‘Power Book IV: Force’ Recap – ‘Here There Be Monsters’

10/8/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Isaac Keys and Joseph Sikora as Diamond Sampson and Tommy Egan in Episode 206 of ‘Power Book IV: Force’ – ‘Here There Be Monsters’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 206 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.

There is a prevailing belief in all corners of our world, that there is only way to properly deal with the evils of mankind. In that, there is always… a source if you will. The top dog that motivates others to follow them and causes trouble for others… so if by chance we were to strike at the source and topple it; life will get better for everyone. Because in the everyday world, for instance, he (and it’s ALWAYS a HE) is gone and with his departure his network is in shambles and trouble and evil cannot function anymore. And in the underworld, the end of a kingpin or an evil problem, opens up the world to so much more and frees so many from the trouble they caused and well… it is simply fascinating that people hold to this belief after all these years, because it is a belief that is completely and utterly wrong.

Because the problem with evil individuals, is that they truly inspire others to take part in their twisted journey, and they have put together an incredible empire. One that others internally and externally will want to inherit and/or claim when the Devil is tossed from his throne, and we’ve seen it time and time again in both worlds. Since whenever a horrific terrorist leader is brought down with extreme prejudice, his lieutenants fight to fill the void and the most lethal one of them all, continues the legacy. And in the drug world, when one kingpin falls, his territory is open and for the taking and everyone that wants in on that… will fight tooth and nail to have it and well, that particularly frustrating truth is top of mind today, simply because it was put on display in the next episode of the hit STARZ series, Power Book IV: Force.

A feat that ‘Here There Be Monsters’ accomplished, by having the battle for the North Side of Chicago get underway. Because with Walter Flynn dead and gone at the hands of his son, the empire was in ruin and the territory was open and free and just like that… everyone was vying for their chance to be the new King… or Queen… of Chicago, and that brought about great trouble for Tommy Egan and the CBI crew. Simply because, they had the structure, the employees, and the product to slip into the North Side and own it, and in turn, own everything and well… that didn’t sit right with the Serbian Mob. For they thought they had the in because of the poor information that came their way, and they had a Flynn on their payroll as well. Which helped them to believe they were entitled to the North Side, plain and simple.

Which Tommy was quick to correct them upon, and well… that led to violent disaster. Because Mirkovic was excited about expanding his territory and getting that money rolling in, and being told no, was more than he could bear. So… he set out to send a message to CBI and did so by going after the projects that he wanted to start his company’s, rebuild within. Which meant… bullets were sent flying, and innocent lives suffered and suffered greatly. Giving Tommy Egan a sound reminder of the heartless nature of this business and of course… that a power vacuum brings about nothing but harm as parties vie for what they think is theirs. Which was as powerful way to hammer home the central theme of the story, but of course, this is the Power Universe, and this world is all about the characters and deeper digs on a lesson at hand, and this episode was no exception to that.

Shane Harper and Lili Simmons as Vic Flynn and Claudia Flynn in Episode 206 of ‘Power Book IV: Force’ – ‘Here There Be Monsters’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

Because this is a story that also explored some of the fallout regarding Tommy’s powerful decision to send D-Mac as far away from the game as possible. Since JP was suffering emotionally over not being able to watch over his son and keep him safe, and of course, Kate was MIA and likely using again. All of which was a fine reminder of the hardships of this life, and that was also explored further by the love story in this tale. Because Mireya and Tommy grew closer in this story, incredibly close in fact, but not without some struggles early on in their budding love. Simply because Mireya realized in this story that seeing someone, she loves dearly in this world become a statistic would be more than she could bear. But the heart wants what it wants, and that pushed these two, together, regardless of risk. But it was nice to see some fallout take place here and see Mireya be honest in this manner since it added to the realism of this tale.

Not to mention, what would this universe be without a little drama and a whole lot of threats? And we received that as well through Jenard’s journey in this tale. Because despite knowing that he was heading back to CBI, he still had drug related needs and desires to handle and that complicated matters between he and Shanti and Diamond as well. Because both of them wanted him sober. So that his was mind was clear for the work ahead, work that involved two separate agendas. For Diamond just wanted Jenard to be part of the game, to help him run things with a business that was growing. But Shanti, well she saw this as her own chance to seize the day and seize the market from beneath Tommy. Giving rise to new power for her and well, with Jenard in a vulnerable place… she nudged him toward her line of thinking, giving CBI another enemy within their midst.

Speaking of internal threats, we’d also be remiss to not point out that Vic was quite the busy little bee in this tale. Since he was working all the angles for Chicago PD, and the Feds, and his own revenge related agenda. Because he was indeed working with Tommy and collecting intelligence with an officer over his shoulder, but despite the demands of Chicago PD to get that info back to them quickly, he stalled often. Not because he genuinely cared for Tommy, but because his real agenda here was to bury his sister for her actions. Something he made clear in this story by happily taking the inheritance, which was the house… and everything… before informing Claudia that she was done. For there would be no cut of the family cash, no sympathy, no protection, because he knew what she attempted to do, and he wanted her to pay… and clearly… he will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

All of which… made for one amazing episode of this show. Simply because, it offered up something for everyone. Because there are folks that love Power for the drama, for that social media tea they can pour for others, and that was present here no problem. Plus, there was juicy trouble brewing behind the scenes through Vic and Shanti, and we love that too. But most important of all, it was an honest and raw episode, one that made it clear that Walter’s passing will make things worse before things get better. Because that is what happens when a kingpin dies in this world, and the way forward won’t be easy. Because everyone in Chicago wants that paper, and all the power, powder, and respect they can garner, and that reality should make Tommy’s quest to be the new King of Chicago, quite interesting and difficult, as season two of this phenomenal series continues along. Until next time.

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