Family Limitation

"Family Limitation" is the sixth episode of the first season of the HBO television series Boardwalk Empire, which premiered October 24, 2010. It was written by supervising producer Howard Korder and directed by executive producer Tim Van Patten.

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 with 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.

Reception

Critical reception

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."^[1]

The A.V. Club gave it a B+ rating.^[2]

Ratings

"Family Limitation" slipped back to a 1.2 adults 18–49 rating after last week's 1.3 rating. The episode had a total of 2.812 million viewers. ^[3]

References

External links

• "Family Limitation" at HBO
• "Family Limitation" at the Internet Movie Database
• "Family Limitation" at TV.com