Changes: The Emerald City

Revision as of 05:13, 7 November 2011

The Emerald City is the 10th episode of Season 1 of Boardwalk Empire, and the 10th episode overall.

Plot

Synopsis

Continuing the plotline from the last episode, Richard Harrow is now staying at the Schroeder house, although his face injury is scaring the children. Agent Sebso is sent home to rest over the protests of Van Alden, for killing Billy Winslow supposedly in self-defense. Jimmy has taken up residence with his family and attempts to reconnect with Angela. Rothstein chides the D'Alessio brothers and Mickey for not doing enough research on Nucky's butler, Eddie, and for shooting a civilian during the failed assassination attempt.

Recap

Synopsis Continuing the plotline from the last episode, Richard Harrow is now staying at the Schroeder house, although his face injury is scaring the children. Agent Sebso is sent home to rest over the protests of Van Alden, for killing Billy Winslow supposedly in self-defense. Jimmy has taken up residence with his family and attempts to reconnect with Angela. Rothstein chides the D'Alessio brothers and Mickey for not doing enough research on Nucky's butler, Eddie, and for shooting a civilian during the failed assassination attempt.

The episode opens with a dream sequence of Richard Harrow and Odette strolling on the beach...as Odette turns to Richard, she starts screaming as she runs towards him. Richard wakes suddenly on Nucky's couch to Margaret's daughter screaming at the top of her lungs. Nucky and Margaret come running into the living room to find out what the noise is. Nucky says to Harrow: "We're on edge here as it is." Harrow says modestly "I'm sorry it's uncomfortable to sleep in." As the family walks out of the room Harrowm mutters "I'm sorry" sadly.

Agent Sebsso explains to Van Alden and Supervisor Elliot how he ended up killing Billy Winslow. He says that Winslow needed to make water, so he pulled over to the side of the road. His excuse for unlocking his hand-cuffs was due to Sebso not wanting to help Winslow relieve himself. Elliot finishes Sbeso sentence with "And touching his johnson with your fingers." This incenses Van Alden, who yells "So in service to your own modesty you ended up killing our witness?!" Sebso is told he acted in self-defense by Elliot and to take a week's leave and 'to get some rest'. Van Alden is furious and confused. After Sbeso leaves, Van Alden says he takes full responsibility. Elliot agrees to Van Alden's surprise, saying that is precisely where he is placing the blame. Elliot yells that Van Alden has "bungled this from the start". Then tells Van Alden calmly: "one more false move and you'll be hunting moonshiners down in the everglades". Van Alden is visibly upset.

Angela Darmody is painting as Jimmy comes into the kitchen. Angela goes to stop painting and Jimmy tells her not to stop. He remarks that her painting is nice and comments on another painting. Angela is surprised — saying she didn't think he noticed. Jimmy goes on to talk about how in the war he forgot that anything creatively beautiful exists in a civilized world. He then comes up behind her as she paints — Angela grips his hand and shows him how to mix paint on her pallate. They kiss, dropping all the paintbrush and palette to the floor, they then make love on the kitchen table.

Nucky and Margaret are having breakfast discussing the upcoming passing of the possibility of the women's right to vote. Richard comes in to tell Nucky his driver has arrived. After he leaves Margaret says that she "don't mean to be cruel but..." referring to Richard. Nucky tells her he is a war hero. She says he frightens the children and Nucky reminds her he is there for the families protection. Margaret suggests maybe she and the children should go away for a while. Nucky says he would miss her too much, getting up letting her know the conversation is over. She asks if this is what it means to be in charge: "People shooting at you?" Nucky responds as he leaves "Success breeds enemy's — which you'll discover soon enough after women win the vote."

At a meeting in Chicago, Torrio becomes annoyed with Al for not paying attention. He then becomes furious for interrupting his business meeting with a juvenile prank (giving him a joke shop cigarette). Torrio knocks his coffee cup off the table, he ends the meeting saying ""This ain't no fucking grade school".

