Margate Sands (Boardwalk Empire)
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| "Margate Sands" | |
|---|---|
| Boardwalk Empire episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 3 Episode 12 |
| Directed by | Tim Van Patten |
| Written by | |
| Cinematography by | Bill Coleman |
| Editing by | Tim Streeto |
| Original air date | December 2, 2012 |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Margate Sands" is the twelfth episode and season finale of the third season of the American period crime drama television series Boardwalk Empire. It is the 36th overall episode of the series and was written by series creator Terence Winter and executive producer Howard Korder, and directed by executive producer Tim Van Patten. It was released on HBO on December 2, 2012.
The series is set in Atlantic City, New Jersey, during the Prohibition era of the 1920s. The series follows Enoch "Nucky" Thompson, a political figure who rises to prominence and interacts with mobsters, politicians, government agents, and the common folk who look up to him. In the episode, the gang war between Nucky and Gyp escalates in Atlantic City.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 2.73 million household viewers and gained a 0.9 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received critical acclaim, with critics praising the directing, performances, themes and closure to the storyline. At the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards, Tim Van Patten received a nomination for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series.
The gang war between Nucky and Gyp has resulted in many deaths in Atlantic City, alarming the townspeople. Despite Gyp acquiring new territories, Masseria is upset with the deaths of many of his henchmen, especially as Gyp still hasn't killed Nucky and Rothstein. Nucky also faces trouble among his own support, as Capone and Chalky do not get along.
In New York City, Luciano is interrogated by the police officers. He is forced to disclose the location of more heroin in exchange for his release. However, he and Lansky discover that Rothstein paid the officers, and he is now planning on getting involved in a heroin business deal with Masseria. Rothstein contacts Nucky to inform him that he will strike a deal with Masseria. If Nucky gives him full ownership of Old Overholt, Rothstein will convince Masseria to withdraw his henchmen who have been supporting Gyp, which he accepts. Also in New York City, Margaret contacts a doctor to help her abort her baby.
Gillian starts fearing for Tommy's safety as Gyp does not let her leave the Artemis Club. When Gyp claims that he will make her a "queen" when he takes over Atlantic City, Gillian decides to manipulate him. She seduces him, performing erotic asphyxiation on him. She tries to inject him with heroin, but he stops her and injects her instead. Suddenly, Gyp discovers that Masseria has withdrawn his men, leaving him vulnerable. Richard then enters the Artemis Club, killing most of Gyp's men, forcing him to flee. Richard finds a man holding Tommy hostage, but he manages to kill him. He takes Tommy to Julia's house, but Paul warns him about coming home bloody, causing Richard to leave. Elsewhere, Capone and Chalky's gangs ambush and gun down all of Masseria's men as they leave Atlantic City.
Gyp flees to Tabor Heights with his three remaining henchmen. He continues explaining his next move, but his right-hand man, Tonino, is not convinced. As Gyp urinates on the beach, Tonino fatally stabs him multiple times until he drops dead. Tonino then walks up the beach to meet with Nucky and Eli, revealing that he was ordered to do the hit. He is told to send the body to Masseria and to never return to Atlantic City. Andrew Mellon informs Esther Randolph about Overholt's new leadership. He does not want it to be associated with a criminal organization, so he asks her to arrest those involved. To her surprise, he refers to Rothstein. It is revealed that Means provided this to Mellon with Nucky's help.
Nucky meets with Margaret at her apartment in New York City. He wants to reconcile, telling her he forgives her for her affair with Owen. When she doesn't say anything, he offers her money to take care of the children. She declines and then closes the door, ending their relationship. A depressed Nucky then returns to Atlantic City and goes to the boardwalk. When a person asks, "Are you Nucky Thompson?", he does not answer. Nucky then removes the carnation from his lapel, tosses it aside, and continues walking until he gets lost amidst the crowd.
Production
Development
The episode was written by series creator Terence Winter and executive producer Howard Korder, and directed by executive producer Tim Van Patten. This was Winter's ninth writing credit, Korder's eleventh writing credit, and Van Patten's 12th directing credit.[1]
Writing
On Gyp's death, Terence Winter explained, "the most satisfying resolution to looking at the season as its own book was that Gyp's gotta go, and in a way that's unexpected and powerful. He's just like a mad dog and just needs to be put down. If he didn't go in 12, you'd think he's gotta go in episode 1 of season 4, so what are we waiting for. The guy's gotta die."[2]
