Under God's Power She Flourishes
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Episode 11
| "Under God's Power She Flourishes" | |
|---|---|
| Boardwalk Empire episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 11 |
| Directed by | Allen Coulter |
| Written by | Howard Korder |
| Cinematography by | Bill Coleman |
| Editing by | Kate Sanford |
| Original air date | December 4, 2011 |
| Running time | 58 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Under God's Power She Flourishes" is the eleventh episode of the second season of the American period crime drama television series Boardwalk Empire. It is the 23rd overall episode of the series and was written by co-executive producer Howard Korder, and directed by Allen Coulter. It was released on HBO on December 4, 2011.
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, Jimmy's past is explored, while conflicts arise in Nucky's and Van Alden's respective lives.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 2.97 million household viewers and gained a 1.3 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received critical acclaim, with critics praising Michael Pitt's performance, writing, directing and revelations.
Flashbacks
In 1917, Jimmy attends Princeton University and dates a fellow student, Angela. Gillian visits the university and makes out with Jimmy's professor, prompting Jimmy to beat him. As he takes Gillian to her room, their state of drunkenness soon escalates into sexual tension, culminating into having sex. The next day, despite being told by Angela that she is pregnant, Jimmy, out of guilt and confusion over the encounter with his mother, who leaves before he wakes up the next morning, decides to enlist in the army and fight in The Great War. He steals a classmate's story about losing his brother on the RMS Lusitania as his motivation for enlisting.
Present day
Nucky is informed by Fallon that Randolph is building a case on him, and Eli and Van Alden might testify against him. Eli is pressured on participating, as Halloran's testimony on his role in Hans Schroeder's death could have severe consequences.
Jimmy, devastated by Angela's death, has not performed his duties, forcing his partners into re-arranging the shares. After seeing his share drop down, Mickey meets with Van Alden for a proposition, wherein Van Alden can raid one of their warehouses for money. Van Alden tells him to never contact him again.
As Nucky confers with Fallon about Van Alden, his servant, Harlan, overhears their conversation, recognizes Van Alden's name, and relays the story of Van Alden killing his partner during a church's river baptism to them both. Fallon compels Harlan and Deacon Cuffey to testify against Van Alden. Before Raldolph can arrest him, Van Alden shoots her partner and escapes the building. Margaret is called instead as a witness, and she reprimands Nucky for his actions, even telling him she knows about his involvement in Hans' death. Nucky warns her not to do anything against him.
Jimmy returns to Atlantic City and prepares Angela's funeral with Gillian. When she makes a crude remark about Tommy eventually forgetting Angela entirely, an irate Jimmy strangles her until the Commodore attacks him. After a scuffle with the Commodore, Jimmy stabs him in the abdomen. Gillian tells him to finish the job, so Jimmy kills his father before collapsing to the ground. The next morning, Jimmy finds that Harrow cleaned the scene, and finds Gillian with Tommy. Gillian states that everything is fine and hopes that he can understand what happened. She then takes a sleeping Tommy to sleep, claiming that he will not be a kid soon.
Production
Development
The episode was written by co-executive producer Howard Korder, and directed by Allen Coulter. This was Korder's sixth writing credit, and Coulter's fourth directing credit.[1]
