The Ivory Tower (Boardwalk Empire)
Nucky faces federal scrutiny and Jimmy's betrayal.
"The Ivory Tower" serves as the second installment of *Boardwalk Empire*’s debut season, airing on HBO on September 26, 2010. The episode was penned by series creator Terence Winter and helmed by executive producer Tim Van Patten, marking his first directorial effort for the show.
In the episode, federal agent Nelson Van Alden pays Nucky a visit and starts to suspect that Nucky may be a more significant target than the gangsters he’s been pursuing. Jimmy is compelled to give Nucky a larger payment to make up for the liquor lost from Rothstein. Meanwhile, Margaret receives visits from both Van Alden and Eli, each trying to get her to tell a different version of events regarding Hans Schroeder’s death.
The main cast includes Steve Buscemi as Nucky, Michael Pitt as Jimmy, Kelly Macdonald as Margaret, Michael Shannon as Van Alden, Shea Whigham as Eli, Aleksa Palladino as Angela, Michael Stuhlbarg as Rothstein, Stephen Graham as Al Capone, Vincent Piazza as Charles Luciano, Paz de la Huerta as Lucy Danziger, Anthony Laciura as Eddie Kessler, Paul Sparks as Mickey Doyle, and Dabney Coleman as the Commodore.
The plot unfolds with Capone and Torrio being questioned by reporters at Colosimo’s funeral in Chicago. Back in Atlantic City, Van Alden interrogates Nucky about the robbery, hinting that he believes Hans was set up. Nucky’s lack of cooperation leads Van Alden to dig deeper, and his report to his superiors outlines how Nucky controls both legal and illegal operations in the city. Eli visits Margaret in the hospital, giving her cash while subtly threatening to take her children if she doesn’t lie to Van Alden about her husband’s bootlegging. Nucky confronts Mickey in jail, telling him his operation is being handed over to Chalky White’s black mob due to Mickey’s untrustworthiness. Jimmy buys expensive Christmas gifts with his robbery cut, and Capone beats a reporter at Torrio’s club. In New York, Luciano brings Frankie Yale to Rothstein for questioning about Colosimo’s death. Jimmy visits his mother Gillian, a middle-aged showgirl, giving her a necklace to replace one she sold years ago. When Jimmy reports for work, Nucky confronts him about the robbery; Jimmy admits his role and is fired, given two days to come up with an extra $3,000.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Boardwalk Empire
- Season
- 1
- Episode
- 2
- Director
- Tim Van Patten
- Writer
- Howard Korder
- Airdate
- 2010-10-24
- Length
- 53 minutes
- Next
- Broadway Limited
- Episode List
- List of Boardwalk Empire episodes
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
In the episode, federal agent Nelson Van Alden questions Nucky about a robbery, suspecting Nucky is a bigger figure than the gangsters under investigation. Jimmy Darmody is forced to pay Nucky additional money for the loss of Arnold Rothstein's alcohol. Margaret Schroeder is visited by both Van Alden and Eli Thompson, each seeking a different account of her husband Hans Schroeder's death.
At Colosimo's funeral in Chicago, Al Capone and Johnny Torrio are questioned by reporters. Nucky confronts Mickey Doyle in jail and turns his operation over to the black mob led by Albert "Chalky" White. Jimmy buys expensive Christmas gifts with his robbery cut, visits his mother Gillian, and later confesses to Nucky about the robbery, getting fired and ordered to pay an additional $3,000.
Rothstein demands $100,000 from Nucky for losses and a driver's murder; Nucky refuses and threatens him. Van Alden visits Margaret, questioning her involvement with Nucky. Nucky visits his mentor "Commodore" Louis Kaestner. Jimmy steals his mother's necklace to pay Nucky, who then bets and loses the entire $3,000 in a roulette game.
Reader's Guide
The episode marks the first directional work for Tim Van Patten on the series, who would go on to direct additional episodes including "Broadway Limited", "Family Limitation", and the season finale "A Return to Normalcy". The story of Big Jim Colosimo's death is the one non-fictional story in the episode, based on the historical belief that Johnny Torrio ordered Colosimo's killing to enter bootlegging.
IGN gave the episode a score of 8 out of 10, calling it "an episode that is in some ways better than the pilot" and praising Steve Buscemi's performance as Nucky, stating he "effortlessly switches between silver-tongued politician and two-steps-ahead gangster." Ratings fell to 3.329 million viewers in its original telecast, though including the repeat telecast that night brought the total to 4.4 million.
The episode introduces several characters including Gillian Darmody, the Grey-Haired Man (Rothstein's assistant), Harlan the shoeshiner, Carl Heely, and George Baxter.
Did You Know?
- The episode was written by series creator Terence Winter and directed by executive producer Tim Van Patten.
- Ratings for the original telecast were 3.329 million viewers, rising to 4.4 million when including the repeat telecast that night.
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