During season one of Boardwalk Empire, I watched the series premiere, then didn’t think about the show until two months later, when I binged and finished the season in one long sitting right after the finale aired. Season two, ditto. Season three…nearly the same thing, except this time, based on recommendations from fawning reviewers, I caught up in time for last Sunday’s episode. Maybe it’s just because the show is best viewed in marathon chunks, and therefore I’m biased, but Boardwalk Empire is the best drama on TV right now.
I say “right now” because Breaking Bad, Mad Men, and Game of Thrones are still superior, but in season three, HBO’s Boardwalk has taken the leap from a pretty show with impressive actors that didn’t seem to know what it was trying to say, to a still-visually lush series that’s confident, immaculately plotted, and daring, and the writers have finally found a way to effectively utilize its stuffed-to-the-brim-of-Gyp’s-hat-with-talent cast. Boardwalk has become what we’ve wanted it to be since the day it premiered. Plus, Richard Harrow = The Man.
In time for its season three finale on Sunday, here are 20 reasons supporting the “Boardwalk is the best drama right now” claim. Spoilers, obviously.
1. Because future rapist FINN WALDEN didn’t hit anyone with his car on Boardwalk.
2. Because in seasons one and two, Jimmy Darmody (Michael Pitt) was the show’s best character — and I’ve completely forgotten about him.
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3. Because with Nucky on the run, and battling his internal fear with external weary pose, Steve Buscemi has proved that he belongs with TV’s big boys, like Jon Hamm and Bryan Cranston. Which is to say: I’d only be slightly furious if he won Outstanding Actor at the Emmys, not apocalyptic.
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4. Because no matter what happens, Gyp Rosetti is one of the best Big Bads of all-time, right up there with Trinity from Dexter, Mayor Wilkins from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Mags Bennett from Justified.
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5. Seriously, I’m scared sh*tless every time someone speaks to him.
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6. EVERYONE STOP AND LOOK AT GYP’S DOG.
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7. Because Michael K. Williams’s scowls are immortal. Indeed.
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8. *awkward laugh*
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9. Because Margaret’s hatred of her husband-in-name-only is beginning to show, finally allowing her to display some real emotion.
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10. Because it’s not afraid to kill its most popular characters.
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11. Because Gillian Darmody is one crazy bitch. I want a spinoff with her and Cersei from Game of Thrones in a Hatfields vs. McCoys situation — but with more incest — SO MUCH.
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12. Because this is literally the only good drink throwing scene in TV history.
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13. Because Richard Harrow’s on the verge of snapping. Also, he’s the best character on the show.
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14. Because Al Capone’s words are already legendary.
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15. Because Billie Kent was goddamn adorable and strong-willed in a way Nucky wasn’t used to.
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16. Because after drifting in a post-Paz De la Huerta haze for a season and a half, Michael Shannon’s Nelson Van Alden has finally found his place on the show: as a cronie for Capone & Co. (But has he joined them in New Jersey?) ((Also, his wife looks like a Norwegian Amy Adams.)) (((Also also, this scene was great.)))
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17. Because the show already had a ridiculously stacked cast, and then it brought in Stephen Root, who only speaks in riddles, and James Cromwell, and they’re two of the most fascinating characters.
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18. Because Eli Thompson is much better as a second-hand man than a sheriff, and like Johnny Sack on The Sopranos, who also went to prison, he’s the only man on the show who adores his wife.
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19. If Eddie Kessler dies, we riot.
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20. Because Sunday’s finale is going to be a f*cking bloodbath.
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BONUS #21. Because this is what Paz looks like now.
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