Narcisse is the only villian i truly disliked. At least Rothstein, Jimmy, The Commodore, Rosetti, Luciano, Lansky, etc. dont pretend like theyre not what they are. Gangsters. Narcisse acts like hes some activist, yet sells heroin to the very people he pretends hes trying to uplift. And in the end, when faced with a prison sentence, he turned on his own mentors to save his skin. Acting like hes Nelson Mandela, but couldnt walk the walk.
You made a good response, but may I ask why he was doing heroin? I mean he didn't look or act like he was financially strapped so he didn't need the heroin in my opinion, but I don't know why Narcisse would harm his own community!
Well he was selling, not doing himself. And I think the reason he didnt look financially strapped was because he was selling heroin. And thats the reason I dislike him. His hypocrisy.
Yeah I kinda joined the dots that he wasn't consuming the narcotic himself, he seemed too well mannered, but it's stupid that he would betray his own cause, he was such a good liar....anyway thanks Tobey, you're answer helped shed a little more light on my question. Have a wonderful day!
Davendra Sharma Yeah, I'll admit, he's a pretty smooth talking dude. I just didn't like how pretentious and duplicitous he was. be real, you know what i mean? if your'e a gangster, be a gangster. don't act like a scholar and make everyone call you a doctor. haha you too my friend. cheers :)
Loved the back and forth insults. Narcisse says that he will measure it himself to make sure he doesn’t get shorted. Rothstein wants it large bills because he doesn’t think he has that type of money
@nauticadon "the uppity jew?" wow antisemitic much? and why exactly are you explaining Rothstein's remark, whose meaning was insanely obvious even before Narcisse spoon feeds it to the audience
@@GlennShook More like "I just prefer to be up front with the terms of the deal" or something along those lines. Neutral, not implying anything. Instead Rothstein starts making implications and whatnot that Narcisse jumped on.
Narcisse is such a great villain, he felt slighted by AR's comment on notes but he himself insulted AR by saying he'll weigh the heroin himself implying that Rothstein is not trustworthy
That's completely different. Saying he'll weigh it himself is simply saying "I'm not a moron, I'm not just going to take the word of a stranger. I will make certain myself." He would expect the same of anyone. Trust is not automatic on a first meeting, no matter who is vouching for them. Rothstein asking for large bills implies that he thinks Narcisse runs a small time operation that lacks professionalism. This may be something he says to all new customers, but you can see how it could cause offence to someone like Narcisse.
I agree, but like GOT and most Cable series, the amount of gratuitous violence and graphic sex scenes are not actually necessary but are put in to get viewers.
I love that we got a scene with the two characters in the show who are terrifying despite speaking very eloquently and never having to raise their voices. It's like they both realize as they are speaking to each other. "Aw crap! This guy has the same superpower I have!"
I truly enjoyed the verbal transaction/dialect between two these two. Rothstein and Dr. Narcisse were the most intellectual yet abysmal characters in the show.
What's worse is, almost everyone fauned over him and fell for his shite. It happens all too often in real life too. Someone has even just a little bit of charisma and a good vocabulary, people will worship them like they're some kind of Messiah. Why do you think so many Germans listened to Hitler?
@@liamroberts7512 They listened to Hitler because they were suffering in extreme poverty due to the Treaty of Versailles and Hitler offered them a way out. Don't bring up Hitler prove a point when the nuances and historical context is missing.
Fun fact: it’s suggested that Rothstein’s murder was committed by Dutch Schultz, in retaliation for murder of Schultz’s associate by Jack “Legs” Diamond.
@@XxxULTIMATEZxxX I'm pretty sure your wrong mate...schultz was an enemy of diamond not an ally and rothstein got shot after refusing to pay a debt cause he believed there was cheating and the main suspect was hyman biller who fled not long after so who really knows
@@stevenlynch33 You didn’t read my comment correctly. I said Diamond murdered Schultz’s associate, Joey Noe. Afterwards, to get revenge on Diamond for murdering his associate/friend, Schultz shot Rothstein (Diamond’s boss/mentor). That is the theory suggested by crime reporter, Paul Sann. Of course we will never know the exact truth, but this theory carries some weight. Why would Rothstein get shot for failing to pay a debt? If he was dead, he could never repay his debt. They would need him alive to be able to pay the debt. He had already made arrangements to raise the funds to needed repay the debt, by placing a bet on Hoover for President in 1928, and Franklin D. Roosevelt for Governor of New York. Additionally, Rothstein refused to name the identity of the shooter when asked by police officers (shortly before he died in hospital). He told investigators: “You stick to your trade. I’ll stick to mine” and “Me mudder [mother] did it”. This suggests not only that he recognised the man who shot him, but also that he knew not to break the code of silence used by mafia/organised crime groups. So the shooter was likely known to Rothstein and was involved in organisation crime. That profile fits Dutch Schultz.
Pretty cool how AR makes reference to Mr. Diamond. Legs Diamond was a very interesting character that would’ve fit right into this show if they had chosen to put him in there.
It's more offensive to imply Rothstein's heroin won't weigh out to what it's supposed to than to question the denomination of bills that Narcisse may use to purchase the heroin.
I think the weighing it out is why Rothstein made the comment to make sure its in big bills. To get him back for the slight insult. He knew it wasnt a big enough insult to call the deal off. But none the less this libyan had to insult him back.
The philosophical ramblings he offers regarding morals and things of that nature through-out the series are merely there to underline his hypocrisy. He breaks up that precise meeting because he has to make a big heroin deal. One which he uses to flood the african American population of Harlem with potent heroin, scarring his society for his own financial greed.
He just regurgitates what he has Read .. does not make him Intelligent ... If he were smart he would not have turned down the Protection of Joe the Boss , when Luciano and Bugsy came calling ..
