Boardwalk Empire

2010 • HBO

4.7

1.68K reviews

Eligible

Watch in a web browser or on supported devices Learn More

Season 1 episodes (12)

1 Boardwalk Empire

9/19/10

Series Premiere. January, 1920. On the eve of Prohibition, Atlantic City's duplicitous Treasurer, Nucky Thompson privately tells his Ward Bosses about the opportunity to make huge profits selling bootleg liquor.

2 The Ivory Tower

9/26/10

Investigating the heist now linked to Hans Schroeder, straight-and-narrow Agent Nelson van Alden pays a visit to Nucky; a concerned Nucky sends his brother, Sheriff Elias Thompson, to the hospital to sow the seeds of doubt in the widow Schroeder's mind.

3 Broadway Limited

10/3/10

An unlikely witness threatens to expose the perpetrators of the woods massacre. Margaret starts a new job. Chalky's team pays a heavy price for his success. After questioning Angela's loyalty, Jimmy heads west.

4 Anastasia

10/10/10

In Chicago, Jimmy bonds with a prostitute and clashes with Al Capone. Back in Atlantic City, Nucky looks to leverage his relationships with ambitious U.S. Senator Walter Edge as well as Jersey City Mayor Frank Hague.

5 Nights in Ballygran

10/17/10

Nucky's attempts to usher in a joyous St. Patrick's Day are undermined by Eli, Margaret & Van Alden. Arnold Rothstein worries about his involvement in the fixed World Series. Jimmy copes with the aftermath of a vicious attack.

6 Family Limitation

10/24/10

After the brazen robbery of one of his Ward Bosses, Nucky turns up the heat on Lucky Luciano. An emboldened Margaret stands up to Lucy at the dress shop; Jimmy scores points with Johnny Torrio.

7 Home

10/31/10

Nucky purges some bad childhood memories; Jimmy forges a new alliance with a fellow veteran; Luciano and a friend cut a deal with the D'Alessio brothers.

8 Hold Me in Paradise

11/7/10

While visiting Chicago during the Republican National Convention, Nucky gets some alarming news from Atlantic City.

9 Belle Femme

11/14/10

Nucky braces for war with a rival faction; Jimmy stands by his alibi; Margaret helps out Madame Jeunet.

10 The Emerald City

11/21/10

Nucky asks Margaret to toe the party line; Angela witnesses Jimmy's violent side; Capone faces a crossroads; Van Alden grapples with his emotions.

11 Paris Green

11/28/10

Nucky shakes up the status quo; Jimmy deals with some tricky family issues; Van Alden addresses Agent Sebso's 'temptations.'

12 A Return to Normalcy

12/5/10

In the Season One finale, Nucky and Atlantic City brace for change on Election Day; Torrio brokers a deal between two nemeses, with far-reaching consequences; Jimmy ponders his future, as do Margaret, Agent Van Alden and Eli.

About this show

Atlantic City, 1920. When alcohol was outlawed, outlaws became kings. HBO presents this epic new drama series that follows the birth and rise of organized crime in 'the world's playground' at the dawn of Prohibition. Steve Buscemi stars.

Ratings and reviews

4.7

1.68K reviews

Severin Miller

April 9, 2014

for bulk viewing, this show does an equally brilliant job of serializing everything that's great about Martin Scorsese films (and those of Sergio Leone, Coppolla, et. al. to lesser degrees). Scorsese actually directed the pilot to be sure it pushed-off in the right direction. Easily one of the best series HBO has produced (not THE best, we'll leave that crown on the head of The Sopranos but this is up there).

15 people found this review helpful

Addy Alago

October 7, 2013

Somehow HBO holds about 5 or 6 slots in my top ten series of all time list. This show starts out slow, but by season two it really begins to pick up speed. Steve Buschemi is incredible. definitely recommended

Kyle Bauer

March 2, 2016

Its great to see Buscemi & MacDonald pull-off a dual Phoenix. Agent Nelson acts THE best Stoicism since Brokeback Mountain. Interpretion of Mob Boss Mentality like we've never seen before on television. My favorite show for a few seasons. Masked one-eyed sniper side-kick... Gretchen Mol and Michael Pitt tackle the Oedipus complex to its depths without it being gross and then she demolishes the screen with a decent into homicidal madness. REQUIRED VIEWING.

34 people found this review helpful

Rate this show

Tell us what you think.