Boardwalk Empire (TV Series) To the Lost (2011) User Reviews

Flip a coin, when it's in the air, you'll know which side you're hoping for.

[antonellarzp · 10/10 · 22 May 2017]

This was a surprisingly heartbreaking episode.

I watched this episode last year and I was expecting everything with Boardwalk Empire. Everything but Jimmy's death.

This episode was a really good ending for an amazing character, and I don't know if I'm 100 percent agreed with that decision, but it was done in a beautiful way so I can't complain.

Jimmy's goodbye scenes with Richard and Tommy were the saddest of all. I keep thinking that he knew he's going to die soon, but the last thing he say to Richard "time to go home" was really heartbreaking.

I loved every scene with Michael Pitt. He was amazing since the beginning but in this episode become more important and the scenes with Steve Buscemi were devastating.

After that, I really like that Margaret married Nucky (altought I can't agreed with her decision) and in the end she giving the lands to the church was something that I wasn't expected either.

+ Jimmy's death scene.

+ Jimmy and Richard's scenes.

+ Michael Pitt and Steve Buscemi's chemistry.

+ Margaret's decisions.

+ End of the war.

• I really going to miss Jimmy.

9.5/10

VERY MILD SPOILERS ONLY - This finale is unbelievably underrated by upset fans...

[cthulu48 · 10/10 · 13 December 2011]

THIS REVIEW ONLY CONTAINS VERY MILD SPOILERS. I DO NOT THINK READING MY REVIEW WILL RUIN THE SHOW FOR YOU.

Man, oh man. This season of Boardwalk Empire has been like a roller coaster ride. Wild, fun, and out-of-control. I feel compelled to write a few words here regarding the (current) 4.8 star rating of the finale from fans of this show who were disappointed in the ending (which I will not spoil, but allude to...) The final episode wraps up the trials and tribulations of Nucky Thompson (for this season, at least...). What a grand finale this was! Surprises? You bet. Ballsy? Absolutely. But what do fans of this show expect? This is a show about GANGSTERS. You know what happens to gangsters? They either die or go to jail. It almost always ends the same way. Boardwalk Empire surprised everyone in the finale of Season 2 by killing off a key character. The complaints I've read from certain fans are ridiculously shallow and trite. Comments like, "I will not watch this show anymore because how dare HBO kill off that character." Well, seriously, what did these fans expect? I don't want to spoil anything, b/c the finale is AWESOME, and if you haven't seen it, you need to, right now. Drop what you're doing, and watch it immediately. Anyone who doesn't need their art spoon-fed to them will enjoy how the Season concludes. If you are watching the show for certain characters' looks, you are obviously missing a vast amount of the material contained in this remarkable series. DO NOT LISTEN TO THESE TRITE COMPLAINTS, AND CERTAINLY DON'T BELIEVE THE (CURRENT) 4.8 STAR RATING. It's 10 stars, all the way. This is not up for debate, unless you are a shallow numbskull. I can't wait for Season 3. If you are one of the people who "won't watch this show anymore"... do what you want. It's your loss. This is currently the best show on television, hands down. 10 stars, and bravo to the creators for having the guts to do what was necessary in the finale.

Very Bold move by the writers

[cgsoldier22 · 10/10 · 26 April 2012]

MAJOR SPOILERS! For those of you who have not watched the finale yet, I would recommend you stop reading or else you are going to spoil the extremely shocking season 2 finale!

The writers of the show have really stepped up their game with season 2. It was shocking, disturbing, and amazing! I will not lie and say Micheal Pitt didn't carry this season. He has one of the most interesting characters that I haven't seen for a while. Of course that character would be nothing without Pitt's perfect performance.

Of course I am talking about Jimmy because at the end of this episode, he gets 2 bullets in the head...courtesy of Nucky Thompson (played brilliantly by Buscemi). It can be argued that he may not fully deserved it. He did betray Nucky, but you can tell he there was a sense of regret or hesitation whenever he ordered something against Nucky. He even tried to make amends and played a huge role in keeping Nucky out of prison. And it was Eli who was all for killing Nucky, so if anything, Eli deserved it more.

