‘Power Book II: Ghost’ Recap – ‘Birthright’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Michael Rainey Jr., Cliff ‘Method Man’ Smith, and Gianni Paolo as Tariq St. Patrick, Davis MacLean, and Brayden Weston in Episode 403 of ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ – ‘Birthright’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 403 of ‘Power Book II: Ghost’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One thing that fans of the wildly popular STARZ series, Power Book II: Ghost, can agree upon, is that the opening chapters to its fourth and final season have been quite incredible in nature. For not only have they been tense and engaging, but they’ve been filled with big moments and big ideas. Wherein we’ve seen drug kingpins face the consequences for their actions and deeply ponder upon their future in the game and whether or not they even want to be part of it. Giving rise to some supremely philosophical stories, something that is rare in this genre to say the least and this move has definitely grabbed our attention.

But while it has been fun to enjoy a vastly different season of storytelling for the show, make no mistake about it… this is still an entry in the Power Universe and in this particular franchise, there are certain tenets that must be put on display. Such as interpersonal conflict and machinations and game playing and death. For this is at its core a crime drama through and through and crime dramas require that to stay true to the genre’s roots and well, for its next episode, this particular show made sure to bring those elements back to the forefront of the story. Courtesy of Tariq’s back and forth regarding whether or not he wants to stay in the game.

For ‘Birthright’ saw Tariq and Brayden work to build their own drug empire, with sorrowful results. Because they no longer had any good connections left, nor did they have much capital to work with, despite selling their cars to the highest bidder. Which prompted them to work with Davis to secure a connect, at a fee of course since Mister MacLean was suffering badly financially as well, and that too… was a rousing failure. Because they still could not secure a single ounce of weight, and Tariq endured some hard disrespect along the way as well, giving rise to a real fury within, one that prompted him… to game the game. 

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Mary J. Blige as Monet Tejada in Episode 403 of ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ – ‘Birthright’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

Which entailed, using Noma and the Tejadas to his advantage by making it seem as though new dealers were on their turf at Stansfield. So, they would open up a spot with the connect he needed to work with, and well, that plan worked like a charm and disrupted the chain and gave Tariq the window he needed. Which in turn revealed that he might not be doing this to just enjoy living on easy street as he originally cited last week. Since he spoke to some measure of revenge against those who told him, he cannot live this life and that… makes Tariq quite scary at the moment. Because a man filled with revenge will stop at nothing to carry it out, setting the stage for some real bloodshed. The kind that will add to the blood that was spilled in this particular tale.
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Simply because this story saw Dru and Cane make some power plays. The kind that brought an end to Obi’s life and saw Cane literally lie in bed with Noma. All of which made for the trademark drama and conflict we love in this story. Which was also taken to the Nth degree thanks to quite the surprise twist. In that, Monet began to wise up to the fact that her daughter wasn’t telling her the truth, a suspicion that became reality in the most shocking manner possible. Through a hacked Ring camera that showcased that Diana did indeed pose as Monet and motivate the shooting in question. Putting a hard divide into the family and in many ways, giving Tariq another leg up regarding his revenge.

For a house divided is easier to conquer than a house united and well, in the end, this was just an epic episode through and through. One that reminded us how much we love this franchise and how well it executes these elements. Since we were captivated from beginning to end during this tale. One that also left us eager for more. Because the stage is set for some epic showdowns, the kind that will undoubtedly bring forth more death and suffering and sorrow, since so many are wounded and eager to impart revenge and speaking of that… now that we know that’s Tariq’s primary focus… we must see this to its end. For that admission hints at the possibility that Tariq will try and leave the game, and we simply know if Tariq can find that peace or if revenge will help him to ultimately, suffer his father’s fate. Until next time.

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