BOARDWALK EMPIRE RECAP

SEASON TWO, EPISODE FIVE

"GIMCRACK & BUNKUM"

THIS WEEK: Written by Howard Korder and directed by series vet Tim Van Patten, 'Gimcrack and Bunkum' elevated the 'Empire' game. While we've been building on character nuances from the get-go, elements are starting to fall into place and the action is amping up -- in a big way. The result? Chatter for the water cooler.



Some key moments:

• With his opposition imploding, Nucky's election-fraud case is about to fall into federal jurisdiction. But is that a good thing after all?

• Richard Harrow embarks on a bit of soul-searching deep in the heart of the woods and meets a couple of down-home moonshining squirrel trappers

• With The Commodore ailing, Jimmy Darmody clashes with Atlantic City's ruling class and is taught a painful lesson.

Ep. 17 - Preview

• Eli lets his anger get the best of him and lands himself in a more-than-desperate situation.

~~~~

We fade in.

We open during a Memorial Day celebration in Margate. Margate? Yup, in the distance we can see Lucy the Margate Elephant (previously footnoted in the season's first episode).

Standing at the podium on a grandstand, Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi) waxes poetic about the glory of Atlantic City. "Atlantic City was built to help people forget... But THIS day, Memorial Day, is for remembering..."

Jimmy Darmody (Michael Pitt), himself a veteran of The Great War, sits in the crowd with his wife Angela (Aleksa Palladino) and young son Tommy (Conner Noon).

Nucky acknowledges the old guard, sitting behind him. We recognize them as the old cronies of Commodore Louis Kaestner (Dabney Coleman) and the ruling class of the city. Keeping up appearances, Nuck acknowledges the Commodore respectfully.

SEASON TWO 'EMPIRE' RECAPS:

• Episode 1: 21

• Episode 2: Ourselves Alone

• Episode 3: 'A Dangerous Maid'

• Episode 4: 'What Does The Bee Do?'



"He truly is this city's doting father..." As if on cue, Nucky spots Jimmy in the crowd.

Nucky also gives a shout out to Harry Daugherty (Christopher McDonald), the United States Attorney General under Warren G. Harding.

But then Nucky flips the script a bit. He has someone in mind for the task of reading the names of the fallen vets.

"I feel it fitting to bestow that honor on a young man who can speak more directly on the ideals of sacrifice, service and loyalty more than I ever could. James Darmody... Step up here..."

Jimmy is put on the spot and heads for the grandstand.

"You think I can play this game?" he quietly asks approaching Nucky.

"I think you don't even know the rules..." Nuck answers coldly.

Jimmy has a few aces up his own sleeve and plays the humble war hero, unworthy of any extra attention. It's extremely poignant and further proof that Jimmy is no dummy. If there is an heir to Nucky's throne, HE is certainly it.

"I'm no one's idea of a hero... When people asked me what I did over there, I tell them I made it back. We fought for the idea that democracy was worth saving... We fought for our mothers... Our sons... Our wives... We fought for America." And with that he reads the list of fallen veterans...

Across town, Richard Harrow sits in the room of his bare-boned boarding house, perusing the scrapbook he made that holds various images of normalcy, family life and domestic bliss. We can tell he's lonely.

We see the sketch Angela made of him across from his dashing Army portrait taken before he was injured. The guy could have been a matinee idol akin to Valentino...

A radio plays in the background (*)

(*) While tunes of the 'Empire' era aren't usually footnoted up front, the song Harrow listens to is especially noteworthy. It's called "The Rose of No Man's Land" by Jack Caddigan and James Alexander Brennan. Noteworthy why? Being that the episode is geared around Memorial Day, the song was penned as an ode to the brave Red Cross Nurses who served during World War I on the front lines. (Via Wikipedia)

Harrow preps for his day, packs his food in his leather satchel and leaves with rifle in tow.

