Boardwalk Empire Season 1, Episode 9

• http://clatl.com/atlanta/ImageArchives?by=1223504
• You know, "Mr. Monopoly" looks like the Commodore.

Prodigal baby-daddy Jimmy Darmody returns home to Atlantic City this week, and over breakfast suggests to his “fiancée” Angela that they move to someplace nice, like Marvin Gardens. References to such familiar street names, including Baltic Avenue and Boardwalk itself, remind us that, oh yeah, the board game Monopoly took its property names from Atlantic City landmarks. Apparently the famed realty competition began as “The Landlord’s Game” and caught on with Americans later in the 1920s, so “Boardwalk Empire” probably won’t nod to its origins. But given the show presents politics, organized crime and gender-relations as one big interlocking game, what Monopoly pieces would the characters be?

As the crown of Atlantic City, Nucky can only be the Top Hat, a symbol of class, wealth and intellect. (He probably doubles as the banker as well.) At Eli’s bedside, Nucky proves more concerned with politics than the health of his brother, who could qualify as the Scottie Dog with his loyalty and lack of gravitas. It’s an election year, and Eli’s gunshot at the casino raises scandalous questions about Atlantic City’s sheriff. With a popular Democrat mayoral candidate on the rise, Nucky consults with the Commodore and opts to run a new Republican for mayor, and probably replace his brother as well. Eli won't care for that.