ARTSBEAT

BoardwalkEmpireFinaleRecap:GoldenMemories

SteveBuscemi,left,asNuckyThompsonandTravisTopeasJoeHarper,inBoardwalkEmpire.
CHRISTOPHERT.SAUNDERS/HBO

ByHELENESTAPINSKI
OCTOBER26,2014

Season5,Episode8:Eldorado
ButhegrewoldThisknightsoboldAndoerhisheartashadowFellas
hefound Nospotontheground ThatlookedlikeEldorado.EdgarAllan
Poe,Eldorado
Sowecometotheend,myfriends,whichtakesusrightbacktothebeginning.This
seriesfinaleistitledEldorado,andlikethefirstepisodethisseason,itisgilded,
tosubliminallydeliverthemoreobviousmessageofthedangersofgreed.

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Webeginwithashotofclothesonabeach,acigarettecase,alighter,apairof
shoes,thesurflappinggentlyatthepile.WeseeNuckysbarefeetandnakedback
ashewalksintothesurf,liketheboywhodoveintotheseainthatfirstepisode
searchingforgoldcoins.Isitabaptismofsorts?Ishecommittingsuicide?This
episodehasbarelyevenbegun.
Nucky(SteveBuscemi)swimsout,pastthebreakers,fartherandfarther.Justlike
theGoldenManElHombreDorado,fromwhichthelegendofElDoradois
taken.ItwasthenameusedbytheSpaniardstodescribethenativeColombian
chiefwho,coveredingolddust,doveintoalakeaspartofatribalritual.Itwasthe
promiseofthegoldinthemythicalempireofElDoradothatpropelledthe
conquistadorstowardthecontinent.
WeflashbacktoNucky(MarcPickering)asayoungdeputysheriffwalkingalong
theboardwalk.HestopsattheCornerHotelandmakeshispitchtothe
Commodore(JohnEllisonConlee)forbeingthenewsheriff.
TheCommodoreisspoutinghislessonsonceagainandtellsNuckythatitswhat
youleavebehindthatcounts.Thatstheonlythingthatanyonesevergoingto
knowaboutyou,hesays.
Nucky,alwaysobsequiouswhenitcomestotheCommodore,sayshemustbe
proudofwhathellberememberedfor.ButtheCommodorecontradictshim.For
what?Woodenhotels?Rollingcarts?Thesearethingsthatonebadstormwill
easilywashaway.
TheCommodoreasksifhehaschildren,andNuckysaysoneisexpected.Children
getintheway,theCommodoresays,dismissively.Intheend,wedowhatwe
havethenervefor,orwedisappear.
Nuckysayshesbeenloyal,thathehaskepthismouthshutabouttheyouknow
what.ThefactthattheCommodoreisapedophile.
Areyouthreateningme?theCommodoreasks.
Ateacherwithahalfdozenlittlegirlsingoldencrownsinterruptsandasksif
theycanrecitefortheCommodore.Thepedophileisthrilled.Ick.
Ah!whatpleasantvisionshauntme,theyrecite,fromTheSecretoftheSeaby
Longfellow.AsIgazeuponthesea!Alltheoldromanticlegends,allmydreams,
comebacktome.
WecuttoJoeKennedy(MattLetscher)meetingwiththeMayflowerGrain
CorporationboardandSenatorWendellLloyd(MichaelSiberry).Rememberhim
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fromCuba?SenatorLloydistellingthemthatthewordonthehillisthatrepealof
prohibitionisnotgoingtohappen.Theboardmembersareclamoringtoselltheir
stockat33and1/8,thehighestitseverbeen.ButKennedyistryingtotalkthem
down,sayingthatHooverisoutandF.D.R.isin.
ItsRoosevelt,boys,Kennedysays.Prohibitionsover.Youcantakethattothe
bank.Heasksthemtoholdsteadyfor24hourswhilehesortsthingsout.
InCaponesoffice,lightedbyagoldenchandelier,hislawyeristryingtobreakitto
himthathesgoingtoprisonfor$2millioninunpaidtaxes.OnCaponesdeskisa
lineofgoldenelephantswiththeirtrunksupasignofprosperityandgoodluck.
ButCaponesluckhasrunout.Hehas24hourstoturnhimselfintoDAngelo,
whoserealnamewasMalone(rhymeswithCapone!).AnIrishman,Caponesays.
Thatswhathurtsthemost.
Capone(StephenGraham)istellingthelawyertodohisjob,tomakesomecalls,
greasesomepalms.Dealwithit,forChristssakes.
BackinLucianosdigsthenewlybuiltArtDecoMajesticapartmenthouseon
CentralParkWestand72ndStreettheluckisstillholdingout.Oneofthe
scantilycladmollswalksaroundinshinygoldhighheels.Theresabouquetof
brightyellowflowersbesidethegoldpaintedfireplace.Lansky(AnatolYusef)runs
downalistofallthemobbosseswhoarebeinginvitedtotheirmeeting.Bugsy
(MichaelZegen)jokes,Arethosetypesofcheeses?
WhileanothermollgivesLuciano(VincentPiazza)amanicure,hereminisces
abouttheolddays,havingameetingyearsagoinAtlanticCity.Iremember
thinking,Imwiththebigboysnow.Nowlookatus.Lucianosdroopyeyeseems
tobegettingdroopierwitheveryepisode.Hesaysthatanyonewhosnotonboard
withtheneworganizationisagoner:WaxeyGordon,DutchSchultz,Dr.Narcisse
(JeffreyWright).
Allaboutmovingforward,aintit?Bugsysays.
AtConnorsandGould,Margaretsfirm,anangryKennedybargesintohergold
wallpaperedoffice.Agoldentickersitsonherdesk.Youreshortingmyfirms
stockyouandyourhusband,hesaystoMargaret(KellyMacdonald),whos
dressedinaverygroovypurplesuit.Whichofyourclientsistwistingthearmof
SenatorLloyd?heasks.
Ihavenoideawhothatis,Margaretsays.
Yourhusbanddoes,andhestryingtoscrewme.Iprefertodothescrewing
myself.Ha!

