Boardwalk Empire

10 Worst Episodes of Boardwalk Empire

Atlantic City at the dawn of Prohibition is a place where the rules don't apply. And the man who runs things -- legally and otherwise -- is the town's treasurer, Enoch "Nucky" Thompson, who is equal parts politician and gangster.

Written by Sophie and last updated on feb 04, 2023.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

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Boardwalk Empire - S1E8

#10 - Hold Me in Paradise (Season 1 - Episode 8)

Nucky visits Chicago for the Republican National Convention, where he finds himself intrigued by the candidacy of Warren G. Harding over more established candidates. The D'Alessio gang moves in on Nucky's territory at the expense of Eli, who has been watching over his brother's affairs. Margaret finds herself entangled in Nucky's business affairs, while Van Alden struggles with his wife's desire for a child. Rothstein prepares for legal trouble over his role in fixing the 1919 World Series. Nucky asks Jimmy to return to Atlantic City to reinforce his position.

The episode was rated 7.82 from 753 votes.

Boardwalk Empire - S5E2

#9 - The Good Listener (Season 5 - Episode 2)

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Nucky pays a visit to Johnny Torrio. Eli and Van Alden must recoup money lost during a federal raid.

The episode was rated 7.82 from 964 votes.

Boardwalk Empire - S4E7

#8 - William Wilson (Season 4 - Episode 7)

Eli confronts Nucky after Willie makes an unpopular decision. Margaret has a surprise encounter at her job on Wall Street. Joe Masseria orders Lucky Luciano to return to Tampa and deal with Vincenzo Petrucelli. Gillian goes cold turkey, with Roy Phillips’ help. Still seething over his brother’s death, Al Capone tries to get Johnny Torrio to turn on rival gangster Dean O’Banion. As Chalky White and Daughter Maitland’s relationship deepens, Valentin Narcisse exerts his control over Dunn Purnsley and the Northside.

The episode was rated 7.79 from 910 votes.

Boardwalk Empire - S3E2

#7 - Spaghetti & Coffee (Season 3 - Episode 2)

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Nucky mixes business with pleasure in New York; Margaret's altruism is met with resistance; Gyp tries to establish a strategic foothold; Chalky and his daughter disagree about her future, Eli gets a new boss.

The episode was rated 7.79 from 708 votes.

Boardwalk Empire - S3E6

#6 - Ging Gang Goolie (Season 3 - Episode 6)

Nucky is detained in Washington. Margaret copes with Teddy's demons. Owen investigates a suspicious fire. Richard makes a connection with a veteran and his daughter.

The episode was rated 7.78 from 674 votes.

Boardwalk Empire - S1E3

#5 - Broadway Limited (Season 1 - Episode 3)

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An unlikely witness threatens to expose the perpetrators of the woods massacre, sending Eli – and Agent Nelson Van Alden – rushing to the hospital. As Nucky re-evaluates his relationship with Lucy, Margaret starts a new job at an upscale French dress shop at the Ritz. Chalky's team pays a heavy price for taking over Mickey Doyle's bootleg operation, causing Chalky to reevaluate his relationship with Nucky. After questioning Angela's loyalty, Jimmy heads west.

The episode was rated 7.77 from 919 votes.

Boardwalk Empire - S1E4

#4 - Anastasia (Season 1 - Episode 4)

In Chicago, Jimmy bonds with one of Johnny Torrio's prostitutes, Pearl, and finds himself increasingly at odds with the hot-headed Al Capone. Back in Atlantic City, Nucky looks to leverage his relationships with ambitious U.S. Senator Walter Edge, as well as Jersey City Mayor Frank Hague. Eli and Chalky go to extremes to interrogate a KKK member; Lucky Luciano sets his sights on Jimmy's "wife"; Margaret impresses at Nucky's lavish birthday party, while Lucy tries to protect her territory.

The episode was rated 7.76 from 874 votes.

Boardwalk Empire - S3E3

#3 - Bone for Tuna (Season 3 - Episode 3)

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Nucky reluctantly joins Margaret to receive a high honor from the church. Gyp makes a one-time deal with Nucky. Van Alden regrets trying to socialize. Margaret pitches her women's clinic. Lucky and Meyer protect their investments.

The episode was rated 7.76 from 690 votes.

Boardwalk Empire - S4E6

#2 - The North Star (Season 4 - Episode 6)

After a cautious reunion with Margaret in New York City, Nucky heads to Tampa to work out details of his land deal with Bill McCoy. While there, he reconnects with Sally Wheet. Richard Harrow returns to Atlantic City and makes a confession to an ailing Paul Sagorsky, who encourages him to get over the past and return to Julia and Tommy. Having lost J. Edgar Hoover’s confidence, Agent Knox finds a new way to gain Eli’s trust. Meyer Lansky decides to go it alone on the Tampa land deal when Lucky Luciano gets spooked by an investor, Vincenzo Petrucelli, who has ties to Joe Masseria in New York. Chalky takes his frustrations out on Daughter Maitland.

The episode was rated 7.76 from 931 votes.

Boardwalk Empire - S1E2

#1 - The Ivory Tower (Season 1 - Episode 2)

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Investigating a crime which he feels has been pinned on a scapegoat, straight-arrow Agent Nelson Van Alden pays a visit to Nucky and leaves convinced that the Treasurer is "as corrupt as the day is long". Nucky quickly does damage control, enlisting his brother, Sheriff Elias Thompson, to close ranks with their underlings. Nucky discusses the upcoming election with his aging mentor, Commodore Louis Kaestner, with whom he debates the women's vote issue. Later, before heading out for a night on the town, Nucky rebukes an irate Arnold Rothstein over the phone, then meets privately with Margaret Schroeder, who asks him for help in providing for her children. As a long day ends, a traveling salesman named George Baxter, in town for a few days with an unwilling young beauty named Claudia, makes a startling discovery while on the road home to Baltimore.

The episode was rated 7.71 from 1007 votes.

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