Sunday Best (Boardwalk Empire)
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Episode 7
| "Sunday Best" | |
|---|---|
| Boardwalk Empire episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 3 Episode 7 |
| Directed by | Allen Coulter |
| Written by | Howard Korder |
| Cinematography by | David Franco |
| Editing by | Kate Sanford |
| Original air date | October 28, 2012 |
| Running time | 58 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Sunday Best" is the seventh episode of the third season of the American period crime drama television series Boardwalk Empire. It is the 31st overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer Howard Korder, and directed by Allen Coulter. It was released on HBO on October 28, 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, Nucky visits Eli during Easter, while Gyp returns to New York City to settle things with Masseria, and Gillian spends the day with Roger.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.97 million household viewers and gained a 0.7 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received extremely positive reviews from critics, who praised the directing, performances and character development. For the episode, Bobby Cannavale won Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series at the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards.
During Easter Sunday, Nucky and Margaret take their family to visit Eli at his house. However, Eli is still mad at Nucky for his perceived lack of progress by working for him. Speaking with him privately in his garage, Eli gives him a pistol, asking Nucky to kill him, which Nucky refuses to do. The day proceeds largely pleasantly, but June is surprised when Margaret reveals Nucky's affair with Billie to her in a private moment between them. After a talk with Margaret, Nucky decides to promote Eli as co-leader of the warehouse.
Gillian feigns sickness and asks Richard to take Tommy with him. She then spends the day with Roger at the Artemis Club, during which they have sex. Later, she brings him to a special bathtub where she starts bathing him. However, she surprises him by injecting him with a lethal dose of heroin. Roger slowly dies in the bathtub, with Gillian putting Jimmy's dog tag on his neck.
In New York City, Gyp Rosetti is stressed not only because of the assassination attempt but also because his profits are plummeting. He then reluctantly joins his wife and her family in an Easter dinner, where it is clear that they do not respect him. He later goes to church, reprimanding God for everything bad that happened to him. When a priest approaches him, Gyp brutally beats him and robs the church. He then meets with Joe Masseria, with Masseria not hiding his disdain for Gyp, claiming he cannot trust him anymore. Gyp then offers to kill Nucky, Rothstein, Luciano and their associates. Although skeptical, Masseria gives him his blessing.
Richard takes Tommy with him to the Sagorskys' house as Julia invited him to dine. However, Paul has been drinking and displays his abusive nature to his family. Tensions escalate when Paul scolds Tommy for sneaking into his dead son's bedroom. When Richard threatens to kill him for harming Tommy, Paul orders him to leave his house. Richard convinces Julia to get out of the house and join him and Tommy at a carnival on the boardwalk. That night, he returns to the Artemis Club, where he is visited by Gillian, who has finally accepted that Jimmy died. Women find Roger's body, screams are heard, and Richard leaves the room to check, while Gillian stays behind, sobbing.
Production
Development
The episode was written by executive producer Howard Korder, and directed by Allen Coulter. This was Korder's eighth writing credit, and Coulter's fifth directing credit.[1]
