Oh do I have a lot to say about this week’s Power Book II: Ghost.
Good lord, Brayden—why? From the start, it was clear that he was going to end up killing that guy, but the whole setup felt off. Tariq should have seen it coming and stayed far away from that situation, but instead, he walked right into it, and now the damage is done. Brayden catching that body should’ve been a climactic moment, but even then, it felt oddly forced. It’s as if the writers were trying too hard to push him into this darker role, but it didn’t land naturally.
And then, to make things worse, he actually confides in his girlfriend about the murder, as if she’s going to be happy or proud of him for it? What kind of writing was that? It was such a bizarre choice that completely undermined the intensity of the moment. Instead of Brayden showing growth or evolution, his decisions just seemed nonsensical, and the writing didn’t help clarify his character’s arc.
Meanwhile, Noma and Carter teaming up was a surprise, but one that feels temporary and destined for disaster. We already know Cane will end up siding with his family over Noma, and it’s just a matter of time before Carter gets taken out. What frustrates me here is that it seems like the show is setting up a predictable “Cane sides with family” moment, which means Tariq and Monet will be forced to work together again. While their alliance has been essential to the plot, I can’t help but feel disappointed. Tariq’s ambition to be at the top of the game feels sidelined by the constant entanglement with the Tejadas. A full-blown war between Tariq and the Tejada family would’ve been far more exciting and offered higher stakes for the season’s arc.
Cane continues to be a strange character, especially when it comes to his relationships with women. Has this man ever had a healthy dynamic with any female character? He barely interacts with his sister anymore, and his fling with Effie is just awkward. The only reason he got involved with her was because she used to be with Tariq, but now that Tariq doesn’t care about her, the entire relationship seems pointless. It’s clear this won’t work out, and it feels like filler more than a legitimate plot thread.
Oh, and let’s not forget the random appearance by “Josie’s” mom, which honestly served no real purpose. She should have been introduced last season, as her sudden presence now feels out of place. I understand they didn’t know this would be the final season when they filmed it, but still—there’s a lot of wasted potential in a character who could’ve added depth or tied loose ends. Instead, it just felt like a last-minute addition that didn’t enhance the narrative.
Ultimately, this episode suffers from rushed pacing and missed opportunities. Noma and Carter’s alliance, while unexpected, doesn’t seem like it’ll go anywhere meaningful because Noma is clearly the main villain. Carter will have to deal with her eventually, and that dynamic could’ve been explored further. It’s hard not to wish for one more season to let these stories breathe because there’s still so much happening that it feels impossible for everything to wrap up neatly.
There’s a sense that Power Book II: Ghost is trying to cram in too much before the end, and it’s starting to show. Some of these plots could’ve been epic with more time to develop, but instead, we’re left with rushed decisions, predictable outcomes, and character choices that don’t always make sense.
