One of the weaker episodes of season 4 was "Conspiracy of Silence". It just didn't seem realistic to me that a hitman who botches his job and leaves witnesses would ever be allowed to live for very long. After all, if the mob kills him, then the trail as to who hired them is gone. In season 5's "Silent Partner", however, the mob boss isn't so foolish...and it makes for a better episode because of this.
When the show begins, a mobster stops by the gas station where Steven Harber (Robert Hooks) works. After filling up the mobster's car, the guy reveals that he knows all about Steven....his wife...where he lives...etc....and it's obvious the guy is trying to intimidate Harber. Then, what this is all about comes out...Harber is on the jury of a trial of a mob boss...and if he cooperates and votes not guilty, the mob will not only leave Harber's family alone but they'll pay him a small fortune. Considering how poor the Harber's are, it's obvious they did their homework and picked the right man.
This episode consists of the FBI both investigating jury tampering but also killings...which start occurring after the jury is hung. To tie up loose ends, the mob fixer arranges a death (probably two), plants evidence that an innocent man was paid to vote not guilty AND eventually, the fixer realizes he's next!
Overall, this is an exciting and enjoyable episode of the series...well worth seeing and well acted. As another reviewer noted, that although Cicely Tyson is in the episode, she really isn't given all that much to do.
By the way, if you enjoyed Robert Hooks in this, try some of his 1970s blaxploitation films...they can be pretty exciting and fun.
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