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KennedythenrealizesitsMargaretwhosshortingtheMayflowerstock.Youre
themastermind,hesays.
AllIknowiswhatIreadinthepapers,shesays.
Hesaystheplanwontwork,thathispartnerswillstaythecourse.Butshetellshim
thestockhasfallennearlythreepointsinthelasthour.Hispartnersaresellingin
increments,behindhisback,shesays.Margaretsuggestshesellaswell.
Unloadyourentirepositionandthensellshortalongwithmyclient.Shetells
himtoopenanaccountunderanassumedname.Cashoutinone.Sellshortin
another.
Ineedtocallmybroker,hesays.Margaretpushesthephonetowardhim.
FlashbacktoNuckyreturningtofindMabelsbloodygarmentsonthefloor.Mabel
(MayaKazan)issittingtowardthebackofthehouse,herhairwet,ayellowshawl
onherlap.Sheshadamiscarriage.Nuckyistryingtounderstandwhatshappened
andwantstocallthedoctor.Amishap,shesays.Itpassedquickly.Noneedfor
thedoctor.
Isthebabyallright?heasks.
Notababy,shesays.Justamishap.
Nuckyisterriblyworriedaboutherandkneelsbeforeher,apologizingfornotbeing
therewhenithappened.
Iworkforthis,hesays.Everything.Forthis.Iloveyou.Idisappointyou
whateverIdo,dontI?
Shetoucheshisheadlovinglybutdoesntanswer.
Suddenlytheresaknockatthedoor.Itshisbrother,Eli(RyanDinning).Ma
needsyou,hesays.
BackinMargaretsoffice,allhellhasbrokenloose.Mayflowerstockisfallingfast.
Kennedyiseager,butMargaretinsiststhatithasntfoundthebottomyet.
Fightsbreakout.Peoplearepunchingeachother.Agoldenlightshinesthroughthe
officepartition.
Thisisadangerousgameyoureplaying,Mrs.Thompson,astrungoutKennedy
says.Margaretisnervousaswell.Shewatchesthepricedropfurtherandfurther,
markedonachalkboardaboveeveryone.
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At3and1/4,shesummonsabrokerandcommands,Closetheseshortpositions
inMayflower.Whilethebrokermakesthecall,theywaitanxiously.
Threethingsaredifficulttounderstandinthisworld,Kennedysays.Theworkof
thebees,themovementsofthetideandthemindofawoman.Butshehasa
comeback,asusual.(IloveMargaretandwillmissherdearly.)Thinkaboutthe
thingsyouwantinlifeandthenpictureyourselfinadress.
Theygetthethumbsupfromthebroker.Youvejustmadesomemoney,
MargarettellsKennedy.
Thenletmeshakeyourhand,hesays.Herpalmsaresweaty.
Theresalotwecandotogether,Kennedysays.Wink,wink.
Iwasjustthinkingthesamething,shesays.Comeseemeduringofficehours.
Thefirmwouldlovetohaveyourbusiness.Ha.
InCaponeshouse,wherethewallsareallpaintedagoldenyellow,hiswife,Mae
(MarcellaLentzPope),isfrettingaboutwhatstocome.Areporterstoppedbyfrom
TheTribuneandaskedalotofquestions.
Hetellshernottoworry.Thengoesupstairstoseetheirpartiallydeafson.Thekid
isabout12yearsoldnowandissittingonhisbedroomfloorreadingaboutLewis
andClark.
Imaybegoingawayforawhile,Sonny,Caponesays.Ididsomebadthings,and
nowImintrouble.
Thiskidhasthesaddestfaceinthehistoryofsadfaces.Iwillhelpyou,hesays,
tearingup.Sosad.
Youcanthelpmewiththis,saysCapone,whosalsotearingup.Youneedto
listentoyourmother.
StephenGrahamismyfavoriteactoronthisshow.Heisastounding.Heismaking
mecryoverthethoughtofAlCapone,acoldblooded,maniacalkiller,goingtojail.
Beagoodboy.RememberallIdidwasforyou.Toleaveyouwithsomething
betterandthatcantbefornothing.Nowwereallintears.Capone,thekidwith
thesaddesteyesintheworld,andme.
Whenthekidputshisfistsup,echoinganearlierepisodewhenCaponewastrying
toteachhimtofight,Ireallyloseit.Caponecomesandhugshim.Imdownforthe
count.(ForallyouCaponefansoutthere,Sonnywasbornwithcongenitalsyphilis
and,afterbrainsurgery,wasleftpartiallydeaf.Asanadult,hechangedhisnameto
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Brown,todisassociatehimselfwithhisfather,anddiedin2004at85.)
WecutbacktoMargaret,dressedinaverysnazzyorangefrock.ShesatNuckys
emptyapartmentintheEldorado,whichisabout20blocksnorthoftheMajestic.
ThisluxurytwotoweredArtDecoCentralParkWestbuildingwasjustfinishedin
1931.(ItsbeenthehomeofSinclairLewis,AlecBaldwinandMoby,amongother
celebrities.)ButNuckyissellinghisplace.
MargaretfindsNuckyonthebalcony.Agoldencurtainshimmersbehindher.She
tellshimhesdonewell$2,364,120.Shetellshimthatforher1,000shares,she
earned$29,925.Notbadforadayswork
Whensheaskshimforadviceonwhattodowithallthatmoney,heanswers:I
wasabellboy.Carriedpeoplesbags.FirsttimeIwastippedanickel,Ithoughtthe
worldisamarvelousplace.Butadimewouldbebetter.Thenaquarter.Well,you
knowhowitworks.
Mycircumstanceshavechanged,hetellsher.TherearethingsIwontdo
anymore.Youunderstandthat,dontyou?
ThereiswhatIknow,whatIsuspectandwhatIdontthinkIshouldeverhear,
shesaysinthatlovelybrogue.Margaretcouldrecitehergrocerylistanditwould
soundlikepoetry.
AmIsupposedtosayImsorry?heasks,genuinely.
Itsnotinyournature,shesays.Allyoudidwasoffer.Imtheonewhotook.(If
onlyCarmelaSopranocouldhavebeensowise.)
Asongcomesontheradio,andtheydance,cheektocheek,intheempty
apartment.Butbeforetheycankiss,arealestatebrokerbargesintoshowacouple
theapartment.Asthecouplelookaround,NuckyandMargaretexchangeamost
longingoflonginglooks.
BackdowntheroadabitattheMajestic,murderplansarebeingmade.Moregold
curtainshanginthebackground.
Twoshootersinpublic,Lucianosays,sopeopleknow.
Iwantitallcleanedupbeforethemeeting,LanskyinstructsBugsy.
Whomaretheytalkingabout?Whosgonnagetitnow?Nucky?Narcisse?Johnny
Torrio?
BackinA.C.,Nuckyiswalkingdowntheboardwalkwithabigpaperbag,looking

