Review of Boardwalk Empire Pilot

Special thanks to our NY based correspondent who sent us this review:

It’s been a long build up to the premiere of Boardwalk Empire. Finally we can see if the show lives up to all the hype.

Other reviews, the not so good ones, have said the first episode moved slowly. Have to disagree on this one. The first episode did the job of setting the scene with gorgeous full on sets and introductions to much of the characters.

In the book Boardwalk Empire you get the impression that Nucky is going to be far more authoritative but you don’t get this from how Buscemi plays the role. Not so much of a leader but more of a two-bit gangster lowlife type, not the leader of men that you get from the book. In a few scenes however this does come out, when he smashes the head of the drunk wife-beater, the husband of Margaret.

Looks like they are setting up Nucky as a likable character. He will surely stay a step or two apart from the killing however he is bound to get his hands dirty at some point. He is surely set to be the leader of the bunch, even with the likes of Lucky Luciano, Al Capone and Arnold Rothstein.

Despite Michael K. Williams' (Omar from the Wire) cameo appearance, his presence certainly set us up to want to see more of him.

I do know and I don’t know why this series has been compared so much with Mad Men. Yes, the are set during famous eras in US history. Yes, the production pays precise attention to being true to the time period. This is pretty much where the similarities end. Boardwalk Empire will have more sex, violence and profanity that has already been proven. A more in your face period show than Mad Men that’s for sure.

Get set for Boardwalk Empire inspired drinking games – drink one when a large wad of cash is handed over. Drink two when someone has sex with a hooker. Etc.

So, does the show live up to the hype? This correspondent says damn right.

Read the Season 1 Episode 1 Synopsis.