Enoch 'Nucky' Thompson addresses the Temperance League, spinning a tale of a young boy who struggled to feed his family. The desperate boy, who turns out to be Nucky himself, killed rats so his family had something to eat. With Prohibition just hours away, people are stocking up on alcohol while a funeral procession for 'John Barleycorn', a giant liquor bottle in a casket, marks the end of an era.
Having attempted to cover up Jimmy Darmody's crimes, Nucky is visited by zealous Federal Agent Nelson Van Alden.
Simon, the survivor of the shooting, is rushed to a hospital in Pennsylvania, barely alive. Annoyed that Jimmy left a witness, Nucky instructs his brother to help `nature take its course'.
As Jimmy and Al Capone stir up trouble in Chicago, Nucky demands that Elias solves the murder of Chalky White's employee.
Eli, Margaret and Van Alden undermine Nucky's attempts to usher in a joyous St. Patrick's Day, and James Neary is arrested. Jimmy takes care of Pearl after her attack.
Nucky investigates a boardwalk robbery in broad daylight, and Nucky suspects Lucky is behind it. Jimmy scores points with Johnny Torrio, while Margaret stands up to Lucy.
Steve Buscemi
Enoch "Nucky" Thompson
Kelly Macdonald
Margaret Schroeder
Michael Shannon
Nelson Van Alden
Shea Whigham
Elias Thompson
Stephen Graham
Al Capone
