Boardwalk Empire

[Kaos]

Given that I'm caught up on Breaking Bad, finished Battlestar and am waiting on Homeland, American Horror Story, Walking Dead, Dexter and... what is it that I watch again.... to start in the fall I decided to use the HBO to Go thing and figure out if I want to add Boardwalk Empire to my viewing list. 

In the opening credits I see a lot of names I recognize: Tim Van Patten and Terence Winter who helmed a lot of great Sopranos episodes; Steve Buscemi who was cousin Tony in Sopranos.  I go and find out there's an entire wiki page dedicated to the crossover between the two  (http://boardwalkempire.wikia.com/wiki/The_Sopranos).  And then I see Scorsese, who did Goodfellas.  How did I miss all this before? 

So I'm behind it and expect to be moved. 

And then the first episode just drags, drags, drags, drags, drags, drags.  I want to take Buscemi seriously but he just doesn't seem to have the requisite presence to fully fill out the character. He tries anger, but it comes off like Daffy Duck.  He tries menace but I get Mr. Bean.

Some things happen but it's just not motivating me.   Episode 2 was a little better but it still left me dry.

I really don't like the kid playing Jimmy.  He's a lightweight and completely unconvincing in his role so far.  Supposed to be Princeton smart but has a dullness about him that would wear well on a bama fan working at an oil change place.

Those of you who watch it, can you tell me when it starts to pick up?  When am I going to be impressed?  When will I understand the critical acclaim?    Is it really worth muddling through another couple of episodes?

[GH2001]

Given that I'm caught up on Breaking Bad, finished Battlestar and am waiting on Homeland, American Horror Story, Walking Dead, Dexter and... what is it that I watch again.... to start in the fall I decided to use the HBO to Go thing and figure out if I want to add Boardwalk Empire to my viewing list. 

In the opening credits I see a lot of names I recognize: Tim Van Patten and Terence Winter who helmed a lot of great Sopranos episodes; Steve Buscemi who was cousin Tony in Sopranos.  I go and find out there's an entire wiki page dedicated to the crossover between the two  (http://boardwalkempire.wikia.com/wiki/The_Sopranos).  And then I see Scorsese, who did Goodfellas.  How did I miss all this before? 

So I'm behind it and expect to be moved. 

And then the first episode just drags, drags, drags, drags, drags, drags.  I want to take Buscemi seriously but he just doesn't seem to have the requisite presence to fully fill out the character. He tries anger, but it comes off like Daffy Duck.  He tries menace but I get Mr. Bean.

Some things happen but it's just not motivating me.   Episode 2 was a little better but it still left me dry.

I really don't like the kid playing Jimmy.  He's a lightweight and completely unconvincing in his role so far.  Supposed to be Princeton smart but has a dullness about him that would wear well on a bama fan working at an oil change place.

Those of you who watch it, can you tell me when it starts to pick up?  When am I going to be impressed?  When will I understand the critical acclaim?    Is it really worth muddling through another couple of episodes?

How do you like HBO2GO? Thought about getting it.

[Tarheel]

This is one of my favorite programs.  I've watched both seasons and I'm waiting impatiently for the third season.  With all due respect, K., I could not disagree with your characterization more as it is one of the best-written, best-filmed, period dramas on tv (even the scoring does it for me) and, like many HBO produced shows that I watch, the writing rises above the mind-numbing flotsam, rubbish, and dreck that caters to the lowest common denominator on other channels (especially network tv).  However, if you don't like it in the first two or three episodes you're probably not going to like it.  I felt the same way, generally, as you describe when it comes several of your choices (e.g. "American Horror Story" and "Dexter" both of which I find repulsive beyond words).

[Kaos]

This is one of my favorite programs.  I've watched both seasons and I'm waiting impatiently for the third season.  With all due respect, K., I could not disagree with your characterization more as it is one of the best-written, best-filmed, period dramas on tv (even the scoring does it for me) and, like many HBO produced shows that I watch, the writing rises above the mind-numbing flotsam, rubbish, and dreck that caters to the lowest common denominator on other channels (especially network tv).  However, if you don't like it in the first two or three episodes you're probably not going to like it.  I felt the same way, generally, as you describe when it comes several of your choices (e.g. "American Horror Story" and "Dexter" both of which I find repulsive beyond words).

You know I'm always in search of that show that has the courage and character to have layers of multiple meanings, to develop rich characters with believable responses and authentic dialogue.   That's one of the reasons I have so much respect/adoration for Sopranos.  Those who took watched it just for the mob/killing/cursing/violence/nudity aspect (and it satisfied at that level) missed the beauty of the subtext.  Knowing the full arc of Sopranos now, one episode seems like an entire season.  Very few words and/or actions were wasted.  Each had its surface meaning, but there were additional contextual meanings as well.

Like a junkie I'm looking for that fix again. Was hoping this would give me that hit. 

It hasn't yet, but in fairness it took me an episode or three to unlock the depth of Tony and his crew. 

[Vandy Vol]

You know I'm always in search of that show that has the courage and character to have layers of multiple meanings, to develop rich characters with believable responses and authentic dialogue.   That's one of the reasons I have so much respect/adoration for Sopranos.  Those who took watched it just for the mob/killing/cursing/violence/nudity aspect (and it satisfied at that level) missed the beauty of the subtext.  Knowing the full arc of Sopranos now, one episode seems like an entire season.  Very few words and/or actions were wasted.  Each had its surface meaning, but there were additional contextual meanings as well.

Like a junkie I'm looking for that fix again. Was hoping this would give me that hit. 

It hasn't yet, but in fairness it took me an episode or three to unlock the depth of Tony and his crew.

