[VANFLAMESFAN]

So I got my hands on HBO screener DVD's and watched the first 4 episodes of the new HBO series, Boardwalk Empire. There's plenty of hype surrounding this and it's well deserved. Terence WInter, writer for Sopranos is involved and the big name, Martin Scorsese is attached to the show as well. He directs the first episode. Steve Buscemi is the lead, so there's plenty of good names behind this show.

This will be a well discussed show, so it deserves its own thread. Here's a trailer for those who are not familiar with it.



I was hooked after Episode One. Seriously hooked. It's a 75 minute episode and they pack a lot into it. I'm no historian or know a lot of this era by any means, but you get the feeling that the show is pretty authentic. The sets, the clothing, the music, the language, everything seems pretty real. The show has got some great style, is very violent but more importantly, very slick and well crafted.

My main concern about this show was whether or not Steve Buscemi could pull off the "Kingpin" type role. He's never really been that kind of guy. I wasn't sure if I would believe him as being the tough guy. After watching the first four episodes, I realize they made the right choice. The character he plays, Nucky Thompson is not like a Tony Soprano, he's not a Jimmy Conway. Nucky is a sleazeball with some class if that makes any sense. He's got two lives. One as city treasurer and one as a powerful man who dabbles in bootlegging, gambling and prostitution.

The stories revolve around Nucky, but some of the supporting characters are very strong as well. Look out for Jimmy, one of Nucky's "soldiers" who just came back from the war, who wants to get back in the business right away. Also, the character of Margaret. An Irish immigrant who comes to Nucky for help with her abusive husband. In episodes 2-4, you see a lot of her and she's a very interesting character. Also, you see Al Capone as a common thug, before he becomes the legend we know him as now. Very cool stuff.

edit...oh and those fans of HBO's The Wire will be happy to know that Michael K Williams is in it. Definitely a different character from his iconic role on the Wire as Omar.

This show will be a big hit and will generate a lot of buzz and I woudln't be surprised if it cleans up at the Emmy's next year. It will have to beat out Mad Men, which won't be easy(Mad Men has been very good this season)), but from what I've seen, it's definitely in the conversation about Best Drama.