In the locker room of the Atlantic City Country Club, Nucky chats with Daugherty and his assistant.

Nucky complains about Jimmy more to himself than anyone else. "You hear him up there? Fought for democracy... What a load of bull... You know why he joined tha Army? because he couldn't hack it at Princeton."

Daugherty politely tells Nucky that it's a holiday and being that he's only in town for a day, they just should "play some golf."

"Am I boring you, Harry?" Nucky asks.

And then the convo suddenly morphs into Nucky's legal trouble. "This isn't the easiest deal to finesse," the Attorney General says. He tells Nuck that he's gone out of his way and has went down an exhaustive list of young prosecutors to work Nuck's election fraud case.

When Daugherty leaves for the green, his assistant asks Nucky about bootlegger George Remus. He wants Nuck to "put in a good word" for him. (

NOTE

: It was customary for the well-to-do to stock their mansions with booze during Prohibition since it was considered legal to drink in one's home.)

Previously footnoted:

George Remus was a famous lawyer and bootlegger during Prohibition. The mouthpiece was said to have memorized the Volstead Act to find loopholes so he could buy distilleries and pharmacies and, in turn, sell liquor to himself under government licenses for medicinal purposes. He'd then hijack his own hooch so he could sell it illegally. Interestingly, rumors have it that he was the inspiration for the title character Jay Gatsby in "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Inside an Native American-themed parlor, Jimmy and Sheriff Elias “Eli” Thompson (Shea Whigham) meet with The Commodore's cronies. Among them, the mutton-chopped Leander Whitlock (Dominic Chianese) and the wheelchair-bound crank Mr. Parkhurst (Richard Easton).

After they men applaud Jimmy' speech, Parkhurst says he's the only one in the room who's worn "the blue"-- an obvious nod to The Union and The Confederacy.

"Fort Kearny Wyoming territory..." one of the men shouts out. (**) Parkhurt's butler tells everyone that he blew the trumpet for the ninth.

(**) An outpost of the United States Army during the 1860s, Fort Phil Kearny is located in Northeastern Wyoming along the Bozeman Trail, according to the National Park Service. It's namesake is Maj. Gen. Philip Kearny, a popular figure in the American Civil War. (Via Wikipedia)

Parhurst waxes poetic about his days of slaughtering the Native Americans as well as the money he made selling "chipped beef." Jimmy says that was the stuff he ate every day in the army and would rather eat dog turds.

Suddenly, Parkhurst gets antsy and says they should be discussing money. The men begin to come down on Jimmy hard. One after the other. They say that they've yet to see a dime from their investment.

Uncle Junior -- I mean Leander Whitlock -- refers to "the recent setback" in the woods. "You lost $70,000 of our money in that explosion!" Parhurst adds.

As politely and calmly as possible, Jimmy tells them that every business has its kinks.

Eli steps in and tells the men that they're going to make good. "It's just a matter of time --"

They want to speak with The Commodore. Jimmy tells them that The Commodore has given him completely authority.

"I never heard that..." Parkhurst blurts.

"--THAN YOU WEREN'T PAYING ATTENTION," Jimmy darts.

"You're trying to diddle the wrong men..." one of them tells Jimmy.

Jimmy scoffs. "What? You're gonna draw me out of your Yacht club?"

And with that Parkhurst WHACKS Jimmy with his cane - smack dab in the forehead. He says that the younger generation needs to learn about respect.

Jimmy gets up and walks towards the door. "You just taught me plenty." Eli runs after him but Jimmy says that he's through.

"They're funding the entire operation..." a nervous Eli pleads. "I brought you in on this."

Jimmy thanks him sarcastically and warns Eli to stay out of his business.

~~~~

Harrow hitches a ride deep into the woods. It's a safe bet that it's possible that it could be the Pine Barrens (the deeply-wooded land in Southern New Jersey).

