‘Power Book IV: Force’ Recap – ‘Power, Powder, Respect’

11/11/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Isaac Keys, Shane Harper, and Joseph Sikora as Diamond Sampson, Vic Flynn, and Tommy Egan in Episode 210 of ‘Power Book IV: Force’ – ‘Power, Powder, Respect’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Two Finale of ‘Power Book IV: Force’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

For the most part, crime stories, specifically ones about drug kingpins and their rise and fall... tend to offer up certain tropes when it comes to the kingpin in question. In that, they are ruthless, and laser focused, and their desire to be a God of sorts, is what propels them to the top. Wherein their shortsightedness and at times, inability to look beyond their own ego, brings them to their knees. Which are tropes that are designed to speak to the ills of the drug trade and turn us off to them by showing us less than intelligent individuals that stumble into fortune and embrace failure. But let’s be honest… they can’t be that dumb, and they cannot be that nearsighted in nature.

Because these men tend to rule for a very long time, and some, require special help in being brought to justice and thankfully, there is a franchise that is trying to push this world of stories away from that nonsense. Which has made the Power Universe on STARZ quite refreshing in nature, since it has presented its characters as supremely human and flawed, instead of caricatures, and it’s presented the trade as something unsavory and difficult, and that choice and dedication goes into keeping people there, alongside the potential of the payout. And now, thanks to the season two finale of Power Book IV: Force, we finally have a better look at what really makes a kingpin tick and what really seats them in the throne that they seek.

For ‘Power, Powder, Respect’ saw Tommy Egan and others in this town, all make their grand power play for control of the city. Since Claudia was ready to stake her claim as Mirkovic’s right-hand commander, and of course… Miguel was ready to make moves to take out Tommy and solidify his standing at Ché’s side. Not to mention, Vic was ready to leave the business, and sell Tommy and CBI out, and his sister too, in order to enjoy a quiet life away from trouble and drugs. Which are issues and challenges that are supremely realistic in nature and not something that a boneheaded kingpin could muscle their way into and quickly control.

No, it requires a keen mind that understands that the drug trade is a game of chess, and not checkers. Where every move has to be carefully examined and where every player on the board… has to be understood. Their strengths, their weaknesses, and what will motivate them all goes into the game as well. Not to mention, that same mind has to think three steps ahead and ponder upon every possible outcome. Which means, you’re looking at a genius that has just so happened to choose the game over rocket science and political aspirations and well, in this tale we learned that description matches Tommy Egan to a tee. That’s not to say we never thought of him as savvy, it’s just… none of us every really understood his real brilliance until this episode.

Adrienne Walker, Rae Gray, and Lili Simmons as Shanti, Elise Hamilton, and Claudia Flynn in Episode 210 of ‘Power Book IV: Force’ – ‘Power, Powder, Respect’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.

Because… Tommy and CBI finally took over Chicago and for the most part, Tommy’s enemies paid and paid dearly. All because he played chess masterfully in this tale. For instance, rather than murder Vic with impunity and just slaughter Miguel and ascend to Ché’s side quickly, he truly moved the pieces about to have so many other problems take care of themselves. Such as using Vic to enact his revenge against Claudia. For Tommy fed information about her cartel meeting to Vic. Who in turn sent that over to the state and the Feds, and that… led to Mirkovic and Claudia ending up behind bars. Effectively shutting down the Serbian Mob in Chicago and putting Claudia into a life of fear, where daily attacks and suffering was on the menu. All because Tommy saw exactly how to maneuver the right people into the right position to pay.

Plus, he made Vic fear for his life rather than kill him. Not to exact revenge, but to control. For a scared informant could come in handy and would gladly play both sides when their life was on the line and of course… since Tommy was the one to bring down the Serbian Mob, and not Miguel, he was handed to the keys to the kingdom and given way more power and powder to gain that respect in the streets. Which meant, just like that… he was a true kingpin. One that owned the city and played just about everyone akin to a fiddle. Making this a masterful ending and one that really allowed for us to respect Tommy like never before. Because he really did run the game on everyone and scheme his way to the top.

But of course, he is only human, and not every outcome can be schemed out. Which did lead to some trouble in this tale. Since D-Mac once again stirred the pot because he wanted so desperately to be liked and accepted, and that might lead to his end down the line. Since Jenard opted to handle the fallout of the body D-Mac caught, and made some deals that could bring some hard suffering to Tommy’s family. But there was no way to account for a teenage kid in need of purpose screwing things up. Not to mention, there was one particular player that understood bombast and threats and making hard moves was the wrong thing to do when trying to battle Tommy’s sharp mind, and that the long game had its benefits for a counteroffensive as well. Which was why Shanti sent over the picture that Jenard took of that blooming love affair.

To bring about a measure of revenge and control of her own, but that too… is a miscalculation. For one does not mess with a kingpin’s love. Plus, those weren’t the only unforeseen surprises present in this tale. For Tommy was also ill prepared to handle the fact that not everyone wants in on the life. Since JP did turn his back on Mister Egan for how things turned out with D-Mac and how Tommy almost let Kate die because of those deep-rooted traumas he has never dealt with, and likely never will. All of which added a bit of bitterness to Tommy’s big victory but make no mistake about it… those moments did not overshadow what was… an incredible season finale. Because this was a game changer, one that truly let Tommy F*cking Egan shine like never before, and offered us incredible insight into his mind, all while bringing together two years of storytelling in a masterful manner. And of course, hopefully we get a third season announcement for the show, soon. Because we simply cannot wait to see what lies ahead for Chicago’s newest kingpin.

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