@@jefffromjersey52 You can be intelligent and make foolish decisions. Narcise thought he could weather the new mafia, he was wrong. That doesn't mean he's also wrong when he says that a people lift themselves up through education and hard work.
When I saw the guy who played Sydnor on the wire in this scene I assumed he'd have a proper speaking part in the show. This is literally his only appearance.
Such great little subtle things going on in this scene...I love that the dr offers his seat to Rothstein in hopes that it will play on his narcissism and disarm him but it’s interesting how Arnold chooses to sit in the seat...he sits at the end and not all comfortable and bold because ego doesn’t play a role in his mind and how he does business...he doesn’t give the dr what he wants...he’s in complete control of everyone and everything around him in this scene...great actor.
Anthony Sanchez He didn’t look emotional. And-Jew boy etiquette? One shouldn’t make ignorant generalizations based off of a clip-not even three minutes long.
@@timothy4011 You internet hall monitor! A man can't make a joke without the likes of you inevitably mounting your high horse.....in a fucking internet comment section? Get a fucking life
I find it funny that in the beginning of the scene Narcisse is sitting in the big chair lecturing his students. But when Rothstein comes in he is sitting in the teaching chair and Narcisse is below him. Brilliant showmanship.
Arnold wouldn't shake his hand in the beginning. Narcisse Folding his legs as if he's comfortable. Giving Arnold the stool as if a child. Then after business is done Arnold offers his hand. Definitely a chess match and Arnold lost.
@@Figs3 If you're implying that Rothstein's " Big Bills" comment offended Narcisse(to which he accepted his business proposal without further objection), then yes. Arnold lost. Also, the fact that he shook Narcaisse's hand to save face. Brilliant acting ☺️
you only dress to impress. I am talking about lawyers, politicians, and the sort that want to influence people by appearing professional. That's why you never see billionaire in Silicon Valley dressed in suit because their reputation proceeds them
I loved that movie, and Jeffrey Wright played an amazing Basquiat. Bowie played a great Worhol in that movie also. Such a great list of actors in that biopic.
Rothstein shakes Narcise's hand to show that he respects him as a business partner; he respects the arrangement and assumes mutual, logical, self-interest. But who the hell is Narcise to wipe his hand after that - sure Rothstein is a horrible person and likely a psychopath, but at least he's not bleeding his own people while pretending to champion their cause. God damn Narcise is a two-faced fuck. The actor killed it too, frustrating to see Chalky lose to him at every damn turn.
Respecting a person or their ethnicity and honoring a business arrangement are not the same things. He's a Afro-African nationalist possibly prejudice & a poverty pimp. However Owney Madden didn't help Irish-Americans' Alcoholism issues bootlegging. Nor did Arnold Rothstein help Jewish-Americans with illegal gambling. I'd say considering the time period he was as respectful as he needed to be. As far Mr. White goes; intelligent enough education is ammunition; the Doctors loaded.
I laughed the first time I watched this scene and noticed Narcise wiping his hand. Considering the comments above, I'd say that he did it because Narcise is personaly ticken with Rothstein, either due to the "small bills" comment or due to some other, random reason for Narcise just desliking him. The question of race is harder to tell. I think Narcise is basically a character that craves power. The fact that he's black ('Libian') is only relevant because it means he has to start doing his business and influence inside the black community. The same can be said of other gangsters. Almost all have their power bases and start doing business and work inside their communities (Irish, Italian, Russian, etc...). In this scene, I repeat, I think Narcise is personally ticked by Rothstein, so he wipes his hand...
So is the third guy in this scene Owney Madden? The actor looks way too old to play him. In real life he was born in 1891 so he wouldn't have been more than +30yo when this meeting would have happened.
Three things here: - The conflict between Chalky and Narcisse was easily the most intriguing in BW for me. For all his education and intelligence, Narcisse uses his own people as cruelly as any Simon Legree. Meanwhile Chalky, crude and illiterate, may be involved in shady dealings, but he's a much more honest and forthright player in the game. You make a deal with Chalky White, and he keeps it, period. - Jeffrey Owens and Micheal K. Williams [RIP] have left a lasting impression on me even so long after the show ended. - Anyone note the subtle and clear racism in Narcisse in this scene? Historically there has been a long and persistent thread of anti-Semitism in the Black community, one that is still present today.
Dr Narcise is a gangster and a heroine dealer but he is not a slave owner so your comparison to Simon Legree is way off the mark. As far as the anti Semitism, there wasn’t even a hint but Rothstein made it obvious his racist opinion of the numbers racket of Harlem. That was definitely not subtle and very clear
@@quincydavenport9977 I beg your pardon, but addicting someone to heroin is as much enslavement as any whip or chain. I should think that our recent experience with Fentanyl and OxyContin would have shown that amply well. I saw Narcisse's ease at which he took offense and the overt way he wiped his hands with a disgusted look on his face after Rothstein left as evidence of Anti-Semitism. It should also be noted that historically Marcus Garvey was a noted Anti-Semite and advocated that Blacks and Jews keep themselves separated so Black achievement would not be tainted by Jewish influence. As a disciple of Garvey, Narcisse is highly likely to share that opinion.
Dude wiped his hand after a handshake 😂 ofcourse there's a lil racism. A humanity without racial/ethnic tensions is a fantasy that has never been reality.
@@NF-ru8on Very true. But there's a conceit among some activist types that just because one is of color one cannot be a 'racist' by definition. And that is absolute nonsense. There are Black churches that are so Anti-Semitic that even Himmler would be proud, and many of them conveniently forget that Jewish Americans marched with them hand in hand during the Civil Rights marches and that much of the money that funded the whole movement came from the B'nai B'rith. When you get right down to it we all divide the world into two groups, Us and Them.
@@quincydavenport9977 lol "racist opinion". He just wanted big bills. Notice how AR didn't get offended when Narcisse specified "Uncut, weight it myself". When i watched the show its clear Narcisse cares more about race then AR, AR seems to be all about business.
