ARTSBEAT

BoardwalkEmpireFinaleRecap:GoldenMemories

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

ByHELENESTAPINSKIOCTOBER26,2014

Season5,Episode8:Eldorado

ButhegrewoldThisknightsoboldAndoerhisheartashadowFellashefound Nospotontheground ThatlookedlikeEldorado.EdgarAllanPoe,Eldorado

Sowecometotheend,myfriends,whichtakesusrightbacktothebeginning.ThisseriesfinaleistitledEldorado,andlikethefirstepisodethisseason,itisgilded,tosubliminallydeliverthemoreobviousmessageofthedangersofgreed.

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Webeginwithashotofclothesonabeach,acigarettecase,alighter,apairofshoes,thesurflappinggentlyatthepile.WeseeNuckysbarefeetandnakedbackashewalksintothesurf,liketheboywhodoveintotheseainthatfirstepisodesearchingforgoldcoins.Isitabaptismofsorts?Ishecommittingsuicide?Thisepisodehasbarelyevenbegun.

Nucky(SteveBuscemi)swimsout,pastthebreakers,fartherandfarther.JustliketheGoldenManElHombreDorado,fromwhichthelegendofElDoradoistaken.ItwasthenameusedbytheSpaniardstodescribethenativeColombianchiefwho,coveredingolddust,doveintoalakeaspartofatribalritual.ItwasthepromiseofthegoldinthemythicalempireofElDoradothatpropelledtheconquistadorstowardthecontinent.

WeflashbacktoNucky(MarcPickering)asayoungdeputysheriffwalkingalongtheboardwalk.HestopsattheCornerHotelandmakeshispitchtotheCommodore(JohnEllisonConlee)forbeingthenewsheriff.

TheCommodoreisspoutinghislessonsonceagainandtellsNuckythatitswhatyouleavebehindthatcounts.Thatstheonlythingthatanyonesevergoingtoknowaboutyou,hesays.

Nucky,alwaysobsequiouswhenitcomestotheCommodore,sayshemustbeproudofwhathellberememberedfor.ButtheCommodorecontradictshim.Forwhat?Woodenhotels?Rollingcarts?Thesearethingsthatonebadstormwilleasilywashaway.

TheCommodoreasksifhehaschildren,andNuckysaysoneisexpected.Childrengetintheway,theCommodoresays,dismissively.Intheend,wedowhatwehavethenervefor,orwedisappear.

Nuckysayshesbeenloyal,thathehaskepthismouthshutabouttheyouknowwhat.ThefactthattheCommodoreisapedophile.

Areyouthreateningme?theCommodoreasks.

AteacherwithahalfdozenlittlegirlsingoldencrownsinterruptsandasksiftheycanrecitefortheCommodore.Thepedophileisthrilled.Ick.

Ah!whatpleasantvisionshauntme,theyrecite,fromTheSecretoftheSeabyLongfellow.AsIgazeuponthesea!Alltheoldromanticlegends,allmydreams,comebacktome.

WecuttoJoeKennedy(MattLetscher)meetingwiththeMayflowerGrainCorporationboardandSenatorWendellLloyd(MichaelSiberry).Rememberhim

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fromCuba?SenatorLloydistellingthemthatthewordonthehillisthatrepealofprohibitionisnotgoingtohappen.Theboardmembersareclamoringtoselltheirstockat33and1/8,thehighestitseverbeen.ButKennedyistryingtotalkthemdown,sayingthatHooverisoutandF.D.R.isin.

ItsRoosevelt,boys,Kennedysays.Prohibitionsover.Youcantakethattothebank.Heasksthemtoholdsteadyfor24hourswhilehesortsthingsout.

InCaponesoffice,lightedbyagoldenchandelier,hislawyeristryingtobreakittohimthathesgoingtoprisonfor$2millioninunpaidtaxes.OnCaponesdeskisalineofgoldenelephantswiththeirtrunksupasignofprosperityandgoodluck.ButCaponesluckhasrunout.Hehas24hourstoturnhimselfintoDAngelo,whoserealnamewasMalone(rhymeswithCapone!).AnIrishman,Caponesays.Thatswhathurtsthemost.

Capone(StephenGraham)istellingthelawyertodohisjob,tomakesomecalls,greasesomepalms.Dealwithit,forChristssakes.

