Power Episode Recap: The Clock is Running Out on Ghost, Angela, Tasha and Tommy; There is a Path to Make This Series Even Better, But a Major Character Must Die…

Lies, hypocrisy, and mistrust. Our favorite characters traffick in a world built around these failing pillars and it’s all crashing down. Last night’s penultimate episode, There’s A Snitch Among Us has set the pieces in motion for an action-packed season finale next week. We’ve talked about it all season long in our recaps, the show is immensely popular, but you can see how the multiple storylines and the constant dragging on of others leave the show in need of a little makeover. The death of Kanan in last week’s episode gives hope that the finale will clean up some other loose ends.

We begin where the whole series begins, with Ghost. This man’s got some nerve. It’s the morning after Kanan’s shootout with the police, which left four cops dead, Tasha, Ghost, and Tommy are at the penthouse having a good old-fashioned family fight. Ghost, ever the “I got this” dude, is furious that Tasha and Angela put a plan in motion with the help of Tariq. Ghost’s “concern” was they put his son in danger. Come on my guy. Your whole existence puts them in danger daily. They were born into a crime family!!!

We talk about how good the writing can be in this show and often it’s because you could see these conversations actually taking place in a real-life scenario. When Ghost says to Tasha, “Your plan needed Tariq to make it happen. What, one dead kid ain’t enough for you?” Tasha immediately responds with a slap to the face. It was good to see Tasha and Tommy both call Ghost out on his bullshit. Ghost is often the smartest man in the room and his plans are generally good and well thought out. But he is not above reproach. He’s done plenty wrong and has screwed up big time.

Tariq interrupts to let his father know that he was part of the plan and knew exactly how it would all play out. ‘Riq still sees Kanan as the only person who has ever been real with him. Of course, he conveniently ignores the fact that while Kanan may have saved his life and seemed genuine. It wasn’t altruistic. He had his own selfish motivations and if it benefited him in the end, would’ve had no problem killing ‘Riq. The line ‘Riq delivers to the adults about Kanan was solid. He says, “I took a loss so you guys could win.”

‘Riq has broken all the way bad. He has no respect for his parents. Now, you could argue he should’ve just done what he was told from the beginning, but things are a bit more complicated when your family is full of drug dealers and murderers. He’s now working with the Italians on the distribution of his product and maybe plans to start his own little crime syndicate. Anyone else thinks it was creepy that he gets a fake id with the last name Stark and then goes to collect Kanan’s ashes. Suffice to say he has EXTREME daddy issues.

Speaking of daddy issues. The Tommy-Teresi game has run its course. With an assist from the Italians (courtesy of Ghost by way of Angela), Tommy learns his pops is a snitch. Not before some slick talk from Teresi to convince his longtime friend Sammy that he will, in fact, turn Tommy in and then Sammy walking in on a call to the Feds where he hears Teresi giving up dirt on Ghost but not Tommy, for the death of Mike Sandoval. A pissed off Sammy is about to tell Tommy that his pops was going to snitch and then Sammy gets stabbed by Teresi with a butcher’s knife. Did you catch all that?

The ancillary characters like Sammy and even Connie to a certain extent felt like they took screen time away from the main storylines. But part of the challenge with trying to give a main character like Tommy, a storyline and an arc outside of the other main characters, is how to wrap it cleanly and still keep him tethered to the main action. In all honesty, connecting Teresi to Tommy, Ghost, and Angela in this way wasn’t bad at all. As far as his character, you could tell Teresi was a conflicted man, all along. He did get close to Tommy and wanted to help the son he never really knew. But, it wasn’t meant to be.

Another ancillary character, whom this week was in the thick of it, Joe Proctor. He’s got his law license back and things are looking good. Or are they? Mak and Saxe are on him about giving up dirt on Ghost. They are really putting the screws to him. We’re talking lengthy jail time and losing custody of his daughter to his junkie ex-wife. Watching Proctor tremble nervously while waiting for Ghost at Truth while wearing a mic, was comical. Also, when he writes on the napkin that he’s wearing a wire and the mood and tenor of the conversation sounds forced and contrived, how could a Federal prosecutor believe that? Yes, I always tell you to suspend belief when watching television and movies. But sometimes, it’s really hard.

Ghost is not pleased when he learns Proctor is wearing a wire and almost chokes him out and throws him over the railing at Truth. Another dead body, and this time your lawyer would not have been a good idea. Good thing Ghost was able to restrain himself. LOL. After nearly dying, Proctor has his come to Jesus moment with Ghost. Proctor lets him know that the Feds are coming down hard on Angela and he needs to decide who’s it going to be. While it is true that all roads lead back to Angela and Ghost, there’s no way Ghost gets rid of her, is there? Power of love and all that…

This brings us to Angela, who along with Ghost are the central figures in this story. From the pilot episode all the way until now, five years later. Every lie, betrayal, cover-up, suppression of evidence, murder has led to this moment. But, before we get there, we must give Angela her props for catching Alicia Jimenez. Too bad it won’t save her.

