Owen Sleater continues to flirt shamelessly with Katy, which earns Katy the expected shaming and reprimand from Margaret. And later, when Margaret gets snippy with Sleater, he totally flirts with her, too! Meanwhile, Little Teddy Schroeder is making his First Confession this week, and the stern, disapproving priest tells Margaret that she must set a good example by confessing her own sins. This gives her some moments of inner turmoil. Nucky tells her she'd better not be thinking about confessing anything real, but when she finally gets to the confessional, she does come clean ... about lusting after a "bad" man in her employ. And how!
Lucy is now monstrously pregnant and ends up going into labor while Van Alden is busy at the hospital, throwing his religion at anybody who comes to visit a broiled and half-dead Agent Clarkson, who wakes up and says to Nelson, "I see you. I know what you did." Since this could mean just about anything to Van Alden, he assumes God is fixing to punish him. He calls his wife but can't bring himself to confess his many sins. And besides, it turns out Clarkson is delirious and the whole "I know what you did" thing was some childhood memory he's been reliving. Lucky day for Nelson, right? Well, not quite. Lucy ends up delivering the baby herself, and after Van Alden goes out to find a doctor, he returns to find his wife tending to Lucy. She freaks out on her husband and bites his wrist before running away.
If you've been keeping a running tally for the most objectionable character this show has ever produced, you're going to want to include Boy Prosecutor Chip, who smarms his way to a ruling that transfers Nucky's case to federal court, then spends the rest of the day whoring and asking people if they know who his father is. But there's a bump in the road when Senator Edge gets back on the scene and strong-arms Attorney General Daugherty to place a more hawkish prosecutor on Nucky's case. Sucks having enemies, Nuck.
Finally, Nucky, Rothstein and Waxey Gordon meet at the Ritz to finalize the Philly importing deal. With Waxey is Herman, formerly seen in Manny Horvitz's employ. Out on the boardwalk, Jimmy spots Nucky walking with Waxey and Herman and calls Manny, thinking Manny has struck a deal with Nucky and fucked him over. But Manny is chagrined, to say the least, to learn of Herman's allegiance, and he calls Jimmy down to interrogate the guy (learning all about Waxey's deal with Nucky and where the ships are coming in tonight) before inviting Jimmy to slash his throat like the hired killer he is.
That night, it's another woodlands ambush for Jimmy, as they ambush the cars being guarded by Luciano and Lansky. With the shooting at a stalemate, Lucky initiates an on-site summit, where he, Lansky and Jimmy strike a deal to let this shipment go through and then unite to take down the entire bootlegging scene. Out with the old guard, in with the new, heroin-friendly overlords.
Agent Van Alden is reading his bible while Lucy yells from the other room that she needs him to pick up some lemons from the store. She's supposed to be eating lemons for the pregnancy, see. She's in the kitchen, sitting on the end of the chair, looking like she's about to drop the kid out onto the floor. As delicate and demure as the day God made her. She complains that she can't get comfortable, to which the ultra-supportive Van Alden responds that he's been busy visiting Agent Clarkson, who is having trouble getting comfortable himself as he is currently burned over half his body. Lucy's all, "Sorry, daddy. I just want to be done with this." He says he'll pick up some lemons.
Christ on the cross! ...No, really, that's how this scene starts, with a shot of Christ on the cross. We're at the Catholic school, where Margaret, Nucky, and young Teddy are meeting with Father Ed (I'm sure he wasn't called "Father Ed" in these pre-Vatican II times, but we only get Nucky referring to him by his first name, so...) regarding Teddy's upcoming sacrament of First Confession. The priest is talking sternly about sin and hellfire, the usual pre-Confession spiel. Margaret is encouraging when Teddy struggles for the answers, but Nucky is impatient that he has to answer these questions at all. You get the feeling Nucky has lingering issues from his school days. So he rolls his eyes as the priest tells Teddy that sinning makes him like "the cruel Jews who taunted Jesus on the cross" and that it angers God. Nucky taps his watch and tells Father Ed that they need to wrap this up. Father Ed lectures that it's important that they set a good example to Teddy, which Nucky blows off and heads out to the car. With Nucky gone, the priest goes on lecturing about how Teddy is now seven years old, "The Age of Reason," old enough to know the difference between right and wrong. Old enough now that God doesn't simply watch over him, he judges him. Margaret looks lost in thought at that concept. Father Ed -- whose demeanor seems to be permanently angry -- says that Margaret needs to make sure Teddy is prepared to list his sins thoroughly tomorrow... and she should be prepared to do the same. Margaret is surprised by this. Why her? Father Ed says it's to set a good example, of course.
