Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 302 of ‘Power Book II: Ghost’. To revisit the Season Two Premiere, click here.
It is genuinely interesting how a fair number of crime dramas out there, rush through the fallout and consequences of the crimes committed within the story. Simply because, one would think that focusing on how death and mayhem impacts people in the long term would make for engaging storytelling, the kind that could teach us a bevy of lessons about the human condition and why such acts are awful. But instead, those stories just breeze through them as though such matters are nothing more than an afterthought. A move that speaks to how uncomfortable hard discussions on crime can be and how sometimes entertainment value trumps everything. But the best crime dramas out there, understand that the ugliness that comes with crimes needs to be put on the center stage, and that it can be done in a tasteful and compelling and intelligent manner so we can ponder upon the lessons inherent and that is one of the many reasons why the Power Universe on STARZ is of note. Because this is a franchise that doesn’t shy away from the real human impact that crime has on others and on the characters that commit them and that’s why this week’s episode of Power Book II: Ghost was so incredibly compelling. Because that, and so much more was on display and that made ‘Need vs. Greed’ quite the powerful episode. Because it showed us, Monet at her lowest. For two months after the death of Zeke she was still listless and withdrawn, as a mother would be after losing her son. Adding some genuine realism to this story, the kind that really did show us the consequences of the broken world she populates and the consequences of Lorzeno’s actions in the season two finale didn’t end there. Since he tried desperately to find someone to pin this on so he could be in the clear for his mistake and while it seemed as though he did, by hiring a guy to go after Dru… a move that eventually led to this man’s death at the hands of Monet, Cane put two and two together, and exerted punishment over his father through leverage. A move that made it clear that Lorzeno will indeed pay dearly for his foolishness and cruelty, and he may not be safe. For if Monet learns the truth… she will clearly kill him.
Yet that wasn’t the only exploration of consequences and fallout present within this story. Since Jenny and her quest to bring down Tariq led to some major surprises in this tale. Such as how Lauren managed to survive that fateful night and we were privy to the delicate dance that Jenny has to take part in to not arouse suspicion with Cooper or anyone involved in the drug trade surrounding Tariq. But what mattered more here, is that a real sense of justice is lacking in Jenny’s heart and soul, and she truly wants to do some good and make someone pay for the crimes that have been committed in this town. And thanks to Detective Whitman’s overzealous nature, which may put him in the crosshairs of Monet, since he pushed her hard in this tale and that… is a bad idea, she might have her understanding of where to take this case by looking closer at Monet. All of which made it clear… that crime really does have a lasting impact and when justice isn’t served… the good ones will keep at it until someone pays.
However, while those two plotlines could have carried this episode from beginning to end, there was still one more observational story regarding consequences in this tale. For Tariq was struggling to gain agency in this story, simply because… he was still considered ‘radioactive’ by just about anyone outside of his inner circle because of the whole trial, to the point where he ended up having to take an internship with Brayden at his family’s firm to get what he needed from an education standpoint. And this… this was incredible to watch. Because this sequence really did hammer home how perceived criminal acts have consequences as well, since despite being acquitted of all charges, everyone saw Tariq as a criminal. Which also allowed for some powerful commentary to come forth regarding how quickly people will switch to that line of thinking based on the color of someone’s skin. After all, Brayden admitted to being a criminal mastermind and went to work in the financial field, while Tariq had to fight hard just to land an internship. All of which added new depth to this season’s storytelling and informed us that this season is clearly going to be bolder for certain. But of course, this is still a crime drama through and through, one that indeed is focused hard upon the drug trade and whether or not Tariq St. Patrick will find peace or follow in his father’s footsteps and those elements were present here as well, courtesy of the grand push to move Noma’s product to stay alive and in doing so… Effie may have found some agency that will anger Tariq, and Mister St. Patrick, may soon be rolling in the dough as well. Since he discovered, through Brayden, that Wall Street is indeed a hot bed for drug use in this universe and now would be the perfect time to strike and well in the end, all of this made for a downright incredible episode. One that was packed to the brim with intelligent and wondrous writing and powerful commentary and that all-important realism. The kind that draws us deeper into a show we already love and leaves us hungry for more, to see where these consequences will take the story, since they aren’t going away. Until next time.
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