SEASON ONE 'EMPIRE' RECAPS:

• Episode 1: Pilot

• Episode 2: The Ivory Tower

• Episode 3: Broadway Limited

• Episode 4: Anastasia

• Episode 5: Nights in Ballygran

• Episode 6: Family Limitation

• Episode 7: Home

• Episode 8: Hold Me In Paradise

• Episode 9: Belle Femme

• Episode 10: The Emerald City

• Episode 11: Paris Green

• Episode 12: 'A Return to Normalcy'



(***) Here's some Incestuous 'EMPIRE' trivia:

"The Sopranos" episode of "Pine Barrens" was written by 'Boardwalk Empire' showrunner Terence Winter from a story idea by Winter and frequent 'Empire' director Tim Van Patten (who also directed THIS episode). Even more interesting, "Pine Barrens" it was directed by Nucky himself -- Steve Buscemi. It aired on May 6, 2001.

Harrow wanders through the woods, creepy and a tad foggy. He takes in the wonder of nature, staring quietly at a bird and its stillness.

In the woods, Harrow finds a rock to sit on as he loosens his tie and slices his apple. It's all very tranquil. Just then, he takes of his mask and eats in peace. There's no one to hide from. This is his solace.

As he puts on his dog tags, we suspect something else is happening...

He lies down on the rock, leans back as the barrel of his rifle comes into frame.

HOLY YOU-KNOW-WHAT, BATMAN!...

He can't do it. Or maybe he might have, had it not been for a loose hunting dog who grabs Harrow's mask and trots away with it in his mouth. Harrow, sans, glasses chases his mask - and the dog - through the woods.

"I need that mask... I need that mask..."

Jimmy's mom Gillian (Gretchen Mol) tends to his wound. "No one is allowed to do this to you..." She tells her son.

Jimmy tells her that he owes the old cranks $70,000. "That's nothing to men like that..." she says.

He tells her of Manny Horvitz from Philly who ordered hooch from Jimmy and now wants his booze. She cuts him short. "You will NOT be disrespected..."

She pumps him with enough confidence so he "knows what needs to be done..."

Nucky arrives at home. Margaret Schroeder (Kelly Macdonald) greets him nervously. He tells her he feels like a lobster after chasing around a ball all day in the sun. "Idiotic..."

She informs him that Eli is there to see him. "And you let him in?" he snaps.

"What else could I do?"

"It'll be fine," he says. Angry, he greets his brother in the conservatory.

Ep. 17 Clip - Nucky and Eli

Eli looks a mess. Dejected. And Nucky has 'em right where he wants 'em.

"Last time we spoke there was an offer for me..."

Nuck tells him it's gone. Eli gets peeved. "I'm your brother, Nucky..."

"And I love you," he answers.

Eli throws a bone. "I know who's gonna testify against you..."

Nucky says that it doesn't matter because he just played golf with the Attorney General of the Unites States. Nucky calls him a "frightened little boy with no place else to go..." But he gives Eli one more chance. "Give me something else and I'll know you're my brother..."

Eli tells Nucky about The Commodore's stroke. "I made a mistake, Nuck... I admit it... Here I am..." Eli starts to sob.

Nucky says "We'll sort it out.." Eli is relieved. "But there is something I have to ask of you..."

"Anything Nuck..."

"I need you to get on your knees... bend down to the ground and kiss my f#@king shows, you piece of s**t," Nucky darts.

Eli is confused. Why would his brother do that to him? And with that Nucky slaps the snot of of Eli and pushes him to the back wall. They begin to shove... Shoves quickly turn to punches. Eli eventually appears to be getting to better of Nucky. Soon, Eli sits atop Nuck and begins to choke him. Nucky gets away and we can see Eli reach for his holstered pistol.

THEN:

Another RIFLE comes into frame, landing on the temple of Eli.

"Enough..." Margaret says aiming the shotgun. She holds the gun on Eli. "GET OUT OF THIS HOUSE," she says sternly.

Eli leaves and Nucky, a disheveled mess, inspects Margaret's shotgun. He opens it up. "In the future, if you're going to point a gun at someone, make sure it's loaded..."

