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The main question fans may have after watching the 37-second teaser for the final season of "Boardwalk Empire"? Will the show's alternative history trick us or will Nucky, like some of television's other antiheroes go out in a blaze of bootleged rum?

(HBO)

As is customary with each season premiere of HBO's "True Blood," fans of "Boardwalk Empire" usually get a sneak peek teaser trailer. On Sunday, a short clip revealed what may be in store for the cast of HBO's award-winning Prohibition drama.

Over an eerie, ghostly rendition of Three Dog Night's "One Is The Loneliest Number," it's obvious that politician-turned-gangster Nucky Thompson stands alone this season. Need proof? Check out the various shots of Nucky (Steve Buscemi) Thomspon standing alone, peering out onto the horizon in various settings before we see him say, "The trick is to stay alive long enough to cash out..." Amen, Nuck.

The main question we may have after watching the 37-second teaser? Will the show's alternative history trick us or will Nucky (like some of television's other antiheroes) go out in a blaze of bootleged rum? Enoch "Nucky" Johnson, the real-life politico and inspiration for the Steve Buscemi character lived to the ripe age of 68 and died of natural causes.

Here are some other shots and takeaways from the teaser:

It's a safe bet to assume that the Chicago-based Nelson Van Alden/George Mueller (Michael Shannon) is still around. But is he still working for Al Capone?

We see Nucky sitting at the head of a table in a boardroom with six other distinctive-looking businessmen. A new venture for Nucky? Will he finally build the infrastructure for the region that he always talked about?

Various shots of showgirls as well as other sexy action in The Onyx Club

New York heavy Charlie Luciano (Vincent Piazza), walks through a sea of other hoodlums. Since it was recently leaked that part of the show's narrative

A man, who looks like Nucky's brother Eli (Shea Whigham) holds his hands up in a dark alley, with guns pointed at him

A stogie-smoking Al Capone (Stephen Graham)

A prison chain gang in what looks like the woods of Havre de Grace, Maryland. We last saw saw a defeated Chalky White there.

A pine box coffin is lowered into the ground

And finally, the tagline ... "No one goes quietly..."

While no season premiere date has been officially announced, look for the final season of "Boardwalk Empire" to start in September. Also, it's still unknown if this last season will be shortened when it returns next fall ala other HBO swan songs like "Treme" and

"True Blood"

.

Related coverage

• Complete 'Boardwalk Empire' recap archive





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