Federal court. Mr. Charles "Chip" Thorogood represents the people of the United States in their interest to take on jurisdiction of the Nucky Thompson case, on account of Mann Act violations that -- as he disingenuously grandstands -- he had to read about in the paper, because State's attorney Solomon Bishop failed to come forward with them! Can you imagine? Chip is really making an immediate and unfavorable impression here, with a most unpleasant combination of insincerity, grandstanding, and try-hard striving. The judge -- despite taking notice of Chippy's dweeby green shoes, and not being very impressed by them -- nonetheless sees the case Chippy's way. Bishop looks across the room at Nucky's attorney, who shrugs smugly.
At the Ritz, Nucky signs the inside cover of a bible he intends to give to Teddy. He signs it "Your devoted Uncle Nucky," which is adorable, though it also points out the lack of an official stamp on Nucky and Margaret's relationship. Nucky's shoe-shiner asks about the story of Daniel in the lion's den, a favorite of his children. Nucky kindly tips the guy, and then picks up a phone call from one George Remus. Remus, continuing to speak about himself in the third person, thanks Nucky for pointing Harry Daugherty's man -- Jess Smith -- his way. Nucky is much obliged, though he ends up asking for a finder's fee, which raises Remus's ire and reminds him of his earlier grudge with Nucky over phone charges at the Ritz. "You come to Cincinnati, you're not handed a bill for the maid service," he grumbles loudly. Nucky fires right back: "Why the fuck would anyone go to Cincinnati?!" Nucky can't believe he's still holding on to this grudge. "Remus finds you petty and resentful," says Remus. Nucky, again, is a pretty quick wit: "Well Remus can go fuck himself." Nucky seems to be losing his ability to suffer fools -- particularly fools whose help he might need at some point. After the phone call, he puts a ten-dollar bill in the bible for Teddy... then he scratches that and puts in a $20. Let no one say that he's a nickel-and-dimer.
In the Commodore's big game room, Jimmy and Gillian are meeting with Uncle Junior Muttonchops, who finally gets a name this week: Leander Whitlock. Leander reads a quote from Alexander the Great: "I am indebted to my father for living and to my teacher for living well." Gillian, who's put her public face back on, beams at the Commodore and proclaims Jimmy the son of an adoring king. But Jimmy's hung up on the "teacher" part -- does Leander mean Nucky? "He's always thinking head," Leander says of Nucky, and he admires his ploy with the Attorney General. The Commodore starts wordlessly squawking, but Leander's like, "I'm sorry, Louis, but give the man his due." As Langston the butler wheels a sputtering Commodore away, I can't help but feel a twinge of guilt. I know the guy's a terrible man, but it's unsettling how much I'm laughing at the indecipherable sputterings of a stroke victim like he's stuck in a lost Abbott and Costello bit. Anyway, Leander expresses some doubts about Jimmy's tactics as of late -- in particular the Parkhurst scalping. Jimmy is all "You'd have to talk to the men responsible," and Leander ultimately agrees to let this thin denial stand. He asks to speak to Jimmy alone, so Gillian leaves, but not before another smooch on Jimmy's lips and the understanding that he'll tell her everything. Leander looks at him after she's gone, and Jimmy's like, "...Yeah, she does that." Leander tries to impart some wisdom to this young boy. He doesn't seem as much of a snarling gargoyle as the rest of the town elders; more like a patient teacher. "Not every insult requires a response," he says. He starts talking about how the young Commodore had many virtues, but prudence was not one of them. Nucky, however, always had his eye on the big picture: "A machine that would make everyone pay." He calls it impressive. Jimmy pouts and bristles at this praise of Nucky, in a way that really betrays his immaturity. "What's so hard about putting the squeeze on somebody?" he asks. Leander's like, "Are you finding it easy? Then don't judge." Jimmy claims that he started something here and intends to see it through to the end. Leander would rather hear that Jimmy wants to win. Jimmy, fear in his eyes, tries to make himself sound tough: "Isn't that what I just said?"
