The Emerald City (Boardwalk Empire)
Episode ten of Boardwalk Empire's first season.
The tenth episode of *Boardwalk Empire*’s first season, “The Emerald City,” aired on HBO on November 21, 2010. Lawrence Konner, a co-executive producer, wrote it, and Simon Cellan Jones directed it. Its title comes from the fictional city in the Oz books.
In the episode, Nucky draws Margaret deeper into his criminal dealings. Angela sees Jimmy’s violent side as he struggles to adjust to his changed home life. Capone matures as a gangster, and Van Alden wrestles with his emotions.
After the attempt on Nucky’s life, Richard guards the house; his scarred face and tin mask frighten Margaret and her children. Nucky tries to calm her fears, promising he has things under control. Van Alden’s superiors at the Bureau of Prohibition dismiss his suspicions about the witness’s death and accept Sebso’s false account, warning him his career is over if he embarrasses them again. Jimmy is released from jail for lack of evidence and tries to reconnect with Angela and Tommy.
In New York, Rothstein meets with Mickey and the D’Alessio brothers. He scolds them for not accounting for Eddie’s presence, wounding a civilian, and revealing his plans to Nucky. He refuses further business until they repay the cost of their mistake. In Chicago, Torrio scolds Capone for interrupting a meeting with a juvenile prank. At the bar mitzvah of Torrio’s beer supplier’s son, Jake Guzik, Capone learns about Jewish teachings on responsibility. He asks Torrio for a chance to prove himself, and Torrio assigns him to oversee Guzik’s poorly run brewery.
During a family outing, Tommy points to a photo of Robert and Mary Dittrich and calls one of them Angela’s “kissing friend,” meaning Mary. Jimmy misunderstands and beats Robert with his own camera tripod. Angela promises Mary she will leave Jimmy and move to Paris with Tommy. Margaret celebrates women’s suffrage, but Nucky pressures her to rally female voters for Bader’s mayoral campaign. She gives a well-received speech but feels sour when she sees Nucky gladhanding with powerful men.
While reading *The Road to Oz* to her children, Margaret invites Richard, whom she calls the “Tin Woodman,” to sit with them. Later, she confesses shame for her earlier treatment of him.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Boardwalk Empire
- Season
- 1
- Episode
- 10
- Director
- Simon Cellan Jones
- Writer
- Lawrence Konner
- Airdate
- 2010-11-21
- Length
- 59 minutes
- Prev
- Belle Femme
- Next
- Paris Green
- Episode List
- List of Boardwalk Empire episodes
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The episode deals with Nucky further involving Margaret in the corrupt affairs of his gang, Angela witnessing Jimmy's violent side as he struggles to adapt to a changing home environment, Capone maturing as a gangster, and Van Alden grappling with his emotions. In the aftermath of the assassination attempt on Nucky, Richard is assigned to guard his house; his scarred face and tin mask frighten Margaret and her children. Nucky tries to allay her apprehensions about living under guard, promising her that he has the situation well in hand. Van Alden's superiors at the Bureau of Prohibition dismiss his suspicions about the death of the witness and accept Sebso's false account of the killing, warning Van Alden that his career is finished if he embarrasses the Bureau again. Jimmy is released from jail for lack of evidence; he returns home and works at reconnecting with Angela and Tommy.
Reader's Guide
The episode features significant character developments and plot movements. In New York, Rothstein meets with Mickey and the D'Alessio brothers, reprimanding them for failing to account for Eddie's presence and unintentionally revealing his plans to Nucky. In Chicago, Torrio chastises Capone for interrupting an important meeting, but later assigns Capone to oversee Guzik's mismanaged brewery after Capone learns about responsibility from a bar mitzvah. Margaret celebrates women's suffrage but is pressured by Nucky to help rally new female voters for Bader's mayoral campaign. Van Alden visits Margaret with religious and romantic overtones, demanding she let him save her, and when rejected, he visits a speakeasy and has drunken sex with Lucy. Mickey betrays the D'Alessios to Nucky, leading to the deaths of Lucien D'Alessio (shot by Jimmy) and Matteo D'Alessio (strangled by Chalky). The episode ends with Margaret looking in a mirror, contemplating her decisions.
Did You Know?
- The episode title is based on the fictional Emerald City from the Oz Books.
- This episode marks the first appearance of Jake Guzik, a Jewish-American pimp and bootlegger working at the Four Deuces.
- Lucien D'Alessio is shot to death by Jimmy Darmody after making boorish comments.
- Matteo D'Alessio is strangled and choked to death by Chalky White after he threatens him.
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