The Best Episodes of Boardwalk Empire Season 2

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   8.2/10(2674 votes)

   #1 - 21

   S2:E19/25/2011

   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

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   Director:Tim Van Patten

   Writer:Terence Winter
2. 

   8.3/10(2494 votes)

   #2 - Ourselves Alone

   S2:E210/2/2011

   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:Unknown

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   Director:David Petrarca

   Writer:Unknown
3. 

   8.2/10(2430 votes)

   #3 - A Dangerous Maid

   S2:E310/9/2011

   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:Unknown

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   Director:Susanna White

   Writer:Unknown
4. 

   8.1/10(2383 votes)

   #4 - What Does the Bee Do?

   S2:E410/16/2011

   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

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   Director:Ed Bianchi

   Writer:Steve Kornacki
5. 

   8.7/10(2574 votes)

   #5 - Gimcrack & Bunkum

   S2:E510/23/2011

   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:Unknown

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   Director:Tim Van Patten

   Writer:Unknown
6. 

   7.9/10(2299 votes)

   #6 - The Age of Reason

   S2:E610/30/2011

   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

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   Director:Jeremy Podeswa

   Writer:Bathsheba Doran
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7. 

   8.2/10(2340 votes)

   #7 - Peg of Old

   S2:E711/6/2011

   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

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   Director:Allen Coulter

   Writer:Steve Kornacki
8. 

   8.5/10(2364 votes)

   #8 - Two Boats and a Lifeguard

   S2:E811/13/2011

   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

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   Director:Tim Van Patten

   Writer:Terence Winter
9. 

   8.3/10(2266 votes)

   #9 - Battle of the Century

   S2:E911/20/2011

   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

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   Director:Brad Anderson

   Writer:Steve Kornacki
10. 

    8.6/10(2419 votes)

    #10 - Georgia Peaches

    S2:E1011/27/2011

    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:Unknown

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    Director:Jeremy Podeswa

    Writer:Unknown
11. 

    8.9/10(2777 votes)

    #11 - Under God's Power She Flourishes

    S2:E1112/4/2011

    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:Unknown

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    Director:Allen Coulter

    Writer:Unknown
12. 

    9.3/10(3696 votes)

    #12 - To the Lost

    S2:E1212/11/2011

    Nucky faces a difficult, bottom-line business decision.

    Director:Tim Van Patten

    Writer:Terence Winter

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    Director:Tim Van Patten

    Writer:Terence Winter