‘Power Book IV: Force’ Recap – ‘He Ain’t Heavy’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Eight of ‘Power Book IV: Force’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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We are taught to believe, that when we reach the top of whatever career field, we’ve chosen in life… that everything will get easier for us. Because… we made it, we’re the best at what we do and the admiration and respect that comes with that, makes us an expert and an icon, and we can sit back and enjoy the fruits of our labor while we indulge in everything we truly love. Which is a concept that does have some merit to it, since we see how happy those at the top are, and how comfortable they become by being the true master of their field. Which really does make it appear that success makes everything a-ok. But the fact of the matter is, this particular lesson/belief isn't correct in the slightest.
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Because it doesn’t get any easier at the top. For some folks… really want everything the best of the best, have. In fact, they want that exact spot in the limelight and they’re hungry and eager enough to work just as hard, if not harder, in the hopes of knocking royalty off the hill so they can have their moment in the sun and enjoy everything the idol does, and that makes being at the top… a lonely game. Where the work we believe a true master would leave behind, has to intensify. So one can maintain their standing and what’s theirs, and that particular reality is top of mind today, simply because others were making moves to topple Tommy, during this week’s episode of Power Book IV: Force on STARZ. Because when we catch up with Tommy and his crew in ‘He Ain’t Heavy’, they have risen to the top in record time.

Simply because Dahlia was everywhere in this particular tale. It was on the streets, it was in the clubs, and it didn’t matter what walk of life the customers came from… they wanted that ultra clean high and they happily paid to get it and well, the unexpected surge of Dahlia presented Team Tommy with its first major challenge… keeping the supply chain going. Because the demand was off the charts and that motivated Tommy to bring JP into the fold to help cook alongside Liliana and Dr. Williams and well, that clearly put Tommy at the top and the sheer popularity of this drug and the reality that it would make its owner rich beyond their wildest dreams… is what motivated others to try and rise to the top alongside Tommy and take control of this stunning new drug.

For instance, Claudia made the poor decision to try and team up with Diamond and sidestep Tommy to get her cut of the Serbian pipeline because she genuinely wanted to rake in the dough and feel more power regarding this business venture. Which was a move that failed of course but spoke to how well she understood the majesty of this drug and and what it could do for its master, and she wasn’t the only one to reach that epiphany. For Jenard came to realize that in his capable hands it could allow for CBI to completely take over Chicago and give his family the control and power he absolutely believed they deserved. And that motivated him to swing by Gary, Indiana to enlist more help from his new crew in finding Dahlia’s source, so CBI could take control of it.

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Not to mention, the buzz about Dahlia was so strong in Chicago, that it even caught the ear of one Walter Flynn. Who was dealing with an official cancer diagnosis in this tale, and facing the potential end of his life, and the reality that Vic might do whatever was necessary to NOT take over the family biz... combined with the realization that he completely underestimated Tommy Egan, motivated Walter to do the unthinkable… and call a meeting with Tommy. All so he could offer Mister Egan a job within the Flynn organization, in an attempt to quickly consolidate his grip over the city, which of course, did not go well in the slightest and that led to some concerns on Tommy’s part, since that meeting ended with Walter making some ugly threats.
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In fact, they were serious enough that Tommy tried his best to do Vic a solid and get him and Gloria out of town post haste, since dad hinted at violent trouble against Gloria. But alas, despite his best efforts to save them both… a conversation between Paulie and Vic, one that revealed that Tommy was offered a job by Walter, changed the tone and pace of this episode completely. For it allowed this story to shift gears and go to the dark places that only occur within the Power Universe. Where the people that populate it suffer loss and surprises and for Vic… well that involved another chance encounter with the Serbian Mob. One that likely came about because Vic spurned the tracking-free vehicle Tommy provided him with out of spite, and during that encounter, bullets sailed through the sky, and when the casings settled… Vic came to discover that his one true love didn’t survive the onslaught and that wasn’t the only shocking death in this tale.

For Miriam Egan, whilst in the hospital and recovering from a bout of bad health… died while JP stepped away from her room to talk to a nurse, and armed with the knowledge that Kate’s mother had passed into the great beyond, he thought it best that mom should get a phone call about such matters. Something Tommy was adamant did not need to happen since it would likely surround him with the one person he did NOT want to see in the Windy City. But despite his protests, loss and the current state of affairs surrounding him… motivated JP to do the unthinkable and call his mother. Setting in motion all kinds of drama and potential trouble since it is only a matter of time before Kate Egan heads west to see her estranged sons and meet her grandson. Since it is now public knowledge that D-Mac is JP’s son. 

If anything, this was just a classic Power Universe episode. Because this franchise thrives on intense and shocking moments, and unexpected deaths, and wild decisions... and that’s exactly what we got here. Since Dahlia is pushing everyone to vie for what Tommy has and Gloria’s end was a genuine shocker… as was Miriam’s and well, all this episode does, is make us desperate for next week’s tale. Because with only two episodes to go in season one, things are genuinely heating up and a brewing war and a funeral and an attack from all sides… will raise the stakes like never before and likely allow for Tommy to really shine. Because challenges or no… this is Tommy F*cking Egan we’re talking about here, and he doesn’t fail and at this rate… all Jenard and other comers are doing, is guaranteeing that they are about to have Christmas cancelled on their asses, and we are all here for it. Until next time.    

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