‘Power Book IV: Force’ Recap – ‘No Loose Ends’ – Nerds That Geek

‘Power Book IV: Force’ Recap – ‘No Loose Ends’

11/4/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Joseph Sikora as Tommy Egan in Episode 209 of ‘Power Book IV: Force’ – ‘No Loose Ends’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 209 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.

It is definitely safe to say, that season two of Power Book IV: Force on STARZ, will be studied and admired as nothing short of a masterclass in building tension and laying down the foundation for a season finale. Because all season long, the tension has been rising through what is an outright chess game in the Windy City. For everyone that Tommy Egan has encountered in Chicago has an agenda and wants their plan to be the one that is followed to a tee. So, they can enjoy the spoils of power, powder, and respect and that’s slowly brought us toward an ending where clearly, everyone is going to try and fire off checkmate and own the city, and well… never was this more evident than during this week’s story.

For ‘No Loose Ends’ saw a bevy of people in Chicago, work to begin to bring their plans to fruition, with fascinating results to say the least. For instance, Shanti and Claudia’s plans to rule the city took some interesting turns, mainly because… they went for broke in this story and tried to pull off their endgame. Claudia for instance, used her bad standing with Mirkovic to her advantage by working to seal a deal with the new supplier for the Serbian Mob, to have that power again and to propel herself to the seat at the table she craved, and she did indeed lock up a deal. One that Shanti thought she could use to her advantage in every way imaginable, by telling Tommy about the deal to get close to him… and kill him. But alas, that machination backfired. For Tommy shut her out of the business to sell the story on the streets that Shanti was handling business on her own, giving rise to a confused and angry Shanti that worked to reset her board.

Wherein she worked to sow doubt and confusion at CBI. Mainly through Jenard. Since she encouraged his desire to get closer and closer to his brother again after their divide. A move that at first, seemed kind and helpful. Since Jenard was able to help Diamond get a measure of revenge for what happened to Little Leon and of course… that did prompt Diamond to open up more. Which in turn pushed Shanti to ask Jenard to begin to sow doubt in Diamond’s mind about Tommy and the plan. All so there was a better chance they could get him to turn when the time was right and well, while there was no immediate response, this was indeed another power play and the beginning of a master plan on her part, and she of course… wasn’t the only one making moves in this story.

Because this is also when Tommy decided, CBI needed to step up and go after the gold medal in this town, by making Miguel look like an incompetent fool, and he had a lot of help in making that happen. For Mireya stood by Tommy and admitted her feelings for him, and she fed Tommy intelligence, the kind he used to his advantage when something terrible happened to Miguel. In that, a snitch on the take from Mirkovic, killed Miguel’s beloved mother in a car bomb explosion. Which led to a green light to bring down Mirkovic, and that… motivated him to go the extra mile here. Because if Tommy could in fact, bring down the boss of the Chicago Chapter of the Serbian Mafia before Miguel, he would be the hero. He would be loved by Ché and likely given direct access to everything he needed to run the city, so, another plan went into motion.

Kris D. Lofton and Isaac Keys as Jenard Sampson and Diamond Sampson in Episode 209 of ‘Power Book IV: Force’ – ‘No Loose Ends’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

One that involved finding out who might betray Miguel. Which Mireya was happy to express would likely be Miguel’s driver. Whom Tommy followed to a tee to make sure that he was a snitch and of course… he was, and that let Tommy accomplish wonders in this story. Wherein he was able to kidnap the driver and badly torture him. A moment that served as a fine reminder of how hardcore Tommy Egan can be when he wants to be and how he will get what he wants whenever he wants it. Because the driver talked and revealed the plan, and that prompted Tommy to have the snitch, make the call to Mirkovic and save him mere minutes before the assault began. Which meant failure hung heavy over Miguel… to the point where Ché was quick to tear into him and to make matters worse, Tommy did indeed embarrass him.

For he marched that snitch right in, explained that he helped Mirkoic escape, and looked quite the hero. In fact, Ché did indeed look on in admiration as Tommy left, and well, that allowed for Tommy to make another power play in this story. Specifically, finding his own rat. Because he knew something was up in his crew, and he handed out new burner phones he could trace to keep close tabs on their actions, and used his legal connections to help with that and well… that led to a shocker. In that, he finally learned that Vic Flynn was working with the state and the Feds, and that likely meant his apartment was compromised and his operation as well, and that… should lead to one hell of a showdown between both of these men come next week’s season two finale.

Yet what was amazing about this particular episode, is that had more important moments to offer us than the beginning of the endgame for the season. For this is also a story that saw D-Mac lose his mind while away and reject the school that JP and Tommy immersed him within. So, that he could return home and lay low and well… that prompted JP to take quite the voyage in this tale. One where he decided he needed to be in charge of his family and its destiny, and that prompted him to do some bold things here. Such as finally do what everyone told him not to do, and offer Kate Egan forgiveness and agency, to try something different for a change. Plus, he asked his son for forgiveness and offered him fatherly love and promises to be there for him. Which included standing up to Tommy, and this was some big growth for JP and an important plot line in general, since it finally helps to give D-Mac’s arc, and the family arc a shot at closure.

But all agency aside for a father that has stood on the sidelines for too long, make no mistake about it… this was the start of something big. For so much was set into motion, and so much tension was built. All of which, set up what should be a powerhouse season two finale. One that will feature all-out war on the streets thanks to what Tommy set in motion between the Serbian Mob and the Cartel, and undoubtedly there will be more deaths on the streets beyond what comes from that war. Since Vic crossed the line, and so did Shanti, and they’re about to have Christmas cancelled, and really at this point, it is hard to say who will survive to see another season of this show. Because the stage really is set for one of the darkest finales this franchise has ever known, courtesy of a masterfully written season that carefully cast the deadly die that are about to land. Until next time.

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