Every now and then a show will take a risk and shock the audience (Dexter Season 4 Finale). While this definitely angered many viewers, I thought it was a brilliant decision. I'll be honest, at first I was furious because Jimmy was my favorite character, but then I had respect for the writers for risking this. This is a show that is not afraid to break the rules, which happened a lot with Jimmy's character (His "relationship" with his mother). I'm going to miss Jimmy and I think Pitt will have many more opportunities because he is a great actor.

Overall, a great finale and shows that this show will do anything. So now we know in season 3, always expect the unexpected!

A Daring new step forward....

[Red_Identity · 13 December 2011]

I want to say that the Season 2 finale was excellent. It was a brilliant conclusion to a brilliant second season that got much better than it's first season. Now, how about we talk about what everyone else will be talking about...

The show took quite a risky move here. VERY risky and I applaud that they had the balls to do it. Of course, I'm going to miss that character, but I have faith in the writers of course that they will create yet another great season. I just wished that there weren't so many fans complaining. But a daring move it was, but this brings way to new possibilities

Episode Defines Nucky

[AudioFileZ · 10/10 · 23 February 2014]

Boardwalk Empire's writers prove to be somewhat fearless wrapping up season two with more surprises that only a fully invested viewer can absorb the gravity of. The biggest reveal may be a much fuller view of who Nucky really is. There are gangsters of renown and there's the definition of what a kingpin eclipsing them all is. Nucky has the smarts and ability to override any shred of a conscience at critical key moments. The final episode of season two clarifies that in no uncertain terms as it defines Nucky. The second uncloaking is the character of Mrs. Shroeder who, as the story progresses, becomes Nucky's wife. Previously it was hinted that Margaret was battling her conscience all the while suffering from the guilt of leaving her family and taking up with the likely person who set in motion the murder of her husband. She was conflicted, but largely passive. Margaret Thompson's passivity is suddenly history as she comes to terms with her daughter's illness and her need to reestablish her Catholic faith. Rather than leave Nucky, Margaret bounds him to her while becoming her own fearless woman which Nucky will be forced to deal with, suddenly, on her terms. The way the writers chose to make that possible was truly brilliant. Nucky making like the Teflon Don who miraculously escapes the electric chair, as huge a part of the episode as it is, pales in comparison to the clearly delineated psyches of these two central characters.

The above would be enough to carry a season finale, but not for Boardwalk Empire apparently. It dares to be extremely controversial both in content and with the demise of certain characters. Starting with Jimmy's wife who always wondered if Jimmy really loved her. She flirted with leaving, experimented in the taboo of a lesbian affair, and finally paid for Jimmy's deeds with her life. Though never a crucial character, her murder, nonetheless, was a jolt that pushed Jimmy to a very dark place. Speaking of dark and taboo, the reveal about Jimmy's mother's relationship spoke volumes as to why Jimmy enlisted in the army and was never the same again. It was shocking even if there had been the occasional hint of a strange upbringing. Jimmy clearly has been on an inner-decline even as he gained Nucky's old position of power. The final scenes of him demurring power back to Nucky and his sudden killing of The Commodore, his father, signaled tremendous resignation midst unbearable sadness and guilt (he didn't even kiss his son goodbye). The writer's were truly fearless as they wrote the ending of Jimmy by Nucky. It removed whatever bits and pieces of humanity the viewer felt for Nucky and a central character who was much enjoyed by viewers was very unexpectedly gone. Wow, what else can be destroyed?

That "what else" was the last stunner. As already noted Mrs. Shroeder's character in one episode was transformed as a newly strong-willed antagonist to Nucky. In her new role of adversarial wife she does the unthinkable. She double-crosses Nucky by signing over all of his suddenly gold-plated land (the federal highway money finally comes through) to the church. This as Nucky and his cronies celebrate their good fortune, drinking illegal Champagne no less, in the once, largely, worthless land upon which the culmination of their envisioned empire rests. Truly, there is no rest for the wicked and this telegraphs a whole other world of criminal activity awaiting in season three.

I guess it could be said this series is a true guilty pleasure to watch as one really does feel somewhat dirty too watching the worst of humanity depicted so graphically. So bad it's good?