BackinLucianosdigsthenewlybuiltArtDecoMajesticapartmenthouseonCentralParkWestand72ndStreettheluckisstillholdingout.Oneofthescantilycladmollswalksaroundinshinygoldhighheels.Theresabouquetofbrightyellowflowersbesidethegoldpaintedfireplace.Lansky(AnatolYusef)runsdownalistofallthemobbosseswhoarebeinginvitedtotheirmeeting.Bugsy(MichaelZegen)jokes,Arethosetypesofcheeses?

WhileanothermollgivesLuciano(VincentPiazza)amanicure,hereminiscesabouttheolddays,havingameetingyearsagoinAtlanticCity.Irememberthinking,Imwiththebigboysnow.Nowlookatus.Lucianosdroopyeyeseemstobegettingdroopierwitheveryepisode.Hesaysthatanyonewhosnotonboardwiththeneworganizationisagoner:WaxeyGordon,DutchSchultz,Dr.Narcisse(JeffreyWright).

Allaboutmovingforward,aintit?Bugsysays.

AtConnorsandGould,Margaretsfirm,anangryKennedybargesintohergoldwallpaperedoffice.Agoldentickersitsonherdesk.Youreshortingmyfirmsstockyouandyourhusband,hesaystoMargaret(KellyMacdonald),whosdressedinaverygroovypurplesuit.WhichofyourclientsistwistingthearmofSenatorLloyd?heasks.

Ihavenoideawhothatis,Margaretsays.

Yourhusbanddoes,andhestryingtoscrewme.Iprefertodothescrewingmyself.Ha!

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KennedythenrealizesitsMargaretwhosshortingtheMayflowerstock.Yourethemastermind,hesays.

AllIknowiswhatIreadinthepapers,shesays.

Hesaystheplanwontwork,thathispartnerswillstaythecourse.Butshetellshimthestockhasfallennearlythreepointsinthelasthour.Hispartnersaresellinginincrements,behindhisback,shesays.Margaretsuggestshesellaswell.

Unloadyourentirepositionandthensellshortalongwithmyclient.Shetellshimtoopenanaccountunderanassumedname.Cashoutinone.Sellshortinanother.

Ineedtocallmybroker,hesays.Margaretpushesthephonetowardhim.

FlashbacktoNuckyreturningtofindMabelsbloodygarmentsonthefloor.Mabel(MayaKazan)issittingtowardthebackofthehouse,herhairwet,ayellowshawlonherlap.Sheshadamiscarriage.Nuckyistryingtounderstandwhatshappenedandwantstocallthedoctor.Amishap,shesays.Itpassedquickly.Noneedforthedoctor.

Isthebabyallright?heasks.

Notababy,shesays.Justamishap.

Nuckyisterriblyworriedaboutherandkneelsbeforeher,apologizingfornotbeingtherewhenithappened.

Iworkforthis,hesays.Everything.Forthis.Iloveyou.IdisappointyouwhateverIdo,dontI?

Shetoucheshisheadlovinglybutdoesntanswer.

Suddenlytheresaknockatthedoor.Itshisbrother,Eli(RyanDinning).Maneedsyou,hesays.

BackinMargaretsoffice,allhellhasbrokenloose.Mayflowerstockisfallingfast.Kennedyiseager,butMargaretinsiststhatithasntfoundthebottomyet.

Fightsbreakout.Peoplearepunchingeachother.Agoldenlightshinesthroughtheofficepartition.

Thisisadangerousgameyoureplaying,Mrs.Thompson,astrungoutKennedysays.Margaretisnervousaswell.Shewatchesthepricedropfurtherandfurther,markedonachalkboardaboveeveryone.

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At3and1/4,shesummonsabrokerandcommands,ClosetheseshortpositionsinMayflower.Whilethebrokermakesthecall,theywaitanxiously.

Threethingsaredifficulttounderstandinthisworld,Kennedysays.Theworkofthebees,themovementsofthetideandthemindofawoman.Butshehasacomeback,asusual.(IloveMargaretandwillmissherdearly.)Thinkaboutthethingsyouwantinlifeandthenpictureyourselfinadress.

