‘Power Book II: Ghost’ Recap – ‘Ghost in the Machine’

10/5/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Michael Rainey Jr. as Tariq St. Patrick in Episode 410 of ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ – ‘Ghost in the Machine’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Series Finale of ‘Power Book II: Ghost’. To revisit the show’s Penultimate Episode, click here.

If there is one fundamental question that fans of the hit STARZ series, Power Book II: Ghost, have had on their minds for the past four years, it would be… what path will these characters take? For this series from the get-go, pondered deeply upon whether or not the Tejada family and Tariq St. Patrick and his inner circle would choose to step away from the game. Something that has cost them so much over the course of the series, in every way imaginable. Since we’ve seen these characters lose family members, their sanity and riches untold because of their delicate dance around staying in or stepping away from the dangerous world they inhabit, and well… at last… we finally have the grand answer to that question.

For ‘Ghost in the Machine’ answered that to a tee and well, for the Tejada family, we came to learn that in the end… most of them wanted out of the game and chose that route. After of course… dealing with a measure of revenge. Because they were reeling from the death of their mother, and they wanted nothing more than to see Noma pay dearly for what she had done. So, they worked with Tariq to use Noma’s daughter to do so. A move that paid off since it brought them face to face with their nemesis, and allowed for Diana to taste a little vengeance before they all settled upon a better plan to bring down Noma. One where they could corner her in her own hanger and gun her down with impunity. A plan that of course, took some twists and turns since Noma was not going down without a fight.

But Cane made sure to put everything on the line to make Noma pay the ultimate price and the ensuing battle that came forth from that successful bit of revenge, brought about the decisions in question. Some of the family… chose to leave the game unwillingly, such as Cane. Who was badly wounded and a person of interest in Noma’s shooting. So, it was time for him to leave, courtesy of a gift from Effie, and while he didn’t want to, he understood the game had run its course for him. As for Dru, well he went willingly. Because he had enough of the bloodshed, the ugliness and the darkness of the game, so he felt it best to leave New York. Leaving Diana as the only family member left thinking about the game, about the life she knew, and oddly enough… the end of Noma and these decisions… brought about a future in the grey for Davis MacLean. Since he got his license back and some new work that lets him stand between worlds.

Woody McClain, Latoya Tonodeo, and Lovell Adam-Gray as Cane Tejada, Diana Tejada, and Dru Tejada in Episode 410 of ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ – ‘Ghost in the Machine’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

Which came about, because of Tariq St. Patrick. Who finally made his choice in this tale, and this was the big one we’ve been waiting for. Because ever since he shot his father, he has been toying with either staying in the game and following in his father’s footsteps or stepping away to be with his family, and he made his choice… after finally exerting power over Detective Don Carter. Because Tariq knew the only way he could be free of this crooked detective was to gain leverage and get him out of the game the right way. And with Effie and Brayden’s help, he was able to do just that. Since he and his crew uncovered that Carter killed Rashaad Tate, and Tariq baited Carter into admitting it in front of Nico. All so he could be sent away and well, that gave Tariq everything he needed to make his choice.

Which was… to follow in his father’s footsteps and do it right this time. So, in order to run a true empire and never deal with his father’s conflicts, he cut all family ties and sent his mother and his sister packing to a safe location, and he of course, put Effie and Brayden in charge of new divisions of the business. Wherein they understood that they were employees and would be treated as such, and of course… he put Davis on the payroll to keep his nose clean and he used Noma’s brother as his new connect. But above all, he made sure to work with Nico and pay him handsomely to keep the police off of his back. Giving rise to a new generation of Ghost in the city of New York, one that truly was free of personal trappings and just like that, Tariq settled into his new life, his new role and his dream. A chance to step out from the shadow of his father and do things the right way.

All of which brought forth, a satisfying conclusion to this story. One that saw everyone find some measure of resolution to the many issues they’ve dealt with over the years and of course… choose their path. Which was the endgame of the show from day one and it was nice to see this series recognize that and move toward that, since some shows do lose sight at the end, and well… just that like… that’s all there is to say about this show. So, we’ll reserve these final lines… to offer up thanks to the cast and crew of this amazing series. For putting together four years of high-octane action and tension and epic moments. The kind that made us laugh, made us cry and left us with our jaws dropped and this is a series we will definitely miss. Since it was indeed refreshing and original and informed the crime drama it can be more, all by pondering upon a very human question. In that, what happens to the family of a kingpin… when their empire falls?

Cliff ‘Method Man’ Smith as Davis MacLean in Episode 410 of ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ – ‘Ghost in the Machine’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

Gianni Paolo and Alex Lapri as Brayden Weston and Effie in Episode 410 of ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ – ‘Ghost in the Machine’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

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