"Is this to be our life?!" She asks yelling.

~~~~

Harrow, panting on a tree, seems lost when we hear a voice. "Hey... Don't be hiding there..." Pete (Jon DeVries), a piney trapper, instructs Harrow to follow him.

They walk to a makeshift camp, scrappy, but appointed with the necessities. A dog barks. Another older trapper, Glenmore (Bill Camp), sits near the fire. They appear to trapping squirrels.

They tell Harrow to settle down before he chases off all of the varmints.

"Go on, now... Give it to him..." Glenmore says.

Pete hands it back to Harrow. The men offer him some squirrel, cooking atop a fire. Harrow declines.

"You a revenue agent?" the old man asks. Harrow shakes his head.

"Then here," Glenmore says, handing Harrow a hip flask. Harrow takes a gulp and notes that the hooch is strong. "Made it myself," the old trapper says.

The men ask him where he's from. Harrow says Atlantic City.

"That's a sight to see, I'm told," Pete says.

Glenmore says that he was in A.C. once and saw a flying horse act (famous at the time for being a popular attraction on the Atlantic City boardwalk).

Pete scoffs at the notion. "That was some kind of trick."

Pete asks Harrow why he's out in the woods. Harrow says that he was hunting and left his things by a pond. Trapper Pete ain't buying it. The squirell is ready ... Anyone hungry?

Nucky's enters his suite in the Ritz-Carlton. He greets his lawyer Isaac "Icky" Ginsberg (Peter Van Wagner), Daugherty, and Nucky's new prosecutor Charles Kenneth Thorogood

Nucky tells them that he needs to know how everything will work -- You know, the whole fake election fraud trial where everyone is in on the joke except the judge.

Izzy explains: The U.S. Attorney (Daugherty) makes a motion to transfer Nucky's state offense to federal court and thus, in the purview of the Third Circuit. The present their case to the judge and to Thorogood.

"What happens next?" Nucky asks.

"The Department of Justice determines it's simply not worth the the time and resources to prosecute your case... Which is dropped," chimes in Daugherty's assistant.

"We're swamped with Volstead as it is..." Daugherty assures.

Still, it's a gamble and Nucky knows it. "I need a guarantee..."

"You're not gonna get one," Daugherty answers.

Nucky turns to his lawyer Icky. "Just remember... This was YOUR idea..."

Back in the woods, the men finish up their squirrel. Harrow takes the bone remnants and puts them in his pocket so the dog won't choke on them. That shows the men he's decent.

Harrow says that he should get back to town. Glenmore offers him a ride. Before they leave, Pete tells Harrow that woods don't exist for foolishness. "That's not what these woods is for... Do you understand me? ...These woods is for LIVING. Do you understand me there?"

Harrow nods. This trapper just might have saved his life.

A drunk Eli tinkers with an old gun in the garage as his young boy Brian looks on. Just then, Ward Boss George O'Neill (William Hill) knocks on the door. He looks a nervous wreck.

Eli sends Brian off on an errand so he can chat with O'Neill.

The ward boss asks Eli about "the rumor" regarding The Commodore. Eli assures O'Neill that he's fine. Still, O'Neill is not buying it and pushes the issue. He wants to go over and see The Commodore for himself.

"If he can't protect us from your brother, we're all in an exposed position..."

Eli gets up from his stool. O'Neill is worried. "It's true isn't it?! So now it's what?? You and Jimmy..." O'Neill says that he's out and he's getting louder. He also threatens to go straight to Nucky. Eli tries to calm him down but in doing so, his anger gets the best of him and CLOCKS HIM SQUARE IN THE NECK with a large wrench.

O'Neill is down for the count and just when he's gravely wounded, Eli finishes the job and clobbers O'Neill to death.

Jimmy speaks with Angela at their dining room table. He lies to her about the nature of his head injury. He tells her that the car door knocked him in the head. She says he needs to pay more attention.

"That's why it's called an accident..." he tells her.

Just then, a knock on the door. It's Harrow. Angela tells him that he missed the Memorial Day festivities. "I wasn't interested in that," he tells her.

Inside, Jimmy waits for Angela to go to another room before asking Harrow where he was.

"I needed to take a walk...' Harrow says.

Jimmy thinks quick. " I should've gone with you..."

He asks Harrow if he's up for a job. Harrow doesn't answer. "Is there a problem, Richard?"

"Would you fight for me?" Harrow asks.

Jimmy approaches him. "Of course I would. Right down to the last bullet..."

Harrow appears to be a tad choked up. "Then let's go to work..."

Over at Parkhurst's mansion, the elderly man inspects some of his Native American wares. in fact, it's a Sioux Indian breechcloth. He hears footsteps outside but thinks nothing of it.

He talks to his butler Alexander about this latest piece. "Damned fool savages," he says regarding the Sioux WHEN:

Jimmy swings him around in his chair... and slams the old man's cane on his legs.

"I'm gonna teach YOU something now..."

Jimmy sticks the breechcloth in Parkhurst's mouth as Harrow SCALPS him.

