2010 - 2015)

Dan Stevens’ Matthew Crawley was just one of multiple fan-favorite characters to be killed off during Downton Abbey during the show’s original run. The third-cousin, once removed of the Earl of Grantham, the character didn’t make it all that long in the grand scheme of things before dying in a car accident during the show’s third season.

Sons Of Anarchy (2008 - 2014)

Sons of Anarchy had an epic run on FX in the latter part of the 2000s through the early 2010s, and in that time, so many fan-favorites got killed off. The most horrifying came in the show’s fifth season when the beloved Opie (Ryan Hurst) was brutally murdered in prison. Some never came back after that.

In any television show out there, some episodes genuinely take the cake for their dark themes – or rather, just being dark overall. Some shows are darker than others, but there's always an episode that genuinely makes people sit there for a moment and contemplate what they just watched – those are the kinds of dark episodes we are going to get into today.

Oh, and also, spoiler alert!

'The Rains Of Castamere' (Game of Thrones)

I mean, of course, I have to put "The Rains of Castamere" here. It's one of the most shocking Game of Thrones moments ever, when we watch basically a third of the Stark family get taken out by traitors. And yes, I will still never forgive the Boltons or the Lannisters for what they did.

'The Day Will Come When You Won't Be' (The Walking Dead)

It would be a sin for me not to put "The Day Will Come When You Won't Be" here. It features Glenn's demise, one of the most heartbreaking The Walking Dead deaths, and really shows the entire group that we have come to love for six seasons straight get absolutely blasted with the arrival of Negan and his Saviors. It's still a dark episode, one I skip on any The Walking Dead rewatch.

'Ozymandias' (Breaking Bad)

There are some fantastic Breaking Bad episodes, but oftentimes, most of them are pretty dark, and "Ozymandias" is one of those. Considered one of the best television episodes ever by many critics, this episode really capped off the damage that Walt had done to his life when he watched Hank, his brother-in-law and DEA agent, get shot dead.

'To You, In 2000 Years - The Fall Of Shiganshina: Part 1' (Attack On Titan)

There are plenty of great dark anime out there that I could steal episodes from to put on this list, but I have to say the winner must be "To You, in 2000 Years—The Fall of Shiganshina: Part 1." I mean, you really can't get darker than having your mom get eaten in the first episode of your series—right in front of you as you're being dragged away. No wonder Eren was so messed up.

'Pretty Much Dead Already' (The Walking Dead)

For a time, The Walking Dead was the show out there that everyone talked about each week, and one of the darkest episodes of that time was "Pretty Much Dead Already." It was the first midseason finale for the show and featured a stumbling Sophie coming out of the Greene farm when everyone had been looking for her for several episodes already. Breaks your heart every time.

'The Hellfire Club' (Stranger Things)

I don't really consider a lot of Stranger Things dark, but I will say that as the series has progressed, these episodes have gotten a lot scarier, and the first that comes to mind is "The Hellfire Club." The episode starts off well enough—including the introduction of Stranger Things Season 4 All-Star Eddie. But then Vecna makes his first appearance at the end of the episode, and it is a horrorfest that instantly turns the entire thing darker than ever.

'Phoenix' (Breaking Bad)

Walter White has done some pretty horrible things as a human being, and one of his darkest moments, for sure, in Breaking Bad, was in "Phoenix." We already knew that Walter didn't like Jane, but standing there, watching her overdose right next to Jesse, was another level of darkness that I didn't think he was capable of.

'Heaven's Half Hour' (Daredevil: Born Again)

There are many moments in the original Daredevil series that I could point to, but I have to give it to a recent entry, Daredevil: Born Again, and the premiere episode. We literally open up with Matt and his friends just getting a drink, and BOOM, Foggy is shot, and Matt literally hears him die by the sound of his heartbeat. Darkness to the brim.

'The Dance Of Dragons' (Game Of Thrones)

While "The Dance of Dragons" isn't a super dark episode in itself, it's a moment in it that makes it super dark. One of the most heartbreaking Game of Thrones deaths happens here when Stannis burns his daughter alive because of Melisandre's ridiculous nonsense about a king's blood sacrifice. And then we watch her die. It's messed up in the worst ways.

'Living Doll' (The Twilight Zone)

I think The Twilight Zone is one of those shows where the episodes might not seem so dark now in comparison to what we have experienced on TV, but there are still some good ones there, and one is "Living Doll." The episode is all about a husband who is annoyed by a talking doll his stepdaughter has, but the doll begins to talk back to him, saying how much she hates him and how she wants to hurt him—it gets really dark, real quick.

'The Bent-Neck Lady' (The Haunting Of Hill House)

Honestly, every Mike Flanagan TV show has some incredibly dark episodes, but "The Bent-Neck Lady" is by far the darkest. It shows Nell finally realizes that the visions and ghosts that have been haunting her all her life are actually her. The reveal is incredibly sad and dark and one I often think about.

'72 Hours' (The Golden Girls)

I'm sure that at first glance, you would never expect me to put something like The Golden Girls on this list, but "72 Hours" is a very dark episode. Rose's doctor reaches out to her and says that her blood transfusion may have included HIV-positive blood, and now she has to wait for three days for results. It's a very harrowing episode for a show that is, at its core, a sitcom.

'Honor' (The Walking Dead)

There are plenty of moments in The Walking Dead that I could put on here, but one of the darkest episodes was "Honor." I'm sure most don't even know it because it happened in Season 8, but it was the episode where Carl, Rick's son, ended up getting bitten while trying to save a doctor for their community. It's literally one of the darkest episodes of the entire series, especially watching Rick and Michonne wait for the gunshot that signals Carl's death.

'Bullets Over Bel-Air' (The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air)

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was an iconic sitcom for many reasons, but it also wasn't afraid to go dark in some of its episodes. One of which was "Bullets Over Bel-Air," in which Will is shot by a robber and then Carlton goes out and buys a gun to try and be safe. It's an entire episode focused on gun violence.

'ABQ' (Breaking Bad)

There are plenty of Breaking Bad episodes out there that are genuinely dark, but one I always think of is ABQ, which is the finale of season 2 of the show. While most of the episode isn't necessarily super dark, the ending moment is where Walt watches as two planes crash above his home, sending debris to the ground, because the air trafficker's daughter just died – you know, the daughter that Walt watched overdose and didn't do anything about it.

'Bad News' (How I Met Your Mother)

At first, we all think that the "Bad News" in this episode is going to involve a fertility test with Lily, but the bad news is suddenly broken to Marshall that his father has suddenly passed from a heart attack. It's so out there that it creates a devastating episode in this sitcom.

'Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken' (Game Of Thrones)

The episode 'Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken' isn't necessarily dark itself, but rather the ending scene. After Sansa is forced to marry Ramsay Bolton, he forcefully assaults her on their wedding night. Meanwhile, Theon (Reek at this point) is just standing over there forced to watch. My god.

'To The Lost' (Boardwalk Empire)

Boardwalk Empire wasn't afraid to venture into dark territory, and one of its darkest episodes was "To The Lost," mainly because of the death that happens when Nucky shoots Jimmy, a protege of his, because he failed to start a feud. The moment is shocking, considering that throughout the series, these two have basically been side by side, and now, all of a sudden, it was over.

'Coda' (The Walking Dead)

I will never forgive The Walking Dead for what they did to Beth in "Coda." One of the darkest episodes of the series, it shows the group reuniting with Beth only for her to get shot in the head when she stands up for herself. She didn't even get to reunite with her sister again. Talk about awful.

'Long Term Parking' (The Sopranos)

The Sopranos cast is filled to the brim with epic talent, which only means there will be epic episodes that tend to lean a little darker. When Silvio finds out that Adriana's slipping info to the FBI, she's taken out. It was dark and scary and showed just what happened when you crossed the Soprano family.

'Connor's Wedding' (Succession)

With how talented the Succession cast is, I wouldn't be surprised if they made half of their episodes darker, but the darkest I could point to was "Connor's Wedding." At first, it feels like just a normal episode, but all of a sudden, Logan Roy drops dead, and we, as well as the kids, are left to deal with the fallout of what occurred as the episode progresses.

'Two Storms' (The Haunting Of Hill House)

First of all, this episode is an absolute unit of cinematography. It's shot beautifully. But aside from me geeking out about how amazing it looks, "Two Storms" is dark because it's so creepy, and we keep seeing Nell's casket repeatedly getting moved or messed around with.

'Hardhome' (Game Of Thrones)

The first half of "Hardhome" is pretty tame, honestly. It's all about watching Jon and the Wildlings try to come to a compromise to, you know, survive. But then the White Walkers come and literally destroy it all, and the number of deaths that occur makes it one of the most brutal episodes for me to watch ever.

'Please Remain Calm' (Chernobyl)

I. Can't. Stand. This. Episode.

At all.

As someone who recently rewatched Chernobyl, I find this to be the darkest episode of the miniseries. Watching those three brave souls go into the factory to drain the radioactive water and try and stop this madness was terrifying, but seeing their lights go out at the end? Good god. The entire episode is shot beautifully, but man, is it dark in many instances.

'Endure And Survive' (The Last Of Us)

As someone who is one of the biggest fans of The Last of Us franchise, this episode took it out of me, both mentally and physically. I already knew that Henry and Sam (from The Last of Us cast) would die from playing the game but man, they made this episode twenty times darker with the ending and it still makes me jump and look away each time I've watched it.

'Papa's Got A Brand New Excuse' (The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air)

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air has some serious moments that often lead to darker episodes, and one of those was definitely "Papa's Got A Brand-New Excuse." Will's father shows up out of nowhere, but, of course, by the end, he gives an excuse not to spend actual time with Will. We get an entire monologue from Will about how he doesn't need his father before he breaks down. It's so sad.

'Alone Again, Natura-Diddly' (The Simpsons)

There are some side characters on The Simpsons that you might have forgotten about, but one was taken out in the darkest possible way. In "Alone Again, Natura-Diddly," Ned Flander's wife, Maude, is struck in the head by a t-shirt and then knocked to her death. Yes, this happens in real-time on The Simpsons. This is an actual episode from Season 11.

'Too Far Gone' (The Walking Dead)

You want to talk about dark episodes of The Walking Dead? "Too Far Gone" is up there. The episode is the midseason finale for Season 4 and shows the all-out war that happens at the prison. But before then, we also watch The Governor completely snap and kill Hershel, who was hands down the group's moral compass for a long time.

'Teddy Perkins' (Atlanta)

This episode is just creepy, man. It's creepy in all the right ways. Aside from the social commentary that every episode of Atlanta seems to have, seeing Donald Glover dressed up in full prosthetics and makeup and creeping out Lakeith Stanfield is an episode I will never quite get over.

'Playtest' (Black Mirror)

There are plenty of dark episodes on Black Mirror, but one that I always think of is "Playtest," specifically for its ending. There are so many twists and turns that it's hard to keep up with it, and then the main subject, Cooper, is just killed because everything was all in his head and nothing was real—it's just too much and too dark so quickly.

'Chikhai Bardo' (Severance)

Severance is an excellent Apple TV+ show, and usually, I don't think I'd put an episode here, but "Chikhai Bardo" is a dark episode because we find out what really happened to Gemma and how she's essentially a slave for Lumon, forced to carry out multiple Severance scenarios for whatever grand design they are planning. It's messed up in so many ways.

'The Female Of The Species' (The Boys)

As someone who loves Kimiko in The Boys, the first episode, where we really see her and get to know her, is one of the darkest of the series. We see just how violent and terrifying she really is. She is not for those who have a weak stomach, but man, I love it.

What are some dark episodes that you would think of? I need to go watch some of the best rom-coms as a palette cleanser now. Goodness gracious.

Some of the best TV theme songs were already hits or great songs that were adapted as a theme song. These are songs that were written for the show, like the retro ones that still slap, but these are all great songs.

Like The Who contributing to the CSI franchise, or Jane's Addiction lending one of its songs to Entourage. For this list, we're going to avoid covers or reworked versions of the songs that were already famous, like the cover of The Beatles' "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da," which was used for the show Life Goes On. This is our list of existing songs that became awesome TV theme songs.

"Who Are You" - CSI

All of the CSI franchise shows have used songs by The Who as their theme song, creating a nice symmetry between the shows. The original show, CSI, or later CSI: Las Vegas used "Who Are You," and it turned out so great, that when CSI:Miami became the first spinoff, the producers chose

"California" - The O.C.

The band Phantom Planet released their second album, The Guest, in 2002, which included the earworm "California." It was a natural choice for The O.C. which has to be one of the most "California" shows ever. A fun fact about the song is that Phantom Planet's drummer at the time, and on the track, was actor Jason Schwartzman.

"I Don't Want To Wait" - Dawson's Creek

"I Don't Want to Wait" was first recorded and released on Paula Cole's second album, titled This Fire, in 1996. A couple of years later the song was chosen to be the theme song for the WB's first mega-hit Dawson's Creek. The song likewise became a hit, rocketing to #11 on the Billboard charts.

"Bad Reputation" - Freaks And Geeks

19 years after Joan Jett told the world she didn't care about her "Bad Reputation," the cult classic show Freak And Geeks used it as its theme song for its one and only season. The song has had a life far beyond the show, just as the show has had a long life beyond it's only season.

"With A Little Help From My Friends" - The Wonder Years

If you're going to set a TV show in the '60s, it's a good idea to dig deep into that well of amazing rock and soul music of the era. The Wonder Years smartly used tons of great music from the era, including a theme song by a famous musician who first had a hit with it in 1968. Joe Cocker's version of The Beatles song "With a Little Help from My Friends" was a bigger hit than The Beatles' version, and this was the song that led off The Wonder Years.

"We Used To Be Friends" - Veronica Mars

The Dandy Warhols are one of the great cult bands from the late '90s/early '00s. It was one of their songs, "We Used To Be Friends," that was chosen to be the theme of Veronica Mars and it's frankly the perfect choice for the show. The band, like the show, has a strong fanbase that won't let the song, or the show, be forgotten.

"Way Down In A Hole" - The Wire

This one is a little tricky because technically it breaks our rule about having cover versions of the original song (or the original hit, at least). The first season of The Wire featured a version of the Tom Waits song "Way Down In The Hole" by the Blind Boys Of Alabama. But we're in luck because the second season of the HBO classic features Tom Waits' original version. The 3rd, 4th, and 5th seasons would also feature cover versions of the song.

"C'mon, C'mon" - Rescue Me

The Von Bondies were a good band that really only gained the attention they deserved when their song "C'Mon, C'Mon" was chosen to be the theme song of Rescue Me, starring Denis Leary. For seven seasons, the song ran over the opening titles and as a result, became a big hit for the group.

"Teardrop" - House

Massive Attack has never been a...massive band in the United States. In Britain, however, they are huge. The trip-hop electronic act has released a slew of fantastic records, though their third album, Mezzanine, remains probably the most popular. One of the best songs on that album, "Teardrop" became the theme song for House, though a different, more generic song has been used on streaming and in syndication.

"Reflections" - China Beach

There aren't a lot of shows about Vietnam, but there are a lot of movies about the war. All those movies feature great songs from the era and thankfully the one hit show about the Vietnam War followed suit. China Beach chose the fantastic song "Reflections" by Diana Ross & the Supremes. Solid choice, for sure.

"Save Me" - Smallville

"Save Me" was the lead single on the album The Golden Hum, by the band Remy Zero. It was dubiously released on September 10th, 2001. A week later the WB hit Smallville debuted, using "Save Me" as its theme song. The song became a minor hit for the band, but sadly, Remy Zero broke up before recording a follow-up album.

"Woke Up This Morning" - The Sopranos

"Woke Up This Morning" by the British band Alabama 3 was a minor hit in the U.K. in 1997, when it was released, but didn't gain any traction in the U.S. That changed in a huge way when it was picked to be the theme song of The Sopranos. The song became one of those spine-tingling moments whenever viewers would here that famous HBO audio mark right before the beat of the song would hit as Tony drove from New York City to his house in New Jersey each week.

"Love And Marriage" - Married... With Children

For a show that took pride in just how crude it can be, it's kinda awesome that the theme song was by one of the classiest singers of all time. Married... With Children used the Frank Sinatra song "Love And Marriage" as its theme song and it worked amazing for that intro with the shot of a fountain in Chicago.

"Little Boxes" - Weeds

Malvina Reynolds wrote "Little Boxes" in 1962 and gave it to her friend, legendary folk singer Pete Seeger, who had a minor hit with it in 1964. It was Reynolds' version that would become the biggest hit when it was used as the theme for Showtime's Weeds.

"Superhero" - Entourage

Jane's Addiction had their biggest hits in the early '90s before they broke up (for the first time) in 1994. When they reconvened in 2001, they finally recorded their third "proper" album, Strays (JA fans will tell you it was their fourth album, including their debut live album commonly called XXX). The song "Superhero" from Strays became the best-known song from the album when it was used for the theme of HBO's Entourage.

"Stand" - Get A Life

Highlighting just how offbeat Get A Life, starring Chris Eliot, was, the show managed to score an REM hit for its theme song. "Stand" from the REM album Orange was a huge hit and the band was notorious for protecting their songs from too much commercialization. In short, they were the last band you'd expect to allow one of its songs to be used on TV. But the show was so unique, that it made perfect sense.

"Rock Around The Clock" - Happy Days

We know what you're thinking, "Wait a minute, Happy Days had its own song. You're right, but that famous theme song wasn't used until the show's second season. The theme in the first season was the Bill Haley and the Comets hit "Rock Around The Clock."

"Jessica" - Top Gear

"Hold on! Top Gear used a cover version of The Allman Brothers Band's song "Jessica"" is what you're thinking here. Well, you're right. But the old Top Gear, the original version that ran from the '70s until the late '90s, used the original version by The Allmans.

"Wanted Dead Or Alive" - Deadliest Catch

Even reality shows like to use big hits. Take, for example, The Deadliest Catch, which used a perfect song, Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead Or Alive." There's no way you can find a more perfect theme, nor could anyone write a more perfect one.

"Straight Up And Down" - Boardwalk Empire

One of the coolest ideas the showrunners of HBO's Boardwalk Empire had was to use a very modern song by The Brian Jonestown Massacre. For a show set in the 1920s, you wouldn't expect a song like "Straight Up and Down" and yet it works perfectly.

"Low Rider" - The George Lopez Show

It might be a little on the nose, but somehow it still works. The George Lopez Show uses the band War's hit "Low Rider" which is one of the best songs Chicano rock songs of all time.

"What A Wonderful World" - Family Matters

This is another one where you might be thinking that the show had its own, unique theme song and you're right. For most of its run Full House used its own song, but for the first five episodes of Season 1, the show used the classic "What A Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong.

"Carry On My Wayward Son" - Supernatural

If we're being honest, "Carry On My Wayward Son" by Kansas doesn't jump out as the perfect theme song for a fantasy show like Supernatural, but today, it's impossible to think the theme song to the show could be anything other than the 1970's hit.

"Tea For The Tillerman" - Extras

"Tea For The Tillerman" by Cat Stevens is the perfect choice for the Ricky Gervais show Extras. The song wasn't a huge hit, it was more of a coda on Cat Stevens' album by the same, which was a huge hit when it was released in 1970.

"Bad Boys" - COPS

COPS is one of the longest-running TV shows of all time, as it's basically been on the air in one form or another since 1989. In total, there have been well over 1000 episodes of the groundbreaking reality show and all of those episodes have started with the song "Bad Boys" by reggae legends Inner Circle.

"Closer To Free" - Party Of Five

Wisconsin band BoDeans landed their biggest hit when their song "Closer To Free" from their fifth album became the theme song to Party Of Five. The song charted as high as #16 once the show took off.

"Bad Things" - True Blood

Singer-songwriter Jace Everett released "Bad Things" in 2005, but it failed to make a big impression on the public. It was a great song though, and when it was picked as the theme to the HBO hit True Blood, the song, like the show, took off and became a hit among fans of the show.

"Livin' On The Edge" - Ice Road Truckers

Following in the footsteps of his cousin, Deadliest Catch, Ice Road Truckers picked another song from a hair metal band. The theme for the first four seasons of the nail-biting show was "Livin' On The Edge" by Aerosmith, a perfect choice.

"Next Year" - Ed

NBC's Ed found a cult following during its four seasons on the air, but the band whose song was the theme, The Foo Fighters, is anything but a cult band. They were then and are still one of the biggest bands in the world and their song "Next Year" is one of their many hits.

"Flagpole Sitta" - Peep Show

it's sad to say that Harvey Danger, who released "Flagpole Sitta" in 1997, is a one-hit wonder. They deserve so much better. But alas, "Flagpole Sitta" was their lone hit, but what a hit it's been. It's seemingly everywhere, even more than two decades since its release. That includes as the theme for the British show Peep Show for the show's final eight seasons.

"Where You Lead" - The Gilmore Girls

The Gilmore Girls has been a surprisingly enduring show over the years. Though it ended almost two decades ago, the show remains beloved by its fans. It's fitting that the show's theme song is an enduring hit too. "Where You Lead," by Carole King, was first released in 1970. it's worth noting that the theme song is slightly reworked by King and recorded for the show by King and Louise Goffin.

"Forever Young" - Parenthood

Parenthood pulled off quite the coup when they landed the Bob Dylan song "Forever Young" as its theme song. Dylan is famously protective of this music.

The so-called "Golden Age" or "Peak TV era" of television is broadly (and roughly) defined as the running from the debut of The Sopranos to the finale of Better Call Saul. This isn't a perfect description, as there are still some really amazing shows that continue part, like, say, Severance, just to name one. But, for this article, we're going to stick to those parameters. Without further ado, here is our list of some of the truly great shows from the Peak Era of television.

Game Of Thrones

We certainly couldn't make this list without the grand dragon on them all, HBO's Game of Thrones. Though the ending made a lot of people mad and you can argue that the show declined greatly in its last couple of seasons, it doesn't diminish the greatest of the show's early years. With some of the most shocking moments in TV history, the show was must-watch TV for all eight seasons.

Atlanta

Creator and star of Atlanta Donald Glover proved yet again that he is a once-in-a-lifetime talent. Over six years and four seasons the show and its star were showered with acclaim and industry awards, including multiple Golden Globes and Emmys. Not only did Glover win an Emmy for acting on the FX series, but he became the first African-American to win Best Director at the Emmys in the show's first season.

The West Wing

There aren't a lot of network TV shows on this list, but one that simply has to be is The West Wing. For seven seasons in the early 2000s, the NBC hit was one of the best shows in network history. Featuring a long list of stars that included Martin Sheen, Rob Lowe, Dulé Hill, Allison Janney, and many other cast members, The West Wing gave us all a look into all that government can be if we want it to be.

Lost

Pardon the pun, but it's fair to say that ABC's Lost lost its way towards the end. A confluence of events, including a writer's strike, left fans more than a little annoyed with the show's final couple of seasons, but those first few years were simply incredible. The show, which debuted in 2004, was one of the first shows that was ever described as "bingable" and with good reasons, the cliffhangers were amazing.

Mad Men

In a lot of ways, AMC's Mad Men kind of came out of nowhere. Set in the 1960s, it was unlike anything on TV at the time and the longer it went on, the better it got, which is rare for any show. It made a star out of Jon Hamm and fascinated viewers each week both with its wonderful storytelling and its look back at one of the most turbulent and interesting decades in American history.

The Office

In an era when sitcoms were evolving and struggling to keep up with their dramatic counterparts, The Office was one of the biggest shows of all time (that's what she said). Steve Carell's performance as the worst boss in the world became one of the most quotable and memed shows ever. It's true the NBC show did suffer some when Carell left after Season 7, the legacy of the show was well-established by then.

Downton Abbey

If you had bet on a period piece set on an opulent estate during Edwardian England would be a massive hit, most of the time, you'd lose. If you placed that bet on Downton Abbey, however, you'd have won big. There are no action sequences, stunts, or special effects. It's simply a wonderfully told story with fantastic characters played by excellent actors.

Better Call Saul

As a spinoff to another Peak TV era show, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul found its own place in television history. It's a very different show from the show that birthed it, as it's a little more surreal and, frankly, funny. In some people's eyes, the AMC's show's finale in 2022 marks the end of an era.

The Wire

Famously, The Wire was never a monster hit for HBO. Certainly not on the level of The Sopranos, which ran during roughly the same few years. Still, it has maintained a spot at the top or near the top of almost any list of "Best TV Shows in History." The Wire plays out like a 60-hour movie or a great book. The character development is unrivaled and the storytelling is heartbreaking, uplifting, and frustrating (in a good way). There is no doubt that the show will be remembered as one of the best for a long, long time.

Breaking Bad

What can we write about Breaking Bad that hasn't already been written. Widely considered the best (or close to the best) TV show of all time, the Bryan Cranston-led show was wildly popular with both fans and critics alike. It is one of the darkest shows in history, but that never diminished the love for it.

Narcos

Netflix landed itself a massive hit with Narcos in 2015. Wagner Moura, who played the kingpin Pablo Escobar stole the show with his uncanny and incredible performance as the notorious drug lord and Pedro Pascal found a new level of fame as one of the DEA agents trying to bring Escobar down. The show's third season, which shifted away from the Escobar story after the character's death wasn't quite on the level of the first two, but the show was popular enough to launch a spinoff, Narcos: Mexico, which ran for three seasons as well.

The Sopranos

The Sopranos' debut on HBO in January of 1999 marks the unofficial beginning of the Golden Age of Television - or at least the modern Golden Age. The production value, storytelling, and acting on the show were unlike anything anyone had ever seen. the characters were fully formed almost from the moment they first hit the screen and the story that unfolded, about a mafia boss played by the late, great James Gandolfini trying to keep both his crime family and his actual family together was simply unparalleled. Right down to the end and the show's much-talked-about finale.

Grey's Anatomy

As one of the longest-running prime-time shows in history, Grey's Anatomy has run for almost the entire era of "peak TV." Since its debut in 2005 and over more than 20 seasons and 400 episodes, the show has just kept chugging along with a devoted fanbase who stayed with it over the decades and though the endless cast changes can be frustrating, the show is remarkable.

24

One of the very first "bingable" shows would have to be 24. The Kiefer Sutherland-led action show from Fox kept viewers on the edge of their seats for nine seasons, one TV movie (24: Redemption), and a couple of spin-offs. It all made 24 one of the most bankable franchises of the era.

Six Feet Under

The early 2000s were an incredible era for HBO. Along with The Sopranos and The Wire, the network had another one of the best shows of the era with Six Feet Under. The show told the story of the Fisher family and their trials and turbulations running the family business, a funeral home. Mix in some supernatural elements and HBO had a unique hit on their hands.

Modern Family

Network sitcoms that enter the general cultural zeitgeist are few and far between these days. Certainly not like they were in their heyday of the 1970s and '80s. There are still a few that break through though, like Modern Family. For a time, it seemed as those everyone in the country was watching the ups and downs of the most dysfunctional and wonder families in TV history. For 11 seasons, the ABC hit dominated the ratings and is still a hit on streaming years after airing its finale in 2020.

Orange Is the New Black

Orange Is the New Black wasn't the first "prestige TV" show from Netflix, but it's safe to say it solidified Netflix's spot among the biggest players in the industry. For seven seasons over six years, the prison comedy-drama told the semi-autobiographical story of Piper Kerman, whose book of the same name was the basis for the show. Kerman spent a year in prison and many of the stories in the show reflected or told the experiences she had while in jail.

Deadwood

Many of the best Westerns on film came out many decades ago. On TV, there were big hits in the '50s and '60s like Gunsmoke and Bonanza, but the best Western television show of the 21st Century, Deadwood has almost nothing in common with any of those. The show was dark, crass, and unlike anything else on TV. The verbose language and insane moments made must-see TV at the time. Sadly it was never quite as popular as it should have been and that made for some herky-jerky starts-and-stops between seasons, but the show never dipped in quality.

Friday Night Lights

"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose," from a speech by Coach Taylor (Kyle Chandler) in Friday Night Lights has become part of the television canon, just as the show has. Based on the movie starring Billy Bob Thornton about the spectacle that is high school football in Texas, the show has outshined its source material in almost every way.

Veep

Julia Louis-Dreyfus is unique. She not only starred in the biggest sitcom of the 1990s, Seinfeld, but she's followed it up with two more hot shows. First in the '00s she won awards for The New Adventures of Old Christine and then in the 2010s had maybe her best performance as the hapless, power-hungry Vice President on HBO's Veep for which she won an incredible seven Emmys in a row.

House Of Cards

In 2013 Netflix loudly announced it was ready to be a player in the Peak Age of TV with House Of Cards, starring Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright. Based on a British show of the same name, the show highlighted the darkest corners of politics and despite the show losing some steam when Kevin Spacey got caught in the middle of a serious legal battle forcing him off the show and effectively ending his career, it still deserves recognition for all six seasons it ran for.

The Walking Dead

Over 11 seasons and 177 episodes, it's fair to say that not every moment on The Walking Dead was peak TV. That doesn't tell the whole story though, because when The Walking Dead was great, it was really great. The AMC zombie show was a ratings monster and cultivated one of the most dedicated fanbases ever, which led to multiple spinoffs that will seemingly run forever.

Boardwalk Empire

When Boardwalk Empire premiered on HBO in 2009, it came with a lot of hype as the mind behind it, Terrence Winter, had been of the key creative minds behind The Sopranos. While Boardwalk Empire never quite reached the lofty heights of The Sopranos, it was still one of the best shows on TV in its time.

Sons Of Anarchy

Like a few other shows on this list, FX's Sons Of Anarchy isn't a perfect show. There were some ill-advised plot decisions, like moving the gang to Ireland for a while, but like those other shows, when SOA was good, it was really, really good. The characters became our own dysfunctional family who we laughed, cried, and died with over the show's seven seasons. A spinoff, Mayans M.C., wasn't as good, but it also found a fanbase and lasted for five seasons.

The Americans

Of all the shows on this list, the one that maybe flew under the radar more than most has to be The Americans. The FX show was just... cool. It was a spy thriller that brought the Cold War back to U.S. television. Set in the '80s and starring Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys, the show ran for six great seasons and never really fell off as so many other shows do.

30 Rock

How do you follow up an incredible run as a star and head writer on SNL? Well, if you're as talented and funny as Tina Fey, you create one of the most beloved sitcoms of the 21st Century with 30 Rock. If nothing else, the show left us with the important bit of advice that you should never go with a hippie to a second location.

Justified

FX's Justified updated the Western for the 21st Century. Based on a book for Elmore Leonard and starring Timothy Olyphant as a 21st-century lawman with with his heart in the 19th Century, Justified was as noir as you'd expect from a story by Leonard and the acting is, across the board, fantastic.

True Detective

One of the darkest shows during the Peak Era of TV had to be True Detective, especially the first season. The unconventional storytelling was brought to life brilliantly by stars Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson and while the show was still great for a couple of more seasons, it really was that first season that stood out and above the others.

Succession

On HBO's Succession, the entire Roy family are all awful people. It's a show entirely made of characters we love to hate. We hated them so much, we couldn't wait to tune in each week to see what awful things they would do and it made the show unique and magical in that way.

Homeland

Showtime's Homeland started with a bang in its first season, or rather, almost ended its first season with a bang that never happened. The spy thriller starring Claire Danes and Damian Lewis was the ultimate nail-biter as no one really knew how the season would end. While the end of that first season was probably the pinnacle of the show, it ended up airing for seven more excellent seasons.

Battlestar Galactica

Interestingly, though there are some exceptions, Sci-Fi wasn't a huge part of the era. One of those exceptions was Battlestar Galactica, a reboot of the old series from the 1970s. The new version was a mystery wrapped in a space adventure and featured some of the craziest twists of any show from the time.

Barry

It's always cool to see an actor known primarily for their comedic talents take on a more serious role and Bill Hader in Barry is a perfect example. Sure, there is some dark comedy in the show of course, but, especially as the show went on, the character played by Hader was as complex as any character we've seen on TV and Hader is amazing.

It shouldn't come as a surprise that some of the best TV theme songs are courtesy of some of the greatest musicians in pop culture. Iconic TV theme songs can be as fondly remembered as the characters on the show, sometimes even more so. These are themes that still slap because they were created by the best of the best. Here is our list of some of the great songs that became iconic TV theme songs.

Friends - The Rembrandts

The legend goes that REM was first approached to have their song "Shiny Happy People" used as the theme song to Friends, but they turned the producers down. According to Michael Stipe, the producers then turned to the LA-based dup The Rembrandts to write an REM-like song. Frankly, "I'll Be There For You," the song that became a hit as the theme doesn't sound much like REM, but it's a great song, even if the band found the fame very stressful and almost quit over it. 

Orange Is The New Black - Regina Spektor

The creative team behind Orange Is The New Black found the perfect voice in Regina Spektor to compose and perform the theme song for the show. "You've Got Time" was written for the show and lyrically and musically it fits the show perfectly. 

The Wire - Tom Waits

The Wire did something unique with its theme song. Each season, the same song, a dark, brooding song called "Way Down In The Hole" written by Tom Waits and included on his 1987 classic album  Franks Wild Years. In the first season, it was performed by The Blind Boys of Alabama. Waits' original version was used for Season 2. Seasons three and four saw the theme performed by  The Neville Brothers and a group of local Baltimore kids dubbed  DoMaJe, respectively. For the fifth and final season, singer-songwriter Steve Earle, who also played Waylon on the show, did the song. 

The Golden Girls - Andrew Gold

"Thank You For Being A Friend" is certainly most well known for being the theme to the classic sitcom The Golden Girls, but it was written and recorded by singer Andrew Gold almost a decade earlier and became a top 25 hit in 1978. Singer Cindy Fee sang the TV version. 

Get A Life - REM

In the early days of the Fox network, they were throwing anything and everything at the wall to see what stuck. One brilliant show that never found its audience was Get A Life starring Chris Elliott, now most famous as being from the cast of Schitt's Creek. The show even featured "Stand" by REM as its theme. 

Boardwalk Empire - The Brian Jonestown Massacre

HBO's Boardwalk Empire may have been set in the 1920s, but the theme is from the 1990s. The song, "Straight Up and Down" comes from the excellent 1996 album Take It From The Man by the notorious Brian Jonestown Massacre. Side note - that's the best band name ever. 

A Different World - Aretha Franklin

When A Different World was spun off from the most popular sitcom of its era, The Cosby Show, you know they had to go big with the theme song. It doesn't get any bigger than the Queen of Soul herself, the legendary Aretha Franklin, who sang the theme song for Seasons 2 through 5 after Phoebe Snow sang it in the first season. Later Boyz II Men took over. 

