One of the best period dramas of the last decade, Boardwalk Empire, came to a conclusion after HBO released the show's fifth and final season in 2014. The fourth season of the series didn't live up to the expectations, especially after what was an incredible season three. So, fans didn't expect much from the final season, only that the HBO Original should go out on a high.
Nucky Thompson wants out from his mobster business and he has decided to go to Cuba with Sally in order to put some of his final business dealings in place. But there are people, bad people, keeping an eye on him and Atlantic City.
"What Jesus Said" (8.0)
In the third episode of season 5, the whereabouts of Chalky White is revealed. He seems to be in jail, but when an opportunity arises, along with a man named Buck, Chalky gets out of his chains and finds himself in the house of a mother and daughter. Nucky goes to Boston for some business, while Margaret finds herself in some legal trouble over her dealings with Rothstein some while back. In the flashback scenes, a young Nucky meets Mabel while working for the Commodore at the hotel.
"The Good Listener" (8.3)
In the second episode of season 5, Nucky has to find out exactly who was involved in his assassination attempt. So he goes to a now-retired Johnny Torrio, and simply asks him whether mob boss Salvatore Maranzano had anything to do with it. Torrio agrees to broker a meeting between the two. Also, in the past, kid Nucky and his family deal with the loss of Susan, which to date leaves Nucky saddened. In Chicago, Eli and Van Alden have some problems of their own. They need to handle it before Al Capone smells something wrong.
"Golden Days For Boys And Girls" (8.4)
In the first episode of season 5, again, as the show usually does, they make sure that the fans know who's the villain. Charlie Luciano and Meyer have decided to take over the mob business in the United States, as they begin to start killing everyone in their way.
Arnold Rothstein and Joe Masseria are already dead, but Nucky isn't, which poses a problem for Luciano and Meyer who want Atlantic City. Nucky is in Cuba when an attempt for his life takes place, while the fans also get to see a couple of flashbacks revealing how Nucky was as a kid.
"King Of Norway" (8.5)
In the fifth episode of season 5, the flashback scenes reveal how Nucky used to be during his days as the Deputy Sheriff. He works his way to earn Mabel's father's trust so that he can marry her. Back in the present, Nucky arranges a meeting with Marazano, while he receives some terrifying news from Cuba. Eli has his reunion with June cut short, after Van Alden's wife, Sigrid reveals something secret. It's a pretty good episode setting up for what's to come.
"Cuanto" (8.6)
In the fourth episode of season 5, Van Alden is in trouble in Chicago as a visiting Luciano recognizes him as a Federal Agent. When Al Capone forces him to reveal his true identity, somehow, Van Alden talks his way out of the situation. Nucky is due to travel to Cuba but his flight is canceled due to heavy rain and so he passes his time by talking to Margaret while they go over the latter's problem. Elsewhere, Nucky finally gets to know who the real enemy is.
"Devil You Know" (9.0)
In the sixth episode of season 5, Chalky meets with an old enemy but has an unexpected reunion with Daughter Maitland, which changes his plans. He meets with Valentine Narcisse and negotiates a way out for Daughter in exchange for Chalky working for Valentine.
Chalky knew he was going to die and still, he saved the life of someone else. In Chicago, Eli and Van Alden find themselves in the Feds' crosshairs, while a young Nucky meets a young Gillian Darmody.
"Friendless Child" (9.2)
The penultimate episode of season 5, in order to move up the chain, a young Nucky does something for The Commodore, without asking any questions, even though that thing is a cover-up of something really bad. He also has talks with Mabel, discussing whether they should take care of a young Gillian. Back in the present, Nucky's war with Luciano is getting out of hand, as Meyer kidnaps Willie. Quite expectedly, Eli and Nucky try to find a solution out of this precarious situation.
"Eldorado" (9.3)
In the season 5 finale, Nucky arranges the murder of Marazano, which means, Willie is sent free before Luciano and Meyer take over Atlantic City. This whole episode is based around Nucky, finally, getting some personal time as he roams around Atlantic City taking in the beauty and the air. He meets with Margaret and Eli, while a couple of flashback scenes tell the fans how Gillian ended up with The Commodore. Finally, his past mistakes catch up to him and Nucky dies a death he deserves. It's a fitting end to a forever underrated series.