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The action on Sunday's "Boardwalk Empire" flash-forwards seven years to 1931. America is a different place since we've last seen everyone. The stock market has crashed; the Great Depression is in full-force and the world seems to be changing at every corner. With the repeal of Prohibition looming, is it any wonder that Nucky wants to land on the legitimate side of the law?

(HBO)

THIS WEEK: Written by Howard Korder (who wrote seven of last season's episodes) and directed by the Emmy-winning Tim Van Patten (who helmed four), "Golden Days for Boys and Girls" flash-forwards the action seven years to 1931. America is a different place since we've last seen everyone — The stock market has crashed; the Great Depression is in full-force and the world seems to be changing at every corner. With the repeal of Prohibition looming, is it any wonder that Nucky wants to land on the legitimate side of the law?

'Boardwalk Empire' Recap / Season 5, Episode 1 / Golden Days for Boys and Girls

YOUNG NUCKY FINDING HIS WAY

Over the female narration of the poem "Be Honest and True" by George Birdseye, we see a group of young boys swimming in the Atlantic Ocean scavenging for coins underwater.

We're in Atlantic City, circa 1881 and it seems the town's founders find an odd amusement in throwing coins into the ocean from the boardwalk above. A young Nucky Thompson (Nolan Lyons) begs Commodore Louis Kaestner (John Elllison Conlee) for a coin as leader addresses the crowd. "We sprinkle the sea with gold and the sea gives it back to us a hundredfold. That is the glory of this blessed strand that we call Atlantic City." (1) The Commodore throws another gold coin into the sea and little Nucky comes up short.

(1) U.S. History.org tells us that infrastructure was perhaps key in the popularity of Atlantic City for upper-crust Philadelphians who could afford to travel by train. " A fast train on the Camden and Atlantic Railroad made the trip from Camden to Atlantic City in 76 minutes."

Later that day, little Eli meets Nucky in the front yard of their home and Nuck helps him out with tightening a slingshot. Eli tells Nucky that "she's real hot" (Fans may remember their sister Susan Thompson would ultimately die of tuberculosis).

While visiting Sally Wheet in Cuba for business, Nucky remembers key events from his past that affect him in present day.

Inside, Nucky stares at his sick little sister, semi-quarantined from the rest of the house. Later, Nucky tells his mother about what the rich ladies on the boardwalk were wearing. She asks if he ate and gives him a copy of children's story paper "Golden Days for Boys and Girls." When Ethan Thompson walks through the door, she quickly hides the paper.

Later at dinner, Ethan goads Nucky somewhat about the Commodore, saying that he was "up to his tricks. ... With his pockets full of gold."

"He opened the sea," the little boy says.

"Oh, does he own that too, now?" Ethan snaps.

"It's just for the city people," Nucky tells him.

Throwing Nucky some bread with molasses, Ethan asks, "Did you catch some gold, you little fish?" When Nucky says no, Ethan wants to know why. His son tells him that he wasn't quick enough. Ethan gets rid of little Eli and in an odd way, we can tell that Nucky knows what's coming — a brutal punch.

"You're the son of a fisherman," Ethan sneers. "And what are you trying to catch?"

* * *

The next day, a horse-drawn carriage carts people to and from The Corner Store Hotel. Nucky and his friends hide in the marshes, knowing a sea breeze will sweep away the hats of the rich travelers.

CATCH UP ON SEASON 4 'BOARDWALK EMPIRE' RECAPS

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Episode 1 / 'New York Sour'

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Episode 2 / 'Resignation'

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Episode 3 / 'Acres of Diamonds'

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Episode 4 / 'All In'

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Episode 5 / 'Erlkönig'

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Episode 6 / 'The North Star'

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Episode 7 / 'William Wilson'

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Episode 8 / 'The Old Ship of Zion'

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Episode 9 / 'Marriage and Hunting'

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Episode 10 / 'White Horse Pike'

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Episode 11 / 'Havre de Grace'

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Episode 12 / 'Farewell Daddy Blues'

The little guys are fiercely competitive about snatching up hats and, once again, Nucky comes up short against his friends. The boys retrieve the hats and bring them to the carriage, vying for a reward. Just then, a man named Pat tells Nucky that he'll give him twenty cents to find his hat. "I don't have it," Nucky says. The man tells him to go look. It's only after he leaves when Nucky finds it. When he looks inside the rim, he spots a folded up fifty-dollar bill. Jackpot. (*)

(*) An inflation calculator at West Egg tells us that $50 in 1881 is the equivalent of $1,189.21 today.