Freaks And Geeks - Joan Jett

Joan Jett didn't give a darn about her bad reputation, nor did the characters in Freaks and Geeks, making the rocker's song, "Bad Reputation" the perfect theme song for the beloved cult show. 

The Big Bang Theory - The Barenaked Ladies

A show about nerds deserves a theme song by a band made of, let's be honest, other nerds. The Barenaked Ladies had a slew of hits in the '90s with their unique brand of dorky, catchy tunes like "Brian Wilson" and "If I Had A Million Dollars," and that aesthetic was perfect for The Big Bang Theory's theme about the origins of the universe. 

China Beach - The Supremes

In the late 1980s, Baby Boomer nostalgia was at its peak, with shows from the '60s being rebooting left and right, and shows like China Beach, about the Vietnam War, finding success on the airwaves. The theme song had to fit the era, and so the producers chose "Reflections" from 1967 by Diana Ross and The Supremes. 

South Park - Primus

An offbeat cartoon like South Park needs an offbeat theme song, so there was no better choice than to enlist Les Claypool and Primus to write and perform it. The theme has become iconic and Primus has even occasionally played it in concert. You just can't imagine the show beginning with anything but that twangy intro. 

The Proud Family - Solange And Destiny's Child

Let's be honest, it's kind of shocking that The Proud Family only aired for two seasons on the Disney Channel in the early '00s. It was a ground-breaking cartoon featuring an African-American family and as such, it deserved a theme song by legends like Solange and Destiny's Child. 

Entourage - Jane's Addiction

HBO's Entourage has one of the coolest intros of any TV show of its era as the characters cruise through Hollywood in a vintage convertible. The Jane's Addiction song "Superhero" plays over the scenes, adding to that coolness. It's a song that comes from JA's 2003 release Strays, but feels very much like it could have been written for the show. 

Dog The Bounty Hunter - Ozzy Osbourne

Dog The Bounty Hunter was a wild show, and having one of rock's wildest characters, Ozzy Osbourne perform the theme song was a match made in heaven. It doesn't sound much like a song you'd expect from the heavy metal legend, but you can't mistake his trademark vocals. Really, it's the best part about the show, if we're honest. 

Miami Vice - Jan Hammer

Jan Hammer might not be a household name, but he's played with some of the biggest jazz and rock legends of all time. His career stretches back to the late 1960s and throughout the '70s he played with legends like Billy Cobham, Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana, and John McLaughlin. He also composed virtually all of the music for Miami Vice throughout the show's entire run, including the iconic theme song. 

House - Massive Attack

If you watch House on a streaming service, you likely won't hear the song it originally used as its theme, "Teardrop" by Massive Attack. Instead, there is a generic song that vaguely sounds close to that song but is not nearly as good. 

That '70s Show - Cheap Trick

The theme to That '70s Show has a disjointed history. The song, "In the Street," was originally written and performed by Big Star, and released in 1972. A slightly reworked version, renamed "That '70s Song" was performed by Todd Griffin for the show's first season. Starting in Season 2, Cheap Trick recorded a version of "That '70s Song" which remained the theme for the rest of the show's eight-season run. 

The Drew Carey Show - The Presidents Of The United States of America

The best-known theme song from The Drew Carey Show is "Cleveland Rocks" by the Seattle band The Presidents of the United States of America. However, it actually had a completely different theme in its first season, a song by Carey himself called "Moon Over Parma." 

All That - TLC

Nickelodeon's All That was groundbreaking in a lot of ways. An SNL for kids that helped launch the careers of actors like Nick Cannon, Kennan Thompson, Kel Mitchell, Gabriel Iglesias, and Jamie Lynn Spears. It has to be said that the TLC, who performed the theme song also got a boost from the show, though they were already pretty huge when they recorded it. 

Malcolm in the Middle - They Might Be Giants

In a lot of ways, Malcolm in the Middle defines what being a kid in the early 2000s was all about. Though it was about Milennial childhood, the band who recorded the theme song, They Might Be Giants, are Gen X stalwarts. "Boss of Me" even won the group a Grammy. 

Dawson's Creek - Paula Cole

Paula Cole's song "I Don't Want To Wait" was first released on her 1996 album This Fire and hit #11 on the Billboard charts in 1997. In 1998, it became the theme song for Dawson's Creek and has become simply iconic in the years since. 

The Wonder Years - Joe Cocker

Of course, a show set in the '60s had to have an epic '60s song for its theme song. For The Wonder Years that meant going with Joe Cocker's version of The Beatles' "A Little Help From My Friends." Due to its appearance at the beginning of every episode, Cocker's version is at least as well known by Gen X as the original by the Fab Four, if not more. 

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - The Who

The original CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, set in Las Vegas, spawned spin-offs set in Miami and New York, and all the shows used songs by The Who as their theme songs. For the original, it was "Who Are You," for CSI: Miami it was "Won't Get Fooled Again," and for CSI: NY it was "Baba O'Riley." The short-lived CSI: Cyber, which only had 31 episodes also used a song by The Who, "I Can See For Miles."

One Day At A Time - Gloria Estefan

When One Day At A Time was rebooted by Netflix in 2017, this time about a Latino family, the famous theme song was recorded by one of the greatest Latin artists of all time, Gloria Estefan. You couldn't have asked for a better match. 

Weeds - Malvina Reynolds

Malvina Reynolds has one of the most fascinating stories in 20th-century music. She didn't even start her career in earnest until she was in her forties and her biggest hit, "Little Boxes," was written and recorded until she was in her 60s. The song, first released in 1962, became a hit again as the theme song to Weeds in the '00s. 

The O.C. - Phantom Planet

The most famous member of Phantom Planet is an actor and drummer, Jason Schwartzman, so it tracks that they would find their biggest success when their song "California" was picked to be the theme song of The O.C. Without a doubt, it's a banger and fits the show perfectly. 

Gilmore Girls - Carole King

Carole King's massive hit album Tapestry sold millions of copies on the strength of two hit songs, "I Feel The Earth Move" and "It's Too Late." A third song from that album, "Where You Lead" was re-recorded by King and served as the theme song to Gilmore Girls decades after it was first written. 

Married... With Children - Frank Sinatra

When it comes to 20th Century recording artists, it doesn't get any bigger than Old Blue Eyes himself, Frank Sinatra. You wouldn't expect one of his biggest hits, "Love and Marriage" to serve as the theme to a raunchy sitcom like Married... With Children, and yet it works perfectly. 

Veronica Mars - The Dandy Warhols

The show Veronica Mars and the band that performed the theme song, "We Used to Be Friends," by The Dandy Warhols, have something in common. Both the show and the band were critically lauded and gained a loyal and rabid fanbase, but neither really broke through to a broader mainstream audience. Fitting partners, for sure. 

Party Of Five -  BoDeans

For more than a decade, starting in the early '80s, Wisconsin band BoDeans worked hard to develop their career in music. It all came together for them in the early '90s with their album Go Slow Down, which featured their hit "Closer To Free." The song ended up as the theme song to Party Of Five and has since become iconic. 

Sanford & Son - Quincy Jones

When it comes to TV theme songs, there is not bigger banger than the theme to Sanford & Son. The infectious, impossibly funky tune was written by one of the all greats, composer and producer Quincy Jones. So if you ever wondered what made it so great, there's your answer. 

Ed - Foo Fighters

For decades, The Foo Fighters have been on top of the rock n' roll world. There isn't much that the Dave Grohl-led band hasn't done and that includes having a song serve as a theme song to a TV show. Ed was an underrated hit show on NBC in the early '00s and the Foos' "Next Year" was a great choice for a theme.

There are only two actors who I would categorize as chameleons, and they are Gary Oldman, and Jeffrey Wright. And by a chameleon, I mean an actor who is SO good, that I can watch an entire movie with them in it and not even realize that they're in the film until I read the end credits, to which I sometimes exclaim, “That was HIM?” 

 Jeffrey Wright seems to be everywhere right now, from being the voice of The Watcher in Marvel’s What If?... series, to FINALLY getting nominated for an Academy Award, but the man has built an entire career on “That was HIM?” So, here are just 12 must-see roles from the highly diverse actor.     

Jean-Michel Basquiat (Basquiat) 

Speaking of Gary Oldman, you get both him AND Jeffrey Wright in the movie, Basquiat, which is based on the life of the artist of the same name. 

While Basquiat may not be Jeffrey Wright’s first film, it’s definitely his breakout role. I’m not entirely sure if Jean-Michel Basquiat was actually like the person that Wright portrays in this movie (he seems kind of shy and quiet here, and I don’t get that impression of him from his often frantic artwork), Wright’s performance is gripping enough that you’re carried along all the same.  

Daniel Holt (Ride With The Devil) 

Ang Lee has made one of the best westerns of all time in Brokeback Mountain, but one western of his that often gets overlooked is Ride With the Devil, which is about the historical battle between the Bushwackers and the Jayhawks during the Civil War.  

For some context, the Bushwackers were on the Confederate side, and the Jayhawks were pro-North. In the film, Jeffrey Wright plays a former slave who had his freedom bought by his friend, who is a Bushwacker. So, yes, as a Black man, Wright’s character is, in a way, “riding with the devil.” But, it’s a unique performance, in a film that’s just rife with unique performances.   

Felix Leiter (Casino Royale/Quantum Of Solace) 

I’ll be honest. I am NOT a James Bond fan. But, do you know what? I am a Jeffrey Wright fan, and he totally rocked it as the famous James Bond ally, Felix Leiter.  

Leiter has, in the past, been played mostly by white actors (Bernie Casey played him in Never Say Never Again, though), but Wright just makes him out to be so cool at the card table as the “brother from Langley,” even though, as he claims, he’s “bleeding chips.” He’s not in Casino Royale (or Quantum of Solace, for that matter) for all that long, but when he’s there, you remember him.  

Colin Powell (W.) 

As a big Oliver Stone fan, I must admit, I don’t love the movie, W. For the most part, I feel like many of the actors were playing caricatures of the people who were in the White House at the time, rather than actually being them.

However, remember how I mentioned how I sometimes have no idea that Jeffrey Wright is in a movie until the end credits? Well, that was certainly the case with W., where I had no idea that he was the one portraying Colin Powell. Honestly, since I mostly only know Powell from interviews and pictures, I’m not really sure if this is the best representation of the former Secretary of State. But, I’ll tell you this: If Wright is playing him, it’s probably as close as possible.  

Beetee (The Hunger Games: Catching Fire/Mockingjay Parts 1 And 2) 

It was a while ago, but The Hunger Games movies were massive! And, while all four films featured an all-star cast, Jeffrey Wright as the District 3 tribute, Beetee, always stuck out for me.    

It might be because he’s always finishing the other District 3 tribute, Wiress’ sentences, or the fact that he’s so smart, and yet, has to be taught by Katniss how to make a fire. It’s a role that, on the surface, seems like it could be played by anyone, but then you realize that’s only because Wright’s acting is so effortless. Especially when he’s playing one of his many supporting roles.  

Various Characters (Angels In America) 

To call Angels in America just a story about AIDS would be reductive, as in truth, the HBO miniseries, which won tons of awards (including some for Jeffrey Wright), is essentially a story about people. People dealing with AIDS, of course, but people nonetheless. 

Wright played multiple characters in the miniseries, but the one he won awards for was as the nurse, Norman “Belize” Arriaga, where he is all-things-in-one, including a support system, a shoulder to cry on, and an angel in his own right. It’s a potent performance, and one of many where, though he’s not the main character, he certainly feels like it. 

Valentin Narcisse (Boardwalk Empire) 

Based on New York mobster Casper Holstein, Jeffrey Wright's Valentin Narcisse didn’t appear on the popular HBO drama until Season 4, but he made his presence felt immediately once he did. 

It’s probably because he’s just such a scumbag. Playing a Black nationalist, Narcisse is highly calculated in his moves, and you never once feel bad for him, because he makes such terrible decisions and hurts some of the only characters you actually like on the series. There is a sense of justice on the show, bleak as it may be, and what ultimately happens to Wright’s character is evidence of that. 

Bernard Lowe (Westworld) 

Westworld is an interesting case scenario, as Wright is primarily the main character of this HBO dystopian sci-fi show that lasted for four seasons. The series was a headtrip, and I’d be lying if I told you that I understood all of it. But, I always enjoyed Jeffrey Wright’s performance as the troubled Bernard Lowe.   

In a series that’s all about androids, there’s a lot to say about humanity here, and Bernard is the kind of character who you’re always wondering about and questioning. While the show was a bit hard to follow at times, Wright was a pleasure to try to unravel.  

Isaac Dixon (The Last Of Us Part II) 

We know a few things about Season 2 of The Last of Us, but what we don’t know is if Jeffrey Wright will play Isaac Dixon (or even if Isaac will show up in the next season), as the actor voiced him in the second video game.  

The cool thing about Isaac is that he’s a bad guy, but the forces of evil in The Last of Us are so great that you sometimes forget (especially since he’s an antagonist TO an antagonist – if, that is, you even SEE Abby as an antagonist). It’s an understated role, to be sure, but Wright has built his entire career on understated roles.   

Jim Gordon (The Batman) 

I mentioned Gary Oldman earlier, and it appears that these two actors’ careers keep seeming to intertwine for me, as like Oldman, who played Jim Gordon in Christopher Nolan’s Batman movies, Jeffrey Wright also plays Gordon, but this time, in Matt Reeves’ The Batman.  

This Jim is much younger, so he’s just forming his partnership with the Caped Crusader. It’s a fascinating look at a character who always seems to have his head on his shoulders, as he is just learning the ropes, much like Batman himself. It’s a great performance.  

Adam Clayton Powell Jr. (Rustin) 

As I mentioned in my article on movies to watch for MLK Day, Jeffrey Wright played MLK in Boycott. But, in a strange turn of events, he also appears in Rustin, as a not-so-nice Congressman, Adam Clayton Powell Jr.  

Since Rustin is our protagonist, Powell Jr. acts as an antagonist of sorts since he doesn’t want Rustin on the team, because he is adamantly against homosexuality. It’s fascinating to watch Wright play both sides of the line, as he’s just so damn good.   

Dr. Thelonious "Monk" Ellison (American Fiction) 

Lastly, Wright’s most recent performance (and the one that finally got him that Best Actor nomination) is one for the ages. Based on the novel, Erasure, he plays a frustrated author who decides to write an outlandish novel that uses all of the Black stereotypical tropes imaginable, as a lark, and it ends up being a success.

Like many of his performances, it’s not overblown, and it revels in its nuances, but what else would you expect from one of Hollywood’s very few chameleons?

Jeffrey Wright is one of the best there is. For more news on the highly diverse actor, be sure to swing around here often!

My favorite TV show of all time is Breaking Bad, which stars Bryan Cranston as a terminally ill high school chemistry teacher who turns to manufacturing crystal methamphetamine to support his family. Since creator Vince Gilligan’s Emmy-winning drama ended after five seasons in 2013, I have been on the lookout for more titles that remind me of the best episodes of Breaking Bad in terms of content and tone. As far as I am concerned, the following TV series are just about “Heisenberg-level.”

Better Call Saul (2015-2022)

Starring: Bob Odenkirk, Rhea Seehorn

What it's about: An Albuquerque attorney rises up in the world of practicing law by scheming his way toward wins and taking on shady clients.

Why it is worth watching if you like Breaking Bad: Of course, no list of TV shows like Breaking Bad would be complete without the series’ acclaimed spinoff show, Better Call Saul, in which Breaking Bad cast member Odenkirk reprises his role of the slimy Saul Goodman in the earlier years of his career when he was still known as Jimmy McGill.

How to watch Better Call Saul

• Stream Better Call Saul on Netflix
• Buy Better Call Saul on Amazon
• Buy Better Call Saul on Blu-ray on Amazon

Dope Thief (2025)

Starring: Brian Tyree Henry, Wagner Moura

What it’s about: Two criminals who specialize in posing as DEA agents to rip off drug dealers put themselves in danger when they steal from the wrong person.

Why it is worth watching if you like Breaking Bad: Unlike Breaking Bad, the Emmy-nominated, acclaimed Apple TV+ original series Dope Thief, from producer Ridley Scott, starts out with the anti-heroic protagonists already involved in the criminal lifestyle when story, but similar to Walter White’s story, it sees them get in over their heads when they ruffle feathers with something bigger than they are.

How to watch Dope Thief

• Stream Dope Thief on Apple TV+

Banshee (2013-2016)

Starring: Antony Starr, Ivana Milicevic

What it’s about: A recently released convict assumes the identity of a recently appointed sheriff to a small Pennsylvania community, allowing him to continue indulging in his criminal lifestyle in plain sight.

Why it is worth watching if you like Breaking Bad: Also boasting some intense action sequences that make a great show for Reacher fans, Banshee relates to Breaking Bad as a story of crime and corruption in a quaint community, led by a protagonist leading a double life.

How to watch Banshee

• Stream Banshee on HBO Max
• Buy Banshee on Amazon

Top Boy (2011-2023)

Starring: Ashley Walters, Michael Ward

What it’s about: An inside look at London’s criminal underworld, as seen mostly from the point of view of the young people working in it.

Why it is worth watching if you like Breaking Bad: Creator Ronan Bennett’s British Netflix original series Top Boy (starring Adolescence actor and 2025 Emmy nominee Ashley Walters) is another story of a person lured into the criminal lifestyle to support their family.

How to watch Top Boy

• Stream Top Boy on Netflix

Barry (2018-2023)

Starring: Bill Hader, Sarah Goldberg

What it's about: A contract killer from the Midwest on an assignment in Los Angeles decides to switch career aspirations after randomly walking into an acting class.

Why it is worth watching if you like Breaking Bad: Breaking Bad is not without its humorous moments, especially in the earlier seasons before growing darker over time, much like Barry (also created by Hader with Alec Berg), a story about a man’s struggle to escape his criminal lifestyle, which is at its absolute bleakest during the final season.

How to watch Barry

• Stream Barry on HBO Max
• Buy Barry on Amazon

Boardwalk Empire (2010-2014)

Starring: Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald

What it's about: The story of a New Jersey politician and his criminal exploits in the age of Prohibition.

Why it is worth watching if you like Breaking Bad: From creator Terence Winter and executive producer Martin Scorsese, the Emmy-winning Boardwalk Empire is yet another stunning crime drama about crime, corruption, and double lives.

How to watch Boardwalk Empire

• Stream Boardwalk Empire on HBO Max
• Buy Boardwalk Empire on Amazon
• Buy Boardwalk Empire Blu-ray on Amazon

The Dexter Franchise (2006-Present)

Starring: Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Carpenter

What it's about: A man with homicidal urges acts as judge, jury, and executioner on Miami’s most awful criminals while working as a police forensics expert.

Why it is worth watching if you like Breaking Bad: Dexter is a classic example of an absorbing, twisted crime drama that tricks you into rooting for a criminal and, also like Breaking Bad, would spawn a franchise with a limited series revival called Dexter: New Blood in 2021, a prequel called Dexter: Original Sin premiering in 2025, and another revival called Dexter: Resurrection that premiered in 2025.

How to watch the Dexter franchise

Fargo (2014-Present) 

Starring: Various

What it's about: Every season of this series, loosely inspired by one of the best Coen Brothers movies, tells a different story, such as one about a contract killer who makes a damning impact on a small town, another about a wife and mother whose dark past comes back to haunt her, and more.

Why it is worth watching if you like Breaking Bad: Creator Noah Hawley’s Fargo is a great anthology TV show filled with characters like Walter White: seemingly average folk hiding dangerous secrets.

How to watch Fargo

• Stream Fargo on Hulu
• Buy Fargo on Amazon

Ozark (2017-2022)

Starring: Jason Bateman, Laura Linney

What it's about: A Chicago family abruptly relocates to rural Missouri when the husband and father, a financial advisor, makes a deal with a deadly drug lord to become his money launderer.

Why it is worth watching if you like Breaking Bad: While Walter White and Marty Byrde are very different characters, both in the way they interact with their respective families and their approaches to their business, the additional comparisons between Ozark and Breaking Bad are undeniable.

How to watch Ozark

• Stream Ozark on Netflix

Snowfall (2017-2023)

Starring: Damson Idris, Carter Hudson

What it's about: The rise of a young man who comes to play a pivotal role in the Los Angeles crack epidemic of the 1980s.

Why it is worth watching if you like Breaking Bad: Another series that earned comparisons to Breaking Bad early on for its earnest and visceral depiction of drug trafficking is FX’s Snowfall, from creators John Singleton, Eric Amadio, and Dave Andron.

How to watch Snowfall

• Stream Snowfall on Hulu
• Stream Snowfall on Disney+
• Buy Snowfall on Amazon

Sons Of Anarchy (2008-2014)

Starring: Charlie Hunnam, Ron Perlman

What it's about: The daily struggles of an outlaw motorcycle club in California’s Central Valley.

Why it is worth watching if you like Breaking Bad: The fraught relationship between Hunnam’s Jax Teller and his father, Clay Morrow (Perlman), has a lot in common with the relationship between Walt and his young partner-in-crime, Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), which is just one of many similarities between Breaking Bad and Sons of Anarchy.

How to watch Sons of Anarchy

• Stream Sons Of Anarchy on Hulu
• Stream Sons of Anarchy on Disney+
• Buy Sons Of Anarchy on Amazon
• Buy Sons of Anarchy on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Sopranos (1999-2007)

Starring: James Gandolfini, Edie Falco

What it's about: A New Jersey mob boss struggles to balance his criminal lifestyle with being a family man.

Why it is worth watching if you like Breaking Bad: Breaking Bad, and modern television’s obsession with anti-hero stories, may never have existed without the influence of The Sopranos, which may have ended on a polarizing note, but is still widely remembered as one of the best dramas of its time, if not ever.

How to watch The Sopranos

• Stream The Sopranos on HBO Max
• Buy The Sopranos on Amazon
• Buy The Sopranos on Blu-ray on Amazon

Weeds (2005-2012)

Starring: Mary-Louise Parker, Justin Kirk

What it's about: A teacher turns to dealing drugs to support her family.

Why it is worth watching if you like Breaking Bad: Even though Weeds follows a recently widowed mother selling marijuana instead of an ailing husband and father peddling meth, it is easy to see why Vince Gilligan was accused of ripping off Jenji Kohan’s Emmy-winning dramedy when he pitched Breaking Bad, as he recalled at the Paley Center for Media.

How to watch Weeds

• Stream Weeds on The Roku Channel
• Stream Weeds on Plex
• Stream Weeds on Philo
• Buy Weeds on Amazon
• Buy Weeds on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Wire (2002-2008)

Starring: Dominic West, Idris Elba, Michael K. Williams

What it's about: An inside look at the world of drug trafficking, as told from the perspective of both law enforcement and outlaws of Baltimore.

Why it is worth watching if you like Breaking Bad: One of Breaking Bad’s fiercest rivals for the title of “all-time greatest TV show” is, creator David Simon’s The Wire, which also tells an alluring story about those in the illicit drug business with many twisted surprises along the way.

How to watch The Wire

• Stream The Wire on HBO Max
• Buy The Wire on Amazon
• Buy The Wire on Blu-ray on Amazon

Your Honor (2020-2023)

Starring: Bryan Cranston, Hope Davis, Hunter Doohan

What it's about: A judge from New Orleans defies his typical moral principles to help his young son when he becomes a target of the mob after a hit-and-run accident.

Why it is worth watching if you like Breaking Bad: Cranston would eventually return to television with a role similar to Walter White, in that he takes desperate measures to help a loved one, in developer Peter Moffat’s Your Honor.

How to watch Your Honor

• Stream Your Honor on Netflix
• Stream Your Honor on Showtime through Paramount+
• Buy Your Honor on Amazon
• Buy Your Honor on DVD on Amazon

If you still have yet to see any of these acclaimed shows similar to Breaking Bad, I think your best course of action would not be to tread lightly, but to binge them all as soon as possible!

Although Boardwalk Empire was chiefly Steve Buscemi’s series from start to finish, in the crime drama’s early seasons, Michael Pitt played an integral role as Jimmy Darmody, the protégé-turned-enemy to Buscemi’s Nucky Thompson. It’s been 11 years since Pitt’s exit from Boardwalk Empire (which you can stream with an HBO Max subscription), and since then Pitt has starred in a number of other high-profile projects. However, Pitt now finds himself in the news not for a professional endeavor, but because he was hospitalized after his strange behavior led to 911 being called.

Last Friday, New York City authorities were alerted to Michael Pitt throwing objects at people in Bushwick, Brooklyn, possibly from the rooftop of a building. Police officers arrived soon after receiving the call to apprehend Pitt, but instead of charging him with a crime, he was instead transported to a nearby hospital for treatment because he was deemed an emotionally disturbed person. Video provided to TMZ showed Pitt being strapped to a gurney and being wheeled to what was likely a nearby ambulance, and the outlet described the actor looking as if “he’s in a daze ... first staring up at the sky, then turning his head to the side as he quietly lays on the stretcher.”

This isn’t the first time Michael Pitt has been the focus on an incident that unfolded in this area of New York City. In July, the Boardwalk Empire alum was arrested for assault and petty larceny, as he allegedly had punch a man in the head several times and then took his phone, though this man reportedly only suffered minor injuries. As far as Pitt’s current situation goes, it’s unclear what his hospitalization status is, but New York law only allows someone to be placed in an involuntary psych hold for 72 hours unless the hospital petitions a judge for an extension, and then that hold stretches to no more than 60 days.

Prior to joining Boardwalk Empire, Michael Pitt appeared in movies like Finding Forrester, Hedwig and the Angry Itch and The Village, as well as had a recurring role as Henry Parker in Dawson’s Creek Season 3. When Boardwalk Empire came along, this gave him another opportunity to work with Steve Buscemi, as they’d previously appeared together in 2006’s Delirious. Jimmy Darmody started out in Boardwalk Empire working for Nucky Thompson following his return home from World War I, but he eventually broke away from his mentor and tried to bring down his criminal enterprises. This conflict ended with Jimmy being gunned down by Nucky in the Season 2 finale. Despite sitting out the following three seasons, Pitt ended up accurately predicting Boardwalk Empire’s ending months ahead of the show’s conclusion in late 2014.

Following his exit from Boardwalk Empire, Michael Pitt popped up like Seven Psychopaths, Criminal and Ghost in the Shell, and he also appeared as Mason Verger in three episodes of the cult-favorite series Hannibal (which Hulu subscribers can stream). More recently, he recurred as Andrew Landon in the Apple TV+ show Lisey’s Story, an adaptation of the same-named Stephen King novel. Pitt’s upcoming movies include Reptile and Black Files, but for right now, here’s hoping that the actor gets the help he needs with his mental health struggles.

While we wait for more information on Michael Pitt’s condition, keep track of what small screen programming is coming up with our 2022 TV schedule.

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Michael K. Williams passed away at the age of 54 on September 6, 2021, leaving behind a family and a body of work that is up there with some of the all-time greats from the medium. Throughout his acting career, which went back to 1995, Williams gave life to the likes of Omar Little on The Wire, Albert “Chalky” White on Boardwalk Empire, and dozens of others who felt like fully-realized and three-dimensional people rather than characters on a show or in a movie. As we mourn the loss of one of the best actors of his time, we should look back on Williams’ extensive library of shows and movies so that we can best remember the greatness of his craft. Here is just a sampling of the gifts Michael K. Williams had to offer us all.

The Wire (HBO Max)

David Simon’s HBO crime epic The Wire shows how the lives of those on opposite sides of the law and different neighborhoods of Baltimore, Maryland, are connected in one way or another, including series standout, Omar Little (Michael K. Williams), a modern-day Robin Hood in a trench-coat.

Why it’s worth watching: Not only is The Wire one of the greatest television dramas of all time, it also features Michael K. Williams’ best characters in Omar Little. A good man who does bad things to bad people, Omar was at times the funniest character on The Wire cast while others the most tragic of the bunch. It’s just a damn shame Williams never won an Emmy for this iconic performance.

Stream The Wire on HBO Max.

Rent/Buy The Wire on Amazon.

Boardwalk Empire (HBO Max)

Set in Prohibition era Atlantic City, New Jersey, the HBO period crime drama Boardwalk Empire tells the story of the unforgettable characters who found a way to become not only profitable and successful with their various businesses but also feared for the manner in which they operate said businesses for better or worse.

Why it’s worth watching: Two years after he portrayed Omar Little for the final time (not counting the 2012 The Wire musical) Michael K. Williams played Albert “Chalky” White, a powerful African-American gangster with his hands in various cookie jars throughout Boardwalk Empire’s Atlantic City. Beloved in his own community but feared in others, Chalky was a dynamic character who appeared to always be one step ahead of the competition.

Stream Boardwalk Empire on HBO Max.

Rent/Buy Boardwalk Empire on Amazon.

12 Years A Slave (Hulu)

Steve McQueen’s harrowing biographical drama 12 Years a Slave tells the story of Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejofor) a free African-American man living in New York who is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the years leading up to the Civil War, kicking off more than a decade in captivity and failed attempts to free himself from the shackles of the south.

Why it’s worth watching: There is a long list of tragic characters in 12 Years a Slave including Robert (Michael K. Williams), one of the men that Solomon Northup meets on the slave ship early on in the movie. Even though he’s only in the movie for a few minutes, Williams makes the most of his time and delivers a performance as a man willing to do anything to be free, even if he has to die in the process.

Stream 12 Years a Slave on Hulu.

Rent/Buy 12 Years a Slave on Amazon.

Lovecraft Country (HBO Max)

Set in the Jim Crow American South, the HBO horror drama series Lovecraft Country tells the story of Atticus Freeman (Jonathan Majors) as he sets off on a journey to locate his missing father Montrose Freeman (Michael K. Williams), uncovering several monsters (both man and non-human) along the way.

Why it’s worth watching: One of the most beloved and talked about shows of 2020, Lovecraft Country was made all the better thanks to its brilliant cast that included Jurnee Smollett, Courtney B. Vance, and others in addition to Jonathan Majors and Michael K. Williams. Every one of the stars makes the most of their time in this mind-bending blend of human drama and supernatural horror.

Stream Lovecraft Country on HBO Max.

Rent/Buy Lovecraft Country on Amazon.

When They See Us (Netflix)

Ava DuVernay’s 2019 Netflix limited series When They See Us tells the story of the 1989 Central Park jogger case in which five African-American and latino teenagers were falsely accused of brutally assaulting a white woman. This tragic series shows just how far some will go to solve a case even if it means doubling-down on those who are innocent.

Why it’s worth watching: Told over the course of four tense and emotionally raw episodes, When They See Us shows how false accusations built up by prejudice and misunderstanding can impact multiple lives, including the parents of the falsely accused, which were led by Michael K. Williams as Bobby McCray.

Stream When They See Us on Netflix.

Gone Baby Gone (HBO Max)

Set in Boston, Ben Affleck’s Gone Baby Gone centers on the disappearance of a four-year-old girl and tireless effort by local detective Patrick Kenzie (Casey Affleck) to find her before the whole neighborhood is torn apart by the case.

Why it’s worth watching: With a cast that includes Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris, Michelle Monaghan, Amy Ryan, and Michael K. Williams, it’s easy to see why Gone Baby Gone remains a highly-regarded crime drama 14 years after its release. Combine that with an intricate story where everyone feels both innocent and guilty and it just gets better.

Stream Gone Baby Gone on HBO Max.

Rent/Buy Gone Baby Gone on Amazon.

The Night Of (HBO Max)

After being implicated in the murder of a young woman in New York City, Pakistani-American college student Nasir “Naz” Khan’s (Riz Ahmed) finds himself going through the criminal justice system in hopes of clearing his name.

Why it’s worth watching: Awaiting his trial, Naz is sent to Rikers Island where he meets Freddy Knight (Michael K. Williams) an influential prisoner who can make things happen to those living outside the jail’s walls just as much as he can to those wasting away in their cells. This morally ambiguous character is made all the more realistic thanks to Williams’ ability to be both warm and terrifying at the same time.

Stream The Night Of on HBO Max.

Buy The Night Of on Amazon.

Hap And Leonard (Netflix)

Based on Joe R. Landsale novels of the same name, the Sundance TV crime comedy-drama series Hap and Leonard tells the story of two best friends — Hap Collins (James Purefoy) and Leonard Pine (Michael K. Williams) — who find themselves in a get-rich-quick scheme that turns out to be not as easy as they once thought.

Why it’s worth watching: Although it doesn’t receive as much acclaim as some of Michael K. Williams’ other crime shows, Hap and Leonard is one that shouldn’t be overlooked. Throughout the series’ three seasons, Williams’ Leonard is at times a hilarious character with a great deal of emotional depth while at others a complete mad man with an unforgettable temper.

Stream Hap and Leonard on Netflix.

Rent/Buy Hap and Leonard on Amazon.

Bessie (HBO Max)

One of the best movies on HBO Max, Bessie follows Bessie Smith (Queen Latifah) as goes from an unknown blues singer in Tennessee to one of the most prominent and influential music artists of the early 20th Century, detailing the success and setbacks she experienced along the way.

Why it’s worth watching: The Primetime Emmy Award-winning biographical drama is anchored by the outstanding performance by Queen Latifah as the trailblazing Bessie Smith and Michael K. Williams as her husband and manager Jack Gee. The chemistry between these two is out of this world and makes the highs and lows of their marriage seem all the more real, no matter how hard some of it is to take.

Stream Bessie on HBO Max.

Rent/Buy Bessie on Amazon.

When We Rise (Amazon Purchase)

The ABC limited series When We Rise chronicles the struggles — both personal and political — and successes of a various members of the LGBT community over the course of 45 years.

Why it’s worth watching: The large ensemble cast, which includes Guy Pearce, Mary-Louise Parker, and Michael K. Williams playing various trailblazers in the LGBT community in different periods of time helps tell a well-rounded story about those who sacrificed so others could have a voice and the freedom to live their lives without fear of prosecution or persecution by society.

Buy When We Rise on Amazon.

The Road (Pluto TV)

Based on Cormac McCarthy’s award-winning novel of the same name, John Hillcoat’s 2009 post-apocalyptic survival film The Road tells the story of a father (Viggo Mortensen) and son (Kodi Smit-McPhee) as they push towards the Southern coast in hopes of surviving a cataclysmic event while also keeping ahold of their humanity in the process.

Why it’s worth watching: Michael K. Williams is only in The Road for a few minutes, but his performance as the thief who is forced to give his clothes to the father and son after being caught stealing their cart is one that can’t be missed. This emotionally-gutting scene is difficult to watch but helps illustrate one’s need for survival in a dying world.

Stream The Road on Pluto TV.

Rent/Buy The Road on Amazon.

