We start in 1897, where Enoch (Nucky) Thompson is fulfilling his duties as deputy sheriff under Sheriff Lindsay, reporting to a woman's concern of a dead body under the boardwalk. She insists it's a sign of the dark things happening there especially at night. It turns out to be a dead hog.
Back in Chicago in 1931, Al Capone is having some gastrointestinal issues before coming out into the roomful of his men and telling them about Nucky's vague response to his warning about Lucky Luciano is gunning for him: "History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme." Al thinks it's "an omen" that they need to be on their toes, then mentions the feds coming at him about income taxes. His brother Ralph says his lawyers will help him beat it. Al says they need to move the whole operation to Cisero. Mickey D'Angelo, who we know is a federal agent, seems surprised at this. Al runs back to the toilet.
In Atlantic City, gets a visit from a young man Nucky doesn't recognize named Joe Harper who is summoning him on behalf of Mickey Doyle. Nucky comes to see Mickey and finds Chalky White sitting in the room waiting for him. They catch up a bit and Chalky waves off Nucky's offer of a drink. Nucky says he's "sorry for all of it" and says he doesn't know where Narcisse is. Nucky tells Chalky that his family moved to St. Louis years back. Chalky suggests he can't simply go home because he's a wanted man. Nucky offers to let him stay with him. Nucky hands Chalky some cash, saying it's "between friends." Chalky takes it.
Eli is awakened from a blurry, drunken dream by a knock on the door. His wife June steps into his motel room, pregnant — to Eli's surprise. She's seven months along and says Eli is "under enough pressure," which is why she hadn't said anything. Eli says he's "very happy," and feels her belly. She tells him to eat, take care of his appearance and cut down on the drinking. He tells her he needs her and the kids to join him in Chicago. He tells her he doesn't want her touching the "allowance" that Nucky sends, insisting he's moving up and will be able to "start over" with the family soon. He says the baby is a blessing, and they kiss. He invites her for a "home-cooked meal," which his partner and his wife are going to give them.
A woman at the asylum comes and gives Gillian a piece of paper with the warning, "Protect your furs" before she's taken away by the guards.
In Brooklyn, Nucky meets with Johnny Torrio, who says Al's warning about Lucky Luciano doesn't make sense. Johnny, after forgetting to offer Nucky a drink and then getting it, suggests that Nucky retire. He wonders whether Nucky did something to piss off Lucky or Meyer Lansky. Nucky says he's going to meet with Maranzano later, and Torrio says he'll come along.
Back in 1897, young adult Nucky reports to Sheriff Lindsay about the lady under the boardwalk and they laugh it off. Lindsay mentions Nucky's girl, Mabel, and says Mrs. Lindsay approves. Nucky is worried Mabel's father doesn't like him and the sheriff says he'll vouch for Nucky's character and salary. Pat Halligan comes out of The Commodore's office and sarcastically greets them both. The sheriff and Nucky enter The Commodore's office to meet with him and Leander Whitlock, who report that Halligan is looking to renegotiate a long-standing agreement. The Commodore is annoyed and says he doesn't want to see Mr. Halligan's friends around. Nucky abruptly suggests deputizing about 20 men, posting them at trains stations and ferries, and "seeing off" anyone they don't like the look of. The Commodore is still upset but begrudgingly satisfied. The Commodore brings up another "matter of business," and asks Nucky to step outside. He overhears them briefly talking about him.
Back in Chicago, Eli and June are over at Van Alden and Sigrid's house for dinner. Eli and Van Alden ends up whispering in a corner about Al threatening him. Van Alden says he refuses to be ruled by fear. Sigrid is clearly unhappy welcoming the guests and complains about the roof leaking when June mentions that she liked the bungalow. She and Van Alden continue to argue over dinner and it's quite awkward.
In New York, Carolyn Rothstein signs a document and Margaret hands over a check from "Old Rumpus Associates," which she says is holding company in New Jersey. When Mrs. Rothstein's lawyer says he wants to make sure the money is in place before sealing the deal, but Margaret refuses. Carolyn takes the check anyway. Margaret's boss asks her if he should thank her husband and she says he does nothing from the the goodness of his heart. She says he could set up an account for Nucky under an assumed name. When he asks why, she says it's "to set about shorting the stock of the Mayflower Grain Corporation."
