Series Review: 'Godfather Of Harlem'

I got a chance to take a load off this weekend for some long overdue TV binge-watching, so I was able to finally sink my teeth into the first few episodes of Epix's new original series, Godfather Of Harlem. The series is three episodes in, and it's already one of the best things I've seen on television in 2019. Let's start with some of the all-world cast that's heading up this project:

Forest Whitaker—(Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson)

Nigel Thatch—(Malcolm X)

Giancarlo Esposito—(Adam Clayton Powell)

Vincent D'Onofrio—(Vincent "Chin" Gigante)

Paul Sorvino—(Frank Costello)

Ilfenesh Hadera—(Mayme Johnson)

That's only the tip of the iceberg as far as the acting talent that shines on this series to this point. The subject matter and overall plot of the series is not just engaging; it's a veritable convergence of racial, socioeconomic, and social justice issues that defined the 1960s for African Americans. Urban enclaves like Harlem were as much of a backdrop for this defining era, as the deep south was, so the story of the intersection of some of the most important personalities in African-American history during this time is intriguing. Seriously, I already had some expectations for the series given the talent assembled. The execution of the series so far has exceeded those expectations.

The series opens with Ellsworth 'Bumpy' Johnson finishing an 11-year bid at Alcatraz Federal Prison, and returning home to a markedly changed Harlem. The Italian Mob has solidified its grip on the drug and numbers rackets in his absence. The end result are junkie-filled corners, increased violence. Toss in a volatile mix of racial animosity and political conflict between two of the most important black personalities of the era (Adam Clayton Powell and Malcolm X), and you have almost a perfect storm for conflict. Of course, Bumpy Johnson's at the nexus of it all. I think the most engaging thing about the series at this point for me is just how many issues that are STILL relevant to us as black folks today, were touched on during the first three episodes. Covert and overt Racism? Check... The conflict between aspects of African-American Christianity, Islam, and Black Cultural Identity? Check... Black criminality, drugs, and its overall effect on African-American communities as a whole? Check... In different ways, ALL of those things (and more) are still relevant to a LOT of our communities today.

As complex as those relationships are in the series, Bumpy Johnson's relationship with both civil rights and crime in Harlem is just as complex. Bumpy Johnson does a bid for the Italian Mob after being an associate for them in running their criminal enterprises in Harlem. It's that prior relationship that's part of the backdrop for his return to the neighborhood he left, and to his redemption as it pertains to his relationship with it. The "Robin Hood" criminal story line has been done in LOTS of ways in both TV and Movies. It HASN'T been explored in the way that it's done here, which makes this series so engrossing to watch. it's going to be interesting seeing how Bumpy, Malcolm, and Adam play off one another against an increasingly common foe, the Italian Mob. Vincent D'Onofrio's casting as Bumpy's mortal foil Vinny "The Chin" Gigante was about as perfect a match as you could get for the series. Two awesome actors playing two iconic figures in crime, pitted against each other, in a battle for the soul of Harlem. It just doesn't get any better than that.

In closing, Godfather Of Harlem is one of those series that has the potential to be as transformative as The Wire was in terms of television series. The Wire was arguably the best TV Series ever in my eyes, so that's some pretty hefty company. The Godfather Of Harlem is definitely on that road to immortality, too.

Watch this series... By Any Means Necessary. ;-)