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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.

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Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

Tariq Kills Ghost - Power

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC0roGvOeUY

“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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmHojD-D9iA

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

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

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myxOp6m9EnY

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6kX_4qmIec

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUTC1v-6p3U

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsYm2kvw_04

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

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

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9IwvNJrUaA

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRs2NNXsW8w

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wrh-Z4EgduI

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.

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