Ep 3. Mecca

The Godfather of Harlem is an American crime drama television series that airs on Epix. The show is set in the 1960s and tells the story of Bumpy Johnson, a notorious crime boss who returns to Harlem after a decade-long stint in prison. The Godfather of Harlem is a gripping show that explores the world of organized crime and the political landscape of the time. In the third season, the show continues to follow the life of Bumpy Johnson and his associates as they navigate the criminal underworld.

The third episode of Godfather of Harlem season 3 is titled "Mecca". The episode starts off with Bumpy Johnson (Forest Whitaker) and his wife Mayme (Ilfenesh Hadera) visiting Malcolm X (Nigel Thatch) at the Audubon Ballroom in Harlem. The trio discusses the political climate and the ongoing struggle for civil rights. Malcolm X is impressed with Bumpy's ability to orchestrate the release of political prisoners and offers him a proposal to work together to uplift the black community.

Meanwhile, Chin Gigante (Vincent D'Onofrio), the Italian-American mob boss, is also working on expanding his influence in Harlem. He orders his men to intimidate the local store owners and extort money from them. Chin Gigante's actions cause unrest in the community, and Bumpy decides to take action against him. Bumpy and his men rob Chin's money stash and burn his club in retaliation. The attack on his business is a major blow to Chin Gigante, and he vows to retaliate with equal force.

As the tension between the two crime bosses escalates, Bumpy decides to strike a deal with Malcolm X, who has connections with the Nation of Islam. Malcolm X arranges a meeting with Elijah Muhammad, the leader of the Nation of Islam, and Bumpy and Mayme fly to Chicago to attend the meeting. Their meeting with Elijah Muhammad is a success, and Bumpy is offered protection for his operations in Harlem in exchange for staying out of the drug trade and working towards uplifting the black community.

The episode also features Teddy Greene (Rafael Casal), a local activist who is working on a voter registration drive to get more black people to vote. Teddy is romantically involved with Stella (Lucy Fry), the daughter of Italian-American mob boss Vincent Gigante. Their relationship is a source of tension between the two crime families, and Teddy is caught in the middle of the conflict.

Overall, "Mecca" is a gripping episode that delves into the complex and intertwined relationships between the crime bosses, the civil rights leaders, and the community they both operate in. The episode showcases the power struggle between Bumpy Johnson and Chin Gigante and the lengths they are willing to go to gain control of Harlem. At the same time, it highlights the importance of Black political representation and the efforts of the civil rights movement to empower the black community. With its strong performances, intense action scenes, and nuanced storytelling, Godfather of Harlem season 3 episode 3 is a must-watch for fans of crime dramas and historical dramas alike.