Boardwalk Empire, starring Steve Buscemi as Enoch (Nucky) Thompson, is one of the best crime drama series of the last decade. Arguably, the series is quite underrated because of the unnecessary comparisons made to another HBO Original, The Sopranos.

RELATED: 10 Best TV Period Dramas Set In The 1920s (According to IMDb)

Nevertheless, Boardwalk Empire is driven by the sheer richness of the characters and the emotional connections they make with its fans. After a near-perfect first season, which saw Nucky drive himself out of a precarious situation, the treasurer of Atlantic City finds himself with his back against the wall. Without further ado, let's rank every episode from the second outing of the series, according to IMDb.

"The Age Of Reason" (8.1)

In the sixth episode of season 2, a lot of characters see their story drastically change. Firstly, Jimmy is on edge and wants to take every shipment that comes into Atlantic City. But, he uses his brains and manages to strike a deal with Luciano.

Elsewhere, Nucky's problems return when The Senator pressures The Attorney General to pursue the conviction against the treasurer of Atlantic City.

"21" (8.3)

The first episode of season 2 starts after the events of the season 1 finale, which saw Eli, Jimmy, and The Commodore work on a conspiracy against Nucky. The treasurer of Atlantic City is stunned by the developments, as Chalky White and his base are attacked, on orders from The Commodore.

At home, Margaret deals with parenting problems, while Angela isn't happy with Gillian's growing influence on Jimmy.

"A Dangerous Maid" (8.3)

In the third episode of season 2, as the title suggests, there is a maid in Margaret's house called Katie, who gets to know a little something about Margaret's past and where she comes from.

RELATED: 10 Most Memorable Quotes From Boardwalk Empire

Of course, the past wouldn't be good, or else why would she leave her cousins? Meanwhile, Owen takes it upon himself to do a job for Nucky and he impresses. With the walls closing in on him, Nucky visits the Attorney General.

"What Does The Bee Do" (8.3)

In the fourth episode of season 2, at Mayor Bader's birthday party, Nucky's attorney comes up with a plan which could see him get out of the election rigging case unscathed.

Chalky is struggling at work and at home, while Van Alden's agents go on a mission to bring down Mickey's warehouse. Also, Jimmy goes to Philadelphia in search of buyers.

"Peg Of Old" (8.4)

In the seventh episode of season 2, a lot of surprising things are revealed about Margaret's past, as she goes to visit her cousins who are now living in Brooklyn. Her real name is Peggy and she is a lot more different than what the viewers expected her to be.

Also, her growing closeness to Owen is not necessarily a good thing, especially for the latter.

"Ourselves Alone" (8.5)

In the second episode of season 2, the plot continues to thicken, with Jimmy going to New York in order to get some people on his side. First, he visits Arnold Rothstein and he has a proposition for him, but Rothstein is a gambling man, and right now, all his money is on Nucky.

Still, Mickey and Luciano agree to be by Jimmy's side. Also, Chalky is in prison for his own safety and he meets a man called Mr. Purnsley, who is irritating, to say the least.

"Battle Of The Century" (8.5)

In the ninth episode of season 2, Nucky and Owen are still in Belfast, negotiating for booze, but they just aren't getting the right terms.

Back in Atlantic City, Margaret is going mad after learning that her daughter Emily has polio, and with no one to lean on, Margaret writes to Nucky to come back as soon as possible. Also, with power in his hands, Jimmy tries to keep everything in place.

 "Two Boats And A Lifeguard" (8.7)

In the eighth episode of season 2, after the attempt to take Nucky's life, Margaret is worried about her and the kids. And when Nucky's father dies, he takes Rothstein's advice and gives up the role of the treasurer of Atlantic City.

He then goes to Ireland with Owen by his side to get some booze, which will put Jimmy and The Commodore out of business.

"Georgia Peaches" (8.7)

In the tenth episode of season 2, Nucky tells Jimmy who's the boss in Atlantic City, as he floods every store with high quality and low-cost liquor, which means no one is buying from Jimmy and his bootlegging partners anymore.

RELATED: Boardwalk Empire: 10 Best Al Capone Moments

Elsewhere, Margaret continues to blame herself for Emily's illness, while Nucky fires his lawyer and turns to Rothstein for advice on the legal front.

"Gimcrack And Bunkum" (8.8)

In the fifth episode of season 2, Eli sees the light and goes back to Nucky to apologize for turning against him. But it isn't that easy - Nucky thinks his brother must choose a side and that he should stick by it.

Drowning in the waters he created, Eli takes an extreme step, while the people in support of The Commodore's plan begin to lose patience. Jimmy needs to come up with something and fast.

"Under God's Power She Flourishes" (9.0)

In the penultimate episode of season 2, Jimmy's world is falling apart. Last night's horrendous events seem to have taken a toll on him and he wonders how he will tell Tommy, his son, that his mother was murdered?

Also, a couple of flashback scenes reveal the awkward relationship that Jimmy and his mother, Gillian, have shared over the years and the audience learns that it was because of Gillian that Jimmy went to war.

"To The Lost" (9.3)

The season 2 finale is everything it promises to be. A lot of actions have been taken and every single one of them will have some consequences. Nucky is the winner, as expected, with his political games too hot to handle for Eli, The Commodore, and Jimmy.

Also, the events of this episode help the viewers understand Nucky. For one, he will do anything to anyone who plots things behind his back, even if that someone is very close to him.

NEXT: 10 Shows To Watch If You Miss Boardwalk Empire