Narcisse is one of the most slimey hypocrites ever to walk the face of the Earth , but the scary thing is that he 's the type of person people give their votes to .
@@svp2010 the gangsters know what they're doing. They know what they're doing is illegal and probably shady. Narcisse acts like he's better than them even while doing the same things.
@@Vincisomething So again...Just like a the other gangsters in the show. Nucky acts like he's better than all of the gangsters he deals with on a regular basis. Narcisse is doing what the gangsters that last the longest do, conduct themselves with a sense of legitimacy. To the public Narcisse was a doctor and community leader. To the public Nucky was a politician and public figure. To the public AR was a businessman and gambler. To the public Dion O'Bannion, was a florist.
The man who portrayed Narcisse needs to be in more roles as a villain! He did such a great job for viewers to dislike him, it seems almost like he has the villain role down packed!
@@RichWeigel jews are not white. also, "racist whites" insinuates that white people are usually the ones being racist when in reality all races are made up of racists.
@@tylerphillips6523 I agree with you on that actually. All races tend to have a few people who are racist. I get a kick out out of light skinned Puertoricans (I'm one) that call themselves hating blacks when in fact they are black themselves. But alas not many folks are really well versed in their history...hypocrisy at it's finest.
Boardwalk Empire's casting directors usually do an exemplary job, but they totally dropped the ball when they cast Owney Madden. Why is a 33-year-old Yorkshireman played by a middle-aged American who appears to be doing a bad London accent?
I could never understand Narcise, why pretend to be some kind of preacher while poisoning your own kin...either he was crazy or secretly hated his own people...that aside the actor was superb
AR being out gentlemened by Dr Narcise was always a favourite scene of mine from BWE. Dialogue between the two is exquisite. Also odd Dr N makes AR sit on what looks like a throne type seat when they talk the biz.
Isabel Beckerman Rothstein is a Jew. A lot of devout Christians of that era believed that jewish people were unclean and disgusting. Many still do. He's wiping his hand because he's antisemitic.
Man If this guy wasn’t selling dope to his people, he’d be one hell of a role model... and the way he wipes his hand off after touching AR lmfao savage
True, but AR wasn’t portrayed to be a paragon of his people at the same time he was running booze and drugs like narcisse was. That was the irony of Narcisses character. AR’s claim to fame was that he was a successful gambler, not a freaking doctor for Christ’s sake.
Narcisse becomes offended at the suggestion of unprofessionalism while unapologetically displaying his antisemitism following the transaction. Such is the behavior of many followers of Farrakhan in modern times; decrying racism while unabashedly demonstrating their hatred for jews. "I'm not anti Semite. I'm anti termite." - Louis Farrakhan.
One of the greatest! - Nonetheless, you succeeded despite yourself. Ironically, he questioned Rothstien s integrity a moment before with- You have a dependable and ample supply?
If they ever to do a biopic of W. E. B. Du Bois (American sociologist/Civil Rights leader), I'd like to see the actor who played Dr. Valentine be cast as the lead.
I swear they must have based Narcise on guys like Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton. They claim to fight for their people, but really they just fight for themselves.
@@Jch79 Your rhetorical question is evasive. You bear the burden of proving your contentions. Cite verifiable evidence and authority from a .gov, .edu source, published court decision, or book of history in your possession to support your contentions, whatever they may be.
José Duarte Miranda You’re absolutely right. It’s just my opinion that Narcisse is just like those race bating, hypocritical, lying, sleazy, a-holes who have enriched themselves at the expense of their own people. But your question was still stupid and cannot be verified at a .gov site. Happy now smarty pants?
One of my favorite things about the show is the way Arnold Rothstein would just make cameos in the most unexpected situations in the most awkward way possible 😂 loved that guy
Well, they're doing illegal shit. In their world, this is the full equivalent to a contract since it wouldn't make sense for them to have an actual contract.
I noticed that too. Just getting into these series. I am wondering does he do that with everyone, or does the Rothstein guy have a bad reputation where it's like you dirty yourself by working with him? I know a lot of smart people that are afraid of germs, I've seen them do things like that though.
Must say the strongest statement made in this scene wasn’t said with words, it was when narcisse wiped his hand with a tissue almost immediately after shaking A.R’s hand showed exactly how low he thought of him
The first 20 seconds of the video are highly accurate. The only way for any community or race of people to progress is thru hard work, education, etc. It's just too bad that these days that message is lost on professional victims.
"I speak eloquently of culture and history when I am not running brothels, murdering, smugling and selling heroin."
Just like the Kennedys
The capitalist way :)
Yeah, Salvatore Marananzano never did that......o wait he studied to be a priest woops !
Selling heroin to the very people he's trying to "help" lol
blaze4metal to the very people he’s trying to help grandkids
“We should continue our discussion next week, cause I’ve got a heroin deal to take care of”
Juan Perez 🤣😂😅😂
😂😂😂😂
@James Robert heroin
Juan Perez
Spoken like a ‘Kennedy.’
Or, a ‘Perez.’
Every time someone now says something insulting to me and suffixes it with "..no offence" I simply reply "None the less you succeed despite yourself".
Yeah, it's a very intelligible response to an insult, which is then smugly "topped off" with a NO OFFENSE lol.
+BarbariskaP it means. even if you didn't try to offend. you still did.
That ONLY lets them know you're a SNOWFLAKE. A weak person, and that you voted for Hillary.
Lame
No, that's from using a false name
I used the line: "to whom do I dispatch payment?" At my local cvs.
+Juan Perez Brilliant...I will try it at Walgreens.
+Bruce Newmedia Do you recommend trying it at Walmart?
