‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan’ Finale Sparks Shocking Confrontation and Big Reveal

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Warning: Contains Spoilers: This narrative reveals spoilers for the Season 4 finale of “Power Book III: Raising Kanan,” currently available for streaming on Starz.

Ever since its premiere in 2021, “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” has been an exhilarating rollercoaster ride for viewers. This gripping family crime series revolves around the character of Kanan, portrayed by MeKai Curtis, who, under the influence of his ruthless queenpin mother Raquel “Raq” Thomas (Patina Miller), evolves from an innocent school-focused boy into the vengeful, bloodthirsty antagonist (played by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson) reappearing in “Power,” seeking revenge.

Initially, the group consisting of Kanan, Raq, her brothers Marvin (London Brown) and Lou-Lou (Malcolm Mays), along with Kanan’s cousin Jukebox (Hailey Kilgore), were inseparable, despite being involved in criminal activities. However, factors such as greed, power struggles, death, and deceit have gradually eroded their unity over time.

Kanan, Raq, her brothers Marvin (London Brown) and Lou-Lou (Malcolm Mays), along with Kanan’s cousin Jukebox (Hailey Kilgore), were once a close-knit gang with a criminal background. Regrettably, issues like greed, power, death, and deception have been the cause of their bond weakening over time.

At the climax of Season 4’s finale titled “Gimme the Weight,” Kanan and Raq face off in a dramatic showdown. Infuriated by the murders of his friend Famous (Antonio Ortiz) and girlfriend Krystal (Aliyah Turner), whom he believes Raq is responsible for, Kanan points a gun at her. As the scene fades to black, the sound of a gunshot echoes, marking the end of the nearly concluding season of the 90s-based series.

In the final scene for Raq, we aimed to ensure it felt genuine rather than excessive, as we’ve developed deeply engaging characters and a complex mother-son dynamic. We wanted the ending to align with their relationship realistically. Often online, people criticize Kanan for being foolish or acting on incorrect information. Keep in mind, he is just 17 years old; all teenagers operate with limited understanding, believing they know it all. However, our intention in that scene was to convey the anguish and desperation that both characters feel, as they’ve reached such a critical point.

For Miller, her powerful performance as the ruthless drug lord has left a deep emotional imprint that she won’t forget easily. “Wow, that final scene was one of the most intense experiences,” she shares. “Mekai and I have collaborated on various scenarios over an extended period, but wrapping up the fourth season felt particularly poignant. Our characters had hinted at such a climax for some time, yet we always secretly hoped it wouldn’t come to pass. So, we were grieving the loss of their relationship; it was incredibly moving. The night was filled with darkness.

The fourth season of “Raising Kanan” has been quite intense, and it’s also seen a change in the relationship between Raq and her brothers. Originally, Lou was her trusted partner, but his struggle with alcoholism and ambition to establish himself in the music industry caused him to step away from family affairs. In Lou’s absence, Raq’s elder brother Marvin took over. Yet, a fresh act of treachery has caused another shift in their sibling dynamics.

Miller remarks, “I believe their strength lies in unity – the trio of them. However, they’ve never managed to function as a team. The predicament that Raq finds herself in, having to be with Marvin once more, is regrettable. He consistently disappoints her, and she can’t fully rely on him. She doesn’t trust Lou, and she doesn’t trust Marvin either. So, despite being family, she’s caught up trying to find a way through this complex relationship.

As a movie critic, I found myself captivated by the evolution of a character we once knew as a ruthless cop in the Thomas family saga – Jukebox. For those familiar with “Power,” they might recall Anika Noni Rose portraying this enigmatic figure, whose storyline tragically ended at Kanan’s hands. However, throughout the series, we witness her transformation into a more complex and intriguing individual, making it impossible to forget her impact on the narrative.

Penn praises Hailey Kilgore’s outstanding portrayal throughout all seasons of ‘Raising Kanan.’ This was the level of performance we aimed for, and Anika achieved it perfectly in ‘Power.’ One of the great pleasures of writing ‘Raising Kanan’ is watching these characters mature into young adults. Over time, Kanan and Jukebox transform into the characters you come to know from ‘Power.’ This has all been carefully planned. A unique aspect of this series that I’m particularly proud of is that as the characters grow older, their understanding deepens. They begin to see more clearly the people in their lives and gain a fuller perspective on the world around them. Juke has always served as the moral compass of this series. She possesses an awareness that other characters lack.

