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David Matthews, executive story editor for "Boardwalk Empire," wrote this week's episode entitled "All In," which explores what happens when characters take an unlikely gamble.

(HBO)

THIS WEEK: Written by David Matthews, executive story editor for "Boardwalk Empire," the episode explores what happens when characters take an unlikely gamble. It was directed by Ed Bianchi, a veteran helmer who's given us a plethora of TV hours that include "Mad Men," "Deadwood," Heroes" and "Men of a Certain Age."

'Boardwalk Empire' Recap / Season 4, Episode 4 / 'All In'

BREAKIN' LEGSWITH THE CAPONE BOYS

When Capone thug Jake Guzik (1) takes a rough tumble down the stairs in Chicago, Al Capone (Stephen Graham) and his brother Frank (Morgan Spector) step up and make his collections. And man, does it look like they're having a blast doing it.

Jake 'Greasy Thumb' Guzik

(1) Previously footnoted: My Al Capone Museum tells us that Jake 'Greasy Thumb' Guzik may have been the only man Capone ever really trusted. He had a keen mind for figures, serving as Capone's treasurer and bribe man. Mob folklore says that Guzik never carried a gun since he was so well protected by Torrio and, eventualy Capone. His bum ticker finally got him because he died in 1956 from a heart attack.

With Nelson Van Alden (Michael Shannon) growing more and more irritated with the pranks of the sophomoric Dean O' Banion (Arron Shiver), it's no wonder he's gravitating towards the Capone boys and their disdain for him — especially Al's.

When Van Alden is sent to Guzik's hospital room to deliver day-old daises, Al and Frank pretty much hijack the poor sap for a daylong excursion of collections — and throwing poor shnooks out second-story windows.

As the day progresses, the Capone boys tell him that if he continues to bust heads for them during election season, they'll give him the Cicero action on his aquavit (2) operation.

(2) Many will remember that Van Alden sold his wife's concoction of the spirit. Britannica tells us that it is "flavored, distilled liquor, clear to pale yellow in color, dry in flavor, and ranging in alcohol content from about 42 to 45 percent by volume. It is distilled from a fermented potato or grain mash, redistilled in the presence of flavoring agents, filtered with charcoal, and usually bottled without aging. Various aromatic flavorings are employed, usually including caraway or cumin seed; lemon or orange peel, cardamom, aniseed, and fennel also may be used."

The Capone brothers hijack Nelson Van Alden for a daylong debt collection excursion in Chicago. They plant the seed for him to work with them.

That night, they spot one of O' Banion's trucks in front of a speakeasy and quickly hijack it. In the truck, Van Alden says that he's looking for more respect from O' Banion. Capone floats the idea once more of working for him. When they hear a knock in the back of the truck, they stop and find it's one of O' Banion's drivers who instantly recognizes Van Alden. They let him go and, as he's running away, the Capone boys suggest that 'Mueller' shoot him. He shoots and misses as the gun gets jammed. Just then, Al blasts the driver with his Tommy gun in a hail of bullets.

AGENT APPLE PIE GETS SERIOUS

In Washington, D.C., federal agent Warren Knox (Brian Geraghty) — no longer the fresh-faced prohee undercover man — debriefs his team of field agents. J. Edgar Hoover, (Eric Ladin) head of Bureau of Investigation, looks on and scolds Knox's men for their jocular remarks.

In Washington, D.C., federal agent Warren Knox (Brian Geraghty) — no longer the fresh-faced prohee undercover man — debriefs his team of field agents.

Knox explains the hierarchy of the Thompson operation in Atlantic City and theorizes that each major American city is run by an overlord — ala Nucky — with all having ties to one another. Waxey Gordon in Philly, Johnny Torrio in Chicago, 'King' Charles Solomon in Boston and Joe Masseria and Arnold Rothstein in New York City. (3)

(3) The New York Times called Solomon "a reputed leader of the most lucrative liquor, vice and narcotic syndicates in New England and proprietor of several night clubs." Trivia: He was murdered in the washroom of Boston's Cotton Club.

Hoover says that it's not a crime for criminals to have friends. Knox assures he'll find proof to bring down Nucky? Just how? "I'll find the weakest link in Thompson's chain. And I'll break it," He says.

NUCK'S WORLD SERIES OF POKER

Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi) and brother Eli (Shea Bingham) show Arnold Rothstein (Michael Stuhlbarg) the prospectus for the Tampa land deal. Rothstein suggests that Florida land may be "played out." The brothers explain that the land is surrounded by water on three sides and it's ripe for hauling in and out — especially to Cuba, where McCoy's boats could start importing rum up the Atlantic coast.