Inherent Vice (IMDb TV)

Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2014 adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s neo-noir novel Inherent Vice tells the story of down-on-his-luck private detective Larry “Doc” Sportello (Joaquin Phoenix) as he attempts to get to the bottom of a mystery involving a wealthy real-estate tycoon set in the psychedelic world of 1970s Los Angeles.

Why it’s worth watching: Throughout Inherent Vice, Doc encounters one over-the-top character after another, including Tariq Khalil (Michael K. Williams), a member of the Black Guerrilla Family who hires him to hunt down a member of the Aryan Brotherhood who owes him big. And that is just one of the situations Doc finds himself wrapped up in throughout this sprawling affair.

Stream Inherent Vice on IMDb TV.

Rent/Buy Inherent Vice on Amazon.

There will never be anything that will take the place of Michael K. Williams, but each and every one of those movies and TV shows can help remind us of the amazing and versatile talent of one of the greatest actors of our time.

The explosion of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant is one of history's most infamous catastrophes, having been the focus of several realistic dramas, and even a highly fictionalized horror flick. Yet, no depiction of the tragedy has been as realistic or horrific as the 2019 HBO miniseries, Chernobyl.

Creator Craig Mazin’s Golden Globe-winning, five-episode event was watched by millions of viewers brave enough to witness the unsettling terror that brave Ukrainians had to endure in 1986 to safely evacuate Chernobyl following the explosion. The HBO series’ sharp writing and brutal authenticity was enough to get people interested in history again, something we do not give television enough credit for these days.

There is plenty to learn from your favorite streaming services, through which you will find shows like Chernobyl that both educate and entertain. These 11 historical dramas are some of the best examples.

Band Of Brothers (Amazon Prime, HBO NOW)

Another one of the most acclaimed historical miniseries to air on HBO is this World War II era drama from executive producers Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, who had collaborated on the similarly harrowing war epic Saving Private Ryan. What separates Band of Brothers from that Oscar-winning drama is the inclusion of recorded interviews with the actual veterans who inspired the series.

Band of Brothers retells the experiences of Easy Company, the 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, from basic training, to D-Day, and all the way to the end of the second World War. Starring recognizable faces like Donnie Wahlberg, Damian Lewis, and Michael Fassbender, this Golden Globe-winner for Best Miniseries in 2002 is a fascinating and often heartbreaking 10-episode story of extraordinary tasks that ordinary men were forced to do. Stream it on Amazon Prime here or HBO NOW here.

Vikings (Hulu)

For years, The History Channel has been the premiere place on TV to watch nothing else but smart people recounting commenting on everything in history from the Renaissance to evidence that aliens built the pyramids. That was until the network introduced its first scripted series, Vikings, starring Warcraft actor Travis Fimmel as Ragnar Lothbok, a figure of Norse legend said to be one of the fiercest warriors of the 13th Century who seeks to explore, and conquer, distant places along with his Viking brethren.

From the creator of Showtime’s King Henry VIII-focused drama The Tudors, the Emmy-nominated Vikings is an action-packed period drama, currently in its sixth and final season, that creatively imagines the time when taking control over land was as simple as taking candy from a baby… whilst equipped with swords and shields. Also, be on the lookout for the upcoming Netflix original spin-off, Vikings: Valhalla. Stream it on Hulu here.

Hell On Wheels (Netflix)

In 2007, AMC really hit the ground running with their first original scripted series, Mad Men, which dramatizes the world of advertising in 1960s New York. For their next attempt at a period drama, they decided to go even further into the past, with a show focusing on the early years following the Civil War through the eyes of one angry former Confederate soldier.

Anson Mount (perhaps the most perfect name an actor cast in a western series could ever have) plays Cullen Bohannon, who, in order to find and punish the Union soldiers who murdered his wife, joins the development of the Transcontinental Railroad, hence Hell on Wheels. Musician/actor Common also stars as a freed slave working security on the railroad for four of this drama’s five seasons that may be fictional, but paint an accurate portrait of America’s uncivilized path to civilization. Stream it on Netflix here.

Narcos (Netflix)

Netflix sure does love its true crime, as another series on this list will provide further evidence to. In addition to countless documentaries about the most notorious criminals in history, the streaming service also brought Columbian drug lord Pablo Escobar to Emmy-nominated glory with its original drama Narcos.

The three seasons of Narcos and its spin-off Narcos: Mexico, the second season of which drops February 13, follows real-life lawmen, such as DEA agent Javier Pena (The Mandalorian’s Pedro Pascal), and the drug kingpins they trailed throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s. It is a complex and thrilling account of why America’s war on drugs is such a fitting title. Stream it on Netflix here.

Deadwood (Amazon Prime, HBO NOW)

As Chernobyl, Band of Brothers, and a couple soon-to-be-mentioned series may prove, HBO has often gotten lucky with its historical accounts. One of its most acclaimed, and accurate, examples is this short-lived, Emmy-winning western Deadwood.

Set in the 1870s in the titular South Dakota town where crime and corruption run deep, the series dramatizes the clashing lives of actual people who lived in Deadwood, such as lawman Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant) and saloon owner Al Swearengen (Ian McShane, who won a Golden Globe in 2005 for his devilish role). Deadwood’s three seasons and 2019 feature-length sequel are a grim reminder that the Old West was certainly no picnic. Stream it on Amazon Prime here or on HBO NOW here.

Mindhunter (Netflix)

At this point, Netflix is practically the ultimate hub to satisfy your true crime needs, from both an original scripted film and four-part documentary on Ted Bundy to the story of the infamously honest Henry Lee Lucas in The Confession Killer. Of course, you have to wonder if those investigative series would have existed if not for the game-changing FBI agents who inspired the acclaimed crime drama Mindhunter.

David Fincher serves as executive producer, and has directed several episodes, of this Emmy-nominated series that depicts the controversial development of criminal profiling in the 1970s by two pioneer FBI agents played by Jonathan Groff and Holt McCallany. After only two seasons, Mindhunter has been put on indefinite hold, but hopefully comes back soon as fans are dying to see what other historical psychopaths will join the likes of Charles Manson and Son of Sam as the show’s next interview subjects. Stream it on Netflix here.

TURN: Washington’s Spies (Netflix)

After the success of Mad Men and Hell on Wheels, AMC figured there was nowhere to go but even further backwards. This time, they optioned for a series centered on an especially pressing time in the history of the United States with an intriguing espionage twist.

British actor Jamie Bell leads the series as real-life American farmer Abraham Woodhull, who is recruited into Culper Ring, an organization under George Washington’s order tasked with spying on the British Army at the height of the Revolutionary War. Over the course of four seasons, TURN: Washington’s Spies reveals the untold story of how America’s first secret agents became instrumental to officializing the country’s independence. Stream it on Netflix here.

John Adams (Amazon Prime, HBO NOW)

Of course, we cannot forget the debt of gratitude that America owes to John Adams, a prominent historical figure devoted to truth and honesty, even if that meant defending British Troops in the Boston Massacre trial during a time of great conflict within the Colonies. HBO’s acclaimed miniseries chronicles the Founding Father’s career as an attorney, diplomat, and the country’s second president.

Emmys, Golden Globes, and Screen Actors Guild awards were given to Paul Giamatti for his performance in the title role and Laura Linney as his wife, Abigail, in John Adams, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning biography by David McCullough. The seven-part 2008 television event is a beautifully acted and wonderfully told depiction of how John Adams had one of the most important roles in the history of the United States. Stream it on Amazon Prime here or on HBO NOW here.

The Crown (Netflix)

As for powerful dramas focusing on prominent historical figures in the United Kingdom, this Netflix original is one of its few docu-dramas that centers on a much less grim topic. The Crown chronicles the earlier days of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, during which the British Empire faces much political strife.

Both actresses to portray Elizabeth at different times in her life (Claire Foy for the first two seasons and Olivia Colman for the most recent third) have received Golden Globes for their performances, not to mention John Lithgow’s Emmy win for playing former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The Crown is an expertly researched and impeccably acted retelling of Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace’s histories behind closed doors. Stream it on Netflix here.

Boardwalk Empire (Amazon Prime, HBO NOW)

Creator Terence Winter took a few creative liberties with this series that depicts bootlegging operations in Atlantic City during the Prohibition Era. However, don’t worry. One of the biggest inaccuracies is some very loosely changed names.

Steve Buscemi gives a Golden Globe-winning performance as corrupt Atlantic City Politician Enoch “Nucky” Thompson, a fictionalized counterpart to Atlantic City politician Enoch “Nucky” Johnson who is known for conspiring with the likes of Al Capone and other mobsters to smuggle alcohol throughout its unlawful period. Martin Scorsese directed the pilot, as well as served as executive producer for all five seasons of Boardwalk Empire, a series that exposes how far people would go for a drink in the 1920s. Stream it on Amazon Prime here or on HBO NOW here.

Ripper Street (Netflix)

Film and TV audiences have a deep fascination with unsolved crimes, the fact that Jack the Ripper has been the subject of countless works of fiction being one prime example. However, what sets Victorian crime procedural Ripper Street apart from other TV series inspired by London’s most notorious murderer is that it takes place years after his reign had ended, but his ominous presence in the streets of London remained.

Ripper Street, which lasted five seasons on BBC from 2012-2016, follows the police district of Whitechapel as they struggle to maintain order in late 19th Century London in the aftermath of Jack the Ripper’s elusive killing spree. The series is a fascinating depiction of how the criminal justice system operated in the past, as well as an intriguing commentary on the distressing ripple effect of violence. Stream it on Netflix here.

History buffs need not rely on their encyclopedia to quench their thirst for knowledge any longer but, instead, just a couple of streaming service subscriptions. Be sure to check back for more updates on fact-based TV series and other streaming recommendations here at CinemaBlend.

Remember when a family drama was defined as a series about a family of good-natured people struggling to overcome the obstacles of their environment? Well, considering the popularity of Ozark, starring Jason Bateman as the father of a family laundering money for a Mexican drug cartel, that definition is a rarity now.

The Golden Globe-nominated Netflix original hit is one of a longstanding trend of dramas that are now about seemingly good-natured people struggling to overcome the consequences of their self-destructive tendencies. There is something so addicting about watching despicable low-lives fixing to prolong a squeaky-clean reputation, and Ozark is just one example.

As you wait to see more of Jason Bateman and Laura Linney’s “money problems” when Ozark returns to Netflix on March 27, if you are dying to indulge in more family drama -- in some cases, at its criminally darkest -- allow us to help you narrow down your search. These are 11 recommendations that make This Is Us look like Leave It to Beaver.

Bates Motel (Netflix)

Alfred Hitchcock shocked the world with one of the most unsettling killers in cinematic history, Norman Bates, portrayed by Anthony Perkins in the filmmaker’s adaptation of Robert Bloch’s novel Psycho. Inspired by Ed Gein (like many onscreen slashers were), you have to wonder how a guy got so messed up to commit murder while impersonating his dead mother.

Bates Motel, a modern day-set prequel to Psycho, makes the typically ill-fated attempts to answer that question, but instead makes for some deliciously dark and exquisitely performed storytelling. The series, which ran for five seasons on A&E, chronicles the uncomfortably close mother-son relationship between Norma (Vera Farmiga) and teenage Norman Bates (Freddie Highmore), who own and operate an old Oregon motel where check-out time ends up coming too early for some guests. Stream it on Netflix here.

Bloodline (Netflix)

What earns someone the right to call themselves a good person? How far will someone go to protect their right to call themselves “good” and protect their family from a fate behind bars? Sometimes, people take it too far.

Behind the beautiful walls of their famous Florida Keys inn, the wealthy Rayburns are hiding dark secrets that even Sheriff John Rayburn (Friday Night Lights alum Kyle Chandler) will do anything to keep from getting out. The highly acclaimed Netflix series Bloodline, which ran for three seasons, earned a Golden Globe nomination for Ben Mendehlson’s performance as Danny Rayburn, the black sheep of the family whose return home gives their lavish existence an expiration date. Stream it on Netflix here.

Boardwalk Empire (HBO NOW)

For as good as the fictionalized criminal endeavors of Ozark do get, we understand that some of its biggest fans may also have a special soft spot for true crime. What might do the trick is this scripted HBO drama inspired by those who went to dangerous lengths all for a drink in the early 20th Century.

Boardwalk Empire stars Golden Globe-winner Steve Buscemi as Enoch “Nucky” Thompson, based on real-life Atlantic City politician Enoch “Nucky” Johnson who was convicted in 1941 for conspiring with the Mob to smuggle alcohol during the Prohibition Era, an alliance that also involved gambling and prostitution. Martin Scorsese serves as executive producer of this series that unveils the dark secrets of one of the most controversial periods in America’s history. Stream it on HBO NOW here.

Breaking Bad (Netflix)

If you are a fan of Ozark, you are probably already a fan of this revolutionary AMC hit. In fact, I would be willing to bet that the reason you started watching Ozark was because of all the comparisons to Breaking Bad it received when it first premiered on Netflix. Well, I certainly cannot blame you for that.

When high school chemistry teacher Walter White (a four-time Emmy-winning performance by Bryan Cranston) is diagnosed with lung cancer, he teams up with former student Jesse Pinkman (a three-time Emmy-winning performance by Aaron Paul) to start a methamphetamine manufacturing operation in an effort to make money to leave to his family. Breaking Bad cemented creator, and former The X-Files writer, Vince Gilligan as one of television’s most brilliant, and demented, storytellers by chronicling White’s fascinating metamorphosis from simple family man to ruthless criminal mastermind over five seasons. Once your addictive binge is cured, be sure to check out Netflix’s feature-length follow-up that puts Jesse in driver’s seat, El Camino. Stream it on Netflix here.

Colony (Netflix)

The intriguing irony of Ozark is how the Byrdes’ criminal activity is actually instrumental in bringing them, somewhat, closer together. For most modern day family dramas, the result is usually the opposite, even in, say, the wake of an alien invasion, like in this exciting drama.

After an alien race has occupied Los Angeles into its own inescapable colony, Will Bowman (Lost alum Josh Hollway) reluctantly agrees to help take down a growing resistance movement, inciting divisive consequences it will have between him and his wife (The Walking Dead’s Sarah Wayne Callies) and children. Colony, co-created by prolific producer Carlton Cuse, was cancelled by USA after three seasons, but has earned a small cult following for its fascinating, and culturally relevant, political themes that cleverly combine with a futuristic sci-fi tone. Stream it on Netflix here.

Desperate Housewives (Hulu)

For years, there was no topic more popular at the office water cooler on a Monday morning than whatever happened the night before on Wisteria Lane. Creator Marc Cherry made ABC’s primetime soap opera Desperate Housewives one of the most addictively suspenseful, and often hilarious, shows of the early 2000s.

After Mary Alice Young (Brenda Strong) mysteriously takes her own life, she becomes the narrator of the intricate lives of her friends and neighbors, including meek divorcee Susan Mayer (Teri Hatcher), ambitious career woman turned-stay-at-home mom Lynette Scavo (Felicity Huffman), luxury-obsessed former fashion model Gabrielle Solis (Eva Longoria), OCD-plagued housewife Bree Van De Kamp (Marcia Cross), and sex-crazed narcissist Edie Britt (Nicolette Sheridan), who all get tangentially wrapped up in twisted situations involving infidelity, power-hungry manipulation, and murder. Who knew one picturesque neighborhood could be home to such insanity? Stream it on Hulu here.

Fargo (Hulu)

Joel and Ethan Coen became two of the hottest names in filmmaking for their Oscar-winning 1996 dark comedy Fargo, in which a financially desperate, Minnesota car salesman’s (William H. Macy) disastrous ransom scheme gets the attention of an intrepid (and pregnant) police chief (Frances McDormand). There are more twisted stories of good Midwesterners gone bad where that came from in Noah Hawley’s spin-off.

Each season of this multi-award-winning FX anthology series tells a new, star-studded story of cold-blooded, comical suspense in low temperature climates, including a hitman’s influence on a meek insurance salesman, a young 1970s couple’s fatal hit-and-run, and a struggling probation officer’s failed attempt to rob his successful twin brother. Fargo is now entering its fourth season, starring Chris Rock as the head of a black crime syndicate in 1950s Kansas City, Missouri. Stream it on Hulu here.

Narcos (Netflix)

To once again reference Breaking Bad in an article meant to have Ozark as the prime focus, in 2016, Walter White actor Bryan Cranston switched to the lawful side of the war on drugs as a U.S. Customs agent taking on Pablo Escobar in the true crime drama The Infiltrator. At that time, the Columbian drug lord was also a big name in television, thanks to this scripted Netflix original drama that chronicled his criminal exploits.

Narcos is a complex and chilling look into the violent conflicts between Pablo Escobar, and other various drug kingpins, and the law enforcement assigned to take him down, including The Mandalorian star Pedro Pascal as DEA agent Javier Pena. When you are done binging all three seasons, you might want to check out its spin-off, Narcos: Mexico, which is entering its second season on February 13. Stream it on Netflix here.

Schitt’s Creek (Netflix)

In addition to its disturbing suspense, Ozark is at its juiciest when Jason Bateman’s Marty Byrde and his family experience a culture clash with the “redneck” locals, who actually turn out to be rarely what their stereotypes suggest. The redneck locals of the titular small town of comedy series Schitt’s Creek are very heavily associated with their stereotypes, and hilariously so.

In the absence of their business manager, wealthy socialites Johnny (Eugene Levy) and Moira Rose (Catherine O’Hara) and their spoiled adult children David (Levy’s real son Dan) and Alexis (Annie Murphy) suddenly lose everything, they must make themselves at home in their one remaining asset: the hick community of Schitt’s Creek, which they once bought as a joke. In case you need some comic relief from your binge of dark family drama, this beloved rags-to-riches comedy, which is currently in its sixth and final season on Pop TV, is the perfect choice. Stream it on Netflix here.

The Sinner (Netflix)

Shows like Ozark, Fargo, and Breaking Bad have taught us that sometimes a moment of desperation and a little push are all it takes to send even the meekest law-abiding citizens on a tenuous tightrope act above the law. However, this USA drama takes a more complex dive into answering the question as to why ordinary people suddenly turn to crime.

Bill Pullman’s Screen Actor’s Guild Award-nominated role as Detective Harry Ambrose is the connective tissue of this anthology series about bizarre crimes committed by unlikely suspects, such as Jessica Biel’s Season 1 character, unable to explain her brutal murder of a stranger. The Sinner, which will premiere its third season in February, is a shocking mystery thriller that will keep you obsessively guessing until the end of each story. Stream it on Netflix here.

Jason Bateman sure is great at playing a family man whose life is turned horrifically upside-down by money problems (and I’m just talking about Arrested Development), but whenever your addiction to Ozark needs a remedy, these 11 other series should be a great alternative. Be sure to check back for more updates on the Midwestern-set crime drama and other streaming recommendations here at CinemaBlend.

Spoilers if you haven't watched the fifth and final season of Boardwalk Empire, yet!

HBO’s Boardwalk Empire wrapped up its run last year with an eight-episode season. In addition to jumping ahead to 1931 and following protagonist Nucky Thompson navigating the Great Depression, the series also flashed back to his younger years, and the latter half of the season showed how then-Sheriff Thompson met a young Gillian Darmody, the girl he would pimp out to his employer The Commodore. In the show’s final moments, Nucky was gunned down by Gillian’s grandson Tommy Darmody, who was carrying out revenge for all the pain that Nucky had inflicted on his family. While fans and critics were split on the ending, series lead Steve Buscemi believe it was a great conclusion for the gangster drama.

In a recent AMA, Buscemi was asked by a fan if he was happy with the way the series ended, specifically with how Nucky’s fate was handed. Overall, the actor was satisfied with how the character he played for five years met his end, though admittedly surprised. Said Buscemi:

Nucky and Gillian may not have shared many scenes, but their complicated relationship always loomed in the background throughout the show’s run. Her son Jimmy had spent his childhood looking up to Nucky as a father figure, and began working for him when Season 1 kicked off. When Jimmy discovered that Nucky had arranged the sexual affair between his mother and The Commodore, he joined with others to overthrow Nucky from his position of power. This power struggle ended with Jimmy being gunned down by Nucky in the Season 2 finale. Nucky and Gillian were at odds for the remainder of the series, and while he tried to make amends in the final episode, by that point it was too late. She had been locked away in a sanitarium and had undergone a horrific surgical treatment.

Buscemi also admitted that although the series would occasionally touch on the Nucky’s past, it was hard for him to get a complete grasp of his character until the series concluded.

In the end, it was Nucky’s thirst for power that led to his downfall. By handing off the 12 yeard-old Gillian to The Commodore in a last-ditch effort to keep his job as sheriff, he took the first step to wielding tremendous power and influence, but he also set into motion events that would lead to Tommy killing him in retribution. Decades of manipulation and greed resulted in Nucky being shot by the third generation member of a family he had screwed over in the very city that he once controlled. 

You can check out the rest of the Reddit AMA for the documentary Check It here. 

When you've had a steady TV gig like Jack Huston did on Boardwalk Empire, it's always nerve wracking when that gig comes to an end. While trying to transfer to films is always an option, it doesn't always work for actors primarily known for their work on the small screen. Lucky for Huston though, he has a gig playing the lead in Ben Hur already lined up. And if Relativity Studios has their way, he could be filling the recently vacated lead in the remake of The Crow.

Deadline has the inside track on information that pegs Jack, paternal nephew of Angelica Huston, in the lead role of Eric Draven. Draven, who becomes the eponymous hero after being slain alongside his pregnant fiancee, lives a second life for vengeance against the criminal scum that took away his ultimate happiness. The 1994 Alex Proyas-directed original is a cult classic, with Brandon Lee's performance creating an instantly memorable character that's lived on to this very day.

While Jack Huston's film credits are a bit scattered, he's racked up experience in franchises like Twilight, prestige pictures like American Hustle, and indie hits like Kill Your Darlings. His resume reads like that of a versatile crowd pleaser, especially when you take into account his soulful portrayal of wounded war veteran turned mob enforcer Richard Harrow. That role alone is what skyrocketed Huston's career to the level that it's at today, and judging by the consistently nuanced work he put into the several years he worked on Boardwalk Empire, it's no surprise that he'd be considered fit to handle the dramatics, as well as the physical action, that The Crow has to offer.

It’s important to mention that Huston isn't the first choice for The Crow's leading man, as the role has had a bit of a revolving door effect going on these last few years. Originally it was Bradley Cooper at the front of the line of actors being solicited. Then it was names like Tom Hiddleston and Alexander Skarsgard being tossed out as potential candidates for the part, but they never became officially attached. For a long time it looked like Luke Evans was going to be the Crow to rule them all – but that illusion held up until recently, when Evans left the project. Should Huston accept the role, it would go a long way to dispelling any superstition surrounding a remake of the project that, sadly, is identified with claiming Brandon Lee's life in a tragic accident.

Tragedy aside, a remake of The Crow could turn out to be a really good idea, especially with Jack Huston's talents stepping in behind the makeup. The lethal, yet dour qualities of Boardwalk Empire's Richard Darrow would fit perfectly in the Eric Draven mold of emotion and revenge. More importantly, Huston is famous enough to be recognized on the street, but he's not so much a household name that casting him in the role would rock any boats. With his presence in the role, Jack Huston's Eric Draven could be the most threatening, yet most somber Crow ever. That alone is worth the ticket price.

For now though, you can look forward to Jack Huston playing Ben Hur, which should be in production if it's going to make it to theaters in March 2016 as planned.

Boardwalk Empire has only just come to an end on HBO, but there are already rumors that it might make a return -- this time on the big screen. And these rumors have been started by none other than Mark Wahlberg, who worked on the series as a producer.

Mark Wahlberg made these remarks while out promoting his new film, a remake of the 1974 classic The Gambler, and during a discussion with the radio show Ralphie Tonight he insisted that he now plans to try and turn Boardwalk Empire into a movie. In fact he revealed that he wants to follow the same path as the upcoming Entourage film for the Prohibition drama. And he has even picked out the perfect director for his proposed Boardwalk Empire film: a certain Martin Scorsese.

Scorsese previously directed Boardwalk Empire’s pilot episode back when it first hit the small screen in 2010. However even before he oversaw the filming of the opening installment of Boardwalk Empire, he helped to establish the look of the show during discussions with its creator, Terence Winter. And while he didn’t direct any more episodes of Boardwalk Empire, Martin Scorsese was still listed as one of its executive producers. Martin Scorsese and Terence Winter also have previous collaborations in the feature film field, too. Winter wrote the script for the legendary director’s most recent film, The Wolf Of Wall Street, and the critical acclaim that the film received showed that they make a rather good team.

Now, I should point out to all of you Boardwalk Empire novices that this article is about to venture into SPOILER territory. And this isn’t just a teeny tiny spoiler. This is the sort of spoiler that will immediately ruin Boardwalk Empire for you and would even probably convince you not to see a potential big-screen adaptation. So proceed with caution.

Are they gone? Good. So those of you who are still here will be very much aware that Boardwalk Empire’s main character, Nucky Thompson, who was played by Steve Buscemi throughout the show’s five season run, perished in the last episode. But after being reminded of this by Ralphie Aversa, Mark Wahlberg insisted, "We can always go back."

Ah, the prequel route. That’s because British actor Marc Pickering did a sublime job playing the young Nucky Thompson during the show’s final season. These episodes showcased the character’s rise to prominence in Atlantic City during the late 1800s, alongside Nucky’s struggles with some of New York’s most prominent gangsters in 1932. Marc Pickering seamlessly adopted the same unique traits and mannerisms as Buscemi while portraying Nucky, and even though I have to admit that the addition of this back-story seemed a little unnecessary, he still excelled.

But would a Boardwalk Empire movie work? I think it could. The prohibition era is rich terrain for movies, as is the gangster genre. And while Nucky Thompson was actually a bit of a boring lead character -- which was one of the reasons Boardwalk Empire never truly blossomed into one of the all-time great television shows, in my opinion -- a film populated with the likes of Arnold Rothstein, Lucky Luciano, Al Capone and Bugsy Siegel could prosper. Especially if both Terence Winter and Martin Scorsese are involved. Because, just in case you don’t know, the latter is kind of a big deal.

January isn’t typically the biggest month for Blu-ray, DVD and streaming releases, but thanks to the glories of awards season and midseason premieres on television, there’s quite a bit of good stuff popping up over the next several weeks, ranging from Nightcrawler to the latest season of HBO’s Girls. If you want to know when your favorite movies are headed onto Blu-ray and DVD, as well as streaming services, this list is one to peruse. Check back each week for new reviews!

January 6

No Good Deed Blu-ray

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment’s latest thriller may use a lot of basic tricks to set the mood in No Good Deed, but nothing can compete with Idris Elba’s onscreen presence and Taraji P. Henson’s ability to look wide-eyed and kick ass at the same time. The movie is about a stranger, Colin (Elba) who invades a woman named Terry’s (Henson) home on a rainy night. While elements of the script could have been a little compelling, the movie looks great on Blu-ray, despite a nighttime setting and plenty of dark scenes. It’s a little light on the bonus features with three featurettes "Making A Thriller", "The Thrill Of A Good Fight," and "Good Samaritan," but you can purchase the set here.

Boyhood Blu-ray

Richard Linklater’s latest movie, Boyhood, has been praised for its core concept—following a young boy who grows into a young man over a period of more than a decade, a monumental achievement considering Linklater and leads Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette had no idea if the kid actors would pan out as they started to deal with much tougher material. But Ellar Coltrane and Lorelei Linklater crush it, giving us a movie that reminds viewers of and sometimes adequately reflects our childhoods. Boyhood had a small release and didn’t make it into a ton of theaters. That being said, IFC has put out a nice Blu-ray set that takes a fascinating look behind-the-scenes of the making of the movie. These aren’t always the best segments, but with a movie that took 12 years to make, you’ll learn how Linklater originally outlined the movie and how it changed as his cast changed and grew older. It’s pretty great. You can grab the set for a great sale price here.

Girls: The Complete Third Season DVD

The packaging for HBO Home Entertainment’s comedies has routinely never been as spectacular as their dramas, likely because the comedies are a less lucrative enterprise. Plus, since there are no CGi’d dragons, it doesn’t matter whether or not you watch the set in glorious HD picture. The DVD set for Girls: The Complete Third Season features Hannah (Lena Dunham), Marnie (Allison Williams), Shoshanna (Zosia Mamet) and Jessa (Jemima Kirke) as they go on a brand new set of misadventures that end up landing them back at square one by the end of the season. Which should set things up pretty nicely during Season 4, which hits the TV schedule this weekend. You can catch up with Girls via HBO Go or order the set over at Amazon.

Other January 6 Blu-ray And DVD Releases

Archer (Vice): The Complete Fifth Season

Black Sails: The Complete First Season

Horns

Looking: The Complete First Season

Left Behind

Get On Up

Dinosaur 13

January 6 Early Digital Releases

Lucy

No Good Deed

Laggies

The Newsroom, Season 3

The Scorpion King 4

Love Is Strange

January 13

Boardwalk Empire: The Complete Fifth Season DVD

HBO graciously gave Boardwalk Empire a shortened fifth season during which the show was able to wrap up its storyline. In order to do that Terence Winter and the gang shot ahead to 1931. While the time hopping is chunky and the episode count is shorter (8 total) than fans would like, Boardwalk Empire: The Complete Fifth Season capably wraps up HBO’s Chicago, New York and Atlantic City-based drama in a manner that finishes up the stories of Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi), Eli Thompson(Shea Whigham), Al Capone (Stephen Graham), Nelson Van Alden (Michael Shannon) and the other colorful personalities on the show. With so many endings and some new beginnings, the show doesn’t hold back on either the violence or strategy that captivated audiences through the episodes that came before. HBO Home Entertainment’s set is slimmer than most HBO sets, and the big extra is "Scouting the Boardwalk," which looked at how the behind-the-scenes team made the 20th Century come to life on the small screen. HBO also tossed in a freebie: the first two episodes of the acclaimed Steven Soderbergh series The Knick.

Men, Women & Children Blu-ray

Director Jason Reitman’s latest film Men, Women and Children takes a look at technology and consumption and the myriad of ways that our relationships are affected by modern-day communications. The story follows an ensemble cast and hops perspectives frequently, with certain characters’ stories overlapping. Most compelling among these is Judy Greer’s Donna Clint, a mother who developed a risqué website to post her daughter, Hannah’s (Olivia Crocicchia), photos. Don and Helen Truby (Adam Sandler and Rosemarie DeWitt) are busy learning to use the internet as a tool to meet other people, missing out on the fact that their son Chris (Travis Tope) has a porn issue. The stories themselves are well-layered and intriguing, but they are set to a narrator (Emma Thompson) who is obsessed with discussing things on a grand scale. For a movie that tries to be grandiose, Paramount Home Entertainment’s Blu-ray set scales down to just a few extras, including deleted scenes and two featurettes, "Virtual Intimacy" and "Seamless Interface." Men, Women & Children is worth a watch for its underlying statements about relationships, but it may be one to rent.

Gone Girl Blu-ray

Gone Girl is a slow, crazy burn. It’s a character study involving ridiculous people, and a carefully put together thriller that keeps audiences guessing. Perhaps more importantly, it’s a book adaptation in all the best ways. It takes the general outline and sticks to it, but it changes portions of the material that are clearly problems. It’s a master work by director David Fincher, and while it didn’t net as many Oscar nominations as some would have hoped, it did snag a nomination for lead actress Rosamund Pike who crushes it as Amy, the title character and protagonist of the fictional series of children’s books Amazing Amy. The Gone Girl set comes with a sample book from the series, as well as an army of special features. In all, it's the type of set you would expect from a movie that's so diligent, detail oriented and complicated.

January 13 Blu-ray And DVD Releases

The Twilight Saga: Extended Editions Twilight/New Moon/Eclipse Blu-ray

Jessabelle

The Scorpion King 4: Quest For Power

The Identical

The Two Faces Of January

Revenge of the Green Dragons

Love Is Strange

Rudderless DVD

Duck Dynasty: Before the Dynasty DVD

Middle of Nowhere DVD

Wetlands

January 13 Early Digital Releases

Ouija

Jessabelle

Bird People

January 20

Lucy Blu-ray

Lucy’s a fast-paced action movie with less-than-modest intentions. Director Luc Besson loosely ties in solid action with the idea that the brain can’t achieve more than 10% capacity. When a new drug enters Lucy’s (Scarlett Johansson) system, the young woman begins experiencing enhanced powers, including telekinesis and mind-reading. She may not have much time, but Besson’s sensory movie is sometimes nonsensical, but is more often fun and involving and is worth a first watch or a re-watch, depending on whether you caught the film during its initial release. Fans of Universal Studios Home Entertainment’s film should find a smartly packaged Blu-ray set.

Annabelle Blu-ray

Annabelle is the prequel to the hit horror flick The Conjuring. As such, there were high expectations going into the release of the Warner Bros. Film. Luckily, it has perhaps the world’s creepiest horror prop going into the movie it its title character, Annabelle, a possessed doll who causes trouble for young mother Mia (Annabelle Wallis) and bookstore owner Evelyn (Alfre Woodard) who unite causes to take down the evil in the doll. There’s nothing new about the setup or premise in the movie, but it certainly has its moments, and the doll itself should frighten sufficiently. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment’s set is a perfect companion to The Conjuring, although the extras on the set are nothing to write home about. Eight deleted scenes comprise a big chunk of the bonus features, and a few short featurettes are also included. It’s currently running as a bestseller on Amazon and you can nab the flick for a sale price.

The Boxtrolls Blu-ray

Laika has been putting together reasonably scary kids flicks like ParaNorman for the past several years. In 2014, the animation company embraced the weirdness even further with The Box Trolls, a family-friendly flick about an orphan named Eggs (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) who meets a snob named Winnie (Elle Fanning) and collectively use their oddball skill sets to save a group trolls named the Boxtrolls from the villainous Snatcher (Ben Kingsley), who wants to exterminate them. The likable thing about the stop-motion animation that Laika produces is that there is a lot going on in both the forefront and background in every scene, which gives kids and parents a lot to look at. Additionally, there are off-color jokes for the adults and plenty of fun gags for the kids, throughout. (If your child doesn’t shout "jelly" in the car a few times on the way home, I’d be surprised.) Peppered with lovely featurettes that are more for the interested adults than the kiddos and feature commentary from Directors Graham Annable and Anthony Stacci, The Boxtrolls is a welcome addition to the Laika cannon, although I don’t know if I’ll dust this Universal Studios Home Entertainment set off and pop it in as often as I will ParaNorman.

Check out a sampling of the bonus features with this exclusive clip.