Theygetthethumbsupfromthebroker.Youvejustmadesomemoney,MargarettellsKennedy.

Thenletmeshakeyourhand,hesays.Herpalmsaresweaty.

Theresalotwecandotogether,Kennedysays.Wink,wink.

Iwasjustthinkingthesamething,shesays.Comeseemeduringofficehours.Thefirmwouldlovetohaveyourbusiness.Ha.

InCaponeshouse,wherethewallsareallpaintedagoldenyellow,hiswife,Mae(MarcellaLentzPope),isfrettingaboutwhatstocome.AreporterstoppedbyfromTheTribuneandaskedalotofquestions.

Hetellshernottoworry.Thengoesupstairstoseetheirpartiallydeafson.Thekidisabout12yearsoldnowandissittingonhisbedroomfloorreadingaboutLewisandClark.

Imaybegoingawayforawhile,Sonny,Caponesays.Ididsomebadthings,andnowImintrouble.

Thiskidhasthesaddestfaceinthehistoryofsadfaces.Iwillhelpyou,hesays,tearingup.Sosad.

Youcanthelpmewiththis,saysCapone,whosalsotearingup.Youneedtolistentoyourmother.

StephenGrahamismyfavoriteactoronthisshow.Heisastounding.HeismakingmecryoverthethoughtofAlCapone,acoldblooded,maniacalkiller,goingtojail.Beagoodboy.RememberallIdidwasforyou.Toleaveyouwithsomethingbetterandthatcantbefornothing.Nowwereallintears.Capone,thekidwiththesaddesteyesintheworld,andme.

Whenthekidputshisfistsup,echoinganearlierepisodewhenCaponewastryingtoteachhimtofight,Ireallyloseit.Caponecomesandhugshim.Imdownforthecount.(ForallyouCaponefansoutthere,Sonnywasbornwithcongenitalsyphilisand,afterbrainsurgery,wasleftpartiallydeaf.Asanadult,hechangedhisnameto

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Brown,todisassociatehimselfwithhisfather,anddiedin2004at85.)

WecutbacktoMargaret,dressedinaverysnazzyorangefrock.ShesatNuckysemptyapartmentintheEldorado,whichisabout20blocksnorthoftheMajestic.ThisluxurytwotoweredArtDecoCentralParkWestbuildingwasjustfinishedin1931.(ItsbeenthehomeofSinclairLewis,AlecBaldwinandMoby,amongothercelebrities.)ButNuckyissellinghisplace.

MargaretfindsNuckyonthebalcony.Agoldencurtainshimmersbehindher.Shetellshimhesdonewell$2,364,120.Shetellshimthatforher1,000shares,sheearned$29,925.Notbadforadayswork

Whensheaskshimforadviceonwhattodowithallthatmoney,heanswers:Iwasabellboy.Carriedpeoplesbags.FirsttimeIwastippedanickel,Ithoughttheworldisamarvelousplace.Butadimewouldbebetter.Thenaquarter.Well,youknowhowitworks.

Mycircumstanceshavechanged,hetellsher.TherearethingsIwontdoanymore.Youunderstandthat,dontyou?

ThereiswhatIknow,whatIsuspectandwhatIdontthinkIshouldeverhear,shesaysinthatlovelybrogue.Margaretcouldrecitehergrocerylistanditwouldsoundlikepoetry.

AmIsupposedtosayImsorry?heasks,genuinely.

Itsnotinyournature,shesays.Allyoudidwasoffer.Imtheonewhotook.(IfonlyCarmelaSopranocouldhavebeensowise.)

Asongcomesontheradio,andtheydance,cheektocheek,intheemptyapartment.Butbeforetheycankiss,arealestatebrokerbargesintoshowacoupletheapartment.Asthecouplelookaround,NuckyandMargaretexchangeamostlongingoflonginglooks.

BackdowntheroadabitattheMajestic,murderplansarebeingmade.Moregoldcurtainshanginthebackground.

Twoshootersinpublic,Lucianosays,sopeopleknow.

Iwantitallcleanedupbeforethemeeting,LanskyinstructsBugsy.

Whomaretheytalkingabout?Whosgonnagetitnow?Nucky?Narcisse?JohnnyTorrio?

