Ep 1. Resolution

Boardwalk Empire season three episode one, titled "Resolution," takes place on New Year’s Eve of 1922, in Atlantic City. The opening scene is a lavish, extravagant party hosted by Nucky Thompson. This is where we see our favorite characters from the previous seasons in their new roles and relationships.

At the party, we see Margaret Thompson, now Nucky’s wife, struggling to fit into the upper-class lifestyle. We see her awkward interaction with club owner Chalky White and Nucky's brother, Eli Thompson, who has just been released from prison. The party is interrupted when Nucky's close associate and ally, Owen Sleater, discovers a plot against him. Nucky, being the cunning, quick-witted man that he is, refuses to let anyone interrupt his festivities, and ensures he gets to the bottom of this plot.

Meanwhile, Gyp Rosetti, a new character introduced in this season who controls the distribution of alcohol in New York, is introduced and sets his sights on expanding his business to Atlantic City. However, he meets resistance from both Nucky and Chalky White, who controls the transportation of liquor and the African-American community in Atlantic City.

In this episode, we also see Agent Nelson Van Alden, now a door-to-door salesman under the fake identity of George Mueller, struggling to start a new life with his new girlfriend, Sigrid. However, he soon finds himself pulled back into his old life when Prohibition Agent Eric Sebso comes knocking on his door during his new year's celebration.

One of the major subplots in the episode is the strained relationship between Nucky and Margaret, with Margaret feeling increasingly isolated and unfulfilled in her marriage to Nucky. Her dissatisfaction is compounded by her involvement in a women’s health clinic, where she learns about birth control methods and the harsh realities faced by women during this time.

As the clock strikes midnight, Nucky delivers a powerful speech, outlining the resolution to "put the past behind us." However, the episode ends on a cliffhanger, as we see a shocking and unexpected twist that throws a wrench into Nucky's plans for the future.

Overall, Boardwalk Empire season three episode one, "Resolution," sets the stage for the rest of the season, introducing new characters, new conflicts, and continuing the established storylines from previous seasons. The episode is a rollercoaster ride of drama, tension, and unexpected twists, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats, eager to see what happens next.