He notes: “One significant aspect we explore in this series is the growing conflict between Jukebox and Kanan. We delve into their struggle, and part of that tale involves them maturing and discovering their individual identities instead of just their collective one, as they’ve grown up together. Previously, they were a team; now they’re beginning to see themselves separately, which can lead to some turbulent changes.

Despite always working for the family business with good intentions, Raq’s actions have pushed people away from her. In the final episode of Season 4, Jukebox – who is very close to her aunt – finally challenges her. This is the first instance in the entire season where we see a crack in Raq’s usually unyielding facade.

Miller expresses that Juke has been a reliable comfort for Raq across all seasons. It seems as though Jukebox has been someone who Raq can authentically be herself with, allowing her to lower her defenses in ways she can’t with others. There appears to have always been a deep connection between the two. So, when this incident occurs, it is both unsettling and devastating for Miller.

Penn concurs, expressing: “Raq has played a maternal role for her, and Raq has relied on Jukebox. Depending on someone doesn’t automatically mean loving them, and this conflict has always existed between them. Over the course of these four seasons, we witness Jukebox coming to terms with this.

Raq has been in a solitary state throughout this season, and this isolation began before her confrontation with Jukebox. This kind of seclusion might be challenging for the matriarch to maintain. According to Miller, if Raq were living in another world, she would likely have numerous friends from various regions. However, she can’t trust anyone because she understands that in order to succeed, she must remain alone. The one thing I am confident about her character is her desire for a better life, but she knows that this will never resemble what she dreams it could be.

Halfway through revising Season 4, following Joey Bada$$’s transformation into the ruthless drug dealer Unique, Penn discovered that Season 5 would mark the end of the series. “When I initially proposed ‘Raising Kanan,’ I expressed my belief that it was a five-season show,” he says. “I was worried that we might start repeating ourselves and doing things that were overly familiar if we extended it too long. Some choices I made were influenced by knowing there was, in essence, an end to the narrative.

In the final episode of Season 4, characters Kanan’s guides and investors, Snaps (played by Wendell Pierce) and Pop (Erika Woods), bring teenage drug dealer Kanan face-to-face with their relative Bradford Frady, better known as Breeze (Shamiek Moore). Those who follow the series “Power” will recall that Kanan and Breeze eventually team up to create a drug empire, guiding James “Ghost” St. Patrick (Omari Hardwick) and Tommy Egan (Joseph Sikora) until Ghost ultimately turns on them, seizing control of the business for himself.

Penn expresses that he’s getting ready for the reactions to his casting as Breeze. Since people might have their unique ideas about who Breeze should be, he anticipates strong responses from all sides, but that’s what makes our work exciting. Penn felt it was crucial for Breeze not to appear out of nowhere; instead, he needed a natural connection to the storyline and characters in the show. Regarding his choice for Breeze, Penn has always admired Shameik, especially after seeing him in ‘Dope.’ Shameik possesses an innate charisma that matches the description of Breeze perfectly. With such a vibrant personality, he seemed like the ideal candidate for the role. As fans will discover, Shameik exceeds expectations for the part.

As the destiny of Raq hangs in balance and Breeze makes his grand entrance into the “Power” Universe, Penn promises fans that by the end of “Raising Kanan’s” final season, many lingering questions or gaps in the storyline will start falling into place.

Penn expresses his viewpoint: We manage to answer almost all the questions posed, but not every question. He considers the journey as deeply emotional and fitting for the narrative we’ve been working on. He doesn’t think there are any missteps in it; everything feels authentic. Additionally, he anticipates numerous surprises that will leave people amazed by the story’s conclusion. His hope is that everyone will feel content, as he believes they will be. This ending, according to him, isn’t ambiguous; instead, we provide a conclusive end to the tale, which was essential for him: to tell a complete and satisfying story.

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2025-05-16 20:19