Boardwalk Empire

:

Season 2
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 19, 2010
Season #: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
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Critic Reviews

  1. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    Oct 4, 2011
    100
    It's essential viewing. All of the promise of last season looks to be realized with impressively deft storytelling, beautiful cinematography and impeccable acting.
  2. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    Sep 21, 2011
    100
    "Men," of course, remains the King of the Emmys, while Empire nailed the equally prestigious Golden Globe for best drama last winter. But Sunday begins to build the case for Empire, and build it convincingly.
  3. Hitfix
    Reviewed by: Alan Sepinwall
    Sep 21, 2011
    91
    While there are many extraordinary moments in the new season, there's still enough inconsistency that I'm still waiting for it to become the classic drama it so clearly has the tools to be.
  5. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Hank Stuever
    Oct 4, 2011
    90
    Boardwalk Empire is doing what I wish Prohibition had done--it's tempting me to stick around for one more.
  6. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    Sep 30, 2011
    90
    With season two, the drama has fully come to life, with moments of savagery, hypocrisy, and bittersweet loyalty that make it a must-see show.
  7. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Sep 23, 2011
    90
    This is a gorgeous piece of storytelling that requires and rewards patience.
  8. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Sep 19, 2011
    90
    The show doesn't just go down smoothly; it's good to the last illicit, intoxicating drop.
  9. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Dalton Ross
    Sep 19, 2011
    83
    It's time to pick a side, and I'm on whichever one the dude with half a face chooses.
  10. PopMatters
    Reviewed by: Marisa Carroll
    Oct 4, 2011
    80
    The Oedipal quagmire only enhances the political treachery.
  11. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    Sep 26, 2011
    80
    Boardwalk Empire loses sight of neither the large nor the small pictures as it moves into season two.
  12. People Weekly
    Reviewed by: Tom Gliatto
    Sep 30, 2011
    75
    Boardwalk is still solid, but it's sacrificed some of its nervy power. [10 Oct 2011, p.40]
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  13. Slant Magazine
    Reviewed by: Phillip Maciak
    Sep 26, 2011
    63
    It has the advantage of a veritable galaxy of stars at its disposal, but all that sparkle too often comes together as a gaudy mess.
  14. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Emily Nussbaum
    Sep 26, 2011
    50
    If there are rare moments in Boardwalk Empire that do pay off (the story of Jimmy's mother has some sick kick this season), it's hard to feel the stakes, beyond the catharsis of the show's bi-weekly throat slashings.
  15. The Huffington Post
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    Sep 22, 2011
    50
    Despite all the attention to detail, or maybe because of it, Boardwalk Empire is a slog. For long periods of time, it's boring, glum, bloodless slog.

Awards & Rankings

15
#15 Best TV Season of 2011
38
#38 Most Discussed TV Season of 2011
32
#32 Most Shared TV Season of 2011

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 347 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 313 out of 347
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 347
  3. Negative: 24 out of 347
  1. crun
    Dec 7, 2011
    10
    While 1st season was just good and current ~85% score reflects well my opinion, but thanks to 2nd season this series jumps to my my TOP 2While 1st season was just good and current ~85% score reflects well my opinion, but thanks to 2nd season this series jumps to my my TOP 2 favourite tv series (along with Breaking Bad)

    fantastic plot, great GREAT acting, colorful characters. It has simply everything and i cant understand why it is rated so low - even awful TWD season 2 has a better score.

    10+/10.    … Full Review »
  2. u9h99
    Nov 18, 2011
    10
    ignore the bad reviews on here (mainly m505753a who is clearly an idiot - reviewing a program that he has never seen after disliking the firstignore the bad reviews on here (mainly m505753a who is clearly an idiot - reviewing a program that he has never seen after disliking the first season). Broadwalk empire is fantastic and is appreciated by the masses!!!! Genuinly believe this could go on for many more series!!!!… Full Review »
  3. treebla16
    Jul 20, 2014
    10
    Season two of "Boardwalk Empire" is as fantastic as the first one (If not even better; episodes 5-8 are the most amazing stretch of episodesSeason two of "Boardwalk Empire" is as fantastic as the first one (If not even better; episodes 5-8 are the most amazing stretch of episodes I've seen in any show), it is just criminally underrated by upset fans.… Full Review »
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