‘Power Book IV: Force’ Recap – ‘The Devil’s in the Details’

9/23/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Joseph Sikora and Isaac Keys as Tommy Egan and Diamond Sampson in Episode 204 of ‘Power Book IV: Force’ – ‘The Devil’s in the Details’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 204 of ‘Power Book IV: Force’. To revisit the previous episode, click here. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.

Something that is genuinely fascinating about season two of the hit STARZ series, Power Book IV: Force, is the sheer fact that there is a real darkness hanging over this season’s stories. Granted, this is a crime drama about one man’s quest to partly claim what he lost, and grab hold of what he never had… but the darkness goes beyond that. To the point where it feels as though we’re watching season six of Power all over again, as though no one is safe, and anything can and will happen and well… that’s something that honestly fits. Because this is a messy story, one where the city of Chicago has been torn asunder by the divisions that now exist and the threats to the pipelines that Tommy basically came in and created and that’s prompting bad blood to boil up and never was the darkness and tension more evident than during this week’s new episode.

For ‘The Devil’s in the Details’ took those elements to the Nth degree really, a feat that it accomplished by having some of these tensions boil over, as was the case with Jenard’s journey in this tale. Because he was struggling to grapple with the fact that he killed a member of his crew, since that wasn’t something, he ever expected to do, and of course… the money was not flowing in, and the pressure was mounting upon him. Not to mention, his crew’s newfound bloodlust and desire for revenge, was about to bring a street war to bear at the worst time. Which prompted Jenard to open up about what happened, and that led to an ugly fistfight and a bigger split amongst his crew. To the point where it seemed as though, it won’t be long before Jenard will either have to get out of the game or do something drastic to see another day, because everything fell to pieces for him in this episode.

Yet, he wasn’t alone in seeing a titanic collapse take place in one’s life and empire. For Walter Flynn found himself in more hot water here. For the income for his empire was dwindling thanks to Vic’s efforts to sabotage the network, and that had him light when it came to his payments to Dublin. And of course, his massive ego would never declare defeat or allow him to reach out for help, so Paulie made an attempt to do so. By going directly to Dublin’s representatives and asking for more time. A move that made Walter feel weak… despite the fact that Paulie really did help the boss that gave him everything. But that didn’t matter to Walter, and he actually had the nerve to fire Paulie to keep his machismo intact, further isolating him and further putting his empire into devastation.

To the point where his family began to turn upon him. Because Claudia was deeply concerned by the disrespect that Walter sent her way, and she also could not stand how she and her brother were nothing more than mere pawns to the man that raised them. Which prompted her to play a most interesting game in this story. One where she aligned with the Serbian Mob on her own to get a cut of the action in Chicago and where… she manipulated her brother into seeing her concerns about her father. Granted, it didn’t take much to make that happen… since all she had to do was showcase the disrespect Walter poured upon the memory of Gloria by turning her bar into the hottest new strip club in town. But it was still done for nefarious reasons. The kind that revolved around inspiring an idea that most children would deem unthinkable. In that, the time had come to end Walter Flynn’s life and take over the empire without his specter hanging over it… and shockingly… Vic agreed with her plan.

Shane Harper and Lili Simmons as Vic Flynn and Claudia Flynn in Episode 204 of ‘Power Book IV: Force’ – ‘The Devil’s in the Details’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

Yet what was incredible, was that the darkness didn’t end there. Because even Diamond, and the business, were dealing with some tough struggles. For Seamus was still poking around and was eager for more payouts and that forced Diamond to lie and move money around to keep him off of his back. Plus, the Task Force was going all-in on bringing CBI to its knees, by going after mid-level dealers and disrupting the cash flow. And… there was even some ugly trouble in the Egan household. Because D-Mac was once again concerned about his standing in this life and was enticed by the glamour and glitz of the game, and that prompted him to try and get back into it and get that paper. But of course… that was shut down by Tommy at every turn, but the tension was there in the household.

However, while those are indeed some bleak plot threads, there was some positivity to be found in this story. Primarily through Tommy. Because he finally, was able to get out into the world with Mireya and well, their driving lessons led to all kinds of surprises. Such as a chance at dinner and eventually, a chance to love her. Because she was very interested in Tommy in this tale, to the point where they shared a few kisses, giving rise to a little bit of hopefulness for Tommy, the kind that of course… simply couldn’t last in a story this dark. Because in between those lovely moments, he was still battling jealousy from Miguel’s crew to the point where he had to put one of them down. Not to mention he had to deal with Diamond’s lies and the shaky ground the business was on because of the police squeeze taking place.

Which prompted him… to take a moment and step back and look at this situation and its troubles differently. To the point where he figured out how to get the team to communicate about their problems better, and where to get an idea if the Task Force was indeed looking at CBI and their actions, and perhaps… how to get ahead of the madness. Which Tommy believed could take place via Seamus. After all, he wanted money badly, and if he could get a cut, then perhaps he could offer up valuable intelligence on the problems facing the brand. Which brought forth a face-to-face meeting that ended in disaster. Because while Tommy talked Seamus down from arresting, he, and Diamond at gunpoint when the notion of a payroll came up, D-Mac stopped by the barbershop, for a fresh cut for a hot date… only to find his family in trouble and he acted accordingly, and killed a cop.

All of which set the stage… for dark days ahead. Because Jenard is destitute and facing real trouble without CBI at his side, and the Flynn’s are in the midst of a civil war and of course… there will be more eyes on CBI than ever, now that a police officer is dead on their watch. And well, this episode deserves a round of applause for bringing forth this much darkness. Because modern crime shows are oft afraid to lean into the dark realities of this business and the true trouble it causes. But this franchise has no qualms with it, and this show… went all out this week, and the end result… is a crime story for the ages. One that really does leave us wondering what lies ahead for everyone in this story, now that the dark clouds have rolled in and so many are ready to resort to ugly acts to have their taste of power, powder, and respect. Until next time.

Watch ‘Power Book IV: Force’

0 Comments