Golden Days for Boys and Girls (Boardwalk Empire)
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Episode 1
| "Golden Days for Boys and Girls" | |
|---|---|
| Boardwalk Empire episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 5 Episode 1 |
| Directed by | Tim Van Patten |
| Written by | Howard Korder |
| Cinematography by | Jonathan Freeman |
| Editing by | Kate Sanford |
| Original air date | September 7, 2014 |
| Running time | 59 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Golden Days for Boys and Girls" is the first episode of the fifth season of the American period crime drama television series Boardwalk Empire. It is the 49th overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer Howard Korder, and directed by executive producer Tim Van Patten. It was released on HBO on September 7, 2014.
The series is set in Atlantic City, New Jersey, during the Prohibition era of the 1920s. The series follows Enoch "Nucky" Thompson, a political figure who rises to prominence and interacts with mobsters, politicians, government agents, and the common folk who look up to him. In the episode, Nucky starts a new strategy in 1931, while flashbacks to 1884 depict his childhood.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 2.37 million household viewers and gained a 0.9 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the directing and performances. The seven-year time jump, however, polarized critics; some felt it would allow more progress in the characters' arcs, while others expressed disappointment over the events skipped.
1884
A young Nucky swims next to the pier with other boys, where the Commodore throws them gold coins to retrieve, but Nucky fails to catch any coins. His father, Ethan, is disappointed in Nucky's failure, and Nucky's mother Elenore lives scared of Ethan. One day, Nucky meets a businessman, who decides to give him candies and a hat containing $50. Nevertheless, Nucky later returns the money to the businessman. This impresses the Commodore, who gives him a gold coin. Nucky gives the coin to Elenore, while Ethan tends to Nucky's ill sister, Susan.
1931
In Havana, Nucky stays with Sally Wheet. He meets with Senator Wendell Lloyd to get him involved in his business, convincing him in accepting a partnership with Bacardi Rum. He also runs into Lansky, who is now married and is on vacation. Later, an assassin tries to kill Nucky, but is killed by his bodyguard Arquimedes. Nucky suspects Lansky was involved, after discovering that his "wife" is actually a local prostitute.
In Maryland, Chalky is now in police custody and is forced to be part of a chain gang. While doing labor in the woods, Chalky sees as one of the inmates revolts against the guards by killing one, prompting the rest of the inmates to riot. Chalky releases himself and flees, only to be held at gunpoint by Milton, another inmate. Milton claims he has money stored in a house and offers to share it with Chalky if he helps him with the use of a telephone, which Chalky accepts.
In New York City, Robert Bennett III kills himself in front of his employees, one of which is Margaret. Margaret is approached about opening Bennett's files, and lies claiming that she does not have the key. She later tries to remove the deceased Rothstein's file but is forced to give the key to Bennett's files when she is caught. In Coney Island, Luciano meets with Masseria, discussing a potential end in their war against Salvatore Maranzano. Luciano then leaves their meeting, allowing hitmen to kill Masseria. He later attends a ceremony by the Maranzano family, where he slices his hand to show his loyalty.
Production
Development
In August 2014, HBO confirmed that the first episode of the season would be titled "Golden Days for Boys and Girls", and that it would be written by executive producer Howard Korder, and directed by executive producer Tim Van Patten. This was Korder's 19th writing credit, and Van Patten's 17th directing credit.[1]
