‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan’ Recap – ‘Flipmode’

12/9/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Patina Miller and Tony Danza as Raquel ‘Raq’ Thomas and Stefano Marchetti in Episode 302 of ‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan’ – ‘Flipmode’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 302 of ‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan’. To revisit the Season Three Premiere, click here.

More often than not in crime dramas revolving around the drug trade, characters that decide they want out of the life, the game, the trade… suffer quite the awful fate. Wherein they die before they can see their freedom come to light through ironic or tragic means or someone up high decides that the business is where they belong and trying to exit requires a death sentence. All of which is designed to remind us that the game is dangerous and horrifying. Which is why this new season of Power Book III: Raising Kanan on STARZ… is of note. Because once again, this show and this franchise are looking to upend tropes like that… to showcase a different kind of story., as evidenced by this week’s brilliant episode of the show. One where life after leaving the game was explored without any major character suffering for the decision to do so.

A feat that ‘Flipmode’ accomplished in part, by taking the time to offer up a little bit of peace for everyone following Raq’s decision to step away from the game. The kind that allowed for some to feel the weight of the ugliness the game sent their way. For instance, Lou and Laverne, were deeply impacted by what went down last season. To the point where Lou just indulged in the drink and his temper through and through and Laverne, well she thought perhaps just leaving town by joining the Armed Forces was the way to go. Despite having other talents that might serve her better. All because they were deeply hurt and unsure of what to do next, and it was fascinating to see a pair of characters in this type of story… deeply ponder upon the consequences of the game and its sheer toxicity.

Yet not everyone in this story was in a reflective place. For some, still had to be on guard, such as Detective Howard. Who despite delivering a beautiful eulogy to honor the very detective he killed (in an effort to make Burke’s death seem more and more like a self-inflicted tragedy to close the books on it), still had to keep the truth at bay. Since Adina kept pushing and pushing, much like Burke. And while no one listened, the wounds are clearly fresh enough that something might come back to light if he’s not careful. And for some… well they didn’t want out of the game at all, since Kanan put together quite the plan to work with a courier in his own building to move drugs around the city. Because he loved the life, and he loved the thrills it provided and will clearly stop at nothing to get there. A move that reminded us of his tenacity and his brilliance as a dealer, making this another important genesis point in his overall story.

Malcolm Mays and Hailey Kilgore as Louis ‘Lou-Lou’ Thomas and Laverne ‘Jukebox’ Thomas in Episode 302 of ‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan’ – ‘Flipmode.’ (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

Not to mention, Unique announced his intentions to stay in the game, in the most unique way possible. Because unfortunately for Raq, she had one last duty to take care of in order to be free of the life, one that came at the behest of Stefano. For he kidnapped her and Unique after another one of their romantic evenings, to make sure he had their attention and to ensure that they understood the importance of what he wanted. Which was… to put an end to Sal, plain and simple. Because Sal was a black mark on the family name now and needed to atone for prompting the feds to sniff around the business. And all she had to do was make sure he died, and she’d be free. Which she was fine with, and while she made plans, Unique opted to cozy up to Stefano to work with him. Which made for some incredible moments in this story for certain, especially since Stefano and Unique went from sheer disrespect to mutual admiration for one another’s skill set.

But before we break down the wonder of seeing all these moments come to fruition, we’d be foolish to not discuss… what came out of Raq’s decision to give Stefano what he wanted. For instance, doing this… gave her strength like never before. To the point where she visited her old suppliers to inform them, she was done with them and done with the game and to have a great life without her, truly hammering home how badly she wanted a new direction. Which also motivated her to try and make further amends to Kanan, with messy results. And of course, her decision also gave Marvin a lot to think about. Because he really was the only person on the fence about going down either path. Because while Marvin did find a little slice of joy in civilian life, he also enjoyed the potential of moving the last of the product, and in being the one to put down Big Sal. Which he handled masterfully, giving rise to the reality that perhaps… this decision will make Marvin a true champion of the grey.

All of which, really did offer up some fascinating and refreshing follow-up to the concept of getting out of the game. Because all of this really did allow for characters to reflect, grow, and move in new directions that were fulfilling to them. Which proves that these stories can in fact… dig into concepts beyond murder and mayhem and showcase the fallout of the life in a different manner. Which we may be getting in detail here in the weeks to come. Because really, the game is over for so many and Raq really does seem hellbent on being free, since she went so far as to close every door she opened for the business. But then again, this is the Power Universe, where anything can happen, and the game itself is hard to escape when one is as deeply embedded in it as Raq. Which means… we are in undiscovered country, and that is going to make season three a real treat through and through as it explores an angle that few stories in this genre have ever bothered with. Until next time.

Watch ‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan’

0 Comments