Other January 20 Blu-ray And DVD Releases

Little House On The Prairie: Season 4 Blu-ray

The Zero Theorem Life’s A Breeze The Pirates

A Bet’s A Bet DVD

January 20 Early Digital Releases

Dear White People

Dracula Untold

The Best Of Me

January 27

Fury Blu-ray

There have been plenty of World War II movies, but David Ayer’s Fury is the first one that really puts us into the belly of the tank. It’s a movie that reminds me a bit of Norman Mailer’s classic novel The Naked and The Dead in that it is gutsy and filled with deeply detailed personalities that have been affected and change during the course of the war. Brad Pitt rocks a scar as Don "Wardaddy Collier," a soldier with a kind streak who bonds with newbie Norman "Machine" Ellison. The two are part of a tank crew that also includes Gordo (Michael Pena), Bible (Shia LeBouf), and Coon-Ass (Jon Bernthal). The movie is engaging but I wouldn’t call it entertaining, rather, Fury is an unsentimental, swaggering movie that doesn’t relent until the very end, after it’s given us every ounce of courage from the soldiers that populate the pages of its script. It’s an interesting movie, and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment’s Blu-ray set is also worth a perusal, with a ton of deleted scenes (the press release says 50 minutes and it felt like an hour’s worth of extra content that adds to the story) and a "Directors Combat Journal" featurette, which looks at Director David Ayers experience with the complications of shooting tank warfare and more. You get a lot with the R-rated set, and you can get it for a reasonable price right now.

The Judge Blu-ray

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment’s release is a big one this week, thanks to Robert Duvall earning nods at this year’s awards ceremonies. David Dobkin’s thoughtful movie The Judge gets a lot of things right about living off a one-lane highway in Indiana. Characters get stuck behind the occasional tractor and stick close to home, thanks to enjoying the comfort of a close-knit community. The movie itself follows the troubled Hank Palmer, a high-end defense attorney with plenty of personal troubles, who heads home for the first time in years after his mother unexpectedly dies. While at home, he’s forced to confront the problems he has with the rest of his family, including brothers Glen and Dale (Vincent D’ and his father, Judge Joseph Palmer (Duvall). A murder case takes a backseat to the family dynamics, but overall The Judge is a pleasant movie to plow through. The Judge Blu-ray set has plenty of extras, but none are standouts. Check out the deleted scenes and the "Inside The Judge" feature.

Other January 27 Blu-ray And DVD Releases

PBS Masterpiece: Downton Abbey: Season 5

Justice League: Throne Of Atlantis

Open Windows

Mas Negro Que La Noche DVD

Big Driver DVD

January 27 Early Digital Releases

Nightcrawler

Kill The Messenger

The Remaining

Low Down

This poll is no longer available.

If you haven’t caught Boardwalk Empire’s series finale, we highly suggest you turn away right now. There are spoilers from the finale starting in the next paragraph. Everyone still here? Alright, here we go.

Last night, Boardwalk Empire aired the final episode of the drama’s final season. The episode settled the matter of Nucky Thompson’s fate for once and for all, in a scene that tied up loose ends and explained all of the flashbacks that were written into the final season. Nucky sat down to have a coffee and dish some advice out to his seemingly wayward former errand boy, Joe Harper, only to find out that Joel was in fact a teenaged Tommy Darmody, and he had been seeking revenge since he showed up on Nucky’s doorstep during Season 5. It’s an ending that wrapped up the series in a neat little package, but what’s more impressive is it’s an ending that former Boardwalk Empire star Michael Pitt called several months ago.

Way back in July, before Boardwalk Empire had even begun airing its fifth and final season, Pitt spoke to E! about the then impending finale. Here’s what he had to say about his dream ending for the series.

Pitt, who played Nucky’s protégé Jimmy Darmody on HBO’s Prohibition Era drama, was killed off at the end of Season 2. He was not a part of Boardwalk Empire’s later seasons, but he apparently still had an incredible pulse on the tone and the pace of the show. I’m not sure how many other non-writers on the show could have come up with that ending.

Still, most everyone had a feeling that Nucky was going to bite it in the last episode. The Season 5 slogan, after all, was “no one goes quietly,” and after Nucky survived the takeover of his Atlantic City enterprise and the various attacks on his life, those who still felt his death was imminent had to guess the writers had gotten creative with the ending. While we all knew there was something a little off about the eager-to-please Joe Harper, I’m not sure how many people were prescient enough to see the Tommy Darmody ending happening. Except apparently Michael Pitt, who called that ending months in advance.

The Boardwalk Empire finale took a stroll through history, showing fans the origins of Lucky Luciano’s criminal empire and the rise of the big crime families in New York, as well as the trial of the one and only Al Capone. It capably tied up loose ends and gave us an ending tying the entire fifth and final season together. Our own Jesse Carp called it a “writerly” ending, and I think it’s the perfect way to note the finale was simultaneously perfect and disappointing (at least when it comes to revealing Tommy Darmody's fate). It definitely still ranks in the annals of Boardwalk Empire deaths.

"The past is past. Nothing can change it."

Like so many of its characters, Boardwalk Empire is now deceased. "Eldorado," the eighth and final episode of the shortened final season, marks the end of a spectacular five year run. The current season had some missteps, but the bootlegging drama's finale packed a satisfying emotional punch, not to mention a few surprises. Oh, and deaths. The show obviously couldn't go out without a 'bang.' Or two. "Eldorado" was a(n almost too) fitting end for what's been one of television's most consistently compelling and exquisitely crafted series.

”Remember, all I did was for you. To leave you with something better.”

If you had told me beforehand that the most emotional storyline in the Boardwalk Empire finale would belong to Al Capone, I wouldn't have believed you; and yet the scene between him and his hearing-impaired son was heart-breaking. Having a character we haven't seen in a while resurface also fit perfectly with the season long exploration of the past.

And Al explicitly letting us know what he's been doing it all for only manages to highlight Nucky's loneliness. Earlier this season, Joe Kennedy said it right to his (and our) face(s), and a lot of the events in "Eldorado" reinforce the sad idea of building so much but having no one to inherit the empire. Capone's tip of his cap to Agent 'D'Angelo' (and us) in his last scene was a nice way to say goodbye to a character that's been around since the first episode.

”Anybody that ain't on board, and I mean anybody, they fucking go.”

Almost all of "Eldorado" was spent with characters introduced in the very beginning of Boardwalk and Lucky, Meyer and Benny are probably the only ones to get a happy ending. After managing to survive several bloody feuds and tense stand-offs over the years, the threesome have found themselves in a very powerful position advocated for peace. And they are willing to kill as many people as it takes to get it.

Lucky and Meyer taking over also ties into the generational themes that are at play in the finale. Whether it's handing over the torch, having no one to hand it to, or simply taking it, a change is coming. Gone are the Julius Caesars like Maranzano; instead, the seven 'businessmen' sit at a round table. Oh and, I probably wasn't the only one happy to see that Dr. Narcisse wasn't 'on board.' If only we were getting a Lucky, Meyer and Benny spin-off.

”Think about the things you want in life and then picture yourself in a dress.”

One could argue that Margaret also got a happy ending, and to some extent that's true. But hers is still tainted by her ties to Nucky and the rather slimy way that she plays the stock market. She just didn't start out as the type who would willingly bend the rules solely to make some money. Although, I guess this is still significantly better than her years living under Nucky's roof. And lightyears ahead of her time with Hans Schroeder.

You remember him? Well, she's definitely not under anyone's thumb anymore, able to go toe-to-toe with businessmen like Joe Kennedy and Nuck. Sometimes toe-to-toe means dancing, as it did in a final lovely scene to showcase the actors' off the charts chemistry. And to make Mr. Thompson's death all the more sad. The two people dancing could have had a nice life together but he always wanted the dime instead of the nickel.

”An act of charity.”

For the second week in a row, the flashbacks were actually compelling, probably because they were no longer focused on planting the seeds for things we already know were going to happen, and they instead finally showed us the things we already know were going to happen. I made that sentence repetitive on purpose to stress how boring and unimaginative flashbacks like these can be.

Having said that, it was still pretty devastating to watch Nucky talk Gillian into seeing the Commodore, especially since it stressed just how important pimping her out was to him securing the job as Sheriff. It's a pivotal moment in both of their lives and one that I was sure he would seek redemption for after receiving the letter from Nellie Bly. Nuck did pay her a visit but it was too late. The damage had already been done. Several times over. Is she Boardwalk's most tragic figure?

”Who are you?”

"Eldorado" also explained the ultimate reason why they based Boardwalk Empire around Nucky Thompson and not Nucky Johnson. I'm not saying Terence Winter planned on killing his protagonist in the final episode right from the beginning but it allowed for the showrunner and head writer to do so if he saw fit. Still, I always kind of figured they would stick to the historical script. That was until the theory that Joe Harper was actually Tommy Darmody turned out to be true.

I think it was around the time Nucky was bailing the drunk kid out of prison that I realized 'the blast from the past' was probably going to be the end game, especially given this season did everything it could to stress that history repeats itself. The reveal feels a little too perfect. Too writerly. It also means that Richard and Julia failed in their attempts to bring him up to be better than his father. That's far more tragic than Nucky getting gunned down. He had it coming. He wanted the gold.

"The old way of doing things, it's over."

HBO's Boardwalk Empire was created by Terence Winter and starred Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham, Vincent Piazza, Anatol Yusef, Michael Stuhlbarg Stephen Graham.

"To the lost!"

As morbid as it is to call a death 'great,' or rank them, for that matter, Boardwalk Empire saw so many characters meet their untimely end during its five-season run that showing some appreciation for the often exquisite ways the now deceased HBO's bootlegging drama did away with its characters is only fitting. A macabre but well-deserved spotlight given the spectacular series' penchant for producing sometimes brutal, sometimes beautiful and always memorable departures. It was kill or be killed.

What makes a TV death great? Well, some are shocking, some are extremely emotional and some are just downright disturbing. Many on the list are all three. Here are the 35 greatest deaths on Boardwalk Empire. It should be noted there are spoilers in this list if you are not fully caught up on every episode of Boardwalk Empire.

35. Hammonton Hijacking

It only seems fitting to kick off the list of Boardwalk Empire's greatest deaths with one that occurred in the pilot. Jimmy and Al, Nucky and Torrio's muscle at the time, struck up a friendship when they met early in the episode titled ”Boardwalk Empire" and it didn't take long for the two to stick up one of Arnold Rothstein's shipments. The hijacking goes south pretty fast and the masked robbers (the masks looked rad) are forced to gun down everyone there. This includes Jimmy hunting one guy into the forest and sticking the shotgun right in his face. It's a beautiful rack-focus shot from the master Martin Scorsese that sets the gorgeously grisly bar high for the rest of the series.

34. Mr. Bennett

It's a testament to Boardwalk Empire that Mr. Bennett's suicide, which we rightfully called one of HBO's most shocking scenes, appears so early on the greatest death list. The moment in the fifth season premiere when Margaret's boss stops delivering his upbeat speech and pulls out a revolver was such an abrupt tonal shift that no one could have foreseen what happened next. Boardwalk is well known for the many murders that have been committed over the course of its run but the several suicides are just as spectacular. This is just the first.

33. Jim Neary

The second season finale, ”To the Lost,” was a bloodbath. There's just no other way to put it. Several minor and major characters met their untimely ends in the game-changing episode. Seriously, Boardwalk Empire was never the same after this one. Not a complaint, the bootlegging series just started being more thematically driven. Jim Neary's death, in a wonderful montage reminiscent of The Godfather, carries even more weight now that the viewer has seen him and Nucky as kids. This was a long-time relationship that came to an incredibly violent end. Jimmy and Richard, perhaps our most prolific pair of hitmen, force the State's witness to write a suicide note/confession before blowing his brains out.

32. Joe Masseria

At one time, Lucky Luciano would have done his own killing, but after the seven-year jump between seasons four and five, he's now in a position that allows him to delegate the dirty work. And his position only improves after the off-screen hit on Joe Masseria during "Golden Days for Boys and Girls." Joe the Boss was his boss until Tonino and Benny took care of him (as Lucky stared himself down in the mirror). It's a lovely scene, following Luciano showing his grief as the murder is taking place--although he does seem a little more contemptuous while standing over the body. "The fight is over."

31. Dean O’Banion

This death should probably rank higher on the list, since Dean O'Banion was a primary antagonist for a few of Boardwalk Empire's central characters. And that's probably why the otherwise incredibly visceral hit on the Chicago crime-boss doesn't feel as special as it could be if either Van Alden or Capone had personally pulled the trigger. Still, it was pretty satisfying to see the annoying thorn in the Chicago scene's side get what was coming to him in "Marriage and Hunting." And what was coming was about 20 bullet holes. It was especially clever for the hitman to shake O'Banion's hand because it leaves only his left free for him to try and defend himself.

30. Hans Schroeder

Hans Schroeder only appeared in one episode, the titular pilot, but he's a very important figure in the series. Margaret's first husband was sure easy to hate, an abusive drunk who ended up killing their unborn child, so it was 'nice' to see Nucky step in and put a stop to the violence. With more violence. Of course, the boss of Atlantic City's underworld didn't do the deed himself; instead, he dispatched Eli and his deputy to beat the wife-beater to death and dump him in the ocean. Hans definitely deserved his fate and soon his kids would be calling the man who had him killed dad.

29. Frank Capone

Even though he wasn't a major character, every time Al Capone's brother Frank was onscreen he stood out. Mostly, because he was the voice of reason in the increasingly insane operation run by his unstable brother. In true Boardwalk Empire fashion, it was exactly this dynamic that then figured into the more reasonable Capone's demise in "Erlkonig." During a huge brawl that breaks out when Al tries to force a bunch of factory workers to vote his way, Frank is shot at least a hundred times. The full Sonny Corleone treatment.

28. Agent Emmett L. Coughlin

As you can see, there have been a lot of murders on Boardwalk Empire over the years yet Agent Coughlin's death might be the most macabre. There's something supremely unsettling about a married couple killing together, especially when the sick act only seems to strengthen their bond. In "You'd Be Surprised," Van Alden, now going by George Mueller, and his second wife Sigrid bludgeon and then suffocate the nosy federal agent right in their living room. There's no denying the teamwork involved but, well, there are better ways to make a relationship stronger. "Please, avert your eyes."

27. Salvatore Maranzano

There have been many casualties in Lucky, Meyer and Benny's recent rise through the ranks and "Friendless Child," the penultimate episode of the entire series, featured one of Boardwalk Empire's most stylish hits. The trio of gangsters not only manage to make Nucky surrender all of his territory, they also force him to take out Salvatore Maranzano, the boss Lucky 'defected' to after taking down Joe Masseria. You may remember him from earlier on the list. Maranzano seems to be safe in a government building until Eli and a few other men in hats stroll in and kill the Sicilian like he's Julius Caesar. It was his favorite play.

26. Lucien D’Alessio

The D'Alessio brothers were all arguably big kills on the series. However, of all of the D'Alessio brothers to be killed in "The Emerald City" and "A Return to Normalcy", Lucien's murder is by far the most enjoyable to watch. While being held captive by Jimmy, Chalky and Nucky, Lucien defiantly dares Darmody to shoot him and, well, you don't have to ask twice.

25. Del Grogan

Despite Owen Sleater's relatively short run on the series, he manages to establish himself as quite the badass pretty quick. Not only does he have a brief, victor-less standoff with Richard, the ultimate Boardwalk badass, but he offs a few people in particularly gruesome fashion. In "Peg of Old," the relatively new character makes a big impression when he runs into an old NRA acquaintance and then strangles him to death in the bathroom. I guess garrotted is the proper term. Anyway, it's a quick, vicious scene that's hard to forget.

24. Cousin Franco

Poor Cousin Franco, he just didn't know when to keep his dumb mouth shut. Which is pretty much all the time if you're hanging around with the unhinged gangster Gyp Rosetti. Gyp killed a lot of people in Boardwalk's third season (he only had one, more on that later), but the brutal way he disposed of Tonino's cousin has to take the cake. At the end of "A Man, A Plan...", Gyp decides to punish Franco for his loose lips by burying neck deep in the sand. That seemed like punishment enough but it wasn't enough for the mob boss and he finished Franco off with by beating his head in with a shovel. That's nasty.

23. Joe Miller

The only man on Boardwalk Empire with a temper that rivals or perhaps even surpasses Gyp Rosetti's is Al Capone. Al is one of the most vicious killers on the bootlegging drama and likely to explode at any perceived slight. In the middle of the fifth and final season, the Chicago boss savagely beat one of his own men to death for nothing more than a joke. However, it's easy to do those things when you're the boss, which is why his brutal attack on Joe Miller is the one that made the cut. After Miller, one of O'Banion's men, tuned up one of Al's buddies, Torrio's muscle got his revenge in a bar during "Blue Bell Boy." It was like a no-holds-barred wrestling match to the death.

22. Mickey Doyle

Given Mickey Doyle's longevity, not many of Boardwalk Empire's major characters survived as long as he did, the Polish-turned-Irish gangster probably should have a better spot on this list but his death was not that spectacular. Sure, there was something fitting about the 'cockroach' finally getting his because he tried to weasel himself a better deal the whole showdown scene in "Friendless Child" was a little anti-climactic. Nucky brought all those troops to surrender and Mickey (and also Arquimedes) are shot and forgotten in the flash of the muzzle. He probably didn't deserve better but still.

21. Phil, Ralph and Scotty

One of the lessons learned over the five seasons of Boardwalk Empire is don't push Nelson van Alden/George Mueller too far. To borrow a phrase from a popular comic-book, 'you won't like him when he's angry.' While on the run from a previous murder (one still on the docket), George Nelson is forced to take a job selling irons but when he becomes the target of office bullies he burns one of their faces and starts looking for a new job. In "Marriage and Hunting," George Nelson runs into his former co-workers and they once again push him past the breaking point. They didn't know who they were dealing with. The iron should have been a sign.

20. Rowland Smith

Since Rowland Smith was only on the show for one episode, "Blue Bell Boy", it's surprising just how effective and affective his death is. It might be because he's just a kid, and a charming one at that. Or maybe, because it was an extra-emotionless Nucky who pulled the trigger. Either way, the sudden bullet to the back of the head was an incredible and lasting image. Owen acts like the audience's surrogate, sharing in our surprise before dropping back into his cool character. Remember, this was right around the time he was with the boss' wife, so that gunshot was also a chilling message.

19. Pearl (and Liam)

This entry is another example of how Boardwalk Empire can take relatively minor characters and craft incredibly memorable deaths. And it's also another example of cheating since it's a two-for-one deal. After a scumbag named Liam slices up Pearl, Jimmy's girl decides that living with the scars, both emotional and physical, is too much and she takes her own life in "Nights in Ballygran." It's doesn't take Jimmy long to exact his revenge, asking his new best buddy and expert sniper Richard to kill him at a cafe. Once he's done scarring the crap out of/reassuring him, of course. It's an epic death in one of the series' best best episodes.

18. Sally Wheet

Sally Wheet is another character whose death should probably come later in the list but the execution, pardon the pun, kept it in the middle of the pack. She became pretty significant to the series in the fourth season, somewhat filling the Margaret and Mabel void in Nucky's life, and her death definitely took its toll on our protagonist. Still, the way that the whole showdown with the Cuban authorities in "Cuanto" was shot left a lot to be desired. The impact of the loss was lasting; if only it felt that way at the time.

17. Manny Horovitz

The shooting of Manny Horvitz was a really interesting and tense moment because it pitted two of the audiences' favorites against each other, thanks to Richard being the one tasked with murdering Horvitz. And when there is a showdown on Boardwalk, it's almost always to the death. Richard wasn't too pleased with Manny thanks to his involvement in the murder of the Darmodys, especially Angela (hm, another not yet discussed), so he looked for a "Resolution" in the aptly named third season premiere. Manny managed to survive another attempt on his life that involved a hitman knocking on his door but that dead guy wasn't Richard Harrow.

16. Billie Kent (and Babette)

Billy Kent's death in "The Pony" was explosive both literally and figuratively. Although she was never one of my favorite characters on Boardwalk, the manner in which she (and Babette) went out was truly spectacular. There haven't been many explosions on the series but I don't think that's the reason this hit stands out. It was shot beautifully yet also a bit shocking to see the show destroy its beautiful set. It put a literal hole in the Boardwalk and made way for the Onyx Club and the deaths that would occur at the new non-segregated location.

15. Agent Eric Sebso

Remember when I said it was a bad idea to push Nelson van Alden too far? Well, one of the first people to learn that lesson the hard way was his partner, Agent Eric Sebso. The small and timid man was always a bit weary of the religious zealot he found himself shackled to in the bureau and in"Paris Green" he paid the ultimate price for accepting that assignment. In order to prove his loyalty, Sebso allowed Nelson to take him to a religious ceremony to be baptized. Instead of the Deacon pushing him under the water, Nelson took on those duties and held his partner under until he drowned. Pretty chilling.

14. Agent Warren Knox/James Tolliver

The next on the list is another federal agent and, like Nelson Van Alden/George Mueller, he was also a man known by two names. Agent Warren Knox a.k.a. James Tolliver was another late addition with a short stay that manage to make a large impression. The fourth season saw the formation of the FBI, and Agent Knox Tolliver was part of the upper echelon that included J. Edgar Hoover. He was even trying to push the idea of organized crime before anyone else in the bureau, but thanks to some unhealthy competition with his boss, his achievements were largely unacknowledged and ideas were stolen. This made the Agent strike out on his own and do some dangerous things, like threatening Eli in his own home. The ensuing fight and strangulation at the end of "Farewell Daddy Blues" is one of Boardwalk's most intimate killings.

13. Commodore Louis Kaestner

The more audiences learned about the Commodore, the easier it was to not only accept but root for the old pervert's death. A pivotal figure in the series' early years, he was a mentor of sorts to Nucky (although, the flashbacks position Sheriff Lindsay as the true father figure) and Jimmy's dad. Jimmy and the Commodore never had a great relationship, no surprise considering the latter knocked up the former's mother when she was just a girl, and, in true Oedipal fashion, Boardwalk had the son slay his father with a gigantic phallus. It was a major moment in the penultimate episode, setting the thematic stage for the shocking second season finale.

12. Angela Darmody

This was one of the most tragic deaths in the early years of the series. Just when Angela Darmody was finally coming into her own and escaping the violent shadow of her gangster husband, Manny Horvitz pays her a late night visit. The scene in "Georgia Peaches" is eerily quiet, the killer continuing to whisper even after he's killed one of the women. Of course, he was expecting a man to come out of the bathroom but it's not like he cares about sex. As the bullet in Angela's head can attest, he doesn't discriminate when it comes to killing. Don't worry, he got his. We went over that.

11. Maybelle White

Like the last entry, it's always tragic when someone on the periphery of the 'game' gets killed because of something or someone they know. Being a gangster is like being a superhero; it puts all those you love at risk. It's a weakness ready to be exploited and Dr. Narcisse is dirty enough to bring Chalky's daughter Maybelle into their confrontation. What makes the murder even more tragic is that it's Chalky's plan that results in her death near the end of the blood-soaked Season 4 finale, "Farewell Daddy Blues." Richard never misses.

10. Dr. Valentin Narcisse

As Season 5 was gearing up, Boardwalk Empire proclaimed that no one would go quietly. In the Season 5 finale, “Eldorado,” however, Valentin Narcisse’s death, while loud, was still quieter than expected, considering his story arc over the past couple of seasons. Instead of being killed by a main character, Narcisse was gunned down on the street, shortly after speaking with his hordes of followers in the city. He went out to rousing applause and adulation, however, which was probably exactly how the writer and intellectual would have wanted it. It’s also an ugly and brutish way to die in front of those adoring hordes.

9. Eddie Kessler

Eddie Kessler's death might be the saddest of all. Boardwalk Empire has killed off characters using suicide before but none of them were as emotional as the manservant's. At the end of "Erlkonig," Eddie chooses to jump out his window instead of potentially harming his boss by cooperating with the Feds. The letter he pens is painfully sad, and yet the whole sequence is also elegant and beautiful. It's so wonderfully composed that the image of the curtains blowing in the wind is burned into my memory. It's as effective as any gory shootout.

8. Gyp Rosetti (and Henchmen)

Speaking of gory shootouts, the third season finale, "Margate Sands," features the shootout to end all shootouts. I know this entry is technically reserved for Gyp Rosetti but it's worth spending a second on all of his henchmen slaughtered by Richard during his rampage through Gillian's mansion. Gyp makes it out of that skirmish alive; it's too bad I can't say the same about the entire episode. I mean that. Gyp was an exciting character and as much as I wanted him dead, I also wanted to watch his exploits continue. Well, Tonino made sure that didn't happen. Payback for Franco!

7. Dunn Purnsley

Dunn Purnsley was a mid-series addition who quickly became a major character on Boardwalk Empire. Early on, 'Buck' was just a small problem that Chalky encountered during a quick stint in prison, but he soon rose through the ranks to be the boss of the north side's second in command. This wasn't good enough for Dunn, though. He got into the heroin game with Dr. Narcisse and was soon sent to kill his former boss. The ensuing fight in "The Old Ship of Zion" is one of the show's most intimate as the two mercilessly beat on each other until Daughter puts an end to the struggle by stabbing Dunn in the back. It's an 'all-time' kind of scene.

6. Albert ‘Chalky’ White

Of all of the ways in which people bite the bullet on Boardwalk Empire, it's rare for a character to go out with dignity. Some do manage to accomplish the rare feat. More often than not, however, the person in question is caught off-guard or worse. And that's not even talking about the manner in which they are killed. Chalky, in "Devil You Know," is given one of those rare deaths. After making a deal for Daughter and her child's freedom, Chalky feels somewhat redeemed for and at peace with Maybelle's death. He almost welcomes the hail of bullets from the firing squad. All he heard was that sweet music.

5. Owen Sleater

Given his comparably short stay on Boardwalk, it might come as a bit of a surprise to find Owen Sleater with such a prestigious spot on the list. Regardless, it is absolutely well-deserved, and only fitting since his death was one of the biggest surprises in the series. It was also incredibly emotional. When Nucky opens the package at the end of "A Man, A Plan..." and discovers his right-hand man's body in a box, it was deeply unsettling. Then Margaret arrived on scene and it became so much worse. It was a real punch to the gut and an important moment for the series moving forward, as it also marked the end of Nucky and Margaret's relationship.

4. Agent Nelson Van Alden/George Mueller

The list includes several of his victims and now it's finally time to talk about Agent Nelson Van Alden/George Mueller's death in "Devil You Know." Like Chalky, who also happened to get shot in the sixth episode of the fifth and final season, George Nelson's death was rather dignified; the former prohibition agent was able to help in the Capone investigation and even strangled the Chicago boss before taking one to the back of the head. I don't know if I'll ever get the image of that exit wound out of my head. It was gross but a hell of a way to go. "I am Nelson Kaspar Van Alden!"

3. Richard Harrow

The most prolific killer on Boardwalk made it through many, many violent events before death finally caught up with him. Richard Harrow was instantly a fan favorite thanks to his unique appearance and skill set. I mean, his first kill was accompanied by the funeral march music. The half-faced man also had a soft-side, especially for the Darmodys, and his arc is all the more tragic since the fourth season sees him try and give up killing. As it happens, he's roped in for one last job in "Farewell Daddy Blues" and it ends tragically both for him and Maybelle White. The writers managed to make his final moments oddly beautiful and a fitting goodbye.

2. Jimmy Darmody

After the series finale, there was suddenly some doubt as to who should top this list. Capping off the already bloody second season finale, ”To the Lost,” damn near tops the list of greatest deaths to ever occur on Boardwalk Empire. It meets all the initial criteria laid out at the top of the list. When Nucky shoots Jimmy in the face it's shocking, emotional and beautifully done. And it was a game-changing event for the series. Killing off the co-lead isn't something you see in many dramas and it forever altered Boardwalk Empire, right down to the storytelling. There was a huge void to fill and the next three seasons did an excellent job. "To the lost," indeed.

1. Nucky Thompson

Nucky’s death didn’t have the surprise factor Jimmy’s had way back in Season 2, however, the writers carefully spent the entire season crafting an ending that wouldn’t feel fake or forced. In the Season 5 finale, “Eldorado,” Nucky is busy tying up loose ends in Atlantic City when he happens upon the kid that was working for him as an errand boy during the final season. Finally, all of the flashbacks in Season 5 become revelatory. Early on, they seemed to explain Nucky’s rise, but they really were about revealing the monster, a monster who willingly helped the Commodore to abuse kids for his own monetary gain. Nucky’s insides were always ugly, and when his assistant, revealed to be Tommy Darmody, opened fire, there was nothing but the truth laid bare. "You can't be half a gangster."

It’s tough to believe that Boardwalk Empire is set to end its run this Sunday. For five seasons, HBO’s hit drama deeply connected its viewers to the gangsters and thugs who helped to shape America during the Prohibition Era. Many of the show’s characters will be missed. Hell, many of them have been missed for a long time, now.

Most gangsters don’t climb to the top without killing a man or five, and Boardwalk Empire capably presented a slew of different personalities related to those kills. There are the cold machines, capable of seeing humans only as targets. Then, there are those who relish in the killing, those who disdain the killing and those who are capable of bringing out a brute force from within themselves when needed. Boardwalk Empire wouldn’t be the same show without constant death and destruction, as old empires crumble and new ones are reformed from the entrails.

As a nod to the end of a great series, we’ve put together a list of the 10 most vicious killers the writers ever had the courage to muster, as well as the scenes that will forever commit their wrongdoings to our memories. These characters definitely won’t be forgotten anytime soon.

#10) Eli Thompson

Eli has changed a lot over the years, going from the Sheriff of Atlantic City to Nucky’s righthand man and finally a two-bit crook in Chicago. However, within each of those roles, he’s gotten up to a sneaky amount of killing, including the murder of Margaret Thompson’s husband in the pilot and his more recent dealings with Maranzano. He would describe himself as a family man, first, but he’s gotten his hands dirty enough times to land himself on this list.

Most Memorable Kill: During the Season 4 finale, Eli has been blackmailed by Agent Knox for quite a while. Nucky’s already been a bit suspicious of Eli’s motivations, and when Knox shows up at Eli’s home, he’s had enough. As Knox threatens him, Eli pulls out a sucker punch and proceeds to beat the federal agent to death. It isn’t pretty, but it is efficient and it sets up for the events in Season 5.

#9) Arquimedes

Beyond having the most badass name on the series (sorry Capone), Arquimedes is one vicious killer. We haven’t gotten to see him in action all that often on Boardwalk Empire. The character is Cuban and only became a part of the series during Season 5. He’s mostly served as a protector for Nucky during his run, which is a totally different role than Nucky’s last valet, Eddie, used to have in Nucky’s life. However, Nucky can definitely use the extra protection now that there is a gang war going down.

Most Memorable Kill: Remember early on in the season when Nucky is walking around in Cuba and is almost killed? Just to jog your memory, Meyer Lansky is looking to take Nucky down, so he hires a killer to do it. Arquimedes quickly takes down the hired gun and then cuts off his ear to keep as a trophy. The man’s got a killing routine that he adheres to, and I respect that.

#8) Nucky Thompson

Like a lot of bossmen, Nucky doesn’t relish the dirty work. He’s kind of a snob with expensive tastes. In many ways, he sees himself as a high-end gentleman and businessman, bringing the people what they want. While he mostly hands his dirty work off to a revolving lineup of henchmen, he’s also the man behind several of the most acutely horrifying kills the series has ever seen.

Most Memorable Kill: The writers set up the Season 2 finale to be a twisted tale concerning Nucky and Jimmy Darmody, his former protégé. Just when Nucky seems to be on his last legs, he decides to mercilessly kill Jimmy in one of the most surprising and memorable scenes of the entire scenes. As it turns out, Nucky’s turn with a gun is big enough to land him on this list, a little bit due to the epic line he utters directly after delivering the first wound, “I am not seeking forgiveness.”

#7) Nelson Van Alden

Nelson Van Alden may be most remembered for an attempted murder he didn’t commit (strangling Al Capone), but in his heyday, he claimed more than his share of victims. That’s a bit odd for a member of law enforcement working for the US Government, but then again, his entire life trajectory was pretty odd, seeing as how he became an enforcer for the mafia and an iron salesman. Van Alden often kept his emotions reined in, but occasionally he snapped, leading to a few horrifying moments on the show.

Most Memorable Kill: There are a ton of different choices here, but the clear winner is probably Nelson’s murder of his partner Eric Sebso during Season 1. After finding out his partner is a traitor, Nelson took him out into the water and drowned him in front of a religious congregation as what seemed like part of a Baptism ritual. It was brutal. It was unflinching, and was great proof of what a deranged monster Nelson Van Alden could turn into when he was pushed far enough.

#6) Jimmy Darmody

If Jimmy had had a longer shelf life, he would definitely have ranked higher on this list. During his run on the series, he often proclaimed killing was the only way to be a true gangster in the modern era. True to his word, he had a pretty happy trigger finger, likely helped along by his horrifying memories of serving during World War I. In the long run, it didn’t work out for Jimmy, but in the two seasons he appeared on the series, he certainly got in enough kills in to make this list.

Most Memorable Kill: During Season 1, Nucky and Jimmy have plenty of problems with the D’Alessio brothers, who attempt to butt into the Atlantic City bootlegging business. Nucky and Jimmy eventually catch a couple of the D’Alessio brothers, who have a problem running their mouths. One of them, Lucien, challenges Jimmy, claiming he wouldn’t shoot him. Jimmy responds, “I wasn’t going to, but you kinda talked me into it.” He then pulls the trigger. There are moments in the series featuring Jimmy that are far more brutal, but this one stands out the most.

#5) Chalky White

Chalky White was not an educated man. However, he worked his way into a position of respect in Atlantic City, although he often still did his own dirty work. Prior to becoming a man of means and long after fortune stopped favoring him, Chalky had no problem killing people, using numerous weapons, including rifles and even hammers to take down those who stood in his way.

Most Memorable Kill: Early on in Atlantic City, Chalky and his crew are having trouble dealing with the Klu Klux Klan. During the ensuing episodes, Chalky is able to kill prominent Klan member Howard Dacus with a rifle. It is an important moment for the character, who is later jailed for his troubles. Honorable mention: The Masseria Massacre completed with Al Capone.

#4) Manny Horvitz

It’s a dog eat dog world and Manny Horvitz was one of the biggest dogs out there. The man was a butcher from Philadelphia who happened to work in Nucky’s circle. He had no beef with murdering women. He had no beef with murdering practically anyone he was told to murder, in fact. Amazingly, he was still a man who was very much into his family life. Eventually the murderer was murdered, but not before he got in a slew of Boardwalk Empire’s most unforgettable kills.

