Boardwalk Empire : Season 4
  • Network:
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 19, 2010
  • Season #: 1 , 2 , 3 , 4
Boardwalk Empire Image
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 41 Ratings

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  • Summary: Season four picks up in 1924 and Nucky has new problems in the form of Valentin Narcisse (Jeffrey Wright) and FBI Agent Loren Knox (Brian Geraghty). Patricia Arquette joins the cast as a speakeasy owner named Sally Wheet.
  • Genre(s): Drama

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Boston Herald
    Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    Sep 9, 2013
    100
    This Boardwalk is rife with treasure.
  2. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    Sep 5, 2013
    91
    Based on most of the first five episodes sent out for review, Boardwalk Empire easily establishes its claim as one of the three or four best dramas on TV.
  3. People Weekly
    Reviewed by: Tom Gliatto
    Sep 3, 2013
    88
    Watching Nucky's frenemies thrive like poison toadstools ringing a tree--that's a grim, gripping spectacle in its own right. [9 Sep 2013, p.42]
    All this critic's reviews
  4. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Sep 3, 2013
    80
    The new season relies heavily on the show’s rich mood and atmosphere, inasmuch as series creator Terence Winter and his crew appear content to ease back into the proceedings while hitting the reset button.
  5. Slant Magazine
    Reviewed by: Mike Lechevallier
    Sep 5, 2013
    75
    Nucky has long been the king in this regard, but for once his throne seems like it's in real jeopardy, and it's a joy to watch him squirm.
  6. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Melissa Maerz
    Sep 3, 2013
    75
    There's a lot of slow exposition here, requiring patience for new characters (like Ron Livingston as wealthy playboy Roy Phillips). But the body count builds by the time the credits roll, so those quiet rooms won't stay quiet for long. [6 Sep 2013, p.71]
  7. Slate
    Reviewed by: Willa Paskin
    Sep 10, 2013
    50
    Boardwalk Empire is as good-looking and well-acted as ever, but it still has bullet holes where its head and heart should be.

See all 13 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. NBAluke579
    Sep 9, 2013
    10
    Boardwalk Empire is a brilliant show and each season is better than the last. The cinematography is stunning, as well as the sets,costumes and sfx. The acting is top rate, the writing is subtle and nuanced, and the story is unpredictable and dark. This is another winner from HBO, and an amazing TV show overall. The first episode of Season 4 was amazing, and i am sure the rest of the season will be too.The year is 1924, and crime,corruption, and bloodshed has no end in sight in this moody drama.… Expand
  2. RyanRJN
    Oct 10, 2013
    9
    It's no joke that Boardwalk Empire is a brilliant show with great writing, writing I haven't seen since The Sopranos. This season by far makes up for last in every way. The cinematography is beautiful, character development is spot on, the story is A+. My only concern is that someone shouldn't die every episode, its not needed when you have such good writing. Must watch season and series.… Expand
  3. Ireland914
    Sep 10, 2013
    9
    This season starts off with some serious violence. Brilliant a show as ever with fascinating characters and an amazing ability to create atmosphere. The show can only continue to get better from here!… Expand
  4. geedup
    Sep 10, 2013
    8
    Its easy to get lost in the sets/costumes, etc when watching this show. To keep it looking authentic seems tp play a very big part in the show since episode 1. Episode 1 started a bit slow, as it is setting up the season. but that is not to say it was without the violence and twists fans have become accustomed to. Chalky White on the "come up", Ms Darmondy pilfering in her niche, Nuchy trying to reconcile his position and the overall greed of the business. I did miss the former liquor agent's plot, but we were introduced to another with certainly more evil in his blood. Good start.… Expand
  5. Simon_Stylites
    Sep 19, 2013
    7
    I've just watched two episodes of Boardwalk 4. The first was Ok. The second was disappointing.
    I thought the writing was sloppy. There was to    o much of a "soap opera" feel: small development in character and easy (read cliché) story lines.

    Nucky never really moved. The slight change in the relationship with his German servant seemed a little contrived. If it develops into the only "love affair" those two are capable of, then fair enough, but it hardly wakened my interest. Al Capone seemed to make a guest appearance without any of the nuances in previous episode. He just bashed some voters. I know Al had a brother who was not in "the business". Perhaps more depth could be found in exploring this side. Eli (Nucky's brother) was just an extra.

    The masked man (Richard Harrow) appears to be neutralised (although there is an open thread that could bring him back). The scene with shooting the dog was plain old-fashioned western cliché: if you want to easily bring tears to the audience's eyes, make the hero shoot his horse.

    Of the new characters: I am not sure about Dr. Valentin Narcisse. I find him not quite believable. A little like my reaction to Chalky White who I have always thought to be contrived. There were many emerging and powerful black folk in these times: Louis Armstrong, Count Basie and Duke Ellington to name just three from this black show business world. Neither of these two characters seem to project the presence that shone from any of these superstars.

    Nelson Van Alden was even more of a caricature of his previous highly nuanced character. Agent Knox was good in the first episode and has real possibilities for further development. Edgar Hoover was introduced but did seem to lack any hint of the hidden skills that would make him the most powerful man in USA's history.

    But the biggest problem of all was the lack of important, interesting and identifiable female characters.

    What made the first three series so brilliant was the constant contrast between the macho gangsters' ambitions and those of the females they knew.

    Three female characters were introduced. One was pushed out by Nucky (maybe she will return); the second, and possibly the most interesting, was killed off in episode two. The third who may be developed is the sister of Richard harrow. But up to now she is thinly portrayed and shakily written.

    I do hope all this is not a sign that the maxim "three series if it is really good, but never a forth" is true.    … Expand

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