‘Power Book IV: Force’ Recap – ‘Chicago Is Heating Up!’

10/15/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Shane Harper and Joseph Sikora as Vic Flynn and Tommy Egan in Episode 207 of ‘Power Book IV: Force’ – ‘Chicago Is Heating Up!’ (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 207 of ‘Power Book IV: Force’. To revisit the previous episode, click here. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Without the labor of the actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.

For the most part, crime shows are big on building up tension right near the end of the season. Simply because, that is indeed the right time to wow the audience and prepare them for a powerhouse finale. The kind that they cannot wait to take part in. Also, by going this route, there’s no drag out, no chance to let certain storylines hang on for too long. This formula simply brings forth a brisk and powerful story that is memorable and entertaining and well… it has truly become a staple of the industry. One that the Power Universe has been working to shatter as the years roll on. Because every chapter in this saga… has no qualms with building up tension for weeks on end, and in doing so… these shows are proving that going this route, would in fact… do more for the genre.

Take Power Book IV: Force for instance. Which has in the past seven weeks, been slowly turning up the temperature on everything happening in Chicago. After all, we’ve been privy to the collapse of the Flynn Drug Empire, and how that has brought forth a mad dash for control of the Windy City. To the point where enemies are digging in, loyalties are being tested and danger lurks everywhere, for everyone, and that has put us on the edge of our seats and prompted us to pick sides and ponder upon what surprises lie ahead. All of which is designed to inform the industry, that going this route can invest an audience like never before and really engage them in a detailed manner and well… with only a handful of episodes left for us to enjoy in season two, clearly the show is only going to turn up the heat. As evidenced by this week’s new episode.

For ‘Chicago Is Heating Up!’ immediately picked up following the Serbian Mob’s outright urban war campaign against CBI in the projects and well, their desire to show Tommy Egan who they think is in charge, created more problems for everyone. Because just like that, law enforcement was under a great deal of pressure to bring all of this fighting to an end, and rightfully so. After all, innocent lives were at stake in the name of the game and that was unacceptable and that turned the heat up on Vic, at the worst possible time. Because now the demand was that Tommy Egan go under heavy surveillance with his help, and that he wear tracking gear and snitch gear, which would endanger his life, especially now that Mister Egan and company were about to embark upon the bravest part of their mission to date. Which was to unify everyone under the CBI banner.

Which meant that Vic had to nervously watch over his shoulder as Tommy and Diamond met with the city’s gangs. Because the last thing he needed was to reveal a clue that he was doing something for the state and the feds, or that he had these gang members on camera talking about their business. Not to mention, the men that Tommy was getting close to, were the kind of men that no one in this town should double cross. Which put him in a state of constant fear and worry, and it didn’t help that Tommy was beginning to spot the tails and suspect that Vic might be working with the law. All of which boiled over in a terrible manner at the end of this tale, wherein Vic had to make a powerful choice to see tomorrow or see his plans for vengeance through and well, his decision put him in an even tougher spot for certain. One that may bring hell down upon him.

Miriam A. Hyman and Chris Tardio as Stacy Marks and Bobby DiFranco in Episode 207 of ‘Power Book IV: Force’ – ‘Chicago Is Heating Up!’ (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

But that plot thread was nothing more, that a symptom of the disease. Because Chicago was indeed smoldering in this tale and bigger problems were brewing all over town. For instance, Shanti decided now was the time to flex up and double her take with Claudia’s weak but effective plans to fill the void. All of which put Jenard and his standing at risk. Since he needed everything to be even keel with big moves taking place, a fact that even Shanti sent his way. But that paper is irresistible, and she did indeed up her game and risk it all by working with Claudia to start moving pills in the private clubs around town. A move that now puts her standing with CBI on edge, whether she knows it or not, and that just added to the tension of this tale.

In fact, this tale was so spicy, that even the most mundane moments had some kind of heat surrounding them. After all, Diamond was under fire here from his parole officer to do more within the community and renounce his past, which put him at light odds with Tommy and kept him off of the pulse of the business. Which made him nervous and unsettled because it once again put him at a crossroads. Not to mention, Tommy and Mireya’s budding relationship, which should have been a bright spot for both of them… was quickly weaponized by Jenard when he felt the need to flex up upon Tommy. Giving rise to real worry and real concern over Tommy’s safety regarding Miguel, and that concern only grew as well. Mainly because of Tommy’s machinations.

Because he also… managed to get Miguel to cut off the Serbian Mob. By pointing out the gross error of their ways and by poking the bear. Since Miguel did not forget about the robbery that supposedly the Serbians were behind. But while that made it seem as though Tommy’s plans would help him close ranks with minimal fuss, he wasn’t prepared for all the end arounds that Miguel planned. Because Miguel also saw this as a chance to really solidify his standing within the cartel and show Che that he could accomplish wonders on the streets, and he planned his own meeting with one of the gangs that Tommy already locked up and that… will bring about trouble as well. Since Miguel will undoubtedly feel betrayed and played, and that, combined with the truth about where Mireya happens to be spending her spare time, could bring about real trouble.

All of which worked to bring together, an exhausting episode, and that is absolutely a compliment. Because this whole episode was pure tension through and through, the kind that made the air hang heavy in our living rooms and well, how can you go wrong with that? Because clearly, this season is building to something shockingly epic, and episodes like this create powerful curiosity for the audience. Because now we are dying to know, what will happen when this tension explodes and who will make it out of this season alive since it has held nothing back regarding the darkest aspect of all of the game. All because, this series opted to let loose with tension and explore what it can do a for a story, and it deserves a round of applause for showcasing how tension can in fact, help a crime drama through and through by exciting and engaging its fans, because we are truly hanging on tooth and nail at this point and we won’t rest until we see this through, good or bad. Until next time.

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