In Nucky's office Jimmy and Nucky are discussing the state of Richard's face. Nucky says Richard is grotesque. Jimmy reassures him that it's a big improvement — Nucky says try explaining that to a four year old; Richard must wear the mask when he is in their house. Eddie announces that Mickey Doyle is there to see Nucky. Mickey saunters in casually saying he is there with 'hat in hand' to apologize, saying he was rattled. He then goes on to blame his partners; The D'Ellessio Brothers. Nucky confirms they are his partners before leaping at him, grabbing him by the neck and saying he should throw him out the window. Worried he will soon be killed for his incompetence, Mickey betrays the D'Alessio brothers and Lansky, revealing the conspiracy to an enraged Nucky. Nucky and Mickey sit down, Jimmy makes Mickey a drink spitting in it before he pours the whiskey. Mickey explains that the D'Elessio Brothers lynched Chalky's brother, robbed the casino and shot Eli. He goes on to say that all of this is due to Rothestein wanting to take over the liquor business in Atlantic City. Nucky, annoyed, tells Jimmy to get Chalky on the phone — but is unable to because Eddie is on the phone. Eddie then comes into the room excited saying that women have one the right to vote. Nucky looks trepidatious.

As Margaret reads The Wonderful Wizard of Oz to the children Richard lurks in the other room trying to listen. The children see him and hide, Margaret invites him into join them. As she reads about on she mentions the TinMan. Richard takes this as an opportunity saying "Hmmm, the TinsWoodsman...I think I need some oil." The children giggle.

Later Nucky and Margaret enjoy a libation in celebration of the women's vote. Nucky takes this opportunity to ask Margaret to use her influence to rally the League of Women Voters to support Republican mayoral candidate Edward Bader. She asks him if anything will really change. She says Nucky is asking her to lie. Nucky reassures her by saying he is asking her to be realistic, that this important for everyone.

While passing the photography shop on the boardwalk, Tommy points to a picture of Robert Dittrich and his wife Mary Dittrich saying "that's mommy's kissing friend." Jimmy snaps and attacks Robert while he is in the middle of a photo shoot. He beats him mercifully outside on the boardwalk in front of the crowd. Angela stands by begging him to stop.

Meanwhile, Van Alden makes another visit to Margaret posing under official business, although he's there for his own reasons. He pulls out an old photo of Margaret saying he sees hope in her. Margaret is visibly uncomfortable. Van Alden gets increasingly riled warning her of consorting with a criminal and a murder; the man who killed her children. He sits next to Margaret and tries to grab her hands, saying he can see into her soul when he looks into the younger photo of her at night. He offers her salvation. Margaret jumps to her feet telling him he must leave. As Van Alden turns to leave he then turns back raising his voice saying "I came here to save you, not from prosecution — but from the fires of hell that will surely await you should you fail to repent!" He then storms out and Margaret is obviously shaken.

Margaret finally gives in and makes a rousing speech to the League of Women Voters in favor of Edward Bader candidacy. Nucky looks on with admiration and pride. After the speech, Margaret sees Nucky glad handing and realizes what she has condoned.

After undergoing a change of heart during the bar mitzvah Al apologizes to Torrio, saying his joke was stupid. He tells Torrio he'll go wherever he wants him to go. Al says that a friendly brewery is in need of help, suggesting maybe he can fix it. He asks for a chance, saying he's ready. Torrio says no more monkey business.

Chalky takes the D'Ellessio brothers and Mickey around his brewery. They offer him a deal — saying Chalky will be their Atlantic contact. One of the D'Alessio brothers lets slip a piece of information that makes Chalky realize they were responsible for the death of his employee. Once the deal is made, Chalky pulls two guns on them.

Angela goes to visit Mary. They speak of hatching a plan to escape together to Paris.

Margaret comes home to Richard who has been watching the children. She apologizes for treating him harshly when he first came to stay with them. Richard tries to apease her by saying that most people find his appearance disconcerting. She says that it's unfair and that people should be judged by the person on the inside. Richard opens up to her, letting her know that he himself can't stand it — that he can no longer remember who he is. Margaret walks away.

Van Alden enters a speakeasy ordering two whiskey's, one after the other. He then asks if he can sit with Lucy Danziger.

Chalky takes two of the brothers and Lansky prisoner. Jimmy and Chalky each kill one of the brothers. Seeing that the plan is now impossible, Nucky releases Lansky to tell Rothstein what has happened.

The episode ends with Margaret looking in the mirror; contemplating the decisions she has made.

Production

Cast

Starring

Guest-Starring

Co-Starring

Music

Memorable Quotes

Notes

The title of this episode is referred to obliquely when Margaret is reading to her children from The Road to Oz by L. Frank Baum. Margaret likens Richard Harrow to the "powerful tin man".

