‘Power Book IV: Force’ Recap – ‘Outrunning a Ghost’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Seven of ‘Power Book IV: Force’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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There are few moments in life more difficult than standing on the precipice of everything we’ve ever wanted. Because when we are there, we can see our future, and we can almost reach out and grab everything we’ve been working for and knowing we are that close… can drive a person down one of two paths. Wherein they might sabotage everything they’ve dreamed of because they push too hard to get it. Or… they could race toward the finish line and cross it in a breathless manner wherein they did it, they reached their goal and now they can relish in the wonder of finally having everything they’ve ever wanted. Making this moment a critical one for certain.
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If anything, that particular moment is top of mind today, because the precipice is precisely where Tommy Egan found himself standing in the next episode of Power Book IV: Force on STARZ. For when we catch up with him in ‘Outrunning a Ghost’, he has Dahlia out on the streets and his and Claudia’s lieutenants are giving people a taste and getting the word out about this drug’s wonder and potential and well… word is spreading fast in this tale and the reality that the plan is working to a tee, puts Tommy in that tough place mentally. Because he is fully aware of the fact that greatness is within his grasp and that motivates him… to do some of the negative things we discussed a moment ago to finally get his Chicago empire started.

Which of course, left the audience nervous that Tommy might experience failure for the first time in his life. Simply because, he pushed hard. To the point where he and Claudia were butting heads over the next phase of his plan. Because she wanted this drug to stay in the upper echelons of Chicago, where only the elite could afford it and pay top dollar, and Tommy was having none of that. For he saw Dahlia’s potential and if by chance, they could cut it right and make it affordable to all, they wouldn’t just own the Windy City. They’d own the American drug trade and make Tommy bigger than Ghost or Capone. He’d be the goddamn king of the hill, and nothing was going to stop him from having his chance to make that happen. Because he genuinely believed Dahlia was the biggest thing to ever happen to the industry.

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Which in turn, motivated him to hammer Claudia on sticking with his plan and he also hammered the cook to make sure she could figure out how to make this happen. In fact, he pushed Dr. Williams so hard that she started to miss work and Liliana had to join her on a date, to ensure that she wouldn’t squeal and that she’d get the work done and of course, this barrage of demands and expectations, motivated Liliana to try and talk a little sense into Tommy to perhaps, back off a bit and let everyone breathe. But Tommy wasn’t ready to go easy on anyone. For this was the moment and this was his chance to get his, and this conversation… allowed for us to once again get to know Tommy on a whole different level.
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Because he made it clear to Liliana that all his life, he’s been serving someone else and taking care of business for them. But he knows deep down, he’s capable of handling an empire as well as Ghost did. in fact, his ability to remain impartial and locked into the business side, would make him better than Ghost, and those words… really helped us to understand how much Tommy wants to be someone of note in this business, someone respected and admired, and of course… how much he wants to be the top man. And it was just fascinating to see him become so vulnerable and learn how he justified his actions. Since he also informed Liliana, that he had to be this hard on everyone because this is when things could go wrong, and he was right about that.

For Claudia just had to find a way to tie this into the family business and did so by having a courier give her brother a taste of Dahlia to put it on his radar and Williams nearly got off track with her shenanigans. But by continuing to apply that pressure and really hammer home the point of making this drug affordable and accessible to all, and to follow all the right processes in preparing for its launch, Claudia finally stepped back in line, and the good Doctor Williams, finally figured out the formula to make Dahlia everything that Tommy dreamed of. And now… with the foundation laid down, and the right product in hand… the time has come for Tommy Egan, to own Chicago. 

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Oddly enough, that part of the plan might go smoother than anticipated, courtesy of a surprise encounter involving Jenard. Because while he and his crew were out and about and enjoying the night… Jenard got a taste of Dahlia and brought it back for Diamond to sample as well and since Diamond understands its power… he might want in on it at last. Giving Tommy a huge potential in with CBI and more power and reach on the streets would do wonders for Tommy’s burgeoning business and what is amazing, is that this episode explored some other potential reasons as to why the launch of Dahlia might go off without a hitch.
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Mainly because, CBI’s infighting continued here, since Jenard stepped around Diamond to grow CBI’s reach into Gary, Indiana, and focusing upon that will undoubtedly take CBI’s eyes off of the prize while Tommy moves in and the forthcoming fight between the Sampson brothers will help there as well, and so will Adrienne’s plans to write an exposé on Diamond. Not to mention, the fact that Gloria left Vic because of the attempt on their lives, combined with Walter’s illness and Claudia’s focus on this new venture… should weaken any response by the family to stop Dahlia, as will the Serbs. Since you know they will be striking back at the Flynn family some point, further distracting them.  

But all pending trouble aside for others, make no mistake about it, this was… an amazing character study through and through. Since it really allowed for Tommy to begin to grow into the role of a Kingpin, since he took charge here in a manner that informs us how he will rule his new kingdom and what kind of results he expects. And of course, it was just amazing to see him open up and really speak to what he needs and well, this one of course leaves us eager for more of this fantastic series. Because this is it, we are now about to witness the creation of a powerful new drug empire, and it will be fascinating to see how fast Tommy Egan’s empire grows when Dahlia hits the streets of Chi-town, in force. Until next time.

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