Lucy is at home, puttering around the kitchen, when her water breaks. As was inevitable, she lifts up the hem of her slip to make sure we all remember what her vagina looks like, then crumples into the chair.
At the Ritz, Eddie pops some champagne to toast Chippy's victory, while Chip proceeds to make an ass of himself in front of Nucky and his lawyer. He even asks the rest of them if they know who his father is. Gauche in the extreme. Nucky calls up Harry, who passes on Jess's thanks for the Remus deal. Harry also seems to think Nucky now owes him one. Nucky says it's more like they're even -- provided "Skippy" here tanks the case. Harry says to take care of the boy, he goes way back with his dad (of course). Chip calls himself a "red-blooded American boy," and says he'd be interested in some "cherry pie, a la mode, if you get my meaning." Hoo-boy, Lucy Danziger might want to waddle to the side because we've got a new most objectionable character on the map! Nucky's like, "I have no idea what that is supposed to mean, but Eddie here will find you some pussy." Paraphrasing. Nucky says it nicer. Chip puts his arm around Eddie like a jackass as they exit Nucky's suite.
At Nucky's home, Sleater is horsing around with Teddy as he returns home with Margaret. She's all smiles until Katy comes into the hallway and Owen starts flirting shamelessly with her. After he goes, Margaret asks to speak with Katy in the room and proceeds to essentially slut-shame her for carrying on in such a manner when there are children in the house. Katy unfortunately fails to ask Margaret if she and Nucky somehow got married on their way home today in order to satisfy the requirements of this suddenly child-friendly household. She just grits her teeth and takes it. Of course, she gets to hump Sleater later, so let's not feel too sorry for her. (I suppose that's Margaret's line of thinking as well.)
Hospital. Agent Van Alden holds a vigil of sorts outside Agent Clarkson's room. Poor Clarkson looks pink and boiled and deformed after the explosion. Supervisor Elliot and Agent Sawicky stop by, and Elliot is dismayed and sardonic. "How is he still alive?" he wonders. "He loves the Lord," is Van Alden's predictable response. Van Alden is very proprietary over his agent, and he reprimands the other men when Elliot makes a crack about how the Lord doesn't seem to love Clarkson back. "Even the doctors," he sputters, "men of science, agree that his fate rests in God's hands, not theirs" So happy that Van Alden's one character trait is making an appearance here. He begins praying, and Clarkson gasps awake. Van Alden takes his hand (contamination!), and Clarkson looks at him. "I see you," he wheezes out. "I know what you did." Van Alden is taken aback, as he naturally would be. A statement like that could refer to any of a dozen things Van Alden has done or continues to do. Agent Sebso. Lucy. Conspiring with Mickey Doyle. He says he'll go get the doctor. Out in the hallway, he demonstratively looks pained -- Michael Shannon, as subtle as ever -- as the overhead lightbulb starts flickering. Obviously a sign from God.
At the Ritz, Nucky is meeting with a truly impressive cadre of criminals to finalize the Philadelphia liquor pickup. In attendance are Chalky White, Bill McCoy, Arnold Rothstein, Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky, and Waxey Gordon. Waxey is disappointingly normal and not the oversized gargoyle I was hoping for. He and Rothstein assure Nucky things will go quite smoothly as the booze is loaded off of McCoy's ships in Philly, loaded onto trucks, and driven to the New Jersey border by Waxey's men -- supervised by "Chaim," who we know as Manny Horvitz's associate Herman. (And given Manny's feelings about Waxey, I can't imagine he'd be too happy to know this.) Lucky and Meyer are to take the liquor from the Jersey border to Chalky's place. Chalky reminds them to honk the horn when they come, as he's not taking any more chances. Lucky initiates some chest-puffing over why Waxey's guys don't stick with them the whole way, but otherwise, it seems like a pretty solid plan.