This is not the first time that Baum's book has been seen in this series. Nucky was seen reading the same book in an earlier episode. The notion of Atlantic City as the Emerald City would seem to put Nucky in the role of the Wizard; a powerful character whose true nature is very different from his public persona, and who profits greatly from his position.

Season One


#01 Boardwalk Empire	#07 Home
#02 The Ivory Tower	#08 Hold Me in Paradise
#03 Broadway Limited	#09 Belle Femme
#04 Anastasia	#10 The Emerald City
#05 Nights in Ballygran	#11 Paris Green
#06 Family Limitation	#12 A Return to Normalcy

@@ Line 29: / Line 29: @@
 [[Nucky Thompson|Nucky]] and [[Margaret Schroeder|Margaret]] are having breakfast discussing the upcoming passing of the possibility of the women's right to vote. Richard comes in to tell Nucky his driver has arrived. After he leaves Margaret says that she "don't mean to be cruel but..." referring to Richard. Nucky tells her he is a war hero. She says he frightens the children and Nucky reminds her he is there for the families protection. Margaret suggests maybe she and the children should go away for a while. Nucky says he would miss her too much, getting up letting her know the conversation is over. She asks if this is what it means to be in charge: "People shooting at you?" Nucky responds as he leaves "Success breeds enemy's &mdash; which you'll discover soon enough after women win the vote."
-At a meeting in Chicago, [[Johnny Torrio|Torrio]] becomes angry with [[Al Capone|Al]] for interrupting his business meeting with a juvenile prank. Later in the episode, Al undergoes a change of heart and apologizes to Johnny, promising to act like an adult and take on more responsibility. Torrio gives him an assignment to fix the distribution problems at a friendly brewery.
+At a meeting in Chicago, [[Johnny Torrio|Torrio]] becomes annoyed with [[Al Capone|Al]] for not paying attention. He then becomes furious for interrupting his business meeting with a juvenile prank (giving him a joke shop cigarette). Torrio knocks his coffee cup off the table, he ends the meeting saying ""This ain't no fucking grade school".
-While passing the photography shop on the boardwalk, Tommy points to a picture of Robert Dittrich and his wife Mary and calls one of them Angela's "kissing friend." Jimmy snaps and beats up Robert, prompting a tearful Angela to promise Mary she will leave Jimmy and move with Tommy and her to Paris.
+In Nucky's office Jimmy and Nucky are discussing the state of Richard's face. Nucky says Richard is grotesque. Jimmy reassures him that it's a big improvement &mdash; Nucky says try explaining that to a four year old; Richard must wear the mask when he is in their house. [[Eddie Kessler|Eddie]] announces that [[Mickey Doyle|Mickey Doyle]] is there to see Nucky. Mickey saunters in casually saying he is there with 'hat in hand' to apologize, saying he was rattled. He then goes on to blame his partners; The D'Ellessio Brothers. Nucky confirms they are his partners before leaping at him, grabbing him by the neck and saying he should throw him out the window. Worried he will soon be killed for his incompetence, Mickey betrays the D'Alessio brothers and Lansky, revealing the conspiracy to an enraged Nucky. Nucky and Mickey sit down, Jimmy makes Mickey a drink spitting in it before he pours the whiskey. Mickey explains that the D'Elessio Brothers lynched [[Chalky White|Chalky's]] brother, robbed the casino and shot [[Eli Thompson|Eli]]. He goes on to say that all of this is due to [[Arnold Rothstein|Rothestein]] wanting to take over the liquor business in Atlantic City. Nucky, annoyed, tells Jimmy to get Chalky on the phone &mdash; but is unable to because Eddie is on the phone. Eddie then comes into the room excited saying that women have one the right to vote. Nucky looks trepidatious.
-[[Margaret]] is torn between her happiness at the newly won right to vote and Nucky's pressure to use her influence to rally the League of Women Voters to support Republican mayoral candidate Edward Bader. She finally gives in and makes a rousing speech in favor of his candidacy, but sours when she sees Nucky gladhanding with other powerful men. Margaret also invites Richard to sit while she reads the children ''[[The Wonderful Wizard of Oz]]'', and later admits that she was a bit frightened herself at his disfigurement.
+As Margaret reads '''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz''' to the children Richard lurks in the other room trying to listen. The children see him and hide, Margaret invites him into join them. As she reads about on she mentions the TinMan. Richard takes this as an opportunity saying "Hmmm, the TinsWoodsman...I think I need some oil." The children giggle.
