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Reviews
Boardwalk Empire: Eldorado (2014)
Like a drive-by shooting, Boardwalk Empire doesn't end nicely and slowly
Any time an HBO show shortens its season, it always sucks. Westworld and Game of Thrones later on are good examples of this unfortunate phenomenon. And maybe this. Granted, at least, characters still feel believable or deal with circumstances that are thrilling, more than those two bigger shows. Yet, this season proves to be mediocre in comparison to the last. It feels like a hasty epilogue to the climatic highs of season 4.
One thing the show has it going for it is the cast of characters. This time around more attention is given to Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi who never really struck me as a charismatic but frightening character that he should have been); we get flashbacks to his early life and career which mostly packs as much charm as a Wikipedia article. We get good moments, especially with the Commodore, Sheriff Lindsay, and Gillian but much of it is at the last half and at the finale. The flashback can get repetitive sometimes; I already know Nucky hates his father and I don't need to see more of that.
Other characters suffer as a result of this Nucky-centrism. Luciano's takeover of New York, Capone's fall through the eyes of Eli and Nelson, Narcise's post-arrest leadership. All those deserve further elaboration. Not to mention, the seven year time-jump meant a lot of what could have been interesting scenarios or character development are wasted. I want to see and know more about Luciano's perspective and motivations (e.g. Why he's so fixated in eliminating Nucky). I want to see Capone's rise in public notoriety, and how exactly the unlikely duo of Nelson and Eli (who deserve more episodes by the way) fit into all of it. Narcise, in particular, is the biggest victim of the lessened running time and time-jump. Season 4 ended with him betraying his fellow black nationalist which could have led to some rich conflict in the recently introduced antagonist. But no, he's only here to settle his score with Chalky. Granted, it leads to good moments and a fitting conclusion for Chalky (RIP Michael K. Williams) but it does feel mechanical. No time to flesh out details or whatever.
Meanwhile, like the rest, Gillian is almost in the same dire position as she was by the s4 finale. And she is more stagnant too which recalls Junior from The Sopranos where series creator Terrence Winter worked as a writer. But sadly, Gillian's tragedy doesn't conclude as riveting as Junior's or her storyline in the previous season.
And our pal Nucky? It ends predictably but again I never found him as compelling as many other characters. The juxtaposition with the flashbacks reach their high point in the finale but Winter and company should really have focused on the best aspects than on Nucky. It's an empire after all. It's built on diveristy.
Boardwalk Empire: Farewell Daddy Blues (2013)
The Fourth Season is a gangland hit
Boardwalk Empire is at its best when it adheres to the formula of introducing a new antagonist at the start to be honest. Replacing Bobby Cannavale's Gyp Rosetti is the charismatic Jeffrey Wright as the black nationalist Dr. Valentine Narcise. I think much can be scrutinized regarding the painting of well intentioned radical in a negative light but Narcise's involvement gives Chalky White and racial tension in 20s America the spotlight they deserve. The untimely death of Michael K. Williams is what got me into this show to be honest, after having put it off for 4 years. Anyway, I loved seeing William's Chalky finally given more screen time, more chances of showing his acting range. He had subplots before yes but they feel more like afterthoughts until this season. Here, he gets entangled with Daughter Maitland and this forbidden romance becomes the source of much of the season's tragedy.
Jack Huston, who plays veteran Richard Harrow, is another standout this season. He is the heart of the show really. Among all the multitudes of criminals and morally dubious people, he is the most likeable. I buy his struggle to become a good man which to be hair other characters and their actors do a good job in presenting. But only one of them can be as badass as they are broken.
The rest of the cast is always great of course. Michael Shannon, Michael Stuhlbarg, Gretchen Mol, Brian Geraghty (as the other main antagonist in FBI Agent Tolliver), Stephen Graham, Morgan Spector (in a brief but memorable role as Frank Capone). As a TV critic once said, the show is truly great when it features the ensemble cast equally. No offense to Steve Buscemi's Nucky Thompson but there are more entertaining characters.
By the end, things take a turn bleaker than previous seasons. Season 2 is the closest but I never really cared for Jimmy Darmody's shenanigans. And this time around, I think a good third of the main characters have been humiliated or faced with a great, life changing tragedy. The closing scenes were so devastating that if this were cancelled after I think they ended on a high note quality wise.