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aroundhimasifheexpectstogetshotanysecond.Awomaninagoldenharem
costumeapproachesandsays,DoyouknowwhoIam?Heguessesshesagenie.
Shesaysshesfromthefutureandhasamessageforhim.
Theonlywaytoknowledgeisthroughexperience,shesays.Sister,weknowall
aboutit.
Shetakeshimovertoaboothandpullsopenapurplecrushedvelvetcurtainand
tellshimnottobeafraid.Itsdarkinside.Butsomethingislightingup.IsNucky
dreaming?Andsuddenly,itsclearwhatsbeforehim.Atelevision.Alittlepost
moderninsidejokefromTerenceWinterandhispals.YouandI,luckyviewers,are
firmlyplantedinthefuture.Thefuturesnameispremiumcable.WillNuckyinvest
hisnewfoundfortuneinthetelevisionindustry?
WeflashbacktoNuckyarrivingathisparentshome.Hismom,Eleanor(Erin
Dilly),hasablackeyefromhisdad,Ethan(IanHart),whosdrunkagain,
practicallypassedoutinthebackyardwithashotgun.Nuckystartsyellingathim,
andEthanpointsthegun.Afteratenseminuteorso,Ethanbreaksdown.
Youwerentgoingtotellme,hecries.Imgoingtobeagrandfather,andyou
dontwantmetoknow.Isthatwhatyouthinkofme?
Hehandsthegunover,andasNuckyistakingtheshellsout,Ethanthrowsa
punch.Afistfightensues,whichNuckywins.
Touchourmotheragain,Illgiveyouwhatyoudeserve,hesays.
ButEthanhasthelastword.Anditstings.Whereveryouthinkyourerunning,
werealwaysgonnaberighthere.
BackinhiscurrentdayA.C.,Nuckyknocksonthedoorofacrummybuildingon
theboardwalkaboveacigarshop.NextdoorisSilversBathhouse(enoughgold!)
Eli(SheaWhigham)answersthedoor.Nuckyisholdingthatgiantpaperbag.What
couldbeinside?
ItseemstheressomesandwichesandsomeCokes.Paintsuppliessitbehindthem
inthisdingylittleroom.Yellowpaintcans,ofcourse.Andcontainersofsome
householdproductcalledGoldDust.Goldenlettersonthewindowbehindtheir
headsadvertisetoolsandhouseholdsupplies.ButrightbehindNucky,ashetalks,
wecanseeonlytwogoldletters.AndtheyspelloutTV.
NuckytellsEliabouthisswimintheocean.Firstlighthaventdonethatin45
yearsfartherthanIeverdaredasakid.Keepgoing,Ithought.Keepgoinguntil
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youcantturnback.Thatswherethereisntanychoice.Youdontknowwherethat
is.Youdontknowuntilyoupassit.Andthenitstoolate.
Youneverwantedtobehere,Elitellshim.Notfromthestart.
Nuckytellshimtheywontbeseeingeachotheragain.AndIthinkthatsbest.
Dontyou?heasks.
WhatamIsupposedtodowithmyself?Eliasks.
Arentyoudonewithmetellingyou?Nuckycomplains.
Hetellshimtogohome.ButEliisafraidhiswifewontevenopenthedoorforhim.
Ifyoudonttry,youllalwaysregretit,Nuckysays.
Howcomeyougottobethewiseone?Eliasks.
Becauseyouneededmetobe.
ItsnowthatIrealizetherehasbeensomuchsilenceinthisepisode,morethanany
otherbeforeit.Itsgivingustimetoreflect.Tothinkaboutwhatscomebefore.
JimmyandGillian,crazyGypRosetti,Caponeandhisdeafkid,VanAldenandthe
baptismgoneawry.IfeelasifIvebeenthroughasmuchasNuckyandEli.
Littlebrother,Nuckysaysasheleaves.Andtheyhugitout.
Eligoesovertothepaperbag.Whatsinthere?Isitagun?AstatueoftheEmpire
StateBuilding?GwynethPaltrowshead?Ahhhh.Itsmoney,ofcourse.Lotsofit.
Fistfulsandfistfuls.
Andunderneath?
Ashavingbrushandrazor.ThetoolsforElisfuture.
WemakeanicecuttoCaponecheckinghisscarredfaceinacompactmirroronhis
ridetothecourthouse.TheinsideofCaponescarisagoldenhue.Hesticksacigar
inhismouthandgetsout,smiling.Therearegoldenpanelsonthecourthouse
facade.Thepresscrowdsaround,askingifhellbeatthecharges.
Youheartheyremakingamovieaboutme?helaughsandposesforthecameras.
Whowilltakecareofbusinesswhilehesaway,theyask.Heanswershehas500
menworkingforhim,whowillallbestrandedifthisshipgoesdown.Atthetop
ofthecourthousestepsareDAngelo(LouisCancelmi)andhispartner.Capone
stopssmilingforamomentandtipshiswhitehat.