~~~~

Margaret wakes up in a stir. She checks on the children and is greeted in the hall by maid Katy (Heather Lind).

Margaret asks if she heard someone screaming. Katy says no. Margaret tells her that she should get back to bed. We follow Katy back to her room and see Owen Sleater (Charlie Cox) lying in her bed.

"She's out there snooping around," Katy tells Sleater. "She probably thinks I'm pinching the silverware. I should, too, after what she pays me."

She also tells Sleater that Margaret made her call her family in Brooklyn and "even they didn't want anything to do with her..."

Eli sits in the dark of his garage as bumbling Deputy Halloran (Adam Mucci) shows up to help get rid of O'Neill's body. "

Is it someone I know?" the dopey cop asks.

"It's Mary Pickford..." Eli snaps. (****)

"YOU KILLED MARY PICKFORD?" Halloran asks, half-serious.

The two drag out O'Neill's body.

(****) The popular silent-era film actress Mary Pickford was considered "America's Sweetheart." She is considered to be one of the silent era's most central figures -- largely because her contract demands were a precursor to modern Hollywood. The American Film Institute named her among the greatest female stars of all time, ranking No. 24. (Via Wikipedia)

It's late. Nucky sits behind his desk as he listens to Daugherty and clan cavort in the parlor of the suite. Nucky is turned off and it looks like he's regretting the deal he made with Daugherty.

On the outskirts of town, we see Eli, furiously digging a hole in the marshland for O'Neill's body. He drags it from the roadside into the makeshift grave.

We fade out.

Other stuff on my mind

• "Gimcrack and Bunkum" was the title of this episode and it's meaning is somewhat veiled this week. 'Gimcrack' is a showy object of little use or value ala Parhurst's breechcloth. 'Bunkum' is insincere or foolish talk -- basically nonsense -- which filled the episode depending how one looks at character motivations. Eli begging Nucky to take him back; Harrow lying about leaving his mask near the pond; Daugherty assuring Nucky he'll get his fraud case wiped out and Eli telling O'Neill the Commodore is fine. LOTS of 'bunkum' being thrown about. Does anyone else have any observations as to what the title may mean?

• Hard to imagine, but in 1921, it would have been relatively easy to experience a veteran from the Civil War on Memorial Day. If a soldier was around 25 when it ended, it's conceivable that they would've certainly been around in 1921.

• Do you think Nucky kind of regrets putting Jimmy up on that stage? His plan kind of backfired, right?

• Kind of funny how ridiculous Nucky looked in his golfing garb, huh? Even funnier was that he KNEW it.

• Isn't odd for a man like Parkhurst to be surrounded by Native American wares in his mansion when he fought them while wearing the blue? he even calls them 'savages' so it''s not like he has a newfound respect.

• So ... Was Harrow in the Pine Barrens? It's certainly not out of the realm of possibility, right? Those squirrel trappers could have easily been 'Pineys.'

• If he REALLY was intent on killing himself, why did Harrow stop both to chase the dog down in the first place?

• How cool were those piney squirrel trappers anyway? Loved their mellow vibe... Bet their moonshine tasted great.

• For the first time, Jimmy actually looked a little disenchanted with Richard Harrow when he didn't show up for work.