Ep 3. 1985-86: Image is Everything

In the third episode of Empires of New York's first season, titled "1985-86: Image is Everything," viewers are taken back to the glamorous and high-stakes world of Wall Street in the mid-1980s. The episode focuses on the lives and careers of several key players in the financial industry during this time period and explores how they navigated the cutthroat business world to emerge as powerful and successful figures.

One of the central figures of the episode is Ivan Boesky, a wealthy investor who was known for his aggressive tactics and high-profile deals. Boesky's rise to power during the 1980s was fueled by his ability to make massive profits through insider trading and other questionable practices, and he quickly became one of the most notorious figures on Wall Street. However, Boesky's fortunes took a dramatic turn when he was caught by federal authorities and forced to pay millions of dollars in fines and penalties.

Another individual highlighted in the episode is Donald Trump, the billionaire real estate mogul who was making headlines in the mid-1980s thanks to his flashy lifestyle and high-profile business deals. Trump's rise to power during this time period was largely fueled by his ability to brand himself as a successful and ambitious entrepreneur, and he quickly became one of the most recognizable figures in the New York business world. However, as the episode shows, Trump's fortunes were also tied to the larger economic trends of the time, and his success was far from guaranteed.

The episode also explores the stories of several other key individuals who played important roles in the New York business world during the mid-1980s, including Carl Icahn, the legendary corporate raider who was known for his aggressive takeover tactics, and Michael Milken, the Wall Street executive who revolutionized the junk bond market. Through interviews with experts and archival footage, the episode paints a vivid picture of the intense competition and high stakes that characterized the New York business world during this era.

Overall, "1985-86: Image is Everything" offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of Wall Street during one of its most exciting and transformative periods. Through the stories of the individuals profiled in the episode, viewers can gain a deeper understanding of the complex and often cutthroat world of high finance, as well as the larger economic and social forces that shaped it. With its combination of compelling storytelling and expert analysis, this episode is sure to captivate viewers who are interested in the history of finance and business.