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AttheMajesticmeetingwithLuciano,theceilingisamber.Agoldenmuraland
goldencolumnshineinthebackground.
OurfriendfromChicagocouldntmakeit,saysLucianotothemobstersgathered
aroundhistable.Wewishhimwell.
Payyourtaxes,fellas,oneofthegangsterssays.
Thistable,itsroundforareasoncausenobodysitsatthehead,Luciano
instructs.Theresnoboss.Therearesevenbosses,acommission,madeupfrom
thefivefamiliesinNewYork,plusBuffaloandChicago.Nobodygetsmadeunless
weallapprove,Lucianoexplains.Yourwayofdoingthings,itsover.Ifitsgood
forbusiness,itsgoodforus.Jews,Irish.Nopointinlimitingtheiropportunities.
Thefutureisours,boys,hesays,andtheytoast,withglassesofgolden
Champagne.
Dr.Narcissewalksoutofachurchaftergivingasermon,hisfansgatheredaround
himandcomplimentinghim.Onegenerationpassethaway,anothergeneration
comeththesunrisesandthesungoesdown,hesays.Andjustthen,two
gunmenLucianosguyspopupandstartshooting.JeffreyWrightdoesa
terrificstumblingdeathscene.Butjusttobesure,agunmanreturnsandshoots
himonemoretime.Forgoodmeasure.
AtGilliansmentalhospital,Nuckyisbeingledinbythescarymatron(Mary
McCann),whosaysthattheyusuallydonttellpatientstheyregettingavisitor.It
createsanexpectationthatcanleadtodifficulties.ButGillian(GretchenMol)isan
exception.
Shesamodelgirl,soweletherknowshewouldbehavingavisitor,thematron
says.Shesbeenpreparingallday.
Gillianisseatedonawhitewickerchair,inapinkandwhitecheckeddress,
lookingliketheadolescentinthoseflashbacks.Nuckyleapsrightinandwipes
awayanyhopesshemighthaveofescape.
Whateveryouwant,whateveryouthinkIlldo,thatwontbepossible,hesays.
Youwereveryclever.Youmadeabargain.Yousavedyourownneck.Thatsmore
thanotherpeoplecansay.Gillianisnotresponding.Shesplayingwithaladybug
crawlingonherfingers.
Nuckyflailsaroundinaonewayconversation.Imnotsomeoneyoushouldlook
toforhelp.Imleavinghere.Startingsomethingnew.Iwontbeback.Youllhave
yourownroominside,thatsbeenarranged.Ifyougetyourselfout,therellbe
moneyinatrustaccount.Dontwriteme.Donttrytofindme.Dontlookfor

