The Best Episodes of Boardwalk Empire Season 1

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   7.7/10(30 votes)

   #1 - Boardwalk Empire

   S1:E19/19/2010

   January 1920. On the eve of Prohibition, Atlantic City's Treasurer, Nucky Thompson, condemns alcohol at a Women's Temperance League meeting, where he is noticed by Margaret Schroeder, a pretty, pregnant housewife who comes to him for help in getting her abusive husband Hans a job. Later that evening, the duplicitous Nucky privately tells his ward bosses about the opportunity to make huge profits selling bootleg liquor. At a countdown-to-midnight blast at Babette's Supper Club, he assures Jimmy Darmody, a recently returned WWI vet, that his appointment as "Man Friday" to the new Chief Clerk of the Fourth Ward, Paddy Ryan, will lead to bigger things. Jimmy, meanwhile, has higher aspirations and ends up making an alliance that could have dire consequences for both him and Nucky.

   Director:Martin Scorsese

   Writer:Terence Winter

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   Director:Martin Scorsese

   Writer:Terence Winter
2. 

   7.3/10(22 votes)

   #2 - The Ivory Tower

   S1:E29/26/2010

   Nucky deals with the fallout from Jimmy's rogue heist, sending Eli to sow the seeds of doubt in the mind of Margaret, who seeks help in the wake of her husband's demise.

   Director:Tim Van Patten

   Writer:Terence Winter

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   Director:Tim Van Patten

   Writer:Terence Winter
3. 

   7.2/10(16 votes)

   #3 - Broadway Limited

   S1:E310/3/2010

   An unlikely witness to the woods massacre threatens to expose the perpetrators, sending both Eli and Van Alden rushing to the hospital. Margaret starts a new job at an upscale French dress shop at the Ritz, while Chalky's team pays a heavy price for taking over Mickey Doyle's bootleg operation.

   Director:Tim Van Patten

   Writer:Margaret Nagle

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   Director:Tim Van Patten

   Writer:Margaret Nagle
4. 

   7.1/10(16 votes)

   #4 - Anastasia

   S1:E410/10/2010

   In Chicago, Jimmy bonds with one of Johnny Torrio's prostitutes, Pearl, and finds himself increasingly at odds with the hot-headed Al Capone. Back in Atlantic City, Nucky looks to leverage his political relationships with ambitious U.S. Senator Walter Edge and Jersey City Mayor Frank Hague, while Eli and Chalky go to extremes to interrogate a local KKK leader.

   Director:Jeremy Podeswa

   Writers:Lawrence Konner, Margaret Nagle

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   Director:Jeremy Podeswa

   Writers:Lawrence Konner, Margaret Nagle
5. 

   7.1/10(15 votes)

   #5 - Nights in Ballygran

   S1:E510/17/2010

   On the day of the annual St. Patrick's Eve dinner, Nucky deals with Eli's oratory ambitions, as well as a group of disenchanted "Leprechauns". Feeling ignored by Nucky, a frustrated Margaret feeds Van Alden information. In Chicago, Jimmy copes with the aftermath of a vicious attack orchestrated by Torrio rival Charlie Sheridan.

   Director:Alan Taylor

   Writer:Lawrence Konner

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   Director:Alan Taylor

   Writer:Lawrence Konner
6. 

   7.1/10(17 votes)

   #6 - Family Limitation

   S1:E610/24/2010

   After the brazen robbery of one of his ward bosses, Nucky turns up the heat on Lucky Luciano. An emboldened Margaret stands up to Lucy at the dress shop and accepts an offer from Nucky to change her circumstances. In Chicago, Al's frustration over family issues spills over into his relationship with Jimmy, who scores points with Johnny Torrio for a bold power play involving Sheridan and the neighborhood of Greektown.

   Director:Tim Van Patten

   Writer:Howard Korder

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   Director:Tim Van Patten

   Writer:Howard Korder
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7. 

