this was one of my first thoughts after the credits rolled. Since Gyp seems to be the villain duseason, I'd guess that Harrow is pulled into the fold with Nucky over the next several episodes, then disposes of Gyp in the penultimate episode.

While watching the episode I assumed the hit was attempted by Lansky/Luciano/Bugsy without the go ahead of Rothstein. It was only when I viewed this thread that I realized there was even another possibility. Let's not forget Luciano was present when the paper boy came in as well.

I was under the impression that the Rothstein/Nucky scene was done to help the viewer come to this conclusion. Rothstein is adamant that he does not want to go after Gyp. Thus, when someone DOES go after him, the show is saying to look elsewhere for answers.

This also ties into the Luciano/Lansky/Masseria storyline quite nicely.

Oh and the Billy Kent stuff is super boring to me, they need to cut that **** out imo

Ugh... I'm not sure where they are going with it from here, if anywhere, but up to now it's been quite good at giving us a window into the ramifications of being in the graces of a benevolent gangster. We've all seen gangster flicks, they tell the same rise and fall story almost every time. But in the hour long HBO drama format we are given a chance to see so much more. Of course they could just show more Chicago, Philly, NY, and even get into some other cities, but that would be a complete disservice to the medium they've chosen. It would just be more of the same. Seeing this girl get pulled into Nucky's world, only to have the ground she was standing on crumble beneath her so that she is now completely dependent on him-- it's an interesting story, and it shows us how corrosive these people can be, even when they are well meaning.

cliffs: stop sucking at watching the show.

You don't send a lot of guys to hit Gyp because you can only get a kid young enough to plausibly be the delivery guy in the place. Otherwise the shootout just happens at the door and they don't get to Gyp.

Do you feel cool for acting like you see deep meaning in this show? As if the rest of us are oblivious idiots?

While the Kent storyline has traces of what you talk about, its major point (IMO) is to show Nucky being distracted and displaying weakness while his business and image suffers. This will lead to further problems as he goes further down the obsessive rabbit hole and we will have to sit through an entire seasons worth of that crap. I agree that scenes such as the Chalky one are intended to show Nucky affecting the lives of innocent people. I'm cool with that, it was a great scene. But I wouldn't say that accurately represents the Kent storyline as a whole. And even if it did, I still find it boring so what's your point?

The entire Sopranos series is about the very concept you talk about. Goodfellas summed it up in 4 words: "**** you, pay me". I'm not stupid, I can read between lines as well. The Kent storyline is NOT just about that. It is about Nucky being a jealous wuss and I don't like it.

cliffs: bzzt

or you send Richard to snipe him from a mile away or whatever...

Yep, pretty much.

I still enjoy the arc and think it has merit, but you make a solid case. I guess I jumped down your throat because you seemed to just dismiss this story line without thought like it was some silliness about prenatal care. Thanks for giving some detail and not being a drooler.

Why don't you think they'd save this for the last episode?

I enjoy the Kent storyline, and I thought this episode was great, but the timing is just ridiculous.

This is one of the biggest problems Nucky has ever faced, and his reaction is pretty unbelievable imo.

Mickey disobeyed a direct order, even after he questioned Nucky's order and was told that he had to follow it. This resulted in a huge loss of alcohol and some manpower, yet there is very little being done about it on screen. Nucky goes to Rothstein (finally) and explains what is going on, but other than that nothing is going on.

Why isn't he disciplining or killing Mickey? Why isn't he getting his own guys ready for war? Why isn't he the least bit concerned about all the problems in AC? He's ignoring all of this because of Billy? I just don't buy it.

I enjoyed the episode a lot, and really like the male lead's acting, but ignoring EVERYTHING else is just too much for me to buy. They needed to even this episode out a bit better, or have this storyline occur later. Instead of being in crisis mode like he should be, Nucky is literally out buying dresses... it's just too much change too quick to be believable.

Super minor nit, but why do the guys at the front door allow him up in the first place? Is the paper boy gonna personally deliver to a guy with a belt tied around his neck? They can hear what's going on. "Hey kid, just leave it here." Obviously he has to get upstairs for purposes of the story, but just sayin...

I'm just guessing, but I'd say the paper boy delivers to more than just 1 person.

Umm... you realize that the end of this ep was Nucky doing something and that his meeting with AR is a lot more than just explaining what is going on?

build up, climax, denouement.

It's not a lock, but the better shows tend to go the route of having the second to last episode have the big action, and loose ends tied up in the last ep. It's just a much more mature and refined way to tell a story.

I can think of a few examples of hbo not following that cookie cutter format. They still do mostly of course, but it wouldn't be unprecedented.

I see your point, but wasn't Jimmy offed in the last episode of last season, or is my memory failing me? Maybe that's all the more reason to do it the way you suggest though.

My memory isn't the greatest, but I do think you're right about Jimmy catching it in the finale last season. And I probably should go back on my words a little... certain story lines are going to be better served by having the "boom" at the very end, but the better shows tend to go out this way when it's called for, not just for the cheap cliff hanger/left in suspense moment.

So we're expecting Jimmy's mom to have a mental breakdown this season right?

No surprise there. Eddie's pissed off, being forced into that stupid naughty virgin show by Nucky. LOL'd when Chaulky and Purnsley came by Eddie's room to intimidate.

I thought this ep was great. Everytime Rosetti's face pops up, I feel like yelling "Douche!" lol

"Its Mr. White."

"And Mr. Purnsley."

I enjoyed this scene too, thought it really seems like they are struggling on how to use Chalky. We're over 1/3 of the way into the season and he hasnt even sniffed a legitimate storyline.

It's pretty obvious that Omar is contractually obligated to appear in X number of episodes and the writers are forced to shoehorn him in since they don't have any good plotlines for him.

"Hi Chalky, it's Nucky. Even though you're a big-time gangster and bootlegger and control AC's black population, I need you to drop everything and personally go to NYC to intimidate someone who works in musical theater for a living. Thanks"

I meant nucky finally explains to rothstein about the gyp situation. He should have done this a long time ago.

You seem to have missed the point again. There was still not a scene in this episode of nucky taking care of things in ac after one of the biggest hits to his outfit and his authority occured.

Whoa, without looking at the article tell me who this is:

http://adage.com/article/news/guinne...-lager/237729/

So weird to me

I had the same thoughts, but it didn't prevent me from enjoying the scene. Which is kind of odd, since something like that usually would. I guess I just treasure every second MKW gets to be onscreen.

Lol at "there's something about black"