5th episode of the 2nd season of Boardwalk Empire
"Gimcrack & Bunkum" is the fifth episode of the second season of the HBO television series Boardwalk Empire, and 17th episode overall. Originally aired on October 23, 2011, it was written by co-executive producer Howard Korder and directed by executive producer Tim Van Patten.
Plot
Nucky makes a speech for a Memorial Day observance. He surprises Jimmy by inviting him to speak on stage, apparently to embarrass him, but Jimmy does an acceptable job.
Nucky courts the assistance of U.S. Attorney General Harry Daugherty in his election fraud case. He meets Thorogood, the DA for his case. Thorogood, Daugherty and Smith outline a scheme in which the case against Nucky will be dropped. Nucky wants a guarantee, but is not given one.
Richard Harrow flicks through his scrapbook before taking a trip into the woods. He prepares to commit suicide, but is interrupted by a stray dog. After meeting and talking with two hunters, Richard returns to Atlantic City.
Insulted by Parkhurst, one of his wealthy backers, Jimmy is advised by Gillian to make an example of him. Jimmy and Richard scalp Parkhurst.
With cold feet after the Commodore's stroke, Eli attempts to rejoin Nucky by informing him of the Commodore's situation. Nucky calls Eli a backstabber and refuses the apology. O'Neill confronts Eli with the rumour of the stroke. Eli tries ineffectually to lie, and ends up killing a flustered O'Neill who says he wants out of the deal. Eli digs a hole and dumps O'Neill's body into it.
Title
Gimcrack is defined as "something showy but worthless". Bunkum is defined as "speechmaking designed for show or public applause."
First appearances
- Brian Thompson: One of Eli and June's younger sons and William's younger brother.
- Charles Kenneth Thorogood: A Deputy US Attorney with family connections to Harry Daugherty who is assigned to Nucky's case alongside Solomon.
Deaths
- George O'Neill: A former alderman for Nucky who is now working with the Commodore to bring him down and is beaten to death with a hammer by Eli in a heated moment.
- Jackson Parkhurst: A war profiteer and veteran of the Wagon Box Fight in Red Cloud's War who is also a financial backer for the Commodore and a member of his yacht club. He is at odds with Jimmy due to his clumsy leadership and is scalped to death by him and Richard Harrow for humiliating the former in a meeting.
Reception
Critical reception
IGN gave the episode a score of 9 out of 10, saying that "Boardwalk's best when it balances its jolts of violence with contemplative moments for its very complicated characters. "Gimcrack & Bunkum" is Boardwalk at its best."[1]
Ratings
The episode was watched by 2.691 million viewers, and rose one tenth to a 1.1 adults 18-49 rating.[2]
References
External links