Not sure if you know this, but many of the characters are based on actual people, and the storyline follows loosely with what occurred in Atlantic City, Chicago, Philadelphia, and other places during the prohibition.  They continue to add characters and plot lines as it goes along, so give it at least the entire first season before you make a determination.

Even the second season still expounds upon the characters and plot lines, but you'll have the majority of the players in place by the end of the first season.

[Tarheel]

You know I'm always in search of that show that has the courage and character to have layers of multiple meanings, to develop rich characters with believable responses and authentic dialogue.   That's one of the reasons I have so much respect/adoration for Sopranos.  Those who took watched it just for the mob/killing/cursing/violence/nudity aspect (and it satisfied at that level) missed the beauty of the subtext.  Knowing the full arc of Sopranos now, one episode seems like an entire season.  Very few words and/or actions were wasted.  Each had its surface meaning, but there were additional contextual meanings as well.

Like a junkie I'm looking for that fix again. Was hoping this would give me that hit. 

It hasn't yet, but in fairness it took me an episode or three to unlock the depth of Tony and his crew.

I think there are very few tv shows out that I'd really term exceptional.

But, I do have to say that I've watched only the first 3 episodes of that "Breaking Bad" show and I thought it was phenomenal; it really surprised me.  I just have not had the time to really get caught up on it (and I'm steering clear of that other thread until I can make time to do so).

"Homeland" is another show that took me by surprise; I watched the first couple episodes and was almost instantly hooked.

Being a history nut I do enjoy the occasional period-piece drama like, most recently, "Boardwalk Empire", "The Borgias" (who make "the Tudors" and "the Sopranos" look like rank amateurs in the way they operate and Jeremy Irons, one of the very best contemporary actors, really makes that show), and "Copper" (very disappointing; nothing further).  I think what I like the most about "Boardwalk" is the time period; a very interesting part of American history to me; prohibition, progressivism, politics, events leading up to the great depression, etc.

[Tarheel]

Not sure if you know this, but many of the characters are based on actual people, and the storyline follows loosely with what occurred in Atlantic City, Chicago, Philadelphia, and other places during the prohibition.  They continue to add characters and plot lines as it goes along, so give it at least the entire first season before you make a determination.

Even the second season still expounds upon the characters and plot lines, but you'll have the majority of the players in place by the end of the first season.

Indeed.  And they loose a few characters as it goes along too.

[Vandy Vol]

Indeed.  And they loose a few characters as it goes along too.

When did they tighten characters?

[Tarheel]

When did they tighten characters?

Smart-eleck.  (yes, I spelt that worng too...)

[Vandy Vol]

Smart-eleck.  (yes, I spelt that worng too...)

Are you making it to any foosball games this year?  I still need to convince you that the SEC is a legitimate basketball conference.

[Tarheel]

Are you making it to any foosball games this year?  I still need to convince you that the SEC is a legitimate basketball conference.

Probably not.

[Vandy Vol]

Probably not.

[Kaos]

Far enough in to decide that I like the show. 

Middle of the second season. 

Borrows from Godfather. Borrows from Goodfellas.  Borrows from Sopranos. Borrows from Bonnie and Clyde. 

But it borrows the good parts. 

Still don't completely like Buscemi in the role.  It needed somebody bigger. more physically menacing, more imposing.  Oddly enough it would have been a great role for Gandolfini but it would have been too soon for people to forget him as Tony. Doesn't seem to bother Cousin Tony, Uncle Junior or Brucie but they didn't carry Sopranos. 

I got an uncomfortable laugh when Jimmy's mom confessed to kissing his little pee-pee. 

Show is well written.  Have to question the historical accuracy, but the writing is good.  It's yet to provide that "holy fuck, really?" moment that all great series eventually deliver but it's still quality. 

Other than not completely embracing Buscemi the one I can't get behind at all is Jimmy.  He's got the eyes and mannerisms of a dullard.  I just can't embrace him in that role at all.  He's two bottles short a case.  Also can't see the big money brokers lining up behind a mealy mouth twerp like that.  Even with Commodore's support.

[AWK]

Far enough in to decide that I like the show. 

Middle of the second season. 

Borrows from Godfather. Borrows from Goodfellas.  Borrows from Sopranos. Borrows from Bonnie and Clyde. 

But it borrows the good parts. 

Still don't completely like Buscemi in the role.  It needed somebody bigger. more physically menacing, more imposing.  Oddly enough it would have been a great role for Gandolfini but it would have been too soon for people to forget him as Tony. Doesn't seem to bother Cousin Tony, Uncle Junior or Brucie but they didn't carry Sopranos. 

I got an uncomfortable laugh when Jimmy's mom confessed to kissing his little pee-pee. 

Show is well written.  Have to question the historical accuracy, but the writing is good. It's yet to provide that "holy fuck, really?" moment that all great series eventually deliver but it's still quality.

Other than not completely embracing Buscemi the one I can't get behind at all is Jimmy.  He's got the eyes and mannerisms of a dullard.  I just can't embrace him in that role at all.  He's two bottles short a case.  Also can't see the big money brokers lining up behind a mealy mouth twerp like that.  Even with Commodore's support.

Just wait...

[Kaos]

Just wait...

Well motherfucker.

[Kaos]

Season Three premiere moved slowly. 

Nucky turning and snarling at Margaret seemed out of place.  And the signing away of the land was never fully addressed.  He's killed for a $20 bill, why let that pass? 

Like the continued development of leather face. 

I like Bobby Canavale usually, but not sure I'll get much out of his role here. 

Look forward to the agent turning to the dark side. 

[Kaos]

Another very slow episode. 

It's starting to lose me.