Boardwalk Empire Recap: Sins of the Father

Previously, Rothstein fixed the World Series and doomed the White Sox for 86 years but Chicago isn’t a bunch of punk whiners like Boston so we never heard about their curse, Teddy watched Nucky burn his father’s house down and is now becoming the Demon Seed, Nucky whistled past a graveyard and went to Belfast to get some free hooch instead of dealing with his problems in Atlantic City and the ghost of Hans Schroeder came back to mess some people up.

Remember to dump him in the Gulf Stream.

Owen’s at the Port of Hoboken overseeing a huge delivery of Feeney’s Irish Oats as David Johansen of all people croons Strut, Miss Lizzie which only sounds like a New York Dolls’ song. Places all around Atlantic City are receiving cases of the oats but at Babette’s we see that it’s just Nucky’s bartered Irish whiskey.

On the boardwalk, Owen struggles with his one wee crate of “oats” as a minister preaches to the Black strikers who’ve effectively shut down Atlantic City during tourist season as Halloran and another cop are the only other people on the boardwalk. Owen’s grimacing as he reaches the Ritz while two strikers block the door, but Dunn Pernsley gives them the nod to let him by.

Needs a Bowflex

Owen drops off his crate in the kitchen and asks the manager if he’s the “man to see.” The manager shows that his lovely attitude extends to everyone when he responds “Unless there’s someone else with his thumb in his ass.” Nice. Owen lets the manager know Nucky sent him, but the manager takes a look at the crate and dismisses it because there’s no need for oats. Owen shows him that it’s whiskey and is so proud of himself, but since he didn’t distill it and could barely carry it he might want to dial down his self-satisfaction. He lets the manager know that it’s only $30 a case, which sounds low, and the manager seems interested except the strike’s dampened the Ritz’s need for whiskey, too.

Owen over-enunciates that the strike will end someday as will Nucky’s deal on the fine. Irish. Whiskey. I guess proximity to Dunn Pernsley will cause random outbreaks of overacting in the rest of the cast? The manager, despite being a misanthropic little turd, is not stupid so he tells Owen to get him 400 cases.

Time for some comic relief with Van Alden as he watches Sigrid the nanny rocking little Abigail. He’s impressed with how at ease she is with the baby, which you’d think would be a qualification for a nanny, but instead it’s an opening for Sigrid to over share that when she was six she tried to breast feed her baby sister. Nelson responds to this as you’d expect, with another of Michael Shannon’s extraordinary facial expressions showing both curiosity and revulsion simultaneously.

And people think I’m creepy.

It seems that this new arrangement is calming Nelson’s more Van Aldenny ways as he pulls out some grocery money for Sigrid and even suggests she gets some shortbread cookies…until he sees a letter from Rose. He gets peeved with Sigrid telling her he is to receive all correspondence from Rose immediately, but Sigrid must be Rose Nylund’s mother because she just keeps rocking Abigail, barely noticing Nelson’s wobble. Sadly, though not unexpectedly, Rose sent Nelson divorce papers. As Abigail wails Nelson gets a sad.

Nucky and Margaret bring Teddy by the hospital to visit Emily. Turns out that she had a rough night which upsets Margaret who wants to know why she wasn’t called immediately so she could spend the night with Emily. The doctor gently points out that Emily will need her mother’s “love and patience later on” and Margaret latches on to the word “later” wondering “later when.” But even today, there’s still a lot of guesswork in medicine, let alone 90 years ago, so he just smiles benevolently as Nucky walks Teddy into the room telling the boy to be “Very quiet. Little cat feet.” Awww. I just KNEW Nucky was a cat person.

Alone with Margaret, the doctor runs down Emily’s condition. Her lungs are sound and her nerves to the heart and upper limbs seem unaffected, but her legs have likely sustained extensive damage. Margaret asks if that means Emily will be crippled, but the doctor can’t say at this stage. Hoping she can buy Emily back to health, she tells the doctor that Nucky’s a man of means but the doctor points out that some things are beyond his control, and Kelly Macdonald’s been playing this whole scene in a pretty, pink hat and holding a doll so she seems even more vulnerable. The doctor tries to offer some comfort by letting Margaret know that his little daughter prays every night for the sick children, which seems to calm her, and then lets her know that they’ll have a better idea of Emily’s condition when they get the test results on Friday.