Back at the burlesque club, Mickey Doyle awkwardly talks about having ridden the rails while no one pays any attention to him. A U.S. Marshal named Lindquist comes in asking for "the previous owner, Albert White." Mickey asks what he did. Mickey makes a joke, but the agent continues to ask questions. Mickey asks what there could be in it for him for turning him over. The agent says there may be a reward. Mickey says he'll hold him to that, then leads the agent to the kitchen. He sees a well-dressed black man from behind, points his gun at him and threatens to shoot unless the man puts down the knife. The man raises his hands, turns around slowly and we see a scar on his face, but it's not Chalky. He tells the agent his name is Jenkins. The agent looks disappointed, but Mickey says the man has the scar, then sarcastically welcomes him to "come back anytime." The agent leaves and Chalky emerges, giving Mickey a very subtle nod.
Back in Chicago, Eli and Van Alden set about doing the dishes after dinner and Eli is struck when he sees a picture of King Haakon VII of Norway — the face he's been seeing in his drunken dreams. Eli drops the stack of dishes, then flashes back to Sigrid pouring him drinks while he drunkenly has sex with her in their kitchen. A stunned Eli walks out of the kitchen as Van Alden and June try to figure out what happened to him. Sigrid casually says, "You remember now." June asks what's going on and Sigrid reveals that she and Eli have been having regular sex in the kitchen while Van Alden is out making collections. June punches Eli in the stomach and mocks his suggestion that he needs her there. Van Alden looks upset, but Mickey D'Angelo comes in and tells Van Alden and Eli that they need to talk. He shows his badge and calls Van Alden "Nelson," and Eli "Sheriff Thompson."
Back in the asylum, Gillian sits by herself and smokes, trying to maintain some sanity while everyone around her screams and wanders around the room. The woman who warned her about the furs comes back in a wheelchair and sits silently. Gillian asks her what Dr. Cotton did to her and she says nothing. Gillian offers her a candy and when the woman doesn't respond Gillian asks if the doctor did something to her mouth. The woman then says "the sickness, it was someplace else," before revealing a massive cut across her stomach.
In 1897, Nucky and Mabel are having a meal with Mabel's father while Nucky extols the virtues of Atlantic City and its promising future. Mabel is behind him all the way. Mabel's father sends her to fetch a pack of Fatimas so that he can be alone with Nucky. Mabel's father says he doesn't know what his daughter sees in him, "with no intent to offend." Nucky leans in and says he means to marry Mabel, provide for her and their family. Mabel's father says he thinks Nucky has a knack for talking "a bold line" and "figuring out what people want to hear," but adds, "I don't think you know who you are."
Nucky meets with Maranzano, who says Nucky is "bold" for sitting in front of him. Nucky, who figures they're not going to wait for Torrio to show up, asks Maranzano when he's going to get rid of Lucky. Maranzano says "he disappoints me," then Nucky tells him Lucky will come for him (Nucky), then for Maranzano. Maranzano says that's to be expected and he doesn't take such things personally. When Maranzano says he only deals with Italians, Nucky asks where that leaves him. Maranzano says Nucky is "Malta — an island unto itself," which is exempt from Italian law. Maranzano says Torrio has assured him that Nucky is "a man who knows how to return a favor." Suddenly a car rolls up and Nucky's Cuban bodyguard jumps to push him down to floor. Two men in the car shoot up the place as Nucky, Marazano, and the Cuban guard duck for cover.
Back in 1897, Nucky visits Sheriff Lindsay at night and tells Mrs. Lindsay it's just "county business." She goes upstairs and Nucky asks Lindsay about "the jobs you do for The Commodore that have their own rules." Nucky offers to help with those, and the sheriff tells him no one asked him to. He tells Nucky to go home and they'll talk about it another time.
At the asylum, Gillian visits Dr. Cotton's office and tells him that she's "made a full recovery." She says she's "seeing clearly now, thinking clearly." She says she would like to start the process of being released. He asks why she was brought to them and she admits she took someone's life "in a state of temporary insanity out of grief." He asks her how she knows whether or not she's ill. She returns the question. He suggests the idea of "temporary insanity" is convenient. She insists she's better, but he asks, "Are you cured?" He says they'll "find what's inside you, we'll fix it." He tells her not to worry about it.
