Ep 6. The Ballot or the Bullet
- TVMA
- May 23, 2021
- 52 min
-
(404)
As Bumpy Johnson navigates the complex world of organized crime and civil rights in the 1960s, tensions continue to rise in Godfather of Harlem season 2 episode 6, titled "The Ballot or the Bullet."
The episode opens with Bumpy, played by Forest Whitaker, consolidating his power and influence as he maneuvers to protect his family and regain control of his criminal empire. Meanwhile, the rising political star Malcolm X, played by Nigel Thatch, is also on the move, preaching a message of black self-determination and warning of the dangers of compromise and collaboration with white power structures.
As the title suggests, the episode grapples with the fundamental question of how to effect change in a society that is stacked against you - through the ballot box or through armed struggle. This tension plays out not only in the larger political landscape but also within Bumpy's own inner circle, as some of his associates argue for a more aggressive posture, while others want to maintain a lower profile and work within the system.
Themes of loyalty, betrayal, and sacrifice continue to pervade the series, as Bumpy's confidante and enforcer, Junior, faces a difficult choice between his loyalty to Bumpy and his allegiance to Malcolm X. The episode also delves deeper into the complex relationships among Bumpy, Adam Clayton Powell Jr., and the Italian-American mobsters who control much of the city's criminal underworld.
As always, the episode is grounded in stunning period details, including the costumes, music, and architecture of 1960s Harlem. The show's impressive ensemble cast, which includes Vincent D'Onofrio as gangster Vincent "Chin" Gigante and Ilfenesh Hadera as Bumpy's wife, lends depth and nuance to the already richly drawn characters.
Overall, Godfather of Harlem season 2 episode 6 is a tense and thought-provoking installment that raises important questions about the balance of power and the nature of justice in a turbulent and divided society. Fans of the series will not want to miss it.