Later that night, we see Nucky get out out bed and care for his sick sister, wiping her brow with cold water. They chit-chat about all the rich people he sees and finding money before slipping her the candy Pat gave him earlier.

The next day at The Corner Hotel, Nucky approaches Pat and The Commodore. He eavesdrops on them talking about building up the infrastructure of the city when the sheriff scoops up little Nuck, calls him a wharf rat, and brings him to the two men. When Nucky returns Pat's hat, the men notice that the fifty dollar bill is still inside. They're impressed and hand Nucky the money as a reward, who objects.

"It's too much," the boy says. The Commodore asks why he didn't take the money.

"To get myself ahead," Nucky answers.

* * *

The next day, little Nuck and his friends run from under the rag-tag boardwalk when they bum rush would-be tourists on the carriage in an effort to help the ladies off for tips. Jim Neary (Marcus Antturi) pushes Nucky out of the way so he can be first as Nuck looks on dejected, at the tip the other boy receives was meant for him. When Neary mocks the lady after she enters the hotel, Nucky attacks him, screaming, "It ain't fair!" The sheriff nabs Nucky as Neary flees under the boardwalk. They approach The Commodore who asks, "Who's boy are you?"

"Ethan Thompson's..." Nucky answers.

"Ethan the bay man," The Commodore says, almost mockingly. Nuck seems puzzled that he knows his father.

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'BOARDWALK EMPIRE': THE FINAL SEASON

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FOREVER IN THE SHADOW OF 'THE SOPRANOS'

The Commodore refers to Nucky's act of kindness from the day before. "You thought you were being clever before... You thought you were going to get something for being honest. What have you got?" But then it seems like the elder man strikes a deal with young Nucky. "Everything goes through me, understand? Big and little. Absecon Inlet to Great Egg Harbor. Anything else is bad for business." He then gives Nucky a dollar and orders him to sweep the porch of The Corner Hotel.

At home, little Nucky later gives his mother the dollar coin as she hides it. We pan the room and see Ethan Thompson weeping by the bed of his sick little girl.

That night we see Nucky reading "Golden Days for Boys and Girls" in bed and hear the poem "Be Honest and True" by George Birdseye over female narration (read by his mother Elenore).

NUCKY SEEKS LEGITIMATE BUSINESS

Nucky and Sally in Cuba, complimenting each other perfectly.

Flash forward to 1931. We're now in Havana, Cuba, and Nucky Thomspon (Steve Buscemi) seems to be lost in thought as he stares at some young boys swimming in the ocean much like he did when he was a boy. Sally Wheet (Patricia Arquette) fetches him from the balcony as they enter her lavish nightclub, a far cry from the backwater swamp hut she used to run back in 1924. They zip around the dance floor as Nucky looks a tad uncomfortable.

"I hate this..." Nuck tells her.

"It sells Mojitos," she quips back. We find out why he's perturbed. Nucky is aggravated that Senator Wendell Lloyd happens to be four days late. Sally reassures him that he'll show up.

Sally is concerned about his attitude. "You said you liked Cuba..."

"What makes you think I don't?" Nucky asks.

"This conversation," Sally tells him. "Shut up and dance. My customers are watching." Just then, Nucky notices Senator Lloyd standing with Nuck's bodyguard and approaches, welcoming him to the Sally's club and Havana.

Over drinks (they're having Presidentes), Nucky, the Senator and Sally start their business meeting. "What happened with Wilkerson?" Nucky asks. "Anything you can share?" (2)

Lloyd pontificates about the uselessness of the Volstead Act. "Good intentions..." Nucky quips.

"Unenforceable law," Lloyd darts back. "Twenty-five billion up in smoke since the crash, sixteen percent unemployment, 900 million a year in liquor taxes and licenses the government isn't getting. If you ask me, the whole damned country can use a drink."

Al Capone in 1931.

(2) They're referring to James Herbert Wilkerson, a federal judge who, according to the Chicago Historical Society, sentenced Al Capone to 11 years in jail for tax evasion in November, 1931.

"Will Hoover advocate repeal?" Nucky asks.

"He rode in with the drys, he'll have to ride out with them," the Senator answers. He goes on to tell Nucky that constitutional amendments don't get overturned."

Nucky disagrees. "You have friends who believe otherwise. Men like that tend to get what they want."

The senator gets blunt and says that certain circumstances in Nuck's past make moving forward very tricky. Nucky is confused. "Your hands aren't the cleanest," the politico says.