You probably sound stupid as shit saying it
KING PIN 😂😂😂
Lmao.. really did laugh out loud
Narcisse is the only villian i truly disliked. At least Rothstein, Jimmy, The Commodore, Rosetti, Luciano, Lansky, etc. dont pretend like theyre not what they are. Gangsters. Narcisse acts like hes some activist, yet sells heroin to the very people he pretends hes trying to uplift. And in the end, when faced with a prison sentence, he turned on his own mentors to save his skin. Acting like hes Nelson Mandela, but couldnt walk the walk.
You made a good response, but may I ask why he was doing heroin? I mean he didn't look or act like he was financially strapped so he didn't need the heroin in my opinion, but I don't know why Narcisse would harm his own community!
Well he was selling, not doing himself. And I think the reason he didnt look financially strapped was because he was selling heroin. And thats the reason I dislike him. His hypocrisy.
Yeah I kinda joined the dots that he wasn't consuming the narcotic himself, he seemed too well mannered, but it's stupid that he would betray his own cause, he was such a good liar....anyway thanks Tobey, you're answer helped shed a little more light on my question. Have a wonderful day!
Davendra Sharma Yeah, I'll admit, he's a pretty smooth talking dude. I just didn't like how pretentious and duplicitous he was. be real, you know what i mean? if your'e a gangster, be a gangster. don't act like a scholar and make everyone call you a doctor. haha
you too my friend. cheers :)
Thanks man! :) lol
Rothstein and narcisse...the only two characters on the show capable of insulting you to your face without you even noticing it
Well, you didn't feel inspired to anger.
I noticed it right away. They were intensely uncomfortable with one another.
Then your a half wit
Yeah but my man gyp rosetti could find an insult in a bouquet of roses. ..🌹
@@305donkryder8 bone for tuna
@@305donkryder8 🤣🤣🤣
Loved the back and forth insults.
Narcisse says that he will measure it himself to make sure he doesn’t get shorted.
Rothstein wants it large bills because he doesn’t think he has that type of money
Specifically:
Narcisse is calling Rothstein a greedy Jew
Rothstein is...well you can fill in that blank yourself.
Libyan
He has that type of money. Rothstein knew that he did. Rothstein thought the money was going to be in small bills instead of large bills.
"I'll weigh it first, seeing as how I don't fully trust you and you seem like you might try to screw me."
"Large bills only."
"OMG HOW DARE YOU"
Wouldn't weighing the product your buying in that type of market be customary though?
@@haileygebreski8071 yes, but requesting the bills in a certain format would be no less customary.
@nauticadon "the uppity jew?" wow antisemitic much? and why exactly are you explaining Rothstein's remark, whose meaning was insanely obvious even before Narcisse spoon feeds it to the audience
Ya Rothstein shoulda said ya like how you insulted me with the weighing remark yet I said nothing. Woulda been perfect.
@@GlennShook More like "I just prefer to be up front with the terms of the deal" or something along those lines. Neutral, not implying anything. Instead Rothstein starts making implications and whatnot that Narcisse jumped on.
Narcisse is such a great villain, he felt slighted by AR's comment on notes but he himself insulted AR by saying he'll weigh the heroin himself implying that Rothstein is not trustworthy
That's completely different.
Saying he'll weigh it himself is simply saying "I'm not a moron, I'm not just going to take the word of a stranger. I will make certain myself." He would expect the same of anyone. Trust is not automatic on a first meeting, no matter who is vouching for them.
Rothstein asking for large bills implies that he thinks Narcisse runs a small time operation that lacks professionalism. This may be something he says to all new customers, but you can see how it could cause offence to someone like Narcisse.
@@PaddyRoon7Well yeah, he's a Narcissest...
@@admaanhason7410 eyyy
@@PaddyRoon7 :^)
nice lol@@admaanhason7410
the acting in this show was incredible. as was the casting, wardrobe, and cinematography.
Amen
I agree.
Outstanding!
I agree, but like GOT and most Cable series, the amount of gratuitous violence and graphic sex scenes are not actually necessary but are put in to get viewers.
And the music, don’t forget the music always wafting in the background
I only wish we coulda gotten more Narcisse and Rothstein. Their reserved natures were some of the most awesome parts of their characters.
@James Robert season 3 was shit but season 4 was great.
Indeed
if you are from the East Coast near these areas it is historical in ways. Some of these small towns like Wildwood are still controlled by families
It’s ridiculous how many talented actors they managed to cram into the cast, even in minor roles
These two would have made the best frenemy storyline..
I love that we got a scene with the two characters in the show who are terrifying despite speaking very eloquently and never having to raise their voices. It's like they both realize as they are speaking to each other. "Aw crap! This guy has the same superpower I have!"
Definitely!!!
I like how valentine acts like he for his own people but pushes heroin and poisons them
That is why Omar Little's great grandfather robbed Narcisse of his drug stash.
Two minutes and forty eight seconds of pure television gold.......Jeffery Wright is legendary in such a subtle way
He is an incredible actor
Triple facts
Think Tank FTW(Venture Bros)
I truly enjoyed the verbal transaction/dialect between two these two. Rothstein and Dr. Narcisse were the most intellectual yet abysmal characters in the show.
This is like a rap battle between two articulate ‘well spoken’ gentlemen
EXACTLY!!! FUCKIN PHENOMENAL SCENE
You mean two complete and utter scamming bastards. I prefer the blatant ass holes to these who attempt to pass themselves for respectable gentlemen.
Yes.. Verb and hitman
@@Southern_Crusaderyou young fellas....no appreciation for the art of conversation
@@mg6192 good one classic😂
Narcisse is the most vile of all the villains on this show. At least Rothstein and Capone etc don't pretend to be holier than thou.
What's worse is, almost everyone fauned over him and fell for his shite. It happens all too often in real life too. Someone has even just a little bit of charisma and a good vocabulary, people will worship them like they're some kind of Messiah. Why do you think so many Germans listened to Hitler?
