In the the first episode of "American Gypsies" we meet the Johns. A prominent Romani, or Gypsy, family from New York City, patriarch Bob's health is failing, prompting rival brothers Nicky and Bobby to start battling for leadership. Old-school Nicky wants to stick to tradition, but Bobby wants to integrate with American society and allow his daughters to take part in a local acting recital. When a rival family encroaches on Nicky's psychic shop turf, he calls his 4 brothers into a violent confrontation, landing the whole family in Romani Court.