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anythingelse.
Gillianwontfightback.Butshestearingup
Youwantmeonmyknees?heasks,desperateforsomefeedback.Iwontdo
that.Thepastispast.Nothingcanchangeit.IshetryingtoconvinceGillianor
himself?RememberyourFaulkner:Thepastisneverdead.Itsnotevenpast.
Whatdoyouexpectofme?Nuckypleads.
Gillianisstilllookingatthebug.Theyrecalledladybugs.Buthowcanyoutell
whichonesalady?
Thematroncomesbackover.SheasksifGillianenjoyedhervisit.
Ohyes,shesays,graciously.
Shemovestogetup,thendoublesover.Itsabittender,Gilliansays,holdingher
abdomen.Ohno.Theyvealreadydonethehysterectomy!Nuckywastoolate.
Dr.Cottonwillgiveyousomething,thematronsays.
SheputsoutherhandtoNucky,andhelooksalarmed.Butthenhehelpsherup.
Theresstillgraciousnessintheworld,shesays,andwalksaway.
WecuttotheOldRumpus,whereeventheshowgirlsaredressedinglitteringgold
undergarments.Nuckywalksinandsaysheshereforhisthings.Inhisbedroom,
withitsbrownandgoldenshimmeringwallpaper,isanemptysuitcase.Helooks
throughadeskdrawerandpullsoutabookstuffedwithdocumentsandinsurance
policies.(IsMickeysinthere?)Butitsnotthepolicyhesafter.Itsthepostcard
fromMabelfromwhentheywerekids.Heturnsitoverandreadsit.Andthephone
rings.
ItsthemanagerfromtheRitz.Ihaveasituationthatneedsyourattention.
Inanotherflashback,Nuckyisonthecrowdedboardwalk.KingNeptuneismaking
hiswaydowninasmallparade,childrenwearinggoldencrowns.TheCommodore
isontheporch.Gillian(MadeleineRoseYen)isoneofNeptunesattendants.
Nuckyspotsher.Sheruns,buthecatchesupwithher.
Sheaskswhatshappenedtohisface.(Hiseyeisblackenedfromthefistfightwith
hisdad.)
Yourenottheonlyonewhodoesntlikewhereshescomefrom,Nuckysays.
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YouhaveMrs.Thompson,shereplies.Youregoingtohaveafamily.Sheasks
himtojustleaveheralone.Mrs.Thompsonsaidyouwanttobegood,butyou
dontknowhow.
JimNearycomesandfetchesNuckyandsaystheCommodorewantshimuponthe
porch.ThisyoungNuckyasksGillianwithhisbestBuscemiimpersonationto
stayforamoment.Please.Hetenderlytouchesherarm.
BacktocurrentdayA.C.ThemanageristellingNuckythattheguytheyvecaught
isapolitekid.Aprettylousythief.HestalkingaboutJoeHarper(TravisTope),
whosbeingheldinthehotelbasement.Nuckyspringshim.
Flashbackagain.(Theyrecomingfastandfuriousnow,headedforanawful
collisionofpastandpresent.)
TheCommodoredemandsNuckysbadge.Theyargue.Idonthavefaithinyou,
theCommodoresays.
Iservedyou.Ivewaited.Ivekeptmymouthshut.
Youthinkyoudeservesomethingfortryinghard.Throughmeandfromme,thats
allthereis.
CuttoNuckylecturingJoeHarperontheboardwalk.Heaskswherethe$1,000is
thathegavehim.
Illearnitback,Joesays.God,hesoundsjustlikeJimmy.Oh.My.God.He
soundsjustlikeJimmy.Itissuddenlydawningonme.
Joesayshellworkattheclub.
Thewarsover,Nuckysays.Theothersidewon.Icanthelpyou.Gobackhome.
Idonthaveone.
Thengofindone.Makeone.Dowithoutone.Donttakeitoutoneveryoneelse.
Nuckysticksmoneyinthekidstopjacketpocket.
Joetakesthemoneyoutandripsitup.
O.K.,kid.Youshowedme.Goodluck.Youregonnaneedit.
FlashbacktoNucky,devastated,walkingofftheCommodoresporch.Heswalking
away.Walk,Nucky!Keepwalking!ButLeanderwalksuptohim.Thereisayouth
theCommodorewishestoplaceinservice,hesays.

