The North Star (Boardwalk Empire)

The North Star is the sixth episode of Boardwalk Empire’s fourth season and the 42nd episode overall. It aired on HBO on October 13, 2013. The script was written by Eric Overmyer and executive producer Howard Korder, with Allen Coulter directing. In this episode, Nucky heads to Florida to finalize a land deal, and Richard decides to go back to Julia.

The episode drew an estimated 1.90 million household viewers and a 0.7 rating among adults aged 18–49, a 10% drop from the previous episode’s 2.09 million viewers and 0.8 rating. Critics gave it positive reviews, praising the performances and direction but noting the pacing was slow. Matt Fowler of IGN rated it 7.7 out of 10, calling it a “seasonal lull.” Genevieve Valentine of The A.V. Club gave it a B+, and Alan Sepinwall of HitFix highlighted the episode’s patience and artistry. Seth Colter Walls of Vulture gave it 4 out of 5 stars.

The plot follows several threads. Before leaving, Nucky meets Margaret at Penn Station, gives her a birthday gift for Teddy, and she tells him to keep her out of his business. J. Edgar Hoover scolds Knox for Eddie’s death and wants to end the investigation, but Knox convinces him to continue. Eli and Mickey find Eddie’s safety-deposit box key; Eli tries to pose as Eddie at the bank but is recognized. Knox visits, and Eli has him empty the box and read Eddie’s letter, written in German, about becoming a grandfather. Richard returns to Julia’s house, and though she is unsure she can trust him, she wants him to stay. In Florida, Nucky, Luciano, and Lansky meet McCoy, who introduces them to Vincenzo Petrucelli, Masseria’s cousin. Luciano wants to kill Petrucelli, but Lansky refuses, and Nucky gets drunk with Sally, they fight, then have sex. He puts her in charge of his Florida share and accepts Petrucelli’s terms and Lansky’s involvement. At the Onyx Club, Chalky is unhappy when Daughter changes her musical numbers, but after she performs a different song, they kiss and have sex.

In production, HBO confirmed the episode’s title and credits in September 2013. This was Overmyer’s first writing credit for the series, Korder’s 15th, and Coulter’s eighth directing credit.