The doll kills me.

Before Margaret can enter the room, she sees a family of a little boy who’s been fitted for his braces and is learning to walk with them, but once in the room she’s warm and optimistic, trying to lift the girl’s spirits, giving her a new doll to replace the one that had to be burned, but telling Emily she’s the other doll’s “sister” who insisted on visiting. As the adult’s visit with Emily, Teddy’s left off to the side, sad and alone.

Mickey’s set up his new still and is mixing down Remus’ booze as the young’uns come in joking about how the booze is “property of the US government.” Jimmy tries to be a boss and force Mickey to work faster than he can, but no one really listens to Jimmy so Luciano says to get some of the strikers to move the process along as Capone whines that “Torrio’s on his ass,” and Mickey brings up Manny and the $5K they owe him. Jimmy still doesn’t believe in foreshadowing so he tells Mickey to deal with it by bringing him $5K in booze or whatever because Manny’s “Waxy Gordon’s problem,” forgetting who Manny is.

Mickey Doyle, Mr. Fix-It.

Jimmy and Capone walk off but Charlie bellows (but I think that’s just his voice) DAH-MA-DEE because he wants to show Jimmy the future: heroin. Charlie’s practically gleeful and even cracks a smile as he says “you can sniff it, smoke it, or inject it.” Capone gets off a racist slur but Charlie tells him it isn’t “hop” it’s heroin. Meyer goes all Mr. Peabody expositing that heroin delivers a higher dosage of opiates to the brain than opium which makes for a happier customer. Inadvertently, Meyer created the pharmaceutical rep job before there were pharmaceutical companies. And, true story, my grandfather was a pharmacist back in the Old Country. He had a legal poppy field to make his own narcotics for medicinal purposes and my mom could spot an opium poppy from fifty paces.

Anyway, Charlie points out that with heroin you can carry around $2 million in a suitcase. Jimmy shows his provincialism when he questions exactly who’d be interested in it. Charlie says “your artist types, people uptown,” establishing the hoary stereotype that dirty hippies and liberals are all a bunch of druggies. Jimmy just doesn’t see it as a high volume product so Meyer informs him that, although their numbers are small, they’re “veeeeery enthusiastic.” Jimmy agrees to give it a go after they move the booze.

They’re VERY enthusiastic.

Mensch is at Nucky’s house letting him know that he’s “extremely disappointed” as Eddie and Harlan, Nucky’s shoeshine man, are unpacking boxes from the Ritz. Nucky is not particularly happy, either, so he tells Mensch to try it again, only “leave out the part where you sound like my mother.” Hahahaha. Mensch lets Nucky know that Randolph is relentless and the trial venue is set for Camden, though he’s made some calls. Nucky’s throwing a tantrum because he’s coming up against someone he can’t control or buy so he wants to know how Mensch plans to at least keep it in Atlantic County. Mensch says “medical hardship” because of the bullet wound but Nucky’s on a roll and points out that it doesn’t even prevent him from jacking off. All this dialogue is made that much better by Buscemi’s wonderful Long Island nasal twang. Vulgarity makes so much more sense when it’s spoken by a working class New Yorker.

Mensch tells Nucky he’ll get five years and be out in two so Nucky swings for the fences, telling Eddie to, and I quote, “Call those two guinea anarchists from Massachusetts. Tell them to relax. I found them a new lawyer.” Ethnic slur aside that was pretty hilarious. Mensch doesn’t agree and points out that the difference is that Sacco and Vanzetti might be innocent. As Eddie comes in, Nucky says “Get the fuck out,” and Eddie turns around causing Nucky to rupture a tiny brain cluster before he tells Mensch he was talking to him and that he’s fired. This news does not upset Mensch. Nucky goes to bitch smoke but sees a headline about the Black Sox scandal and a light bulb goes off.