Boardwalk Empire: Erlkönig (2013)
Unlucky S.O.B.s
What makes crime dramas so good for me is how it examines morality, desire and, fortune. Stakes always feel high and high it does feel for many of Boardwalk Empire's characters in the episode. Eddie Kessler is being interrogated by the feds, after finally having been requested a promotion. Willie Thompson is also being under scrutiny by authorities but this time for murder of a bully. Gillain Darmody is still on the decline as her new beau becomes absent. Nelson van Alden is involved in yet another violent altercation courtesy of his de facto bosses The Capone Brothers. All four are wonderfully played by their respective actors. Anthony Lacurnia deserves the most praise as he has not been given this much spotlight, compared to previous seasons. Also want to praise Morgan Spector whose Frank Capone oozes with charm and charisma, a great contrast to Stephen Graham's erratic Alphonse and Michael Shannon's nervous Nelson. I just love how each subplot feels so uncomfortable as each character are placed in compromising positions.
Peaky Blinders: Lock and Key (2022)
The End (?)
This whole season was a miserable drag. Sure, lots of people died, people close to Tommy but I didn't really care about the Shelby family's adventures this time around. A pity since the set-up was great. But no, antagonistic characters like Michael and Gina, Oswald, and Jack felt all mere extras.
Thankfully, this episode was at least a cut above the rest.. until the "one month later" sequence anyway. It should come as no surprise anyway that this episode got me engaged. Peaky Blinders finales often are the best episodes in their respective seasons anyway. And in this one, the shootout in Garrison Avenue deserves praise for Anthony Byrne's suspenseful direction. Those shots with the sparks were great as was the lack of music. Other stuff happens and they're all fine.
Lady Mitford proposes to have sex in the Chamber before Oswald arrives to spoil the cheating duo. Of course, the whole Miquelon Island bit is built around Tommy's attempted assassination and I admit it got me guessing how Tommy gets out of that situation. Tommy survives because magic bait and switch and he proceeds to execute Michael which is pretty boring save for Michael and Johnny's farewell. I like that part because it was simple. More is said with less. But of course, the real scene that blew me away is Tom Hardy's return as Alfie. Always a welcome presence on the show. I find it touching when Tommy says "Just you and me Alfie". Shame Hardy never really had a bigger presence ever since season 2 but least he made it through the end. Alfie has no time for Tommy's signature brooding too which is hilarious since it articulates my mild irritation for the show's destructive focus on Tommy and his psyche. Which is lightyears away from The Sopranos' handling of Tony Soprano's subconscious anyway.
But hey Tommy isn't all bad. Tommy's farewell toast to his family after announcing his intentions to build affordable housing (hurrah for the working class!) is quite emotional given how much characters and family members have been lost. And the Shelbys are apparently right back were they started. That's a big change. Arthur not showing up was a shame. But hey least we got to see Ada who really had not much to do this season the more I think about it.
After that, we have ANOTHER time jump. Having said his goodbyes, Tommy now prepares to kill himself. And we have a new Thom Yorke song with that scene which is always welcome. Just before, Tommy dies, he receives a vision of his daughter. And it's revealed that he wasn't terminally ill because the doctor is in cahoots with fascists. That sucks. I hate that reveal. A chance for Tommy finally accepting consequences for his actions just blown away to make way for a film continuation apparently. The final shot is well done admittedly. As Tommy's carriage burns, he rides off probably back to England.
This show has always tried hard. Efforts are commendable, in and of themselves. I commend this show for its "cool" moments like the shootout or needle drops like the Thom Yorke show. However, it seems its efforts always go to waste. Tommy faces little consequences ("I have no limitations", he says) and he may act all dramatic but somehow these all feel performative. The show has nothing to say in general really. Or maybe it does. Powerful people like Tommy just succeed in life through some convenience. But it's okay to root for him because he gets sad now and then. Yay?
