Nelson Van Alden is a fictional character portrayed by Michael Shannon in the TV series Boardwalk Empire.
In the first episode they appeared in, titled Boardwalk Empire (season 1), they were 36 years old.
They appear in all 56 aired episodes and have accumulated 8191 positive votes.
The character of Nelson Van Alden is mainly associated with Al Capone, Elias 'Eli' Thompson and Margaret Thompson.
Episodes56
Boardwalk Empire
episode S1.E1 september 2010In 1920 Atlantic City, politician Enoch 'Nucky' Thompson makes arrangements to operate a liquor smuggling business during the early days of Prohibition. His driver, Jimmy Darmody, wishes to prove his usefulness.
The Ivory Tower
episode S1.E2 september 2010The Feds begin to look into Nucky's affairs, his brother Eli looks to buy off Mrs. Schroeder, and Nucky essentially fires Jimmy Darmody as his chauffeur.
Broadway Limited
episode S1.E3 october 2010When a witness turns up who can link Jimmy Darmody to the woods massacre, the Feds get involved, Nucky banishes him, and Rothstein recruits Luciano to kill him.
Anastasia
episode S1.E4 october 2010Jimmy forges new relationships in Chicago; Nucky fetes a U.S. Senator; Chalky fingers a lynching suspect; Margaret and Lucy clash.
Nights in Ballygran
episode S1.E5 october 2010Nucky makes preparations for the annual Celtic Day dinner on St. Patrick's Day, and Jimmy tries to get Pearl through the trauma of her disfigurement with drugs,
Family Limitation
episode S1.E6 october 2010Nucky investigates a boardwalk theft; Jimmy scores points with Johnny Torrio in Chicago; Margaret stands up to Lucy.
Home
episode S1.E7 october 2010After Enoch's senile father breaks a leg in his isolated house, the brothers agree that he no longer can live alone and the house should be given to a loyal employee.
Hold Me in Paradise
episode S1.E8 november 2010Nucky travels to Chicago and acts as kingmaker during the Presidential convention, but at home brother Eli is shot as a rival mob senses weakness in Thompson's operation.
Belle Femme
episode S1.E9 november 2010Jimmy arrives from Chicago under his new agreement with Nucky to retaliate against a rival gang element but gets a chilly reception from Angela.
The Emerald City
episode S1.E10 november 2010Harrow guards Margaret and the kids, Jimmy mistakenly thinks Mr. Dittrich is Angela's lover, and Chalky pretends to align himself with Lansky.
Paris Green
episode S1.E11 november 2010Van Alland remains suspicious of Sebso, the dying Commodore seeks a rapprochements with illegitimate son Jimmy, and Margaret leaves after a domestic argument with Nucky.
A Return to Normalcy
episode S1.E12 december 2010Nucky's organizational skills are put to the test as the election approaches, his judgment's questioned as he handles the Commodore's poisoning, and he reveals his part to Margaret.
21
episode S2.E1 september 2011Confidantes of Nucky plot against him, Gillian vies with Angela for control of the house, race relations hit a boiling point, and Van Alden celebrates his 13th anniversary.
Ourselves Alone
episode S2.E2 october 2011After Nucky is released, he finds that most of his organization have deserted him for the Commodore, Margaret keeps her head, and the IRA asks Nucky for a donation.
A Dangerous Maid
episode S2.E3 october 2011The Commodore's faction cuts off Nucky's liquor supply as the treasurer's friends seem to be deserting him but he finds a willing ally in Owen Sleater of Sinn Fein.
What Does the Bee Do?
episode S2.E4 october 2011With the Commodore's Coast Guard seizing Nucky's liquor, he partners with Rothstein to bring it through Philly, but the Commodore suffers a debilitating stroke.
Gimcrack and Bunkum
episode S2.E5 october 2011With the Commodore's stroke, the conspirators against Nucky realize their error and begin to make bad decisions.
