Amish Mafia

Amish Mafia is an American reality television series that aired on the Discovery Channel from 2012 to 2015. The show's four seasons introduced viewers to what it describes as the secretive and little-known subculture within the Amish community—the Amish Mafia in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. It provides an intriguing model of the otherwise peace-loving Amish community and reveals their inner workings, which according to the show, includes an enforcement arm that maintains order and upholds the group's age-old traditions.

The show is presented from the perspective of Lebanon Levi and his crew, who stand as an unorthodox band of so-called enforcers with the self-proclaimed task of protecting and maintaining the morals and welfare of the Amish society. Levi is considered the Amish community’s law enforcement, he's not a member of the church, and has never been baptized in the faith, which allows him to perform his controversial and often brutal duties without the constraints of the church’s strict rules. Lebanon Levi's power is not absolute, though, as the police, the English (as the Amish call anyone not Amish), other rival Amish groups, and even members of his crew often challenge his authority.

Viewers get an intriguing glimpse into this world through a combination of re-enactments, interviews, and archived footage. The show tends to focus heavily on the criminal aspect, giving audiences an insight that covers the potential violators of Amish law, as well as the consequences of their actions. Amish Mafia showcases everything from conflict resolution to the enforcement of Amish conduct codes and controversies surrounding members leaving the community to join the civilian life. The series also explores a wide range of issues from faith and forbidden love to the strict discipline and mysterious nature of the Amish community.

Other prominent characters include Alvin, Levi's right-hand man; Jolin, a Mennonite with knowledge of the outside world, serving as a bridge between the Amish and ‘English’; and John, the youngest member of Levi’s team. These characters add layers of complexity to the portrayal of the Amish community, blending confrontation, drama, and a surprising amount of action.

The series also introduces Esther and her brother John, the rebellious offspring of the deceased former Amish elder. Another important figure in the show is John Schmucker. Other key characters in the series include the likes of Merlin, a rival mafia leader from Ohio, and Wayne, a young and aggressive male keen on replacing Levi.

Besides, Amish laws, the series plots revolve around the rivalries also within the Amish community, external threats, and the constant struggle of power. Some episodes focus on the possibility of the community's infiltration by outsiders or the effects of secular influence on the community, making this show a fascinating interface between the closed Amish world and the outside 'English' reality.

While Amish Mafia proved to be hugely popular with audiences and enjoyed a successful four-season run, it also sparked controversy. Critics claimed the show provided a misleading and exaggerated portrayal of the Amish community, with some arguing that the series undermines and exploits the Amish people’s desire for seclusion.

Despite these controversies, the show's producers iterated that Amish Mafia was based on eyewitness accounts, interviews, and purported first-hand experiences within the Amish society. The unique blend of documentary-style storytelling, gritty narrative, and shrouded in mystery made Amish Mafia a standout entry in the reality TV genre.

Please note that while Amish Mafia depicts certain aspects of Amish life, it remains a controversial representative of the Amish community. The series incited mixed responses from audiences, some enthralled by its claims while others skeptical of its depiction of the Amish community. Despite the controversies, it offers an intriguing, if not always accurate, insight into one of America's most private and intriguing subcultures.