1. Character arcs

2. Reception

3. References

4. External links

Agent Nelson Kasper Van Alden (alias George Mueller) is a fictional character in Boardwalk Empire, portrayed by Michael Shannon, who is a puritanical, repressed religious fundamentalist and agent for the Bureau of Prohibition. Despite starring on the series for all five seasons, Shannon claims to have never actually watched the show.^[1]

Character arcs

Nelson Van Alden is noted for being one of the few characters to have multiple arcs throughout the series, motivated by a downward spiral of going from lawman to criminal.

At the start of the series, Van Alden acts as Nucky Thompson's primary antagonist, as he takes the lead to bring the kingpin down. However, in the midst of trying to tackle one of Prohibition's most notorious bootleggers, Van Alden himself succumbs to corruption; and by the end of Season 1, he has an affair with Thompson's mistress, Lucy Danziger, and murders his corrupt partner, Agent Eric Sebso. Season 2 follows Van Alden's fruitless efforts to conceal his faults from the previous season, including his failing marriage as a result of impregnating Danziger. The second season ends with Van Alden discovering he is the prime suspect in Sebso's murder, and he spends Season 3 on the run with his infant daughter and nanny Sigrid, eventually settling in Chicago under the alias George Mueller. By the end of Season 4, Van Alden becomes an associate/muscle for both Dean O'Banion and eventually Al Capone, still going by the name George Mueller to avoid them discovering he is a former agent on the run.

The final season sees Van Alden struggling to keep the lifestyle of associate/muscle Goerge Mueller balanced during his second failing marriage, this time to his daughter's former nanny Sigrid. Van Alden has since been partnered with Elias "Eli" Thompson, who knows Van Alden's true identity. An undercover agent in Capone's crew (Mike Malone) recognizes Van Alden, and both he and Eli agree to work with Malone to help take Capone down. Van Alden also learns that Eli is having an affair with Sigrid. Eli and Van Alden eventually return to Al's hotel to steal ledgers as proof of his tax evasion, but Ralph Capone becomes suspicious of their behavior. The Capone brothers confront them, with Malone present, not knowing he is working undercover. With Van Alden's deteriorating home life and facing death at the hands of the Capones, he snaps and attacks the brothers while Eli and Malone watch in shock. In a rage, Van Alden confesses his true identity while choking Al, but before he can successfully suffocate him to death, Malone makes a split decision and executes Van Alden in order to ensure not exposing himself as a Federal Agent. Having saved Al, the Capones foolishly entrust Malone with the ledgers.

Despite his downfall, Van Alden's death unwittingly led to the foiling of Prohibition's most powerful and dangerous figures.^[2][3]

Reception

Nelson Van Alden has been frequently cited as a fan-favorite on Boardwalk Empire.^[4] The role earned Shannon three nominations for the Screen Actors Guild Awards.^[5]

References

External links

• [https://www.hbo.com/boardwalk-empire/cast-and-crew/agent-nelson-van-alden Agent Nelson Van Alden] character bio at HBO.com

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