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Whatsthatgottodowithme?Nuckyasks.
Thetaskisentrustedtothesheriff,hesays,showinghimthebadge.
Nuckylooksupattheporch,andtheCommodoreisstaringoverathim,thenturns
hisgazetoGillian,whosstillstandingontheboardwalk,waitingforNuckyto
comeback.
Youunderstandthisisanactofcharity,Leandersays.
Butthisisthemoment.ThemomentthatNuckytalkedaboutearlierinthe
episode,theeventthatthiswholedamnshowhingeson,withoutwhichthefuture
forJimmy,forGillian,forNucky,Eliandeveryoneintheirorbitwouldhave
beensoverydifferent.Withoutthismoment,therewouldhavebeennobadNucky
perhaps.AndcertainlynoJimmy.AndnoRichardHarrow.Thisisthepivotal
momentthatwillsealtheirfate.OurfateofsittinghereinTVland,witnessingit
all.
Thisisthatpoint,theoneyoudontseecominguntilitsrightinfrontofyouand
youhavetomakethatsnapjudgment,theonethatwillchangeyourlifeforever.
Youdontknowwherethatis.Youdontknowuntilyoupassit.Andthenitstoo
late,NuckytoldEliaboutswimmingtoofarout.
AndyouknowthatNuckyisabouttoswimpastthatpointofnoreturn.Trading
Gillianforhisfuturelifeofcrime.Andgold.
Backtothepresent,Nuckyiswalkingalongtheboardwalkandnoticesasignover
oneofthebuildings,featuringKingNeptune.Abunchofdrunkstudents
(Princetonboys,withtheorangePontheirsweaters)aremakingtheirwaydown
theboardwalkandrunsmackintoNucky.OneofthemisrecitingaRobertW.
Servicepoemaboutyouguessedit!thegoldrush.
Ourlesson,fellowpremiumcablewatchers:
Iwantedthegold,andIsoughtit;Iscrabbledandmuckedlikeaslave.Wasit
famineorscurvyIfoughtit;Ihurledmyyouthintoagrave.Iwantedthe
gold,andIgotitCameoutwithafortunelastfall,Yetsomehowlifesnot
whatIthoughtit,Andsomehowthegoldisntall.
FlashbacktoGillian,standingontheboardwalk.Issomethingwrong?sheasks
Nucky.Dowehavetoleave?CanIgodowntothebeach?
Youwantedtosailaroundtheworld,hesaystohermournfully.
Dontyou?

