Tag Archives: Agent Van Alden

thoughts on boardwalk empire: under god’s power she flourishes

Nucky’s Defense: It would seem as though Nucky’s days as the “leader” of Atlantic City have been numbered since the start of the season but as Esther Randolph’s case continues to gain momentum the end may be soon. Until Nucky’ s butler Harlan tells him about Nelson Van Alden drowning his former partner during a church event last year. I honestly thought that Nucky was going to meet his end before the season finale but it seems like he has dodged yet another bullet – pun kinda intended.

A Princeton Man: Seeing Jimmy before he became defined by his tour of duty, marriage, family, and all the joy that Atlantic City brings was a bit refreshing. He and Angela’s background shined a light on what he felt about her during their mostly dry relationship. When by Gillian if he loved Angela his first answer was “No”. Speaking of Gillian…

I KNEW IT: Up to this point I just chalked it all up as Gillian being a complete creep – which she still is – but actually seeing her having sex with her own son you really don’t need any more evidence. If she wasn’t telling people how she use to “kiss (Jimmy’s) winky” when she use to change his diapers or just trying to steal a more sensual than necessary kiss on the lips from Jimmy she was busy trying to make Angela feel like a lesser woman in comparison. I’m glad I finally got proof even though, I’ll admit, it was a cringe worthy experience.

Eli’s Freedom: Eli’s lawyer informs him that if he testifies, against his brother Nucky, that he was ordered to kill Hans Schroeder that Esther and her team won’t argue for the death penalty. An offer that we later find out he accepts. I know that Eli and Nucky have been feuding since the show started up last year but for some reason I don’t see Eli actually following through with his testimony.

Sinful Possessions: With Nucky worrying about his freedom, he tells Margaret that he has hidden away some property and money for her and the kids if anything were to happen to him. But Margaret has some secrets of her own; she has been stealing from and cheated on Nucky during their relationship. Clearly Margaret’s new found religious faith and Nucky’s more than shady dealings are clashing on every level but I think she is the primary beneficiary of the relationship. I understand fighting for what u believe is right but at what cost?

Sweep the Legs: With Jimmy on a hiatus, assumably because he killed his wife, Lucky, Capone, and Lansky plan to take his portion of the alcohol. But Doyle tells them that Jimmy didn’t kill his wife and he’ll be back soon. We all know that Jimmy’s associates blossom – may that’s the wrong word – into successful criminals in their own right but I can’t wait to see how things play out once he realizes he has been cheated.

Van Alden the Vagabond?: Now that Van Alden’s secret has been exposed to Nucky’s lawyer and Esther Randolph he has nowhere to go. Shooting a federal agent never really helps either though.  I don’t have any idea what camp Van Alden is going to find himself in now but I’m intrigued to see what he can bring to the table since no one really likes him.

No More Commodore: After Jimmy kills his father for stopping him from choking the life from his mother it would seem as though all the pressure is really going to be on him now. The reason he hasn’t gotten the support of the more influential members of Atlantic City is because he is new to the political happenings of the boardwalk and it’s surrounding areas. I’m sure Gillian has no problem with the Commodore being gone but it may make things twice as hard on her son.

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boardwalk empire recapping: peg of old

Van Alden

  • Lucy is upset with Van Alden because she hasn’t received her payment for carrying out the pregnancy. It doesn’t seem as though he has any intentions on paying her either.
  • At work, his desk has been taken over by federal prosecutor Esther Randolph.
  • Van Alden returns home to see that Lucy has left their child with a neighbor so she could get some milk. Van Alden finds the play Lucy wanted to audition for (The Dangerous Maid) pinned to a dirty diaper on the phonograph.
  • Van Alden is alone at home trying to figure out a name for his daughter. He seems to settle on “Abigail”.
  • Van Alden gives Randolph all the information he has stored against Nucky. He also says he will testify against Nucky. Randolph says they will get his “domestic situation settled out”.

Margaret

  • Margaret arrives in Brooklyn to meet with her family from Ireland. Three younger sisters (Beth, Ailish, Nuala) and one older brother (Eamonn).
  • During dinner, Eamonn is curious how Margaret can afford to come to New York and leave her children behind. Margaret says she can help her siblings out but Eamonn insists they don’t need it.
  • Eamonn tells Margaret that their mother is dead.
  • Margaret tells him that she had a miscarriage on her way to America. She said she was doing what was best for her. She gives Eamonn money to make up what she stole from their mother to make it to America.
  • Ailish seems to know about Nucky but her sisters tell Margaret she is just talking about books that she has read. Margaret offers to send her books as she is leaving for Atlantic City. Ailish seems to love the idea.
  • Lucy returns to New York with a book for Ailish. Margaret says they should write each other and she invites her to come to Atlantic City over the summer.

  • Margaret is upset with Eamonn that he never stood up for her when she needed him in Ireland. He tells her to go back to where she came from “because no one here knows you.”
  • When Margaret  arrives home she is met by Slater. He tells her Katie has taken the children to the beach. So asks why he isn’t with Nucky. He asks if she ever “feels off” in this country. He asks if he were ever to vanish who would care. She tells him she should be on the beach with Katie. Slater says he will do whatever she pleases. She tells him to bring her bag to her room. The episode ends with the two sharing an intense sexual encounter.

Nucky’s Empire

  • Nucky and his lawyer are familiarizing themselves with background information on his new prosecutor until Lucy arrives asking for money.
  • Van Alden comes to Nucky’s office while Lucy is there. Nucky proposes that Van Alden help him with Esther Raandolph and he will help with the newborn.
  • Owen Slater meets a man named Del Grogan at a bar. They discuss being “free and clear” in America. Slater follows the man to the restroom where a fight breaks out. Slater eventually strangles the man to death. Slater seems to have been trying to find this man for some time.

Darmody’s Uprising

  • Jimmy meets with Capone, Lansky, Eli, Doyle, and Lucky in Atlantic City about getting Nucky out of power.
  • Eli interrupts Jimmy;s scheme by saying they should just kill Nucky. Jimmy is clearly troubled by the idea but he allows it.
  • Jimmy discusses the planned assassination on Nucky with Gillian. He seems to be asking for a reason to stop it but she tells him that it was done as soon as he made the order.

  • At Babette’s, Nucky and the crowd are listening to Jack Dempsey give a speech when Jimmy walks up to Nucky. Jimmy tells him “It doesn’t make a difference if you’re right or wrong, you just have to make a decision.” Jimmy walks away and another comes up and shoots Nucky. A federal agent then shoots the hitman. As Jimmy is leaving he overhears that Nucky is still alive. He was shot in the hand.
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