Peaky Blinders: The Road to Hell (2022)
Most Boring Penultimate TV Episode Ever.. Seriously
I think it's only fair to say I'm not a big fan of this show. Perhaps it's only a sense of duty that compels to me finish what I have started. I know this show is popular so I apologize to anyone I anger. I really wanted to love this show. There are glimmers of it in season 2. I certainly like half of 3 and 4, and even 5 picks up in the last 2 episodes. But this? Nothing exciting happens. Excitement isn't everything of course. But the show always presents itself like that anyway.
Anthony Byrne's style is energetic as always. The sex scene between Lady Diana Mitford and Tommy Shelby is a good example of that. But everything feels hollow anyways. Another standout scene is also pretty laughable with how this show never runs out of things to randomly make up. It turns out Billy is a mole in the Shelby organization! Oh no! Wait who's he again? I checked Wikipedia, he was only introduced last season so my forgetfulness is reasonable. What a major plot development for a character we have no time to care about. Well I suppose the episode did when we got a scene that reiterates that Peaky Blinders ain't nuttin to mess with. Billy kills a referee who stands up for his morals and it's a brutal scene. Wish we did get to know more about this Billy fellow who apparently has a big part in the finale as the blurb suggests.
Beyond that? What else is there? No Anya Taylor Joy (except a flashback). No Tom Hardy. Oh Stephen Graham's back but he doesn't serve any real purpose. Except maybe to reiterate how Tommy Shelby is evil? Okay. We get yet another boring dining table scene with Tommy and the villains (Jack Nelson, Lady Mitford, Oswald Mosley). Yeah some revelations occur but it only reiterates that Tommy Shelby is a scumbag. Gee, really? Oh and Michael vows to kill Tommy. Who would have thought?
This show had and has nothing new to offer in the organize crime genre which has seen the likes of The Sopranos, Breaking Bad, The Wire, Boardwalk Empire, Ozark. Not all of them are unique of course but they can be damn sure to keep you invested.
Peaky Blinders: Sapphire (2022)
How the hell are there only 2 episodes left
So Tommy has tubercoloma. It's not infectious but he only has 18 months before he becomes a vegetable. That's the most interesting plot development that happens in this episode. Which is revealed right when it ends. Oh and I almost forgot he may or may not have a bastard son. Oh and Anya Talyor Joy and Sam Claflin are banging apparently.
I swear this show just keeps on introducing new plot threads at random yet I ultimately feel hollow to be honest. Much of the episode deals with Tommy processing the death of his daughter. And I don't care because it also happened to quickly. That's the problem of this show. Everything happens so fast and so slow at the same time. Lots of characters perish but we never get to know them. Lots of boring dialogue scenes between characters but it's mostly Tommy. Would it kill the show to put a spotlight on the characters around him? Tom Hardy doesn't appear in this despite being brought back last season. Hell even the main villains only appear for two scenes maximum. How am I suppose to feel like they're a threat? Is this how a final season should be?
Peaky Blinders: Gold (2022)
The One Where Stephen Graham from Boardwalk Empire Shows Up
I'm in the middle of watching Boardwalk Empire season 4 actually. Comparing different shows (or movies) is a guilty pleasure of mine. Still can't help but feel like Stephen Graham being here is cheating but hey might as well enjoy it. He's no Al Capone here but he does fine and holds his own against a now disgraced Arthur Shelby. This whole subplot with Arthur is like the main plot line of this episode which is Tommy's attempt to find a cure for his daughter with the help of John's wife Esme. Not bad ideas per se. These macho men get taken down a peg by the end. They're not as powerful as they make themselves up to be. But I can't help but feel ambivalent, especially towards Tommy.
While in a hospital, Lizzie says "You should wear a mask". To which Tommy replies, maskless and brooding with a hilariously solemn look, "I am". This is why I can't take this show seriously. I can't articulate anything very rational but the show at large has always been corny and hollow. It attempts to be this ultraserious meditation on crime and punishment (in this episode's case, a sapphire from the Shelbys results in the death of a girl and a motivation for recent misfortunes) but it also relishes on empty showmanship through anachronistic rock soundtracks and slow motion walking ready for YouTube compilations. Maybe that's the intention but I wish the show didn't take itself so seriously.