BackinA.C.,Nuckyiswalkingdowntheboardwalkwithabigpaperbag,lookingPage 6 of 14

aroundhimasifheexpectstogetshotanysecond.Awomaninagoldenharemcostumeapproachesandsays,DoyouknowwhoIam?Heguessesshesagenie.Shesaysshesfromthefutureandhasamessageforhim.

Theonlywaytoknowledgeisthroughexperience,shesays.Sister,weknowallaboutit.

Shetakeshimovertoaboothandpullsopenapurplecrushedvelvetcurtainandtellshimnottobeafraid.Itsdarkinside.Butsomethingislightingup.IsNuckydreaming?Andsuddenly,itsclearwhatsbeforehim.Atelevision.AlittlepostmoderninsidejokefromTerenceWinterandhispals.YouandI,luckyviewers,arefirmlyplantedinthefuture.Thefuturesnameispremiumcable.WillNuckyinvesthisnewfoundfortuneinthetelevisionindustry?

WeflashbacktoNuckyarrivingathisparentshome.Hismom,Eleanor(ErinDilly),hasablackeyefromhisdad,Ethan(IanHart),whosdrunkagain,practicallypassedoutinthebackyardwithashotgun.Nuckystartsyellingathim,andEthanpointsthegun.Afteratenseminuteorso,Ethanbreaksdown.

Youwerentgoingtotellme,hecries.Imgoingtobeagrandfather,andyoudontwantmetoknow.Isthatwhatyouthinkofme?

Hehandsthegunover,andasNuckyistakingtheshellsout,Ethanthrowsapunch.Afistfightensues,whichNuckywins.

Touchourmotheragain,Illgiveyouwhatyoudeserve,hesays.

ButEthanhasthelastword.Anditstings.Whereveryouthinkyourerunning,werealwaysgonnaberighthere.

BackinhiscurrentdayA.C.,Nuckyknocksonthedoorofacrummybuildingontheboardwalkaboveacigarshop.NextdoorisSilversBathhouse(enoughgold!)

Eli(SheaWhigham)answersthedoor.Nuckyisholdingthatgiantpaperbag.Whatcouldbeinside?

ItseemstheressomesandwichesandsomeCokes.Paintsuppliessitbehindtheminthisdingylittleroom.Yellowpaintcans,ofcourse.AndcontainersofsomehouseholdproductcalledGoldDust.Goldenlettersonthewindowbehindtheirheadsadvertisetoolsandhouseholdsupplies.ButrightbehindNucky,ashetalks,wecanseeonlytwogoldletters.AndtheyspelloutTV.

NuckytellsEliabouthisswimintheocean.Firstlighthaventdonethatin45yearsfartherthanIeverdaredasakid.Keepgoing,Ithought.Keepgoinguntil

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youcantturnback.Thatswherethereisntanychoice.Youdontknowwherethatis.Youdontknowuntilyoupassit.Andthenitstoolate.

Youneverwantedtobehere,Elitellshim.Notfromthestart.

Nuckytellshimtheywontbeseeingeachotheragain.AndIthinkthatsbest.Dontyou?heasks.

WhatamIsupposedtodowithmyself?Eliasks.

Arentyoudonewithmetellingyou?Nuckycomplains.

Hetellshimtogohome.ButEliisafraidhiswifewontevenopenthedoorforhim.

Ifyoudonttry,youllalwaysregretit,Nuckysays.

Howcomeyougottobethewiseone?Eliasks.

Becauseyouneededmetobe.

ItsnowthatIrealizetherehasbeensomuchsilenceinthisepisode,morethananyotherbeforeit.Itsgivingustimetoreflect.Tothinkaboutwhatscomebefore.JimmyandGillian,crazyGypRosetti,Caponeandhisdeafkid,VanAldenandthebaptismgoneawry.IfeelasifIvebeenthroughasmuchasNuckyandEli.

Littlebrother,Nuckysaysasheleaves.Andtheyhugitout.

Eligoesovertothepaperbag.Whatsinthere?Isitagun?AstatueoftheEmpireStateBuilding?GwynethPaltrowshead?Ahhhh.Itsmoney,ofcourse.Lotsofit.Fistfulsandfistfuls.

Andunderneath?

Ashavingbrushandrazor.ThetoolsforElisfuture.