Is that meant for me? Cos if it was, explain to me in a way that makes remote sense, how I'm defending them
Yes they did. You just didnt like a Black Man doing the same thing.
Thus the name Narcisse...
@@liamroberts7512 They listened to Hitler because they were suffering in extreme poverty due to the Treaty of Versailles and Hitler offered them a way out. Don't bring up Hitler prove a point when the nuances and historical context is missing.
The thing Narcise and Nucky have in common, they go out of their way to insult and talk down to everyone they meet at the first chance.
Narcisse wiping his hand after Rothstein leaves might be my favorite bit from the entire series. 😂 😂 😂
was he a Germophobe?
@@MrHotguy034 In the sense that Mel Gibson is a "germophobe," yes. 😅
@@MrHotguy034 You notice Narcisse had no problem shaking the other man's hand.
@@susieq360Hilarious.
yet Rothstein was leagues above him in terms of power so it really shouldve been the other way around lol
" My associate Mr Diamond will be in touch", Legs Diamond... dope how Boardwalk Empire incorporated so much real shit into the show
ivan gilly it’s a shame we didn’t get to see the diamond brothers in this show, they owed us a season 5 covering all that we missed
Fun fact: it’s suggested that Rothstein’s murder was committed by Dutch Schultz, in retaliation for murder of Schultz’s associate by Jack “Legs” Diamond.
@@XxxULTIMATEZxxX I'm pretty sure your wrong mate...schultz was an enemy of diamond not an ally and rothstein got shot after refusing to pay a debt cause he believed there was cheating and the main suspect was hyman biller who fled not long after so who really knows
@@stevenlynch33 You didn’t read my comment correctly. I said Diamond murdered Schultz’s associate, Joey Noe. Afterwards, to get revenge on Diamond for murdering his associate/friend, Schultz shot Rothstein (Diamond’s boss/mentor).
That is the theory suggested by crime reporter, Paul Sann. Of course we will never know the exact truth, but this theory carries some weight. Why would Rothstein get shot for failing to pay a debt? If he was dead, he could never repay his debt. They would need him alive to be able to pay the debt. He had already made arrangements to raise the funds to needed repay the debt, by placing a bet on Hoover for President in 1928, and Franklin D. Roosevelt for Governor of New York.
Additionally, Rothstein refused to name the identity of the shooter when asked by police officers (shortly before he died in hospital). He told investigators: “You stick to your trade. I’ll stick to mine” and “Me mudder [mother] did it”. This suggests not only that he recognised the man who shot him, but also that he knew not to break the code of silence used by mafia/organised crime groups. So the shooter was likely known to Rothstein and was involved in organisation crime. That profile fits Dutch Schultz.
At the time this aired I was hoping against hope that we'd see more of the famous Owney "The Killer" Madden and even Legs Diamond and Dutch Schulz
"To be what we are, where we are, and dare to stand free, what could be more lonely?"
- Dr. Valentin Narcisse
Pretty cool how AR makes reference to Mr. Diamond. Legs Diamond was a very interesting character that would’ve fit right into this show if they had chosen to put him in there.
I read a great novel about Legs Diamond several decades ago ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legs_(novel)
Diamond did not have a long life. He managed to survive several shootings until his enemies finally killed him in 1931.
I love the way rothstein studies the room as he enters.
The fact that he has the best verbiage on a show with such good dialogue is wonderful
The most civilized drug deal ever.
It's more offensive to imply Rothstein's heroin won't weigh out to what it's supposed to than to question the denomination of bills that Narcisse may use to purchase the heroin.
JohnLoCicero yes of course. But AR is the one who needs to sell his product, so he has to refrain from being offended.
nodinitiative not when your name is Arnold Rothstein
I think the weighing it out is why Rothstein made the comment to make sure its in big bills. To get him back for the slight insult. He knew it wasnt a big enough insult to call the deal off. But none the less this libyan had to insult him back.
JohnLoCicero not really. You always count cash and weigh product homie. You new?
Pugger no the dr said it first lol
What Narcise said in he beginning to his class was actually pretty based and right.
But what’s he’s actually doing is very pozzed and degenerate
@@SAOrules Sure, he's a fraud, but what he said at the start was quite good.
The philosophical ramblings he offers regarding morals and things of that nature through-out the series are merely there to underline his hypocrisy. He breaks up that precise meeting because he has to make a big heroin deal. One which he uses to flood the african American population of Harlem with potent heroin, scarring his society for his own financial greed.
He just regurgitates what he has Read .. does not make him Intelligent ... If he were smart he would not have turned down the Protection of Joe the Boss , when Luciano and Bugsy came calling ..
@@jefffromjersey52 You can be intelligent and make foolish decisions. Narcise thought he could weather the new mafia, he was wrong.
That doesn't mean he's also wrong when he says that a people lift themselves up through education and hard work.
Wiping his hand off at the end, omg I love that.
That was brilliance..Grade A acting
A pimp shaking the hand of a drug dealer and he has the audacity to wipe his hand. 😆
Filth
Probably because he’s an antisemite
Space Alien - Arnold Rothstien is Jewish though, hence the antisemitism
When I saw the guy who played Sydnor on the wire in this scene I assumed he'd have a proper speaking part in the show. This is literally his only appearance.
Got them Spider Bags, got those WMD.
Oh snap! Never noticed that!!
He was working undercover for the Baltimore Police dept. He didn't want to attract attention to himself.
Such great little subtle things going on in this scene...I love that the dr offers his seat to Rothstein in hopes that it will play on his narcissism and disarm him but it’s interesting how Arnold chooses to sit in the seat...he sits at the end and not all comfortable and bold because ego doesn’t play a role in his mind and how he does business...he doesn’t give the dr what he wants...he’s in complete control of everyone and everything around him in this scene...great actor.