Gripping, Jaw Dropping and Game Changing. But I think we saw this coming

[Smhasnb · 9/10 · 8 January 2012]

Mad Men set the trend for TV Studios to go back in time to produce an eye-catching drama. Many attempts have been made, some woefully failing (The Playboy Club on NBC, utter disaster), some staying in mediocrity (Pan Am), while some lived up to expectations from their stellar cast & crew and delivered the goods. Boardwalk Empire (B.E.) was a winner from the moment Scorsese put his hands on it. Debuting in 2010, B.E made huge splashes in TV when it picked up the Golden Globe for Best Drama earlier this year for the first season (Scorsese won Emmy for Best Direction). It picked up where it left, with the 2nd season. Actually, it not only just picked up, it raised the bar and got very close to Breaking Bad. While the debut season was all about Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi) in terms of the story of the show, as well as the drama as a whole. He was the protagonist, the orchestrator so to speak. He ran the town. Towards the end of the season, we saw his protégé apparent, James 'Jimmy' Darmody (Michael Pitt) come of age, like a lion's cub growing up too fast. The sophomore season sees Darmody lock horns with his mentor. We see Jimmy's character grow exponentially. From being just the driver for Nucky, he becomes his biological father's (Commodore) right hand man, and later the shot caller when commodore falls ill. We also go deep into the history of James character and witness some disturbing events which shape the core of his character; his disgustingly odd relation with his mother, which forces him to join the army, where he saw some horrific scenes. It's interesting to note that before the 2nd last episode of the season 2, the viewers believed that it was his time at war which made him ice cold and lacking compassion. However, in this episode viewers see that it was his relation with his mother that caused him to be the way he is. The last 3 episodes of this season were extremely gripping and we see Jimmy go from the big shot to rock bottom. He loses everything he had ever loved. His wife and the love of his life murdered, he kills his father. In the last episode, which is incidentally named after Jimmy's catch phrase 'To the lost' Jimmy realizes his mistakes. He knows he was wrong to turn on Nucky, the person who made him who he was. He tries to make his amends but he knows it's a little late for that. So he says his good byes to the few he's leaving behind. Fittingly, it's Nucky, who puts two bullets through Jimmy's head.

Didnt see that coming...

[babicddb · 10/10 · 20 February 2022]

Didnt see that coming...this fundamentally changes the way I watch the rest of this series. I have to admit I didn't like it at first, but we'll see what happens next.

THE ENDING? THE ENDING??

[sarahmjaudrey · 8/10 · 29 March 2021]

The ending made me so mad, I actually said out load I HATE THIS SHOW, yes my horrendous anger.could prove the opposite of what i'm getting at, but really!! Killing jimmy off like that was THE ONLY twist possible????? I mean i'm writing now with so much frustration, i'm afraid for my keyboard's life! But for real, i'm so emotionally drained after watching that ending, I felt so sorry for jimmy this whole season bit this episode just took my heart out ....... everything was done excellently in this season but the killing james part was literal demonic act of the writers to do. I'm sorry someone had to say it!!

Good but such shocking ending is not needed.

[deimosian · 7/10 · 23 March 2021]

Some serieses or serieses' finales try to come up with some shocking scene just to create some excitement or ratings and get audience to talk about it. Here killing Jimmy was something of that sort. It wasn't needed, not just because Jimmy is a key character and part of the whole thing, but also because its not Nucky's character or way. Nucky is man who makes people around him happy, more like a business man, he hits when he needs to. So killing Jimmy was more like an act of revenge which is more like Italian Mafia style and not the Nicky's. Probably its Scorsese's and Van Patten's area of play, where we can see their style all over the show, mixing old Italian movies/serieses with Boardwalk Empire. Its cool, but don't overdo it.

Season 2: Engaging, well-written, dramatic and satisfying season that is not afraid to challenge the viewer (MASSIVE SPOILERS)

[bob the moo · 29 January 2012]

As much as I enjoyed the first season of Boardwalk Empire, I did feel there were a couple of areas where it could have done better and I hoped it would. Specifically I hoped that the success of the first season would make the show relax a little bit and not carry its worthiness quite as much around its neck as it did; similarly I hoped that it would be able to find the smaller moments better than it had. These were small criticisms though and I would have been happy for the show to return and done the same again since it was a strong first season. Happily the second season raises its already high game and produces a marvelous second season that is strong from the detail of the character up to the overall flow of the plotting with all its betrayal, twists and turns.