Nucky jokes that the only conviction he ever had was buying a pint of Old Granddad at the train station in Washington, DC. "It's haunted me ever since. ... "Wendell, if America's not about starting over, where's the hope for any of this?"

In an attempt to lighten the mood, Sally steps in and introduces the senator to one of the house prostitutes.

* * *

The next morning Nucky and Sally are waiting on Senator Lloyd at an outdoor cafe. "I want everything set up and ready the day the vote comes down," Nuck tells her. He also insinuates that he wants to be first in line, that way he'll appear to be clean, no matter what people think he's done in the past. Just then, they observe a mild protest in the town square. Nuck wants to know what the ruckus is about. Sally tells him it's over President Gerardo Machado. (3)

Cuban President Gerardo Machado

(3) Despite its outward appearance as a lush, tropical paradise, The History of Cuba tells us that "rumors circulate throughout Cuba about an imminent revolution" as early as July 1931. For a more picturesque look at the country at the time of this episode, check out "Havana: Queen of the Caribbean," a nifty video highlighting sites of the gorgeous city.

The site also tells sheds some light into what that protest may have been about. "In 1931, the old leaders of the independence movement lead a revolt against President Machado that involved student groups, organized labor and secret societies of middle class professionals."

Just then, Nucky notices Meyer Lansky (Anatol Yusef ) standing in the square. We can tell Nuck finds that to be quite odd. After remarking about the sad passing of Arnold Rothstein, Lansky tells Nuck that he's in Havana with his wife. Nuck tells Lansky to give his regards to Lucky Luciano and they part ways. Still, Nucky finds Lansky's appearance out of place. Sally wants to know why their old partner was down there.

"He's on vacation," Nuck tells her.

"Just like you..." she quips.

Just then the senator shows up, obviously hungover. Nuck asks where he's been. "To tell you the truth, I'm not exactly sure," he answers.

* * *

Later, the senator, Nucky, Sally meet with Don Maxime Ronis, an executive who married into the Bacardi Rum empire. (4)

(4) Bacardi Limited says that in 1910, Bacardi became "Cuba's first multinational company. ... Bacardi did not view Prohibition as defeat. Instead, it kicked off an innovative campaign promoting Cuba as an enticing, tropical island escape from the drinking restrictions back in America." To this day, it's the largest privately-held spirits company in the world. Read a complete e-book on the history of the company HERE.

Nucky asks the exec about his market share who answers Latin America, Europe and Mexico. "Sounds like something is missing..." Nucky tells him.

Ronis admits that it's no secret that they'd like to be back in the United States. "And I'd like to be the man to sell it," Nucky says insinuating that the laws of Prohibition are going to change.



Senator Lloyd interjects that American laws aren't easily changed. Nucky gets irritated at the stubbornness and asks him for his professional opinion. "The country is ready to move forward," Lloyd finally admits after some prodding.

Nucky says that he has a distribution and infrastructure network already in place and will be ready legally the day repeal passes in "the thirstiest country on Earth."

Later, Nucky, Sally and Lloyd arrive back at the hotel and while Nucky and the Senator buy cigarettes, the politician asserts that he's not Nucky's whipping boy and that he can't make guarantees about legislation. While the Senator rambles on and on, Nuck buys a lottery ticket from a local boy who warns Nucky about an attack from a man wielding a machete. Nucky holds his own against the man before his Cuban bodyguard steps in, putting the blade in the aggressor's head. He then pulls out a switchblade and oddly slices off the dead man's ear.

In their room, a Cuban serviceman explains that a rich American on the street can be in for a world of trouble in their country and that there are formalities concerning the incident.

"How much?" Nucky asks, exasperated. "To keep it quiet?" The soldier answers two hundred.

Later, Sally and Nucky discuss that creepy Cuban bodyguard. "Did you see what he did with the ear?" He goes on saying that the Bacardi executives don't need to know what happened and as far as everyone is concerned Senator Lloyd is still on board."

"Don't count on it," Sally says. "You're not the only one who pays of the Army."

"Be honest and true boys..." Nucky says. Sally asks what he's saying.

"Nothing. It's running through my head..." (*) He's referring to the poem "Be Honest and True" by George Birdseye that kicked off the episode. Nucky wants Sally to come up to his room but she declines. "It's not a night to be alone," he says.

"Sweetie, I'm not alone," she darts back. He then motions to his bodyguard to escort Sally to her room. A moment later, he notices Lansky's 'bride' across the way and after saying hello, realizes that she's actually Cuban prostitute. Nucky was duped by his young friend and now must wonder if Lansky was behind the attack.

