Oh my God. It's really amazing to see how the entire show was transformed by the events at the end of the second season. It's rare to see a show so confident in its own ability to dictate the actual tone and pace of the series without holding on to what's safe or what people expected when the show started. The natural progression of violence being introduced as a solution is that eventually if it becomes the norm, nothing is safe as long as there are enemies in the trade. By becoming a gangster, Nucky let Atlantic City become a gangland, and this was the ultimate price.
The rivalry between Nucky and Gyp totally made this season. No holds barred, a mad dog versus a master schemer, tons of great moments between the two of them all over. Gyp's insanity never got old, and Bobby Carnival was SO GOOD at it. I hated the guy but I loved the performance. The escalating violence making Nucky start to think about what's really important to him is something which was due, but I couldn't really feel sorry for him, or really any of the other people around him. They all knew what they were getting into, and their greed or loyalty landed them in the same spot as the devil himself.
Billie Kent was probably the weakest link in the season, because we was a new character, a stupid actress, and just another pretty face Nucky wanted to fuck. I didn't feel anything for her, and I didn't feel anything for Nucky when she died. It was just one long drawn out plot device to drive Margaret away from him again, and that does she or doesn't she thing since season 1 has been getting old. I hope for her sake she has really made her decision at the end there.
The strongest subplot for me would be the Harold and Tommy storyline. I really felt bad for the kid. He's probably the only innocent one in the entire show left, and Harold is the most honorable and just person in this unjust and wretched setting. Lol. That finale with him just killing the fuck out of everyone to get Tommy away from this crap was really uplifting in a really disturbing way. Not that I would advocate what he did, but everyone in there was an asshole anyway.
I'm sad that he did put a bullet between Gillian's legs though. I fucking HATE that bitch-whore. I wonder if she actually survived. Unfortunately it looks like she did. I hope she's in an asylum in the next season. Ugh. What a terrible woman. Makes me sick just thinking about all the crap she did in the show so far, and all the people she's been trying to manipulate to create her perfect delusional world.
I hope Harold finds peace with Julia in the future. I really like his character, and I was really happy that he finally found someone who could treat him like a normal person. It'll be interesting to see where the series goes in the next season especially, considering how messy the climax was this time. So much uncertainty for everything looking ahead. Quite a huge contrast from the finality of the previous season, in terms of how everything tied up more or less. There wasn't a cliffhanger here like the first season either. I kinda dig the decision to leave it open. Much more exciting.
