When the second episode of “Boardwalk Empire” kicks off, it’s a snowy day in 1920, but things are starting not on a boardwalk in Atlantic City but, rather, outside a church in Chicago. It’s the funeral for Big Jim Colosimo, and the reporters are already swarming around Johnny Torrio about his possible connections in Big Jim’s sudden and untimely demise by lead poisoning…as well they should. Still, look at the lovely flower arrangement sent by Nucky Thompson. He’s a real sweetheart, that one…
They’re definitely going out of their way to underline the fact that Nucky’s still mourning his wife: this is two episodes in a row where there’s been a blatant cut to her picture that’s either been preceded or followed by a shot of Nucky looking sad and lonely. Still, he instantaneously transforms into All Business Nucky when Agent Van Alden bursts into his office, easily finding a smirk to accompany his question about whether Van Alden would like “coffee…or something stronger.” Still, the agent’s skepticism about Hans Schroeder’s connection to the shooting is clearly weighing heavy on Nucky’s mind, as evidenced by his extremely limited tolerance for George when he encounters him early in the episode. I mean, seriously, he barely even tried to mask his distaste for the man.
