Everytime I see Van Alden I can't help but see him as Zod, trying to face down Superman.

However, I didn't pick up that Maranzano was murdered in the restaurant. Are we concluding that he was and what was Torrio's reason for involvement?

I'm also not clear as to what the deal is that Margaret made with Rothstein's wife?



TIS

I'm not making that assumption at all (that Marranzano was killed). I believe that hit is still months in the future.

Margaret got Rothstein's wife to agree to accept a small portion of the total amount that Margaret stole from Arnold Rothstein's account as payment in full. (This is what Nucky told Margaret to do).

Chalky's daughter was accidentally killed by Richard Harrow right before he died.
Daughter Maitland was last seen singing at some hole-in-the wall club.

Maranzano is definitely not dead yet, they show his face alive in the restaurant after the shooting ends.

REMINDER - SPOILER MATERIAL IS DISCUSSED HERE -

This was a WTF episode, and I think part of it frustrated me more than any other episode in the show's history.

OK, I expected that Van Alden wouldn't survive the series although the way he died (trying to strangle Capone) surprised me.

I was sorry to see Chalky check out, too. He was one of my favorite characters but his stock went down in my book as soon as he agreed to partner with Narcisse.

What was all that crap with Gillian (in the flashbacks) as the thief? She HAS TO figure in the show's ending now; I just can't guess how.

Also, what was with the two hookers and Nucky?? They seemed to have wasted a lot of time on that storyline.

Only two more episodes and the show is done.

The recurring theme of the final season seems to be Nucky's reflection on the path he chose to achieve "success".
Remember the earlier scene in which the young Nucky witnessed the Commodore being "introduced" to a young girl while her mother stands off to the side with a resigned,pained look on her face? At that moment,Nucky discovered an entree into the Commodore's world and the fame and fortune that could be his.

As we find out in the earlier episodes,Nucky brought the young Gillian to the Commodore. Instead of helping this poor kid out as a decent lawman (or even regular human being) would have done,Nucky delivers her to a life of statutory rape and debauchery.

This betrayal of the young Gilliam is haunting him now. Not only did he hand her over,but he also killed her son.

I have two theories on how the Gillian subplot plays out.
1) Nucky,torn by guilt,uses his influence to get Gillian pardoned and released.
2)The young boy who just started to work for Mickey (the boy who found Nucky unconscious in the alley)turns out to be Jimmy Darmody's son Tommy,who kills Nucky in the final episode.

The boy would be about the right age. Interesting take.

Could be.

But why in the world did Chalky walk into that trap?

Chalky's only interest at that point was trying to help Daughter Maitland and her daughter(who I believe is Chalky's) get free of Narcisse,and for Daughter to get her music career back. Once he felt that he had accomplished that,he knew that he was out of road.
Chalky was on the run ,wanted for the murder of a fellow escapee,as well as the prison guard. His daughter was dead,he had no crew left,no place to hide,and he knew that he would never win the battle against Narcisse.
Once Daughter was taken care of (in his mind) he resigned himself to his fate.
I believe that the minute he agreed to Narcisse's proposal,he knew that he wasn't leaving alive.

The kid that works for nucky that found him after he was robbed could that be james darmody son

See several posts above.

Thanks

I was thinking same thing but how would he ever know that Nucky killed his Dad? Because his Dad and mom were dead and grandmother went to the looney bin.....the nucky thing I just dont get and like stated above the hookers and nucky out alone was a long time for nothing except maybe to make the alleged darmody son and nucky buddies....only 2 left that kind of stinks

I can think of three ways.
1, Richard Harrow might have told the full story to his sister or girlfriend who raised Tommy.

2 Tommy knows who his father was and Nucky spills the beans about the murder in a fit of self loathing.

Or 3, Gillian gets out, seduces the kid (to continue her incest extravaganza)and tells him she didn't kill Jimmy, Nucky did.

If they end with the #3 one then you win best ending ever....that is awesome.......

Damn. I just watched Sundays episode, sad to see Chalky go but what an amazing way to die. I love the way the series has played out, even though they gloss over a lot of history it is understandable because it would be impossible to maintain the story line. I just assumed Nucky would live but you guys got me guessing

That was also my take and man what a powerful turn of events. Brilliant stuff really

Excellent analyses, Lou.

Looks like they're dropping off the players in anticipation of the end. The real Nucky went to prison for four years for tax evasion (1941 - 45) and died broke.

It's going to be interesting to see the fate that awaits Nucky. I'm hoping that they don't opt for a revisionist slant and have him killed,possibly by Tommy Darmody,or the Torrio/Lansky/Luciano troika.

If they stay close to the truth,the fun for us will be speculating on who gives Nucky up to the IRS. In a show of this caliber(no pun intended)it can't just be the Feds making a case by themselves. There almost has to be the "Traitor That No One Sees Coming" to deal the final blow.

So,guys and gals,who will it be and why?

I believe they were trying to show how Nucky was still a cut below Kennedy power wise. Kennedy made him grovel by telling him he had to reveal what he wanted in life, then did not give him what he had groveled for.

somehow I don't believe he died broke. bet he still had a small fortune hidden somewhere

Now you know how it feels

I Felt Sad for Nucky lol but that the game they Play in its for Keeps for Sure What a Great Show

Best line of the episode..

This week's episode has to be one of the best ever up next to when jimmy was killed, sad next week is the end, what a great series, can't wait to see what HBO has coming up next, hope they can get some new type of gangster series, there are tons to go with. Love the capone character in the series Boardwalk

A part of the Boardwalk fan in me died when i saw Nucky completely out of control of the situation, Lucky shooting both Mickey and Archie and Nucky being completely helpless. Him getting on his knees was the icing on the cake. Felt pretty bad but i still love Lucky, Bugsy and Meyer. Bugsy stole the show this ep imo and i never thought i'd have as much sympathy for Gillian as i have now. This season feels a bit rushed but the writing is great despite that.

I think Nucky was trying to get his nephew back. Otherwise, he might have shot it out.

Yeah that's the reason but still it was weird seeing Nucky in such a desperate position like that.