Acres of Diamonds (Boardwalk Empire)
Nucky goes to Florida; Richard's past catches up.
"Acres of Diamonds," the third episode of Boardwalk Empire's fourth season (and the 36th overall), aired on HBO on September 22, 2013. Howard Korder wrote it, and Allen Coulter directed. The show takes place in Atlantic City during Prohibition, following political operator Enoch "Nucky" Thompson as he navigates relationships with mobsters, politicians, and everyday citizens. This installment sends Nucky to Florida, while Richard Harrow finds his past catching up to him.
At Temple University, Willie Thompson lies to impress a girl named Doris, claiming he can supply liquor for a party. He tries stealing a crate from Mickey Doyle's warehouse but gets caught and slapped; Mickey eventually lets him take one, warning him not to tell Eli. At the party, Willie defends Doris from an unwanted suitor, and they kiss in the library—only for classmates to mock him and humiliate him by pointing out his erection, driving him away.
In Wisconsin, Richard gives money to his sister Emma, insisting she has debts to pay, though she says she already settled them. Billings and a henchman confront Richard, angry he didn't finish a job in Milwaukee. Richard kills the henchman, and Emma shoots Billings with a shotgun. Realizing his presence endangers her, Richard leaves on good terms; Emma tells him he'll have to answer for his actions.
In New York, Narcisse meets with Arnold Rothstein and Owney Madden to discuss a heroin partnership. He hires singer Daughter Maitland for the Onyx Club, and Chalky White becomes smitten with her. Narcisse then drives a wedge between Chalky and Dunn Purnsley, pushing Dunn toward heroin use.
Back in Atlantic City, Gillian Darmody continues seeing Roy Phillips. Roy asks her to pretend to be his wife to impress an A&P executive; the ruse works, but a former friend of Roger recognizes Gillian at a diner and starts talking about Roger's actions until Roy forces him to leave. Ashamed, Gillian turns to heroin again.
In Tampa, Nucky meets Bill McCoy, who wants him to buy a large parcel of land for his operations. Nucky learns another developer has plans for the surrounding area, making the parcel useless. When Nucky tries to back out, McCoy explains he's indebted to bootlegger August Tucker. Frustrated that McCoy didn't ask for help, Nucky visits a speakeasy and becomes intrigued by owner Sally Wheet.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Boardwalk Empire
- Season
- 4
- Episode
- 3
- Director
- Allen Coulter
- Writer
- Terence Winter
- Photographer
- David Franco
- Editor
- Kate Sanford
- Airdate
- 2013-09-22
- Length
- 56 minutes
- Prev
- Resignation
- Next
- All In
- Season Article
- Boardwalk Empire (season 4)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The episode follows multiple storylines. At Temple University, Willie Thompson tries to impress a girl named Doris by obtaining liquor. He steals a crate from Mickey's warehouse but is caught; Mickey allows him to take it after slapping him. At a party, Willie defends Doris and later kisses her, but is humiliated by classmates who mock his erection, prompting him to leave. In Wisconsin, Richard gives money to his sister Emma, but she claims she already paid her debts. Richard is confronted by Billings and his henchman; Richard kills the henchman, and Emma kills Billings with a shotgun. Richard decides to leave to avoid bringing problems, and they part on good terms.
Reader's Guide
In New York, Narcisse meets with Rothstein and Owney Madden to discuss a heroin partnership. He employs singer Daughter Maitland to perform at the Onyx Club and gets Chalky to accept her; Chalky becomes smitten. Narcisse drives a wedge between Chalky and Dunn and influences Dunn into using heroin. In Atlantic City, Gillian continues seeing Roy Phillips. Roy asks her to pretend to be his wife to impress an A&P executive; the ruse succeeds, but Gillian is later recognized at a diner by a former friend of Roger and is shamed, leading her to resort to heroin. In Tampa, Florida, Nucky meets Bill McCoy, who wants him to buy land for operations. Nucky discovers another developer has plans for surrounding land, making the parcel unusable. McCoy explains he is indebted to bootlegger August Tucker. Nucky is frustrated McCoy didn't ask for help first but later accepts the proposal after being inspired by a conversation with speakeasy owner Sally Wheet. Unbeknownst to Nucky, McCoy killed Tucker earlier that day over a debt.
Did You Know?
- The episode was seen by an estimated 1.87 million household viewers with a 0.7 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
- This was a 16% decrease in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by 2.21 million household viewers.
- The episode received positive reviews from critics, who praised the performances and character development but criticized the pacing and lack of progress.
- The title 'Acres of Diamonds' was confirmed by HBO in August 2013.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote and directed Acres of Diamonds (Boardwalk Empire)?
Terence Winter, the show's creator, penned the script, while Allen Coulter handled the director's chair for this installment.
What are the main plot threads in Acres of Diamonds (Boardwalk Empire)?
The episode sends Nucky Thompson on a trip to Florida and forces Richard Harrow to confront a painful chapter from his past. Meanwhile, Willie Thompson tries to impress a girl named Doris at Temple University by exaggerating his family's liquor connections.
When did Acres of Diamonds (Boardwalk Empire) air and where can it be found in the series?
It premiered on HBO on September 22, 2013, as the third episode of Season 4, making it the 39th episode of the entire run.
Why is Acres of Diamonds (Boardwalk Empire) important to Season 4's arc?
It deepens Richard Harrow's backstory, which becomes a recurring thread throughout the season, while also advancing Nucky's political maneuvering and showing the next generation of the Thompson family navigating their own identity.
What is the setting of Acres of Diamonds (Boardwalk Empire)?
Like the rest of the series, the episode is rooted in Atlantic City during Prohibition, though Nucky's storyline temporarily shifts the action to Florida.
More in Boardwalk Empire episodes 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced