Since the show launched in 2014, writer Courtney Kemp Agboh and her team have created riveting television with the Starz series, Power. Instead of slowing down, Season Three continues to build positive momentum as it explores its anti-hero, James St. Patrick, also known as “Ghost.”
For the uninitiated, Power follows James St. Patrick (Omari Hardwick), nicknamed “Ghost,” owner of a popular New York City nightclub “Truth.” In addition, he is a major player in one of the city’s biggest illegal drug networks.
He struggles to balance these two lives, and the balance topples when he realizes he wants to leave the drug game in order to support his legitimate business. He also has to keep his marriage with Tasha (Naturi Naughton) and his relationship with AUSA agent Angela Valdez (Lela Loren). With help from his partner in crime Tommy Egan (Joseph Sikora), he tries to manage a double life.
Over the past two seasons, Agboh has kept the audiences on the edge of the seats as St. Patrick successfully navigates both worlds, dispatching foes and not just trying to stay alive but to keep his identity and business dealings secret from the watchful eye of the feds trying to bring him down and more importantly from his enemies who want to take down his burgeoning drug empire.
Hardwick in the principal role is fantastic in a role perfected by Ron O’Neal in Superfly – a man who is built for the game but sees his long-term future as a legitimate businessman. His character struggles not just in juggling his professional life but is further complicated by his personal life and the complex relationships between his wife and his mistress . . . who also has investigated him in the past.
Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s presence, not just as the show’s producer, but as a recurring character, Kanan, adds strong street cred and edge and takes advantage of his rap skills on the opening and soundtrack. In addition, Jackson is a solid actor who provides exactly the right menace to keep the lead on his toes.
The heart and soul of the show remains the relationship between Tommy and Ghost. Old childhood friends and business associates, the two compliment each other perfectly . . . that is until Ghost wants out of the game. Further complimenting matters are that while Tommy is a perfect Number Two, he is emotionally unequipped to sit on the throne and Ghost’s absence from his primary business as a drug kingpin puts a strain on their business dynamic.
The addition this season of Anika Noni Rose as a DC police officer with her own demons and other members of the talented ensemble, coupled with strong writing and consistently impressive production values, Power has succeeded in drawing eyes to a network that routinely has been overlooked.
The effectiveness of the show was on full display as the 25th episode proved to the be the pinnacle of the series so far. There are five episodes remaining in Season Three and if the first half have been any indication, Agboh and her team will have the audience’s emotions tied up in knots before this season reaches its end. No pun intended, but THAT’S Power!!!
Power airs Sunday night on Starz, 9pm EST