Ep 2. The Nitty Gritty

In Godfather of Harlem season 1 episode 2, titled "The Nitty Gritty," we see the continuation of Bumpy Johnson's return to Harlem after a decade in prison. With the support of Malcolm X, Bumpy is determined to take back control of the streets from the Italian mafia.

In the beginning of the episode, Bumpy attends a meeting with the heads of the Five Families, where he demands a seat at the table. Of course, the Italians are hesitant to give a Black man any power, but Bumpy makes it clear that he will not be pushed around.

Meanwhile, Bumpy's daughter, Elise, is struggling to adjust to life without her mother. She's also dealing with the fact that her father is a notorious gangster, something she's been shielded from for most of her life. Elise's arc in this episode is particularly poignant, as we see her grappling with some heavy emotions.

As the episode progresses, we see more of the friction between Bumpy and the Italians. They're not happy with his attempts to muscle in on their territory, and they begin to plot against him. This leads to some intense confrontations both in the streets and behind closed doors.

One of the highlights of "The Nitty Gritty" is the introduction of Vincent "Chin" Gigante, a real-life mafia boss who would later become infamous for his erratic behavior and public displays of mental illness. Gigante is played brilliantly by Vincent D'Onofrio, who manages to convey both the character's ruthlessness and his underlying instability.

Overall, "The Nitty Gritty" is a tense and compelling episode that deepens our understanding of the characters and their motivations. It's clear that Bumpy Johnson is playing a dangerous game, but he's driven by a sense of justice and a desire to protect his community. It remains to be seen whether he'll be able to take down the Italians once and for all, but for now, it's clear that he won't back down without a fight.