Most Memorable Kill: This one’s a tough one. Manny Horvitz kills a lot of people during his run on HBO’s drama. It is pretty shocking in Season 1 when he kills Jimmy Darmody’s wife and her mistress in the dead of night. However, the kill that gets me the most is when a hitman drops by to take out Mr. Horvitz and instead Manny pulls him into his shop and takes a butcher’s knife to his skull. He's a pro, that Manny.

#3) Gyp Rosetti

Was there ever a Boardwalk Empire character who was able to come in from the outside and wreak so much havoc? The hot-headed New York gangster popped down to Atlantic City during Season 3. He was only in 12 episodes of the series, but due to his penchant for killing people and making speeches, they were 12 memorable ones. Unfortunately, Atlantic City proved to be the man’s downfall not his rise to the top.

Most Memorable Kill: Early on, Rosetti is musing about how life is personal when he rolls in to Tabor Heights to meet the Sheriff. Soon after arriving, Gyp proceeds to throw gas on the Sheriff and light him on fire. To give Rosetti a little credit, the Sheriff practically asks for Rosetti's wrath, pointing out that Gyp shouldn’t be smoking around the pumps. There’s plenty of messed up killing we see from Rosetti during the season, but this one is the most spontaneous and resourceful.

#2) Al Capone

Al Capone is a mad man. In fact, there might be no one else on Boardwalk Empire that you could argue is more temperamental. Capone is a small man in a fierce package, and highly ambitious. At the start of the drama, he was a low level Chicago mobster who wanted to rise to the top. Due to his ambitions, his business occasionally intersected with Nucky’s. More recently, however, he’s been running an operation out of Chicago. Unlike a lot of powerful gangsters, Capone doesn’t shy away from killing in the least. In fact, he uses killing to get out pent-up aggression.

Most Memorable Kill: Capone is at his most formidable when he is whaling with his fists. I don’t know if I’ve ever been more terrified of the man than in Season 5 when he beats his own employee to death for one small, innocuous slight after Luciano drops by to take a shot at Capone's prominence in Chicago. That doesn’t sound all that memorable, but the way Capone plays it, telling his lackey he was just messing around and then sending everyone home so he could kill him still gives me the shudders. Honorable mention: The Masseria massacre, completed with Chalky White.

#1) Richard Harrow

Due to the prolific number of Richard’s kills and the coldhearted way he went about them, the character lands at the very top of this list. Harrow was a man scarred by the war who came back with a tin face and knew nothing could be the same, but who still yearned for a family to take care of. He was a man of contradictions, and it’s a credit that HBO was able to make the character a sympathetic one, despite the fact that he killed, when needed, when paid and occasionally for other reasons.

Most Memorable Kill: I don’t think we could get through this list without mentioning Richard accidentally killing Maybelle White, although it doesn't seem fair to claim that as Harrow's most memorable kill due to the nature of what happened. Therefore, Richard's most memorable moment has to be committing a slew of hits in a row at the end of Season 3. During the episode, Harrrow storms into Gillian’s place, taking out more than a dozen of Gyp Rosetti’s men before rescuing Tommy, asking him to close his eyes, and escaping from the hellhole that is the whorehouse.

There are some vague spoilers in this article if you aren’t caught up on Boardwalk Empire.

On a lot of shows, getting feedback from the showrunner is probably a good thing, as it can help an actor to develop his or her character more completely. However, on Boardwalk Empire, getting a call from showrunner Terence Winter became notorious for something quite different. As the show began to move beyond its first few episodes, the cast and crew realized getting a call from “the boss” meant death was looming on the horizon.

Last night, HBO aired a behind-the-scenes look at its organized crime-related series, called Farewell Boardwalk Empire. The half-hour program featured stories from the set including the inevitable Terry Winter death calls, which the showrunner says are just a part of the show.

His calls became so notorious that the actors basically got it into their heads that if Winter called, their time on the show had come to an end. Here’s a great story from Winter himself about one of the calls that he made.

Some of the show’s biggest characters also go the call. Jack Huston, who played Richard Harrow on the series, saw a section of a script from the end of Season 4 and just felt he’d reached the end of his run. A call from Winter confirmed it.

Many actors on the series speak out in the documentary about the call, with Anthony Laciura, who played Eddie Kessler, and Michael K. Williams, who played Chalky, both stating that Winter seemed to take breaking the news worse than they did. It isn’t all bad news, however. Shea Whigham, who plays Eli, and Kelly MacDonald, who plays Margaret Thompson, both spoke out about rare occasions when Winter called and they knew they had bitten the dust, only to find out later that he was simply calling to invite them to events.

It’s tough to be a showrunner on a gangster show, where deaths come left and right. However, these phone calls prove that knowing death may around every corner can be hard on the actors, as well. Luckily, everyone who has been killed off seems to be in good spirits, stating they had a good time on the show.

There’s only one episode of Boardwalk Empire left. As such, more death is almost certainly on the horizon. As for who is going to die, you’ll have to tune in to find out. HBO’s Boardwalk Empire airs on Sunday nights at 9 p.m. ET.

"Good day, ladies and gentlemen. This is Robert Hodge, United States Attorney for the Southern District, speaking to you here in New York City. My fellow citizens, we are at war..."

With only eight episodes in the fifth and final season of HBO's Boardwalk Empire, the second-to-last installment snuck up on us. "The Golden Days For Boys And Girls" felt like only yesterday but, now that the events of "Friendless Child" are also in the past, there's only one week of the bootlegging drama left. The ultimate penultimate episode of Boardwalk added a few more bodies to the pile, bridging the big losses and bloody showdowns of last week with those sure to come in the finale. Of course, all the blood spilled and deals made in the build-up could mean fans are in for a more subdued finish than expected.

"You can't know until it's you. And then you'll never tell anyone."

The seventh episode of the fifth season was far more focused than the usual Boardwalk Empire, with one main thread dominating most of the action. The opening newsreel sequence was quite stunning, recalling the period (where these would precede every feature) while also adding some flashy, new touches like going from black-and-white to color. The scene caught us up on all the mayhem as well as most of our major (remaining) players and ended with Nuck in a meeting with Maranzano, one of the few allies the AC boss has left. This is only the first time Nucky steers young Joel away from a life of crime; the second comes near the end of "Friendless Child." As I said last week, it's like he's out for redemption or something. Cue the letter from 'Nellie Bly' and another stylish montage. Nice bookends.

"Benny's not here right now."

In between those bookends, Nucky receives a call from Margaret and he's still very active in the stock market, meaning he might have a nest-egg waiting for him if this forced retirement thing sticks. Will he also have a wife? Their chemistry is back, only this time he seems to respect her now that she's found some agency. I wish we got more Margaret this season. Each year. Kelly Macdonald is wonderful. Nuck had to cut their banter and business short though, because he was kind of in the middle of negotiating a trade in a tit-for-tat kidnapping situation. To try and put an end to the war, Nucky had his men grab Benny Siegel, but instead of negotiating, Lucky and Meyer decided to even things out and go after Willy. And he's been doing such a good job staying out of trouble.

"Sooner or later, you're all going to jail."

Eli showed up just in time to see his boy get nabbed by Luciano and Lansky's goons, which forced him to turn to his big brother for answers and help. Benny is a pretty hilarious captive, refusing to shut up unless unconscious. And even then, there was a lot of gargling. Willy is equally strong but carries himself quite differently. His newfound honor doesn't do him much good though, as Benny breaks from his restraints and snatches him back up during the trade. The squeaky wheel gets the grease (unless you squeak one too many times like Mickey) and the tricycle of Lucky, Meyer and Benny are riding smooth. They get all of Nuck's business in AC as well as Maranzano taken care of in one of the show's best hits. Straight from "Julius Caesar," the mob boss' favorite play. Free Willy! Sorry.

”Everyone has a reason. Murderers have reasons.”

Oh, right. The flashbacks. Actually, this was the first week where I found the flashback sequences captivating and worth the trip back in time. Mabel's secret sickness was still boring but the young actress playing Gillian (Madeleine Rose Yen) was wonderful, completely nailing the way Gretchen Mol speaks, and Nucky's trip to see the Commodore on his first night as Sheriff was terrifying. Seeing the hell that he's going to subject Gillian to only serves to make his first big sin seem that much worse. When opportunity knocks, right? Well, Nucky took the first opportunity when it came to Gillian (and we'll probably get to see that disgusting exchange next week), but will he take the second? Will he be the one to save her so many years later? And will that 'save' him?

"There is forgiveness for everyone."

The series finale of Boardwalk Empire, "Eldorado," airs next Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO. Created by Terence Winter, the series stars Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham, Vincent Piazza, Anatol Yusef and Stephen Graham.

Head to the next page for a look at "Eldorado"...

"Walk out while you can."

Up to and including last week, the lack of main characters kicking the bucket in Boardwalk Empire's final season was becoming a bit surprising, especially since 'No One Goes Quietly' was plastered all over the promos for the bootlegging drama's fifth year. In the first five episodes, barely any of the series regulars met their untimely end, but that trend finally came to end in "Devil You Know." The sixth installment featured a few bloody showdowns and it finally feels like no one on the show is safe, not even those hiding behind the shield of history. Remember, some of the characters, including our protagonist, are only based on real figures which leaves creator Terence Winter some wiggle room in crafting an unexpected ending. But instead of speculating about Nucky's (or anyone else's) possible demise in the remaining two weeks on the Boardwalk, let's talk about those that lost their lives in Episode 6. To the lost!

”You the only devil I know.”

People die in a lot of different ways on Boardwalk Empire, and rarely is it dignified. But on occasion, some of the fallen 'heroes' get to have their final moment in the sun. Richard went out this way at the end of last season, and Chalky was given similar treatment in "Devil You Know." There was something almost reassuring about the way the fan favorite was put to rest. Almost. Chalky no doubt felt a bit redeemed in being able to trade his life for his second family's freedom, as Daughter and Daughter's daughter Althea - I had to - got a way out from under Doctor Narcisse's thumb thanks to his sacrifice, and her record might finally get some airtime. That's if the Doctor keeps his word, of course. He may have been 'victorious' this week, but one can dream he loses big before the season's over.

”This has not been thought through.”

The other major character to bite the bullet this week also got to go out in a rather dignified manner, as Van Alden at least had the chance to play the 'proby' again for a few seconds before 'Agent D'Angelo' blew his brains out. Not everyone gets the chance to slap Al Capone around and Nelson can take solace in knowing that he played a key part in bringing down the real Scarface. I, on the other hand, can't stop picturing that exit wound. Gross. Van Alden's exit is especially sad because his partnership with Eli was probably my favorite part of the final season and I'll miss the moments of levity that the disastrous duo brought to this sometimes stuffy period piece. Once again, the pair delivered the best thread of the episode.

”Hiawatha.”

While the other storylines were popping off, Nucky took the night off (so to speak) after narrowly avoiding being blown to bits by Lucky, Meyer and Johnny, and hearing the bad news about Sally. He sneaks away to a seedy bar for some cheap drinks with some cheap broads. Who knew Nucky could be so funny? It was nice to see him let loose, since Buscemi usually plays him so tightly wound, and I especially enjoyed when he returned to reciting Longfellow only seconds after knocking another man unconscious. Things looked good for Nucky for a while; too bad for him the broads had other plans and left him bruised and babbling. It was also the second time we heard the phrase 'nothing personal.' Not much is for Nucky these days.

”Nellie Bly.”

The moment at the end with Joel Harper and the fifty was obviously a callback to the way Nucky first found his way into the Commodore's life, and it would probably have landed better for me if the flashbacks were not my least favorite part of every episode. I don't want to be reminded of the flashbacks, like Nucky, I want to forget the past. Boardwalk once again spends too much time with young Nucky, with every sequence bringing the series' momentum to a halt. This week's flashbacks felt especially clumsy, as they painted the Thompson brothers as angels in order to show how far they have fallen. Eli calling Nucky out for using bad language was laughable, and I joked last week that this would all be leading to Gillian's origin story. Or should I say Jimmy's? I'm guessing that saving 'Nellie Bly' from the hospital will be Nucky's big redemption moment. For now, he's saddling the troops.

"I'd call surviving a victory."

The fifth and final season of Boardwalk Empire continues with Episode 7, "Friendless Child," next Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO. Created by Terence Winter, the series stars Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham, Vincent Piazza, Anatol Yusef and Stephen Graham.

Head over to the next page for a look at "Friendless Child"...

"Every story has a beginning, sir."

The first four episodes of the fifth and final season of HBO's Boardwalk Empire felt a little light on the body count for the normally bloody bootlegging drama. Sure, there have been a few grisly murders, like Tonino and Buck, as well as a mass shooting or three of nameless henchmen and/or hookers, yet Joe the Boss and Sally Wheet are the only two regulars six feet under. Hell, even calling them regulars is a bit of a stretch, with the former only having shown up sporadically and the latter being a rather late addition to the series. Forget 'No One Goes Quietly,' Season 5 started to feel like 'No One Goes At All.' And the trend continues in the "King of Norway." Not for lack of trying.

”It ain't a murdered body?”

Of course, there's so much more to appreciate about Boardwalk Empire than the violence, but it does seem like a lot of Season 5 hasn't been focused on the confrontations that we really want to see. Instead, the series is spending an awful lot of time in the past and - since the drama is all about repetition this year, I'll say it again - I don't care for the flashbacks. This week the sequences set in (and reinforcing the importance of) the past jumped ahead 13 years with Marc Pickering and a pair of fake teeth now playing Nucky. Or should I say, Deputy Sheriff Thompson. Once again, father figures figure into the thread with Mabel's dad disapproving of their relationship. He's not a fan of Nucky's ambition. The same ambition that makes him ask surrogate father Sheriff Lindsay to be part of the other jobs that he does for the Commodore. Origin stories! No young Gillian?

”They are in the body forever unless they're rooted out.”

And that brings us to the other tangential storyline in the final season. Doesn't visiting Gillian in the women's mental institution feel like visiting another planet? A shame, since I thought her character's journey came to a satisfying end last season. The story itself is compelling, taking a look at the horrifying conditions that women of the time who were deemed crazy and put in psychiatric 'care' were often forced to endure, but it doesn't fit at all with the rest of the narrative. Maybe I'm not seeing the big picture, and Gillian will be brought back into the fold. I don't think so though. Not with 'fixing her insides' as part Dr. Cotton's diagnosis. We saw how that went. That being said, Gillian was always crafty and, if history does repeat itself, she might find herself a way out of the terrifying situation.

”Well. I'll leave you two to catch up.”

The other storyline operating on the fringe of the main action this season found its way back in "King of Norway," with Chalky arriving in Atlantic City in search of, what else, revenge. Unlike Gillian's thread, Chalky's always felt like it was moving towards a reunion with the major players so it never seemed like we were being sidetracked with a non-essential story. And the "In Cold Blood" sequence with Buck (also directed by Ed Bianchi) was exceptional. This week, Chalky looks like his old self again, sitting in front of Nucky at the club in a nice three piece suit. I love how Nuck mentions how a man who really wants to sneak a gun in somewhere cannot be stopped, and we see this very thing unfold in one of the final scenes. Chalky hides it in his crotch. Insecure friskers. Finally, I thought we were going to see a big name bite the bullet this week but the doctor wasn't in. Daughter and Daughter's daughter were home, however. An interesting twist and another Maybelle reminder.

”History doesn't repeat itself. But it does rhyme.”

I'm not going to lie, it felt pretty good to hear the quote I've been using as the basis for my Boardwalk recaps worked into the dialogue. Nucky is trying to take control by asserting that history doesn't repeat itself, but everything suggests the opposite. Like my favorite odd couple, Eli and George, once again working for the law. Of course, it's not like they're actually wearing badges; they're the 'expendables' being sent on a suicide mission to grab Capone's books. It's perfect timing for Nelson because he was sick of being ruled by fear anyway, but Eli's got a loving wife and a baby on the way. I think June will forgive him for having sex with Sigrid if he makes it out of this season alive. George Nelson certainly doesn't seem to care. Like I said, this is all a welcome change for the former prohibition officer who finds it easier to hate everyone. I'm still laughing from when he told his kid he would sound better farther away. I want this buddy cop comedy.

”You're a man that knows how to return a favor.”

While Nucky's busy fighting a war and finding out about his mistress' death in Havana, his wife and new partner in crime seems to be coming into her own as a crook / insider trader. Margaret managed to take care of the problem with Mrs. Rothstein quite easily, as well as rope her dope of a boss into the illegal activities. Mr. Thompson had a bit more trouble with his business in "King of Norway," with his longtime friend Johnny Torrio helping the upstarts Lucky and Meyer to take him and Maranzano out of the picture in one drive-by-shooting. However, both of the targets survived the hit, and now the bodies should start piling up. Perhaps Torrio should have taken his own advice and (stayed) retired? And Arquimedes should get a raise for once again saving Nucky's life. Whose ear will he take first for this? The path to being a legitimate business man looks longer and longer every week.

"Maybe you just don't see the end of it."

The fifth and final season of Boardwalk Empire continues with Episode 6, "Devil You Know," next Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO. Created by Terence Winter, the series stars Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham, Vincent Piazza, Anatol Yusef and Stephen Graham.

Hit the link for a look at "Devil You Know"...

"Nothing changes does it?"

It's hard to believe that the final season of Boardwalk Empire is already half-over. That's right, in case you didn't know, Season 5 only consists of eight episodes. Time is running out for HBO's consistently brilliant but often overlooked period piece. It not even being nominated for 'Outstanding Drama' at last year's Emmys was a tragedy on par with, well, the bootlegging series' long list of lives cut short. (I miss Richard Harrow. A lot.) And while this season hasn't always delivered the 'good stuff,' it's still better than most dramas and deserved a longer shelf life. Let's not pretend like the decision to end after five seasons was an artistic one. It's about the bottom line. How many people are tuning in? How much does it cost to produce? How much? Or should I say...

”¿Cuánto”

Since the season premiere, Boardwalk Empire has been planting seeds about an uprising in Cuba, and it finally came into play during last night's episode. Well, came into play is an understatement, as Sally joined the aforementioned long list of lives cut short. You could tell right from the beginning of her story that something bad was brewing, starting with the poetic yet sweaty banker and continuing with the owner of Barcardi and his 'wife's vacation.' Warning signs were everywhere and Nucky would have also been caught up in the shit-storm had a literal storm not kept him out of the air. Sally did manage to make the drop though; does that mean Nuck is still set up as the American distributor of Barcardi rum? And is that the first major character to bite the dust this season?

"Partners in crime."

With Kennedy declining the proposed partnership combined with Margaret's financial problem, our protagonist cannot afford to lose the exclusive contract. And without question, the time spent with Nucky and Margaret was my favorite thread of the episode. By a lot. It's a joy to watch the two terrific actors work together again – Macdonald was especially wonderful this week – and they couldn't have been given better dialogue. Saying so much, while saying so little. The writers outdid themselves, especially during the exchange on the boardwalk. If Nucky has any chance at a happy ending, and he very likely does not, it will be with Margaret. It's not a coincidence that he called her Mabel when she showed up at his place last week. His past love. I liked how impressed he seemed by her achievements over the last seven years and that he then entrusted her to take care of Mrs. Rothstein.

"It's not a matter of politics but of family."

Before getting to the flashback sequences in "Cuánto," I just want to point out how different the transition from the opening titles to the first scene was. Has Boardwalk ever done anything but a hard cut from black? The dissolve to the past was a bit jarring and yet worked really well. Anyway, back to the flashbacks, which I'll admit are slowly starting to grow on me, probably because we're learning that it was Mr. Lindsay (Atlantic City's Sheriff) and not the Commodore that served as a mentor/surrogate father for Nucky. The dinner table scene was wonderful and I may have teared up in tandem with the soon-to-be 'Deputy Sheriff.' Speaking of Sheriffs, the stuff with Eli was also well executed. The younger brother never wanted to go anywhere. Their relationship is reinforcing this season's themes about how history has a tendency to repeat itself. Nothing changes.

"Scarface Capone rules Chicago with iron fist!"

The scenes in Chicago were also quite thrilling and helped make "Cuánto" the best episode of the season so far. Having Lucky visit Al to discuss terms immediately creates tension because we know the former is planning to wipe everyone out that interferes with his vision of the 'business,' and the latter is a full-on lunatic. Loose cannon would be too mild a descriptor for the celebrity gangster. To ratchet said tension up even higher, Lucky recognizes Mueller from his days as Van Alden and once again the past comes back to haunt one of our characters. The actual Fed in the room does everything he can to prevent Capone from killing Mueller, and then discovers his real identity. Could he pressure Mueller into helping bring down Scarface? That would be a nice way for his story to come full circle. Only four episodes left.

"We'll see how it plays out."

The fifth and final season of Boardwalk Empire continues with Episode 5, "King of Norway," next Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO. Created by Terence Winter, the series stars Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham, Vincent Piazza, Anatol Yusef and Stephen Graham.

Here's a look at "King of Norway"...

"Went to church regular, what they taught me is that you can fool people but good lord always know when you lying."

The first two episodes of the final season of Boardwalk Empire were focused on the past and how "those who cannot remember it are condemned to repeat it;" and yet, as this week illustrates, George Santayana's other famous quote is equally apt for Season 5 (and the series as a whole) so far: "Only the dead have seen the end of war." It might not be "What Jesus Said," but, according to Chalky...

”Jesus was wrong.”

Chalky hasn't seen the last of war and, returning to the theme of the past and being doomed to repeat it, he's once again forced to kill 'Buck' - the nickname he gave Dunn - when things go south for the "In Cold Blood" situation the fugitives find themselves in. Was anyone expecting that sequence to turn out any different? Try as he might, there was no way that Chalky was going to be able to stay in character and act, as the girl put it, "like him." In addition to exploring the never-ending war, this week also looked at the masks we wear in order to survive, fit in or simply save face. Like the fake flowers. In the scenes with Chalky, the ladies' cover-ups come as fast as they fall apart, but eventually the lies catch up with everyone. And when they do, it's hammer time. Sorry.

”What I love about this city, everything's so close.”

Speaking of the masks we wear, Episode 4 saw the return of Jeffrey Wright's Dr. Valentin Narcisse, who seems to have been able to keep his position of power in Harlem over the last seven years despite being a snitch for the FBI. The last time we saw the 'Doctor,' he was sitting in shackles spilling Marcus Garvey's secrets to J. Edgar Hoover; now he's across from Lucky and Benny negotiating to keep his territory and interests. Now that Masseria is dead, Maranzano wants his piece, something that Narcisse isn't willing to give. Who knows what's going on behind the scenes of his two-faced operation? I do know that the exchange between the gangsters was exceptionally written. And that the Doctor is down a lot of whores. Despite his goofy demeanor, Benny sure is cold-blooded.

”Boy!”

The flashbacks have been my least favorite part of what has otherwise been a solid season, and said sequences in "What Jesus Said" were no different. I suppose that the introduction of Mabel made this week's trip into the past slightly more interesting than the previous two episodes' looks back, but I'm still not sure why Boardwalk is wasting so much of the little time it has left in 1884. We get it, Nucky's past is important. Rosebud and all that. There was also the bit with the "couple in love," once again showing us that things are not always how they appear on the surface. Especially when viewed with naive eyes. At least the policeman "took care of" the man in love. I wonder where Nucky found his sense of justice?

”Has the moment arrived for serious discussion?”

Before getting into Nucky's storyline this week and how it ties into the whole 'masks' theme, it's worth taking a second to note the return of everyone's favorite cockroach Mickey Doyle. Years of his loyal service (and not dying) have helped him climb quite high in the ranks. He's still not above pouring booze back into the bottle, though, when Nucky rejects the good stuff in order to keep up appearances with Joe Kennedy. See how I swung that back around? Yep, Nuck is pretending not to be an alcoholic in order to seem more appealing as a business partner. Oh, and trying to combat those nasty stereotypes about Irish Catholics. When Kennedy finally gets him to cut the shit, we learn the real reason why our protagonist has been building this empire. Someone should read him Ozymandias.

”I don't keep milk in the house anymore, it turns my stomach.”

Finally, we get to the affairs of Ms. Rowan. Or should I say Thompson? Or Schroeder? Hell, by the sounds of it, we might as well call her Abe Redstone. Are we to believe that that she's not the one who's been keeping the file open? I figured Margaret was making some extra cash by feeding herself the information that would have gone Rothstein's way had he not been killed three years ago. Whether she did it or not, Ms. Rowan is the one who's stuck paying for it, and that leads her back to Atlantic City. I was pretty excited to see her sitting in the same room as Nucky. By the looks of it, so was he. Oh! Parting thought: what was up with all the nines? The number made it into three or four scenes. Odd.

"New Years Eve, 1923, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Nucky Thompson. Tell me again there's no money."

The fifth and final season of Boardwalk Empire continues with Episode 4, "Cuanto," next Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO. Created by Terence Winter, the series stars Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham, Vincent Piazza, Anatol Yusef and Stephen Graham.

Here's a look at next week's "Cuanto"...

"Be honest and true, boys, whatever you do, boys, let this be your motto through life. Both now and forever, be this your endeavour when wrong with the right is at strife. The best and the truest alas are the fewest, but be one of these if you can. In duty ne'er fail, your find will avail you and bring its reward when a man...

Despite what the Emmys would have you believe, Boardwalk Empire was easily one of the most 'Outstanding Drama Series' last season. Maybe, the most outstanding. Tim Van Patten did snag a nomination for 'Outstanding Directing' for his work on the Season 4 finale, ”Farewell Daddy Blues,” and the bootlegging series was smart enough to bring him back to shoot the Season 5 premiere even though he didn't win the award. Why dwell in the past? It only seems fitting since the first installment of the fifth season, "Golden Days for Boys and Girls," is also preoccupied with looking back in order to move forward. And speaking of the past and future, I'm also probably going to keep carping about the awards Boardwalk Empire should have won since we're down to the show's final eight episodes. It's legacy time.

”Thought you were being clever before, hm? Thought you were gonna get something for being honest? What have you got?”

The flashbacks to 1884 Atlantic City are the most obvious example of the premiere's focus on the past and how it constantly impinges on the present and even the future. The opening scene with a young Nucky (Nolan Lyons) swimming for coins is absolutely gorgeous and continues Boardwalk Empire's commitment to stunning cinematography. However, as beautiful as the scenes were to look at, they were far less interesting to watch. I don't really care about his boyhood feud with Jim Neary. And something about the addition of flashbacks just felt out of place. And not only because I spent the better part of the scenes wondering if that was April from Parks and Recreation's dad playing the young Commodore. It is.

”Tie that boot.”

The first cut from the sepia-flushed flashbacks to the cold, crisp blue of Chalky's thread was suitably jarring, bringing us out of the past and intro the harsh present, and once again illustrated how wonderful Van Patten's work is on Boardwalk Empire. To be fair, the show looks incredible every week but the Emmy nominated director's compositions are spectacular; the reveal of the bars and nature behind Chalky (in close-up) by the guard comes to mind. His storyline was far more satisfying than the look at Nucky's formative years, and I especially liked the recurring issue with the boot as well as the bit about the telephone. This fellow escapee seems like a stable fella. A good fit for a business partner. Someone who's bound to keep things interesting, that's for sure.

”Did I ask how you feel?”

After being absent for a large percentage of last season, it's nice to see Margaret Schroeder, sorry, Rowan in the action right from the first episode. Season 4 was perhaps the series' best, but that doesn't mean Kelly Macdonald's absence wasn't felt. Margaret's scenes in the premiere were the first where Boardwalk's seven year time-jump between seasons was really felt, with her boss' shocking suicide a nod to the now post-Great Depression setting. It's officially the 'Dirty Thirties.' (For more on the fantastic scene, read what Jessica had to say about it here.) It's also interesting that Margaret and Arnold Rothstein's relationship has lasted past his death with her sneaking into her former boss' file cabinet to snag all the information regarding the A. Redstone account. She always was a smart one.

”To us and only us. Now and forever.”

Also in New York City - Coney Island and then the Bronx to be exact - is where we catch up with Lucky Luciano, who is still serving as a lieutenant under Joe Masseria. Well, for the moment anyway. Their final exchange is exquisitely written and shot, with the two reflecting on their time together before the younger Sicilian retreats to the restroom to make room for his goons, Bugsy and Tonino, to come in and fill the would-be Caesar full of lead. And like that, the 'fight' is over. His dream of one boss does come true, only it's Don Salvatore Maranzano that becomes the head of la Cosa Nostra. For now. There's something fishy going on with Lucky and Meyer. And how gross was that blood oath? There's got to be a better way.

”Let’s just be clear, certain issues regarding your past make moving forward tricky.”

Back to that something fishy going on between Lucky and Meyer; whatever the two are scheming (assuming the two are scheming), it involves the latter going all the way to Havana to see Nucky. And after the two see each other, which amounts to nothing more than a quick dismissal of an invitation to sit down, some dude tries to hack Nuck's head off with a machete. And he would have succeeded, too, if it wasn't for Nucky's weird, ear-collecting new bodyguard. Now, that's an introduction. I like him. Sorry, I got ahead of myself.

The reason our lead is in Cuba is to position himself, with Sally's help, as the legitimate U.S. distributor of Bacardi Rum when the Volstead Act is repealed. It's all explained in this clip. But will Nucky live long enough to see prohibition become a thing of the past? A solid, albeit far from terrific, episode to start the fifth and final season.

"...Don't think life plain sailing, there's danger of failing, though bright the future seem to be. But bright honor and labor, and truth to your neighbor, will bear you safe over life's seas. Then up and be doing, right only pursuing, and take your fair part int he strife. Be honest and true, boys, whatever you do, boys, let this be your motto through life."

The final season of Boardwalk Empire continues with Episode 2, "The Good Listener," next Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO. Created by Terence Winter, the series stars Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham, Vincent Piazza, Anatol Yusef and Michael Stuhlbarg.

Here's a look at "The Good Listener"...

If you haven’t caught the September 7th final season premiere of Boardwalk Empire, you may want to turn back, now. While this isn't a recap, it does contain spoilers from the Season 5 premiere.

Boardwalk Empire has always been a series about enterprise and chance, about men and women, but mostly men, and the careers that lead them on certain paths. Tonight, HBO premiered the fifth and final season of the acclaimed drama, and just a few minutes into the first episode of the season, the show put together an iconic and historically-tied scene that might just be the most mentally disturbing thing I’ve ever witnessed on television.

To provide some context, the unhappy and unfaithful Margaret spent the majority of last season toiling away at a low income job and going by the last name Rohan. Her boss was Mr. Bennett, a man who tipped her extra if she helped him sell shady stocks. Things were swell for Mr. Bennett, then, but in the Season 5 premiere the show has skipped ahead to 1931. The stock market has crashed and the pressure has gotten him down.

Bennett is a side character on Boardwalk Empire, a footnote in a cast of extraordinary and enterprising characters played by actors who are larger-than-life. Yet, he steals the entire episode, here, delivering a brazen and halting speech about Mickey Mouse and the prowess of the economy before pulling a gun from his pocket, holding it to his temple and squeezing the trigger. Here’s an excerpt from the speech.

It’s one of the saddest and most affective scenes television has ever produced. It’s also one of the most shocking. For a drama that has produced deaths by the dozens, that regularly uses machine guns and bombs to destroy its characters and that has killed off some of its best and boldest, it’s a testament to writer Howard Korder’s skill that he manages to mesmerize us as we watch the final moments of a broken man.

It’s his final words that say the most, his hands casually in his pocket, his eyes tired and attempting to reassure Margaret and the others who all seem to be waiting for something without knowing what that something is. “Oh no,” he says, “Everything’s going to work out fine.” “Oh no, “ he says, and pulls the trigger, leaving two generations of audiences for the first time with a real idea about what it meant to live and lose during the Great Depression. It’s fucking impressive, and the thousandth reason you should watch Terence Winter’s slow and hard series, even as it reaches its final, glorious, last gasping breaths.

HBO’s Boardwalk Empire airs on Sunday nights at 9 p.m. ET.

We are only one day away from HBO premiering the final season of its critically acclaimed drama Boardwalk Empire. The subscription cable network has already released plenty of footage for the final installation, but this weekend HBO released a clip that will make fans think about life after prohibition and highlights the time hop leading into Season 5.

It’s no longer the Roaring Twenties in Boardwalk Empire. In the brand new clip, it’s 1931 and the times, they are a’changing. Somewhat surprisingly, Nucky’s relationship with Sally Wheet has survived the passing of time. In the clip, he’s spending time with Ms. Wheet in a very warm environment. Since Season 4 sent Nucky to Florida for shady business dealings, it would make sense that Nucky still has interests in the South. However, HBO released a nice plot description along with the clip, and as it turns out, Nucky’s in Cuba trying to forge ties and create a business for himself as prohibition is close to being repealed.

Nucky’s very compelling in the clip as he discusses the potential repeal of prohibition, noting, “The day repeal passes, I intend to open for business, legally, in the thirstiest country on Earth.” It’s a convincing speech; unfortunately, it might require more than one speech to get the other guys in the clip on board. Instead of shady dealings with gangsters, Nucky is attempting to convince Bacardi Rum and U.S. senators that he has the goods to be a competent and reliable businessman. Plus, with Boardwalk Empire’s Season 5 slogan being “no one goes quietly,” I have trouble seeing Nucky riding off into a sunset, a crate of legal liquor in tow. On the other hand, maybe that would be a sneaky-perfect ending.

The clip only focuses on Nucky and Sally, but luckily, HBO has been magnanimous to offer us a few tidbits about where everyone else will be during the premiere.

It’ll be interesting to catch up with the Boardwalk Empire characters seven years in the future. While events like Margaret and Nucky’s separation and Chalky’s daughter’s death only happened a season or two ago, filling the seven-year gap should have been a tough but rewarding task for the show’s writers. The season 5 premiere was written by Boardwalk Empire staple Howard Korder and directed by Tim Van Patten, who has also been around the block on the show. The questions they will have to answer are difficult ones. What have our characters been up to for the rest of the 1920s? How did they handle the advent of the Great Depression? Most importantly, though, I’m interested to see how the show’s characters are still connected seven years down the road. Boardwalk Empire may be on its way out, but at least the series isn’t phoning it in during this last season.

The fifth season of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire will begin with the episode “Golden Days For Boys and Girls” on Sunday, September 7 at 9 p.m. ET.

If you’re looking for a list of talented leading actors, you may as well start with the men rumored to play Doctor Strange. From Jon Hamm to Joaquin Phoenix to Benedict Cumberbatch, it’s a Murderer’s Row of thespian greatness, and now, we can add one more, though far less famous, name to the pile: Jack Huston.

