The Most Shocking Moments of 50 Cent’s ‘Power’ Franchise

As ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ season 4 premieres, marking the 10th anniversary of the franchise, we’re highlighting the universe’s most shocking moments.

Photo: Starz

For the most part, there are no good people in the “Power” universe. Yeah, they all pretty much seem to be terrible—which means no one is safe from being killed off from the show. However, the very specific code these characters live by also often leads to outrageous, unexpected decisions. With the franchise celebrating its 10th anniversary, and “Power Book II: Ghost” set to premiere its fourth season, we’re looking back at some of the most shocking moments from the “Power” universe—created and produced by Courtney A. Kemp in collaboration with rapper 50 Cent.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Bakari Sellers: Why Elon Musk Should Scare Everyone

Tariq Kills Ghost – Power

“Power” was always going to end with Ghost’s death (that’s how mob shows usually work). Having Tariq be the killer was a real gut punch to viewers who’d become deeply invested in the complex St. Patrick family dynamics.

Tasha Returns – Power Book II: Ghost

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJmE3hRhpeY

It was so surprising that Tasha would return to be involved in her son’s life. The shock of seeing her again was more about in demand actress Naturi Naughton having time to come back and wrap up her character’s story.

Kanan Kills His Own Son – Power

We all knew Kanan was ruthless and never to be trusted, but killing his own son as part of a plot against Ghost was low even for him.

Tasha Kills LaKeisha – Power

If you plan to have any sort of happy ending in the “Power” universe, you’re essentially signing your death warrant. It also doesn’t help to be romantically involved with Tommy Egan because that hasn’t ended well for any woman.

Tariq Reads Ghost’s Letter – Power Book II: Ghost

When Tariq was arrested, he received a letter from his dead ffather. If you were expecting a deep, emotional scene, sorry this absolutely was not the moment for you.

Unique Is Alive – Power Book III: Raising Kanan

Fans definitely felt some type of way about Unique’s death. Thankfully, Joey Bada$$ felt the same way and everyone got a surprise at the end in the Season 3 finale.

Ghost Destroys Marshal Clyde – Power

One of the reasons Ghost was able to stay in power so long was because he tried to keep emotion out of his business decisions. When he was in prison, the stress of everything he’d been holding in got to him, he snapped and beat a guard to death. Even by “Power” standards, it was a shocking outburst of rage.

Diana Goes Nuclear at Tejada Family Dinner – Power Book II: Ghost

It’s not easy being the child of a drug queenpin, especially when it’s the fierceMonet Tejada. Fed up with her mother’s BS, Diana went scorched Earth at a family dinner and revealed everyone’s secrets.

Kanan Betrays Jukebox – Power

This one hit even harder after we watched them grow up together on “Raising Kanan.” Jukebox never failed to have his back and do horrible things to help his empire, so in retrospect it was heartbreaking.

Vic Kills Walter – Power Book IV: Force

No one cried any tears over Walter’s death, he was always destined to die horribly. What made it so surprising was that Vic did the deed himself after working with his sister to have their father ambushed.

Theo Sacrifices Himself to Protect Davis – Power Book II: Ghost

Photo: Starz Photo: Starz

Loyalty is the common thread among all the series. Theo takes that to new levels when he kills Cooper Saxe to avenge his brother’s betrayal. After he handles that piece of business, he takes his own life.

Kanan Goes Out Guns Blazing – Power

There’s no way a man like Kanan was going to peacefully surrender and go to jail. That was never how his story was going to end.

Tommy Kills Holly – Power

Screenshot: Power Screenshot: Power

Tommy Egan is not a good guy, so it wasn’t a shock that his girlfriend’s attempt to kill Ghost sent him into a murderous rage. It was the fact that she was pregnant that made it even worse.

Raina’s Death – Power

As awful as they are, you can at least understand why some deaths are necessary to the storyline of the season. Raina’s death will always feel senseless.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Black Directors Who Should Have Oscars, But Don't

Black Directors Who Should Have Oscars, But Don’t

As Ryan Coogler could make history at the 2026 Oscars, let’s look back at Black directors whose films deserved more recognition than they got! …
Why Everybody is Suddenly Giving Black Women Their Much-Deserved Flowers!

Why Everybody is Suddenly Giving Black Women Their Much-Deserved Flowers!

