Five seasons later, Power Book III: Raising Kanan has finally reached its conclusion, closing one chapter of the Power universe while opening the door for Power Origins. For a franchise that has history of trying to stick the landing, this finale delivered one of the strongest endings we’ve seen. It felt earned, emotional, and satisfying without relying on cheap shock value. 
The emotional core of the episode was the long overdue conversation between Raq and Kanan. It was heartbreaking because it showed just how unconditional a mother’s love can be. Raq knew Kanan had killed both of her brothers, yet she still accepted responsibility for the path he took and never stopped caring about him. That scene alone was some of the best acting in the entire series.
Patina Miller was phenomenal from beginning to end. Raq became one of the best characters in the entire Power franchise, and her death genuinely hurt. Watching her lying there after Jukebox pulled the trigger hit hard. From those family dinners in season one to this tragic ending, the writers made you care about someone who had done so many terrible things. Her death landed the same way the best television deaths do because it felt earned instead of forced.
For anyone who thought the taxi scene was the last time we’d see Raq, the finale had one last surprise waiting.
Jukebox killing Raq made sense for her character, even if I still think the show could have done more with Juke overall. Her decision also explains how she and Kanan were ever able to have a relationship again after Marvin’s death. Looking back at the original Power, it adds another layer to why she was so eager to kill Tariq. She saw Kanan getting attached to someone again and decided he wasn’t allowed to have anyone left to love. Even her reaction to Shawn’s death carries a different meaning now. She criticized Kanan until she learned he was the one who pulled the trigger, then she respected him for it. Considering how much Ghost and Tommy feared her as adults, it is easy to imagine she spent years making Kanan’s life miserable just because she could.
The finale also recontextualizes one of the biggest moments from the original series. Kanan eventually killing Jukebox feels like the ultimate payback after everything that happened here.
The early teenage versions of Ghost and Tommy making a cameo was probably the weakest part of the episode. It felt more like fan service than something the story truly needed, but it was brief enough that it didn’t take away from the finale. Either way, it needed to happen. I do wonder how did the both of them even knew who Kanan was at that age.
The post credits flashback was a perfect emotional sendoff. It was nostalgic, bittersweet, and one last reminder of how far these characters had come. I do wonder why they de-aged Marvin and Lou instead of getting younger actors for that flashback to 1975 when Kanan was born scene.
This was easily the best ending any Power series has had. It wrapped up the story in a way that respected the characters while naturally setting the stage for Power Origins. I’m going to miss this show, and I’m excited to see where the franchise goes next.