The Age of Reason
episode S2.E6 october 2011Lucy's water breaks and labor starts; guilt overpowers Van Alden while at the hospital. Nucky's racketeering case gets sent to federal court where someone uses a New Jersey senator to pull some strings. Having reached the age of reason, Margaret's son makes his first confession, and the priest wants her to set an example; Nucky warns her not to trust the sanctity of the confessional. Owen's cheekiness seems limitless. Jimmy spots Manny's lieutenant on the boardwalk with Nucky; a series of crosses, double-crosses, and confrontations follow.
Peg of Old
episode S2.E7 november 2011Margaret drives to Brooklyn to see her estranged siblings but receives a cool response, Van Alden has a new boss, and the conspiracy opts to eliminate Nucky.
Two Boats and a Lifeguard
episode S2.E8 november 2011When the Feds serve Eli with a subpoena, the trauma causes his father to have a heart attack, and Nucky announces to his rivals that he's retiring.
Battle of the Century
episode S2.E9 november 2011Nucky goes to Belfast and offers to trade the IRA machine guns for whiskey, Waxy Gordon plans revenge against Manny Horvitz, and Jimmy enjoys his new status as AC boss.
Georgia Peaches
episode S2.E10 november 2011Jimmy's supporters fail to break up Chalky's strikers and negotiations fail as Margaret thinks she can buy Emily's recovery and Manny Horvitz exacts revenge.
Under God's Power She Flourishes
episode S2.E11 december 2011Jimmy's experiences at Princeton are seen in flashback, Margaret tries to deal with her guilt, and Doyle tries unsuccessfully to wheel and deal.
To the Lost
episode S2.E12 december 2011Jimmy tries to make things right with Nucky, the KKK murderers get justice, and Nucky marries Margaret to avoid her testimony at his trial.
Resolution
episode S3.E1 september 2012Season 3 premiere. Nucky makes a New Year's resolution; Margaret eyes a hospital expansion; Gillian builds a new business; Van Alden calls a gangster's bluff.
Spaghetti and Coffee
episode S3.E2 september 2012Nucky's relationship with Billie grows as Margaret becomes involved in women's issues at the hospital. A humbled Eli is released from jail as Gyp muscles into the operation.
Bone for Tuna
episode S3.E3 september 2012Gyp and his crew choke off the northbound road to New York and forces Nucky to come to an accommodation as he also tries to muscle into AC's prostitution.
Blue Bell Boy
episode S3.E4 october 2012After tracking down a liquor thief, Nucky and Owen end up spending a long night hiding out from the Feds with the precocious perp. Mickey makes a routing call that will have far-reaching consequences. Capone's feud with O'Banion heats up.
You'd Be Surprised
episode S3.E5 october 2012A frustrated Rothstein meets with Gyp in Tabor Heights, a paranoid Van Alden is looking over his shoulder, and Nucky goes to great length to insure success for Billie's show.
Ging Gang Goolie
episode S3.E6 october 2012Daugherty's men harass Nucky on trumped up charges and he forms an alliance with Esther Randolph while the rift with Margaret grows wider.
Sunday Best
episode S3.E7 october 2012Easter Sunday allows for several families to share dinner" Nucky, Margaret and the kids with Eli, Richard with the Sagorskys, and Gyp with his wife and kids.
The Pony
episode S3.E8 november 2012Gillian plots revenge for Jimmy's murder, Billie gets a screen test, and Nucky approaches cabinet secretary Andrew Mellon with an offer he can't refuse.
The Milkmaid's Lot
episode S3.E9 november 2012Nucky is still feeling the effects of the bomb concussion as Rothstein and other allies withdraw their support while Margaret and Owen come to an understanding.
A Man, a Plan...
episode S3.E10 november 2012Nucky plans to whack Joe Masseria and Gyp Rosetti, Richard stands up to Julia's abusive father, and Owen and Margaret plan to run off together.
Two Impostors
episode S3.E11 november 2012After Owen's dead body is delivered in a crate and Margaret leaves him, Nucky spends the next day with a seriously wounded Eddie and Gyp's thugs trying to kill him.
Margate Sands
episode S3.E12 december 2012After promising Rothstein Mellon's distillery, Masseria is persuaded to withdraw his support for Gyp, and Margaret finds an abortionist in Brooklyn.