Not even swearing at this moment.

Jimmy, Eli and the old guard are meeting at the Commodore’s. The reps from the Ritz are whining about how tourist season is slipping away and that the situation should have been handled a month ago. They’re blaming Jimmy basically for not being Nucky or the Commodore but when Eli has an actual bright idea saying he’s not going to bring the Klan in on this, one guy from the Ritz says “they got the job done.” Jimmy points out that they also instigated the whole situation but that just leads to a round of Who Can Be the Bigger Racist, which Neary wins because he’s the biggest asshole.

The Commodore tries to speak but gets agitated so Jimmy jumps in and says they’re going to negotiate. The guy from the Ritz doesn’t like that idea but Bader says to hear him out. Jimmy suggests giving them a nickel raise but showing that trickle-down economics has never worked and never will they balk at that idea because “where will it end?” Well, it would end the strike. The Commodore tries to speak, again, but Jimmy uses that moment to end the meeting because the old man needs to rest.

After the guys from the Ritz are gone, Bader tells Jimmy he’s handling the situation the right way. Eli just snots at Bader then says to get fifty guys with Billy clubs. Even Neary thinks that’s stupid, but Eli’s sticking to his idea because that’s how things get done. Neary brings up “09” and the “steeplechase” where they just threw people off the pier and continues playing Who Can Be the Bigger Racist even though no one else is playing. Jimmy doesn’t want to start a riot, but Eli says there won’t be. Just in an out. Neary asks which deputies will be there and Eli mentions dim but seemingly loyal Halloran. Neary calls him “Old Ragin’ Ray” then mentions how he saw Halloran after one of his meetings with Randolph and advised him to answer every question about the election with “Nucky made me to do it.” Eli says that’s how you handle it, clearly knowing that Halloran could not handle it.

Heh. I’m an asshole.

Uncle Jun speaks up wondering if Jimmy’s planning to follow “this strategy.” Jimmy snaps and asks which one, Billy clubs or throwing them off the pier. Uncle Jun obliques that Jimmy’s “predecessor” knew how to keep them happy, which finally breaks Jimmy and he says rather bitterly that since he’s not Nucky they all need to figure out how to settle the situation. The Commodore has an idea! He tells Jimmy to “show them [his] cunt.” Um, what? Even Bader, who’s never cracked an emotion is all “the hell?” So the Commodore stands up and manages to say fairly clearly that Jimmy should just “lift [his] dress and let [himself] get fucked,” which amuses Uncle Jun because, muttonchops be damned, he will always be Uncle Jun. Having effectively peed all over Jimmy the Commodore orders Neary to give him a drink while Eli pensively pats his lip. Oh, no. Eli’s hatching a plan. This can’t end well.

Margaret’s sitting with Teddy as he says his prayers. But she doesn’t really have much time for her healthy son because she’s too worried about her sick daughter so she encourages the boy to say a prayer for Emily. He does and she kisses his forehead but on her way out, he says he can’t move his legs. This sends poor Margaret in a tailspin as she pulls back the covers and starts manhandling his legs to get him to respond, which he does when she touches his feet and it tickles. He giggles because he’s only seven and doesn’t grasp the idea of permanent paralysis but Margaret’s run herself so ragged that she slaps the boy causing him to cry and Nucky to come in because his Spidey sense can tell when a little boy’s getting hit.

Margaret runs to their bedroom and Nucky follows her. She’s still angry with Teddy and says “he’s got his father’s cruelty.” Nucky understands Teddy’s mindset a little better so he says that the boy just wants some attention. Margaret’s still got tunnel vision about Emily so she points out that Emily’s lying crippled in the hospital and that Teddy’s knows that. Nucky continues to gently bring her back around saying that it’s not the same as understanding. She wonders if she’s to abandon a sick Emily for a healthy Teddy, but Nucky just wants her to relax. He tells her he’s going to NYC for the day, to hire a new lawyer, and wants to take Teddy with him, so the boy can get some undivided attention and Margaret can rest. She’s keen on the idea so she gives Nucky directions on how Teddy’s to behave.

