The episode sees Van Alden exacting revenge for a botched investigation, Jimmy facing up to the dark secrets of his family, and Nucky making a decision that will forever change his relationship with Eli.

Nucky tells him about an illegal still on the outskirts of Atlantic City and suggests Sebso convince Van Alden to refocus his attention.

Driven into a religious frenzy by Sebso's refusal to "repent", Van Alden dunks him underwater repeatedly and ends up drowning him.

This decision proves crucial, as Jimmy is present when the attending doctor detects significant amounts of arsenic (Paris Green) while testing a hair sample.

The Commodore begins to recover, and Jimmy confronts Gillian with an empty canister of Paris Green pigment that he found in the trash.

The mild-mannered Richard somewhat ruthlessly suggests killing the family as a means of getting the surviving brothers to "stick their heads up," a tactic harkening back to his past as a sniper in World War I; Jimmy is undecided.

Margaret catches them talking in his office and later argues with him, criticizing Nucky for involving her in his business, then insisting she ignore its unsavory realities.

IGN praised the episode, calling it "outstanding" and went on to say, "With his safety nets gone and his finger tightening around a trigger gunning for Rothstein, Nucky is a man alone, surrounded by a war that can go any way but good.