New York Sour
episode S4.E1 september 2013Nucky makes peace with Masseria and Rothstein, a dalliance causes Dunn Purnsley to murder a talent agent, and Gillian tries to wrest custody of Tommy.
Resignation
episode S4.E2 september 2013Van Alden runs errands for O'Bannion and later for Capone. Dr. Valentin Narcisse, an educated, sophisticated thug wants retribution for the murder of Pastor.
Acres of Diamonds
episode S4.E3 september 2013Former bootlegger associate Bill McCoy talks Nucky into partnering with a local Tampa hood, and Narcisse attempts to come between Nunn and Chalky.
All In
episode S4.E4 september 2013Nucky decides not to partner with Rothstein on his Tampa operation, Narcisse recruits Dunn from Chalky, and Van Alden switches allegiance From O'Banion to Capone.
Erlkönig
episode S4.E5 october 2013Agent Knox ruthlessly detains and badgers Eddie, Nucky pulls whatever strings he needs to to get his nephew off the hook, and Gillian becomes more heavily addicted.
The North Star
episode S4.E6 october 2013With new partner Meyer Lansky for his Tampa operation, Nucky reacquaints himself with Sally Wheet, Eddie's death causes Knox to fall out with Hoover, and Sagorsky gets a grim diagnosis.
William Wilson
episode S4.E7 october 2013Knox resents newly-appointed Hoover taking credit for his work, Roy helps Gillian kick heroin, Nucky and Eli clash over Willie, and Torrio feels that O'Banion's betrayed him.
The Old Ship of Zion
episode S4.E8 october 2013Sally Wheet arrives from Florida with a crates of oranges and liquor, Knox continues to pursue criminal charges on the Thompsons, and Nucky helps reconcile Eli and Willie.
Marriage and Hunting
episode S4.E9 november 2013Nucky refuses to involve himself in Chalky's growing conflict with Narcisse, Rothstein's need for cash pushes him to collect on Doyle's insurance, and Van Alden agrees to kill O'Banion.
White Horse Pike
episode S4.E10 november 2013Nucky discovers that Lansky is betraying him by piggybacking heroin in his liquor trucks, Narcisse and Chalky are at total war, and Knox coerces Eli.
Havre de Grace
episode S4.E11 november 2013Chalky and Daughter are on the run after a failed attempt on Nacisse and are being protected by his old mentor, and Willie officially joins the family business.
Farewell Daddy Blues
episode S4.E12 november 2013Eli braces for the worst as Agent Knox launches his plan to bring Nucky down. Capone and Torrio reach an agreement in Cicero. Chalky looks to settle scores. Richard steps forward to save Tommy, at Gillian's expense.
Golden Days for Boys and Girls
episode S5.E1 september 20141931: Nucky is in Cuba attempting to set up networks for shipping into the US when the Volstead Act is lifted. Charlie makes a move on Joe Masseria. Chalky is in chains, and fights for his freedom. There are glimpses of Nucky's past.
The Good Listener
episode S5.E2 september 2014Nucky's 1931 deal as a future importer of rum when Prohibition expires seems in jeopardy when the Senator loses interest, and in 1884 a young Nucky has to deal with his sister's death.
What Jesus Said
episode S5.E3 september 2014Nucky loses his senatorial interest in his alcohol distribution and seeks out new support. Margaret finds herself in trouble for a deal she made with Arnold Rothstein years before he died. Chalky is still on the run.
Cuanto
episode S5.E4 september 2014Luciano encounters Capone in Chicago; Nucky and Margaret find common ground in Atlantic City. Meanwhile, Sally conducts business in Cuba as rumors swirl of a public uprising. In 1884, a young Nucky continues to impress the commodore.
King of Norway
episode S5.E5 october 2014When fugitive Chalky comes to Nucky hunting for Narcisse, Nucky advises him against revenge and hides him. Van Alden and Eli are arrested, and an 1897 Nucky moves up with the Commodore.
Devil You Know
episode S5.E6 october 2014Chalky comes to an agreement with Narcisse to free Daughter Maitland. Nucky engages in alcoholic depravity. Van Alden and Eli try to steal Capone's ledgers.