Peaky Blinders: Black Shirt (2022)
Same Old Peaky Blinders
The final season premiere got me hooked I'll admit. There's a big shift in the family dynamics and it made for interesting plot developments and dialogue scenes. There are plot developments here as well. Just not as riveting though. Unless it involves Anya Taylor-Joy and Tom Hardy, everything is the same old politicking. Look political maneuvering isn't boring in and of itself. The similar post World War I crime drama Boardwalk Empire does a competent job at depicting exactly that (sure some of it can get boring). I don't know why it's mostly boring when Blinders does it. But my theory is that this show is too focused on Tommy Shelby, not even Arthur gets to have a good chunk of screen time now. He's noticeably become a comic relief who appears for several minutes and vanishes. Anyway, this focus on Tommy really does not allow other characters like Jack Nelson and Oswald Mosley to feel like their own characters. As a result, they all feel like faceless villains destined to be beaten and forgotten. Which is a shame since crime dramas are great showcase of colorful casts of characters. I suppose the saving grace is the direction which shines particularly in the aforementioned scenes with Taylor-Joy and Hardy. The scenes introducing Nelson and reintroducing Mosley look great as well. Shame whatever coolness they attempt is not enough to make the story exciting.
The White Lotus (2021)
A hilarious satire that's all too familiar and painful
I must admit I only really got around to this mostly because of Sydney Sweeney but man I was not disappointed. Even more so, it is the vastly superior HBO show with her (at least with this season). I may not be as wealthy as the Mossbachers here but suffice to say Mike White accurately captures the privileged and disconnected attitude of bourgeois people in the way they treat others, particularly workers. The cast is magnificent: Murray Bartlett charms as Armond - a junkie version of M. Gustave from Grand Budapest Hotel, Jennifer Coolidge humors as the drunken Tanya, Alexandria Daddario gives her most nuanced performance ever, Brittany O'Grady and Natasha Rothwell prove to be the most sympathetic characters - the hapless people of color caught up in the affairs of white people. Juan Cristobal Tapia de Veer's score is another MVP of the show with his impressive mix of traditional Hawaiian music with more experiment elements and foreboding choirs. His score encapsulates the show - amidst all the calm atmosphere of people enjoying sunny beaches lies the depressing realities of the working class.
Deadwood: Tell Him Something Pretty (2006)
Deadwood at its darkest
And so ends one of the most celebrated American TV shows of all time. Unlike all the previous season finales, this one doesn't end with a celebration or something cheerful to balance all the violence and backstabbing. The evil capitalist white businessman wins. The best anyone can do is apparently to do nothing. It's the end of the days of heroic gunslingers.
Deadwood: A Constant Throb (2006)
"For reasons I find elusive, the day has quite displeased me'
Laughed a lot this episode, written by Dan Dorrity himself W. Earl Brown. As someone, too lazy to download subtitles, I only realize now during the final season how much I missed out on a loot of the hilarious, archaic dialogue. The show is a blast when you read the writing.
Deadwood: Amateur Night (2006)
Simply delightful
This episode is one of those prime examples what makes this show so good. The titular event is joyful to behold. Love it when the townsfolk get together in events like marriages, funerals, etc, even as conflict between Hearst and the Deadwood "elders" continues to escalate. Pure wholesomeness really from Richardson comforting Aunt Lou to Al singing alone.
No Country for Old Men (2007)
I want to love this more but can't understand some of the dialogue...
Warning: SPOILERS!
No Country for Old Men tells the story of what happens when a hunter named Llewlyn Moss steals a bag of money that isn't his. A psychopathic hit-man relentlessly pursues him killing anyone who stands on his way. Now the film has some good ideas and themes in it. It shows us how greed can bring us no good. Lots of people died during Chigurh's pursuit of Moss like that poor driver who got killed because Moss attempted to flee in the guy's truck. The film was also suspenseful especially when Chigurh is around. The shootout scene was pretty good with no music in the background just pure suspense. The whole film barely has music giving us that bleak feeling. Javier Bardem gave a good performance. He was terrifying in almost every scene hoping he won't kill that poor person he meets. However, the film suffers for being quite confusing. I unfortunately didn't understand some of the dialogue and those Mexicans came out of nowhere and I didn't realize they killed Moss until going to Wikipedia (thought it was Anton). I guess I need subtitles.