The Best Episodes of Boardwalk Empire Season 4

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   8.1/10(2355 votes)

   #1 - New York Sour

   S4:E19/8/2013

   Following his battle with Gyp Rosetti, Nucky makes a peace offering to Joe Masseria while working the odds with Arnold Rothstein. While Chalky is busy running the Onyx Club on the Boardwalk, the impulsive Dunn Purnsley clashes with a booking agent. Fresh-faced Federal Agent Warren Knox arrives in Atlantic City to learn the ropes from Agent Sawicki. Gillian seeks custody of her grandson, Tommy, while trying to find a “good” man to keep the Artemis Club afloat. Eli’s college-age son, Willie, turns to Nucky for career advice. Al Capone enlists his brothers, Frank and Ralph, to help him expand his business in the Chicago suburb of Cicero. Richard Harrow returns to his violent ways.

   Director:Tim Van Patten

   Writer:Howard Korder

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   Director:Tim Van Patten

   Writer:Howard Korder
2. 

   8.1/10(2111 votes)

   #2 - Resignation

   S4:E29/15/2013

   Now working as a “delivery man” for Dean O’Banion, Van Alden is ordered to keep tabs on Al Capone, joining the ascendant mobster to help keep Cicero voters “informed” at a political rally. Dr. Valentin Narcisse arrives in Atlantic City, clashing with Chalky and Nucky over the loss of an employee. In Washington, Agent Knox aligns himself with J. Edgar Hoover, acting director of the Bureau of Investigation. Harrow fails to finish a job in Milwaukee, while Eddie demands a promotion after 11 years of service. With a business opportunity on the horizon, Nucky departs for Florida.

   Director:Alik Sakharov

   Writers:Howard Korder, Dennis Lehane

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   Director:Alik Sakharov

   Writers:Howard Korder, Dennis Lehane
3. 

   7.8/10(2043 votes)

   #3 - Acres of Diamonds

   S4:E39/22/2013

   Nucky has reservations about investing in a Tampa land deal engineered by transplanted bootlegger Bill McCoy. While there, he meets speakeasy owner Sally Wheet. Valentin Narcisse books a sexy jazz singer, Daughter Maitland, to perform at the Onyx, and gauges Dunn Purnsley’s allegiance to Chalky. Willie, Eli’s son, turns to Mickey Doyle and his bootleg warehouse to elevate his social standing at college. Gillian agrees to pose as Roy Phillips’ wife to impress a possible partner. Harrow tries to bury his past, though not before taking care of some unfinished business with Emma.

   Director:Allen Coulter

   Writer:Terence Winter

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   Director:Allen Coulter

   Writer:Terence Winter
4. 

   8.4/10(2098 votes)

   #4 - All In

   S4:E49/29/2013

   Nucky gets to know Arnold Rothstein over a card game, and sizes up an unexpected partner for his Tampa land deal. A newly promoted Eddie Kessler gets detoured after making a train-station delivery. When one of their collectors is incapacitated, Al and Frank Capone decide to finish his route, enlisting a reluctant Van Alden to tag along. Agent Knox fills Hoover in on the Thompson operation, vowing to exploit Nucky's weakest link. Chalky is intrigued by Daughter Maitland’s presence. Dunn Purnsley goes to Harlem, and is courted by Valentin Narcisse. Willie and his college roommate, Clayton, carry a practical joke too far.

   Director:Ed Bianchi

   Writer:David Matthews

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   Director:Ed Bianchi

   Writer:David Matthews
5. 

   8.8/10(2390 votes)

   #5 - Erlkönig

   S4:E510/6/2013

   Nucky heads to Philadelphia; Agent Knox detains Eddie Kessler to obtain information about Nucky's organization; Gillian tries to score a fix; Van Alden is recruited by the Capones.

   Director:Tim Van Patten

   Writer:Howard Korder

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   Director:Tim Van Patten

   Writer:Howard Korder
6. 

   7.6/10(1988 votes)

   #6 - The North Star

   S4:E610/13/2013

   Nucky heads to Tampa to work out details of his land deal with Bill McCoy; Richard Harrow returns to Atlantic City; Agent Knox tries to gain Eli's trust; Chalky takes out his frustrations on Daughter Maitland.

   Director:Allen Coulter

   Writers:Howard Korder, Eric Overmyer

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   Director:Allen Coulter

   Writers:Howard Korder, Eric Overmyer
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7. 

   7.8/10(1956 votes)

   #7 - William Wilson

   S4:E710/20/2013

   Eli confronts Nucky after Willie makes an unpopular decision. Margaret has a surprise encounter at her job on Wall Street. Joe Masseria orders Lucky Luciano to return to Tampa and deal with Vincenzo Petrucelli. Gillian goes cold turkey, with Roy Phillips’ help. Still seething over his brother’s death, Al Capone tries to get Johnny Torrio to turn on rival gangster Dean O’Banion. As Chalky White and Daughter Maitland’s relationship deepens, Valentin Narcisse exerts his control over Dunn Purnsley and the Northside.

   Director:Jeremy Podeswa

   Writers:Terence Winter, David Matthews

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   Director:Jeremy Podeswa

   Writers:Terence Winter, David Matthews
8. 

   8.6/10(2086 votes)

   #8 - The Old Ship of Zion

   S4:E810/27/2013

   Nucky’s shipment from Florida arrives with some unexpected cargo. Eli is backed into a corner after Agent Knox uncovers some new dirt on the Thompsons. After talking things over with Nucky, Willie reconsiders his recent life choices. Chalky throws down the gauntlet toward Valentin Narcisse, upholding his leadership on the Northside.

   Director:Tim Van Patten

   Writers:Howard Korder, Cristine Chambers

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   Director:Tim Van Patten

   Writers:Howard Korder, Cristine Chambers
9. 

   8.5/10(2048 votes)

   #9 - Marriage and Hunting

   S4:E911/3/2013

   Nucky refuses to back Chalky in a conflict; Gillian makes her custody case in court; Van Alden stands up to Capone and comes clean to O'Banion; Rothstein tries to make a trade.

   Director:Ed Bianchi

   Writers:David Matthews, Jennifer Ames, Steve Turner

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   Director:Ed Bianchi

   Writers:David Matthews, Jennifer Ames, Steve Turner
10. 

    8.8/10(2200 votes)

    #10 - White Horse Pike

    S4:E1011/10/2013

    Nucky enlists Eli and Agent Knox to check the cargo in the Florida shipments; Margaret considers making a deal with Rothstein; Capone grows suspicious of Torrio; Nucky faces a dilemma.

    Director:Jake Paltrow

    Writer:David Flebotte

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    Director:Jake Paltrow

    Writer:David Flebotte
11. 

    8.3/10(2017 votes)

    #11 - Havre de Grace

    S4:E1111/17/2013

    Nucky takes inventory after being warned of a skunk in his cellar. On the lam following a close call, Chalky and Daughter take refuge outside Wilmington with Oscar Boneau, his mentor from years ago. Gillian considers selling her mansion and starting a new life with Roy Phillips.

    Director:Allen Coulter

    Writer:Howard Korder

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    Director:Allen Coulter

    Writer:Howard Korder
12. 

    9.3/10(3397 votes)

    #12 - Farewell Daddy Blues

    S4:E1211/24/2013

    Eli braces for the worst as Agent Knox launches his plan to bring Nucky down. Capone and Torrio reach an agreement in Cicero. Chalky looks to settle scores. Richard steps forward to save Tommy, at Gillian’s expense

    Director:Tim Van Patten

    Writers:Howard Korder, Terence Winter

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    Director:Tim Van Patten

    Writers:Howard Korder, Terence Winter