Van Alden and Eli sit quietly and tensely in a room waiting for D'Angelo. Eli asks him to stop staring at him and says "the event" Van Alden is thinking about was "an accident." Eli tells Van Alden that his life is a shipwreck and Van Alden replies, "Well, land ho." Eli takes a swig from a flask and slides it down the table to Van Alden, who takes a swig of his own. D'Angelo and his boss come in and tell Van Alden and Eli the murder charges they're facing unless they cooperate with the agents. They tell Van Alden and Eli that they're making a case for tax evasion. Eli laughs and they say it will be five years minimum if they can prove Capone's income. D'Angelo provides a key to the account room and says Eli and Van Alden need to get the ledger books. They need to get the books that night. D'Angelo says, "You both wore badges — here's your chance to earn them." Van Alden mentions that the ledger books are written in code and D'Angelo says Reese, one of Capone's men who has a serious aversion to bugs," has agreed to cooperate. He opens a closet door to reveal Reese bound and gagged with roaches crawling on his face and crying, "Get them off of me!"
Lucky and Lansky report back to Torrio about the shootout and tell him they're "grateful" for everything he's done. His phone rings and Nucky tells him, "We waited for you, John, for quite some time." Torrio says he called and left a message. Nucky says he got the message, and now he has one for him and Lucky and Lansky: "I will not rest until I see you and the two with you in your graves." He hangs up the phone. Torio puts down the phone and looks up at Lucky and Lansky, saying nothing.
Back in 1897, the lady under the boardwalk is telling Nucky again about the crazy things that happen there at night, saying "you can hear the souls moaning." Nucky looks over and this time it does appear to be a human body. Nucky covers his nose with a handkerchief and sees it's Pat Halligan.
Nucky is on the phone with Ronis, the Bacardi man in Cuba, who tells him about the dispute Sally had with the soldiers who killed her. Nucky doesn't believe it, but Ronis says that will not change what happened. Nucky wants the names of the men responsible, no matter what it costs. Nucky asks who will be called to account and Ronis says, "No one, I am afraid." Nucky slams the phone down and holds back tears as he takes a drink.
Chalky White pays a visit to Narcisse's brothel and says he's there to see about a girl. The man pats Chalky down and explains there was "a ruckus" a few nights earlier. Chalky welcomes the search and is sent to the first room on the left. Chalky walks down the hall and pulls a curtain to the room where the women are. They try to lure him in but when the guard at the door is distracted, Chalky pulls a gun from his pants and heads for a door marked "Private." Inside, he finds a little girl, maybe six years old, sleeping on a couch and calling, "Momma." Then, up steps Daughter Maitland.
This episode provides examples of:
- Badass Boast: Nucky to Johnny Torrio: "I will not rest until I see you in your graves."
- Cluster F-Bomb: Sigrid: "Me and your man..... We fuck. In the kitchen, on the chair and the table, we fucked and fucked and fucked.
- Deadpan Snarker: VAN ALDEN.
- "Chester, that would sound much better far away."
- "Am I making you..... uncomfortable?!"
- Eli: "I don't know about you, but my life is a fucking shipwreck." Van Alden: "Well, LAND. HO."
- Double Take: Nucky has one at "Joe Harper", who looks an awful lot like Jimmy Darmody.
- Fanservice: Sigrid takes her shirt off during Eli's flashback.
- Hypocritical Humor: Van Alden: "I, for one, refuse to be ruled by fear." Sigrid: "HUSBAND!" Van Alden"(Nervously) Coming dear!"
- I Need a Freaking Drink: Both Eli and Van Alden after discovering that Eli had drunken sex with Sigrid.
- Laser-Guided Karma: Margaret creates a bank account that will allow Nucky to short-stock The Mayflower Graining Corparation. The very same corporation who was condescending towards Nucky, wasted his time and coldly rejected his offer. Not to mention one of it's executives, Joe Kennedy, hit on Margaret in the previous episode.
- Questionable Consent: The fact that Eli is shown to be extremely drunk at the time Sigrid makes her move on him, to a degree where that he cannot remember exactly what happened between them afterwards, and even appears to think of what little he does remember of their sexual encounter as something decidedly unpleasant, means this trope is at play. This of course overlaps a bit with Deliberate Values Dissonance due to the time period; even though Eli obviously wasn't in any kind of state where he could give meaningful consent and Sigrid clearly took advantage of this, you would be hard pressed to find someone in the 1930s who would think of what happened to him as anything but his own fault, much less as a case of sexual assault, due to him being a man.
- Precision F-Strike: See Cluster F-Bomb above.
- Suicide Mission: D'Angelo wants Eli and Van Alden to steal important, incriminating files from Al Capone.
- Took a Level in Badass: Margaret successfully shakes down Carolyn Rothstein all while being smiley and polite.
- What Did I Do Last Night?: Do to having been very intoxicated when it happened, Eli cannot remember his sexual encounter with Sigrid. His only memory of the event is staring at the portrait of King Haakon VII while it happened, and it is clear that the memory is somewhat traumatic to him.
