Luke Judge

I really enjoyed the first episode of this new series, and thought it started with a bang (big thanks to Martin Scorsese for that). I enjoyed the second episode, although it had the obvious dip in entertainment. Second episodes of a new series will do that, as I talked about last week where I said that the second episode overall could just be the toughest one to produce! But tonight is episode three, and tonight I expect something good.

Again, doesn’t have to be mindblowing or anything like that, but something good for sure. They get a bye last week for not being great (and let me stress, I did enjoy last week), but no bye this week. I want a good one from “Broadway Limited”.

“Broadway Limited” review

We must remember that during these initial stages of Boardwalk Empire, we are just getting to know the characters that populate the show. Obviously we develop stronger attachments to them as we go through more and more experiences together, and that is just something that takes time to happen. Hence the main reason why many new TV shows struggle out of the gates, as they feel a need to slam tons of plot developments into the early episodes to make up for the fact that any “character” scene will likely come across as “boring” to the audience.

“Broadway Limited” did fall victim to a few moments of “slow” action (I won’t say boring as this show is to good to use that word) tonight, which was inevitable this early on it the series, and honestly we can expect a bit more “slow” action during the course of the next few episodes as we continue to develop our attachments to the characters. But I can deal with a few slow moments when the episode can deliver in so many other ways like “Broadway Limited” did tonight. Let’s just summarize in a quick statement… that entire plot of the NY guy who stumbled out of the woods was fantastic television. From the Atlantic City hospital, to the New Jersey dentist office, and then the complete aftermath with Jimmy having to leave town….100% gold! Seriously, in the third episode of the series, I was not expecting such suspense and drama that this plot development provided.

But most importantly, I feel like I just got to know a great number of characters much more tonight now that these events have transpired. Nucky and how he was went easy on Jimmy. Jimmy for obvious reasons. Eli Thompson for showing he is a cold mofo who I would put very high on the death watch (for the entire series. He will not see this shows series finale). Loved Eli’s hospital scene as he tried to silence the NY guy. Even a touch with the rest of the NY boys during the poker scene. And let’s not forget Agent Nelson Van Alden, who just became a more scarier nemesis for Nucky then the NY mob family! Agent Nelson did not get a ton of screen time, but the limited minutes he did get REALLY raised his profile in my opinion (as you will see in my MVP selection).

But don’t think it was just the guys who brought the goods tonight. Amazingly enough, not only did we have some nice advancement with those numerous characters, but we also got more familiar with Margaret Schroeder (although the majority of her scenes did make up for a good portion of the “slow” moments), Nucky’s woman Gillian, and Jimmy’s finance Angela. It was nice to see that the ladies did not get lost in the mix tonight.

Bottom line is that when Boardwalk Empire is all finished, tonight’s episode won’t make any top ten list. I might not even make a season one top five list! But the way that “Broadway Limited” weaved together some solid character advancement for the majority of characters, as well as advancement for the major storylines. PLUS left us with a sense of gloom at the episode end which I really appreciated how it made us really be sucked into feeling that sense. And to do this in just the third episode? Show me another show that delivered this as well in it’s third try!

Fantastic job tonight!

“Broadway Limited” MVP

Because of the number of characters that had a moment to shine tonight, it is a tough decision for MVP. But I will be giving the MVP to Agent Nelson, as actor Michael Shannon really should be applauded for advancing this character in limited minutes and screen time!

So what did you think of “Broadway Limited”? Did it do for you what it did for me?

- Rob Freeman

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