Ep 7. Home

As the seventh episode of the first season of Boardwalk Empire, this episode titled "Home" continues to enthrall audiences with its depiction of Atlantic City in the 1920s, at the height of prohibition. The episode revolves around several characters who are struggling with personal and professional issues, and the way they navigate these challenges ultimately drives the narrative forward.

One of the most prominent threads of the episode revolves around Nucky Thompson, the corrupt treasurer of Atlantic City. Nucky is facing a number of challenges, including the fact that his girlfriend, Lucy Danziger, has become pregnant and is demanding that Nucky leave his wife and marry her instead. Meanwhile, Nucky is also trying to navigate the tricky political landscape of Atlantic City, where several powerful men are vying for control of the city's bootlegging and gambling operations.

Another key storyline in the episode centers on Margaret Schroeder, a newly widowed woman who has been struggling to support her children since the death of her husband. Margaret is working as a housekeeper for a wealthy woman who is involved in politics, and Margaret begins to see firsthand the corruption and greed that drives the leaders of Atlantic City.

As the episode progresses, several other characters' stories begin to intersect with these central plotlines. For example, Jimmy Darmody, a young veteran who has become involved in Nucky's bootlegging operation, finds himself in a sticky situation when one of his associates is caught by the police. Meanwhile, a group of black men are turning to Chalky White, a powerful gangster, for help in dealing with a racist police officer who is terrorizing their community.

Throughout the episode, there is a palpable tension as these various plotlines begin to cross and merge. The characters are all struggling with their own demons, and the way they interact with one another – sometimes violently, sometimes with grudging respect – is what gives the show its raw, visceral edge.

At its core, "Home" is an episode about power and the ways in which it corrupts and destroys those who seek it. From Nucky's ruthless political maneuverings to the gangsters' brutal tactics, the episode lays bare the ugliness of the world these characters inhabit. But it also shows moments of grace and humanity, particularly in Margaret's story, where she begins to realize that there is more to life than simply accumulating wealth and status.

Overall, "Home" is a compelling, well-written episode that showcases the strengths of the Boardwalk Empire series. With its stunning cinematography, complex characters, and rich historical detail, the show transports viewers to a bygone era and sucks them into a world of intrigue, violence, and betrayal.