[Episode Discussion] S02E05 - "Gershwin and Bunkum"

mbreo · 7 months

I loved this episode. Everything that Boardwalk is capable of being when running on all cylinders, a deep character study, a twisting political drama, and a violent action series this episode nailed. The Richard scenes were at times tragic, hopeful, and even badass. We got to see a glimpse of Jimmy's capabilities as a a political player and leader. He did well with his speech but he lacks powerful allies. I don't doubt his intelligence but he can be impetuous and can underestimate his other political players. Nucky was downright ruthless as ever, and it seems obvious that he is the best man for the job of running Atlantic City. Whether he was entertaining the attorney general, getting crucial info out of Eli, or putting Jimmy on the spot, Nucky expertly juggled so many situations. The eruptions of violence were certainly welcome as well. The Eli Nucky wrestling scene showed how beneath everything else, their relationship boils down to brotherly resentment, which for Nucky seems to be about supremacy and for Eli seems to be about respect. We see Eli losing control again later as he murders an nervous "ally" and seemed to enjoy doing so. Jimmy and Harrow killing the old racist was of course very satisfying but it will be interesting to see whether Jimmy can learn to solve his problems more diplomatically going forward. I could have gone for some more scenes of Van Alden, as seeing him slowly unraveling has been an awesome place to see his character go and he will certainly be a huge wildcard going forward. I also missed Chalky and his always engrossing monologues. I'm excited to see where the season goes from here and I hope the show can hit a high note like this episode again this season.

Everything-is-Magic · 7 months

[deleted]

jason221 · 7 months

Laughed at Christopher MacDonald playing golf. Shooter McGavin!

skymirror · 7 months

Pete: "People come out here, they get up to all kinds of foolishness. That's not what these woods is for....These woods is for living."

This season, each new episode becomes my new favourite.

I loved the opening shot of Margate Beach. Beautiful. The visuals on this show are always so gorgeous. The final shot, the marshland framed by the moonlight as Eli dug ... wow.

I didn't think it was likely Richard would die this episode, but I was so worried when he put the gun in his mouth and so relieved when the dog showed up. The scenes with Richard and the trappers were wonderful.

Glenmore: "He's an old soldier who just keeps on fighting. Don't you, boy?"

Richard: "What does he fight for?"

Glenmore: "You'll have to ask him."

I liked the parallels between the dog and Richard. Pete said the dog knew who he was. The dog saved Richard, and Richard's trying to figure out what the dog knows -- who he is and what to fight for.

I was so relieved that Jimmy told Richard he would fight for him "right down to the last bullet."

The Richard-centric parts were what I enjoyed most, but the rest of the episode was fascinating too. Nucky's federal case is being taken care of (or so he hopes). The Commodore's health can't be kept a secret from everyone much longer. Margaret is getting more and more frightened the more aware she is about the world she and Nucky live in. Jimmy's a prideful loose cannon or a player to be reckoned with, can't decide. (I watched the scalping scene through my fingers. Yikes.) Nucky's taken off the gloves where the people who betrayed him are concerned. Katy is sleeping with Owen already. And Eli killed George. Damn. I can't wait to see where all of this leads.

(Happy Reddit birthday, OP!)

Eddiemag247 · 7 months

Van Alden is my favorite character closely followed by Richard. The scenes with Richard were very heartbreaking. Jack Huston is a great actor.

This episode just had so many great moments. The fight between Nucky and Eli was especially great.

TedFromTheFuture · 7 months

Katy is nude! My life is complete.

WTFalreadytaken · 7 months

Awesome episode, cant wait to see how it pans out down the line. I hope the Attorney General is not setting up Nucky. Also, not really sure how Jimmy can handle whatever is coming up. This season is sooo much more intense than the last one.

genericwit · 7 months

This episode was amazing... I was so worried about Harrow, and I'm so glad Jimmy handled his question ("Would you fight for me?") well. This episode really hammered in what an amazing pair the two of them really are--how well they work together. Especially when you consider the fact that Harrow is probably the only good ally--and asset-- that Jimmy has left.

Also, happy cake day!

dustin_pledge · 7 months

I feel so bad for Richard every time I watch BE. I'm so rooting for him to be happy, even in some small way.

towerofterror · 7 months

Was anybody else surprised by the scalping? What's the point, just to kill of your creditors?

Chipmoonk · 7 months

Jimmy joined the Inglorious Basterds with Richard as the head scalper? Badass.

AviciiFTW · 7 months

Incredible. Harrow and Jimmy make one of the most dangerous pairs out of anyone involved in the trade. I was convinced harrow was going to end himself, you could tell he felt extremely alone, and thought he was a pawn to Jimmy...Jimmy's response was extremely significant.

DistantRelatives · 7 months

Best episode this season.

AppleAtrocity · 7 months

Eli and Nucky duking it out...just awesome. Anyone else think Nucky was going to ask him to kill Jimmy when he said there was one thing he could do for him?

hoojman · 7 months

Hooray for me finding this subreddit. Hooray for this episode! Shit just got real.

rastafaustian · 7 months

Dude, just found this subred today. This season is going to be epic.

krucz36 · 7 months

the scene at the very end was amazingly photography.

handsomewolves · 7 months

i was surprised this episode didn't cut away after the initial violence. Normally we see blood and guts for only a second then we cut back and we understand what happened. with this episode the director pulled no punches and we get some pretty gruesome scenes. Face splattering and scalping.

ichibanstunna · 7 months

I wonder if they're going to use the moonshiners in the woods for future business. Richard does say that it's very strong. Also, since Jimmy's supply is blown up, are the two agents going to take the blame for this or will there be a war against Nucky? On next weeks preview they show the butcher (going to be a very interesting character) hanging somebody. Any guesses to who that might be? Can't wait until the next episode.

aih · 7 months

Is anyone streaming this episode online? Do you have a link?

[deleted] · 7 months

HAPPEH BIRFDAY!

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