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Ok, I’ll admit it, those scenes with poor little Emily almost made me cry. While Daddy Nucky was away on business in Northern Ireland (I guess it was just called Ireland at that point, wasn’t it?) Margaret had to cope with tragedy striking her family yet again.

As we’ve seen in previous episodes, Margaret’s young daughter Emily hasn’t been feeling very well. One day, she can’t get out of bed—she’s paralyzed. Margaret calls the doctor who informs her that Emily has to be quarantined at the children’s hospital; the diagnosis is polio. While Emily is treated at the hospital, all her toys and belongings at home have to be burned. Margaret sneaks into her daughter’s hospital and gives her a much needed hug while the doctors and nurses are distracted by the fight being broadcast over the wireless. All this makes me sad.

Remember when Chalky was in jail, there was that one guy who wouldn’t stop speaking in monologues, taunting him? Well that ass, Dunn Purnsley, is still alive and found his way out of jail. Of course he’s causing trouble at his new job, complaining about quality of food served to the black kitchen workers. I did enjoy how he used the fine china for his lunch; I’d probably do the same. Knowing he’s about to get fired, Dunn visits his old “frenemy” Chalky, who gives Dunn his blessing to start the strike Nucky basically ordered last week.

Jimmy and the Gang are still learning the ropes of running Atlantic City. Waxey Gordon comes to town and orders a hit on Jimmy’s former acquaintance Manny Horvitz. Unfortunately for Jimmy, Waxey’s hitman isn’t so good and Manny survives—and finds an Atlantic City matchbook in the hitman’s pocket.

Of course, Jimmy doesn’t have to worry about that little problem just yet so he and Richard go for a night on the town and listen to the fight on the wireless. Two young flappers recognize Jimmy as the new king in town and throw themselves at him. One of the girls takes pity on Richard and starts making out with him too.

Over in Ireland, Nucky and Owen are there to bury Nucky’s father. At least that’s what they tell customs. They’re really there to trade guns in exchange for whisky. Owen’s former boss Mr. McGarrigle isn’t interested. Last time he appeared he was all about getting support for the cause, but now he’s prepared to make a truce with the Brits. See, the British offered to create the Irish Free State, but the republicans wanted actual independence, not to be a dominion. Nucky prepares to leave Ireland empty-handed thanks to McGarrigle being a buzzkill, but luckily McGarrigle is murdered by the IRA just in time. Nucky questions Owen over how much he knew of McGarrigle’s murder plot in advance. Owen tries to assure Nucky that he couldn’t do anything to stop it. Nucky reminds Owen that he doesn’t like secrets. Good thing Owen doesn’t have any other secrets. Oh wait...

Boardwalk Empire airs Sundays at 9pm MT on HBO Canada.