For me the second season is what the show should be doing because it delivers across the board and is not afraid to challenge the viewer. At the top level this season produces a quite gripping and dramatic series of story lines. All of them are good, even if not all of them are quite as good as each other as some are a little less convincing or satisfying than I would have liked. That said, the overall sweep of the season is really very strong and it is hard not to watch it and feel like you have been told a great story. Within this sweep, any specific moment is driven forward by how well drawn the characters are – and not just the main ones.

Nucky himself is well developed. His "destination" this season is a little jarring in its brutality but it does work when viewed in the context of a season where he has been increasingly violent and heartless in his desire to survive. I "liked" him in the first season and it was engaging to really understand who he is and how he has maintained the power he has done. Margaret and Nelson were similar to me as I didn't always totally buy their plot threads but I did love the duality of their characters and the struggle to deal with the conflicts between their two desires (both also involving religion and/or righteousness). While some of the support characters are just supporting characters, I did love that the detail meant that even smaller characters like Chalky and Capone are developed (the former with his struggle with his status and his partial exploitation of his own people, the latter given a small touching moment of introspection while observing Jimmy and his son). Speaking of Jimmy, he is a tremendous character this season – a walking summary of all those who tried and failed. Sometimes his indecision gets him, sometimes his decisions get him – he isn't quite leadership material but more important is the sense of him as damaged and not really wanting this for his life. His mother is a terrifying creation as well – even more confused than him but manipulative under a sheen of caring. I don't think there is a character here that is poorly written.

The show will challenge the audience and indeed a glance at any spoiler-filled forum on the show reveals loads of people unhappy with aspects of it – particularly Jimmy's death. Like everyone else I didn't want him to die – he didn't deserve it, but then so few of those who have died to allow others to prosper have deserved it. He is tired, he has a lot of baggage and I think he almost welcomed it as a released - I may not have liked it but it made sense in regards his character and the demons he had. Likewise the change in Nucky – unable to sit in political office and have only minor challenges, he becomes more bitter, spiteful and violently protective of his world; in short he becomes a significantly less likable character and indeed I ended the season actively disliking him. To some this is a turn-off but I don't need to like characters to enjoy their story and I am looking forward to a third season with him.

The performances in this second season step up with the material. Buscemi doesn't totally sell his transformation but any weaknesses are fleeting because mostly he is strong. Not as strong as Pitt, who makes such a tragic figure opposite an equally strong turn from Mol as his mother. Williams may always be Omar, but he does great work with his expanded character. The supporting cast features strong turn after strong turn, so to go through them all here would just be a list – but there are almost no weak links in this cast, albeit more is asked of some than others.

The second season of Boardwalk Empire may not have made popular decisions in regards pandering to viewers but it produces an engaging and dramatic season that satisfies in the overall sweep of the season as well as the detail of the characters.

I don't mind the ending itself but the set up was weak

[interestingstuff · 29 January 2023]

It looks like a lot of people had trouble with the ending because it resulted in death of one of the most popular main characters in this show. I have no problem with the fact that Jimmy is dead and how he was killed but the whole set up of chain of events leading up to his death were poorly constructed and weak at best.

Up until 2 episodes ago Jimmy was extremely determined to bring down Nucky Thompson, was willing to do everything it takes to make this happen but suddenly in the last 2 episodes he has a change of heart which causes him to kill his father, meet with Nucky, then kill a key witness that was about to put Nucky in jail and then submit himself to Nucky to get killed.

So in 2 episodes he went from super motivated sworn enemy of Nucky to someone who just gives up and lets Nucky kill him. That whole set up made zero sense and put there just for the sake of shock and forced plot twist.

If you wanted to kill a main character to move the story forward, fine but do it in a way that makes sense and doesn't insult people's intelligence. But then again when I see all those 10/10 reviews, I also think that there isn't much to insult in the first place.