8.2/102,439 votes#1 - 21
Season 2 Episode 1 - Aired 9/25/2011
Nucky is shocked by an insurrection among his inner circle. An attack threatens Chalky's life and livelihood. Margaret deals with her son's problems. Angela vies for Jimmy's affection. Van Alden shows his wife around town.
Director: Tim Van Patten
Writer: Terence Winter
8.3/102,271 votes#2 - Ourselves Alone
Season 2 Episode 2 - Aired 10/2/2011
Despite being publicly embarrassed by legal trouble, Nucky's biggest concern may be holding on to his private army in a battle for control of Atlantic City. Meanwhile, Jimmy pitches a business deal to Arnold Rothstein in New York, but may have more in common with Meyer Lansky and Lucky Luciano. Margaret draws on past experience to retrieve some valuable information, Chalky clashes with a fellow inmate, and an Irish nationalist comes to town looking for support.
Director: David Petrarca
Writer: N/A
8.2/102,206 votes#3 - A Dangerous Maid
Season 2 Episode 3 - Aired 10/9/2011
The Commodore throws his weight around with the Coast Guard to disrupt the delivery of alcohol, which creates an opportunity for Owen to demonstrate his value to Nucky and a struggling casino. Meanwhile, a letter dredges up painful memories for Margaret, Nucky calls in a favor with the U.S. attorney general, Meyer and Lucky learn the price of power, and Lucy searches for ways to cure her loneliness.
Director: Susanna White
Writer: N/A
8.1/102,162 votes#4 - What Does the Bee Do?
Season 2 Episode 4 - Aired 10/16/2011
During Mayor Bader's birthday party, Nucky's attorney comes up with a solution that might help Nucky in his election-rigging case. With a liquor surplus likely, Jimmy and Mickey travel to Philadelphia to search for buyers while Nucky makes a surprising deal to try and get alcohol into Atlantic City. Eli is concerned over the Commodore's ability to lead. Margaret decides to give her staff bonuses. Chalky is cornered while at work and home. Owen takes his munitions expertise and uses it. Van Alden's agents set their eyes on Mickey's warehouse. Richard lets his guard down in the name of art. And Gillian thinks of the first time she was ever with the Commodore.
Director: Ed Bianchi
Writer: Steve Kornacki
8.7/102,344 votes#5 - Gimcrack & Bunkum
Season 2 Episode 5 - Aired 10/23/2011
After a dispute with his enemies, Nucky brings in a surprise guest speaker at a Memorial Day dedication for war veterans. Running out of options, Eli questions his allegiances, but it ends up sending him deeper into the hole. Nucky hires a new lawyer. Jimmy is taught a lesson by one of the Commodore's men that he won't soon forget. Richard decides to go hunting in the forest.
Director: Tim Van Patten
Writer: N/A
8.0/102,088 votes#6 - The Age of Reason
Season 2 Episode 6 - Aired 10/30/2011
Nucky tries to set up a risky liquor delivery to Philadelphia. Later, Attorney General Daugherty sees a problem that might complicate Nucky's case. Jimmy finds a new mentor in Leander Whitlock who is the Commodore's lawyer. Margaret finally goes to confessional. Lucy continues to struggle with loneliness while Van Alden tries to settle his conscience.
Director: Jeremy Podeswa
Writer: Bathsheba Doran
8.2/102,131 votes#7 - Peg of Old
Season 2 Episode 7 - Aired 11/6/2011
Margaret has a family reunion. Owen gets even with a rival. Van Alden recognizes the hierarchy of the law. Jimmy wonders how a decision will affect the future.
Director: Allen Coulter
Writer: Steve Kornacki
8.6/102,156 votes#8 - Two Boats and a Lifeguard
Season 2 Episode 8 - Aired 11/13/2011
In the wake of a personal loss, Nucky solicits advice on his political situation from Arnold Rothstein, while Eli remains suspicious of his brother’s actions. Nucky finds himself in the unfamiliar position of showing gratitude toward a federal agent. Angela meets a new friend at the beach, and eavesdrops on her husband’s treachery. Nelson gets a nanny. Nucky approaches Owen with an overseas proposition. Jimmy flexes his muscles, at Mickey Doyle’s expense.
Director: Tim Van Patten
Writer: Terence Winter
8.4/102,061 votes#9 - Battle of the Century
Season 2 Episode 9 - Aired 11/20/2011
Arriving in Belfast, Nucky and Owen meet with IRA leaders with a barter proposition. Meanwhile, in Atlantic City, Jimmy and his partners broker a deal with George Remus for his “medicinal” alcohol before taking a break to see/hear the Dempsey fight. Margaret frets when Emily’s illness takes a turn for the worse. Dunn Purnsley orchestrates a worker’s strike at the Ritz. Waxey Gordon takes action against Manny Horvitz in Philadelphia, and Randolph and Clifford Lathrop grill Halloran about Nucky’s past.
Director: Brad Anderson
Writer: Steve Kornacki
8.6/102,195 votes#10 - Georgia Peaches
Season 2 Episode 10 - Aired 11/27/2011
Undercut by Nucky, who has a new source for alcohol, Jimmy and his partners look to cultivate a new revenue stream in Atlantic City. With the peak tourist season approaching, the Commodore’s crew faces a choice in dealing with the city’s striking workers; either negotiate or fight back. Fearing that sin has led to misfortune, Margaret approaches Father Brennan with an “act of devotion.” Nucky gets a new lawyer. Van Alden faces an uncertain future. Manny Horvitz takes exception to a debt payment.
Director: Jeremy Podeswa
Writer: N/A
8.9/102,546 votes#11 - Under God's Power She Flourishes
Season 2 Episode 11 - Aired 12/4/2011
With Margaret pondering the consequences of sin, Nucky prepares her for a worst-case scenario as Esther Randolph plays out her trump cards. Jimmy revisits his college days with Angela and Gillian. Mickey Doyle chafes at sharing his liquor profits. Eli refuses to cop a plea. Nelson's past comes back to haunt him, tipping the scale in Nucky's favor.
Director: Allen Coulter
Writer: N/A
9.3/103,362 votes#12 - To the Lost
Season 2 Episode 12 - Aired 12/11/2011
Esther Randolph's case is weakened by the sudden death of one witness and the sudden marriage of another. Jimmy turns away from the influence of others, including his mother. Nucky, acting the family man to Margaret, faces a difficult, bottom-line business decision.
Director: Tim Van Patten
Writer: Terence Winter
The Best Episodes of Boardwalk Empire Season 2
Every episode of Boardwalk Empire Season 2 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Boardwalk Empire Season 2!
Atlantic City at the dawn of Prohibition is a place where the rules don't apply. And the man who runs things -- legally and otherwise...
Genres:CrimeDrama
Network:HBO
Season 2 Ratings Summary
"21" is the best rated episode of "Boardwalk Empire" season 2. It scored 8.2/10 based on 2439 votes. Directed by Tim Van Patten and written by Terence Winter, it aired on 9/25/2011. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Ourselves Alone".