WemakeanicecuttoCaponecheckinghisscarredfaceinacompactmirroronhisridetothecourthouse.TheinsideofCaponescarisagoldenhue.Hesticksacigarinhismouthandgetsout,smiling.Therearegoldenpanelsonthecourthousefacade.Thepresscrowdsaround,askingifhellbeatthecharges.

Youheartheyremakingamovieaboutme?helaughsandposesforthecameras.

Whowilltakecareofbusinesswhilehesaway,theyask.Heanswershehas500menworkingforhim,whowillallbestrandedifthisshipgoesdown.AtthetopofthecourthousestepsareDAngelo(LouisCancelmi)andhispartner.Caponestopssmilingforamomentandtipshiswhitehat.

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AttheMajesticmeetingwithLuciano,theceilingisamber.Agoldenmuralandgoldencolumnshineinthebackground.

OurfriendfromChicagocouldntmakeit,saysLucianotothemobstersgatheredaroundhistable.Wewishhimwell.

Payyourtaxes,fellas,oneofthegangsterssays.

Thistable,itsroundforareasoncausenobodysitsatthehead,Lucianoinstructs.Theresnoboss.Therearesevenbosses,acommission,madeupfromthefivefamiliesinNewYork,plusBuffaloandChicago.Nobodygetsmadeunlessweallapprove,Lucianoexplains.Yourwayofdoingthings,itsover.Ifitsgoodforbusiness,itsgoodforus.Jews,Irish.Nopointinlimitingtheiropportunities.Thefutureisours,boys,hesays,andtheytoast,withglassesofgoldenChampagne.

Dr.Narcissewalksoutofachurchaftergivingasermon,hisfansgatheredaroundhimandcomplimentinghim.Onegenerationpassethaway,anothergenerationcomeththesunrisesandthesungoesdown,hesays.Andjustthen,twogunmenLucianosguyspopupandstartshooting.JeffreyWrightdoesaterrificstumblingdeathscene.Butjusttobesure,agunmanreturnsandshootshimonemoretime.Forgoodmeasure.

AtGilliansmentalhospital,Nuckyisbeingledinbythescarymatron(MaryMcCann),whosaysthattheyusuallydonttellpatientstheyregettingavisitor.Itcreatesanexpectationthatcanleadtodifficulties.ButGillian(GretchenMol)isanexception.

Shesamodelgirl,soweletherknowshewouldbehavingavisitor,thematronsays.Shesbeenpreparingallday.

Gillianisseatedonawhitewickerchair,inapinkandwhitecheckeddress,lookingliketheadolescentinthoseflashbacks.Nuckyleapsrightinandwipesawayanyhopesshemighthaveofescape.

Whateveryouwant,whateveryouthinkIlldo,thatwontbepossible,hesays.Youwereveryclever.Youmadeabargain.Yousavedyourownneck.Thatsmorethanotherpeoplecansay.Gillianisnotresponding.Shesplayingwithaladybugcrawlingonherfingers.

Nuckyflailsaroundinaonewayconversation.Imnotsomeoneyoushouldlooktoforhelp.Imleavinghere.Startingsomethingnew.Iwontbeback.Youllhaveyourownroominside,thatsbeenarranged.Ifyougetyourselfout,therellbemoneyinatrustaccount.Dontwriteme.Donttrytofindme.Dontlookfor

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anythingelse.

Gillianwontfightback.Butshestearingup

Youwantmeonmyknees?heasks,desperateforsomefeedback.Iwontdothat.Thepastispast.Nothingcanchangeit.IshetryingtoconvinceGillianorhimself?RememberyourFaulkner:Thepastisneverdead.Itsnotevenpast.

Whatdoyouexpectofme?Nuckypleads.

Gillianisstilllookingatthebug.Theyrecalledladybugs.Buthowcanyoutellwhichonesalady?

Thematroncomesbackover.SheasksifGillianenjoyedhervisit.

Ohyes,shesays,graciously.

Shemovestogetup,thendoublesover.Itsabittender,Gilliansays,holdingherabdomen.Ohno.Theyvealreadydonethehysterectomy!Nuckywastoolate.

Dr.Cottonwillgiveyousomething,thematronsays.