"An honor, to meet your acquaintance..."
(not so much of an honor to extend my hand to shake yours though, apparently....)
The actors in this scene come across so real especially when you add the dialogue between them.GENIUS.
1:59 damn that was stone cold haha
Brothas gotta always get emotional during business talks . Old Rothstein has that good old Jew boy etiquette
Anthony Sanchez He didn’t look emotional. And-Jew boy etiquette? One shouldn’t make ignorant generalizations based off of a clip-not even three minutes long.
@@timothy4011 you know that this character is shown in the series not just this clip, right dummy?
@@nickpapagiorgio9872 this is a tv show
@@timothy4011 You internet hall monitor! A man can't make a joke without the likes of you inevitably mounting your high horse.....in a fucking internet comment section? Get a fucking life
"Mr.maden tells me you are interested in heroin"
"As a commodity, yes"
So fast and witty.
I love how he shows no interest in ever shaking his hand, and wipe it after he reluctantly does so after Arnold offered it. LOL!
Do you think that was about Rothstein being aJew?
@@newperve Yes
@GENESIS rothstein is not what you claim he is.
Narcisse is wise to regard him thusly.
@GENESIS owney “the killer” Madden who probably held more firepower than either man at the time.
@@newperveAnd white.
What we really missed out on was verbal sparring between Gyp Rosetti and Valentin Narcisse.
I find it funny that in the beginning of the scene Narcisse is sitting in the big chair lecturing his students. But when Rothstein comes in he is sitting in the teaching chair and Narcisse is below him. Brilliant showmanship.
Arnold wouldn't shake his hand in the beginning. Narcisse Folding his legs as if he's comfortable. Giving Arnold the stool as if a child. Then after business is done Arnold offers his hand. Definitely a chess match and Arnold lost.
@@Figs3 If you're implying that Rothstein's " Big Bills" comment offended Narcisse(to which he accepted his business proposal without further objection), then yes. Arnold lost. Also, the fact that he shook Narcaisse's hand to save face. Brilliant acting ☺️
The tone with “why would you expect otherwise” is said is just fantastic lol
One of the greatest scenes in one of the greatest seasons of television, ever.
I swear there wasn’t one bad actor or character in this series. Some of the most amazing performances I’ve ever seen.
The suits though.
When men were men and gangsters were gangsters and everybody had a good dress sense.
They were very well dressed.
Dr. Narcisse has an air of elegance about him, without being condescending or rude.
Summers must suck dressed like that
@@mg6192 Summer suits were lighter. Much better than stinking shorts and fucking flip flops.
Footwear too
you only dress to impress. I am talking about lawyers, politicians, and the sort that want to influence people by appearing professional. That's why you never see billionaire in Silicon Valley dressed in suit because their reputation proceeds them
He is not wrong about education and hard work, it will lift up any man. But selling drugs to people kind of lowers you down. Such a hypocrite he is.
The actor that played Narcise is also Basquiat. He is amazing!
I loved that movie, and Jeffrey Wright played an amazing Basquiat. Bowie played a great Worhol in that movie also. Such a great list of actors in that biopic.
He was also a villain in Venture Bros (the one with the purple tank and huge fucking head).
@@blaze4metal ..Also, his short turn in, 'The Manchurian Candidate' as the tortured, brainwashed Cpl. Al Melvin..
He was also the Gillian in the movie "Shaft" and he had a Cuban accent
He also played "Muddy Waters" in "Cadillac Records"!
Rothstein shakes Narcise's hand to show that he respects him as a business partner; he respects the arrangement and assumes mutual, logical, self-interest. But who the hell is Narcise to wipe his hand after that - sure Rothstein is a horrible person and likely a psychopath, but at least he's not bleeding his own people while pretending to champion their cause. God damn Narcise is a two-faced fuck. The actor killed it too, frustrating to see Chalky lose to him at every damn turn.
Respecting a person or their ethnicity and honoring a business arrangement are not the same things. He's a Afro-African nationalist possibly prejudice & a poverty pimp. However Owney Madden didn't help Irish-Americans' Alcoholism issues bootlegging. Nor did Arnold Rothstein help Jewish-Americans with illegal gambling. I'd say considering the time period he was as respectful as he needed to be. As far Mr. White goes; intelligent enough education is ammunition; the Doctors loaded.
I guarantee Rothstein probably did the same once he was out of the room.
Where do you see the "wipe" ? It looks like a normal profesional handshake from both of them. And I do say that even though I´m a big fan of AR.
Mercurywheeler 2:42
I laughed the first time I watched this scene and noticed Narcise wiping his hand. Considering the comments above, I'd say that he did it because Narcise is personaly ticken with Rothstein, either due to the "small bills" comment or due to some other, random reason for Narcise just desliking him.
The question of race is harder to tell. I think Narcise is basically a character that craves power. The fact that he's black ('Libian') is only relevant because it means he has to start doing his business and influence inside the black community. The same can be said of other gangsters. Almost all have their power bases and start doing business and work inside their communities (Irish, Italian, Russian, etc...).
In this scene, I repeat, I think Narcise is personally ticked by Rothstein, so he wipes his hand...
Owney Madden was another legendary gangster that was overlooked in this show
No sign of a yorkshire accent. Someone didn't do there research
his nickname was "The Killer", so yeah he must have a cool story
Well, he did move to the States when he was teenager, so maybe it just faded away over time. Plus, not every Northern English accent is broad anyway.
Great actor and character
So is the third guy in this scene Owney Madden? The actor looks way too old to play him. In real life he was born in 1891 so he wouldn't have been more than +30yo when this meeting would have happened.
Three things here:
- The conflict between Chalky and Narcisse was easily the most intriguing in BW for me. For all his education and intelligence, Narcisse uses his own people as cruelly as any Simon Legree. Meanwhile Chalky, crude and illiterate, may be involved in shady dealings, but he's a much more honest and forthright player in the game. You make a deal with Chalky White, and he keeps it, period.