Who? You know, Jack Huston. The guy on Boardwalk Empire with half of a face…

Right. That guy. Well, in real life, he’s extremely handsome, and his profile is on the rise. He nabbed a supporting role in American Hustle, the Kerouac part in Kill Your Darlings and the Mr. Wickham role in Pride And Prejudice And Zombies. In short, Hollywood is quietly buzzing about his potential as a leading man, and this could be the exact vehicle that explodes him into the mainstream.

The information comes courtesy of This Is Infamous. With no one else confirming any part of it, however, it should be taken with a grain of salt. There’s a possibility he’s not really in contention, but since no one really knows what the hell Marvel is doing behind the scenes, let’s entertain it for a minute, because it makes some weird sense.

Marvel has long been excited about casting actors who are on the rise. Sure, they employ Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L Jackson, but only one of those people has actually been the full-fledged star of a Marvel movie. As a group, they’ve gravitated toward people like Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth and Paul Rudd. In short, they like people with a lot of charisma who aren’t necessarily A-list performers with experience opening their own movies.

So, on that note, Jack Huston actually fits quite well. He’s got a ton of natural talent, and he’s got the type of face that could go on billboards. He’s full-blown handsome, and he’s got a little bit of weird mystery to him, which Doctor Strange needs. He’s not super zany, however, though so Marvel’s movie version of the Doctor would need to be a certain kind of, well, strange, one that’s not quite so full of energy. Plus, he allegedly almost nabbed the Star-Lord role before Marvel settled on Chris Pratt.

God only knows when we’ll get some official Doctor Strange news. Until then, feel free to keep speculating away. Just don’t be surprised if the studio circles back around to Jack Huston.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Blu-ray

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 starts off with a cutesy chase scene and follows with a romantic interest fans can root for. Unfortunately, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 also offers an array of villains and movie tropes we’ve seen before, cut together so that even a moment of tragedy for our hero isn’t very affecting.

It must be great to play Peter Parker. Even in Spider-Man’s most conflicting moments, Andrew Garfield seems to be having a whole lot of fun. His scenes—especially those shared with character Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone)—are full of verbal wit and a good-natured sense of love and respect. Like all versions of Spider-Man, this Peter Parker is still torn, torn by the life he lives as an average human and his duties toward New York City. When new villain Electro (Jamie Foxx) brings Oscorp back into the picture, Peter Parker must put everything he has on the line.

Director Marc Webb often gets the tone of the comic books right. Regardless, 10 years ago, so did Sam Raimi. With many of the same characters involved and much of the same sorts of plots on the table, it doesn’t really matter how great Garfield is or how interesting the graphics are. It doesn’t even matter how lovely the romantic plotline is. Instead, it feels like a rehash of the same story we’ve seen time and time again. It’s a shame that doing Spider-Man too faithfully is a detriment this time around. While The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is not un-enjoyable, it certainly isn’t fresh.

You can order the movie over at Amazon.

Best Special Feature: Some of the bonus features with The Amazing Spider-Man 2 are as stylized as the movie itself. The "The Wages of Heroism: Making The Amazing Spider-Man 2" segment is a multi-part behind-the-scenes look at the movie. We get to check out the feelings of the cast and crew regarding the movie’s story, flair and characters, and why certain people got on board for different ideas. New York City is also explored in-depth, as are the different sets used in the city. If you are looking for interesting information related to the making of the movie, this segment is it.

Other Extras:

Audio Commentary with Filmmakers

Deleted & Alternate Scenes

"The Music of Amazing Spider-Man 2 with Director Marc Webb"

Alicia Keys – "It’s On Again" Music Video

If you get the Target release

Boardwalk Empire: The Complete Fourth Season Blu-ray

Boardwalk Empire’s fourth season is a tale of grief, loss and new beginnings. It’s a story featuring Nucky Thompson still pushing to expand his empire even as the authorities draw closer and some of the people closest to him draw further away. Season 4 is both tragic and poignant—sometimes in the same moments. It’s the second to last season of a story that seems as if it won’t have a happy ending, but will probably get the ending it deserves.

When Boardwalk Empire returned to the schedule for Season 4 last fall, Terence Winter’s drama didn’t start off with a bang. Nucky (Steve Buscemi) still has old business to attend to, making up with Arnold Rothstein (Michael Stuhlbarg) before moving forward with a deal that takes him to Florida and into the arms of Sally Wheet (a tough-ass Patricia Arquette). Back in Atlantic City, Chalky (Michael Kenneth Williams) must fight for his corner of the town when the well-versed and villainous Narcisse Valentine (Jeffrey Wright) roles around. In Chicago, Nelson Van Alden (Michael Shannon) sinks deeper underwater in his attempts to get ahead.

Boardwalk Empire has always been a show about life eking forward, slowly and painfully, and its storylines are compelling not for the integrity of its characters but for their capacity to face such challenges without blinking an eye. Season 4 is especially powerful because we finally see Gillian (Gretchen Mol) get her comeuppance and we see Chalky get some real material to work with for the first time. His scenes with Narcisse are some of the most challenging the show has faced, and it opens the audiences’ eyes to a whole new world in Atlantic City. Season 4 is less surprising in a lot of ways than in seasons past, as we’ve grown to know the show’s biggest characters, but its finale is a strong reminder of the reasons it earns critical success, and it sets fans up for one hell of a ride in Season 5.

You can order Boardwalk Empire: The Complete Fourth Season over at Amazon.

Best Special Feature: Disc four of Boardwalk Empire: The Complete Fourth Season offers the bulk of the bonus features, making the set extremely easy to navigate. There’s a touching tribute to Richard Harrow, during which actor Jack Huston clearly is engaged in the character he played for numerous seasons on Boardwalk Empire. Richard was one of the most complex yet emotionally distant characters on the series, and it’s kind of awesome to hear Huston explain how he put together all of Richard’s mannerisms and traits to create one of the most interesting characters on television.

Other Extras:

"New Characters"

"The Onyx Club: A Step Back in Time"

"Season 3: Revisited"

Audio Commentaries

Toy Story of Terror Blu-ray

Over the years, the Toy Story franchise has become synonymous with quality. The animation, the ensemble casts, and the general messages the series imparts about teamwork have all set it apart from other animated fodder out there. Still, choosing to do a television series outside of the realm of a full-length feature could have been a real disaster for the franchise. Luckily, Toy Story of Terror is yet another fun offering from the franchise. The bigger question is whether 21 minutes of footage is worth the list price.

Toy Story of Terror initially aired on ABC last October, bringing back numerous members from the original cast, including Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn and more. This time, the story focuses on cowgirl Jessie, who faces her fears and saves the day after the crew of toys are stolen by a rude individual running a creepy motel outside of town. During the toys’ journey, they make some unexpected friends, including a PEZ Cat (Kate McKinnon) and Combat Carl (Carl Weathers)

It’s a short segment, but a fun one, and it was so successful at the time of its release that ABC has ordered another special to air this Christmas. It’s certainly worth a watch and luckily it’s chock full of enough bonus features that Toy Story of Terror should be worth adding to your collection at home. More on that, below. In the meantime, you can order the set over at Amazon.

Best Special Feature: It’s a veritable fact that people love the Toy Story universe. It’s also a veritable fact that Toy Story of Terror is a pretty short feature. Likely because of these two ideas, Disney’s set is chock full of bonus features, offering a few fully animated toons and a few partially animated deleted scenes with optional introductions. If you are looking for added Toy Story content, the extra footage is humorous and pretty cute, and more importantly, Axel Goedde is on hand to explain exactly why stuff was cut.

Other Extras:

Vintage Toy Commercials

Audio Commentary

"Team of Specialists"

Other August 19 Releases

The Blacklist was a bit ahead of the game last week, releasing its Blu-ray set just before the other studios began pouring out last year’s TV releases. This week, there are big sets coming from most of the big networks, with CBS, ABC and NBC all producing releases for some of the network’s hit shows. Among these, The Good Wife is offering a DVD release for what is probably its most memorable season, yet, featuring a shocking twist ending that will effect anyone interested in the dynamics of Lockhart Gardener and Alicia’s never-ending saga. Unless otherwise noted, sets are available on both Blu-ray and DVD.

Other August 19 Releases:

Once Upon a Time: The Complete Third Season

NCIS: The Eleventh Season DVD

The Good Wife: Season 5 DVD

Parks & Recreation: Season 6

Revolution: The Complete Second and Final Season

The Mindy Project: Season 2

Leviathan

Parenthood: Season 5

Only Lovers Left Behind

Jarhead 2: Field of Fire

"All empires fall."

Even though it didn't kill in the ratings, Boardwalk Empire was one of the best shows on TV last year, and HBO's bootlegging drama will be back for its fifth and final season this fall. There are some spoilers ahead, but here's the first look at Season 5...

Since the Boardwalk Empire Season 5 tease is set to a cover of Harry Nilsson's 'One,' I figured you could listen to the original as you read the rest of the post.

The first look at this final season of Boardwalk Empire doesn't show too much footage – it is a tease after all – but the choice quotes still got me pretty excited. I love the 'all empires fall' and 'no one goes quietly' taglines, not to mention the one line delivered by Steve Buscemi's Nucky Thompson, because they all nicely sum up what should be a violent closing stretch for the often blood-soaked series. I'm still recovering from the loss of Jack Huston's Richard Harrow. Hell, I'm still recovering from the loss of Michael Pitt's Jimmy Darmody. To the lost!

As for the characters on Boardwalk Empire who managed to make it out of Seasons 1 through 4 alive, they will be put into the Great Depression with Season 5, set seven years after last year's finale. People will really need a drink. And Steve Buscemi's Nucky Thompson continues to be the man in Atlantic City to see about that, with prohibition still about two years from being repealed.

Sorry, too much of a history lesson can suddenly turn into spoilers. I will say that I'm surprised to see Terence Winter skip over the Atlantic City Conference, which saw Enoch 'Nucky' Johnson host a meeting of organized crime leaders in 1929. Perhaps, the writers will fudge the dates a little bit because it seems like too good of an opportunity to pass up. But I suppose that's what happens when you're suddenly faced with writing the final chapter of a long, true story.

And besides, Boardwalk's Nucky is always hosting the other crime heads anyway. There's even some footage of him at such a meeting in the new tease. The short HBO spot also shows off some of our other favorite characters – with quick shots of Vincent Piazza as Charles Luciano and Michael Shannon's Nelson Van Alden (aka George Mueller) and Stephen Graham's Al Capone – but 30 seconds isn't nearly enough time to properly preview the sprawling, period drama and its wonderful ensemble. It's just a taste of what's to come, and now I need the bottle.

Boardwalk Empire will return for its fifth and final season in September (Sundays at 9 p.m. ET) on HBO. Created by Terence Winter, the series stars Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham, Vincent Piazza, Anatol Yusef and Michael Stuhlbarg.

UPDATE: The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed with their sources that Charlie Cox has landed the lead role in Marvel Studios' upcoming Daredevil series for Netflix.

The original report in its entirety is below

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has had some insectile problems with their upcoming Ant-Man feature, and the comic giant’s TV world has also seen some shake-ups. But Netflix’s upcoming Daredevil series could possibly have turned a blind eye to all the hubbub and picked up a talented young actor to don the iconic red cowl. But then again, maybe that didn't happen.

According to the rumor professionals at Latino Review, sources are saying Boardwalk Empire star Charlie Cox “is looking like he’s going to be Marvel’s Daredevil.” This of course doesn’t mean that Marvel has actually hired him, or that Cox himself is even aware of this tidbit, but any kind of casting news for this highly anticipated series demands attention.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time that we’ve gotten excited about a Daredevil announcement. Back in March, Dexter star Michael C. Hall was reportedly attached, but he soon came out and said he was never even contacted about it. Given how heavily Marvel already promotes their own projects, we take any outsider information with a handful of salt, but it’s an interesting thought experiment to think about what the British actor might do with the role.

We don’t really know much about Daredevil at this point, beyond the obvious facts that it will center on Hell’s Kitchen lawyer Matt Murdock, whose blindness is balanced by other superpowered senses that make him a total badass. It isn’t a big stretch for any particular actor to play Murdock, though Ben Affleck taught us that not everyone is perfect for the role.

And though Cox hasn’t had a huge career just yet, he’s done enough since Matthew Vaughn’s Stardust that we aren’t completely put out by this rumor. Beyond starring as Nucky’s bodyguard and driver Owen Slater on two seasons of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, Cox starred as Ishmael in the miniseries Moby Dick and as Josemaría Escrivá in the biographical drama There be Dragons. His latest role is the titular character in Anthony Wilcox’s comedic drama Hello Carter, and he’ll soon be seen opposite Dominic Cooper in Gary Shore’s Dracula Untold.

Should this rumor be true, it’s the first move that new showrunner Steven DeKnight (Spartacus) has made since joining the series over the weekend. He replaced Cabin in the Woods director Drew Goddard, who went off to direct the Spidey-spinoff Sinister Six.

What say ye, Daredevil fanatics? Do we hand Charlie Cox the baton or blind him with pepper spray?

Over the past four seasons, Boardwalk Empire has fractured its central plotline and split its principal characters into different cities, leaving fans to wonder how the writers could possibly tie it all back together. Now, it seems they have one season and one season only to pull off the seemingly impossible.

HBO announced this afternoon that the beloved mob drama will end after its upcoming fifth season. No specific reason was made for the decision, but one would imagine there are two basic factors that came into play. First, the show’s numbers have been slipping a little bit, with many episodes drawing less than two million viewers, and second, I’m not sure there are believable ways to make these characters survive that much longer. I mean for the love of Atlantic City, Nucky’s world came really, really close to collapsing in on itself this year.

Here’s what creator Terrence Winter said in a statement he issued this afternoon…

Based on the above statement, it’s impossible to tell whether HBO laid down the hammer or it really was a joint decision. Either way, it’s better for everyone involved that they know going into this season that they need to wrap it up and make it count. There are few things worse than a show getting the heads up halfway through production and having to cobble together an ending with only a few episodes left of wiggle room. That slapdash approach can lead to some disasters and is typically worse than a show getting a surprise cancellation because then at least it got in an entire normal season of TV.

If you’ve never watched Boardwalk Empire before, you should really consider getting on that. It’s a tightly written, very aggressive premium cable offering that mixes in some great references to the past with a larger storyline that feels very modern in all the best ways. Despite overall numbers being down, it still has a very passionate fanbase (spoiler alert), and there are more than enough theories floating around the Internet on a side variety of Empire-related subjects to keep new fans occupied for weeks. No doubt HBO will put at least some of the show on On Demand prior to the forthcoming seasons and any that don’t get that treatment are available in really snazzy Blu-ray sets.

I’m going to miss you (spoiler alert) quite a bit, Boardwalk Empire, but for the next six months or so, I’m going to focus that emotion into excitement for one last round of thrills.

"Two clichés make us laugh. A hundred clichés move us. For we sense dimly that the clichés are talking among themselves, and celebrating a reunion." Umberto Eco

At the end of "Farewell Daddy Blues," the fourth season finale of HBO's Boardwalk Empire, the great Italian writer's famous quote came to mind. The way that the drama chose to write off one of its more popular characters was fitting and emotional, and yet also exactly the kind of interplay of clichés Eco is talking about. Richard Harrow's death was handled in such a way that was ultimately so familiar, so expected that it was almost comfortable. Like coming home.

Early in Season 4, Jack Huston's Richard began to turn away from violence and try to put that side of his life behind him so of course there would be a final job that needed doing before entering retirement. And with the last hit, came the emotional goodbye at the train station and the promise he'd soon follow. Of course, at the pivotal moment his hands quiver, there's a fateful misfire and, after four seasons and many murders without a scratch, he finally took a fatal bullet himself. But he couldn't die without first having a reassuring dream in his final moments, making it to the train and being reunited with his new family. And the other half of his face. To use another cliché, it writes itself.

"It occured to me, the basis of fiction is that people have some sort of connection with each other..." Richard Harrow

Aristotle said that the perfect ending for tragedy should be both 'surprising and inevitable,' a pairing, by nature, that's rather difficult to achieve. I didn't see Richard's death coming until the HBO preview for the finale and then, once it clicked, well, it was really the obvious conclusion to what had preceded. There wasn't much Terence Winter could do with the character besides saying a truly final goodbye, him having increasingly felt a bit extraneous to the action since Jimmy was put in the ground at the end of the second season. Don't get me wrong, Richard continued to be one of the main reasons to tune into Boardwalk Empire, somehow remaining the emotional core and even moral center of the series despite being a cold-blooded killer.

Richard's first episode, "Home" (S1E7), offered an incredible introduction to his character, perhaps one of the best ever with the chance meeting of Michael Pitt's Jimmy resulting in the pair ditching a psych-eval for a drink before working together on a key hit. Who else makes that kind of first impression? Not to mention the fact that he's only rocking half a face and speaks in the hypnotic mumble. The two swap stories and traumas. This was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. A short friendship, and bloody, but still beautiful in its own way.

Boardwalk Empire has already been renewed for a fifth season, expect it to air sometime next fall, probably Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO. Created by Terence Winter, the series stars Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham, Vincent Piazza, Anatol Yusef and Michael Stuhlbarg.

"To the lost." James 'Jimmy' Darmody

"After today, I'm not making plans."

After a fantastic and fateful fourth season finale, it's only fitting to include the titular "Farewell Daddy Blues" in the background. So, press play before proceeding...

Perfect. Now that a depressing mood has been set with the authentic period piece, it's time to discuss the sensational season of Boardwalk Empire and its firmly stuck landing. Its sad, sad landing. HBO's drama brought out the big guns for the finale, with "Farewell Daddy Blues" directed by Tim Van Patten and written by series creator Terrence Winter with the help of Howard Korder, the latter having left his fingerprints on seven of Season 4's installments including last week's equally excellent "Havre de Grace." And as I said the last time Van Patten helmed an episode (he does several a season, Boardwalk Empire's number one guy since Martin Scorsese shot the pilot), the audience is always in safe hands with him behind the camera and can probably expect some fireworks. Some beautiful and strikingly composed fireworks. And with last night being the last show of the season, of course things were going to pop off.

"I will see you in three days."

There's no point in wasting any time in getting to the biggest development, if you want to call the devastating death of everyone's favorite character a 'development.' The writing was on the wall, with the anti-hero and former murderer for hire finally getting everything he wanted before returning for one last job. That makes it sound cliché and, to be completely honest, the execution contained a few (like the aforementioned last job, the ensuing hesitation shakes and his picturesque dying dream complete with a completed face) but as Umberto Eco once said, "two clichés make us laugh, a hundred clichés move us" and I was moved. At least his actions in court and the deal to reveal the real Jimmy Darmody's body ensured that Tommy wouldn't fall back into Gillian's hands. He's such a good (titular) dad. I also see why the series saw fit to introduce us to Richard's awesome sister Emma, so that we know Julia and Tommy are in good hands. Jack Huston's performance as the half-faced, tortured veteran over the last four years has been wonderful, making audiences deeply care about a mass (masked) murderer is no easy feat.

"Yeah. I'm sure you're right."

Speaking of masked murderers, "Farewell Daddy Blues" did make me think of Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson's Scream because every character seemed to have their 'I'll be right back' moment. I mean, I tried my best to use most of them in the block-quotes included throughout and one character that I was shocked made it out of "FDB" alive was Greg Antonacci's Johnny Torrio. Not for lack of trying on Al's part. (Right?) And to keep up with the film references, the failed hit on Torrio had shades of the attempted assassination of Vito Corleone in The Godfather. Maybe it's just because both of the tough old Dons can take a lot of bullets. In this case it was one for the driver and the rest for the boss, all after the tension filled talk with his number two earlier. I mean, who else could it be, right? I'm still not too sure why Torrio went after Capone in the first place since he had pretty much already handed over the business but these mobsters and their pride. Al made his point though, it's Europe for Johnny. That leaves Chicago ripe for the picking and the Capones are not the kind to show restraint, especially with Nelson and Ralph on his side. And Eli?

"Tell your mother I'll be late."

All season long I've been predicting that Eli would be the one to bite not bullet not Richard but it turns out he's just taking an extended vacation to Chicago. So, he'll still be late but not, you know, 'late' late. The younger Thompson brother set up the meeting of the mob bosses as requested by Agent Knox (Tolliver) but Nucky is no dummy and, thanks to last week's dinner table outburst, is able to piece together the lawman's plan. Too bad Knox wasn't informed of the discovery because he asked his school chum turned hard-ass boss for a few too many men and things don't look good for his career. I've been boasting for some time how I thought Brian Geraghty's Bureau of Investigation Agent was going to be a formidable adversary and in some ways he was but not nearly to the extent I was expecting. I figured his involvement would continue over multiple seasons until they began to paint him with the outsider brush which, well, makes anyone easier to kill. The fight between him and Eli was incredible. Intense, raw and vicious. The saw, man, the saw.

"This is only my career, Harold. I'll relax when it's over."

As for his older brother, her didn't have an easy time this week either almost having to shoot another important person in his life in the head. Right when my brain was telling me that there was no way Nucky was going to kill Eli, I thought of the body that they had recently exhumed and the surrogate son he buried. All the talk of family, Nuck does kind of have one of his own but Jimmy's gone and who wants Gillian? Sorry, Gillian. And then there's Margaret who just moved into the place set-up by Redstone, uh, Rothstein. I wonder if her connection to the world will bring her back to Nucky? Oh, Sally's also left waiting for him to not show up in Tampa. Nope, the plan for after he took care of that particular final piece of business changed and now he and Willy taking a trip to see pops in Chicago. As for the business, well, it had to do with helping out an old friend. Chalky has been put through the wringer this season and he still has the will to see Nucky face to face even if that means effectively ambushing the Albatross. His new country crew doesn't mess around.

"There is no wedding."

I wonder if that's the direction things are heading for Mr. White? I mean, how awesome would it be to see him running things in the backwoods as a moonshiner at the beginning of next season. He looked mighty comfortable on that porch, with Daughter singing somewhere nearby, even after the devastating events that led him there. The central conflict this season has resulted from the introduction of Harlem which, while adding rich new thematic territory to explore also, pitted Jeffrey Wright's Dr. Valentin Narcisse against Michael K. Williams' Chalky White for Atlantic CIty's north side. Interestingly enough, by the end of the season both men stand defeated, although the nature of and reason for their respective falls is quite different. While Chalky's fate is quite sad with him losing his entire family (and Maybelle her life) because of the war with Narcisse and, well, following in Nucky's footsteps, the Doctor's was one of the few things about the episode that brought a smile to my face. It's only fitting that the 'peddler and pimp' now has to snitch on his hero Marcus Garvey and call the whitest of all the white men, Director Hoover, sir. It's also exciting to know that Wright will probably be back on the Boardwalk and I imagine the director of the BOI will also play a larger part.

"That way all of us can be together..."

Boardwalk Empire has already been renewed for a fifth season, expect it to air sometime next fall, probably Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO. Created by Terence Winter, the series stars Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham, Vincent Piazza, Anatol Yusef and Michael Stuhlbarg.

"I think it's time, considering the respect the position deserves, you begin referring to me as Director Hoover."

"Enough with the teasin' that's all."

That's got to be it for the slow burn (with brief flashes of violence) for the fourth season of Boardwalk Empire as "Havre de Grace" brought almost every conflict to a head just in time for the finale. Okay, not every storyline was pushed to the edge during the penultimate episode since most of the threads outside Atlantic City were already set up for their big, and most likely bloody, finishes last week or even the one before. Like I said, it's a slow burn with a lot of wicks to watch. It may seem odd to refer to a series where someone has their face blown off every installment as a 'slow burn' but the early spurts of violence aren't usually of much emotional consequence with those bodies being merely the pawns in the larger game. Okay, there's maybe an early death per season that really hits home, like Eddie, but the rest of the characters that viewers care about aren't moved into real danger until the final stretch and this season Chalky's had the worst of it with his road leading to the titular...

"Haven of Grace."

Fine. So that's not technically the title. Like last week's "White Horse Pike," this Boardwalk episode is also named after an area not far from AC with Havre de Grace, Maryland being the destination that Mr. White and Daughter retreat to for safety. It seems Albert, yes, Albert was taken in by Louis Gosset Jr.’s Oscar Boneau as a teen and watched the latter run the North and work with (for) the Commodore. Oscar also doesn't seem to think to highly of Daughter and doesn't mind expressing those feelings to the easy rider, poor cook's (pretty but still bruised) face. And you know Oscar is a well respected man not to be trifled with because Chalky barely even tries defend her honor. We also learn the story of how she got her name, a tale almost as depressing as Gillian's Darmody's life. Maybe more? I don't like that she stoked the fire between Albert and Nucky before bailing on him because that's a relationship I'd rather see patched up in time to put the Doctor down. Do you think Chalky's going to bring these country boys back to the North side to settle scores with him? I hope so, Scrapper and the dude playing checkers were badass. Before getting to those scores, let's talk about Gillian's storyline and the big Roy reveal that at least a few of us must have seen coming.

"Childhood doesn't last. Nothing lasts."

It wasn't until maybe an episode or two ago (or at least one or two ago that contain the new 'couple') that I started to smell that bacon stench on him. His good guy act seemed genuine but he was still clearly hiding something from Gillian. That Leander Cephas Whitlock (played by Dominic Chianese more commonly known as Junior Soprano) is quite the piece of work, not only is he fully aware and probably complicit in the horrors that befell her as a child but then he sets her up to rob her of what little she has left. The writers and Gretchen Mol did a fantastic job this season somehow making her sympathetic after being one of my most hated characters on television. I mean, I still don't like her but it's hard not to feel sorry for her and how he life was stolen. She also got to have a nice goodbye with Tommy, finally content to let him grow up in a (potentially) nice household. I say potentially because you know Richard is going to get his hands dirty again at some point. The most interesting developments on the Boardwalk continue to surround Agent Knox and the pressure he's been putting on Eli to rat on the family business.

"I want out."

In a chaotic sequence near the beginning of "Havre de Grace," Gaston Means makes a late night phone call to Nucky offering information in order to make a quick buck before the U.S. Capital Police arrest him for perjury. Nucky doesn't bite but the stench of the skunk does make an impression. Meanwhile, Knox is pushing for Eli to get all the NYC, AC and Tampa conspirators in one room together and it doesn't take long for the younger brother to float the idea in front of Nuck. And just when Eli seemed entrenched in his betrayal, the AC boss suddenly threw in the curve that one day it would be the former running things. I wonder if the idea of being the man in charge changes how Eli is going to handle the situation with the 'baby-faced insurance' salesman. I mean, if he knew how little support Knolliver had at the Bureau, I'm sure the Thompson number two would just tell the Agent to screw or worse. But he doesn't know that, instead Nucky knows that Eli has been talking to the law. Oh, let's not forget about Willy. After all that's happened this season, I imagine the final call will someone fall to him. Nothing gets you out of the game like a bullet. Ask Jimmy.

"The day come, everybody going to run out of road."

Boardwalk Empire returns with the Season 4 finale, "Farewell Daddy Blues," next Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO. Created by Terence Winter, the series which has already been renewed for a fifth season, stars Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham, Vincent Piazza, Anatol Yusef and Michael Stuhlbarg.

"I need you to take some men, head out to the White Horse Pike."

After last night's illuminating trip down the "White Horse Pike," only two episodes remain in the terrific season of Boardwalk Empire. The two previous installments ("The Old Ship of Zion" and "Marriage and Hunting") were more focused than usual, with the period drama concentrating on fewer threads and characters each week in order to position all the storylines for the end of Season 4. To say the action is heating up on the Boardwalk would be an understatement and, with the conclusion right around the corner, the tenth episode didn't waste any time moving almost all the pieces in place. And the plot-heavier "White Horse Pike" was helmed by writer/director (and younger brother of Gwyneth) Jake Paltrow whose sophomore feature film Young Ones also features one Michael Shannon. Although the two didn't work together much on the HBO drama with George Nelson Van Alden Mueller only making a brief, albeit eventful, appearance...

"Lucky for Johnny he left when he did, huh? Huh?"

Poor Al. After losing his brother Frank he’s really started hitting the drugs hard and can’t even see how he was obviously set up by his former boss. I mean, it certainly looks like Johnny Torrio had everything to do with the attempted hit on the Capone brothers (and by extension, Nelson) since he clearly wasn’t happy with the way his protege had been edging him out of the business and, as Al said, then left at such a lucky time. The guy on the phone also didn’t sound Irish, so that should rule out a retaliatory move from what is left of O’Banion’s crew. To be honest though, I don’t really understand why Torrio would have Al killed since they did have a conversation about the latter taking over for the former when he retired and it seemed like that date was rapidly approaching. Apparently not. And just when Nelson was starting to move up in the Chicago underworld. Of course, students of history probably know how things turn out between Torrio and Capone but the former federal agent’s fate is still very much up in the air.

"I've never done business with a woman before."

In New York, an unlikely encounter (and ensuing pact of secrecy) between Margaret, uh, Rohan and Arnold, uh, Redstone has developed into an even more unlikely partnership as the latter shows back up at the former's place of business with a proposition. As we've seen in the previous weeks, Mr. Rothstein has been having some money problems and a lot of it has to do with Margaret's boss and a bad investment. Bad for Rothstein but very, very good for Margaret's Anti-Semitic boss. Those nasty slurs sure made it easier for us to root for her betrayal not to mention that she's realized that there isn't much difference between legitimate businessmen and criminals. At least Rothstein is impeccably polite when conducting business. A treat even. And she's quite good at it too. Could this be the beginning of a beautiful friendship? Or at least the beginning of Margaret's criminal career? She might not owe him anything after earning her new place but she's still going to be living rent-free in one of his places for the next five years. Someone might come looking.

"He knows that in an instant tragedy can strike and everything a man's worked for, everything he loves, everything he holds dear *snap* can be gone."

The episode opened with Agent Knox (or Tolliver) continuing to put pressure on Eli, however, the Thompson brother isn't being as cooperative as it looks. He's in a tough spot and trying to make the best of it by feeding the Feds real but useless information. Knox is a worthy adversary though and it doesn't take him long to realize that he's being played and that makes him tighten his grip on Eli with a visit to see his family. The message is heard loud and clear, especially when he shoots that trucker in the head point-blank, but we learn at the end of "White Horse Pike" that the agent may not actually be able to back up all his threats. Ever since Hoover took credit for Knox's investigation into the existence of a vast criminal syndicate, the head of the recently formed Bureau of Investigation hasn't exactly valued his former right-hand man's opinion. They are much more concerned with Marcus Garvey. Could this be a way out for Eli?

"This is the life you want?"

Another thing that might change Eli's approach to handling the Agent Knox situation is finding out just how involved WIlly has become in the family business. While Eli was off trying to keep the B.I. from hauling his son in for the murderous prank he pulled on his old school chum, Willy was busy keeping tabs on Mayor Bader for his Uncle Nucky. And good thing too, since he's able to figure out that Bader is in business with Dr. Narcisse. I mean, he figured out a bit too late for Chalky, and that misunderstanding is sure to cause some trouble between him and Nuck but hopefully the assembling army will help smooth things over. Nothing to clear things up like seeing a friend ready to go to war with you. Although, it did take more than just Bader's betrayal to turn Nuck from an anti-war advocate into a general calling in his troops. Thanks to Sally's management skills and an intimidating scene with Meyer, the AC boss finds out that Joe Masseria has been using his shipments from Tampa to move heroin. No cut for Nuck?

"So. Push come to shove, what happen then?"

Oh, and he also learns that Masseria is in business with Narcisse, someone Nucky hasn't been butting heads with as of late. I particularly enjoyed the scene when he and his Harlem rival and Season 4 antagonist have a confrontation in the Onyx office that overlooks the club. About time someone asked him 'Who the fuck do you think you are?' He is a formidable adversary though, able to not only survive the attack from Chalky but also put a bullet in his nemesis. Good thing Richard was recently hired at the club and is around to hide his new boss at the legion and tend to his wounds. This was the second time this season that I feared for Chalky's life but he was once again able to come out of the hit on top. Good thing he knows the route from Atlantic City to Philly. And how weird was the finale scene between Dr. Narcisse and Chalky's daughter Maybelle? I didn't know if he was going to kiss her or kill her and in the end he simply let her go. For now?

"I see great days ahead."

Boardwalk Empire returns with Episode 11, "Havre de Grace," next Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO. Created by Terence Winter, the series which has already been renewed for a fifth season, stars Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham, Vincent Piazza, Anatol Yusef and Michael Stuhlbarg.

CITY CLERK Marriage & Hunting LICENSES 8 am to 6 pm

The fourth season of Boardwalk Empire has been fantastic. The same way each additional year of The Wire was retroactively identified by their respective setting or conflict ( 'The Docks,' 'Hamsterdam,' 'The School' and 'The Newspaper'), Season 4 of HBO's new illegal drug drama will be known for bringing Harlem into the battle. And the show as a result, as I said, has been both narratively compelling and thematically rich. As the title suggests, the theme this week was marriage (and hunting) as the episode explored several couples in different stages of their vows while also picking up and advancing a bunch of loose threads. Last week's "The Old Ship of Zion" was an especially focused installment meaning that a lot of Boardwalk's main characters didn't see any screen time and, for the most part, "Marriage and Hunting" touched base with those that were missed. Like Richard and Julia, the couple that the title references most directly...

"It's just a hunting license, isn't it?"

The trial for custody of Tommy is still ongoing and Richard's appearance in the middle of Gillian's statement seemed to rattle the paternal grandmother a little bit. Mrs. Darmody was able to finish stating her case before Julia talked some sense to the court. Of course, the Judge was quick to point out that not only was it common for the children to wind up back with blood relations but also that Ms. Sagorski was not married. At the mention of blood, my mind went to Richard getting rid of Gillian to ensure Tommy's safety. He's a do-what-it-takes kind of guy and, despite his recent spiritual journey that saw him shy away from violence, he did wind up at Nucky's doorstep looking for work. I may mixed feelings about that because I love the idea of him being Nuck's new right hand man (now that Eddie's gone and Eli's... well, more on that soon) but that is also sure to lead to conflict between him and his new bride. Speaking of ideas I love, I was so happy to see Richard and Julia get hitched, especially since she was the one to propose. A Sagorski, a Darmody and a Harrow. Quite the family.

"I know... You too... won't be much longer. Yes. That'll be fine, sir. I will take care of that immediately."