Nucky, urging that they should plant their flag early, continues the hard sell and tells Rothstein to take the evening to mull it over. Rothstein leaves with Meyer Lansky (Anatol Yusef) in tow as they both head to the poker room. "I find that you really don't know a man until you play cards with him," Rothstein says.

Later at the poker game, Nucky gets the better of Rothstein — both mentally and financially. As a result, Rothstein shows an uncharacteristic side of himself with sloppy game play. So much so that Lansky reminds him that his behavior is unbecoming.

Is Arnold Rothstein too consumed with winning? Nucky Thompson thinks so.

After the game, Lansky finds Nucky in the bar. Nucky admits that he doesn't want Rothstein in on the land deal anymore because he's too consumed with winning. After a moment, Lansky convinces Nuck to take he and Lucky Luciano on as partners for the Tampa deal. Nucky accepts and they shake on it.

Speaking of Lansky, he's another character who shows an uncharacteristic side this week, who puts a brutal beat down on an anti-Semitic poker player outside of the Onyx Club.

PURNSLEY DOES THE HARLEM SHUFFLE

While singing "Ain't Nobody's Business if I Do," at the Onyx Club, Daughter Maitland, once again catches the eye of Chalky's White (Michael Kenneth Willaims). When she asks how it sounds, he tells her that he has no complaints.

While singing "Ain't Nobody's Business if I Do," at the Onyx Club, Daughter Maitland, once again catches the eye of Chalky's White.

"No compliments, either..." she says, fishing for one.

"You just go on singin' to the folks who need to hear you," he says almost coldly.

Later, Dunn Purnsley (Erik LaRay Harvey) tells Chalky White (Michael Kenneth Williams) that his mother is ill back in Baltimore and has to leave for a small bit. Chalky looks like he could care less.

He was lying to Chalky. In Harlem, Purnsley meets with Dr. Valentin Narcisse (Jeffrey Wright) at the office of Marcus Garvey's Universal Negro Improvement Association. Narcisse asks him if he's there because he's in need of improvement. Purnsley hands over an envelope of cash. Narcisse is put off. He gets stern with Purnsley, telling him that he's far from home and that he should have stayed in Atlantic City. After all, drug money just doesn't seem proper in the office of such a progressive organization. Narcisse scolds him and curtly dismisses him.

Later that night, Purnsley chats up Dr. Narcisse outside of his office and apologizes for showing up at his place of business. Narcisse tells him that Chalky's time has passed and that his entire operation — The Onyx Club, numbers racket and the A.C. region is a "plantation run by Nordics."

CATCH UP ON SEASON 4 'BOARDWALK EMPIRE' RECAPS

•

Episode 1 / 'New York Sour'

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Episode 2 / 'Resignation'

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Episode 3 / 'Acres of Diamonds'

"You tell me what you need down there," Purnsley says.

"Your North Side may be as well be Mississippi..." Narcisse scoffs.

They stop at a house run by a man who Narcisse refers to as "a 'duppy' in the islands ... A vampire who sucks his blood from his people." It looks as though a party is happening inside. (*) Narcisse insinuates that he wants Purnsley to bust up the party by brutally beating its host at the door. Purnsley obliges.

(*) I have a tad of a problem with Narcisse's thinking here. Essentially, he, himself is a vampire who will be sucking his people dry by peddling heroin on them — but in other locations, granted. I get the impression that he was unforgiving of said party house because it was located smack dab in the center of his Harem Renaissance. Thoughts? He's a hypocrite, right?

KESSLER STEPS OUT AND UP?

After arriving from his Tampa excursion, Nucky instructs the newly-promoted Eddie Kessler (Anthony Laciura) to meet a "Mr. Brown" at the train station and deliver to him $10,000.

The "Mr. Brown" is Ralph Capone (Domenick Lombardozzi) and is doesn't take long for the two men to strike up on odd camaraderie that starts with Kessler pointing Ralph in the direction of some decent chow in A.C.

Ephemera from The Blackhawk Restaurant in Chicago

Later, they further bond over a meal at the Knife & Fork. Ralph mentions that the place reminded him of 'The Blackhawk' in Chicago. (4)

(4) The Chicago Tribune tells us that legendary is a word to describe the eatery, best known for its showcase of big bands, cuisine and nightlife. The original incarnation, located in the Chicago loop was open until 1984. A second location in Wheeling, Illinois, closed in 2009. Here's a mini-documentary of the storied venue.

