What Does the Bee Do?
"What Does the Bee Do?" is the fourth episode of the second season of the HBO television series Boardwalk Empire, and 16th episode overall. First aired on October 16, 2011, it was written by executive story editor Steve Kornacki and directed by Ed Bianchi.
Plot
Nucky looks to Rothstein for a port to receive alcohol, since the Coast Guard is blockading Atlantic City. Rothstein suggests using Philadelphia as a port of call, with them needing to cut in his associate Waxey Gordon for the operation. He instructs Lansky and Luciano to oversee the Philadelphia delivery, to their chagrin. Nucky also sends Owen Sleater to bomb Doyle's still. Margaret asks for 'money for the children' from Nucky, which she proceeds to hide in her jewelry box.The Commodore, unbeknownst to Nucky, suffers a stroke and can no longer communicate, forcing Jimmy to take control. Eli is unhappy, dubious that Jimmy can handle the situation without the Commodore's connections. While treating the bedridden Commodore, Gillian asks him if he remembers the time he raped her, then proceeds to slap him repeatedly.
Nucky throws Bader a birthday party, which Jack Dempsey drops in on. The prostitutes at the party were transported interstate, which is a federal felony. This prompts his attorney to suggest that Nucky use this as a means of making his election-rigging charges federal, thus enabling his connection with Harry M. Daugherty to assist him.
Angela asks Harrow if he'd consider posing for her. He agrees and as he sits for the portrait tells her about how he lost his love for his twin sister.
Chalky is released from jail. Having been able to provide good education and upbringing for his family, he gets angry at a dinner party, feeling his family and guest are condescending to him as a simple 'country' man.
Two of Van Alden's men begin to suspect him of corruption after witnessing him participating in dubious activities. When they investigate Doyle's store house, the bomb that Sleater set explodes, badly burning one of them.