1Pilot
Jailbird Joey Ice Cream explains to mob heir Nicky Cottero how the four Donnelly brothers grew up in Hells's Kitchen (New York) after the murder of their dad, an Irish labor union rep on mob capo Sal Minetta's orders. Nine years later hotheads Jimmy and Kevin kidnap bookmaker Louie Downtown to make quick cash. Before smarter brother Tommy can straight them out, he escapes and his uncle, Sal, decides to exact bloody revenge- a feud is born, which crosses the cohabitation between the neighborhood's Italian and Irish communities.
2A Stone of the Heart
Tommy and Kevin continue cleaning up after Jimmy and deal with the aftermath of their actions.
3God Is a Comedian
Jimmy tasks Tommy for not bailing him out of jail, Huey's brother visits Sal's boss, and Sean is moved from ICU to a ward.
6The Only Thing Sure
Tommy can't resist Jenny's desperate plea to spare her dad's firm, which means he needs to replace the $13,000. Tommy and Kevin branch out from collecting debts to racketeering, and enlist Whitey's feared uncle Bob 'the Mouth', a monster they can't control. Kevin relapses in betting and loosing, a result of dad calling him 'Lucky' as young boy, and the brothers now need him to win back what they already lost. Sean rather lies to the priest than admit to his mother that he doesn't want to return to school. The gang baron heirs agree to restore the Italo-Irish modus vivendi.
7In Each One a Savior
Joey tells Father Dufelt how Tommy caused Jimmy's horrible leg accident. Both have trouble trying to establish themselves as the neighborhood's criminal boss. Sean and Kevin bicker. Tommy is suckered into helping another 'innocent' female. Jimmy's extortion now extends to Jenny's father's bar.
8All of Us Are in the Gutter
Tommy finally pursues his dream: art, as the assistant to Kate's friend, painter Munst. He seems to treat Tommy as a gopher, proves a good teacher but demands priority commitment. Nicky finds out that Jimmy stole Louise's business, but decides to seek a more lucrative deal rather than bloody revenge. Councilman Jack Trevor demands Dokey restores order, or no building deals. Jimmy refuses to involve Tommy, but Sean tells him anyway, in time for an offer to replace Dokey. Dokey finds out about Whitey. Jenny reports her dad missing.
9When the Door Opens
Now Tommy has refused an alliance with Nicky, he fears an attack and decides to offer Dokey a deal, just so he'll help weaken the Italians. To win Dokey's trust, they help his real estate cahoot, Trevor, evict tenants. Wheelchair veteran Mitchell Carr convinces Tommy, but fights Kevin bitterly. Dokey and Nicky each recruit an unwilling spy, but Jimmy stabs Whitey to death. Jenny's father is diagnosed as senile.
10Wasn't That Enough?
Tommy agrees to help Jenny's father keep their restaurant, which Dokey has managed to get declared 'unsanitary'. Joanie discovers that addict Jimmy stabbed Whitey to death, and helps him dispose of the body. Jimmy's creditor Jonesy, a corrupt ex building department employee, tells the boys to talk to their late father's friend Franny Kenny. However the the paper trail goes cold. Trish explains to Nikey about the Travis-Dokey-Alo real estate connection. Ma Donnely asks the boys to change their ways in order to avoid risking the same fate as their dad. Kevin has a Greek girlfriend, who inspires him to study again. Torture puts the boys on the bloody trail, with a terrible family secret.
11The Black Drop
Joey is stabbed while in protective custody. Jimmy goes behind Tommy's back and tries to re-negotiate Tommy's deal with Dokey. Tommy and Kevin kidnap buildings inspector Anthony Lino who has been condemning the buildings on the block including the Diner. Elsewhere, Nicky tells Tommy that Dokey was involved in his father's death.
12Easy Is the Way
Since Tommy has no evidence that would put Dokey in prison, Frank advices Tommy to leave town with his brothers and mother. Sean refuses to leave because he wants to marry Nadine, but Tommy talks him out of it. Tommy asks Jenny to come with them, but she says she can't. Jimmy is planning to kill Dokey with Joey's help. They see Dokey's men, but no Dokey, so they follow them... Alo summons Nicky to tell him about Tommy, confident that he's one step ahead of Nicky.