They’re so well matched.  I’m sure it will last.

The strikers are singing as they peacefully assemble in front of the Ritz. Dexy’s Midnight Runners come around the corner. Oh, wait. That’s a bunch of overall wearing thugs carrying bats and clubs. Dunn Pernsley sees them and orders the men to hold the line but they have cardboard signs while the thugs are wielding big pieces of wood so it turns into a riot pretty quickly. As the cops, including Halloran, stand by doing nothing a couple of goons make a beeline for the cops. The extras walk off as the goons start brutally beating Halloran, even after he’s unconscious.

In New York City, Rothstein’s brought Nucky to meet with Fallon, his attorney. Teddy sees the baseball on Fallon’s desk and walks over. Fallon says it was signed by Ty Cobb and that Teddy can have it. Showing that Harry Morgan may have been on to something when he left Brian to foster care because he was old enough to remember his mother’s murder and would eventually become the Ice Truck Killer, when Nucky prompts Teddy to thank Fallon, he just says “Ty Cobb is a bad man.” No, that’s just Tommy Lee Jones’ face. After Nucky excuses Teddy to sit with the secretary, Fallon pulls out another baseball, and I think this show doesn’t have the highest opinion of lawyers.

Fallon asks about Mensch and shit talks the old guy, but when Nucky asks if Fallon can get the venue changed he’s like, “Yeah, not gonna happen,” so he’s better than Mensch how? By talking up how “if there’s a seed of doubt on [Nucky’s] behalf [there isn’t] he’s quite effective with juries,” plus, for $80 an hour, Fallon has an “uncanny ability to make friends with judges.” Nucky asks what Fallon would say if Nucky doesn’t have money for bribes and Fallon is like, “Well, then you’re shit out of luck,” but phrases it as Nucky would have to rely on his legal acumen. Nucky consults Arnold on what he’d do, but he just acts creepy and Nucky drinks his scotch because he knows he’s kind of screwed.

This was his attempt to be reassuring.

Halloran’s in his room, trussed up from all his injuries, when Eli comes by. He brought by peas from June’s garden and “wants to know what happened.” Halloran’s no smarter after the ass kicking so he tells Eli that it wasn’t the strikers but the breakers who beat him. Eli is not hiding his contempt very well, but Halloran’s an idiot so he goes on about how he was wearing his uniform but they still came up and beat him and he gets frustrated that he can barely talk. Eli finally gets to his point that there isn’t anything else Halloran has to say and that Halloran should ask himself what he did to deserve this and what he should never, ever do again. Halloran might be getting it, but Halloran also thought Eli had the body of Mary Pickford in his garage so who knows, but Eli puts the peas on Halloran’s bed and tells him to eat them with a little butter and salt. Wow, Eli’s finally found a way to vent that bitter resentment in only semi-destructive ways. After Eli leaves, though, Halloran places a call to the post office. Oops.

Margaret’s in church praying for Emily when Father Brennan comes in. She starts explaining her situation with Emily. When Brennan tells her God is with Emily she asks where was he when the little girl got sick. But this is a 1920s priest, so he just tells her there are things he tells children because they can’t understand reasoning, but she’s an adult and she came to him. Margaret admits that she had nowhere else to go.

Well, we do have a salvation lay-away plan.

Brennan brings up her confession and asks if she’s still burdened by temptation, but Margaret tries not to answer. So the priest, being Catholic and all, points out that she’s quick to ask of God but stingy with offering anything in return. She offers up her “devotion.” Brennan is like “Bitch, please. Shit in one hand, devotion in the other. Which one fills up first?” Then he tells her she has to show her faith, not talk about it. He leaves her to ponder how best to do that, surprisingly taking the collection basket with him.

