Ep 1. The French Connection

The French Connection is the first episode of season 2 of Godfather of Harlem. The episode picks up after the events of the previous season, with Bumpy Johnson returning to his old neighborhood after serving ten years in prison. But the Harlem he comes back to is not the same one he left behind. The streets are now controlled by the Italian mob, and Bumpy has to navigate carefully if he wants to reclaim his turf.

The first episode sets the stage for the rest of the season, with Bumpy returning to a changed Harlem that he doesn't fully recognize. His old allies are either dead or in jail, and the new players in town are more ruthless than ever. Bumpy's first order of business is to re-establish his connections with his old crew, starting with his trusted lieutenant, Elsie. But even that proves to be a challenge, as Elsie is no longer the man he used to be.

Meanwhile, in France, a new player has entered the scene, a man known only as the "French Connection". He is a powerful drug lord who is looking to expand his operation to the United States. The French Connection has been working with the Italian mob, but now he wants to cut them out of the deal and work directly with the black crime bosses.

Bumpy sees an opportunity to make a deal with the French Connection, but he knows he can't trust him. He enlists the help of Adam Clayton Powell Jr., a congressman and ally, to arrange a meeting. But the meeting doesn't go as planned, and Bumpy finds himself in a dangerous position.

The French Connection is a tense and action-packed episode that sets up the main conflicts of the season. It introduces new characters and sets up alliances and betrayals that will come into play later on. The episode also explores the theme of change and how it affects the characters. Bumpy is no longer the top dog in Harlem, but he's still a force to be reckoned with. He has to adapt to the new reality and find new ways to assert his dominance.

Overall, The French Connection is a great start to season 2 of Godfather of Harlem. It sets up the main plot points and characters in an engaging way. The episode is well-written, well-paced and showcases the great acting of Forest Whitaker as Bumpy Johnson. Fans of the show will enjoy seeing how their favorite characters have changed and evolved, and new viewers will be drawn in by the drama and excitement of the story.