Lucy is lying in bed, wailing her way through her contractions. She spots a kid in his bedroom across the alley. She asks him to get his mom, but he's rightly frightened by this foghorn with bosoms, so he pulls the curtains shut. Lucy starts crying, begging him to get his mother. Okay, so she got herself to her bed, but not to the phone? Or the doorway to call for help? I suppose I should stop pondering all of Lucy's bad decisions.
Jimmy and Angela are walking down the boardwalk, taking in the festivities, including the wireless radios on display. As Angela waxes poetic about the music in the air, Jimmy spots Nucky walking by and grabs Angela into a kiss so he's not spotted. Keeping one eye on Nucky, he sees him walking with Waxey and Herman. This is definitely worrisome to him, but Angela's none the wiser.
Back at the hospital, Van Alden calls home from the phone in the corridor. It's late at night, but he gets Rose. He tells her about Clarkson's sad fate and says there are things she doesn't know about him. "I'm not fit..." he begins, but Rose assures him that he's not responsible for the evils in the world. He says that everything he's done is because he loves her, which begins to rightly frighten Rose. "I have sinned and a good man has burned because of those sins." He's not fit for Rose nor for his badge. In Rose's defense, she's probably heard this kind of self-flagellation from him before. He tells her he loves her and hangs up.
Oh awesome. It's the Nucky/Margaret sex scene we've all been clamoring for. When he's done... thrusting ... he rolls off of her and turns over for a cigarette. She lays there silent for a moment, and then asks him if he doesn't find her attractive. Nucky's like, "Um, we just made love?" She just feels like he's elsewhere sometimes. He asks what's on her mind, and talk turns to the confession Father Frowny Face told her she needs to make. (His name, as we find out in this scene, is Father Brennan.) Nucky doesn't think much of the request, but when he sees that she appears resolved to make it, he asks what she plans to say. "That's between me and God," she says, but Nucky is smart enough to know it'll also be between her and Father Brennan. Margaret speaks of a sacred trust, but Nucky say she puts more faith in people than he does. Suddenly, Nucky looks nervous: Just how Catholic is she? Is she planning on divulging anything "sensitive"? Like, perhaps, the details of her home situation with Nucky? "If you're feeling guilty," Margaret replies, "I suggest you take that up with a priest yourself."
At the Darmodys' place, Jimmy's having breakfast with the fam and dodging Angela's more business-focused questions when he gets a call from Manny Horvitz. Jimmy clears the room before he picks up and accuses Manny of trying to fuck him over by making a deal with Nucky. Manny doesn't know the first thing about what Jimmy means, so Jimmy explains about seeing Herman with Waxey and Nucky. Now it's Manny's turn to look grave and dangerous. Is Jimmy certain that's what he saw? Jimmy clenches out that it was. Manny tells him to wait for a call back. This doesn't portend well for Herman.
Margaret's at home, sweeping up corn flakes, as Katy has taken the children out on an errand. Sleater returns home and Margaret is, of course, terse with him. She corrects him to call her "Mrs. Schroeder," not "Mrs. Thompson" as he did when he first arrived. He apologizes and says he forgot her "situation," which he admits is none of his business. He brings up her conversation with Katy from earlier, and he apologizes on their behalf and says he should show her home more respect. She tells him he should respect Katy as well and then asks him if he's in the habit of toying with women. "I don't call it a habit," he replies, like a ROGUE. He then offers to help with the sweeping and very deliberately places his hands on hers when he takes the broom from her. You can tell it's one of those electric-jolt moments for her. Nucky arrives, makes a comment about how the maid should be doing the sweeping, and tells Owen that they're late. Margaret takes the broom back, and as Owen passes her, he touches her shoulder and whispers, "I'm always happy to be of service, Mrs. Schroeder." Damn, girl, you better GET ON THAT.
Back to Lucy, who is now leaning up against her dresser and brushing her hair, in obvious discomfort. Oh, you insufferable cow, GET SOME HELP! No, she just pushes the covers back on her bed, lays down a towel, gets back in bed, and starts moaning through the contraction.