After dinner, they wind up at a local bar chock full of Kessler's German friends. It isn't long before Kessler and Ralph are drinking like old war buddies. A great scene because we finally see Kessler let down his hair and — sing! (*)

(*) Many may remember that Laciura is actually a singer by trade and is an operatic tenor. Here he is singing the Star-Spangled Banner.

Later at the train station as he bids farewell to new friend Ralph, an unsuspecting Kessler is approached by Aget Knox and brought in. Will he be the weakest link, as Knox had suggested earlier? Something tels me ol' Eddie won't break that easy.

BAD CHEMISTRY

Will Thomspon (Ben Rosenfield) tells his dad Eli that he's not enjoying his time at Temple. Before chatting with Eli, Will was attempting to read the 1891 Thomas Hardy novel "Tess of the d'Urbervilles." (5).

Eli gives his son Will a pep talk that he has to try harder at Temple. "You're there to get an education. You think I'm happy? ... You're a THOMPSON. Who are they?"

Eli gives him the pep talk that he has to try harder. "You're there to get an education. You think I'm happy? ... You're a THOMPSON. Who are they?" He tells him that he's the only boy from Atlantic City they need to know. You're there to make something of yourself."

(5) According to GoodReads: "[The book is about] The chance discovery by a young peasant woman that she is a descendant of the noble family of d'Urbervilles is to change the course of her life. Tess Durbeyfield leaves home on the first of her fateful journeys, and meets the ruthless Alec d'Urberville. Thomas Hardy's impassioned story tells of hope and disappointment, rejection and enduring love. Here's the 1979 film trailer for "Tess," the Roman Polanski film. Read the entire novel HERE.

Back at school, Willie and his roommate, Clayton (Owen Campbell) prep for the next party by cutting the last of their batch of whiskey. Still smarting from last week's embarrassment, Will gets the idea to spike Henry's whiskey with compounds found in the chemistry lab — stuff like Linoleic Acid and Magnesium Hydroxide.

At their basement makeshift speak, Will blows off co-ed Doris (Kayla Ferguson) for thinking she had a hand in last week's prank. As a result, she starts a dance will Henry, giving Will the opportunity to spike his booze.

It isn't long before Henry becomes ill and makes a mess in his pants. Everyone laughs as Will seems content on his revenge. Later that night, however, the circumstance takes a tragic turn when students discover Henry dead on the bathroom floor, a bloody mess. Not good for Will ...

Other stuff on my mind

• The whole moral thread of the series is based on characters who take chances. So it's more than apt that this episode, entitled "All In," explores those themes a bit more in depth. While it's easy to say that the episode is named for Nucky's take-all poker game with notorious gambler Arnold Rothsten, there's much more gambling going on here. Lansky taking a gamble and branching out on his own; Nucky taking a gamble on him; Kessler taking a gamble by embarking into uncharted waters for Nucky and, most disastrously, Will Thompson taking a gamble having some fun with Henry the Bully, only to have it explode in his face tragically. In the end, is there anyone on this show who doesn't gamble in some way?

• Kudos to Gyp Rosetti thesp Bobby Cannavale who won his first Emmy last Sunday for best supporting actor. Boy, he certainly looked stunned when he won, huh?

• Good news 'Empire' fans. We received word last week that the historical drama was renewed by HBO for a fifth season. Guess we'll all be meeting here same time next year.

• Kinda funny how Nuck asked Eddie for a sandwich who had to remind him that Tom will now be serving his needs. Also, Nucky when seeing Eddie's sleeve roscoe: "Don't be so dramatic." Classic Nucky.

• Remind me: Was Nucky's $10,000 delivery to Ralph Capone residual payment for little brother Al helping him out at the end of last season with the Gyp Rosetti situation?

Who else chucked when Ralph referred to Al as being "collicky as a baby"?

• Is Chalky onto why Ms. Maitland was sent there? His retort of "You just go on singin' to the folks who need to hear you..." tells me so.

• I'm finding Dean O' Banion increasingly annoying. I didn't think it was possible to find a character as irritating as Mickey Doyle. Who's with me?

• Anyone else catch Al eye up the nurse in Guzik's hospital room?

• Rothstein almost always addresses Nucky as "Mr. Thompson" while Nuck always calls him Arnold.

• A weird part of me wants Van Alden to stay with the Capones. While Al is a loose cannon and all, I feel that he wouldn't do anything malicious to 'Mr. Mueller' provided he stay in line. Am I crazy?

• It seems that Chalky has a penchant for piano players. This is the second episode where he specifically cites good piano playing.

• Who else chucked when Ralph referred to Al as being "collicky as a baby"?

• To my knowledge, we've never seen Lansky act so viciously before.

• No Harrow. No Margaret yet again.

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