‘Power Book II: Ghost’ Recap – ‘I Don’t Die Easy’

6/8/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Gianni Paolo and Michael Rainey Jr. as Brayden Weston and Tariq St. Patrick in Episode 401 of ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ – ‘I Don’t Die Easy’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Four Premiere of ‘Power Book II: Ghost’. To revisit the Season Three Finale, click here.

If there is one particular question that fans of the hit STARZ series, Power Book II: Ghost, have been asking for some time now… it would have to be… what path will Tariq St. Patrick choose? For this young man has been through the wringer and truly is confused as to who and what he wants to be. Since some days, he is a loving family member that will do what must be done (honorably and dishonorably) to make sure his family is loved and nurtured. But other days, he is a ruthless drug kingpin, one that has no qualms bringing down harm upon those who do him wrong, just like his father. Which truly has put his very soul is at a crossroads as he ponders upon what comes next for him and his family with the shadow of Ghost hanging over them.

Of course, with the final season of the show upon us, there is a fair chance we will see the answer to that question come to fruition. For there were hints of that struggle present in ‘I Don’t Die Easy’, that is… after the chaos from the season three finale died down. Which took a better part of the hour to handle and rightfully so. After all, Brayden and Tariq had done some serious damage in escaping Noma’s clutches and well, that brought about some scary moments for certain. The kind that saw Cane Tejada bust into the Weston homestead and the beat the living hell out of Brayden’s brother in an effort to find out where Brayden was, and the fury from being shot at and pushed by Tariq didn’t end there.

After all, Dru and Diana wanted insurance to keep the truth out of their mother’s ears since Tariq made a promise to inform her of what was really going on in her drug empire, and that prompted them to kidnap Brayden’s sister and use her to draw out Tariq and Brayden. Who were busy early on in this story, going after Noma’s daughter, Anya. For she too would serve as leverage and hopefully stop the all-out hunt for Tariq, but that plan went to pot, as did Dru’s, leaving everyone and everything at a stalemate. One that allowed for some other poignant and powerful moments to take place in this particular tale, such as Monet’s journey here.

Latoya Tonodeo, Lovell Adam-Gray, and Woody McClain as Diana Tejada, Dru Tejada, and Cane Tejada in Episode 401 of ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ – ‘I Don’t Die Easy’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

For she was in the midst of emergency surgery in this tale for her wounds, and while she was under, she had a fascinating brush with death, and the dead. Since Lorenzo, Mecca, and even an echo of Zeke came to visit her in that space between spaces we have heard of when people are skirting with death. Wherein she had to face her demons, face the pain she had caused others through her mistakes, and this was no easy task. Because it put her life on display and left her wondering, if she was worthy of a second chance. Which she thought she was, and she did pull through, giving her another shot at perhaps redemption, and that downtime also brought forth that unique moment of reflection from Tariq. Who really did wonder what life would be like without gunfire and drugs surrounding him.

A moment that really does set up the possibility that the central conflict of this season may revolve around Tariq making his choice and the difficulties that will come with choosing either life really. For bloodshed comes with a price, but so does leaving it behind. As evidenced by how Tariq brought peace around him for the time being. Since a push to get as much as cash as possible to survive, brought an assassin swarm down upon Stansfield, and brought Tariq face to face with Junior… who still wanted to finish the work the state told him he could not. Which led to a harrowing showdown where Tariq offered Noma all the evidence Junior collected, and his life in exchange for peace. Once again putting Tariq squarely in the grey where he cannot seem to escape, and his actions here, invited more trouble into his life.

For a mysterious and troubled police officer named Detective Don Carter, offered a promise to Junior’s family. In that, he would bring the person responsible for Junior’s death to bear. All of which set the stage for more incredible conflict and brought to a close, the show’s best season premiere. Because this one had it all, action, tension, the show’s trademark immersion in distrust and disdain and double crosses and some amazing acting. With Michael Rainey Jr. putting forth some of his best work here, and well, if this premiere is any indication, we are in for some epic and breathtaking storytelling in this farewell tour. The kind where no one is safe and where one way or another… Tariq St. Patrick will choose his path and seal his fate. Until next time.

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