Ourselves Alone (Boardwalk Empire)
Nucky faces betrayal; Jimmy forges new alliances.
"Ourselves Alone" is the second episode of Boardwalk Empire's second season, first broadcast on October 2, 2011. Howard Korder wrote the episode, and executive producer David Petrarca directed it.
After his arrest, Nucky is placed in a holding cell where he meets Chalky, who explains the conspiracy against him. Once released, Nucky learns that nearly all his ward bosses and aldermen have sided with Eli, Jimmy, and the Commodore. Only Mayor Edward L. Bader, ward boss Damien Fleming, Margaret, and Eddie remain loyal. Margaret is visited by Owen Sleater, Nucky’s new bodyguard and an IRA assassin, who tells her Nucky must attend a meeting about an arms deal with IRA leader John McGarrigle. At home, Nucky discusses Sleater’s qualifications; Sleater reveals he is a bomb maker. That night, McGarrigle explains the guns will support the Irish War of Independence and asks Nucky to keep Sleater in the U.S. and provide money for the weapons. Eli calls Nucky to gloat that he is no longer living in his brother’s shadow.
Chalky receives a visit from his wife Lenore. He is moved to a cell with seven other inmates, including Dunn Purnsley, who mocks Chalky for being illiterate. Chalky has the other six inmates—all friendly acquaintances—brutally beat and injure Purnsley.
In New York, Jimmy meets with Rothstein and Luciano to propose a partnership, but Rothstein declines. Outside, Luciano tells an angry Jimmy to come to his and Lansky’s card game. There, despite initial hostility, the three agree to work together. Jimmy learns about crime boss Joe Masseria from Luciano and Lansky’s friend Bugsy Siegel. While walking in Masseria’s neighborhood, Jimmy is ambushed by two of Masseria’s henchmen. He pulls out his skull crusher knife and stabs both to death before fleeing.
New characters introduced include Eunice (Nucky’s government-assigned secretary), Lillian and Pauline (housemaids alongside Katy), Isaac Ginsburg (Nucky’s lawyer), Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel (a foul-mouthed Jewish-American associate of Meyer and Lucky), John McGarrigle (IRA leader), Dunn Purnsley (a career criminal from Baltimore), and Owen Sleater (an IRA bomb maker and assassin). Two deaths occur: Incrocci and Scarpelli, Joe Masseria’s henchmen, both killed by Jimmy—Incrocci by a slit throat, Scarpelli by a stab in the back.
The episode received generally positive reviews. The A.V.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Boardwalk Empire
- Season
- 2
- Director
- David Petrarca
- Writer
- Howard Korder
- Airdate
- 2011-10-02
- Length
- 58 minutes
- Prev
- 21
- Next
- A Dangerous Maid
- Episode List
- List of Boardwalk Empire episodes
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Following his arrest, Nucky is taken to a holding cell and reunited with Chalky, who tells him of the conspiracy against him. After his release, Nucky discovers that almost all of his ward bosses and aldermen have joined Eli in his alliance with Jimmy and the Commodore. Only Mayor Edward L. Bader and ward boss Damien Fleming remain on his side, alongside Margaret and Eddie. Margaret receives a visit from Owen Sleater, Nucky's new bodyguard and an IRA assassin, who tells her that Nucky needs to attend a meeting over an arms deal with IRA leader John McGarrigle. Nucky later meets Owen and learns of his expertise as a bomb maker. McGarrigle asks Nucky to retain Owen stateside and provide money for guns for the Irish War of Independence.
In New York, Jimmy meets with Rothstein and Luciano to propose doing business together, but Rothstein politely declines. Luciano later invites Jimmy to a card game with Lansky, where despite initial hostility, the three men agree to do business together. Jimmy learns about crime boss Joe Masseria from Luciano and Lansky's friend Bugsy Siegel. When Jimmy goes for a walk in Masseria's neighborhood, he is ambushed by two of Masseria's henchmen, Incrocci and Scarpelli. Jimmy kills both with his skull crusher knife. Meanwhile, Chalky is moved to a cell with seven other inmates, including criminal Dunn Purnsley, who mocks Chalky for his illiteracy. Chalky has the other six inmates brutally beat and injure Dunn.
Reader's Guide
The episode marks a turning point in the second season of Boardwalk Empire, accelerating the political and criminal conflicts that define the series. Nucky's near-total loss of political support forces him to rely on a small circle of allies and new connections with the IRA, introducing Owen Sleater as a key character. Jimmy's rejection by Rothstein and subsequent alliance with Luciano, Lansky, and Siegel sets the stage for his rise in organized crime. The episode also deepens Chalky White's storyline, highlighting his struggle with illiteracy and his ruthless response to disrespect. Critics praised the improved pacing and character moments, with The A.V. Club awarding a B+ and IGN giving an 8 out of 10, noting that the episode directly addressed complaints about the previous season's slow pacing. The episode introduces several new characters, including IRA leader John McGarrigle, bodyguard Owen Sleater, and criminal Dunn Purnsley, as well as the historical figure Bugsy Siegel.
Did You Know?
- The episode was written by Howard Korder and directed by executive producer David Petrarca.
- It originally aired on October 2, 2011.
- The episode introduces Owen Sleater, an IRA assassin and bomb maker who becomes Nucky's bodyguard.
- Jimmy Darmody kills two of Joe Masseria's nephews, Incrocci and Scarpelli, with a skull crusher knife.
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