Boardwalk Empire (2010)

The critic praises the series as television at its finest, highlighting its rich atmosphere, impeccable period detail, sprawling Prohibition-era story in Atlantic City, and an outstanding ensemble cast led by Steve Buscemi. Scorsese's pilot direction and the organic mix of violence, sex, and historical figures are singled out for praise.

The review calls the pilot a new benchmark for television due to its stunning production design and spectacle recreating 1920s Atlantic City, with Scorsese's direction and a strong cast including standout turns by Michael Shannon and Michael Stuhlbarg. It notes the series builds on story after the visual grandeur while comparing it favorably to Mad Men in historical recreation.

The critic finds the HBO series exceptional in aspects large and small, praising Martin Scorsese's direction of the pilot and its quality as a rival to Mad Men, while noting it falls short of being the greatest television ever made.

The critic praises the classy, beautiful pilot for its atmosphere, Buscemi's leading-man performance, and production values that surpass The Sopranos, while noting it is not quite in that league.

The critic calls the lavish first episode a Michelin-starred tasting menu for its style and production values but finds it slightly disappointing and not quite as brilliant as The Wire or The Sopranos.

The critic praises Boardwalk Empire as one of the greatest television dramas, highlighting its gritty depiction of 1920s Atlantic City organized crime, Prohibition, and an exceptional ensemble cast led by Steve Buscemi's Nucky Thompson. They single out the strong writing, performances (especially supporting turns like Michael Shannon and Stephen Graham), and substance across the first six episodes while noting the pilot's Scorsese direction sets a high bar.

The pilot is one of the most entertaining and fully formed television pilots ever seen, with lavish period detail and a standout performance from Steve Buscemi as Nucky. The script has some clichéd gangster moments that are easily forgiven in a first episode.