Boardwalk Empire (9 p.m. Sundays, HBO) has explored many different themes outside its domain of America’s early gangsters, but it’s maintained its position as a period piece of the 1920s. Not anymore for this final season.
Sunday’s premiere spanned 1884-1931, with flashbacks to Nucky Thompson’s past and his introduction to the Commodore punctuating scenes from the “present,” wherein viewers caught up with Nucky, Chalky (who’s traded his signature colorful suits for a black-and-white jumpsuit), Margaret (still working at the investment office) and a few others in 1931.
The time jumps, while disjointed, provide much more context for Nucky than viewers have ever seen. Considering he’s the center figure of the story, we know very little about why Nucky is the way he is (outside of what little he’s shared with Margaret or other lovers). Seeing him as a boy, struggling at home and with friends and learning the value of “getting there first,” makes the present-day even more relevant as Nucky, residing in Cuba, attempts to go legit and bring Bacardi Rum to the States when Prohibition ends (which it soon will, in 1933). And it’s nice to see his partnership with Sally Wheet — a sharp and powerful female player — has lasted the test of time(-jumping).
Though he’s left Depression-riddled America behind, Nucky’s enemies are willing to travel, as we see in a thwarted attempt on his life. Other kingpins weren’t so lucky — Rothstein and Masseria are both out of the picture at this point. In this week’s second episode, we head back to the U.S. to catch up with Al Capone, Eli Thompson, Gillian and Van Alden.
We’ve watched them rise — making sacrifices and tough calls along the way — so it only makes sense that in this final season we’ll see the bad boys of Boardwalk change with the times or fall with the empire.
WEDNESDAY SEPT. 10
The League (10 p.m., FXX) – Kevin is diagnosed with “Low-T,” which surprises no one; Jay Glazer does Andre a solid; a quickly maturing Baby Geoffrey gets jacked for little league.
The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail (12:30 a.m., Comedy Central) – Love and wedding stories; performances by Gabe Liedman and Jenny Slate, Maria Bamford, Michael Ian Black and Reggie Watts.
THURSDAY SEPT. 11
Married (10 p.m., FX) – It’s Halloween and Russ and Jess must take AJ to what’s probably the opposite of a wild costume party — rehab.
Project Runway (9 p.m., Lifetime) – On today’s fashion menu: waterproof avant-garde ensembles. Because you never know when a torrential downpour might hit the runway — er, rainway.
FRIDAY SEPT. 12
Bill Maher: Live from D.C. (9 p.m., HBO) – Maher attempts a comedic double-header in the country’s capital as he hosts a live edition of his talk show Real Time — featuring guests Nancy Pelosi and Jerry Seinfeld — followed by a new live standup special (at a different venue!) at 10 p.m.
Diners, Drive-ins and Dives (10 p.m., Food Network) – Guy Fieri’s recent trip to Cincinnati hits the screen with this episode featuring Northside veg-friendly eatery Melt. Future episodes are slated to include the mayor of Flavortown’s stops at Bakersfield, Island Frydays, Senate and Taste of Belgium.
The Knick (10 p.m., Cinemax) – Barrow tries to make good on his debt to Collier by treating one of his wounded men all while coaxing Captain Robertson to invest in a new Thomas Edison invention. Edwards continues to prove himself, working on a new hernia surgery technique; the Gallingers worry about their baby’s health; Sister Harriet and Cleary visit Chinatown (these two deserve a comedic spin-off, no?).
TUESDAY SEPT. 16
New Girl (Season Premiere, 9 p.m., Fox) – Jess and friends channel their inner American Pie counterparts, making a wedding sex pact. Jessica Biel and Reid Scott guest-star.
The Mindy Project (Season Premiere, 9:30 p.m., Fox) – Mindy and Danny are fully on at the start of Season Three. The couple establishes workplace boundaries; Morgan’s cousin (Rob McElhenney) gets a gig at the office. Hopefully by the end of the season, each Always Sunny star will have had a cameo.
Sons of Anarchy (10 p.m., FX) – The Sons call in assistance from another charter to help with a tough job.
CONTACT jac kern: jkern@citybeat.com or @jackern
This article appears in Sep 10-16, 2014.