SheputsoutherhandtoNucky,andhelooksalarmed.Butthenhehelpsherup.

Theresstillgraciousnessintheworld,shesays,andwalksaway.

WecuttotheOldRumpus,whereeventheshowgirlsaredressedinglitteringgoldundergarments.Nuckywalksinandsaysheshereforhisthings.Inhisbedroom,withitsbrownandgoldenshimmeringwallpaper,isanemptysuitcase.Helooksthroughadeskdrawerandpullsoutabookstuffedwithdocumentsandinsurancepolicies.(IsMickeysinthere?)Butitsnotthepolicyhesafter.ItsthepostcardfromMabelfromwhentheywerekids.Heturnsitoverandreadsit.Andthephonerings.

ItsthemanagerfromtheRitz.Ihaveasituationthatneedsyourattention.

Inanotherflashback,Nuckyisonthecrowdedboardwalk.KingNeptuneismakinghiswaydowninasmallparade,childrenwearinggoldencrowns.TheCommodoreisontheporch.Gillian(MadeleineRoseYen)isoneofNeptunesattendants.Nuckyspotsher.Sheruns,buthecatchesupwithher.

Sheaskswhatshappenedtohisface.(Hiseyeisblackenedfromthefistfightwithhisdad.)

Yourenottheonlyonewhodoesntlikewhereshescomefrom,Nuckysays.Page 10 of 14

YouhaveMrs.Thompson,shereplies.Youregoingtohaveafamily.Sheaskshimtojustleaveheralone.Mrs.Thompsonsaidyouwanttobegood,butyoudontknowhow.

JimNearycomesandfetchesNuckyandsaystheCommodorewantshimupontheporch.ThisyoungNuckyasksGillianwithhisbestBuscemiimpersonationtostayforamoment.Please.Hetenderlytouchesherarm.

BacktocurrentdayA.C.ThemanageristellingNuckythattheguytheyvecaughtisapolitekid.Aprettylousythief.HestalkingaboutJoeHarper(TravisTope),whosbeingheldinthehotelbasement.Nuckyspringshim.

Flashbackagain.(Theyrecomingfastandfuriousnow,headedforanawfulcollisionofpastandpresent.)

TheCommodoredemandsNuckysbadge.Theyargue.Idonthavefaithinyou,theCommodoresays.

Iservedyou.Ivewaited.Ivekeptmymouthshut.

Youthinkyoudeservesomethingfortryinghard.Throughmeandfromme,thatsallthereis.

CuttoNuckylecturingJoeHarperontheboardwalk.Heaskswherethe$1,000isthathegavehim.

Illearnitback,Joesays.God,hesoundsjustlikeJimmy.Oh.My.God.HesoundsjustlikeJimmy.Itissuddenlydawningonme.

Joesayshellworkattheclub.

Thewarsover,Nuckysays.Theothersidewon.Icanthelpyou.Gobackhome.

Idonthaveone.

Thengofindone.Makeone.Dowithoutone.Donttakeitoutoneveryoneelse.

Nuckysticksmoneyinthekidstopjacketpocket.

Joetakesthemoneyoutandripsitup.

O.K.,kid.Youshowedme.Goodluck.Youregonnaneedit.

FlashbacktoNucky,devastated,walkingofftheCommodoresporch.Heswalkingaway.Walk,Nucky!Keepwalking!ButLeanderwalksuptohim.ThereisayouththeCommodorewishestoplaceinservice,hesays.

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Whatsthatgottodowithme?Nuckyasks.

Thetaskisentrustedtothesheriff,hesays,showinghimthebadge.

Nuckylooksupattheporch,andtheCommodoreisstaringoverathim,thenturnshisgazetoGillian,whosstillstandingontheboardwalk,waitingforNuckytocomeback.

Youunderstandthisisanactofcharity,Leandersays.

Butthisisthemoment.ThemomentthatNuckytalkedaboutearlierintheepisode,theeventthatthiswholedamnshowhingeson,withoutwhichthefutureforJimmy,forGillian,forNucky,Eliandeveryoneintheirorbitwouldhavebeensoverydifferent.Withoutthismoment,therewouldhavebeennobadNuckyperhaps.AndcertainlynoJimmy.AndnoRichardHarrow.Thisisthepivotalmomentthatwillsealtheirfate.OurfateofsittinghereinTVland,witnessingitall.