CHALKY ON THE CHAIN GANG

Chalky White has seen better days, indeed. We open on him sitting inside of a claustrophobic horse-drawn wagon filled with prisoners. It looks humid and uncomfortable. Milton, a crooning the work song 'Pattin the Juber', serenading the fellas before egging Chalky on, and laughing obnoxiously. Chalky stays stone cold. As the men flow out, it appears they're in a heavily-wooded area. Chalky remains seated in the cart when a guard orders him out.

What did Chalky White do to land himself in a prison chain gang?

"I said get runnin', stripey!," he barks, as Chalky slowly exits. When Chalky bends over to tie his worn shoelace, the guard kicks him in the back, knocking him to the ground. He gets up and joins the rest of the gang chomping wood.

Later that day, the prisoners are starting to get tired as they haul logs. Chalky asks for some water and the guard obliges with a bucket for the entire group. When the bucket gets to Chalky, it's empty and Chalky lets him know. "Tie that boot," the guard sneers. To lighten the mood, Milton sings one of his songs but Chalky's not laughing.

Later, Chalky and Milton relax. He tells Chalky how he keeps his boots in such good shape (grease from the kitchen). When Chalky tends to his own boot, the shoelace snaps. Chalky stares at it blankly and we're just wondering how long it will be before he blows. The guard orders him up and Chalky doesn't move. He stands up and just glares at him.

"I'll give you some, boy," the guard taunts. Just then, a ruckus breaks out among other prisoners and the guards. Chalky thinks on his feet and shoots his guard in the face. He then snags the keys and makes a run for it, still chained. But he doesn't get far because Milton tackles him and tries for the keys, putting a gun to his face.

"Ever talk on the telephone?" Milton asks. Chalky is befuddled and nods his head.

"How do they fit a body's voice inside that little box?" Milton asks.

""Electricity..." Chalky blurts. Milton says that he knows where some money is hidden and he wants Chalky to come along to "handle the telephones and such." Last we see them, they run off into the woods, free of the chains that bound them.

TOUGH TIMES FOR PEGGY

Margaret Thompson/Rowan (Kelly Macdonald) still works at Connors & Gould brokerage firm in Manhattan. The office watches their boss Mr. Bennett (Patch Darragh) address everyone about what he did the night before with his family, remarking that he enjoyed "The Front Page" at the cinema. (5)

1931's film poster for "The Front Page"

(5) Based on the Broadway comedy of the same name, "The Front Page" was adapted to film four times, most notably in 1940 as "His Girl Friday" with Cary Grant. The 1931 version was produced by Howard Hughes and starred Adolphe Menjou and Pat O'Brien. Watch the entire film, HERE.

As for the Mickey Mouse cartoon Bennett cites, it was called "The Castaway" and it was released on April 6, 1931. That may give us some context as to the time and date of the episode.

Mr. Bennett assures everyone that the country is strong and their firm and market are both on solid ground. Just then, he pulls out a pistol and shoots himself in the head. (**)

(**) It wasn't uncommon for financial tycoons to do this. Read this fabulous essay from the International Association for Suicide Prevention entitled, "Reflections on Suicide During the Great Depression"

Margaret Thompson/Rowan (Kelly Macdonald) still works at Connors & Gould brokerage firm in Manhattan.

Later that week, Peg meets with her other boss, Mr. Connors. He asks how she feels and she says shocked and saddened. He asks what exactly she did for Mr. Bennett and he suggests that it's time she find a husband. "Am I to be let go?" she asks. Ignoring her, Connors inquires if she knows where Bennett kept the key to the filing cabinet in his office. She says no. He orders her to call a locksmith. But she DOES have the key and later that night snags up the file of A. Redstone, which many will remember to be one of Arnold Rothstein's aliases. She hides the file when Connors approaches. "I found the key!" she tells him.

A YOUNG DON ON THE RISE

Salvatore Charlie "Lucky" Luciano (Vincent Piazza ) meets Don Joe Masseria (Ivo Nandi) in a quiet Coney Island eatery. Right off the bat we can tell he's not the same. In fact, he looks meaner with a noticeable drooping eye. (6)

A 1931 New York Police Department mugshot of Lucky Luciano.

(6) Biography.com sheds some light on his injuries. "In 1929, Luciano lived up his nickname "Lucky" by surviving a savage attack. He had been abducted by a group of men, who beat and stabbed him. Left for dead on a beach in Staten Island, Luciano was discovered by a police officer and taken to the hospital. It was unclear who ordered the attack, but some speculated that it was the police or top crime boss Masseria. ...He helped arrange for Masseria to meet a grisly end in April 1931."

