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<i>Power</i> Season Two Finale – “Ghost is Dead” Review. Karma is a Bitch.

  • By

  • August 15, 2015

  • 9 mins to read

Season 2, Episode 10

Air Date: Saturday, August 15, 2015, 9:00 pm ET/PT on Starz

Rating: ★★★★★

 

“Now that I know how Ghost treats his friends, I’m thinkin’ it might be better to be his enemy…while he’s still walking around. Know what I mean?” – Tommy

“Ghost is Dead” is truly a well-constructed season finale as it not only wraps up certain story lines but also provides some exciting plot points for season three. Fans are brought full circle from “Consequences,” the season two premiere, with how skillfully the episode addresses both Angela’s (Lela Loren) job situation and Kanan’s (Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson) need for revenge against Tommy (Joseph Sikora) and Ghost (Omari Hardwick). Those wondering which woman Ghost ends up with—his wife Tasha (Naturi Naughton) or longtime love Angela—get their answer, although the relationship is tenuous at best at this point. In addition, Ghost’s plan for his and Tommy’s relationship with Felipe Lobos (guest star Enrique Murciano) comes to fruition, although not in the way one might expect.

Ghost and Angela have a very heated discussion.

If you remember from last week’s episode, “Time’s Up,” Angela had a big decision to make concerning Greg (Andy Bean) and Ghost. Given the way Loren portrays Angela’s feelings, it’s obvious editing Ghost’s contact info in her phone isn’t going to do the trick. Choosing between your career and your love life is never an easy thing to do although it doesn’t appear that way for Angela. What she does is reprehensible, making me wonder how she’ll live with herself going forward. It’s a decision that will surely come back to haunt her in season three.

Even though Tommy reminds Tasha that Ghost “put the family first,” surmising “things can go back to the way they were,” she has other plans in mind. Needless to say, she still doesn’t know Shawn (Sinqua Walls) is dead. Tasha is quite the enigma, playing both sides against the middle. The look of hope on her face when she asks Ghost if it’s over with Angela is pitiful considering the discussion they have about their future. With the way things turn out, it looks like Tasha is going to have a very lonely life going forward. I am in awe of Naughton and the way she has portrayed Tasha throughout the season. She skillfully moves between being a mother, a wife, and a girlfriend. It’s no wonder Naughton received the American Black Film Festival rising star award in 2011.

Sandoval receives an important call about Drifty (Jamie Hector) and Vladimir (William Popp).

Sandoval (David Fumero) uses the news about Lobos’ men to convince Lobos to cooperate, even offering to put him in “protective custody.” You might think Lobos would take Sandoval up on his offer considering he’s been trying to get away from “The Jimenez,” a rival Mexican gang, all season long. The writers use quite a twist with this plot point, drawing it out throughout the entire finale. Murciano knocks it out of the park once again with the way he portrays Lobos. I got a real kick out of his facial expressions and body movements when Lobos uses his native language to flirt with Sandoval, telling him “I’d like to see you in a cage.” Even if the English translation weren’t provided, what Lobos is trying to communicate is pretty obvious.

Amazingly, Kanan believes what Tommy tells him about Ghost.

It is impossible to tell whom to trust in “Ghost is Dead” and the audience is kept guessing throughout the entire season finale. While Tommy does a great job convincing Kanan he is believable and Ghost is the enemy, what Dre (Rotimi) tells Ghost about Shawn is enough for Ghost to think Dre is reliable. This is all thanks to the many remarkable plot points provided by the extremely talented writers. My favorite TV shows are the ones who keep me speculating about what is going to happen next, and “Ghost is Dead” is a perfect example.

Ever since “No Friends on the Street,” the second episode of the season, I’ve been waiting for Ghost to get his nightclub Truth back from Simon Stern (guest star Victor Garber) and his lackey Kantos (Adam Huss), giving Stern what he deserves in the process. Simply put, Stern is a snake. If you remember from “You’re Not the Man,” Ghost gave Stern’s wife Madeline (guest star Sonya Walger) ammunition to use during her divorce proceedings, thereby cementing a deal that could return Truth to him. It’s brilliant, if you think about it. So, in “Ghost is Dead,” when Madeline and her lawyer, Ellen Wenrich (guest star Aimee Mullins), assert the information during a settlement conference, I totally enjoyed the look on Stern’s face; it is priceless. Karma can be a real bitch.

Ghost lies in wait.

The inevitable battle between Ghost and Kanan is both violent and exhilarating, and better than I could ever have imagined. The scene is so powerful, I sat with my mouth hanging open throughout. Stunt coordinator Peter Bucossi should be commended for how realistically the fight comes across; his choreography is spot on. The most intense scene of “Ghost is Dead,” however, is the showdown between Tommy and Ghost after Tommy learns the truth about Holly (Lucy Walters). Let’s just say Tommy is not a happy camper.

Overall

In a word, “Ghost is Dead” is quite the masterpiece. Writers Safia M. Dirie and Courtney Kemp Agboh, who is also the creator and executive producer of Power, prove how skillful they are with their complex plot points, brilliant dialogue, and twists and turns I never saw coming. Michael J. Bassett’s direction is well executed, particularly with the way he brings Dirie and Agboh’s script to life. In addition, all the stars turn in exceptional performances. The continuity of the scenes flows perfectly, leaving room for speculation on how season two will end.

Power’s music choices are always spot on, but never more so in “Ghost is Dead.” Gil Scott-Heron’s “Me and the Devil” is the perfect choice for the decision Tommy has to make following his conversation with Lobos. I certainly wouldn’t want to be in his shoes. And will Ghost truly end up with the woman of his choice? By far, this is the best season finale I’ve seen in quite a while.

Season three is set up beautifully by several scenes in “Ghost is Dead” – the confrontation between Angela and Greg, Tommy’s phone conversation with Lobos, and the final scene of the episode involving the cops and the fire department. I can hardly wait to see what happens next season!

What did you think of “Ghost is Dead?” Hit me up on Twitter @SeasideTV or leave your comments below so we can discuss.

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Follow Power on Twitter using hashtag #PowerTV. You can also follow these cast members: Kanan @50Cent; Jamie “Ghost” St. James @OmariHardwick and @IAmTheRealGhost; Tasha @naturinaughton; Shawn @sinquawalls; Angela @LelaLoren; Tommy @JosephSikora4; Holly @lucytwalters; Greg Knox @andybeanactor; Dre @rotimi; Miguel Sandoval @davidfumero; Isabel @YainisYnoa; Pink Sneakers @TheLopezLopez; Julio @JR8Ramirez; Ruiz @LuisARamosActor, Felipe Lobos @enriquetwiter; Kantos @adamthuss, Cooper Saxe @shane_m_johnson, and Lakeisha @lala. Follow creator and executive producer Courtney Kemp Agboh @CKAgbohOfficial.

All photos courtesy of Myles Aronowitz/Starz © 2015 Starz Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.

 

 

Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!

Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!