Finally Enjoying Boardwalk Empire

In one of my past posts, I published a paper about how the first two episodes of The Sopranos sets up the rest of the series by introducing the main themes that would be developed over the course of the series. I concluded:

The proem of The Sopranos provides us with the lens and the scope through which we will see the rest of the series. Through this, The Sopranos develops aspects of the mafia world that have never been addressed before. Never have we seen the extent by which the depiction of mafia in such an expansive fashion. In the proem we learn that the story is not just about Tony and how changes in his business are stressing him out, but rather about the world he lives in within the context of a mafia tradition. As a story about America experience and assimilation, we are able to see contemporary depictions of events that are able to exist without sacrificing the necessary focus of the narrative to center on the mafia itself.

As I've been watching Boardwalk Empire's second season, I began to think more about this. One of the main problems with the first season of Boardwalk Empire is that there are so many character that the writers want to address. However, as a viewer, it's hard to get to know these characters. There's also no narrative commentary within the series like there is in The Sopranos with Tony and Dr. Melfi. Goodfellas also benefits from having a narration, when new characters are introduced. There's no need to see the characteristics if they are told to you.

In contrast, The Godfather develops its characters by showing their tendencies. In the very first scene, we see the roles that the characters will play in the plot. Vito is cautious and very introspective. Sonny has a hot temper and is not faithful to his wife. Clemenza is a loyal servant as is Luca Brasi. Michael is quiet and independent. Fredo is weak. They're masterfully illustrated through small scenes such as when Sonny slams the camera of the media member or spits on the FBI detective's badge.

Boardwalk Empire is a television show, therefore it has the liberty to be more complex. However, the complexity of the series might interfere with the audience's ability to fully understand what is going on. As I've watched the second season, it is much clearer to me that the little scenes that develop the characters have been much more helpful in understanding and enjoying the second season. In many ways, the first season of Boardwalk Empire serves as an introduction and proem for the series.

I did not enjoy the first season because I felt like nothing happened and we did not see anything happen to the characters. There was a lot of posturing, but there was a overwhelming lack of action. In a series about corruption and violence, there was something missing. Now, in the second season, we are seeing more action. There is more plotting against one another, there is more violence, and there is more hardship.

What I've realized most and why I actually appreciate the first season is that all the posturing gave us little clues to what the characters would become. We saw chinks in Nucky's armor. We saw the ambition of Jimmy Dormady. We saw Eli's frustration with his brother. These are all things that are being played out now.

The second season is much better because of the first. I no longer can complain about the first season. I wish we had more information about the direction this series was going. Prior to this season, I had never been more frustrated with a series. I wanted to like this series for so long. Now, I can.