At their dinner, Masseria does his waxing-poetic-about-life thing to Luciano, who, in earlier days may have feigned interest but he's no longer the young mafia cub on the rise.

"One man. One boss," Masseria says. "It don't work no other way." Lucinao says that Sal Maranzano has the same idea and to just give him the word and he'll fix the problem. Masseria scoffs at that notion. "And then what?" Masseria says.

Luciano is offended and tells Masseria that he's been loyal. Then he hears his signal. The phone rings. Lucky excuses himself and goes to the john when ...

... Two gunman walk in and carry out the famed hit on Masseria. Over his dead body, Luciano sneers in Italian, "The fight is over..."

Charles 'Lucky' Luciano, a mobster rising to power.

In the Bronx, crime boss Sal Maranzano (Giampiero Judica) addresses his men. "Kingdoms rise... Kingdoms fall... Pretenders reach for the throne but only Caesar can rule," he says. "What does it all mean in the words of Marcus Aurelius? The Universe has changed. Our life is what our thoughts make it. And my thoughts are this: Everybody in this room is going to get rich!" (Says Biography: "Marcus Aurelius ruled from the year 161 to 180 and was an intellectual leader who fought to keep his land safe from Parthians and Germans."

Just then, Lucky Luciano walks into the room with gangsters parting for him like the red sea. Maranzano addresses him as a hero. Lucky kneels and takes a knife, slashes his palm and shakes the hand of every man in the room, who does the same. It's baptism by Mafia. (7)

(7) The scene is spot on. A ceremony like this is documented in the book "Brothers in Blood: The Rise of the Criminal Brotherhoods" where gangster Joe Valachi expounds: "Maranzano [the boss] motions us up and we say some words in Italian. Then Joe Bonanno pricks my finger with a pin and squeezes until the blood comes out. What then happens, Mr. Maranzano says, 'This blood means that we are now one Family. You live by the gun and the knife and you die by the gun and the knife..."

OTHER STUFF ON MY MIND

• The title of the show is named for the title of the children's paper "Golden Days for Boys and Girls." According to the collection at Villanova University, "This Philadelphia paper featured stories for younger children. Published by James Elverson, it is the companion to his adult story paper Saturday Night. ...These stories too, were not just written by strictly amateur or unknown authors, but some of the most important names in children's literature at the time including Horatio Alger, Jr., James Otis and Frank R. Stockton. "

We always knew Nucky loved reading and we can see that his love for stories and other worlds went as far back as his late-childhood.

Golden Days for Boys and Girls

The notion of being honest and true recurs several times throughout the episode both both young and old Nucky. Young Nucky seems to have benefited from it. But will 1931 Nucky?



• As the young Commodore Louis Kaestner, John Elllison Conlee does a damned fine job conjuring a young Dabney Coleman. Who else can't help thinking of "9 to 5"?

• How about that? Character actor Paul Calderon shows up as Nucky's Cuban bodyguard. Most will probably remember him from "Pulp Fiction," in addition to a slew of other TV shows and films.

• What did Chalky do to land himself on a chain gang? Anyone have a guess as to where the geography is? Let's hear some theories...

• Check out Nucky's face on that conga line. It's priceless.

• The tune playing over the Masseria hit? "My Blue Heaven" Fitting ...

• Through four seasons, we've come to know why Nucky hates his father and here we can really understand why. We also remember that in Season 1, Episode 7 ("Home") he would ultimately set the family house on fire.

• Did you catch how Sally Wheet didn't even say hello back to Lansky after his greeting?

• I've done extremely heavy cyber-recon and haven't found anything on a Senator Wendell Lloyd. If anyone can provide information, it's appreciated. I'm starting to think he's fictional.

• How does everyone feel about the jumping around in terms of flashbacks? Is it distracting?

Did Meyer Lansky have anything to to do with that attempted hit on Nucky?

• Any theories about that ear-slicing? What was THAT about?

• It's pretty cool to still see Sally Wheet in the picture. Said it before but I think she is the perfect match for Nucky.

• So... Was Lansky in on that attack on Nucky?

• After seeing Ethan Thompson's grief for his little girl, does it make him more sympathetic or is he still a monster?

• The tune playing over the end credits is "Great Day" by jazz legend Paul Whiteman and the Rhythm Boys (of which Bing Crosby was a member).

Anthony Venutolo may be reached at avenutolo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @AnthonyVenutolo and Google+.



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