The WORST episodes of Boardwalk Empire
Every episode of Boardwalk Empire ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of Boardwalk Empire!
An Atlantic City politician plays both sides of the law by conspiring with gangsters during the Prohibition era.
#1 - The North Star
Season 4 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/13/2013
After a cautious reunion with Margaret in New York City, Nucky heads to Tampa to work out details of his land deal with Bill McCoy. While there, he reconnects with Sally Wheet. Richard Harrow returns to Atlantic City and makes a confession to an ailing Paul Sagorsky, who encourages him to get over the past and return to Julia and Tommy. Having lost J. Edgar Hoover’s confidence, Agent Knox finds a new way to gain Eli’s trust. Meyer Lansky decides to go it alone on the Tampa land deal when Lucky Luciano gets spooked by an investor, Vincenzo Petrucelli, who has ties to Joe Masseria in New York. Chalky takes his frustrations out on Daughter Maitland.
#2 - Broadway Limited
Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/3/2010
An unlikely witness threatens to expose the perpetrators of the woods massacre, sending Eli – and Agent Nelson Van Alden – rushing to the hospital. As Nucky re-evaluates his relationship with Lucy, Margaret starts a new job at an upscale French dress shop at the Ritz. Chalky's team pays a heavy price for taking over Mickey Doyle's bootleg operation, causing Chalky to reevaluate his relationship with Nucky. After questioning Angela's loyalty, Jimmy heads west.
#3 - Anastasia
Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/10/2010
In Chicago, Jimmy bonds with one of Johnny Torrio's prostitutes, Pearl, and finds himself increasingly at odds with the hot-headed 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. Eli and Chalky go to extremes to interrogate a KKK member; Lucky Luciano sets his sights on Jimmy's "wife"; Margaret impresses at Nucky's lavish birthday party, while Lucy tries to protect her territory.
#4 - William Wilson
Season 4 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/20/2013
Eli confronts Nucky after Willie makes an unpopular decision. Margaret has a surprise encounter at her job on Wall Street. Joe Masseria orders Lucky Luciano to return to Tampa and deal with Vincenzo Petrucelli. Gillian goes cold turkey, with Roy Phillips’ help. Still seething over his brother’s death, Al Capone tries to get Johnny Torrio to turn on rival gangster Dean O’Banion. As Chalky White and Daughter Maitland’s relationship deepens, Valentin Narcisse exerts his control over Dunn Purnsley and the Northside.
#5 - The Ivory Tower
Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/26/2010
Investigating a crime which he feels has been pinned on a scapegoat, straight-arrow Agent Nelson Van Alden pays a visit to Nucky and leaves convinced that the Treasurer is "as corrupt as the day is long". Nucky quickly does damage control, enlisting his brother, Sheriff Elias Thompson, to close ranks with their underlings. Nucky discusses the upcoming election with his aging mentor, Commodore Louis Kaestner, with whom he debates the women's vote issue. Later, before heading out for a night on the town, Nucky rebukes an irate Arnold Rothstein over the phone, then meets privately with Margaret Schroeder, who asks him for help in providing for her children. As a long day ends, a traveling salesman named George Baxter, in town for a few days with an unwilling young beauty named Claudia, makes a startling discovery while on the road home to Baltimore.
#6 - Acres of Diamonds
Season 4 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/22/2013
Nucky has reservations about investing in a Tampa land deal engineered by transplanted bootlegger Bill McCoy. While there, he meets speakeasy owner Sally Wheet. Valentin Narcisse books a sexy jazz singer, Daughter Maitland, to perform at the Onyx, and gauges Dunn Purnsley’s allegiance to Chalky. Willie, Eli’s son, turns to Mickey Doyle and his bootleg warehouse to elevate his social standing at college. Gillian agrees to pose as Roy Phillips’ wife to impress a possible partner. Harrow tries to bury his past, though not before taking care of some unfinished business with Emma.
#7 - What Jesus Said
Season 5 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/21/2014
Chalky heads in a new direction. Margaret finds herself in a quandary.
#8 - Family Limitation
Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/24/2010
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, then accepts an offer from Nucky to change her circumstances. In Chicago, Al Capone's frustration over family issues spills over into his relationship with Jimmy, who scores points with Johnny Torrio for a bold power play involving mob heavy Charlie Sheridan and the neighborhood of Greektown.
#9 - Spaghetti & Coffee
Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/23/2012
Nucky mixes business with pleasure in New York; Margaret's altruism is met with resistance; Gyp tries to establish a strategic foothold; Chalky and his daughter disagree about her future, Eli gets a new boss.
#10 - Bone for Tuna
Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/30/2012
Nucky reluctantly joins Margaret to receive a high honor from the church. Gyp makes a one-time deal with Nucky. Van Alden regrets trying to socialize. Margaret pitches her women's clinic. Lucky and Meyer protect their investments.
#11 - The Good Listener
Season 5 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/14/2014
Nucky pays a visit to Johnny Torrio. Eli and Van Alden must recoup money lost during a federal raid.
#12 - Resignation
Season 4 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/15/2013
Now working as a “delivery man” for Dean O’Banion, Van Alden is ordered to keep tabs on Al Capone, joining the ascendant mobster to help keep Cicero voters “informed” at a political rally. Dr. Valentin Narcisse arrives in Atlantic City, clashing with Chalky and Nucky over the loss of an employee. In Washington, Agent Knox aligns himself with J. Edgar Hoover, acting director of the Bureau of Investigation. Harrow fails to finish a job in Milwaukee, while Eddie demands a promotion after 11 years of service. With a business opportunity on the horizon, Nucky departs for Florida.
