The explosive conclusion to the Power Book II: Ghost season 3 finale was an ending of sorts, but it also left the door open for more exciting twists and turns in the forthcoming fourth season. Debuting in 2020 on Starz, Power Book II is a spinoff of the network's wildly popular crime drama series Power. It follows Tariq St. Patrick (Michael Rainey Jr.) as he tries to go straight while being constantly called back into the criminal world. Much like its predecessor, Power Book II is a classic crime drama that builds upon its fascinating characters in each successive season.

Though Power Book II: Ghost was the first spinoff, it was soon joined by two additional series that explore the world of Power and expand upon the vibrant characters and their backstories. The characters of Power Book II might not be the most likable, but their struggles are brilliantly written in a way that makes them relatable. The entire Power franchise finds a strong synthesis between its overt violence and crime, and the overarching ideas of family, loyalty, and ultimately power through wealth and influence. After the Power Book II: Ghost season 3 finale, the show was greenlit for season 4, though a release date hasn't been set yet.

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Power Book II: Ghost Series Recap - Everything That Happened So Far

After murdering his father Ghost (Omari Hardwick) in Power season 6, Power Book II as season 1 sees Tariq enroll at Stansfield University as a full-time student in order to inherit his father's estate. However, Tariq quickly recognizes an opportunity to make money and increase his standing, and he produces a study app that is actually a front for pushing pills on campus. This need for "product" brings him into league with the powerful Tejada clan, which is headed by the matriarch Monet (Mary J. Blige). This causes jealousy between Tariq and Cane (Woody McClain), Monet's son, which eventually leads to a violent confrontation between Tariq and his professor.

Following the murder of his professor, Tariq finds himself at a crossroads in Power Book II season 2, and that drives him even further into the arms of the Tejada crime family. Meanwhile, Monet's close association with Mecca (Daniel Sunjata) threatens her professional standing and further erodes the foundation of trust within her family. Diana (LaToya Tonodeo) begins conspiring with her father Lorenzo (Bertolo Colon), and Monet even begins to trust Cane again. Meanwhile, Tariq's relationship with Lauren (Paige Hurd) is put in jeopardy as he is dragged deeper into the hornet's nest of crime.

While the first few seasons answered questions left over after the finale of Power, the third season of Power Book II finally saw the series and its characters come into their own. Tariq tries to go straight by joining with his best friend Brayden (Gianni Paolo) as a hedge fund intern at the family business. However, Tariq's new Wall Street connections eventually lead him right back into the world of crime. A RICO investigation eerily echoes his own father's demise, and Tariq is well aware of the similarities between himself and his father. Meanwhile, Monet fall headlong into discovering who killed her son Zeke (Daniel Bellomy).

Tommy And Tasha Call A Truce

The Power Book II: Ghost season 3 finale opens with something of a shock as Tommy (Joseph Sikora) and Tasha (Naturi Naughton) are brought face to face for the first time since Power season 6. Tommy has been tipped off on the whereabouts of Tariq's mom, and he hunts her down despite her being in witness protection. Tommy is out for revenge, and the main character of Power Book IV: Force is seemingly unstoppable. The entire beef started back in Power season 6 when Tasha killed Tommy's fiancee LaKeisha (La La Anthony) accidentally, but had to conceal her actions to protect her son.

In an even bigger shock, Tasha is able to talk her way out of the situation, and she appeals to Tommy's basic humanity. Instead of fighting back, she asks for forgiveness from the man and exclaims how they are the only two members of Ghost's crew that still live. The emotional appeal works, and the duo decide to squash their beef for their own sake and for the sake of Tariq who Tommy clearly still cares for. In his own twisted way, Tommy has a chance to be a positive influence on Tariq by showing loyalty and forgiveness, two traits that will be crucial to the character going forward.

Does Brayden Quit?

Loyalty is an overarching theme throughout the season, and the Power Book II: Ghost season 3 finale illustrates that through Brayden's conflicted choices. Early in the episode, Brayden, who has found success in his family's business, finds his new life incongruous with the life of Tariq and he tells him so in an emotional scene. The duo have been best friends for years, and Brayden's departure is seemingly the last straw for Tariq who has been waffling between his two worlds all season long. Tariq plunges ahead with his dangerous schemes despite Tommy's warning and he is seemingly even more self-destructive on his path to perceived glory.

However, in a classic crime show trope, Brayden's own loyalty is a tie that binds him to a life of crime, even as he has found a path to legitimacy. In the final gunfight that concludes the season, Tariq is rescued at the last moment by his longtime friend, and Brayden dips back into crime out of respect, friendship, and a skewed sense of honor. Season 4 of Power Book II will likely show the consequences of Brayden's actions as he too has jeopardized his good standing because of his love for Tariq.

Tasha’s Drive-By

Proving herself to be one of the most cunning characters in the entire Power franchise, Tariq's fiercely protective mother Tasha clearly recognizes the signs of her own son's demise. She watched her husband fall, and even while in witness protection she has been pulling some strings behind the scenes. Even as Tariq struggles with his path, Tasha makes choices that seem to set her son up with the best chance for success, though she isn't so naive as to think he can go fully legitimate. She squashed her beef with Tommy which earned Tariq another mentor, and she knew what she had to do when Tariq didn't heed Tommy's advice.

Determined to make a big move on the Tejada family, Tariq planned to gun the matriarch down in a violent show of strength. Tommy tried to talk him out of it, but he was encouraged by Diana's own machinations as she also wanted her mother dead. Shockingly, Tasha stepped in and pulled the trigger before her son could, which was further proof she would do anything to shield Tariq. Always something of an anti-hero, Tasha choice vindicated her in many ways, though she will likely face dangerous consequences in Power Book II: Ghost season 4.

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Diana’s Double Cross

Diana's discontent with her mother has been brewing since season 2, and it finally boiled over in the Power Book II: Ghost season 3 finale. She conspired with Tariq to plan the shooting which would get her mom out of the way and usher in a new era for her family. However, Tasha's drive-by wasn't the only twist, as it was revealed that Diana ratted on Tariq after the fact, even though he didn't shoot her mother. Clearly, Diana planned to kill two birds with one stone, and the murder of her mom would remove the matriarch while allowing her to sell out her biggest up-and-coming rival.

The Real Meaning Of Power Book II: Ghost Season 3’s Ending

Unlike other shows which find a sense of balance after each season, Power Book II: Ghost never takes its foot off the gas pedal and plunges ahead. The Power Book II: Ghost season 3 finale was in keeping with that spirit, though it fulfilled its long-running theme of loyalty. Tariq is driven by a sense of loyalty to his family, and he is willing to do anything for them. Similarly, characters like Tasha and Brayden also act out of loyalty. The flip side to that is show in the villains, as Diana's lack of loyalty is the only true way to spot her for the heel that she is.