Angela meets with Dre and convinces him that despite what he knows about her and Ghost, she can make his life far more difficult. But, if he helps her get Alicia off the streets, she’ll get he and his daughter protective custody. Of course, that’s bullshit as we know and, in this instance, Dre is no fool. He sees an opportunity to get rid of the Cristobal who was just promoted by Alicia to replace him. Angela and the Feds ride in on their white horses and arrest Cristobal and Alicia, giving Angela a huge win. Not everyone in the office is basking in her success.

There are no two ways around it. Her colleagues slow played her. She knows Mak and Saxe don’t like her so when they were huddled up outside of her victory party, they set the wheels in motion. The thing about working with people for a while is you pick up on their habits. They set a trap and Angela took the bait. The files were conveniently left out in the open on Mak’s desk. Angela already thinks she can turn Mak as his boss and with the promise of a promotion to another office. She doesn’t see Jerry or Tameika as threats. Hell, Jerry warned her to “watch her six.” They wait for Angela to do what she does best “cover her tracks” with the assistance of Ghost. It’s only a matter of time before the Feds know their CI Teresi is dead and it links back to Angela.

As we move into next week’s season finale it’s a pivotal moment in the future of the series. Angela’s actions, particularly this week, were ill-advised, stupid, reckless and illegal. She knew that telling Ghost would eventually lead to Teresi’s death. What’s more alarming was her belief that her position as Mak and Saxe’s boss and catching Alicia Jimenez would be enough of a buffer to protect her. Before Angela became a boss, she was insubordinate, broke all kinds of rules and laws as a means to her own end. Why would she think nobody else in her office was capable of the same?

Earlier in the episode, after Ghost drops Tariq off at Grand Central and he heads to Angela’s to confront her about getting his son involved in a plot that could’ve killed him, they have an interesting response. Angela says to Ghost, “when you have a plan in your head, nobody can convince you otherwise.” The same can be said of Angela. Both she and Ghost always believe they are the smartest people in the room, and they often are. They are the same side of the same coin. No doubt that’s part of what draws them towards each other. They see themselves in the other. Now, whether it’s the best versions of themselves or not is a whole different story. In the previews for next week’s extended season finale, it appears that Angela has a plan that’ll save them all. Where have we heard that before?

This was a really good episode, one of the best of the season in terms of developments and setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion. Ghost, Angela, Tasha, and Tommy are all in this together, for better or worse. These are people who do not trust each other. It’s easy to fall on the narrative of who will crack first and start snitching. That’s not what I see happening. These are all people who think they know what’s best and how to handle situations. Ghost and Tommy have a serious rift in their relationship. Angela and Tasha are not besties (hello Angie is a homewrecker) but they do work well together. We’ve discussed what happens when Ghost gets an idea in his head.

The season can’t end with them all making it out unscathed. Angela going to prison is an option, but then we spend the rest of the series with what? Ghost trying to bail her out, with Proctor’s help? Tommy and Dre go back to beefing over territory and connects and product? Tasha does what exactly? This is merely speculation, but I think Angela has to go. Mind you, I’m not rooting for this. But, I think it’s right and would make the series even more compelling to the end. In Angela’s grand plan to save everyone, Tommy goes off and does his own thing to protect himself because he can’t trust, Ghost, Angela or Tasha. One of the connects and/or Dre get involved. Angela is in the wrong place at the wrong time, gets dropped. Ghost finds out is heartbroken and all the rest of it. He doesn’t believe Tommy or Tasha or what anyone else says. The love of his life is dead. He goes full scorched earth and seeks vengeance. Ultimately killing everyone in his path, but of course, getting caught or killed in the end. It’s possible, right?
A few extra thoughts:

• How mad do you think Dre was when Cristobal came over and told him he and Alicia were going to smash?
• Speaking of Alicia, we are big fans of hers as you know. But this can’t be the end of a Mexican drug cartel, can it? If so. Weak.
• Tommy and Kate Egan, a really messed up mother and son combo if there ever was one.
• How is it that Ghost, Tasha or even Tommy haven’t at least slapped ‘Riq for his backtalk?
• Dre coming over to chat at Angela’s. Everybody on this show knows where Angela lives. See my theory and how this season ends.
• Why is Councilman Tate still hanging around? Something will go down at the Queens Child Project ribbon-cutting ceremony.
• We talked about the bait Mak and Saxe left for Angela in the form of Teresi. They did not protect a confidential informant. Losing a CI has consequences. Angela mentions this in her walk to the principal’s office at the end of the episode.
• Ang, if your boss calls you in for a late night meeting that wasn’t on the calendar and is briskly walking you into a conference room. It’s likely not a good sign…

What do y’all think? Get at me on twitter and Instagram @jshector Please share with your friends and people you think would enjoy the show.