The next thread may not seem to have anything to do with marriage unless my suspicions about Roy Phillips are confirmed in the coming weeks. I mean, does anybody think that he actually went through with the divorce proceedings with his wife? I'm sure that was her on the phone, if not his wife then surely another woman, and whatever their grift is, it has specifically to do with Gillian. It can't be a coincidence that he showed up at her place that day, we'll just have to wait at least another week to find out what he's planning. In the meantime, Roy is doing a significant amount of good for the former heroin addict, getting Gillian off drugs which also keeps her from having to deal with all the other accompanying seedy elements. Boardwalk and Gretchen Mol continue to do the unthinkable this season by making me feel even more sympathy for a character I have always despised. Will Roy use some of those secrets to his advantage? Is this somehow connected to Jimmy's doppelgänger? She kept a few things to herself at least.

"Cause I don't have the stomach for it."

Even the story lines that had seemingly nothing to do with marriage threw in a nod to the institution, like Arnold Rothstein asking his valet whether or not Mrs. Rothstein had retired for the evening. He seems almost as lonely as Nucky so it's not surprising for the two to strike up what looks like a warm (at the moment) partnership over talk of offing Mickey Doyle. When Nuck offered a plug nickel to save the imbecile he'd be glad to get rid of's life I laughed out loud. Once again though, the weasel has seemingly survived to snicker another day. I also loved the rhythmic opening of the scene created by him endlessly chalking up his pool cue. The talk also raises an important question for everyone on Boardwalk: when will your luck run out? We saw Eli's run out (again) in an instant last week and judging by the brief encounter with Nucky during "M&H," he took the deal as offered. Willy is okay. With the focus on marriage, I'm surprised June didn't make an appearance, especially given Eli's new circumstances but the series probably wants to let that 'mystery' stew. Oh, and Sally and Nuck are still feeling each other out, the former as enigmatic as ever. That's a big gun. "Well take him off. That solve the problem right there."

Chalky may have come within inches of his death during "The Old Ship of Zion" but his problems are just beginning. The husband and father (of the bride), has got a lot on his plate, the least of which is the ongoing feud with his 'Libyan' brother Dr. Narcisse. The Harlem gangster tried to get rid of his Atlantic City rival for good last week, however, it was Dunn who ended up in the ground thanks to Daughter's double-cross. Triple-cross? Whatever. The femme fatale lived up to her name, earning a (disturbingly) bruised face because of it, and now the battle is about to become a war. Only Nuck isn't exactly ready to rally behind Chalky. Then again, Chalky can't offer Nucky something like the Onyx in payment. This is a fight the AC boss would like to avoid, especially because he doesn't know who Narcisse is in bed with besides Cotton Club owner Oweny Madden. He's bad enough. Of course, when Narcisse threatened Chalky to Nuck's face, it looked liked that might be enough to get the Thompson crew in the fight. We'll see. For now, Chalky better worry about his affairs at home because his real daughter discovered other Daughter. Not that his wife is blind to her husband's indiscretions.

"My name is Nelson Van Alden. Take off your nightgown."

We didn't get any George Mueller last week but "Marriage and Hunting" more than made up for it with one of the most MIchael Shannon heavy installments in some time. Perhaps ever. And boy was it rad. The episode opened with Nelson (that's right, NVA!) still having problems at home with the home he built and this is causing Sigrid to give him shit. Remember his first wife? Yikes. Sigrid's complaints are at least valid and there is obviously a real passion there, let's just hope he doesn't bring back the self-flagellation. At work, O'Banion starts asking him questions about a truck that went missing and guy who got shot the night he went out with the Capones just before sending Nelson out on a delivery for DOB. Ha. Nelson offers his services for the hit on O'Banion but runs into a some old co-workers holding a grudge. Don't bring a sap to a gun party, Phil! The Capones aren't pleased with the delay but give him one more chance and the hit goes down later that night. RIP DOB. Oh, and if you want to see another side of Shannon, here he is in a Spike Jonze and Chirs Milk directed, Lena Dunham written live short from the YouTube Music Awards. Yep.

"Don't get lost in the fog now."

Boardwalk Empire returns with Episode 10, "White Horse Pike," next Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO. Created by Terence Winter, the series which has already been renewed for a fifth season, stars Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham, Vincent Piazza, Anatol Yusef and Michael Stuhlbarg.

"Know what I see? House full of trouble."

Whenever 'directed by Tim Van Patten' appears at the end of the Boardwalk Empire opening credits, it's probably going to be a pretty darb episode and "The Old Ship of Zion" didn't disappoint. Instead of the drama's often sprawling narrative (like last week's "William Wilson"), the eighth installment of the fourth season focused on only a few characters and yet that somehow made it seem like even more happened than usual with each thread taking a significant step forward. Sure, nothing went down in Chicago or New York (although we did an anecdote about Mr. Rothstein) and we didn't get close to seeing all our Atlantic City residents but things will never be the same for the Thompsons. Or the Whites. A plague on both their houses? Certainly trouble.

"Let's go remind them who runs this side of town."

One of the biggest reasons why this season is so compelling and thematically complex is the increased focus on the African-American experience with the introduction of the Harlem scene and Jeffrey Wright's Dr. Valentin Narcisse. Chalky has always been an important figure in the Boardwalk scene but the 'Libyan' issues have never been as front and center as they are this year. And Michael K. Williams has been more than up to the challenge of carrying the increased weight, perhaps delivering the performance of the season. Well, him or Shea Whigham. "The Old Ship of Zion" opened with Mr. Purnsley making a trip to his heroin den where he not only conducts some business but also encourages the guy he's got running the joint to attend the Doctor's new play called Ominira (which means Independence). And it's turns out to be quite the invitation. The play itself looked terrible, however, the actual invitation would play an important role in making the two rivals, Narcisse and White, finally confront each other in the streets. After the packed public funeral, Chalky's suspicions about Dunn are suddenly raised and the 'boss-man' starts dragging his 'buck' around town, eventually forcing him to raid his own heroin operation.

"It's your performance, sir."

Dunn does all he can to keep his moonlighting a secret from Chalky, which includes pumping several bullets into his buddy's chest and/or head, but the aforementioned invitation leads Mr. White to the Doctor. Not before a quick talk with his friend Nuck about keeping one's house in order, an ironic conversation considering what we soon learn is going down in House Thompson (You Can't Be Half A Gangster). I enjoyed 'Harlem by Torchlight' quite a bit more than Narcisse's 'symbolism' heavy play, probably because it ignited the conflict and forced the Doctor to bring out the big guns. He visits a melancholy Daughter and informs her of the plan to get rid of Chalky. And even though he's wise to Dunn's intentions and stabs him through the cheek, the plan would have worked if it wasn't for that back-stabbing singer! The femme fetale has a change of heart and that proves fatal for Mr. Purnsley. He's done. Sorry. Van Patten's close-ups during the final showdown were striking and it was the first time in a while I found myself genuinely concerned for a main character's life. Richard had a gun in his (half-)face a few episodes back but I just wasn't convinced that Boardwalk would pull the trigger. This time, there was a second I thought Chalky was a goner. What dos this mean for the Whites?

"Smart kid. Real Thompson."

As far as the Thompson house, the family is a little strained but business is booming after the recent expansion into Florida. Willy is staying with Nuck since he quit school and got kicked out of the (literal) house and he's still trying to pry his way into the illegal activities. His uncle doesn't shut down the boy's criminal dreams but it's hard for him to come to work when he can't even be in the same room as his father. Nucky joins Eli and Mickey to welcome the first shipment in from Tampa and is surprised to see that Patricia Arquette's Sally Wheet made the trip to babysit the booze. He's also surprised to see Mickey with Eddie's cane and you could just feel that it was going to end up striking that weasel across the face at some point. It didn't take too long, just another run-in with the fast-talker with his dead manservant's cane hitting on his new woman in his night-club. And the outburst also served to reignite the fire between Nuck and Sally, with the pair retiring back to his place for a loud late night encounter. I don't think he's used to having kids in the house. And they both give terrible advice. Sally's a tough one to read. I thought it was about more than money until the final sequence has her basically shaking him down for some extra cash. Now?

"We'll get the crooks. Then we'll find the law."

Another great off-season addition for Boardwalk is Brian Geraghty's Agent Jim Tolliver (formerly known as Agent Warren Knox) who is turning out to be a worthy adversary for the show's first family. Even though it didn't turn out so well, he did get to weak-link Eddie Kessler rather quickly and this week he's back looking for another way to bring Nucky down. Thanks to a coworker's anecdote, Tolliver learns about Willy's 'school troubles' and decides to use a conversation he had with Nerdstrom (Clayton) as leverage against another key player in the Thompson operation. Poor Eli. His kid not only wants into the family business and is receiving a "Ragged Dick" from his crime boss uncle but his college shenanigans have put his pops in an impossible situation. If I had a say, I'd let Willy go to trial for the prank gone wrong. But he's not my kid. I can't imagine that Eli would ever allow that to happen. Sorry, Nuck. Oh, and Shea Whigham is incredible. Such command over the frame. The final shot, holding on his face for a painfully long time, was devastating. And all this time I've been predicting Eli's death. This is somehow just as devastating. Well, close.

"One little nod."

Boardwalk Empire returns with Episode 9, "Marriage and Hunting," next Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO. Created by Terence Winter, the series which has already been renewed for a fifth season, stars Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham, Vincent Piazza, Anatol Yusef and Michael Stuhlbarg.

"Cut the crap..."

The first half of Boardwalk Empire's fourth season was solid, playing up Nucky's increasing isolation as well as developing several feuds in the concurrent threads, and yet it still flew by in somewhat forgettable fashion. Episodes 1 through 4 were most certainly overshadowed by the end of Breaking Bad with the final stretch of AMC's drug drama dominating the water cooler conversation (well, twitter) for most of the fall season. It's also not hard to see why since HBO's 'drug' drama is much more composed (in every sense of the word, from the measured pace to the elegantly lit frames), lacking the breakneck pacing and frequent WTF moments that helps series get talked about the following day. It's not exactly a 'gif' ready series but Boardwalk Empire does contain some of the most compelling cinematography and performances on television. Probably why its already earned its fifth season. And don't get me wrong, the bootlegging show still has its fair share of memorable or shocking moments, like the loss of Eddie Kessler at the end of "Erlkönig," just not the same kind of bang for your buck. There is a lot of banging though...

"Happiness."

Might as well start with a bang. Or at least with one of the several threads this week that contained a sex scene. I didn't think it was possible but the show is somehow getting me to feel for Gretchen Mol's Gillian Darmody. That's a big credit to the actress for her performance considering she's pretty much always been in competition to be the TV character that I hate the most. Even more than Game of Thrones' Joffrey. Ron Livingston's mysterious Roy Phillips is still by her side, helping the recently rock-bottom Gillian get off the junk. Heroin is also becoming a major player in the series and she's going to be one of the first citizens of AC to be able to say she kicked the habit. Good for her but I still don't trust this Roy fella. So far he's pretty much been the definition of too good to be true. Perhaps her dreams really did come true? Or maybe her dream from last night came true and she's dead? I don't actually believe that but there's no way he's being completely honest with Gillian. When will the other shoe fall? And since we're talking about Ms. Darmody's love-life, it's as good a time as any to mention that Lucky made a brief appearance in "William Wilson," getting called into a meeting with Masseria to 'explain' his dealings in Tampa.

"Actually, there is one thing I'd like you to do... Kill that Irish fuck."

Tonino sure has a lot to say for a guy who literally stabbed his boss in the back. I also don't like that the Boss is sending Charlie back to Florida and into potential conflict with his former partner. His relationship with Lansky was one that seemed to be about more than business. Like Richard and Jimmy. Or Al and Jimmy, for that matter. Capone's storyline this week also started with a bang but this one was the kind that includes a bullet and blood. He's killing cops because he thinks, and rightly so, that they were hired to kill his brother by his crosstown rival Dean O'Banion. And O'Banion is getting too clever for his own good (or big for his britches, whichever you prefer) not just creating enemies with his charm (think of George Mueller's feelings for his former-ish boss) but also actively trying to put one over on Johnny Torrio. Not a good idea, no matter how deep your connections go in the Chicago police. Looks like there's going to be a war and, well, no spoilers but anyone with the slightest sense of history has to know how this is going to turn out. And while the Irish and Italians are about to throw down in Chicago, an odd (and unlikely) encounter between an Irish lass and Jewish gangster occurred in New York City.

"And what does your husband do, Mrs..."

I'm not going to lie, it was a little bizarre to have Margaret Rowan (or whatever surname she's going by now or for the ruses she's doing with her boss) have an encounter with Mr. A. Redstone (also known as Arnold Rothstein). I'm not exactly complaining, since it was great to watch the two world class actors, Michael Stuhlbarg and Kelly Macdonald, have a scene together but it still felt oddly out of place. The phone call afterwards was especially memorable though, with him darkly lit in the booth and her having to reconsider the way in which she's making her money. It sure 'beats being a waitress,' however, it's not anywhere near as honorable. Not on the same level of criminality as Mr. Rothstein, or her former husband, but not in the squeaky clean category either. Oh, and sometimes, it feels good to be wrong. After Margaret finally made her first fourth season appearance last week ("The North Star"), I was quick to express my concerns that maybe they were writing Margaret out of the show and it looks like those were premature. Whew. Although perhaps Boardwalk could find more to do with her than a chance encounter. What did their 'understanding' set up?

"And what does your husband do, Mrs..."

I'm not going to lie, it was a little bizarre to have Margaret Rowan (or whatever surname she's going by now or for the ruses she's doing with her boss) have an encounter with Mr. A. Redstone (also known as Arnold Rothstein). I'm not exactly complaining, since it was great to watch the two world class actors, Michael Stuhlbarg and Kelly Macdonald, have a scene together but it still felt oddly out of place. The phone call afterwards was especially memorable though, with him darkly lit in the booth and her having to reconsider the way in which she's making her money. It sure 'beats being a waitress,' however, it's not anywhere near as honorable. Not on the same level of criminality as Mr. Rothstein, or her former husband, but not in the squeaky clean category either. Oh, and sometimes, it feels good to be wrong. After Margaret finally made her first fourth season appearance last week ("The North Star"), I was quick to express my concerns that maybe they were writing Margaret out of the show and it looks like those were premature. Whew. Although perhaps Boardwalk could find more to do with her than a chance encounter. What did their 'understanding' set up? "The murder of Wilson's doppelgänger is also what? His own suicide."

And now the thread from which the title was culled. "William Wilson" is a short story by Edgar Allen Poe about a school boys and murder and that obviously resonates with the young Mr. Thompson. Willy's college experience doesn't just involve the English professor's lectures that constantly remind him of his own experience but also his girl's morbid fascination with Nietzsche and Leopold and Loeb. Of course, he wasn't ready to walk out on her until after they had sex and we got to see the character whose name I can't remember topless. All the female characters save Margaret, Esther, Julia and June are required to show some skin and this week got around to checking a bunch of the new cast members off the list. Oh, and Willy's younger sister hasn't had a sex scene yet but with her looking to attend college next, I'm sure it's only a matter of time. Willy, however, is done with school which obviously doesn't sit well with Eli and Shea Whigham own this episode. He played a great drunk. Intense and still funny at times. It's also been a while since we saw Eli fully unload on his brother because the two have been in recovery mode ever since he was released from jail. Nucky and Willy's budding relationship will only continue to cause problems between the Thompson brothers and I've been saying all season that the writers are setting up Eli's death. Sorry. And I hope I'm wrong again.

"The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior."

While the family is causing enough problems for Nucky and Eli, they also have the law to worry about and the creeping danger of Bureau of Investigation Head J. Edgar Hoover. Oh, and Agent James Tolliver, they guy we know better as Agent Knox. Tolliver also had a little to do with the discovery of the nationwide network of organized crime. Just a little. Of course, he also slipped up when passing the crying Eli his monogrammed hanky last week and J.M.T. doesn't match up with Warren Knox. "William Wilson" also saw the return of Remus, who is helping the B.I. with their investigation, and Esther Randolph, the Assistant U.S. Attorney who went after Nucky in the past. I loved how J. Edgar was able to break Remus' habit of speaking in the third person and it still wasn't as exciting as having Juliette Nicholson's character back in the narrative. It's nice to have a true moral compass around, not to mention a formidable adversary for our outlaws. The episode also had a cameo from James Cromwell as the 'honorable' Andrew W. Mellon, someone who we haven't seen since he worked with Nuck in "Margate Sands' and I imagine might be an upcoming target for Hoover on his quest to quell corruption. I'm also interested to see what Tolliver will do after the Bureau Chief took credit for all his hard work? Could he break bad? He's already buddy buddy with the ultimate smooth criminal in Gaston Means.

"Don't peep. Don't peek."

Okay. Maybe not the ultimate smooth criminal. There are a bunch on Boardwalk and none perhaps as smooth as Dr. Valentin Narcisse, who seems to cast a spell on everyone he encounters. Except for Chalky. But Mr. White is so blinded by his love for Daughter Maitland (who once again had a great musical number) that he can't see how he's being played. And who can blame him? She is spellbinding. A true femme fetale. Actually, there was one other person who was able to see through the rhetoric and figure out who was flooding their streets with H but Dunn was quick to dispose of that threat. That's what you get for being a good man. With Chalky under Daughter's spell, Dr. Narcisse seems to be in a pretty powerful position but it's only a matter of time before the two come to a head with Declan, a prominent member of the community, being killed. Chalky is going to have to defend his position but, in his favor, if we've learned anything from the series so far it's that all secrets eventually come to light. Especially freaky ones that involve horrible chest scars, murdered mothers and eternal suffering. That's some weird manipulation the doctor's got going on there, like a cult leader. Trouble is coming for everyone.

"A guilty man will say anything to save his skin."

Boardwalk Empire returns with Episode 8, "The Old Ship of Zion," next Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO. Created by Terence Winter, the series stars Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham, Vincent Piazza, Anatol Yusef and Michael Stuhlbarg.

"I wouldn't put something alive in a box."

Last night's Boardwalk Empire marked the half-way point for the fourth season and Kelly Macdonald finally made her first appearance. And possibly her last? That can't be it for Margaret, can it? The series would certainly miss her, however, both she and Nucky have seemingly moved on and her adventures at 'the office' (not to mention the occasional Friday night movie) don't exactly fit with the rest of the action on the Boardwalk. Well, that's not entirely true considering the sixth installment spent a lot of time focusing on family and the former Mrs. Thompson (I wonder what she goes by now?) has been doing everything she can to keep hers on the straight and narrow since finding her lover in a box. (Oops.) I don't wish her any ill-will but I'd gladly put the Shroeders (?) in jeopardy if it meant having Macdonald around for some more episodes next season. She did let slip that she's staying with her brother meaning Nucky can find her and the kids whenever he wants. Family is obviously a common theme in many gangster dramas, especially when it comes to 'la Cosa Nostra,' and almost every storyline in "The North Star" involved one coming together or being torn apart. In some cases both at once.

"My dearest son, this afternoon I got the happy message that I am a grandfather. I cannot express the joy."

The opening shot of "The North Star" was a lovely visual (and aural) reminder of Eddie Kessler, the man whose suicide closed "Erlkönig," with Nucky's coffee cup shaking because of a departing train. All of the dialogue in the episode was wonderfully written, every line layered with multiple meanings and a sense of poetry. Nucky's man was more than just a servant, he was the only one who knew how to take care of Steve Buscemi's character and that's exactly what a family does. They take care of each other. (In this world that phrase also obviously has multiple meanings.) Nucky was fairly emotional over Eddie's death but no one took the loss quite as hard as Eli. Once the other Thompson realized that the man left behind a pair of sons, the news hit too close to home and would eventually make him vulnerable with exactly the wrong person. And I can't be the only one who's been seeing the signs that point to Eli's death. I mean, just this week Bill McCoy thought he died and his wife said he was flopping around like a fish. Maybe I'm reading too much into things. Or the show is playing me. While mourning the death in the family (his words), Eli spent most of his time with Agent Knox, the man arguably responsible for putting Eddie on the ledge, as the two 'worked together' to get the items from the safety deposit box. The first of several, unless the J.M.T. handkerchief changes things. Does Knox feel anything? Mickey was able to rattle his cage a little and he's definitely ambitious. Fatal flaw?

"He's coming."

Another family-centric thread in "The North Star" involved the reunion of Richard and the Sagorskys. Having both is obviously the ideal situation but if we are losing Margaret, Julia is a suitable replacement. Wrenn Schmidt's character has already left a huge impression on me even though she's only appeared in seven episodes of Boardwalk thus far. It might have something to do with the fact that Richard is such a great character himself and having her around usually means the that things are looking up for the half-faced war hero turned hitman. Oh yeah, Paul's pretty good too but sadly, he didn't get the best news this week. Cirrhosis (don't go there) from drinking too much booze. It's a smart choice for Boardwalk to explore yet another side effect of alcohol(ism) and Richard's reaction to the news was priceless. Tommy is clearly just as happy to have him back in their lives as I am and it's nice to see good things go the boy's way. The kid has had a tough ride and the detail about him learning how to navigate in order to always be able to find his way home was especially sad. Good thing the writers countered that with one of the best quips of the installment, Julia's self-assured answer to whether or not Richard could be going home with them. I wonder how long this bit of bliss will last? Can he stop putting people in the ground? When Tommy was looking at the sky, was he thinking of his father?

"Well, we don't want to wake anyone up."

Speaking of fathers, Chalky started this week’s installment watching his son learn a few new (and musically inappropriate?) songs as well as having a particularly steamy conversation with Daughter Maitland. If the talk of boredom wasn’t clear enough, she singer soon took the stage for a preview of the elongated musical number to come. I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it before but one of the best developments this season has been the addition of the Onyx because of all the musical performances that come with it. The song she sings later is wonderful and it also seems to captivate Michael K. Williams. The shot of his face was unlike anything I’ve ever seen from the actor. And this look of depressed longing came immediately after he had himself a mostly quiet dinner at home with the family. Not the good kind of quiet, the head down, avoid the rest of the table kind of quiet. At least until the kids are out of the room and Chalky verbalizes his complaints. Well, not the extent of his complaints. I’m sure he has no interest in sharing what happened at the end of “The North Star” with his wife, especially with his daughter’s wedding in the near future. (His real daughter, not Daughter.) Don’t want to spoil the young marriage by sharing how you’ve stepped outside your own. I wonder if this encounter will also cause problems with dictionary owner Dr. Narcisse?

"Do I need to be worried?"

After spending a cup of coffee with his ex-wife in a train station, Nucky spent the rest of "The North Star" setting up his new venture in Tampa. And kind of mourning Eddie. But mostly just moving on with his life and building his empire. The first roadblock occurs almost immediately upon arrival as Bill finally gets around to sharing the news about their former (volatile) partner. Well, he almost got to sharing before some local hillbillies did the talking (and threatening) for him. Sally's shotgun does a good job of breaking up the quarrel and Bill has a backup investor to fill the now vacant spot. Can the AC crime boss trust this new mystery man? To the gator fights to find out! At the local event, Nuck is joined by Meyer and Lucky to meet the new guy and it turns out that Vincenzo Petrucelli and the Italian mobster from NYC happen to know each other. And since Lucky didn't inform Joe Masseria about the Tampa deal, or more importantly, cut his boss in on it, that suddenly puts him in a very bad position. Meyer isn't going to let his partner's problems get in the way of him finally stepping out of Rothstein's shadow and their family unit also falls victim to this week's events. Say it ain't so?! Seriously, I like those two together. I also like the way Nucky does business, letting Meyer finally call him by his first name as well as setting Sally up as the one in charge of operations in his stead. That's a good move, right? We can trust her? Anyone else think of the scene from True Romance?

"'I am who I am, who else could I be.' I am who I am. I put a bullet through her face. Came home..."

Boardwalk Empire returns with Episode 7, "William Wilson," next Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO. Created by Terence Winter, the series stars Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham, Vincent Piazza, Anatol Yusef and Michael Stuhlbarg.

"I think you should stay here for a while. For your own good."

Nothing too major had happened in first four episodes of the fourth season with Boardwalk Empire busy laying a lot of groundwork in the opening third, both introducing new characters and setting up the multiple storylines for returning favourites. Well, except Kelly Macdonald's Margaret Thompson (or Schroeder or...). What the hell? Anyway. The HBO drama is known for its slow burn and there's certainly no need to hurry with Boardwalk having already secured its Season 5 but, as they say, last night things suddenly got interesting. (They were already but you know what I mean.) This early renewal also has me wondering if this year might pair with the next for a two-season arc, similar to the start of the series and how the rise and fall of Jimmy Darmody could be seen as a complete work. Things may started to go off on the Boardwalk (and in Chicago) but the trouble in Harlem is still just brewing. The calm before the storm, while others build and rage. Oh, and in case you were wondering, the title,"Erlkönig," is a reference to Goethe's poem of the same name. You know, the thing Knox recites to Ed near the end of the season's first great episode.

"Call it a demonstration of loyalty."

Picking right up where "All In" left off, Bureau of Investigation Agent Knox, and his doppelgänger partner, have our man Eddie Kessler in custody in a room full of chairs. Now, the cross-over audience between this and The League may not be huge, however, the dilapidated interrogation room reminded me of Rafi's house. It's the chairs. I loved the initial banter between Knox and Eddie (and the other guy), especially the bit about when to say 'you're welcome' and I didn't see the unknown past scene coming at all. Actually, I didn't see anyway that the agents were going to get Eddie to betray Nucky and I was completely captivated by the revelations about the German emigree's past. It all makes so much sense. Not to mention makes the episode's trajectory that much more tragic. The second I saw him put pen to paper, I knew what was coming and Tim Van Patten directed the hell out of his departure. It's a beautiful sequence capped with a wonderful shot. Do you think he knew Nucky cares about him? And will (we'll) miss him? And in the end, I don't think he even gave up all that much on his (now former) employer and instead just caused more trouble for the Capones.

"Who's going to do the kicking?"

The Capones also experienced quite a loss this week with Frank, the charismatic older brother, getting gunned down in true Bonnie & Clyde fashion. Or Sonny from The Godfather. That seems more fitting. Except, of course, that he was very much the level headed sibling with the younger brother having the uncontrollable temper. And drug habit. Cocaine! Before being filled full of lead, Frank swings by the Muellers' wood house and grabs George for another day's work. Yes, I'm finally done calling him any variation of Nelson van Alden. Frank promises to put some grass in his front yard, bringing the former O'Banion man over to see Al who has already forgotten the recent caper with the rival's bread trucks. He still enlists the giant man to head up the gang responsible for getting voters at Western Electric to vote Republican by any means necessary. Try as he might, Frank couldn't control Al and the latter's insatiable desire for power and territory put them in a no win situation that results in the former's death. The rise to power is an increasingly lonely road. Just ask Nucky. Although, something tells me that Al will enjoy the revenge portion a whole lot more. Chicago's going to be a dangerous place.

"First thing I wanna say is, uh, Henry Gaines was a pal of mine."

This was the first week this season that I didn’t notice how lonely Nucky is without Margaret (as he clearly has no interest in another showgirl) and that’s largely because he time was spent in the service of others. Service. Eddie. Nucky gets a call from his nephew Will (or Willy, if it’s Eli doing the name calling) to help with the mess he made at college. A prank gone wrong in “All In” left his class rival, well, dead and now Will’s in the clinker being held responsible for the ‘crime’ because he was the one who brought the liquor. They don’t even know about the milk of magnesia. And neither does Nucky after his first interrogation with Will but it doesn’t take him long to suss out a few more details, like Mickey Doyle’s connection to the booze. That’s probably bad news for Mickey. The elder Thompson trains his blood on how to handle the questioning and, after a little roadblock with the District Attorney, the poisoning finally comes to light. Not to mention that the dead boy is well connected meaning that his corpses can’t simply be swept under the rug. Did someone say scapegoat? It was pretty clear at that moment that Clayton (Nerdstrom) Davies was going to take the fall for the suspicious death. Those Thompson boys are cold.

"Rough day? Or shouldn't I ask?"

Ah. Gillian. Maybe my least favorite character on television. And I've liked Gretchen Mol before, so it's definitely a credit to her acting and the writing to inspire such hatred from me, especially since a small part of me can still muster up some pity. If you think about it, she's had close to the worst life of anyone on the show but that also will never forgive everything with Jimmy. I also feel a little like her character has outstayed her welcome. She starts her thread of Erlkönig with a hypnotic, almost spectral, scene of her getting high while trying to reach Roy for the tenth time. Despite how sad and desperate Gillian was during the exchange with the judge, I was quite happy to see that there was no way she would be getting custody of Tommy. And then I was horrified when it looked like she might just snatch him up from school. To call Julia a sight for sore eyes would be a massive understatement. I miss some female characters to root for on Boardwalk. Can we get some more Sigrid? Randolph? Margaret?!? After being denied her grandson, Gillian quickly heads home to take care of some of that H she scored from Dunn (who continues to flirt an interesting line of likability) and crashes. Roy finally shows his face and looks like he'll do his best to help Gillian recover. He knows sin.

"Ed. We'll see you again soon."

Boardwalk Empire returns with Episode 6, "The North Star," next Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO. Created by Terence Winter, the series stars Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham, Vincent Piazza, Anatol Yusef and Michael Stuhlbarg.

"So? Criminals have friends like everyone else..."

As fantastic as Boardwalk Empire is, it's hard to want to watch and discuss the HBO period drama when the last episode of Breaking Bad is on AMC at the exact same time. The events in (and around) Atlantic City are almost always compelling, with 1924 being another great year for the series so far, but it's hard to concentrate on a measly fourth installment with the other seminal series about peddlers of illegal substances airing its highly anticipated series finale. It's like watching a regular season hockey game during the middle of the Super Bowl. Even though Boardwalk is going "All In" (no, not the New Girl premiere), there's just no way to compete. But who cares what everyone else is talking about? Let's discuss the recently renewed bootlegging series and how this week picked up right where "Acres of Diamonds" left off with Dunn turning to the Doctor, Willy trying to fit in at school, Mueller van Alden spending time with the Capones in Cicero, Eddie stretching his wings and Nucky looking to expand his business into Florida.

"Our people flourish when they are able to be the angels of their better natures."

Race continues to be one of the primary concerns on this season of Boardwalk Empire and it was no coincidence that a few words from the closing lines of Abraham Lincoln's First Inaugural Address (March 4, 1861) made their way into Dr. Narcisse's dialogue in "All In." I'm not sure what to make of that since the Doctor is so contemptuous of all 'Nordics' but then again, Lincoln isn't exactly the average white man. Dunn is pretty quick to turn his back on Chalky and I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up paying the ultimate price for the betrayal. Of course, Mr. White has been doing everything in his power to drive his right hand man into his new nemesis' camp, treating Dunn like garbage ever since he, well, was sexually assaulted. Chalky is also busy (not-)flirting with Daughter Maitland, their chemistry palpable even all the way across the main room at the Onyx. It's also pretty rad that the show now contains a musical performance almost every week and Margot Bingham can sing. Dunn travels to Harlem to show his industriousness but Dr. Narcisse isn't too pleased with the unexpected meeting in Marcus Garvey's office and lectures his new student. He does that quite a bit and I'm starting to question how much of it he actually believes. Is he concerned with uplifting the race or just money and power?

"Couldn't happen to a sweller feller."

One Season 4 thread that I'm not so fond of is Willy's ongoing struggles at private school, mostly because you could see tonight's surprise coming from a mile away. Or at least I could and was really dreading being right. The school offers a great location for the period setting and ample opportunities to explore that generation's experience during prohibition, however, it was inevitable that the drama would be pushed to some ridiculous extreme. It just happens to be the Thompson kid who accidentally poisons his collegiate rival? It doesn't play for me, similar to the daughter's storyline in the second season of Homeland. Don't terrorism and criminality offer enough opportunities for drama? I don't get it except to illustrate that Eli pushed him into retaliating because, well, 'he's a Thompson.' Even so, it was a harmless prank gone wrong, it would have made more sense to have him accidentally kill the other kid in a fight if it was to showcase his 'broad shoulders' for his father. Willy and Nerdstrom have enough booze left over from the last score to host another shindig, except this time they prepare a special bottle for Bucky filled with homemade milk of magnesia. Oops. The shot of him dead was pretty impressive though. I wonder who that girl will choose now? Nerdstrom!

"There is a time for levity. I do have a sense of humor. He pays me well but he doesn't treat me with respect."

"All In" opened with a short sequence that I would call Fat Jake versus the stairs and he ends up having a mild heart attack in the middle of making a pick up for the Capones. Across Chicago, the Capones' rival Dean O'Banion is busy mistreating his own fat employee before he gets word of the fall and dispatches George Mueller to bring flowers by the hospital for Jake, even though Nelson van Alden would rather avoid the Italian mobsters. That doesn't mean anything to O'Banion who not only still sends him but does so with some seriously crappy flowers. The episode does a great job of showing how different the Chicago mob bosses are with their employees, O'Banion treating his like servants while the Capones are like an extended family. There's real love for Jake. That doesn't mean they aren't a bunch of psychos, laughing while they toss a guy out a window (so was I, that three-shot was hilarious) or grinning while gunning a guy down with a tommy gun. Still, the latter was done out of some kind of fondness that Al has for Mueller (like he had for Jimmy) and I fully expect to see their relationship continue to grow. They make a great odd-couple. Tall and short. Stoic and emotional. Crazy and, uh, crazy.

"Oh for Christ... You got a package for Mr. Brown?"

I have to be honest, when Knox said he was going to go after Thompson's weakest link, I didn't expect it to be Eddie. I mean, Eddie would never rat on Nuck. I'm also really impressed with Brian Geraghty's B.I. Agent and he might be my favorite on-screen off-season addition. He seems like the most capable threat in some time. Before Knox sprung into action at the end of "All In," Eddie had an eventful episode that proved J. Edgar Hoover's opening claim to be true, even criminals have friends and can make new ones! I enjoyed watching the recently promoted manservant refuse to play chauffeur and then pal around with Ralph Capone but it wasn't exactly the most thrilling thread of the week. Maybe Bottle and Edward could have a sitcom spinoff just like the Jim and Edgar one I suggested after "Resignation." I also miss Eddie being at Nucky's (insulting) side. And so does Nucky. Tom just doesn't provide the same level of companionship and the AC boss is a lonely man. Nucky Thompson may be a lonely man, but he still knows how to do business and he also has a talent for cards.

"Then you figured me wrong again. Nice getting to know you, Arnold."

