Boardwalk Empire: Season 1

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 31 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 668 Ratings

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8.6

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8.6	Your Score
8.6	User Score Universal acclaim based on 668 Ratings

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Boardwalk Empire: Previously On

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Season Details & Credits

HBO | Season Premiere Date: September 19, 2010

Starring: Steve Buscemi, Steve Buscemi, Michael Pitt

Summary: Atlantic City in the 1920s is the setting for the series based on the book by Nelson Johnson about how the city turned into the infamous gambling locale.

Creator: Terence Winter and Terence Paul Winter

Genre(s): Drama

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E12. A Return to Normalcy
Air Date: December 5, 2010
tbd
S1:E11. Paris Green
Air Date: November 28, 2010
tbd
S1:E10. The Emerald City
Air Date: November 21, 2010

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Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Alan Sepinwall

As with the best of these broad canvas series, the players and their allegiances become clear within an episode or two. And from that point on, Boardwalk Empire becomes everything that HBO (and I) had hoped for it. Read full review

100

Paige Wiser

The characters are unforgettable, and the history, of course, is more entertaining than fiction. The filming of Boardwalk Empire just may be more decadent than the decadence it's celebrating. It's not TV, and it's not really HBO. It's an event, not to be missed. Read full review

100

Zap2it (Inside the Box) Rick Porter

Boardwalk Empire has everything you'd expect in an HBO drama--sharply drawn characters, large-scale stories intercut with intimate moments and a sense that you couldn't find something like it anywhere else on the guide. It's maybe the best new show HBO has launched in several years. Read full review

James Poniewozik

Like a good whiskey, it's rough and smooth in all the right ways. By a few episodes in, you'll want to order it by the case. Read full review

Matthew Gilbert

The show isn't easy to warm up to, to be honest; it's draped in--and at times stifled by--meticulous period detail and too-perfect lighting, especially in Scorsese's premiere. But in episode two, the characters and the script begin to prevail, and the drama becomes more emotionally distinct and fascinating. Read full review

Rob Owen

For some viewers, even fans of smart, high-quality TV, there may come a point when too many dark, layered television series become just as tiresome as too many look-alike procedurals. We haven't yet reached that point with Boardwalk Empire, but some episodes are more admirable than enjoyable. Read full review

Nancy Franklin

It's a big production-the first episode alone cost nearly twenty million dollars-and it looks authentic in a way that, paradoxically, seems lifeless. You're constantly aware that you're watching a period piece, albeit one with some vivid scenes and interesting details. Read full review

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User Score

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8.6

User Reviews

Douchebaaaag

Apr 19, 2014

This is just television at its best. Steve Buscemi gives the performance of a lifetime. Terrefic performances by the colorful cast, smooth directing, gorgeous writing. A must-see for fans of the mafia genre!

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Swati

Dec 13, 2012

Where the pacing slowed, I found myself immersed in the style. Jimmy Darmody grabbed my attention from the outset and kept me engaged through to the end, even though he wasn't supposed to be the main character. I learnt a few things about the Mob. The plot was highly fictionalized and turnedWhere the pacing slowed, I found myself immersed in the style. Jimmy Darmody grabbed my attention from the outset and kept me engaged through to the end, even though he wasn't supposed to be the main character. I learnt a few things about the Mob. The plot was highly fictionalized and turned some real life gangsters into mere supporting characters, unable to hold their own against some upcoming politician. I guess that was to be expected if the show had to avoid becoming predictable. I think they should have cast someone more original and engaging for Al Capone, given that he was not a second rate hit-man but arguably the most successful crime boss in history. I liked the portrayals of Luciano, Rothstein and Nucky Thompson. Jimmy's sidekick is also someone to look out for.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

JBaptista68

Sep 22, 2010

As a fan of the mafia film genre I would say that Boardwalk Empire does not disapoint. The sets, cast and costume design give the series such an authentic look and feel. I would say that we are only seeing the beginning of what will be a historic series.

