"Boardwalk" is back!

Last night brought us the much anticipated fourth season return of Boardwalk Empire. After Richard's Terminator style decimation of Gillian's Rosetti-controlled pleasure house ended the last season, I was excited to see the aftermath unfold. Two things stood out to me: the rise of the black characters to more prominent story lines and the addition of some interesting new characters.

Michael K. Williams' Chalky and Eric LaRay Harvey's Purnsley (huffingtonpost.com)

A significant portion of last night's premiere was spent in Chalky's new venue on the boardwalk, Onyx. A black jewel has been given prominent boardwalk real estate and it seems the shows talented black actors will finally get the screen real estate they deserve. 

Last night's additions to the cast, Ron Livingston and Brian Geraghtey, are noteworthy as well. While Livingston's newly single, house hunter remained an intriguing mystery man at the episode's end (Although some forthcoming dark revelation may be safely assumed.) Geraghtey's naïve agent façade is dismantled to reveal a cunning killer whose motive and next move are left for us to discuss around the water cooler. 

Ron Livingston and Brian Geraghty (blog.zap2it.com)

As season premieres go, I was pleased. If the goal is to get viewers of previous seasons who may be checking in to see if they are going to settle in for another season, I say mission accomplished. I'm already itching for the next episode.