'Godfather of Harlem' episode 2 review: 'The Nitty Gritty' is about Bumpy's professional victories, but his personal demons could land him in trouble
This review contains spoilers for 'Godfather of Harlem' episode 2: 'The Nitty Gritty'
It's just Bumpy Johnson's style. It's old-fashioned, and it's bloody effective. 'By Whatever Means Necessary' introduced us to a gangster who just wanted Harlem, his Harlem back. And he'd rule it his own way. In the opening scene of 'The Nitty Gritty', he's told by Big Earl Ison (Taylor Selé), an associate that he's lost a step, trust Bumpy (Forest Whitaker) to bump him off by slitting his throat. This episode was all about Bumpy's professional victories and lesser personal ones.
The man needs to take control and he can by having a constant supply of high-quality drugs, and they don't come from the Italians. Meanwhile, 'Chin' Gigante is ready to dole out fifty grand to two corrupt cops for sending Bumpy back to Alcatraz. What follows is Bumpy being framed for killing a Cuban drug dealer. At the cop precinct, Captain Gary D’alessandro (Nick Chinlund) is as much a victim of his rogue detectives as Bumpy is.
The answer is simple, the cops are the biggest dope pushers in Harlem and the detective cops on Chin's payroll are mutual enemies to Bumpy and D’alessandro. D’alessandro has the two detectives kicked off and has a new business partner who is a good source of high-quality drugs. Score one for Bumpy.
Personally, life's a bit haywire for a meticulous Bumpy who has always been three steps ahead of his enemies. His daughter, Elise (Antoinette Crowe-Legacy) is a drug-addict and is under the care of Malcolm X (Nigel Thatch) and the Nation of Islam. Elise learns her daughter, Margaret (Demi Singleton) was under Bumpy and Mayme's (Ilfenesh Hadera) roof and the couple has raised her like their own child. When Elise leaves the rehabilitation center, she heads straight to Bumpy's only to be ousted by Mayme who gives her $100 and threatens her at gunpoint to leave. Things don't look good for Bumpy as his relationship with Mayme seems to be cracking.
Speaking of relationships, Chin's rapport with his daughter Stella (Lucy Fry) continues to deteriorate. She convinces him that she's broken up with her black boyfriend Teddy (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) and a suspicious Chin sets her up with a date from a snobby son of an associate. The date leads him to a musician friend of Teddy's and murders him. A relieved Chin thinks his problems are over, but Teddy returns to Harlem.
'The Nitty Gritty' is all about interactions between Bumpy and almost everyone he interacts with comes as a show of mob theatrics. Malcolm shines in his brief role appearance where he counsels Elise during her recovery. Elsewhere, Mayme has some fun interactions with Adam Clayton Powell Jr. (Giancarlo Esposito) about securing government funding for her community initiatives. Bumpy's world is still being built and the characters are getting their arcs started. Clearly, the show is audacious and has the potential to go the distance with the fans. Our suggestion is to keep at it.
'Godfather of Harlem' airs on Epix.