12 of 16 users found this helpful124

SamComedian

Feb 24, 2019

Boardwalk Empire, una serie que me alucinó, si le tengo que poner alguna pega, sería el final de la serie, pero bueno...
Muy bien interpretada, buenos actores, ambientada en los años 20 ( me encantan ) y una estupenda trama.
Le doy un 9 sobre 10. Mi séptima crítica u/o review de la secciónBoardwalk Empire, una serie que me alucinó, si le tengo que poner alguna pega, sería el final de la serie, pero bueno...
Muy bien interpretada, buenos actores, ambientada en los años 20 ( me encantan ) y una estupenda trama.
Le doy un 9 sobre 10. Mi séptima crítica u/o review de la sección de TV.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Justinavery7074

Oct 3, 2011

Even though it is at times, dull as hell, it still manages to attract me to my couch on Sunday nights. Mayeb it's the fact that there is some compelling ass stuff towards the end of each show. Or the marvelous acting and wonderful period flavor, It's just kick-ass

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

drlowdon

Apr 2, 2013

Coming from HBO Boardwalk Empire focuses on Atlantic City in the 1920s. Prohibition has just come into effect and the city's corrupt treasurer Nucky Thompson, seeing a business opportunity, begins working to tighten his already firm grip on the city. Unfortunately for Nucky he will have toComing from HBO Boardwalk Empire focuses on Atlantic City in the 1920s. Prohibition has just come into effect and the city's corrupt treasurer Nucky Thompson, seeing a business opportunity, begins working to tighten his already firm grip on the city. Unfortunately for Nucky he will have to deal with equally violent rivals and determined FBI prohibition agents if he is to succeed.

Being created by Terence Winter Boardwalk Empire is always going to be compared to masterpiece that was The Sopranos. In this regard the first season is certainly lacking in the emotional complexity and tight script that made The Sopranos the show it was with some of the violence and sexual scenes not always feeling essential to the plot. Despite this Boardwalk Empire does have enough going for it to forge its own identity and by the series end it was safe to say it that it had earned its early season 2 renewal. Being a character based drama it obviously relied heavily on its cast and it was here that this opening season excelled. Lead by the always excellent Steve Buscemi the supporting cast were equally as successful at bringing the interesting characters and plots to life and ensuring audiences stayed tuned in. While Boardwalk Empire hasn’t exactly reinvented the gangster genre it is has certainly shown enough potential to bring me back for another watch next year.… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

bignatz

Aug 23, 2013

This show fell so far so fast that it almost seems like they want it to fail all of the interesting characters have been killed off, the new ones are uninteresting, Buscemi almost looks bored and the violence does nothing to move the narrative arch along at all, it's just become likeThis show fell so far so fast that it almost seems like they want it to fail all of the interesting characters have been killed off, the new ones are uninteresting, Buscemi almost looks bored and the violence does nothing to move the narrative arch along at all, it's just become like something crapping all over itself before it dies. The only way this show was picked up for yet a 4th and maybe 5th season is because of the influence of the producers. Should be shown in film schools to demonstrate what NOT to do with potentially good material.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

SEE ALL 76 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

83

Series Overview
Season 5

83
- Season 5 Overview
  Air Date: September 7, 2014
Season 4

77
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: September 8, 2013
Season 3

76
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: September 16, 2012
Season 2

82
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: September 25, 2011
Season 1

88
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: September 19, 2010
- tbd
  S1:E12. A Return to Normalcy
  Air Date: December 5, 2010
- tbd
  S1:E11. Paris Green
  Air Date: November 28, 2010
- tbd
  S1:E10. The Emerald City
  Air Date: November 21, 2010
- tbd
  S1:E9. Belle Femme
  Air Date: November 14, 2010
- tbd
  S1:E8. Hold Me in Paradise
  Air Date: November 7, 2010
- tbd
  S1:E7. Home
  Air Date: October 31, 2010
- tbd
  S1:E6. Family Limitation
  Air Date: October 24, 2010
- tbd
  S1:E5. Nights in Ballygran
  Air Date: October 17, 2010
- tbd
  S1:E4. Anastasia
  Air Date: October 10, 2010
- tbd
  S1:E3. Broadway Limited
  Air Date: October 3, 2010
- tbd
  S1:E2. The Ivory Tower
  Air Date: September 26, 2010
- tbd
  S1:E1. Boardwalk Empire
  Air Date: September 19, 2010