The fourth season of Godfather of Harlem launches with a powerful and emotionally charged episode that picks up directly after the fallout of season 3’s finale. The story dives straight into the murder trial of Malcolm X, tensions simmering beneath the surface as both personal and political stakes rise for every character involved. This episode sets the tone for the season ahead and shows the complex web of justice, loyalty, power, and redemption that will surely unfold.
The Trial of Malcolm X Begins
The episode opens in the courtroom, where Omar (played by Maurice Jones) and two other defendants face the weight of one of the most high-profile murder cases of the era: the assassination of Malcolm X. The trial is tense from the outset. Betty Shabazz (Grace Porter), Malcolm’s widow, takes the stand with a heartbreaking and intense testimony. Her words sting, as she directly points to Omar, painting him as the man responsible for her husband’s death.
Omar, knowing he’s being framed, is visibly shaken. The burden of being blamed for a crime he didn’t commit is crushing. Despite this, he finds a fierce ally in Elise (Antoinette Crowe-Legacy), who is committed to clearing his name and upholding Malcolm’s legacy. When she visits him in jail, Omar reveals that the prosecution has offered him a plea deal—15 years in prison. To Elise’s dismay, he’s considering taking it. But she pleads with him not to accept, telling him it’s a betrayal to himself and to Malcolm. Omar listens—but the damage may already be done.
Things take a darker turn in court when a tape is played from the previous season, where Omar is heard engaging with leaders from his former mosque. On the recording, he pretends to conspire against Malcolm, a calculated act from the past that now threatens to destroy his defense. Elise watches helplessly as the trial seems to veer dangerously off course.
While Omar’s character is fictional, his storyline echoes historical truths. In reality, three men—Thomas Hagan, Muhammad Abdul Aziz, and Kahlil Islam—were tried and convicted in connection with Malcolm X’s assassination. While Hagan admitted his involvement, Aziz and Islam maintained their innocence. As CNN and various sources have documented, Hagan later expressed deep remorse, calling the assassination a tragedy that stemmed from internal chaos within the Nation of Islam.
Bumpy’s New Path
Meanwhile, Bumpy Johnson (Forest Whitaker) is walking a new path. He’s decided to step away from the drug trade, both to honor Malcolm’s memory and to focus on building a legitimate future for Harlem. He’s struck a deal with Vincent “Chin” Gigante (Vincent D’Onofrio): Bumpy won’t traffic drugs, and in return, Vincent agrees not to sell heroin in Bumpy’s territory. For now, the peace holds—but the streets of Harlem are never quiet for long.
Unfortunately, Bumpy soon learns that legitimacy comes at a steep price. His longtime accountant, Miss Willa (Whoopi Goldberg), informs him that he doesn’t have enough cash flow to fund his dream of creating affordable housing in Harlem. The banks aren’t helping either—they’re refusing to lend him $3 million unless he’s willing to put up all of his assets, including his penthouse and club, as collateral. Bumpy, once flush with underworld money, is now cornered by the cold, calculated world of finance.
Feeling the pressure, Bumpy confides in his wife Mayme (Ilfenesh Hadera). She suggests that there might be another way: government grants aimed at rebuilding Harlem after the recent wave of civil unrest. Bumpy is skeptical, suspecting the government wouldn’t be eager to support a man with his past. But Mayme is confident they can make it work, especially if she can get Congressman Adam Clayton Powell Jr. (Giancarlo Esposito) to set up a meeting with the new director of HARYOU (Harlem Youth Opportunities Unlimited), the organization responsible for distributing the funds.
Congressman Powell’s Troubles Run Deep
However, there’s a complication—Powell is nowhere to be found. He’s retreated to Bimini after being censured by his congressional peers on fraud allegations. The censure was just the surface of a much larger controversy. Digging into Powell’s real-life history, his clashes with Congress were intense and deeply rooted in political tension, racial discrimination, and scandal.
In one notable instance, Powell was sued for defamation by Esther James, whom he accused of working with corrupt police officials. Refusing to apologize, Powell lost the case and was ordered to pay significant damages. His refusal to comply led to charges of civil and criminal contempt, and eventually, a warrant was issued for his arrest.
By 1967, Powell’s troubles had reached a boiling point. When the 90th Congress convened, he was refused a seat, and a bipartisan investigation followed. Despite not being officially censured after the investigation, Powell was expelled from Congress. Yet, in a stunning turn of events, Harlem voters rallied behind him and re-elected him to the same seat just weeks later. His story is one of resilience, controversy, and unwavering community support.
This backdrop adds weight to Mayme’s hope that Powell can still help them secure the grants for Harlem. But with him hiding out and his credibility in question, Bumpy’s path to legitimacy looks murky at best.
Looking Ahead
Godfather of Harlem season 4’s premiere episode is a masterclass in weaving historical reality with riveting drama. It captures the injustice of the Malcolm X trial, the uphill battle for Black empowerment in a post-civil rights Harlem, and the moral complexity of men like Bumpy Johnson trying to redefine themselves in a broken system.
The episode balances courtroom tension with street-level struggles, offering deep character development and a powerful setup for the challenges ahead. Omar’s fate hangs in the balance, Bumpy faces financial ruin if he doesn’t find a new way forward, and the shadow of systemic corruption looms large over every scene.
As the series continues, viewers can expect an unflinching exploration of justice, loyalty, and redemption—all through the lens of one of Harlem’s most iconic and dangerous figures. Season 4 has started with a bang, and if this episode is any indication, the journey ahead will be just as explosive.
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