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Flashahead.JoeisstandingbehindNucky.WhenMeematalkedaboutyou,he
says,Icouldnttellifitwasloveorhate.Meema?Grandma,hesays.
Flashback.NuckytellsGillianthattheresamanherewhosveryrich.Hesoffered
tohelpusboth.Wouldyouliketomeethim?IpromiseIllalwayslookafteryou.
HeputshishandouttoGillian.
Whoareyou?NuckyasksJoeHarper.
TommyDarmody.Gasp!!!
Tommy(notJoeHarper!ItwasaTwainianmadeupname!!!)pullsoutagun.And
heshootsNuckytwice.Nuckyfallsandputsouthishand.
YoungGillianputsoutherhand.
TommyshootsNuckyintheface,thebulletneatlypiercinghischeek.Hesstill
alive.Dazedbutalive.DetectivesgrabTommyandshowtheirbadgestoNuckyand
saysomethinginaudibleabouttakinghimtothehospital.
AndnowNuckyisswimmingunderwaterasaboy,fromthatfirstscenefromthe
firstepisodethisseason.Heschasingthegoldcoin.Andfinallyhecatchesit.And
wefadetoblack.
Theendofasmall,gildedmasterpiece.
Questionsandtalkingpointsforthoseofuswhonowhavenothingto
doonSundaynights:
SoisNuckydeadoralive?Ivotealive.Butthenagain,IwassureTonydidntget
rubbedoutinthatlastsceneofTheSopranos.Callmeanoptimist.
Inreallife,Nuckywasnotshot.Hediedin1968at85attheAtlanticCounty
ConvalescentHome.
Caponewenttoprisonatage33,wherehewasdiagnosedwithsyphilisand
sufferingfromcocainewithdrawal.Neurosyphilisateathisbrainuntilhewas
releasedin1939andfoundtohavetheI.Q.ofa12yearold.In1947hehada
stroke,thencontractedpneumoniaanddiedofaheartattackjustafterhis48th
birthday.
TheMajestic,Lucianosluxuryapartmentbuilding,hasbeenthehomeofMilton
Berle,ConanOBrien,WalterWinchellandMarcJacobs.Vincent(theChin)
Gigante,themobsterwholaterworehisbathrobeandslippersonthestreetsof
GreenwichVillage,shotFrankCostellointhelobbybackin1957,butCostellolived.

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Whenhedeliveredtheshot,Gigantesaid,Thisisforyou,Frank,whichcaused
Costellototurnhishead,resultinginamerescalpwound.
MaybeweshouldallrentLouisMallesAtlanticCitynextweekandgettogether
tochat
HeleneStapinski

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