#13 - Golden Days for Boys and Girls
Season 5 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/7/2014
In Cuba, Nucky presses a U.S. senator on Prohibition's repeal and eyes a business deal with a rum magnate. Margaret witnesses a casualty of the Great Depression. Luciano makes a bold career move. Chalky catches a break to get out of a bad situation. In a flashback to 1884, a young Nucky makes an impression on the Commodore.
#14 - Ging Gang Goolie
Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/21/2012
Nucky is detained in Washington. Margaret copes with Teddy's demons. Owen investigates a suspicious fire. Richard makes a connection with a veteran and his daughter.
#15 - Paris Green
Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 11/28/2010
Nucky has emotionally charged conversations with both Margaret and Eli over his business and the killing of Margaret's husband, leading to dramatic shake-ups in his personal and political lives. Jimmy meets with his dying father for the first time in years, and in the process reevaluates his relationships with both his parents. Van Alden and Agent Sebso's working relationship is pushed to the limit by Van Alden's suspicions, ending after a definitive confrontation at a river baptismal. Angela prepares to flee from Jimmy to Paris, but learns her support system is not as strong as she believed.
#16 - Home
Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/31/2010
After his father Ethan is injured in a fall, Nucky uses the opportunity to refurbish his childhood home. During a visit to an army hospital, Jimmy befriends disfigured vet Richard Harrow, whose sharp eye may prove invaluable. Chalky considers a liquor proposition that would eliminate middle man Nucky. Van Alden gets a valuable lead on the woods massacre. Angela finds companionship in Jimmy's absence; Luciano and a friend cut a deal with the D'Alessio brothers. On a double-date with new friend Annabelle and her beaux, Margaret tries to get Nucky to open up about some painful childhood memories. On a tip from Capone, Jimmy eyes payback against one of Sheridan's thugs.
#17 - The Age of Reason
Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/30/2011
Nucky tries to set up a risky liquor delivery to Philadelphia. Later, Attorney General Daugherty sees a problem that might complicate Nucky's case. Jimmy finds a new mentor in Leander Whitlock who is the Commodore's lawyer. Margaret finally goes to confessional. Lucy continues to struggle with loneliness while Van Alden tries to settle his conscience.
#18 - New York Sour
Season 4 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/8/2013
Following his battle with Gyp Rosetti, Nucky makes a peace offering to Joe Masseria while working the odds with Arnold Rothstein. While Chalky is busy running the Onyx Club on the Boardwalk, the impulsive Dunn Purnsley clashes with a booking agent. Fresh-faced Federal Agent Warren Knox arrives in Atlantic City to learn the ropes from Agent Sawicki. Gillian seeks custody of her grandson, Tommy, while trying to find a “good” man to keep the Artemis Club afloat. Eli’s college-age son, Willie, turns to Nucky for career advice. Al Capone enlists his brothers, Frank and Ralph, to help him expand his business in the Chicago suburb of Cicero. Richard Harrow returns to his violent ways.
#19 - Peg of Old
Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/6/2011
Margaret has a family reunion. Owen gets even with a rival. Van Alden recognizes the hierarchy of the law. Jimmy wonders how a decision will affect the future.
#20 - Sunday Best
Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/28/2012
Eli hopes to get back in Nucky's good graces. Gillian tries to improve her future. Gyp asks for a blessing in New York.
#21 - All In
Season 4 - Episode 4 - Aired 9/29/2013
Nucky gets to know Arnold Rothstein over a card game, and sizes up an unexpected partner for his Tampa land deal. A newly promoted Eddie Kessler gets detoured after making a train-station delivery. When one of their collectors is incapacitated, Al and Frank Capone decide to finish his route, enlisting a reluctant Van Alden to tag along. Agent Knox fills Hoover in on the Thompson operation, vowing to exploit Nucky's weakest link. Chalky is intrigued by Daughter Maitland’s presence. Dunn Purnsley goes to Harlem, and is courted by Valentin Narcisse. Willie and his college roommate, Clayton, carry a practical joke too far.
#22 - The Old Ship of Zion
Season 4 - Episode 8 - Aired 10/27/2013
Nucky’s shipment from Florida arrives with some unexpected cargo. Eli is backed into a corner after Agent Knox uncovers some new dirt on the Thompsons. After talking things over with Nucky, Willie reconsiders his recent life choices. Chalky throws down the gauntlet toward Valentin Narcisse, upholding his leadership on the Northside.
#23 - Hold Me in Paradise
Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/7/2010
Nucky visits Chicago for the Republican National Convention, where he finds himself intrigued by the candidacy of Warren G. Harding over more established candidates. The D'Alessio gang moves in on Nucky's territory at the expense of Eli, who has been watching over his brother's affairs. Margaret finds herself entangled in Nucky's business affairs, while Van Alden struggles with his wife's desire for a child. Rothstein prepares for legal trouble over his role in fixing the 1919 World Series. Nucky asks Jimmy to return to Atlantic City to reinforce his position.
#24 - You'd Be Surprised
Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/14/2012
Rothstein vents to Nucky and delivers a message to Gyp. Gaston Means sees an opportunity. Billie gets a new co-start. Van Alden and Sigrid receive an unexpected visitor. Gillian worries about her business.
#25 - What Does the Bee Do?
Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/16/2011
During Mayor Bader's birthday party, Nucky's attorney comes up with a solution that might help Nucky in his election-rigging case. With a liquor surplus likely, Jimmy and Mickey travel to Philadelphia to search for buyers while Nucky makes a surprising deal to try and get alcohol into Atlantic City. Eli is concerned over the Commodore's ability to lead. Margaret decides to give her staff bonuses. Chalky is cornered while at work and home. Owen takes his munitions expertise and uses it. Van Alden's agents set their eyes on Mickey's warehouse. Richard lets his guard down in the name of art. And Gillian thinks of the first time she was ever with the Commodore.