Nucky Thompson's Endearing Moments Make The Boardwalk Empire Finale That Much Harder to Accept

Boardwalk Empire Nucky and Margaret Thompson

Boardwalk Empire Season 1 + 2

Sunday Best Boardwalk Empire

Boardwalk Empire Nucky Willie

Boardwalk Empire Nucky

Nucky Thompson Boardwalk Empire Child

Boardwalk Empire Nucky Chalky

Boardwalk Empire Sally Nucky

Boardwalk Empire Season 5

Friendless Child Boardwalk Empire

It's been a long road for Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi) and Boardwalk Empire. And tonight, the gangster life culminates for the shows grand finale, which is sure to go out with many bangs. Nucky is the ultimate anti-hero, whose criminal ways are peppered with moments of grey between good and evil. Nucky treads that line expertly. Sometimes ruthless, sometimes compellingly sweet, Nucky is able to be both a malevolent crime boss and a gentle, endearing husband/father/brother/friend.

While it's easy to stumble over Nucky's racketeering of seasons past, moments like when he protected and took in Margaret Schroeder (Kelly MacDonald) and her kids are what make him such a great character and Boardwalk Empire such a dynamic experience. Click through the gallery to relive these moments and mourn the end of a truly awesome show.