From Sterling K. Brown to white folks on TikTok, Black women are finally receiving their flowers for being the backbone of society— and we love to see it …
Black Americans Respond to Possible Boots on the Ground as Iran Conflict Rages Forward

Black Americans Respond to Possible Boots on the Ground as Iran Conflict Rages Forward

Black folks woke up on the last day of Black History Month to military strikes in Iran. Now, they’re voicing frustrations as questions about ground troops arise …
Former Black Inmate Makes History as First Ever in U.S. to Buy a Prison Facility

Former Black Inmate Makes History as First Ever in U.S. to Buy a Prison Facility

Kerwin Pittman becomes the first formerly incarcerated Black man to buy a U.S. prison, transforming a site of confinement into a reentry campus …
Full Timeline of Dwight Howard and Amy Luciani's Rocky 14-Month Marriage Now Headed to Divorce

Full Timeline of Dwight Howard and Amy Luciani’s Rocky 14-Month Marriage Now Headed to Divorce

Folks online who followed Dwight Howard and Amy Luciani’s marriage say its been rocky early on before Howard filed for divorce. Here’s the full rundown …
NBA Shuts Down Atlanta Hawks' 'Magic City Monday' Promotion, Black Twitter Responds

NBA Shuts Down Atlanta Hawks’ ‘Magic City Monday’ Promotion, Black Twitter Responds

The NBA canceled the Atlanta Hawks’ collab with the popular strip club after growing backlash …
Lil Baby is Trying to Save His Atlanta Neighborhood, One Property at a Time

Lil Baby is Trying to Save His Atlanta Neighborhood, One Property at a Time

After gentrification pushed thousands of Black folks out of historic Atlanta neighborhoods, rapper Lil Baby returns to his stomping grounds with a new business plan …
Smoothie King Fired Staff Who Refused MAGA Couple Service— But Here’s the Ironic Double Standard Everyone is Missing

Smoothie King Fired Staff Who Refused MAGA Couple Service— But Here’s the Ironic Double Standard Everyone is Missing

Two Michigan Smoothie King workers were canned after refusing service to pro-Trump customers, meanwhile, Black folks are calling out a double standard …
Howard University Athletes Take a Stand Against New Kneeling Policy for the National Anthem

Howard University Athletes Take a Stand Against New Kneeling Policy for the National Anthem

Since 2020, athletes at Howard University have kneeled to protest the national anthem. Now, a new policy banning kneeling is causing trouble …
Why The New Yorker's Drawing of Wunmi Mosaku Has Fans Furious 

Why The New Yorker’s Drawing of Wunmi Mosaku Has Fans Furious 

‘Sinners’ star Wunmi Mosaku has been riding high off her first Oscar nomination, but one drawing didn’t reflect that and fans are calling it out! …
Locksmith Refuses Service to Black Chick-fil-A Owner – Then Gets Hit With a Reality Check

Locksmith Refuses Service to Black Chick-fil-A Owner – Then Gets Hit With a Reality Check

A Black Chick-fil-A franchise owner went viral after recalling how a locksmith refused to help her because he didn’t believe she was the owner …
How One Black Woman is Saying No to Work and Yes to Unapologetic Rest

How One Black Woman is Saying No to Work and Yes to Unapologetic Rest

After being laid off in 2025, Brandy Walker is launching a one-year sabbatical for all Black women to join! …
You Won't Believe Why Stephen A. Smith Is Not Running For President in 2028

You Won’t Believe Why Stephen A. Smith Is Not Running For President in 2028

The host of ESPN’s “First Take” has been open about possibly running for the highest office in the nation …
Terrence Howard Just Said The Quiet Part Out Loud About Black Boys and Sexual Abuse

Terrence Howard Just Said The Quiet Part Out Loud About Black Boys and Sexual Abuse

Terrence Howard’s painful story exposes a truth we rarely confront. Black boys are vulnerable to abuse but are almost never treated like victims …
Strange New Details Emerge About Suspect in Rihanna Home Shooting

Strange New Details Emerge About Suspect in Rihanna Home Shooting

After shots were shockingly fired at Rihanna’s home on Sunday, the singer and the public finally have some good news …
Tony! Toni! Toné! Drama: Founder's Family Fights Over Disinheritance

Tony! Toni! Toné! Drama: Founder’s Family Fights Over Disinheritance

D’Wayne Wiggins passed away in March 2025 after a year-long battle with bladder cancer …
Alabama Is Set to Execute A Black Man Who Didn't Kill Anyone

Alabama Is Set to Execute A Black Man Who Didn’t Kill Anyone

Three decades after being sentenced for a murder he didn’t even witness, Sonny Burton is now only days away from his scheduled execution …
Beyond Damson Idris:Lori Harvey's Star-Studded Dating Life

Beyond Damson Idris:Lori Harvey’s Star-Studded Dating Life

With Lori Harvey and her ex-boo Damson Idris back in headlines, let’s take a look at the socialite and budding actress’ dating history! …
Pastor Seen Shoving Elderly Woman Down Church Steps on Camera, Speaks out

Pastor Seen Shoving Elderly Woman Down Church Steps on Camera, Speaks out

A California pastor accused of pushing a church elder down a short flight of cement steps and out a metal gate just shared his side of the story …
How Trump's White Female Voters Got Played

How Trump’s White Female Voters Got Played

Opinion: White women thought they were winning under Trump. They did not realize they were just being used …