In Washington, Harry Daugherty receives a visit from Senator Edge, who we remember from last season when Nucky fucked him over at the Republican Convention. Edge brings up the Bureau of Veterans affairs and how he's heard about Harry's relationship with Charlie Forbes. He also "casually" brings up Forbes's legendary corruption. He's been getting pressure to investigate this matter from a certain "constituent." This "constituent" (a phantom if there ever was one) has only one more pressing matter: fucking over Nucky Thompson. Edge makes it simple for Harry: appoint a more zealous prosecutor, and Senator Edge's interest in Harry and his cronies plundering the Veterans Bureau would "wean accordingly." Harry doesn't for a moment look like a guy who's going to be falling on any grenades for Nucky.
In Philadelphia, Manny leads Jimmy to the back of his butcher shop, where he's got Herman hanging upside down from a meat hook. Jimmy is aghast that he got brought down here to witness this, but Manny says Herman is now in a position to give him some answers. So ask. Herman begs Jimmy to help him, but Manny tells him he's fucked over Jimmy as much as him. He's been on Waxey's payroll, spying on Manny and reporting back. Manny sharpens his knives, while Jimmy gets Herman to tell him about Waxey's deal with Nucky and how the ship's coming in to Philly tonight. Gives him the time and the location and everything. Manny notes to Jimmy that "they're scared of us," then hands Jimmy the knife. Manny says he can't kill Herman himself; it wouldn't be kosher to kill a wounded animal. "We all gotta live by rules." Jimmy doesn't want to do it either, of course. But ultimately, this is what Jimmy's always been best at. So he steps behind Herman, puts the knife to his throat, and opens him up like a hog at the slaughter.
At church, the Atlantic City mothers -- with the occasional father -- wait with their children to make their confessions. Margaret, seeing an open booth, decides to take one for the team and make her own confession. It's Father Grumpy in the confessional, of course. He gives her hell for taking four years between confessions, also of course. He seems keen on hearing her sins though he seems to think he already knows what they are. He's not interested in the b-s time wasters like taking the Lord's name in vain. He wants the good stuff. There's a creeping voyeur quality to this priest pushing her to confess to fornicating in sin with Nucky. "There's a man in my life," Margaret begins. "And he's bad. I know he is in my heart. But still I'm drawn to him somehow." She confesses to having impure thoughts about this man. "This man, he provides for you and your children?" prods Father Know-It-All. Objection, your honor! Leading the witness! Margaret says no, this man doesn't provide her with anything. She hardly knows him, in fact. "He works for my... my family." TELLING!
Harry Daugherty is on the phone, telling Nucky about Edge's power play, and Nucky is predictably flipping his lid. Harry explains that Edge is threatening an investigation. "What's to investigate?" Nucky yelps incredulously. "You've been there three months!" Yeah, well, the Harding administration was ahead of the curve that way. Harry giving this awful news while getting a shoe-shine, by the way, is a nice parallel to Nucky earlier. Nucky wants to know who the new prosecutor is, at least. Harry hasn't picked one yet; Nucky at least wants someone he can work with. Also someone less insufferable than Chip, one would hope. "It's not my fault you have enemies," Harry says. Which is totally true. Nucky's chickens are coming home to roost, in many ways.
Chippy and a pair of chippies are in bed, bouncing around with enthusiasm. "That's it, baby! Drill for oil!" Guess which one said that? Though I'm not sure Chippy's doing dirty talk correctly, as drilling for oil suggests a whole different array of maneuvers. Eddie and a security guy suddenly barge into the room, sending the girls away and telling Chip he's got five minutes to get the hell out. Eddie, bless him, seems to be taking quite a bit of pleasure in not having to be nice to Chip anymore. The security guy even scoffs at Chip's shoes as he tosses them his way. Aw. Not so nifty.
Lucy's still in bed, still moaning in solitude. I half expect we're going to get a shot of the baby crowning, considering everything else we've seen of her over the years. After one prolonged push, we can hear a baby crying. Congratulations, lady. You've shot out the one creature on this earth less equipped to deal with its life than you are.