I feel like this is his redemption season with the writers trying to give the audience reasons to empathize with (and eventually return to rooting for) his character. It was hard after Jimmy and then with all the issue with Margaret. Now, he's trying to return to the man he was before we even met him. Well, he was trying to be just the happy businessman, however, the Tampa deal has him sticking his neck back out, first by inviting Arnold Rothstein to be a partner on the deal. Who else has that kind of money? Before we get to that exciting development, it's also worth noting that Nuck plans to leave Atlantic City for Eli and head up the Tampa operation himself. Without any family left, there's no reason to remain in town. I also felt an ominous vibe in the scene where Eli agrees to run the errand in Florida, perhaps the younger Thompson brother will the one of the main characters who doesn't see the new season? I'm probably just getting paranoid. Rothstein insists that Nuck joins him for poker before agreeing to partner up and, in a nice turn, the game ends up prompting the latter to look elsewhere. But not far. Meyer Lansky is willing to be the kind of man Mr. Thompson is looking for in a partner. I wonder is Lucky Luciano is also along for the ride? And was that Yiddish Lanksy was speaking as he beat that rude man to death?

"I relish the action."

Boardwalk Empire returns with Episode 5, "Erlkönig," next Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO. Created by Terence Winter, the series stars Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham, Vincent Piazza, Anatol Yusef and Michael Stuhlbarg.

HBO’s Boardwalk Empire has only aired three episodes this season, but apparently that’s enough for the subscription cable network to give the go-ahead for next year’s Season 5. With storylines in Chicago, New York, Atlantic City and elsewhere, the drama rarely runs out of things to talk about and signing on for a fifth season almost seems to be a formality, even if Boardwalk Empire doesn’t do quite as well in the ratings (or in illegal downloads) as some of HBO’s other anchor programs.

Not that Boardwalk Empire is doing badly. HBO is a little closer to Netflix in that it is the opposite of network and cable programming, which relies on its viewers to watch advertisements to bring in money to produce new content. HBO earns its money through its subscriber's contributions, so it doesn’t really matter if those subscribers decide to show up for the first airing or not. Thus, while the last episode of Boardwalk Empire only did 1.87 million total viewers that’s not a disaster like those numbers would be if we were discussing NBC. When you factor in original broadcasts, encores, DVR, and HBO Go, about 7.5 million total viewers show up each week to watch Nucky Thompson and co. break and bend the law.

HBO’s drama also cleaned up at this year’s Emmy Awards, although you wouldn’t have known it if you were watching the broadcast of the ceremony. The drama won five categories this year, but they were all creative arts categories like “Outstanding Art Direction for a Single-camera Series” and “Outstanding Hairstyling for a Single-Camera Series” (true that). Though the show didn’t win for best drama or any of the more prestigious awards, the Emmy wins do serve to show that the drama is made up of a lot of really great singular components.

Mostly, I think HBO wants to continue with Boardwalk Empire because the drama is still producing strong new story ideas. Season 4 is taking a look at 1924, a year that happens to be smack dab in the middle of prohibition, when the liquor is flowing and there is plenty of money to still be made. I think a nice ending point for the series might be the year Prohibition ended, but there would need to be some serious time-hopping going on in order to get there.

HBO’s announcement on Thursday was preliminary, which means we don’t know when the show will return to the schedule or how many episodes the series will produce for Season 5. Taking history into consideration, I bet we’ll see twelve episodes next September, but again, we can't guarantee that right now.

In the meantime, Season 4 is in full swing. You can catch new episodes on HBO on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET. Here’s what’s coming up…

"Alive is a matter of opinion."

Even though the Emmys forgot to nominate Boardwalk Empire for Outstanding Drama Series at least they came to their senses and awarded the Outstanding Supporting Actor (in a Drama Series) statue to Bobby Cannavale for his, well, outstanding work on the show last season. Don't worry, Breaking Bad fanatics. Aaron Paul will win again next year. Unless Jeffrey Wright continues to impress as Dr. Valentin Narcisse. Wright is just one of the many stellar off-season moves that Boardwalk made in between seasons with "Acres of Diamonds" busy bringing even more new characters (played by great actors) into the Season 4 action. Not too busy, it's still burns slow. And the period piece's beautiful slow build has been great so far, as are the additions, but the show is still missing something. Or someone. I know that Boardwalk is trying to emphasize Nucky's increasing isolation and loneliness this season, however, it's past time we caught up with Margaret. In Brooklyn. At least we got a location of her and the kids' whereabouts.

"Welcome to Tampa. Land of money, cunny and where it's always sunny."

The fourth season of Boardwalk could also be known as Nucky standing alone at windows and "Acres of Diamonds" features a few beautiful shots of him doing it in his Tampa hotel room. The first shot depicts our 'hero' walking by himself (even in the company of guards) directly to his position staring out the window until cutting to the first meeting with his 'old friend' Bill McCoy. And in a nice bit of foreshadowing, he tells him straight away that the man who's excited to meet him might not feel the same excitement after it actually happens. While having lunch, Nuck eavesdrop on a kid name Skeeter's real estate pitch and learns about all the developments popping up near the property he's there to discuss. That means there will be a lot of prying eyes in the neighborhood and that's not good for business. Good for racket - racquet puns though. The tiny volatile hillbilly that Bill introduces to Nucky isn't too happy to hear the news and neither is Bill since he owes the big shot (in Tampa) a few hundred thousand dollars. If only he had come to Nucky as a friend but his decisions by the window are final. Or not. Too bad Bill (or little Gus) doesn't know that a late night, sexually charged and intellectually stimulating visit with Patricia Arquette's Sally Wheet will get Nuck thinking differently about Florida. Oh, she also picks out a gift for Teddy. Remember him?

"Stray dogs and bachelors."

Speaking of lonely men, Richard's journey continues to take interesting twists. His thread picks up this week with him making good on his decision to stop murdering people by burying his pistol in the backyard. It's not just your average gun burial either, it's shot like someone saying goodbye to a pet. We also meet Hugh, the lovable lump of a man who likes to call people by versions of their names. I'm not sure what a guy like that wants to do with the Harrows but he's probably exactly what their family needs. It's a good thing that Richard decides to leave home because Hugh is exactly the kind of character that seems destined to be a corpse. The sad part of Richard leaving his twin sister behind is, well, not getting to see any more of Katherine Waterston as Emma. She's not only delivering a great performance (with those giant brown eyes in the middle of the grey wasteland) but is the only female character of worth on Boardwalk this year. And not just because she can handle a shotgun either, although it was nice to see her come to her brother's rescue. Sorry, Carl Billings. Richard doesn't kill anymore. Well, besides that henchman. I also really loved the scene where he took his mask off to bask in the rays of sun streaming in through the roof. All of "Acres of Diamonds" was exquisitely shot and that was one of the most stunning scenes.

?"... some, somebody loves me. I wonder who? Maybe, it's you."?

One of the other most compelling compositions in the third episode comes near the end of Gillian's storyline when she retires to the bathroom to shoot up. The method of injection was particularly gritty, the camera catching her her stick the needle in behind her knee before lifting up to her face and out of frame. And things had been going so well for Gillian this week, way to bring up her prostitution son! Not very discreet or tactful. And Ron Livingston's Roy Phillips isn't away of her sordid past. Or is he? He's a tough character to get a read on and I'm not buying the whole Jimmy Stewart routine. I mean, I totally am buying Livingston's Stewart (it does seem a little like an impression of the star), just not what his character is selling. He pretends to be earnest and endearingly indecisive in order to manipulate people and Gillian is especially susceptible in her vulnerable state. To be fair, whatever he has in store for her seems to be better than what she'd been doing so... congrats? The pair go to find him an apartment but he cleverly manages to avoid putting any roots down in Atlantic City before convincing her to pose as his wife for a business meeting. And even though she pushes the boundaries a little, things go swimmingly during the couples evening out at the Onyx, the beginning of a beautiful, melted friendship.

"Some ferocious guard dogs and a few fellas with shotguns but nothing to concern yours..."

The least compelling thread this season has to be Willy Thompson at college. Eli's eldest son is on a bit of a rebellious streak, smoking and chasing girls with his buddies. And what is a college party without a little booze? To impress a girl, Willy announces that he's able to procure them some liquor for a late night gathering and drags Nerdstrom (the only suitable name) to the distillery with him to get it from Mickey. Unfortunately, the 'guy' that the Thompson boys knows is also a moron and decides to slap the kid around a bit before realizing who he's slapping. And to make matters worse, Mickey also lets him leave with the booze because now he's got to keep the boy's (bloody) mouth shut. I wonder how Eli is going to react when he finds out? Maybe Mickey's lucky streak is finally coming to an end? Nah, that cockroach will live forever. Willy's connections do end up impressing the girl but that also creates an enemy with Bucky, the typical popular, rich kid. I know that these school caricatures probably existed in this era, however, the Saved by the Bell: The Prohibition Years isn't really working for me yet. Perhaps the writers are planning to do something interesting with these types? You know, more than being boner embarrassed.

"When men make themselves into brutes it is just to treat them as brutes."

While Willy isn't quite cutting it yet, the introduction of Dr. Narcisse is the most interesting storyline in Season 4. Boardwalk has dabbled in race issues and the African American experience of the era in previous seasons but Chalky's character was on the periphery of the action in Atlantic City until now and Wright's antagonist is so explicitly calling attention to the issue. "AoD" catches up with Dr. Narcisse back in Harlem, educating a bunch of young black men before making a deal with Arnold Rothstein for some heroin. It was a nice touch to have him wipe his hand after shaking Rothstein's and I also liked Fredric Lehne (LOST) in his brief turn as Owney Madden. The episode also saw the introduction of Margot Bingham's Daughter Maitland, a singer and likely mistress for Chalky not to mention another reason for the Onyx club owner to come into conflict with Dr. Narcisse. It's already quite clear that the doctor is gunning to take Chalky out and this week he's able to make a lot of headway in recruiting Dunn to his side. Not that it's going to take a lot, considering the way Chalky's been treating his number two. The quote above was possibly my favorite of the week because it's actually Narcisse telling Chalky to his face that the latter is giving him reason to treat him without respect. What is Dunn going to do? Continue to serve Mr. White or join the Universal Negro Improvement Association?

"Well, see you in the funnies."

Boardwalk Empire returns with Episode 4, "All In," next Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO. Created by Terence Winter, the series stars Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham, Vincent Piazza, and Michael Stuhlbarg.

"Only kings understand each other."

Even if it didn't have time to visit all our favorite characters, "New York Sour" was a bloody good welcome back to the Boardwalk. The Season 4 premiere of HBO's bootlegging drama did a nice job tying up a lot of loose ends from last year (or at least furthering the mystery) as well as introducing new characters and conflicts for this season. Boardwalk Empire had its work cut out for it trying to replace Emmy nominated Bobby Canavale as the show's 'big bad' (or Charlie Cox for that matter) but, of course, they themselves were brought in to replace the seemingly irreplaceable Michael Pitt. That's the beauty of the series, its ability to constantly recruit the best to ensure that the quality remains consistent even if (when) they kill off major characters. Just like another beloved HBO drama (GoT), anyone can die. Kill and recruit, the key to Boardwalk Empire's success. Speaking of recruits (and success), my expectations for Episode 2 immediate rose when Dennis Lehane, author (of books that became Ben Affleck, Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese and Clint Eastwood movies) as well as writer on The Wire (the best TV show of all time), appeared in the opening titles of "Resignation."

"Oh, they paid as well."

One of the favorite characters that we didn't get to see during last week's premiere was Michael Shannon's former Agent Nelson Van Alden. And since the show continues to call him by both of his names, Nelson at home and George Mueller at work, I will do the same. The opening close up on his face was a nice way to start, putting the audience in the shoes of the poor suckers who answer the door and find his mug staring back at them. Hopefully he's bringing you flowers and not fists. The return of Mueller also means the return of Dean O'Banion and renewed interest in the Irish versus Italian mob struggle over Chicago. O'Banion sends George to work as muscle for the Capones because moving them to Cicero leaves more of Chicago to call his own. But it only takes one second for Al to recognize Nelson from the time the former stuck his fork in the latter's face and spared him so he could keep tabs on his Irish rival. Where the hell has he been? Shannon is amazing to watch. Sometimes he's large and intimidating, others he shrinks under his overcoat and huge hat. How different is this Nelson van Alden than the Bible thumping, sexual deviant, murderer from Seasons 1 and 2? I guess all it takes is a life on the run and a feisty Norwegian wife. Who wants to decorate his home for him. I took great pleasure in him taking a chair to the head not long after he had mentioned them to Sigrid.

"I don't want anymore of it."

Since we're talking weird families, might as well catch up with Richard and his journey to reconnect with his sister. And kill some dudes. We finally figured out why he was on a killing spree last week, I mean, more than just to give the fans what they want. Everyone loves a good Richard rampage but it looks like those days might be over. Or just getting started. Just when he thought he was out, they pulled him back in. Sorry, back to the beginning of the greyest of grey sequences. The Harrow siblings bond over their dying family dog and a discussion about their dad's incorrectly dated tombstone. Did we notice that she was pregnant last week? And by we, I mean you, cause I don't remember seeing the belly until this week. Another fatherless child for Richard to look after. I am kind of saddened that he would leave Tommy in the first place but I guess he thought the boy was safe with Julia. There's been no verdict on whether that thing (Gillian) regained custody. We were spared her presence but still had to witness Emma euthanize Samson. Why Emma? Cause Richard doesn't have it anymore. He didn't pull the trigger at the veteran's bureau (which may have been my favorite scene) and same goes for the dog. Something tells me that Emma's 'don't come back' ultimatum is going to come into play once our half-faced hero is forced to deal with the gentleman on the other end of the phone.

"Mr. Thompson is part of everything. He's in the sky and sea. He's in the dreams of children at night. He is all that there is, forever."

I don't know if I even addressed it during the recap of "New York Sour" but the dynamic between Nucky and Eddie had clearly changed since the latter got shot in the line of duty. The boss was no longer taking every opportunity to criticize and belittle his man servant and that had me worried because it was always good for a laugh in the middle of a tense episode. Fortunately, even with Nucky treating Eddie nicely, the writers still managed to find a lot of comedy in their relationship. After a disappointing and existential breakfast, the pair took trip out to see Mayor Bader and inquire as to why Mr. Thompson was not receiving his cut since he's, you know, Freddy Krueger or whatever. It's okay though, they settle the situation before there are any headaches. In fact, the whole episode was rather headache free but the light touch worked to keep Boarkwalk entertaining while it's still setting up the new season. I was also wondering who the titular 'resignation' would be coming from and was not expecting Eddie, however, his power move worked and he'll no longer be bringing Nucky his eggs. Just when things looked sunny side up (sorry, egg puns), it looks like Mayor Bader might have a bit of trouble making payments with the recent development on his development.

"A servant pretending to be a king."

I mean the dead woman. To be fair, Mrs. Dickey was perhaps even worse than Gillian. We really need Margaret back (or Esther Randolph) to have a female character who isn't gross. Emma seems cool though. And Julia. More Julia! Back to the dead woman and how she got dead. It's interesting that Chalky's thread opens with him showing his daughter's fiancé's family around the Onyx because you get to see the educated African American family before Jeffrey's Wright's Dr. Valentin Narcisse makes his ominous entrance. I'm sure he did work hard to get his doctorate but he's not of the same ilk as Samuel and the Crawfords. Dunn interrupts the tour to share that there's no news on the missing girl but she soon turns up in the care of Narcisse. The shot of him looking down on Chalky while his head was being rubbed was quite an effective introduction for the character who clearly sees himself as above the likes of the Whites. Chalky sends him packing but its tuns out that the good doctor has a hand in all the Onyx entertainer's pockets and they can't perform without his say so. So, it's time for another meeting, this one between kings. Nucky hears everyone out and decides that avoiding any potential trouble is worth a ten percent cut in the club. I don't think that's going to stop the trouble.

"Why can't they just admit they're guilty?"

I also knew she was going to get the rope. Narcisse didn't seem like the kind of guy to put up with her and her husband's 'game.' Her dead body is probably not just going to cause problems for Bader's development but also Nucky, since it's only going to give Knox and the newly formed Bureau of Investigation another reason to be snooping around Atlantic City. That Knox, I told you he was trouble. But in a good way. He's great at playing the hayseed card and that story is even confirmed by the ever reliable Gaston Means (Stephen Root returns!) when Nucky calls to check on Knox after their awkward first encounter. Nucky might be the only one to see something behind the facade. The curtain drops when J. Edgar Hoover (Eric Laden) reveals to the treasury officer whose in bed with Nucky that the, uh, B.I. has recently placed an undercover agent in their midst. Jim and Edgar, sounds like a sitcom.Boardwalk Empire returns with Episode 3, "Acres of Diamonds," next Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO. Created by Terence Winter, the series stars Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham, Vincent Piazza, and Michael Stuhlbarg.

"Cash you out, right now."

After a fantastic fourth season premiere, the promo for the second episode, “Resignation,” makes this week look every bit as entertaining. Hold on. Press play before reading on...

There. It only seems appropriate to properly set the stage for the installment that introduces Jeffrey Wright’s Dr. Valentin Narcisse to the proceedings with a little Fletcher Henderson. I say that like I knew who Mr. Henderson was before he was mentioned in "New York Sour." Same goes for former gangster turned club owner Owney Madden, although I had heard of his famous Harlem hot spot The Cotton Club. And they all obviously fit into Boardwalk's plan to keep expanding into the different New York (and other) territories because, well, more territorial infringement means more violent conflicts. "Who's feeling like a hero?" In Boardwalk Empire, probably nobody. There aren't many heroes left on the should have been Emmy nominated drama except Margaret. As you probably noticed, still no sigh of her yet.

The Onyx Club continues to be the focus of the new year (1924) and is also the reason that Dr. Narcisse pays Atlantic City a visit. It seems like the self-proclaimed king of Harlem has a grip on the talent and if Chalky (and Nucky) want their new establishment to be a hit, they'll have to enter into business with another unknown. Every time Nucky tries to take a step back, (or move all the way to a hotel on the outskirts of town), he gets pulled back in but at least the trials will likely bring him and his partner in the Onyx even closer together... if they both make it out of the season alive. I also wonder how Dunn is going to play into the Harlem encroachment. After the way he was treated last week, he seems like a wildcard.

Another major wildcard this week (and for the foreseeable future) is new addition, Agent Knox, who seems as ruthless as he is smart. And unemotional. His three scenes in the premiere were wonderful, introducing him as a naive rookie before pulling the rug out and showing his cold and cunning side. See ya, Agent Sawicki. Finally, we do get to see our favorite former fed, Agent Nelson van- I mean, George Mueller and how things are going for him in Chicago as part of the Dean O'Bannon gang. Probably not good considering that they are the main rivals to Al Capone's growing empire. I mean, he's only just got his brothers involved and we all know that it's just the beginning of their rise. If you didn't, sorry but that's not a spoiler, you're dumb. Tax evasion, bitches! There's a little more Boardwalk in the HBO Fall Preview video below, check it out. But more importantly...

Boardwalk Empire returns with Episode 2, “Resignation,” next Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO. Created by Terence Winter, the series stars Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham, Vincent Piazza, and Michael Stuhlbarg.

Boardwalk Empire has predominantly been a show about bootleggers, gangsters, and illicit activities. It’s a big boys club, and for the most part that has been perfectly alright. Then, last season, Kelly Macdonald’s character, Margaret Thompson, blossomed into an even more complicated woman that fell in love with someone else and got into the women’s rights movement, teaching prenatal care classes. Her voice became a welcome counterpoint. Unfortunately, she didn’t show up last night. Boardwalk Empire sorely missed Margaret in its first episode, and the Season 4 opener was worse because of it.

When last we saw Margaret, she had decided to leave Nucky and pursue her own interests, taking the children with her. Macdonald is still receiving a good billing in the opening credits, but in the first episode, she was nowhere to be seen, and it’s hard telling when she’ll actually pop up into the plot again. This week, we even saw Nucky tell a young woman he’s a “bachelor,” so even though we already know that marriage ended, the man seems to be settling into a new routine.

It may seem as if losing Margaret in the first episode might streamline the plotlines somewhat, but it actually just serves to make Nucky a less attractive character. Margaret provided the warmth and compassion in their relationship, buoying up his status in the Atlantic City society and forcing him to make inroads with his brother’s family (things, by the way, seem to be going swell on that front). She was the counterpoint to his coldness and provided a bit of stabilization to the show’s core, plus she was a well-developed character that has continued growing since the show’s inception. Without Margaret, Nucky’s living in a shady motel and trying to make land deals. Not fun.

It doesn’t help that most of the show’s feminine spunk was lost in the season opener. Nucky’s mistress, Billie, who was youthfully invigorating with a touch of sadness throughout her tenure on the show, also was killed off before the Season 4 opener. Even Chalky’s daughter, who offered a little attitude last season and gave us some added insight into the man’s home life, doesn’t pop up. This leaves us with Gillian Darmody (Gretchen Mol), a complicated character who has always been deliciously hate-able on the show. In the season opener, she’s not even really up to her usual hijinks. Instead, she’s turned into a totally lifeless drug addict.

The only women we do get are two forward women looking to score and causing trouble with Nucky and Dunn (Erik LaRay Harvey), neither of which contribute anything in the way of interesting or well-developed female personalities during the first episode.

Typically, a season opener is just an introductory episode, and Boardwalk Empire’s openers have been notoriously slow, tying up the loose ends left over from last season. As the series moves forward I want to see the men cut deals and accomplish the bootlegging that they do best, but I doubt that Season 4 will achieve any sort of balance until we get to see exactly what Margaret and the kids are up to. Or, at least introduce some females with a little drive, a little attitude, and a few skill sets.

HBO’s Boardwalk Empire airs Sunday nights at 9 p.m. ET.

The fourth season of Boardwalk Empire began last night and, as usual, the HBO series started things off with a bang. Despite the sensational should-be-nominated Season 3 not being recognized by the Emmys, the critically acclaimed drama didn't miss a beat even after killing off the (co-)lead. Who could have thought that Boardwalk would not only (quickly) recover from the loss of MIchael Pitt's Jimmy Darmody but produce one of its most affecting and compelling seasons yet? Instead, the show managed to work a pervading sense of loss into the narrative(s) as well as introduce new rivals and wrinkles to try and fill the gaping hole. And thanks to some riveting, and often emotional storytelling, as well as sensational turns by guest stars Bobby Canavale and Charlie Cox (to name a few), HBO did a fantastic job of not just moving on but perhaps getting better. Of course, not everyone made it through last year alive (those two in particular), making me wonder if the bloody, bootlegging drama can again fill the holes for Season 4? They made all the right moves in the off-season, bringing in a bunch of talented new actors (and writers), to ensure that Boardwalk Empire remains one of the premiere series on (it's not) television. The Emmy voters should expect a visit from Richard Harrow. That's if he's not too tired from serving several cold dishes of revenge in "New York Sour"...

"I thought we were laying low."

The cold open for the fourth season premiere takes place about 500 miles from Atlantic City on a cold and snowy night in Warsaw, Ohio. It doesn't take long to figure out that the two gentlemen having dinner at the open late diner are criminals on the lam but it's not immediately clear how they connect to the pre-existing characters on Boardwalk. And even after Richard takes care of them, in his usual well planned out and professional manner, all we know is there's some connection to Old Mission Title Insurance. Whatever that means. The sequence was expertly crafted and ended with my favorite shot of the episode, Richard receding into the snowy night. His quest functions as this week's framing story, with scenes also placed at the mid-point and the end of "New York Sour." In the middle, Richard rubs out a middle-man working for someone in Milwaukee and he too wants to know why. Like, so bad that he's willing to speak with a bullet hole in his cheek. Finally, Richard arrives at a home out in the middle of nowhere and, just when you think he's there to gun another person down, he hides his pistol before knocking. Doesn't matter, his sister Emma has already got the jump on him before welcoming him home. It must run in the family.

"It's waiting for a man, the right man, to bring it back to life."

While Richard has been busy murdering his way home, let's not forget the countless bodies he left at the Artemis Club at the end of the third season in an effort to save Tommy from having to live with his horrible grandmother. Sorry, I know Gillian has had the toughest life but she's the worst. All the hate people have for Skyler White, I have for Gillian Darmody. And yet, Gretchen Mol is so good that she makes me feel for the wretched thing from time to time. "New York Sour" was not her finest hour. Julia did her best to tell the court just how despicable Gillian is but I'm not sure the outcries did any good. Gillian is also looking for someone to buy the club and her is they want. Drugs don't come cheap and she's doing just about all of them. I couldn't help but feel sorry for her when all pretence was dropped and the, uh, prices were discussed. My pretence is still up. The next man looking to buy the place treats her with some dignity, however, I already don't trust Ron Livingston's Roy Phillips. Something is up and it's not just my pretence (or his odd accent). I'd venture there's no Piggly Wiggly deal. It's still a much better option for her than any of the previous applicants.

"Factotum."

Business in Chicago seems to be going well for Al Capone, who has not only taken over most of the leadership responsibilities from Johnny Torrio but also brought in his brothers Frank and Ralph to be his right hand men. The brothers get a nice introduction, mostly by showing how both differ from the hot-headed one in charge that we've come to know over the last three seasons. We also get to see the major difference between Al and Nucky, the former doing everything he can to get his name out there while the latter does all he can to keep himself in the shadows. Different approaches to Empire building. Torrio and Nucky are of the same generation and the Italian boss isn't pleased with his name being linked to criminal activity in the Cicero Daily Tribute. Al, however, is mad that the reporter called him a servant and misspelled his name. How the hell are people going to know how he is if the papers can't even get his name right? Also, how many times do you think he would have hit Frank with the boot if their mom hadn't stopped the rough housing. Nothing like family. Al, being the hands on leader than he is, takes the initiative and pays the young reporter a visit to ensure that the next time he runs a story on the crime syndicate, he'll get CAPONE right.

"I just don't see well in the dark."

With Agent Nelson Van Alden no longer Agent Nelson Van Alden (and sadly Michael Shannon didn't make an appearance in the episode), it's past time we saw some new blue blood on the Boardwalk and I really, really like this new guy. When the audience first meets Brian Geraghty's Agent Knox, we see a nice, eager to please person working at Agent Stan Sawicki's side. I actually got a sense that he wasn't all that pleased with the corruption but was such a good boy (and a little incompetent) that he was willing to toe the line. By the second scene, I started to get suspicious that Knox might be playing up the 'oh boy' personality and using it as his Columbo-ish approach to gaining trust and knowledge. And oh boy did it work. It was also telling that the rookie agent 'forgot' to share the details of the shotgun booby trap with his superior when setting up the sting on Otis. The doofus act worked on Sawicki for one final time, and had me smiling ear to ear, before Knox finally revealed his cold and calculating (borderline psychotic) real self. The shotgun wide shot was amazing. This guy is going to be a thorn in everyone's side. I'm fully invested in him already and wonder who the Bureau of Investigation is going to send to be his partner?

"Where'd this giant come from?"

The Capone's weren't the only family featured in "New York Sour" with the Thompsons, meaning Eli's clan, figuring prominently in last night's story. Willy, the oldest, is back from college and the scene with the father teaching his son to drive was one of the few touching moments in the season four premiere. Of course, it's also perhaps setting us up for devastation because after the sweet exchange, the boy asks about the 'family business' for the first time this episode. The next comes once he's been sufficiently babied at the dinner table by his parents and he runs out to ask his uncle for advice. Nuck never should have given him a taste of the life last season. Do you think this will cause another rift between the recently reconciled brothers? I wonder. Speaking of the family business, Nucky is still dealing with the fallout from the third season skirmish with various factions from New York and he calls a meet to make the peace. There was an epic feeling to the gathering, with Nuck and Joe Masseria meeting for the first time with all the other major players also in attendance including Rothstein, Lansky and Luciano. Oh, and Eli and Tonino. I was actually surprised to see Tonino still alive but if Mickey Doyle has taught us anything, it's that flip floppers sometimes prosper.

"All of man’s troubles come from his inability to sit quietly in a room by himself."

The meet also makes another division quite clear, Lucky has left Meyer to work at 'home' with the Italian mob. There's a lot of talk about home in "New York Sour." Nucky brings another young showgirl back to his home at the Albatross, which is just about as secluded as you could be, but finds the fact that she's only sleeping with him as a stepping stone to Broadway distasteful. I can't imagine why? At least Eddie Cantor has nothing to worry about. Well, except that the hottest new club in Atlantic CIty, the Onyx, only features African-American talent. Nucky and Chalky are in the club together but the latter runs the day to day operations like booking the talent and even though he'd love to get Fletcher Henderson and rival Harlem's The Cotton Club. I think we all know they will draw the attention of Harlem (probably some unwanted) but for now Chalky, and his right hand Dunn, have to deal with sleazy talent agents like Dicky. I was pretty amused by the drawing letter and also impressed because it reveals that she's done this before. More specifically, they've done this before. Dunn takes the bait and things go very wrong, very fast. He's also one of my favorite characters, I'm happy to see him anchor a thread this season.

"Mix you up the Jersey version."

Race has always played a part in Boardwalk Empire but with the opening of the Onyx it's obviously coming to the forefront this season. The events of last night are only the beginning, we haven't even met the characters from Harlem like Jeffrey Wright's Dr. Valentin Narcisse. Dunn is really put through the wringer in "New York Sour," not only having to deal with the incident but also be blamed for it by Chalky. And then forced to clean it up. The burying scene was beautifully shot and it did a great job of emphasizing class as much as race. Also, don't push a man too far, especially one who's willing to almost sever a man's head with a broken bottle. I think we were all happy to see Dicky get his for the racially charged sexual assault (he earned it) and I'm curious to see how (if) the escaped widow will play into the storyline. Witnesses are never good and Nucky saying that he wants no grief means he's probably going to get some grief. The name Owney Madden was dropped when talking about Dicky. Another potential problem for Nucky. He's got 99 but, thanks to Eddie Kessler, a bitch ain't one. A land deal in Florida, however, that might cause a few.

"I know you're gonna die."

Boardwalk Empire returns with Episode 2, "Resignation," next Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO. Created by Terence Winter, the series stars Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham, Vincent Piazza, and Michael Stuhlbarg.

With Boardwalk Empire poised to premiere its fourth season on HBO this weekend, it's time to take a look back at where things left off when Season 3 wrapped up, and speculate over where things are headed for the drama as Season 4 gets going. We'll start with a look back at where things left off when Season 3 wrapped up, then move on to what we know about Season 4 and offer up some plot and character speculation.

HBO's 'Boardwalk Empire Season 3 Revisited' does a great job recapping the many, and often bloody, events that took place last year in (and around) Atlantic City. The video takes viewers on a detailed trip through the past (in a relatively short time), reminding everyone about Nucky Thompson's increasingly troubled personal, political and, uh, business relationships. After committing the ultimate gangster act, Nucky decided to limit his exposure when it comes to the criminal side of his life and this protective measure ends up being the very reason that things once again spiral into violence on the Boardwalk.

Gyp Rosetti (Bobby Canavale in an Emmy nominated performance) takes exception to the new rules and wages war with the boss of AC. He fought hard but, in the end, falls victim to one of his own lieutenants. And an unexpected assault from the one and only Richard Harrow. Even though Nucky narrowly managed to take care of one upstart gangster there's still the fall-out and other would-be-kings vying for the bootlegging throne, not to mention many other prohibition related conflicts breaking out across the east coast. 1924 is going to be a bloody good year for Boardwalk Empire. HBO even brought in a couple of writers from The Wire to make sure.

Season 4 starts with that horrible excuse for a person, Gillian Darmody not only seeking custody of Tommy but also struggling to keep her business afloat after it was overrun by Rosetti and then everyone inside was murdered. To that end, Roy Phillips (Ron Livingston) is a new to town business man who might run the Artemis Club and woo Gillian. She's the worst. Nucky is, once again, trying to lay low but that obviously won't happen on the Boardwalk with challengers coming from all directions. One of the new threats comes from rookie Federal Agent Warren Knox (Brian Geraghty) who arrives in Atlantic City and doesn't seem to mesh with Agent Sawicki's corrupt way of doing things. It's not long before Knox finds himself in Washington meeting with the no nonsense, acting director of the FBI J. Edgar Hoover (Eric Ladin). Oh yeah, there's also Nucky and Chalky's newest venture, the Onyx Club.

The success of the Onyx brings the newest 'big bad' to Atlantic City, Jeffrey Wright's Harlem crime boss Dr. Valentin Narcisse. Narcisse immediately clashes with Chalky and Nucky but also brings along a a sexy jazz singer named Daughter Maitland (Margot Bingham) to perform at the club. While Chalky is romantically intrigued by the singer, his right hand man Dunn Purnsley simultaneously being courted by the doctor. And the rival from Harlem is hardly the only problem coming from New York, with Nucky also dealing with his various criminal relationships (current and/or former allegiances) across the George Washington Bridge. Oh wait, that doesn't exist yet.

The Rosetti war caused many rifts for Nucky in New York, which means the beginning of the fourth season will probably be spent making peace or war with Joe Masseria as well as the Arnold Rothstein crew. Of course, with Boardwalk Empire being based on real life, we could look up what actually went down but I've committed to letting Terrence Winter and company fill me in on all the blood-soaked history. And because I don't want to spoil things for the audience while recapping the show. I've never been attached to Masseria so I can't say I'd be too upset to see him dealt with but if Rothstein, Meyer Lanksy or Lucky Luciano were to meet their ends (this season) it would be a bit sad. At the same time, however, the fact that anyone could die keeps everything exciting.

The Chicago storyline keeps drifting further and further away from the action in Atlantic City but that doesn't make it any less integral to Boardwalk Empire. Stephen Graham's Al Capone has always been a central figure in the series, going from Johnny Torrio's number two to the man in charge over the last three seasons. This year the Italian versus Irish feud with Dean O’Banion continues to escalate and Capone has brought in his brothers Frank (Morgan Spector) and Ralph (Domenick Lombardozzi) to help fight the rival gang. Michael Shannon's former agent Nelson Van Alden/current gangster George Mueller is still working for O'Bannion but gets closer and closer to the Capone crew. And not in a violent way... well, there will probably be violence.

Tampa. Tampa? What? Although there is no regional trailer for the new location, Nucky will be going south to take advantage of a lucrative but extremely dangerous business opportunity in Florida. Aren't they all? Dangerous, I mean. Contacted by transplanted bootlegger Bill McCoy, Nucky heads to Tampa to look into investing in some real estate and during the visit he runs into Tampa speakeasy owner Sally Wheet (Patricia Arquette). I wonder if the bootlegging lady is in need of a new supplier or will take offence to Nucky's arrival? Will she help expand his business or do what Rosetti couldn't? Who knows, she might be packing a lot of heat. It is Florida. Sorry, Florida.

Boardwalk Empire returns for its fourth season Sunday, September 8 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO. Created by Terence Winter, the series stars Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham, Vincent Piazza, and Michael Stuhlbarg.