Jimmy and Richard are meeting with Chalky in the church meeting room where Chalky got his ass soundly handed to him by the widows of his workers. Chalky feels more confident because he’s got that big block of cheese, Pernsley, with him and the big, scary lady isn’t there to make him cry so he asks Jimmy why he’s there. Jimmy says he wants to negotiate an end to the strike. Chalky laughs and asks Pernsley to talk out of his ass about how the timing would have been better BEFORE the thugs beat the strikers with bats. Jimmy just says it wasn’t his idea. Also not Jimmy’s idea? Sending the Klan to shoot up Chalky’s operation. So Chalky wants to know exactly what IS Jimmy’s idea?

It’s good to be the king.

Jimmy says he’ll make Chalky’s murder charge go away. Chalky’s listening. Jimmy will talk to the Governor. Chalky wants to know what else, so Jimmy asks what he wants. Chalky says “Justice” but he’s a more direct person than Rothstein so he actually explains that means $3K for each of the families of his men who were killed. Jimmy agrees. Then Chalky goes one step too far and asks for the three Klansmen who did the shooting delivered to him. After a brief, random shot of Richard snazzy new green suit, Jimmy says he can’t do that, so Chalky just walks out saying “There’s always next tourist season.”

Teddy and Nucky are tucking into their suite for the night and Nucky tries to talk to Teddy about Margaret. The boy’s still sulky so Nucky tells him about his own sister, Susan, who got sick, too. Consumption, or as we call it, tuberculosis. Nucky explains how he and Eli were jealous because they wanted their mother’s attention but they knew their mother loved them. Then Teddy asks about their father and Nucky practically chokes on his tea when he says “Sure, he loved us, too.”

As Nucky goes to get a cigarette, Teddy wonders if Nucky’s in trouble. Nucky treats Teddy with some respect and admits he might be in a little trouble because “some people said [he] did something wrong, but it’s not true.” Teddy wonders if it’s because Nucky burned his father’s house down and Nucky’s like “Excuse me, what?” forgetting Teddy was there, I guess. Nucky wonders whatever gave Teddy that idea and Teddy says he saw it. When Nucky continues to deny deny deny, Teddy just says “Don’t worry, Dad. I won’t tell.” Ah, he’s developing into a fine little Thompson.

Never trust the adorable blond ones.

Over at Mickey’s still, the young’uns are finding out that AC’s soaked in Irish whiskey and it’s cheaper than Mickey’s bootlegged rot gut. They wonder who’s behind all that whiskey, but Jimmy knows it’s Nucky. Mickey and Al talk some shit about Nucky so Jimmy has to remind Al why Nucky’s not dead. This does not sit well with Capone. Meanwhile Meyer and Charlie are wondering how Nucky could get the booze into port since Jimmy supposedly has control of the Coast Guard and Richard becomes this week’s unlikely voice of reason when he points out that Owen’s Irish so they imported it.

Capone decides to take it out on Richard and says, “So let’s pop the fucking mick.” They have to block this shot with Richard sitting so he’s the same height as Capone because Al’s a poke-gangster. Charlie and Capone start turning on Jimmy because, well, Jimmy sucks at running things and since Mickey’s a roach, he has no reason to stay on a sinking ship so he joins the chorus. Jimmy gets angry and says he’ll take care of it. Charlie remembers they haven’t had a dick measuring contest all episode so he tells Jimmy to set that line to music. Then in a fit of ethnic profiling Jimmy calls Charlie “Sal or Charlie or whatever the fuck your name is,” and Vincent Piazza whispers that “It’s Charlie.” Heh.

Tin Man and the Poke-Gangster

Meyer’s had enough of this so he suggests they split up the booze and sell it in “their respective towns.” Jimmy has to remind them that, uh, AC is his town and that’s why they have so much unsold booze. Charlie suggests Philadelphia but Mickey jumps in right away that that’s a bad idea for Jimmy because of Manny. But Jimmy sees a way out so he says Mickey should take Philly and he’ll head north. Then he throws a hissy that even embarrasses Richard, but when Jimmy walks out, Richard follows like the loyal friend he is…for now.