Thisisthatpoint,theoneyoudontseecominguntilitsrightinfrontofyouandyouhavetomakethatsnapjudgment,theonethatwillchangeyourlifeforever.Youdontknowwherethatis.Youdontknowuntilyoupassit.Andthenitstoolate,NuckytoldEliaboutswimmingtoofarout.

AndyouknowthatNuckyisabouttoswimpastthatpointofnoreturn.TradingGillianforhisfuturelifeofcrime.Andgold.

Backtothepresent,Nuckyiswalkingalongtheboardwalkandnoticesasignoveroneofthebuildings,featuringKingNeptune.Abunchofdrunkstudents(Princetonboys,withtheorangePontheirsweaters)aremakingtheirwaydowntheboardwalkandrunsmackintoNucky.OneofthemisrecitingaRobertW.Servicepoemaboutyouguessedit!thegoldrush.

Ourlesson,fellowpremiumcablewatchers:

Iwantedthegold,andIsoughtit;Iscrabbledandmuckedlikeaslave.WasitfamineorscurvyIfoughtit;Ihurledmyyouthintoagrave.Iwantedthegold,andIgotitCameoutwithafortunelastfall,YetsomehowlifesnotwhatIthoughtit,Andsomehowthegoldisntall.

FlashbacktoGillian,standingontheboardwalk.Issomethingwrong?sheasksNucky.Dowehavetoleave?CanIgodowntothebeach?

Youwantedtosailaroundtheworld,hesaystohermournfully.

Dontyou? Page 12 of 14

Flashahead.JoeisstandingbehindNucky.WhenMeematalkedaboutyou,hesays,Icouldnttellifitwasloveorhate.Meema?Grandma,hesays.

Flashback.NuckytellsGillianthattheresamanherewhosveryrich.Hesofferedtohelpusboth.Wouldyouliketomeethim?IpromiseIllalwayslookafteryou.HeputshishandouttoGillian.

Whoareyou?NuckyasksJoeHarper.

TommyDarmody.Gasp!!!

Tommy(notJoeHarper!ItwasaTwainianmadeupname!!!)pullsoutagun.AndheshootsNuckytwice.Nuckyfallsandputsouthishand.

YoungGillianputsoutherhand.

TommyshootsNuckyintheface,thebulletneatlypiercinghischeek.Hesstillalive.Dazedbutalive.DetectivesgrabTommyandshowtheirbadgestoNuckyandsaysomethinginaudibleabouttakinghimtothehospital.

AndnowNuckyisswimmingunderwaterasaboy,fromthatfirstscenefromthefirstepisodethisseason.Heschasingthegoldcoin.Andfinallyhecatchesit.Andwefadetoblack.

Theendofasmall,gildedmasterpiece.

QuestionsandtalkingpointsforthoseofuswhonowhavenothingtodoonSundaynights:

SoisNuckydeadoralive?Ivotealive.Butthenagain,IwassureTonydidntgetrubbedoutinthatlastsceneofTheSopranos.Callmeanoptimist.

Inreallife,Nuckywasnotshot.Hediedin1968at85attheAtlanticCountyConvalescentHome.

Caponewenttoprisonatage33,wherehewasdiagnosedwithsyphilisandsufferingfromcocainewithdrawal.Neurosyphilisateathisbrainuntilhewasreleasedin1939andfoundtohavetheI.Q.ofa12yearold.In1947hehadastroke,thencontractedpneumoniaanddiedofaheartattackjustafterhis48thbirthday.

TheMajestic,Lucianosluxuryapartmentbuilding,hasbeenthehomeofMiltonBerle,ConanOBrien,WalterWinchellandMarcJacobs.Vincent(theChin)Gigante,themobsterwholaterworehisbathrobeandslippersonthestreetsofGreenwichVillage,shotFrankCostellointhelobbybackin1957,butCostellolived.

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Backtotop

Whenhedeliveredtheshot,Gigantesaid,Thisisforyou,Frank,whichcausedCostellototurnhishead,resultinginamerescalpwound.

MaybeweshouldallrentLouisMallesAtlanticCitynextweekandgettogethertochat

HeleneStapinski

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