Friendless Child
episode S5.E7 october 2014In 1897 Nucky's family tries to help the young Gillian and in 1931 his forces try to resist an ambitious Luciano.
Eldorado
episode S5.E8 october 2014Nucky visits Gillian, Luciano and Lansky deal with Narcisse and young Nucky faces a turning point. In Chicago, Capone prepares to face trial and in New York Margaret becomes a stock operator a la Joe Kennedy. Scores are made and settled.
- Boardwalk Empire
- The Ivory Tower
- Broadway Limited
- Anastasia
- Nights in Ballygran
- Family Limitation
- Home
- Hold Me in Paradise
- Belle Femme
- The Emerald City
- Paris Green
- A Return to Normalcy
- 21
- Ourselves Alone
- A Dangerous Maid
- What Does the Bee Do?
- Gimcrack and Bunkum
- The Age of Reason
- Peg of Old
- Two Boats and a Lifeguard
- Battle of the Century
- Georgia Peaches
- Under God's Power She Flourishes
- To the Lost
- Resolution
- Spaghetti and Coffee
- Bone for Tuna
- Blue Bell Boy
- You'd Be Surprised
- Ging Gang Goolie
- Sunday Best
- The Pony
- The Milkmaid's Lot
- A Man, a Plan...
- Two Impostors
- Margate Sands
- New York Sour
- Resignation
- Acres of Diamonds
- All In
- Erlkönig
- The North Star
- William Wilson
- The Old Ship of Zion
- Marriage and Hunting
- White Horse Pike
- Havre de Grace
- Farewell Daddy Blues
- Golden Days for Boys and Girls
- The Good Listener
- What Jesus Said
- Cuanto
- King of Norway
- Devil You Know
- Friendless Child
- Eldorado
Best moments10
- Nucky refuses to involve himself in Chalky's growing conflict with Narcisse, Rothstein's need for cash pushes him to collect on Doyle's insurance, and Van Alden agrees to kill O'Banion.
- Gillian plots revenge for Jimmy's murder, Billie gets a screen test, and Nucky approaches cabinet secretary Andrew Mellon with an offer he can't refuse.
- Van Alland remains suspicious of Sebso, the dying Commodore seeks a rapprochements with illegitimate son Jimmy, and Margaret leaves after a domestic argument with Nucky.
- Chalky comes to an agreement with Narcisse to free Daughter Maitland. Nucky engages in alcoholic depravity. Van Alden and Eli try to steal Capone's ledgers.
- Luciano encounters Capone in Chicago; Nucky and Margaret find common ground in Atlantic City. Meanwhile, Sally conducts business in Cuba as rumors swirl of a public uprising. In 1884, a young Nucky continues to impress the commodore.
- When fugitive Chalky comes to Nucky hunting for Narcisse, Nucky advises him against revenge and hides him. Van Alden and Eli are arrested, and an 1897 Nucky moves up with the Commodore.
- A frustrated Rothstein meets with Gyp in Tabor Heights, a paranoid Van Alden is looking over his shoulder, and Nucky goes to great length to insure success for Billie's show.
- When a witness turns up who can link Jimmy Darmody to the woods massacre, the Feds get involved, Nucky banishes him, and Rothstein recruits Luciano to kill him.
- Nucky makes preparations for the annual Celtic Day dinner on St. Patrick's Day, and Jimmy tries to get Pearl through the trauma of her disfigurement with drugs,
- Lucy's water breaks and labor starts; guilt overpowers Van Alden while at the hospital. Nucky's racketeering case gets sent to federal court where someone uses a New Jersey senator to pull some strings. Having reached the age of reason, Margaret's son makes his first confession, and the priest wants her to set an example; Nucky warns her not to trust the sanctity of the confessional. Owen's cheekiness seems limitless. Jimmy spots Manny's lieutenant on the boardwalk with Nucky; a series of crosses, double-crosses, and confrontations follow.
- Marriage and Hunting
- The Pony
- Paris Green
- Devil You Know
- Cuanto
- King of Norway
- You'd Be Surprised
- Broadway Limited
- Nights in Ballygran
- The Age of Reason