Godfather of Harlem Season 4 Episode 5 Recap: Has Frank finally chosen a side?

The hit MGM+ show Godfather of Harlem is brilliantly showcasing the struggle of racial injustice and the different paths that individuals take to fight against systemic oppression. Such is the case for Episode 5 of Season 4, titled 'Concrete Jungle', where the commentary on racial conflict is the most palpable it has ever been.

Here's a recap of Godfather of Harlem Season 4 Episode 5, 'Concrete Jungle'.

---

Godfather of Harlem Season 4 Episode 5 'Concrete Jungle'

Godfather of Harlem Season 4 premiered with Bumpy Johnson going from selling narcotics to deciding to run an all black club. He faces a lot of challenges in his ambitious plan to run Club St. Clair with an all black workforce.

Bumpy Johnson's challenge to the racially oppressive forces

The episode opens with Joe Colombo, one of the antagonists in the episode, confronting Big Earl, the only Black-owned concrete supplier in the tri-state area, who has agreed to supply Bumpy with concrete for his club's construction project.

Colombo hires Frank Lucas, an ambitious black hustler, to approach Earl and demand "protection money" from him. However, Earl, a World War II veteran, dismisses Frank and boasts about the war and how he protected Italians in the war, and would never give Colombo money for protection. Earl's blatant defiance leads to Frank killing Earl and getting rid of his body by putting it in one of Old Earl's concrete mixing machines. When Bumpy learns of Earl's brutal murder, he realizes that this was Colombo's way of warning Earl, and in a touching gesture, he delivers $10,000 to Earl's widow.

This gesture by Bumpy proves how he recognizes the human loss that happens in his ambitious plans and his line of business, whereas for people like Frank and Colombo, people are disposable items standing in their path. After losing out on his concrete deal with Earl, Bumpy then enlists Jackie's help for the concrete and the Genovese family's help for the union drivers to deliver. Keeping in mind the historical tension between the Colombo and the Genovese families, this was a very risky move, as Bumpy could very well end up in an all-out confrontation.

Frank chooses to betray Bumpy

On the other side, impressed by Frank's brutality, Colombo offers him a permanent position, which he refuses initially, but seemingly changes his mind as he gives Colombo inside information, revealing that Bumpy was working with Stella Gigante, Vincent's daughter (head of the Genovese family), behind his back. Frank also warns Colombo about the concrete delivery, making the possibility of a confrontation even more palpable.

It appears as if Frank has chosen Colombo's side in the confrontation, but a later statement makes it clear that he is on nobody's side. He will play everyone, and is capable of betraying everyone. The only thing he wants is to see who's left standing at the end when the dust settles in Godfather of Harlem.

Elise's challenge to racial oppression

In another challenge against racial oppression in Godfather of Harlem, in a more revolutionary display, Elise Johnson's connection with the Black Panthers is growing deeper. She visits Omar in prison, who tells her not to visit him anymore as it's too painful for him. When Elise's father finds out that she visited him, he confronts her, asking her to choose between the Black Panthers and her family.

In an emotional and shocking turn of events, Elise chooses the Black Panthers and even suggests that they steal dynamite from her father's extermination business for a bombing. The Panthers put this to a vote, and even though some of them want to focus on the community programs, the other half, including Elise, voted for the show of aggression, aka the bombing. This montage clearly shows how far Elise is willing to go for her idea of the bigger cause, even stealing from her father.

Mayme's calculated moves to take up space

As the Godfather of Harlem episode inches to a close, we witness another member of the Johnson family taking up her own space in this racially segregated society. Mayme Johnson is trying to get James Baldwin to read something 'hopeful, not shocking' at the New York Fine Arts event so that she can impress the (white) board and get a position on the board.

Even though Baldwin agrees, he decides to go against Mayme's wishes when he has the opportunity and a stage, and decides to read a provocative work telling of a jungle, and the inevitable uprising of black people, raising their voices against the systemic oppression in society. Fortunately for Mayme, Alice Bradshow, a board member, is thoroughly impressed by Baldwin's reading, and Mayme's chances to make it into the board are looking hopeful.

What makes this Godfather of Harlem episode a masterpiece is that while Baldwin is reading his provocative piece, there is an all-out war going on side-by-side as Jackie Henderson's concrete yard becomes the site of confrontation between Bumpy's men and Colombo's forces, who were tipped off about the delivery by Frank.

The episode draws to a close with a cliffhanger as Nat Pedigrew approaches Bumpy at Bladwin's reading, looking extremely grave that he needs to talk to Bumpy regarding Chance, his trusted right-hand man. Is Chance dead, or is he seriously injured? What's wrong with him? Watch the next episode to find out. (or just catch up with our recap)

---

Keep following Soap Central for more such pieces!