Written by John Edward Betancourt Malcolm Mays as Louis ‘Lou-Lou’ Thomas in Episode 403 of ‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan’ – ‘Bygones’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)
Caution This article contains spoilers for Episode 403 of ‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
Over the course of the past couple of weeks, we’ve sung some serious praises when it comes to the hit STARZ series, Power Book III: Raising Kanan, and rightfully so. Simply because this chapter in the Power Universe is trying new things storytelling wise, and offering up journeys that are intimate and powerful, and it’s exploring corners of the genre that no other show is right now. Which is refreshing to say the least, and its leading to stories that are supremely character centric and showcase the humanity of criminals. Something that has been lost in the genre throughout the years, and the show doesn’t appear to be slowing down with these offerings anytime soon. Simply because, the next chapter in this saga stuck with that formula and that led… to some engaging drama. Some of which involved Jukebox in ‘Bygones’. Since she was settled in at home and ready to own up to going AWOL in the Army. Because she needed to face this for reasons that weren’t clear at first, but when she spoke to senior leaders from boot camp about how she felt no draw to the Army, because it was supremely homophobic, when she was in fact, a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, we understood what she wanted. She wanted a place to feel comfortable; to grow of her own accord and she received that through her honesty and began to look at what she wanted in this life, and that was lovely to see take place. Not to mention, we were treated to a stunning storyline involving Lou. Because this was a story where he really embraced his new chapter and really leaned into what life could be like away from the game. Since he became the advocate for B-Rilla and worked to make sure he had what he needed to survive. Even going so far as to settle bad blood with the label to get him fed and on his feet. Plus, he was all about his sobriety here and spoke about how far he had come in life after his darkest hour in rehab. All of which reflected a man that was growing and moving in the right direction, and finding wonder untold in doing so, and this was so compelling and so powerful, it almost made the crime stuff an afterthought.  London Brown, Mekai Curtis, Patina Miller, and Hailey Kilgore as Marvin Thomas, Kanan Stark, Raquel ‘Raq’ Thomas, and Laverne ‘Jukebox’ Thomas in Episode 403 of ‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan’ – ‘Bygones’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)
But it was there, and it was important. Mainly because Unique made his move at last. For he went full bore into the storefront that Raq used on a regular basis to settle scores and disrupt the business, and he most certainly did, through murder of course, and put this family on their heels. To the point where it became clear that a bigger threat was lurking about. And of course, Kanan continued to try and build his own empire, and keep his mother at bay in the process. To the point where they continued to fight while the streets brought them money. Which added to the tragedy of Kanan for certain, since all he cared about in this story was the game and trying to prevent that which he could not.
Which was the pending death of his grandmother. Because he bought her the best drugs and kept offering the best care to keep her thriving. Despite the fact that her cancer was terminal. Which prompted her to quell further efforts to save her. All by taking the time to sit the family down for a grand dinner. Which of course, made Raq suspicious and left the family (save for Kanan) guessing, as to why she assembled everyone. But soon… they understood, and they were heartbroken because of it. In fact, Raq had perhaps her most visceral reaction to such matters ever, since she blew up over the reality that the family was about to suffer through death and the grief that comes from that. Which added, to a stunning tale. For this really was a different kind of episode, one that focused on life and growth over crime and punishment and the game. Which is why this show continues to impress. Because it continues to leave the game behind and focus on the characters and their experiences in the midst of this chaotic world. Which is welcome for certain, since it allows for this corner of the franchise to tell new stories and go new places that the franchise and the genre have rarely, if ever, gone before and truly… this has us eager to see what lie ahead. For this is refreshing territory for certain, and it is drawing us into this story and the lives of the Thomas/Stark family even further, and it will be interesting to see what kind of powerful story awaits us, come next week. Until then. Watch ‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan’
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