   7.3/10(15 votes)

   #7 - Home

   S1:E710/31/2010

   After his father Ethan is injured in a fall, Nucky uses the opportunity to refurbish his childhood home. On a double-date with new friend Annabelle and her beaux, Margaret tries to get Nucky to open up about some painful childhood memories. During a visit to an army hospital, Jimmy befriends disfigured vet Richard Harrow, whose sharp eye proves invaluable. Van Alden gets a lead on the woods massacre.

   Director:Allen Coulter

   Writer:Paul Simms

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   Director:Allen Coulter

   Writer:Paul Simms
8. 

   6.9/10(16 votes)

   #8 - Hold Me in Paradise

   S1:E811/7/2010

   Nucky visits Chicago for the Republican National Convention, where he finds himself intrigued by the candidacy of Warren G. Harding over more established candidates. The D'Alessio gang moves in on Nucky's territory at the expense of Eli, who has been watching over his brother's affairs. Margaret finds herself entangled in Nucky's business affairs, while Van Alden struggles with his wife's desire for a child. Rothstein prepares for legal trouble over his role in fixing the 1919 World Series. Nucky asks Jimmy to return to Atlantic City to reinforce his position.

   Director:Brian Kirk

   Writer:Meg Jackson

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   Director:Brian Kirk

   Writer:Meg Jackson
9. 

   6.9/10(14 votes)

   #9 - Belle Femme

   S1:E911/14/2010

   Nucky is forced to readjust his political alliances with a Democratic mayoral candidate promising to wipe out corruption. Jimmy returns from Chicago to deal with the D'Alessio gang, which has allied with Rothstein to import European scotch through Atlantic City, but is arrested by Agent Van Alden for the massacre in the woods. Margaret intercedes with Nucky on Madame Jeunet's behalf, while Angela finds her romantic and artistic ambitions halted by Jimmy's return.

   Director:Brad Anderson

   Writer:Steve Kornacki

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   Director:Brad Anderson

   Writer:Steve Kornacki
10. 

    7.3/10(15 votes)

    #10 - The Emerald City

    S1:E1011/21/2010

    Nucky asks for Margaret's assistance in backing his mayoral candidate with the passage of women's right to vote, leaving her conflicted about her role. Doyle switches sides back from Rothstein, which leads Nucky to conspire with Chalky against Lansky and the D'Alessios. Angela witnesses Jimmy's violent side against her photographer friend, and considers leaving Atlantic City for good in the aftermath. Van Alden grapples with his emotions, and has encounters with both Margaret and Lucy.

    Director:Simon Cellan Jones

    Writer:Lawrence Konner

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    Director:Simon Cellan Jones

    Writer:Lawrence Konner
11. 

    7.9/10(13 votes)

    #11 - Paris Green

    S1:E1111/28/2010

    Nucky has emotionally charged conversations with both Margaret and Eli over his business and the killing of Margaret's husband. Jimmy meets with his dying father for the first time in years. Van Alden and Agent Sebso's working relationship is pushed to the limit by Van Alden's suspicions. Angela prepares to flee from Jimmy to Paris.

    Director:Allen Coulter

    Writer:Howard Korder

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    Director:Allen Coulter

    Writer:Howard Korder
12. 

    7.2/10(16 votes)

    #12 - A Return to Normalcy

    S1:E1212/5/2010

    Nucky faces Election Day in Atlantic City and pulls out all the stops to keep power in Republican hands. Torrio brokers a discussion between Nucky and Rothstein to resolve their growing gang war, as well as Rothstein's looming federal indictment over the World Series. Both Jimmy and Eli voice their growing resentment towards Nucky, and find they have an ally in the Commodore. Van Alden seeks a sign on whether or not to leave Atlantic City, but receives unexpected news from Lucy. Margaret weighs new information about Nucky's first marriage and her uncertain future to make a final decision on her role in his life.

    Director:Tim Van Patten

    Writer:Terence Winter

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    Director:Tim Van Patten

    Writer:Terence Winter