- Jeffrey Owens and Micheal K. Williams [RIP] have left a lasting impression on me even so long after the show ended.
- Anyone note the subtle and clear racism in Narcisse in this scene? Historically there has been a long and persistent thread of anti-Semitism in the Black community, one that is still present today.
Dr Narcise is a gangster and a heroine dealer but he is not a slave owner so your comparison to Simon Legree is way off the mark.
As far as the anti Semitism, there wasn’t even a hint but Rothstein made it obvious his racist opinion of the numbers racket of Harlem. That was definitely not subtle and very clear
@@quincydavenport9977 I beg your pardon, but addicting someone to heroin is as much enslavement as any whip or chain. I should think that our recent experience with Fentanyl and OxyContin would have shown that amply well.
I saw Narcisse's ease at which he took offense and the overt way he wiped his hands with a disgusted look on his face after Rothstein left as evidence of Anti-Semitism.
It should also be noted that historically Marcus Garvey was a noted Anti-Semite and advocated that Blacks and Jews keep themselves separated so Black achievement would not be tainted by Jewish influence. As a disciple of Garvey, Narcisse is highly likely to share that opinion.
Dude wiped his hand after a handshake 😂 ofcourse there's a lil racism. A humanity without racial/ethnic tensions is a fantasy that has never been reality.
@@NF-ru8on Very true.
But there's a conceit among some activist types that just because one is of color one cannot be a 'racist' by definition. And that is absolute nonsense.
There are Black churches that are so Anti-Semitic that even Himmler would be proud, and many of them conveniently forget that Jewish Americans marched with them hand in hand during the Civil Rights marches and that much of the money that funded the whole movement came from the B'nai B'rith.
When you get right down to it we all divide the world into two groups, Us and Them.
@@quincydavenport9977 lol "racist opinion". He just wanted big bills. Notice how AR didn't get offended when Narcisse specified "Uncut, weight it myself". When i watched the show its clear Narcisse cares more about race then AR, AR seems to be all about business.
The unequal power dynamic is clear when Rothstein accepts - but does not return - Narcisse compliment that "it is an honor to finally meet you."
He did a more racist gesture by wiping his hand then the comment AR made which was reasonable.
2:42 Pre hand sanitizer days. Narcise was already getting prepared for the Covid pandemic.
Narcisse is one of the most slimey hypocrites ever to walk the face of the Earth , but the scary thing is that he 's the type of person people give their votes to .
Just like all of the other gangster's on this show.....
@@svp2010 the gangsters know what they're doing. They know what they're doing is illegal and probably shady. Narcisse acts like he's better than them even while doing the same things.
@@Vincisomething So again...Just like a the other gangsters in the show. Nucky acts like he's better than all of the gangsters he deals with on a regular basis. Narcisse is doing what the gangsters that last the longest do, conduct themselves with a sense of legitimacy. To the public Narcisse was a doctor and community leader. To the public Nucky was a politician and public figure. To the public AR was a businessman and gambler. To the public Dion O'Bannion, was a florist.
That man deserved an Emmy.... OUTSTANDING
The epitome of a self educated, self-styled, self-made and self-serving house nigga . Shades of Don King.
This guy who plays Arnold is one of the best characters ever
Excellent acting by both characters and INSANELY GOOD writing by the staff in the show
"We should continue our discussion next week, I’ve got to buy some heroin which will ruin our community"
"in the meantime I'll be at my whorehouse....good day"
Gassing all of them up as he rushes them out the room so he can make a huge heroine deal
I'll bet Arnold was on the other side doing the same thing lol
Yeah, it turns out this was just one of the amusement parks under Delos.
The man who portrayed Narcisse needs to be in more roles as a villain!
He did such a great job for viewers to dislike him, it seems almost like he has the villain role down packed!
2:42
Dude don’t want no Covid.
Rather be doesn't want Spanish.
0:38 such a fascinating character. He’s cold, calculating, yet massively idealistic.
Rothstein was no doubt wiping off his own hand after the door closed.
You won't get any writing credits.
I could listen to Jeffrey Wright just talking about anything honestly.
One of the greatest shows ever!
I swear this dude killed his role!
I love how Dr. Narcisse wipes his hands. It says everything.
He avoided like a plague until he couldn't in the end 🤣😂, in his mind he didn't want the Hebrew stench on him 🤣
@@cesareantonio6013 can anyone blame him? *shrugs*
Well the funny thing is at the time racist whites didn't like or care for blacks so he was just returning the favor.
@@RichWeigel jews are not white. also, "racist whites" insinuates that white people are usually the ones being racist when in reality all races are made up of racists.
@@tylerphillips6523 I agree with you on that actually. All races tend to have a few people who are racist. I get a kick out out of light skinned Puertoricans (I'm one) that call themselves hating blacks when in fact they are black themselves. But alas not many folks are really well versed in their history...hypocrisy at it's finest.
They’re two powerhouse actors and their chemistry was apparent!
Two wonderful actors getting into it. Great show that seems very underrated.
Boardwalk Empire's casting directors usually do an exemplary job, but they totally dropped the ball when they cast Owney Madden. Why is a 33-year-old Yorkshireman played by a middle-aged American who appears to be doing a bad London accent?
neonatalpenguin very bad. He sounds irish at points too
@@2ndNatureHairSolutions his parents were irish in real life
@@brendanskeffy1821 he had a strong yorkshire accent tho
I could never understand Narcise, why pretend to be some kind of preacher while poisoning your own kin...either he was crazy or secretly hated his own people...that aside the actor was superb
He targeted the emotionally weak who would be heroin users to uplift the stronger ones. Think of it in Darwinian terms
He had the call
AR being out gentlemened by Dr Narcise was always a favourite scene of mine from BWE. Dialogue between the two is exquisite. Also odd Dr N makes AR sit on what looks like a throne type seat when they talk the biz.
