The Gospel Of Kenny Sharp – The episode begins with Hampton Chambers (David Oyelowo) being released from the hole in the Chino State Prison. His cellmate sends him to the chapel to find a book that will guide him. In the chapel, Hampton chooses the book of Jonah but has trouble making sense of it. Gus (Mykelti Williamson) sees him struggling and tries to offer him some knowledge by telling him about the Gospel of Kenny Sharp. This is when Hampton realizes that he wants to be the hero of the story but unfortunately, Gus helps him see that not everyone can be the hero of the story. It’s all about following the path that God has made for you.
Two years after Hampton learned about the Gospel of Kenny Sharp, he and Rudy (Adam Beach) are in the shop discussing what Hampton will do when he gets out. Before their conversation gets much further the pressure in the prison erupts and pipes begin bursting. After that, an all-out riot breaks out. Hampton loses his Bible in the process and goes after it. Before long he has a screwdriver in his hand and a crazy look in his eyes. He ends up turned around and when Ruby approaches him from behind, he stabs him without even thinking. Hampton eventually tries making a run for it but is met with a flood of water at the stairwell. Not long after this, the entire shop is filled with water. The next morning, Hampton says goodbye to the prison.
Hampton returns home to find his house in shambles. On top of that, Astoria Chambers (Simone Missick) wants nothing to do with his, Harrison Chambers (Jahi Di’Allo Winston) was looking up to Ruby until he died, and Einstein Chambers (Evan Ellison) has outgrown him by at least a foot. This is when Hampton decides to call a family meeting and show his family the plans for his new invention. He also tells them that he has a meeting at Rocketcorp tomorrow. Einstein is the only one to appear hopeful.
After Hampton learns he is banished to the garage, he hides the letter Ruby gave him for Harrison. Hampton also begins work on his new drill, which is interrupted when he sees Einstein outside pole vaulting. After a short conversation, he learns that Einstein has scholarships for both Harvard and MIT but doesn’t plan on attending either because he wants to pole vault. This frustrates Hampton a bit and causes him to tell Einstein how he came up with his drill idea.
Later that night, Hampton learns that Astoria stole the money he had hidden while he was inside. This inspires him to fix the refrigerator.
On his way to Rocketcorp the following morning, Hampton runs into Bootsy (Bokeem Woodbine). Hampton tells him a bit about his invention while Bootsy tells him how the Prevost Brothers took over the Valley when he was inside. As it turns out, the brothers are also the ones who got a lifer to take the fall for Hampton killing Ruby. When Hampton meets with the Prevost Brothers he has no option but to tell them he doesn’t have the money to repay their debt. He asks for two weeks but it is unclear whether or not they are going to give him the extension. They do allow him to leave. After leaving the Prevost Brothers, Bootsy tries to sell Hampton on a job but he tells him that he’s already got something going on.
At Rocketcorp Hampton calls Manfred ‘Manny’ Brinks (Jeremy Bobb). Manny pretends he is busy and doesn’t have the time for Hampton. When Hampton breaks into the plant, he discovers that Manny is actually a custodian. Hampton rolls out his invention and shows Manny all the while Manny ties keeping him quiet. Hampton continues trying to convince Manny to help him while Manny tells him he doesn’t have the power. Hampton ends up leaving and gets his bike stolen on his way out.
When Hampton returns home he begins to believe he is being punished for what he did to Rudy. He eventually asks his God for a sign that he is on the right path. This is when a frog appears on the lawn and leaps over Einstein’s pole vault. He takes this as a leap of faith and believes Manny is his Kenny Sharp.
Hampton rushes right over to Manny’s house to tell him that he got a sign. Hampton tells him that he needs to take a leap. Manny also tells him that he measured the bit and it’s still sharp. They eventually make plans to get on the approved vendor list at Rocketcorp, which according to Manny will require an expensive bottle of Scotch.
Later that evening, Hampton goes home and eats dinner with his family while they watch TV. After this, he is visited by one of the Provost Brothers who tells him that two weeks is a long time and patience is not a virtue that his family holds. This is where the episode ends.
Government Cheese Review
Now this was a pretty decent, well-put-together series. At least that is how I felt. I didn’t think the acting was all that bad. There is a deep story of redemption and it is set back in the older times, which gives it a classic, homey feel. Don’t get me wrong, there is plenty of woke in it, but there is something about the era and setting that really rings home with me. I like that Hampton isn’t a bumbling idiot even though he is an obvious screwup. I like how his family is diversely weird and feels differently about him. All around this is a good start that deserves a 6.1 out of 10.
Get more Government Cheese recaps here. Learn what others are saying by visiting our forum. Check our advertising packages here. Support our site by clicking the link.