Great Googly Moogly

When Boardwalk Empire Season 3 kicked off, we were introduced to Gyp Rosetti and his brutal ways as he beat the poor motorist to death on the side of the road.
So it was fitting that the finale finished much like the premiere started, as Gyp met his demise not far from where we first saw him spill blood. He came unhinged to say the least as his voice went a few octaves higher calling to mind when Judge Doom revealed to Eddie that he was actually a Toon.  And he did it while carrying a tune and looking like the King of Pop.

 "Margate Sands" brought closure to many of the story lines to which we were treated over the past few months, thanks to an array of twists and turns that made for a thrilling conclusion.

Arnold Rothstein showed Lucky Luciano he still has a lot to learn when it comes to the world of criminal enterprise, but it looked like school will be back in session for Arnold soon enough after falling into the heavily-baited trap Nucky set for him. What a great surprise to see Mr. Means behind Melon's call to Esther Randolph. He was worth every dollar Nucky paid him this season.
Lucky had two of my favorite scenes of the episode. First when didn't rat while getting shaken down by the cops.

And later as he lost his proverbial sh-t when he realized it was Rothstein that sold him out.

With Rothstein most likely out of the picture, look for Lucky and Meyer to resolve their differences and start in again on their aspirations. I wouldn't be surprised to see the two partner up with Nucky at some point, either.

Nucky was worried he would be persona non grata after the smoke cleared... but Eli was right. All they have to do is offer the people something they want and they will be willing to look past certain things. Maybe that will be booze, maybe drugs or even entertainment in the form of Chalky's club.

What a scene that was as Chalky and Capone squared off in the lumber yard and later on as they both got their urge to fight out of their systems by blowing away Masseria's men.


Richard also had an itch to scratch which had everyone celebrating.

He sure made short work of the men that stood between him and Tommy.

The whole time I was like...

 
He was in the business of killin I-talians and cousin, business was a boomin!

I don't think things will ever be the same between him and Julia, not after he brought his work home with him in the form of a blood-covered face.

Tommy was safe, though, and that was all Richard really cared about. I just hope that doesn't mean he will finish what he tried to do back in the woods.

Margaret faced a tough decision but appeared to have "taken care of it." I'm pretty sure the bleeding we saw was residual.

Nucky was willing to forgive her dalliance with Owen and welcome her and the children home. She turned him down, but I think we'll see her back in Atlantic City by next season ordering up room service.

Eli and Nucky appeared to be back on good terms, but there was that moment of silence which followed as Eli asked Nucky where Margaret and the kids had gone to hide while they worked on the car. Nucky still did not trust his brother completely at that point. By the end I think he did and now wants to go to the mattresses for a spell. He showed that by taking off the carnation in that closing scene.

He wants out of the public eye. Look for Eli's oldest son to get involved in the family business. Heck Eli has so many kids they could be like Frank Lucas and his family only letting blood work for em.

For all the loathsome things Gillian has done, I very much enjoyed seeing how diabolical she was as she masterfully played Gyp. First she tried to appeal to his sense of family.

 But after that didn't work, she went in another direction that almost did.

Perhaps the line of the night was her response to Gyp calling her a pistol.
 "Then why don't you pull my trigger and see what shoots out?"

In her opium-infused state, Gillian traveled back to the night Nucky delivered her to the commodore and did well to remind us that while she is one seriously disturbed woman, there were those who certainly had a hand in her troubled mental state.

And lastly, the long shot of the year, defied all odds and came in.

So are we to believe it was Mickey who let Rothstein know about Owen's plans to kill Masseria at the bath house who in turn told Masseria to help broker their new peace along with the drug deal? We never saw the crooked FBI agent who we had originally pinned it on. It would make sense given how Mickey was able to ring up A.R. from PA.

 All in all it was a tremendous season that left the door open for any number of possible scenarios. The season's MVP has to go to Rosetti, who week in and week out provided the best Boardwalk Empire quotes - and tonight was no exception.
I so have enjoyed yet another season with you all. Until Season 4...