Boardwalk Empire

In the series' penultimate episode, Willie and Eli find themselves drawn into Nucky's escalating conflict with Luciano, entangling them further in the criminal power struggle. Meanwhile, the formidable New York mob boss Salvatore Maranzano meets his ultimate fate, sealing a pivotal turn in the storyline.

Friendless Child is an episode‑type programme, classified simply as an episode within its series. It forms part of the broader narrative of the show, presenting a self‑contained segment that advances the ongoing storyline. In this penultimate instalment, the focus shifts to Willie and Eli as they become drawn into the escalating conflict between Nucky and Luciano. Their involvement pulls them deeper into the power struggle that has been building, placing them squarely in the cross‑fire of the two rival factions. At the same time, the episode marks the downfall of Salvatore Maranzano, the influential New York mob boss, whose fate is sealed during the course of events. The episode therefore intertwines the personal entanglements of Willie and Eli with the larger gang war, while also delivering the decisive end for Maranzano. By the conclusion, viewers see the immediate consequences of Nucky’s war with Luciano and witness the final chapter of the powerful mob figure’s story, setting the stage for the series’ concluding episode.