-Meanwhile, Van Alden makes another visit to Margaret and warns her she will burn in hell for her lifestyle choices. When she rejects his advances, he visits a bordello, where he takes shots of whiskey and later has rough sex with Lucy, who appears to be working as a prostitute.
+Later Nucky and Margaret enjoy a libation in celebration of the women's vote. Nucky takes this opportunity to ask Margaret to use her influence to rally the League of Women Voters to support Republican mayoral candidate Edward Bader. She asks him if anything will really change. She says Nucky is asking her to lie. Nucky reassures her by saying he is asking her to be realistic, that this important for everyone.
-Worried he will soon be killed for his incompetence, Mickey betrays the D'Alessio brothers and Lansky, revealing the conspiracy to an enraged [[Nucky Thompson|Nucky]]. Nucky enlists [[Chalky White|Chalky]] to pretend to accept Lansky's offer to buy premium whiskey to sell to the rich, hoping to lure enough of Rothstein's men to the drop point to wipe out the threat to Atlantic City. When one of the D'Alessio brothers lets slip a piece of information that makes Chalky realize they were responsible for the death of his employee, Chalky takes two of the brothers and Lansky prisoner. Jimmy and Chalky each kill one of the brothers. Seeing that the plan is now impossible, Nucky releases Lansky to tell Rothstein what has happened.
+While passing the photography shop on the boardwalk, Tommy points to a picture of [[Robert Dittrich]] and his wife [[Mary Dittrich]] saying "that's mommy's kissing friend." Jimmy snaps and attacks Robert while he is in the middle of a photo shoot. He beats him mercifully outside on the boardwalk in front of the crowd. Angela stands by begging him to stop.
+Meanwhile, Van Alden makes another visit to Margaret posing under official business, although he's there for his own reasons. He pulls out an old photo of Margaret saying he sees hope in her. Margaret is visibly uncomfortable. Van Alden gets increasingly riled warning her of consorting with a criminal and a murder; the man who killed her children. He sits next to Margaret and tries to grab her hands, saying he can see into her soul when he looks into the younger photo of her at night. He offers her salvation. Margaret jumps to her feet telling him he must leave. As Van Alden turns to leave he then turns back raising his voice saying "I came here to save you, not from prosecution &mdash; but from the fires of hell that will surely await you should you fail to repent!" He then storms out and Margaret is obviously shaken.
+Margaret finally gives in and makes a rousing speech to the League of Women Voters in favor of [[Edward Bader]] candidacy. Nucky looks on with admiration and pride. After the speech, Margaret sees Nucky glad handing and realizes what she has condoned.
+After undergoing a change of heart during the bar mitzvah Al apologizes to Torrio, saying his joke was stupid. He tells Torrio he'll go wherever he wants him to go. Al says that a friendly brewery is in need of help, suggesting maybe he can fix it. He asks for a chance, saying he's ready. Torrio says no more monkey business.
+Chalky takes the D'Ellessio brothers and Mickey around his brewery. They offer him a deal &mdash; saying Chalky will be their Atlantic contact. One of the D'Alessio brothers lets slip a piece of information that makes Chalky realize they were responsible for the death of his employee. Once the deal is made, Chalky pulls two guns on them.
+Angela goes to visit Mary. They speak of hatching a plan to escape together to Paris.
+Margaret comes home to Richard who has been watching the children. She apologizes for treating him harshly when he first came to stay with them. Richard tries to apease her by saying that most people find his appearance disconcerting. She says that it's unfair and that people should be judged by the person on the inside. Richard opens up to her, letting her know that he himself can't stand it &mdash; that he can no longer remember who he is. Margaret walks away.
+Van Alden enters a speakeasy ordering two whiskey's, one after the other. He then asks if he can sit with [[Lucy Danziger]].
+Chalky takes two of the brothers and Lansky prisoner. Jimmy and Chalky each kill one of the brothers. Seeing that the plan is now impossible, Nucky releases Lansky to tell Rothstein what has happened.
 The episode ends with Margaret looking in the mirror; contemplating the decisions she has made.