Supervisor Elliot sits with Agent Clarkson when Van Alden returns to the hotel room. He once again starts blathering about Clarkson being a good man and "it should be me in that bed." Elliot seems tired of hearing it by now, but Van Alden says he has something he needs to say. He's interrupted by Clarkson, who once again says, "I see you. I know." The nurse tells him to hush and says he's delirious and has been saying that to everyone. Indeed, Clarkson gives us the long-form version. "Come out of there. I know what you're hiding. It's not fair. You ate the pie. I'll tell Ma. I'll tell Ma." So... never mind then! Van Alden says he needs to leave. The nurse says Clarkson doesn't have much longer, but Van Alden could give a shit right about now.
When Van Alden returns home, he finds Lucy in bed with their baby. He gingerly wakes her up. He brought lemons! "I did it all myself." She says woozily. Who needs drugs when you've got her naturally slurry disposition? It's a girl. Nelson goes to get a doctor, without asking some very important questions. Like ... um ... how did she cut the umbilical cord? <.p>
So it's a nighttime liquor run to New Jersey, as Lansky and Luciano play chaperone to Waxey's men. The Lead car with Meyer riding shotgun blows a tire, so the convoy pulls over to check it out. And that's when the gunfire starts from the woods. Seems familiar? Some of Gordon's men are killed, but Lansky, Luciano, and a few others are able to get cover behind the cars. Jimmy, Harrow, and Manny, among others, run in from behind the trees. There's gunfire back and forth, and Jimmy ultimately yells, "Drop your weapons! Throw your guns out and no one gets hurt." Lucky recognizes the voice and calls out to Jimmy. Manny's like, "Friends of yours?" Jimmy says to come out and assures Lucky that he won't shoot. Both parties emerge with guns pointed at the other. Jimmy is shocked to see Lucky and Meyer there. "All this is for Nucky?" he demands. Showing your vulnerability there, Jimmy. He seems actively dismayed to hear Chalky's back in business. They're at a stalemate, until Meyer gets an idea. He proposes a deal, beneficial to all of them, in which they join forces in order to make themselves rich outside of the confines of their elders. "You work with Waxey Gordon," Manny seethes. "The man's a piece of shit." Maybe Jimmy is starting to see in Manny the same tunnel vision he has for Nucky? How counterproductive it is. He channels Leander when he tells Manny, "Not every insult requires a response." Jimmy and Lansky agree to advance the five grand he's owed from this deal -- "Can't kill everyone, Manny. It's not good business." -- then to deliver the liquor as required to Chalky, so no one's suspicious. And then they meet up and figure out a way to take it all. "Rothstein? Nucky? Their time has passed," Meyer says. "Waxey Gordon's ain't!" pipes up the twerp of a driver, earning him a bullet in the head from Manny. I suppose you can still kill some of them. Besides, they were going to have to kill that guy anyway as a witness to their treachery. Lansky and Luciano take off, Lansky assuring them it's a good deal. Manny seems dubious. Jimmy looks like it's the best chance he's got.
Van Alden returns home with the doctor and sends him to the bedroom. He sees the lemons are now in a bowl on the counter. Who did THAT? Well, in the bedroom, tending to Lucy, is Rose Van Alden. And when he sees her, he knows there is no lie that can keep her in the dark. Rose musters up a heretofore unseen strength as she says she came after hearing how distraught Nelson was on the phone. Sawicky gave her the address. "I did this for us," Nelson sputters. "That child is for you." Rose snaps and starts pummeling him with her delicate lady arms. He grabs her wrists and pushes them up against the wall. So she bites his hand. Rose! Not bad! Appropriate, too, that a Michael Shannon storyline would climax with something getting chewed on. He releases her and she runs off. The baby cries from the other room. Guess this is just another trial from God?
Back at Nucky's, Teddy poses with his bible for his First Confession photo. Nucky turns to Margaret and asks, "I trust your soul is pure?" She says it is. He asks her what she ended up saying. At this, Sleater comes in and says he'll pull the car around front. He also flashes this goofy grin that by all right should have Margaret tearing his clothes off right there in front of everybody, and it's rather an impressive feat on her part that she doesn't. She Assures Nucky she didn't confess anything that concerns him. I'LL SAY.
Joe R is pretty sure that Lucy's going to be a good mom JK LOL. He can be reached for lavish praise and nothing but at joseph.reid21@gmail.com, and you can listen to him yammer on to his heart's content on the Extra Hot Great podcast.
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