Nelson is rehearsing his testimony with Esther Randolph but when he starts veering into his theories, a seriously pissy Lathrop’s all “just stick to what you know, Prohie,” because he’s tired of Esther being all up in Nelson’s files. Randolph wants to move on to something with a little more teeth so she asks Nelson about Hans Schroeder. Nelson makes about 15 different Van Alden faces trying to figure out where all this came from and if she’s baiting him. Randolph pretends she has no idea what he’s talking about, and asks about the accusation that Nucky ordered the murder. Nelson, taking his cue, says he has no direct proof, that it was just a theory he was told not to pursue and then reminds her that she told him not to discuss things he doesn’t know to be fact. Damn, foiled by your own cleverness, Esther. So she asks him off the record and he says he has no doubt. She breaks for lunch and sends Lathrop to “bring him in.”

Wait, your moral compass is confusing me.

Mickey’s in Philadelphia, planning to finally pay off Jimmy’s debt. Manny says they’re both the walking wounded courtesy of Jimmy, but Mickey’s unaware of Jimmy meeting with Waxy so he tells Manny that Jimmy had nothing to do with him getting shot. Manny takes off his bandage to spook Mickey, but Mickey rebounds quickly when Manny asks what he brought. A bottle of Mickey’s rot gut and a promise to give Manny $5K worth to settle Jimmy’s debt.

Manny’s none too pleased that Mickey was sent to do Jimmy’s bidding so he drinks some of the rot gut then pulls out the toothpicks he found on his would-be killer. He picks a piece of bullet out of the wound as he tells Mickey the shooter was in Atlantic City. Mickey knows a losing cause when he sees one but isn’t in any position to bail so he keeps pleading Jimmy’s case. Seeing that’s the wrong tack, Mickey tries to charm Manny by saying he’s still in business and he’ll just have to deal with Mickey. Manny says he’ll take the payment but when Mickey thinks that means they’re square, Manny slaps a meaty hand on Mickey’s shoulder asking where to find Jimmy. Mickey tries one last time to protect Jimmy, but when Manny starts trying to strangle him, through the neck brace, I think Jimmy’s lost another ally.

Over at the jail, Eli’s looking rather fetching as Esther Randolph walks up. He says he asked for a lawyer so she snides that she is a lawyer, just not his. Then she introduces herself but Eli’s the brutish Thompson brother so he brings up that she arrested him at his home. She says her “professional courtesy” doesn’t extend to murder suspects. Eli grumbles that she’s grasping at straws, so she tells him she has one. Halloran. Who had a lot to say about Eli and Hans Schroeder and if Eli has anything to say, he should have his lawyer call her.

Was this shot supposed to look like a Ralph Lauren ad?

Hungarian Rhapsody hilariously begins as Margaret sits at her dressing table. I half expect Elmer Fudd to mince through with his shot gun. Instead, Margaret takes her jewelry and all the money she’s been squirreling away and places them in a purse before she leaves. As the song hits a lighter section, it switches to ambient music. Father Brennan is relaxing in his office listening to his phonograph when his secretary comes in to let him know Margaret’s there. He hides his sherry glass and reattaches his collar and asks the secretary to send her in.

As Brennan puts away his record, Margaret in her pretty silk hat thinks she’s disturbing him. He symbolically comments that it’s easy for records to get out of order and then there’s no finding them, then asks after Emily. Margaret admits that there’s no news. Brennan says the doctor doesn’t want to give her false hope, but Margaret just wants something to hold on to. Brennan asks if she wouldn’t rather have something real, but Margaret says she just wants to believe Emily will recover.

Brennan gets ominous when he asks if Margaret wants a miracle. I think he was listening to that Looney Tunes music too long. Margaret says yes she does. She wants Emily healthy and whole so she doesn’t have to suffer for Margaret’s sins no reason. And that’s why Margaret’s brought in her ill-gotten money and jewelry for the church. To unburden her soul. After a quick scan of just how much money Margaret brought, Brennan thinks it’s a good start and they pray.

Jimmy’s in his sun room watching a hairy fat guy relaxing on the beach and Jimmy looks near tears. Okay. I’ll chalk it up to the pretty song playing in the background. Angela comes home and wonders what’s so fascinating because all she sees is a hairy fat guy relaxing. Jimmy envies the guy’s ability to just sit on the beach without having to worry about assholes forcing him to make decisions. Angela still couldn’t care less about what Jimmy does so she tells him to join the guy.

