‘Power Book IV: Force’ Recap – ‘Crown Vic’ – Nerds That Geek

‘Power Book IV: Force’ Recap – ‘Crown Vic’

9/30/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Joseph Sikora, Anthony Fleming, and Patricia Kalember as Tommy Egan, JP Gibbs, and Kate Egan in Episode 205 of ‘Power Book IV: Force’ – ‘Crown Vic’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 205 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 picture being covered here wouldn’t exist.

One fascinating storytelling aspect of the Power Universe that we’ve talked about at length in our various recaps of shows from across the franchise, is how it explores solutions to problems that none of us will ever understand. Like how one would handle and manage grief in a world where there is no time to do so. Since the game doesn’t allow for emotions, it just requires you to get more of that paper. Plus, the Universe has explored how success is dangerous as well in the world of the game, which isn’t the case in our world. But of the many possible outcomes and explorations its toyed with regarding the game, where the Power Universe shines, is in its explorations of how family life and interpersonal relationships are deeply impacted by the game.

Because unlike our world, there is no family therapy to work with, or amicable discussions to find resolution and hope when there are family problems. There are just tough decisions in this world, the kind that force people to either do things they don’t want to in order to either protect their family and keep them safe, or handle family disputes, and never was that more evident than during this week’s episode of Power Book IV: Force on STARZ. For ‘Crown Vic’ saw the three royal families of Sampson, Flynn and Egan, deal with major problems from a family perspective, the kind that somewhat resembled our world, and of course, explore how drug dealers would handle them in a world without rules and believe it or not… there are some positive outcomes to dealing with major problems in the game. Take what happened with Diamond and Jenard for instance, because their journey was full of positive surprises.

After all, they are estranged at this point, and living different lives in different worlds. But the news that a man named Sid was ill, changed that. Because Sid happened to be their father, and he was in fact, on his death bed. Which forced Diamond and Jenard to see their old man, and it was no cuddly reunion. For Sid was HARD on his boys and beat them down emotionally, to the point where they didn’t even know he was ill until word got out on the street. But the need to pay final respects, allowed for the brothers Sampson to finally come to realize that their beef was stupid, and that greed wasn’t part of the CBI way, especially when it came to family, and they made peace. A move that reminded us… that family is always bigger than any problem, and we only get one, and if by chance we can make peace with them when we fight, all the better, and it was good to know that even in the game, the life… that too can happen.

As for Tommy and his family, well… their biggest problem was the fact that D-Mac was radioactive at this point, and unwilling to listen to his father or his uncle about how to handle the current situation. Since he went out into the world, running his mouth about his worries, despite being told to stay home and lay low, and that prompted him… to think about ways to feel good, to feel happy. Since he was miserable and well… that motivated him to see that girl, and he had Kate’s support in that as well. Which in turn, prompted Uncle Tommy to go to extremes and have D-Mac pulled off the streets. A move that made it seem as though this plot thread was dark in nature and that D-Mac was doomed. But instead, Tommy sent him far away to live at an academy, until things cooled off. Letting us know that in this world, when family is in trouble, there are ways to protect them, and while they might be extreme, they can work, if there is an ounce of worth in the person that makes the call to save their family.

Tommy Flanagan as Walter Flynn in Episode 205 of ‘Power Book IV: Force’ – ‘Crown Vic’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

All of which served to remind us that Tommy isn’t pure evil, just a man that is misguided and on one ugly path that he cannot escape. But he can do a little good in this life, and well, it was nice to know that there can be moments of wonder and hope in the game and that family and people can look beyond the darkness and find the light. But those two plot threads were the only joyous ones to find in this tale. Because the Flynn family, dealt with the ugly stuff in this tale. For their journey informed us that in the game, there is no therapy, and no efforts to purge a toxic family member from one’s life, when their toxicity becomes dangerous. No there’s only the brutal violent response, the kind that makes sure there will be freedom forever and well… that meant that the dark day that Vic and Claudia have been hinting at, arrived in this tale.

For they were in fact, ready to kill their father and with Doyle’s help, a plan was set in motion. One that would allow for Vic to distract his father with a nice dinner, before leaving so he could die. But of course… that simple plan went to hell. Because Claudia came to learn that she wouldn’t be in charge after Da died, it would be Vic. So, she tried to kill two birds with one stone, by not telling Vic the timetable moved up for the assassination. Which forced Vic to fight alongside his father, and Paulie, who was back in good graces long enough… to join the fight against a man he staunchly admired. Which brought forth the end of Paulie and the end of Walter Flynn… and the end of the Flynn empire as well. Because despite Claudia’s best efforts to make it seem as though Doyle betrayed Vic, he knew. He knew exactly what happened and that’s why… he turned to the cops to finish what he started.

However, what mattered more here, is that this segment informed us… that sometimes… handling family matters in the game can be bloody and devastating and as ugly as it gets. Because the game has no rules, it’s all about survival, and Vic is working to do just that, cost be damned. After all, he’s ready to bring down Tommy if it means he can finally heal. And well, this was simply a stunning sequence for certain. Because normally in this Universe, this saga, characters as big as Walter Flynn… don’t just fade into the night. They fight to the bitter end. But this is a new era for the franchise, and clearly… few are safe in this story, and it will be fascinating to see who else falls the wayside with this power vacuum now in place in Chicago, since the Flynn Empire is done and out of the game.

In the end, this was simply one amazing episode. One that really did offer up some genuine humanity in a genre that tends to forget about it often, and it let the better angels of Tommy and Diamond shine like never before, while reminding us… how dark the game can be and how far people will go to be at the top. Also, while finding new ways to shock us. Because… Walter’s death really was quite the stunner, and it really does change the dynamic of the story in bold news ways. In part because, we now haven’t a clue what lies ahead from a villain standpoint, since Walter was the heavy for so long and we all thought a fight back on his part was the endgame. But also, because this really does give Tommy quite the in to achieve his goals, way ahead of schedule, and it will be interesting to see what lies ahead for Tommy’s growing empire as this incredible story continues to unfold and surprise us. Until next time.

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