The Get Down (Recap) | Forget Safety, Be Notorious (S1 E4)

by Chancellor Agard | via Entertainment Weekly

The blackout throws the city into turmoil — especially in the outer boroughs like the Bronx — and allows The Get Down to dive further into the politics of the period.

Up until now, the political stuff has felt rather tangential to the story, but it starts to slowly come together in this episode.

Because of the blackout, the mayor can no longer give Francisco the $10 million he needs to build the affordable housing in return for votes. However, Ed Koch, the incumbent’s challenger, sees an opportunity and meets with Francisco to strike a new alliance. If Francisco delivers a ton of votes for Koch, Koch and Herbert Gunns (Michel Gill), a guy who sits on the city’s Fiscal Control Committee, will ensure Francisco gets all the money he needs to build those houses. In addition to votes, they also want Francisco to help them hold a rally in the Bronx and to find a poster boy from the neighborhood.

In the wake of the blackout, black markets have popped up all over the South Bronx and, more importantly for the Fantastic Four Plus One (a.k.a. The Get Down Brothers), there’s been an increase in the number of DJ crews since everyone stole DJ equipment during the looting. Shaolin wants to assert the Fantastic Four Plus One’s supremacy — since they’re supposed to be Grandmaster Flash’s apprentices — but those plans falls through when he finds out Flash has forbidden him from spinning because of the kids’ party. Determined to get back into Flash’s good graces, he resolves to find the bootlegger and bring him to Flash.

Meanwhile, Ms. Green, Zeke’s aunt, and Mylene push Zeke to interview with Francisco about an internship downtown in the World Trade Center. They view it as a chance for him to better himself and to stay out of trouble. Francisco gives him the job, which is his way of grooming him to appear next to him at the aforementioned rally.

After his interview, Zeke finds himself torn between the two things he wants in this world: Mylene asks him to come with her to confront Jackie about the song he promised, and Shaolin needs his help tracking down the bootlegger King of Cassettes. As he did before, Zeke chooses Shaolin, much to Mylene’s disappointment (especially after the night they shared together).

To read the rest of the recap, “Forget Safety, Be Notorious,” click HERE!!!

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