"Family Limitation" is the sixth episode of the first season of Boardwalk Empire, and the sixth episode overall. It was written by supervising producer Howard Korder and directed by executive producer Tim Van Patten. It premiered on October 24, 2010.
Plot[]
Two of the D'Alessio brothers rob one of Nucky's bagmen on the Boardwalk in broad daylight. Because the thieves are perceived to be Italian, Nucky suspects Luciano is behind it.
Margaret Schroeder asks Mrs. McGarry at The Temperance League for advice on a "financial, domestic, sexual" offer she’s received from a man (Nucky). McGarry advises her to do as she sees fit and gives her a copy of Margaret Sanger's pamphlet Family Limitation.
Lucky, who is sleeping with Gillian, confides in her his problem with impotence. He is informed by Rothstein that Gillian is not Jimmy's wife, but rather his mother.
In Chicago, Jimmy talks to Torrio about the truce he is contemplating with Sheridan. He tells him that if they call a truce, they'll look weak. While meeting with Sheridan and his men, Jimmy and Al ambush them with guns that were hidden in their coats. They kill all four of them. Back at Johnny's hotel, Jimmy is getting praise from Torrio which angers Al. Al publicly ridicules Jimmy, who responds in kind. Al later goes to visit Jimmy in his room and informs him his son is deaf and politely mentions that he didn't appreciate Jimmy making fun of him.
In Jersey, Margaret is at home with Nucky who offers her a new home and promises to provide for her. She accepts and moves away from her home. She later quits her job at La Belle Femme after a row with Lucy. But she later realizes that it isn't at all what she expected after Nucky stands her up.
Eli brings in Lucky who tells Nucky he doesn't know about the theft. Nucky doesn't believe him and sends him away.
Meanwhile, Van Alden discovers a picture of a 16-year-old Margaret in her immigration records. He then performs self-mortification with his belt.
Appearances[]
First Appearances[]
- Annabelle, a fellow kept woman and neighbor to Margaret Schroeder's new house.
- Mae Capone, Al Capone's wife.
- Teresina Capone, Al Capone's mother.
- Sonny Capone, Al Capone's son.
Deaths[]
- Charlie Sheridan - Shot by Jimmy Darmody.
- Sheridan's second - Shot by Al Capone.
- Sheridan's Thug 1 - Shot by Jimmy Darmody.
- Sheridan's Thug 2 - Shot by Jimmy Darmody.
Production[]
Cast[]
Starring[]
|
Guest starring[] |
Co-starring[]
|
1. Maranda Barskey as Singing whore 1 |
10. Enid Graham as Rose Van Alden |
19. Mick O'Rourke as Sheridan's second |
Music[]
- Gypsy Queen - "American Patrol" plays as Ward Boss O'Neill make collections on the boardwlak.
- Vince Giordano - "La Seduccion" plays as Ward Boss O'Neill makes collections on the boardwalk.
- Wurlitzer 157 - "Ben Hur Chariot" plays as O'Neill is mugged by the D'Alessio brothers.
- Robert Viger - "Fatty's Fiance" plays as Torrio discusses Greektown with Jimmy and Capone.
- Jonathan Starkey - "Palm Leaf Rag" plays as Torrio discusses Greektown with Jimmy and Capone.
- [[Peter Mintun] & Grace Paradise - "Toyland" plays as Lucy is shopping.
- Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks - "Maple Leaf Rag" plays as Margaret and the kids pull up to their new home.
- Jan Rap - "Das Kommit Vom Rudern" plays as Nucky interrogates Charlie.
- Scott Joplin - "A Real Slow Drag" plays as Jimmy sits alone and reads.
- Paragon Ragtime Orchestra - "Whippoorwill Dance" plays as Jimmy sits alone.
- Henry Davies - "Trombone Chutney" plays as Nucky invites Margaret on a date.
- Ehud Asherie - "A Good Man is Hard to Find" plays as Jimmy belittles Capone in front of Torrio.
- Boardwalk Empire String Quartet - "String Quartet in G minor, OP. 74.3, "The Horseman" plays as Nucky tries to make a deal with Frank Hague over road appropriations.
- W.C. Handy's Orchestra of Memphis - "That Jazz Dance" plays as Capone surprises Jimmy with stakes.
- Original Dixieland Jazz Band - "Sweet Mama(Papa's Getting Mad)
- Lauren Sharpe - "The Japanese Sandman" plays as Nucky learns that Edge is an investor in a paving company.
- R. Nathaniel Dett - "Barcarolle" plays as Margaret waits by the phone and Van Alden flagellates himsef.
- Nora Bayes - "The Japanese Sandman" played during the end credits.
Reception[]
"Family Limitation" slipped back to a 1.2 adults 18–49 rating after the preceding episode's 1.3 rating. The episode had a total of 2.812 million viewers. [1]
IGN gave the episode a score of 8.5 enjoying the relationship between Al and Jimmy "Another highlight is the relationship between Al and Jimmy, as they rise up the ranks of the Torrio crime family. The two debate the difference between "buddy" and "accomplice" as Jimmy plans how to take out Sheridan. During this time, Jimmy, a war veteran, calls out Al on his bullshit war record, which in turn makes Al look like he is overcompensating for being nothing more than a thug in a nice suit. These exchanges prove that Al and Jimmy may have been friends once, but are on a path to being something much worse as their underworld careers advance."[2]
The A.V. Club gave it a B+ rating.[3]
Memorable Quotes[]
- Lucy Danziger: "What's your point?"
- Margaret Schroeder: "...that maybe your cunny isn't quite the draw you think it is...I quit."
References[]
External links[]
- "Family Limitation" at HBO.com
- "Family Limitation" on the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)
- "Family Limitation" at TV.com
- "Family Limitation" at Wikipedia
| Season One |
| #01 Boardwalk Empire | #07 Home |
| #02 The Ivory Tower | #08 Hold Me in Paradise |
| #03 Broadway Limited | #09 Belle Femme |
| #04 Anastasia | #10 The Emerald City |
| #05 Nights in Ballygran | #11 Paris Green |
| #06 Family Limitation | #12 A Return to Normalcy |