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<i>Power</i>– “You’re Not the Man” Review. Blind Trust.

  • By

  • July 25, 2015

  • 8 mins to read

Season 2, Episode 7

Air Date: Saturday, July 25, 2015, 9:00 pm ET/PT on Starz

Rating: ★★★★★

 

“I trust you. It’s her I don’t trust. She’s the problem, G. … you left Tasha, and she’s still comin’ after us. Don’t you get it? When are you gonna realize you ain’t in control of this situation no more? No plan of yours is gonna stop her until she gets what she fuckin wants.” – Tommy

So many things happen in “You’re Not the Man,” my head is spinning. You might think so many plot points would be distracting but they’re not. Each one serves a purpose—a sort of means to an end—making this episode of Power stand out even more than the previous ones.

Tasha means business during breakfast with Ghost.

Tasha (Naturi Naughton) took the bull by the horns in last week’s episode, “Why Her?” after finding out her husband, James “Ghost” St. Patrick (Omari Hardwick), has been sleeping with AUSA Angela Valdes (Lela Loren). This week, in “You’re Not the Man,” Tasha ups the game Ghost is playing with Angela. Too bad it’s not going to work given what transpires in the final scene of the episode, which spells disaster for Ghost. But I’m getting ahead of myself here.

Now that Holly (Lucy Walters) is out of the picture, Tommy (Joseph Sikora) is totally out of control with anger, disbelief, and grief. He’s doing things that could endanger his life, but changing Ghost’s plans without telling him first could get a man hurt. The lengths Tommy and Julio (J.R. Ramirez) go through based on Tommy’s “hunch” provide some much-needed intensity in a key scene, especially when they ensure no one is carrying heat. What a mess that would have been!

“Sit down; I need to see your eyes.” Angela is ready to call it quits when Ghost won’t answer her questions about Holly’s whereabouts. Without Holly as a witness, Angela must use any means necessary to get her man Tommy, including what transpires with Magistrate Joe Schepisi (Joe Urla). Angela is now up the proverbial creek without a paddle. Enter government techy Darryl (Justin Keyes), who uses the information Ghost gives Angela to get her the proof she needs. I wonder if I’m the only one who thinks Darryl asks too many questions about Angela’s actions. There’s something about him I don’t trust.

Divorce attorney Tina Schulman (Rachel York) doesn’t tell Tasha what she wants to hear during their consultation. Tina does, however, provide a solution to Tasha’s problem, something neither Tasha nor Shawn (Sinqua Walls) appreciate. No one likes to hear the truth when it involves something you don’t want to do. York portrays Tina as quite the shark, the sort of attorney I’d want representing me in a divorce from such a high-powered, rich man. Tasha is an expert at bringing Shawn around to her way of thinking, playing him like a grand old fiddle. There’s nothing sexier than showering while doing the nasty to get what you want. Contrary to what Shawn believes, love does not conquer all.

Let’s hope everyone stays calm when all is said and done.

As I said in my review of last week’s episode, “There are so many behind-the-scenes relationships going on in Ghost’s drug syndicate, it makes my head spin.” That continues to be the case this week with Julio, Ruiz (Luis Antonio Ramos), Dre (Rotimi), and Tommy. I’m not sure whom to trust, and that includes Ghost with the promise he makes Ruiz. Deals based on assurances usually don’t turn out well.

Ghost certainly knows how to motivate Tasha when he needs help reining Tommy back in. They both have too much to lose if Tommy eliminates Angela. “Now is not the time.” Ghost isn’t the only one who knows to light a fire under people to make them do what he wants, especially when it comes to Tommy. Tasha is a master at manipulating him, as we’ve seen in previous episodes. There’s nothing like some feminine wiles and a little “coke” to take his mind off his problems.

Other Observations

Remember Lee (Nick Gehlfuss), the Miami club owner from “Like We’re Any Other Couple?” He provides some interesting information to Ghost that he uses to gain the trust of Simon Stern’s (Victor Garber) wife, Madeline (Sonya Walger). Looks like Ghost might get Truth back after all; I can’t wait to see what he does to Kantos (Adam Huss) should that happen.

Memorable Lines

Tommy, speaking about probable cause for being pulled over: “DWB, driving while black on account of my friend over there.”

Victor: “Sorry, officer. I’ll never drive while black again.”

What a commentary on the racial profiling done by many police departments!

**

Shawn: “Tasha, I’m ready to do whatever it takes to be with you.”

 

Overall

Paranoia at its finest.

Writer Vladimir Cvetko gives us some of the most believable dialogue to date in this episode of Power. I must also commend Sikora for his spot on portrayal of a stoned and paranoid Tommy throughout “You’re Not the Man.” He steals just about every scene he’s in. Add to that the excellent direction of Dennie Gordon, particularly with the camera angle he chooses for the shot beneath the glass table in Tommy’s apartment, and the scenes with Tommy’s dog, which made my heart hurt. I came away from “You’re Not the Man” wondering whether Madeline will be successful in her plans for Simon, which, in turn, would give Ghost his nightclub back. And with Lobos (Enrique Murciano) landing in New York, will Ghost be able to get all the money he wants? Who is the “little bird” whispering in Lobos’ ear, letting him know everything that transpires? Ghost and Angela, and Ghost and Tasha are playing a dangerous game, especially with Tommy’s current condition. It makes me wonder who’s going to come out the winner, if anyone. Although, can there truly be a winner when sex and drugs are involved?

 

What did you think of “You’re Not the Man?” Hit me up on Twitter @SeasideTV or leave your comments below so we can discuss.

Tune in to Power Saturdays at 9pm ET/PT, only on Starz.

Like Power on Facebook.

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!