The marketing behind Boardwalk Empire's final season promised that "no one goes quietly". Devil You Know, the incredible ante ultimate episode of Boardwalk Empire, delivers on this promise and more. Despite arguably being the series' darkest and most dramatic episode since Season 2's To the Lost, this episode was filled with gallows humor. However, this humor never broke the palpable sense of tension present throughout the episode. Of course, the show ultimately parted ways with the beloved Nelson van Alden, also known as George Mueller, and Chalky White. Van Alden died as he lived. Crazily. It felt completely appropriate for Van Alden to go out in one of his characteristic blazes of religious fervor and wrath. And ultimately Chalky, who pretty much lost his purpose in life with his daughter's death, makes a deal with the devil, Narcisse, to save Daughter Maitland and his new daughter, causing his own death. The unceremonious manner of their deaths, much like their predecessors on this show, makes it all the more tragic and hard to accept. The symbolism of devils was prevalent in this episode, Capone to Van Alden, Narcisse to Chalky, and ultimately Nucky himself. This week's flashbacks reveal that Nucky's original sin, giving Gillian to The Commodore, was not the opportunistic move it once was believed to be. It's clear that Nucky groomed Gillian so she would draw The Commodore's eye. The direction in this episode by Jeremy Podeswa never ceases to ease the constant tension present throughout the episode. Nor do the phenomenal performances by Michael Shannon and Michael Kenneth Williams. There was no possible way in which they could have better captured their characters' arcs coming full circle in this episode. Steve Buscemi's Nucky, who is often easy to overlook in such a dynamic cast, also shone this week. The scene in the dive bar was some of his finest work not only on the show but I have ever seen from him. It perfectly encapsulates the anger, guilt, and frustration over his past actions and ultimately it seems to be for nothing. Nucky has reached the point Jimmy once warned him of. He hasn't run out of booze but more importantly he has run out of company. Chalky's final taunt to Narcisse rings true. No one is free in this series. All of the characters are beholden to something else, be it someone else, Narcisse to Luciano now, van Alden to Capone) or their own greed. And ultimately no one is free from death, as shown by the tragic but marvelously executed exits of Nelson van Alden and Chalky White. 9.7/10 incredible
4 Reviews
Great episode, but the departing of two great characters.
vladimir-kalikmanov14 October 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Awesome episode. Great acting! You can see Nucky losing his vision on where to go. He starts to slip. Chalky wants to get his revenge against Narcisse, but instead chooses to help Daughter and her daughter, supposedly being his child. What actually hurt was Van Alden en Chalky dying. Chalky was my favorite character out of all. I guess I expected him dying many times, but now it actually happened I'm sad. Van Aldan was a colorful character as well. His apathetic look and how he dealt with his life being turned inside out made him clearly a great addition to the series. I hope somehow, again, Chalky survived, but it's not likely. Especially due to no music being played during the credits and instead the sound of a phonograph without the music!
All a dream to begin with. Ain't nobody ever been free.
antonellarzp27 May 2017
Warning: Spoilers
I enjoyed this episode but it wasn't one of my favorites of the show.
This is the second time that I watch the episode, and I can say that both times I had the same opinion about it: I don't like much that two of the most likable characters died in this episode but I think it is necessary to the plot.
I think Nelson's death was fast and let you no time to process everything that's going on, but it was necessary because of his death, D'Angelo gets the ledger to incriminate Capone at least. And Chalky's death was sad but beautiful and a true tribute to his fans, he's death seems a lot like Richard's death and I like that.
Besides that, there aren't much to add to the plot, the flashbacks maybe with the introduction of a young Gillian, but I don't like Nucky's parts, they feel quite odd but I understand that he needed to recover himself after Sally's death and before the war that is to come.
+ Chalky was the best of the episode.
+ I enjoyed, once again, the little moments of Eli and Nelson.
+ Introduction of Gillian in the flashbacks.
+ The future war.
+ A tribute to the fans.
8.2/10
This is the second time that I watch the episode, and I can say that both times I had the same opinion about it: I don't like much that two of the most likable characters died in this episode but I think it is necessary to the plot.
I think Nelson's death was fast and let you no time to process everything that's going on, but it was necessary because of his death, D'Angelo gets the ledger to incriminate Capone at least. And Chalky's death was sad but beautiful and a true tribute to his fans, he's death seems a lot like Richard's death and I like that.
Besides that, there aren't much to add to the plot, the flashbacks maybe with the introduction of a young Gillian, but I don't like Nucky's parts, they feel quite odd but I understand that he needed to recover himself after Sally's death and before the war that is to come.
+ Chalky was the best of the episode.
+ I enjoyed, once again, the little moments of Eli and Nelson.
+ Introduction of Gillian in the flashbacks.
+ The future war.
+ A tribute to the fans.
- No much to add to the plot.
- Nucky's scenes.
- Slow and quite asphyxiating.
8.2/10
He should've chosen murder-suicide
WilliamCQ19 October 2014
Warning: Spoilers
The way Chalky White dies is awful, it truly sucks! Did he really think he would stay alive after Valentin Narcisse offered him a deal after Chalky trapped Valentin silently threatening to kill him? I saw only 2 options for Chalky after he handed his gun then Valentin got in: 1) He would be assigned a mission assuredly killing him. 2) Exactly what happened: Be killed right then.
Yes Chalky was awestruck when he realized the child Daughter Maitland had with her was his. But what about the death of his other daughter which he attributed to Narcisse? What about the assassination attempt by the police officers (corrupt of course) surely ordered by Valentin? What about the same extent of assassination, that went to his refuge to his mentor Oscar Boneau, which he seem so found of?
Chalky knew before handing his handgun that death was inevitable due to Valentin, and also knew all the wrong he received from the latter, yet he chose simple death (by Valentin henchman) over murder-suicide.
This is ridiculous. Have I known this, I would have though of Chalky White all along as borderline mentally challenged.
Yes Chalky was awestruck when he realized the child Daughter Maitland had with her was his. But what about the death of his other daughter which he attributed to Narcisse? What about the assassination attempt by the police officers (corrupt of course) surely ordered by Valentin? What about the same extent of assassination, that went to his refuge to his mentor Oscar Boneau, which he seem so found of?
Chalky knew before handing his handgun that death was inevitable due to Valentin, and also knew all the wrong he received from the latter, yet he chose simple death (by Valentin henchman) over murder-suicide.
This is ridiculous. Have I known this, I would have though of Chalky White all along as borderline mentally challenged.
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