‘Power Book IV: Force’ Recap: ‘Family Business’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season one finale of ‘Power Book IV: Force’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It is definitely safe to say, that season finales are no easy task for the creative minds that work to bring them to fruition. Because one mistake or one odd storytelling decision, and the fans will let a particular show have it when it comes to their disappointment and rightfully so. For they have invested time and effort into a story that they expected to blow them away, and anything else just isn’t right. Which is why so many fans go into a season finale with their breath held and butterflies in their stomach, because they just don’t know if things are going to wrong and disappoint. But what’s amazing about the television industry, is that there is one particular franchise, where this kind of trepidation doesn’t take place when it is season finale time.
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Specifically… the Power Universe. For Courtney A. Kemp and 50 Cent’s incredible collection of shows, always deliver when it comes to their respective season finales. Because these two producers know what fans want and expect, and instruct their teams to bring that to life. Which in turn leads to incredible endings to seasons, the kind that take our breath away and move us and leave us hungry for more and well… the wonder of the Power Universe’s ability to pull this off all the time, is top of mind today, because we simply have to acknowledge that the season one finale of Power Book IV: Force, kept this proud tradition alive. For ‘Family Business’ was an hour-long rollercoaster ride that accomplished all of those goals, by surprising us at every turn.

Because everyone that tuned into this story, was expecting an outright bloody finale. One that saw Egan v. Flynn lay the city of Chicago to waste with a fight for the ages, and for a time, the show leaned into the possibility that this was exactly what was going to happen. After all, the Flynn family was indeed ready for war and ready to cause harm to Tommy and the Serbian Mob. To the point where Claudia decided to double cross Tommy and set the stage for a showdown at the lab. All in the hopes of showing her father and Ioan that she could handle leadership of the family business, and that did indeed lead to quite the epic shootout for certain. One that saw both sides suffer heavy losses, to the point where the Four Horseman were down to a lone pony after this fight and a surprise at Dr. Parker’s.

But it is that fight that quickly brought forth surprise, since it shifted the tone and design of this story. Because Tommy quickly came to realize that the Serbian Mob wasn’t worth the money, he paid them, since their soldiers were lackluster at best and that forced him to back off and regroup and think… and surprisingly, take care of family business. For Kate Egan finally arrived in town and begged her son to bring everyone together and despite his reservations, Tommy knew her arrival was bigger than the anger in his heart, and he allowed for the family to be together at last. Which led to some powerful moments for certain, the kind that once again showed us a different side of Tommy and those moments were sadly… brief in the joy they provided us with.

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Because while Tommy took a beat, Jenard was fast at work at trying to kill his brother. An act that failed miserably and backfired upon him. Since Diamond sent quite the message to his baby bro. One so impactful that Jenard opted to try a different angle to get control of CBI and the streets, by making some wild and dangerous deals. One of which, involved handing the Serbian Mob their pipeline back, in exchange for ceasing the war with the Flynn family. An act that would allow for CBI and the Flynns to join forces so that Jenard would have the firepower and the resources to finally bring Tommy Egan to street justice and kill his brother in the process. Giving him the empire, he always wanted and retribution for a life lost. 

Which was… a solid plan for certain. Since everyone signed off on it and went to work on finding ways to isolate Tommy to deal with him at last. But what they didn’t count on, was that Tommy knew someone would try and unify the streets to come at him, and that allowed for him to broker peace with Diamond and plan ahead for one hell of a fight. One that required wits to win since he would never have the firepower and the numbers and well… that led to one hell of an ugly showdown. One where Tommy saw his brother in dire trouble thanks to the fine work of the new alliance, and where the Sampson brothers had to decide if blood was more important than street justice and riches untold and well… in the end Tommy did win the day... but at quite the cost for certain.

Because Liliana was lost in the fight, ending her journey in a heroic manner and of course… Tommy lost his line to Dhalia and all the riches it sent his way. But for his efforts and his wits, he was alive… and so was his family, and he did some damage for certain. Since he was able to get Walter to admit that he was behind Gloria’s death after all, shattering the Flynn family through and through, and his alliance with Diamond continued after the fight. Which is a wonderful thing since Diamond was able to split CBI’s territory with his brother… complete with loyal lieutenants that were eager to succeed, and that means that in the end, Tommy Egan will get another shot at taking over Chicago, and that is about as epic an ending as it gets. Since it didn’t end at all like we expected and was incredibly intimate and moving and full of big moments and unexpected departures.

If anything, it is best to call this finale… perfect. For it had everything you could ask for and more in a season finale and of course… it featured Tommy’s all-important catch phrase and… it also set the stage for the future and bigger tie ins to the Power Universe. Since the battle in this tale, got the attention of the DEA back in New York… which brought about some epic cameos and hellos from classic Power and Ghost cast members and the best news of all when it comes to this finale… is that season two is a go. Which means all we have to do now, is wait patiently for another year of adventures with Tommy Egan… as he hits the reset button on building the empire he always wanted and woe to those who stand in his way now. Because Tommy’s had a taste of what life is like at the top and anyone that gets in the way a second time around… will have Christmas cancelled on their ass. Until next year. 

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