I bet Rothstein did the same thing after the handshake
Anthony Bada probably dipped it in rubbing alcohol
I was gonna say he pee'd on it
Isabel Beckerman Rothstein is a Jew. A lot of devout Christians of that era believed that jewish people were unclean and disgusting. Many still do. He's wiping his hand because he's antisemitic.
Sorry, but you don't get a writer's credit.
Back then the 1920's the way they conducted business was with so much panache & there attire was impeccable to match i must say very dapper......
I wish I could have seen it. The world, for the most part, has turned its back on style and good manners.
The fact that AR's protégé Charles orders a hit on the Dr is amazing after watching this.
2 fantastic actors
The sounds of the floor creaking make me think this house really was from the 30s
Narcisse, Arnold Rothstein and Andrew Mellon: I enjoy listening to any dialogue in which they are involved
Man If this guy wasn’t selling dope to his people, he’d be one hell of a role model... and the way he wipes his hand off after touching AR lmfao savage
Bill Williamson I’m sure AR did the same thing on the other side trust me
True, but AR wasn’t portrayed to be a paragon of his people at the same time he was running booze and drugs like narcisse was. That was the irony of Narcisses character. AR’s claim to fame was that he was a successful gambler, not a freaking doctor for Christ’s sake.
Lol imma try that move next time i shake hands with someone i dont like.
Bill Williamson great point
Reuben Alejandro Bro that would be savage. I’d pay good money to see someone do that to Trump Lmfao
I finally used it in an email today: "To whom do I desptach payment?" [Yes, note the UK variation]
I hope they appreciated the fanciness.
@@TheFiresloth it was wasted on this uncultured rabble.
My man Jeffrey Wright comes outta nowhere and does what he does.
Rothstein has met his match, a guy that is a smooth smart talker like Arnold himself
Narcisse becomes offended at the suggestion of unprofessionalism while unapologetically displaying his antisemitism following the transaction. Such is the behavior of many followers of Farrakhan in modern times; decrying racism while unabashedly demonstrating their hatred for jews. "I'm not anti Semite. I'm anti termite." - Louis Farrakhan.
That little handwipe at the end is telling...
For such a smart man, it wasn't very wise for Dr. Narcise to openly insist on weighing the heroin in front of Rothstein.
One of the greatest! - Nonetheless, you succeeded despite yourself. Ironically, he questioned Rothstien s integrity a moment before with- You have a dependable and ample supply?
He most certainly did!
@gxnisxs a trait that's become all too common nowadays
If they ever to do a biopic of W. E. B. Du Bois (American sociologist/Civil Rights leader), I'd like to see the actor who played Dr. Valentine be cast as the lead.
Jeffrey Wright I think?
Gentlemen, Ladies, what we are witnessing is Jewish and African Americans solidarity. Always happy to see inter community harmony.
0:02 well, 100 years later, that hasnt really worked out lmao
Arnold Rothstein met his intellectual match.
The speed at which he un-buttoned his suit jacket is fascinating for a Libyan.
Narcise actually insulted him first...
The way he wipes his hand after the handshake with such contempt.
I swear they must have based Narcise on guys like Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton. They claim to fight for their people, but really they just fight for themselves.
Cite verifiable evidence and authority from a book in your possession, .gov source, or .edu source to support your contentions.
José Duarte Miranda Why would .gov sites contain information on TV shows? Does the post office or IRS suddenly review decade old HBO series???
@@Jch79 Your rhetorical question is evasive. You bear the burden of proving your contentions. Cite verifiable evidence and authority from a .gov, .edu source, published court decision, or book of history in your possession to support your contentions, whatever they may be.
José Duarte Miranda You’re absolutely right. It’s just my opinion that Narcisse is just like those race bating, hypocritical, lying, sleazy, a-holes who have enriched themselves at the expense of their own people. But your question was still stupid and cannot be verified at a .gov site. Happy now smarty pants?
@@Jch79 In other words, you have no bases to believe your claims to be true.
Everybody missed where AR. was spotted by Narcisse scratching his butt I would have wiped my hands too
One of my favorite things about the show is the way Arnold Rothstein would just make cameos in the most unexpected situations in the most awkward way possible 😂 loved that guy
Shacking hands is a short form in agreeing to a deal... In some states it's considered contractual binding
All in The Game
It's actually a verse in the bible.
Well, they're doing illegal shit. In their world, this is the full equivalent to a contract since it wouldn't make sense for them to have an actual contract.
Tell that to Dr. King Schultz
Shacking? Is that similar to shaking ?
JUNITO84 by that logic Israel should have been burnt to the ground years ago
Love how he wipes his hand afterward
Because he is a Racist , just like you.
How's that?
I love that. And his facial expression
Because the nordic man has dirty hands
I noticed that too. Just getting into these series. I am wondering does he do that with everyone, or does the Rothstein guy have a bad reputation where it's like you dirty yourself by working with him? I know a lot of smart people that are afraid of germs, I've seen them do things like that though.
Must say the strongest statement made in this scene wasn’t said with words, it was when narcisse wiped his hand with a tissue almost immediately after shaking A.R’s hand showed exactly how low he thought of him
The way he wipes his hands after the handshake with Rothstein😂💀
This is how we should all dress an Carrie ourselves as people with class an Integrity
The first 20 seconds of the video are highly accurate. The only way for any community or race of people to progress is thru hard work, education, etc. It's just too bad that these days that message is lost on professional victims.
Omac Nine especially all of these welfare trailer trash Trump supporters
Omac Nine
You mean tax breaks, grants, and subsidies.
and racism
MastaSimpson goes to show how unintelligent you are. Trump supporters are out working.
Omac Nine like trump voters...