What fascinates Jimmy.

Angela’s arranging the fresh flowers she bought and Jimmy tries to be the “good” husband by asking about her morning and then telling her, in advance, that he’ll be gone for a few days. When Angela has nothing to say he wants to know why she doesn’t ask him where he’s going. She says he’ll tell her if it’s important and that she trusts him but he snaps at her. She asks him not to fight with her so he tells her he knows she’s not happy but that he’s going to try to be the person she wants him to be. Angela thinks about how to tell him she likes the ladies but tells him a corny joke she heard at the bakery instead. Jimmy and his pillowy lips try to form a smile and pretend it’s funny, because he’s trying. It works and Angela kisses Jimmy, asking if he really has to leave right away. Jimmy gets morose, again, and says he’s not sure of anything, but Angela will take affection wherever she can find it.

I’m sure this will end well.

Margaret and Nucky are meeting with the doctor to discuss Emily’s final diagnosis, which isn’t good. She has spinal polio and her paralysis is likely permanent. Nucky reacts to the news, but Margaret’s face is placid throughout to the point that the doctor asks if she understands what he told her. Nucky calls to her and holds her hand which brings Margaret out of her stupor. She asks the doctor if his daughter prayed last night. Margaret reminds him of his kind words from the top of the episode where he told Margaret his daughter prays for the sick children in the hospital. He comforts Margaret by saying he’s sure she did but Margaret’s still lost in her fugue. Nucky, reacting in the only way he knows how, keeps moving forward asking what’s next. The doctor tells him that Emily will be fitted for braces and they can take her home. When she’s ready, they start therapy and hope for the best. Nucky says that’s good advice but Margaret seems to have other ideas.

Meanwhile, at home, Teddy’s fishing through his cigar box of mementos for a family portrait with Hans. He looks at the photo for a moment, but doesn’t really register anything, then puts the box under his bed. And the Ice Truck Killer was born.

Nighttime over at Jimmy’s. Angela sleeps as someone takes a shower. Manny creeps in with his gun drawn, looking for Jimmy. He finds their bedroom and hears the shower as he sees Angela in bed. Instead of going to the bathroom to kill Jimmy he decides to go to the bed to wake Angela. He covers her mouth to muffle her scream and drags her to the bathroom door, so they can wait for Jimmy to come out. The shower ends and moments later Manny shoots the person who comes out of the bathroom, but it’s Louise. Manny’s confused and lets Angela go. Rather than run for her life she runs to her dead lover. Manny wants to know where Jimmy is, but he’s already left. Manny asks if Angela’s Jimmy’s wife, and, again, she confirms this instead of making something up in the hopes that Manny will go away.

But…I’m in the opening credits.

She does begs for mercy because she has a child and Manny’s still confused over what all has just happened so Angela offers to pay him. She says Jimmy can get lots of money if that’s what Manny wants. Which is all Manny’s wanted from the beginning. To get paid what he was owed. This steels Manny and he tells Angela that the most important thing in life is “your health” and that Jimmy did this to her. Then he shoots her. Then he shoots each of them one more time to make sure they’re dead. This payback doesn’t make Manny feel any better, though, and he leaves unsatisfied. Sad.

Jimmy, unaware of all that’s gone on back home, sleepily drives into Princeton as a song called I Was So Young (You Were So Beautiful) symbolically plinks away on the soundtrack.

I really didn’t see that ending coming, mostly because Palladino’s listed in the opening credits. I assume the series regulars don’t die until the season finale. From a storytelling point of view it makes complete sense because someone in Jimmy’s circle had to die for his sins and, other than Richard, she’s the most likely. Plus, she really didn’t have anywhere to go as a character, which isn’t true about Richard. Still, it was sad. The previews kind of give away a few things  but I can’t see how they’re red herrings or misdirects.

Only two more episodes and that’s it for the season.  It kind of flew by.

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