In one of the closing moments of Starz’s acclaimed crime drama “Power,” James “Ghost” St. Patrick stands in his trademark pose, dressed in a sharp grey suit, gazing over the balcony of Truth nightclub.

His son, Tariq, walks in to confront him.

With a gun drawn, the pressing question for Tariq is: When will Ghost pay for all the suffering he has inflicted? His mother, Tasha (Naturi Naughton), tried to intervene, but it was too late. The vibrant New York City club, which represented a life free from crime for the former drug kingpin turned politician, became the backdrop for his end.

Ultimately, it was his own son who brought about his downfall, despite Ghost’s efforts to shield Tariq (Michael Rainey Jr.) from his hidden life of crime. According to the “Power” writers, Tariq’s choices stemmed from “parents who over-corrected in their parenting.”

Before Tariq made the fatal decision, he had a vision of Ghost’s former mentor-turned-enemy, Kanan Stark (Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson), who had previously taught him about street life. Ghost’s long-time ally, Tommy Egan (Joseph Sikora), witnessed the tragic event and directed his gun at Tariq but ultimately told him to “let him go.”

For many viewers, the beloved main character was killed by the show’s most despised figure. Just before the finale aired in February 2020, the network revealed the “Power Universe,” an expansion of the original series that included several spinoffs, like “Power Book II: Ghost,” featuring Rainey.

Life in the ‘Big Rich Town’ isn’t always glamorous

“They say this is a Big Rich Town. I just come from the poorest part. Bright lights, city life, I gotta make it,” a hauntingly slow version of the show’s famous theme song echoed during the finale after Tasha was arrested by the FBI for Ghost’s murder. The glamorous wife of the drug lord was left in an orange jumpsuit and taken to jail as her scheme to pin the crime on her new boyfriend fell apart.

“When Tasha had to remove her wig, her lashes, the makeup, the nails, and took the blame for Tariq, it was a moment that really showed her at her lowest,” Naughton reflected. “Yet, it also highlighted her strength and maternal love.”

This scene stood in stark contrast to the earlier days of the St. Patrick family, when they enjoyed breakfast in their luxurious penthouse, as initially depicted in the show’s pilot, which aired in June 2014.

As the series progressed, the family dynamics soured, primarily due to Ghost’s affair with federal prosecutor Angela Valdes (Lela Loren), the tragic death of Tariq’s twin sister Raina (Donshea Hopkins), and the myriad challenges of being linked to a double life as a notorious drug lord.

On the day Tasha was arrested, it was just her and Tariq having breakfast at home when agents burst in and took her away. “Tariq, listen to me. Go to school,” she pleaded with tears in her eyes. “Live your life.” She was able to negotiate a deal for him to enroll in school so that he could inherit his father’s wealth after graduation.

Tasha’s heartfelt final words seamlessly transitioned into the first season of “Power Book II: Ghost,” where viewers witnessed Tariq striving to excel at Stansfield University while also navigating the harsh realities of the drug world.

‘Power Book II: Ghost’ has become ‘legendary’

Despite many fans’ initial aversion to Tariq, with some stating they wouldn’t watch a sequel, Courtney Kemp, the creator and showrunner, believed viewers would return despite the negativity.

“I knew that Michael had the talent to carry the whole show. After Ghost’s death, the story of his son grappling with the legacy, guilt, and responsibilities would be intriguing,” Kemp stated. “Additionally, the coming-of-age narrative resonates with many people. It’s a universally relatable theme.”

Like the audience, Rainey was also doubtful about the spinoff at first. However, he rose to the occasion and embraced the challenge.

“After killing Ghost, I thought, ‘No one’s going to care about this character going forward,'” Rainey, who has portrayed Tariq for ten years, shared with YSL News. “But we committed to the story. We made it happen and managed to turn the fans around.”

And he’s correct. Public sentiment surrounding Tariq changed rapidly.

“Power Book II: Ghost is a phenomenal series because it transformed Tariq St. Patrick from being the ‘most disliked character’ to someone we cheer for week after week,” commented Tyquel Campbell, the creator of @PowerTVFans, one of the show’s most popular fan pages with over 106,000 followers.

Campbell has managed this page since 2014, when the original series began capturing attention online. He proudly identifies as a longtime fan: “I have to say, the way they executed this show was incredibly impressive. No matter one’s opinion on Tariq, witnessing his character development has been captivating.”

A Record-Breaking Debut

“Power Book II: Ghost” premiered in September 2020 and quickly became a massive hit, shattering viewership records on the premium cable service’s app. It was the first spinoff to effectively connect with its intended audience right from the start, as noted by executive producer 50 Cent.

“Viewers weren’t ready for ‘Power’ to end,” he stated, emphasizing that a show featuring Black leads “demonstrates that diversity is successful. Previously, there weren’t many shows that showcased a diverse cast and crew.”

Even as a new series, it maintained a similar vibe to the original. The return of characters from the earlier show, like Councilman Tate (Larenz Tate), Cooper Saxe (Shane Johnson), Effie Morales (Alix Lapri), Brayden Weston (Gianni Paolo), and Egan, made the series feel familiar for longtime fans.

“I was able to maintain much of the same pacing, blending crime with in-depth conversations about romance, race, and socio-economic issues. We also delved into the world of academia,” Kemp shared. “As a Black kid at an Ivy League university, my experience was unique, and I wanted to portray that.”

“Power Book II: Ghost” stars Mary J. Blige as the formidable queenpin Monet Tejada and Method Man as the cunning attorney Davis Maclean—two iconic figures that fans have come to appreciate in their roles. The family conflicts within the Tejada family (notably showcased in the famous dinner scene from Season 2, Episode 8), the tense pursuit between Tariq and law enforcement, and the introduction of Noma (Caroline Chikezie), a ruthless yet alluring British drug lord, keep audiences engaged and eager for more.

Another appeal for the show is its fashion. Characters don high-end brands like Rick Owens, Louis Vuitton, Amiri, and YSL. The outfits align perfectly with the storylines and the characters’ cultural backgrounds. For instance, even in critical moments, the Tejada siblings—Cane (Woody McClain), Dru (Lovell Adams-Gray), and Diana (LaToya Tonodeo)—always make a fashion statement with stylish streetwear.

“It was essential for us as a group to portray people of color on screen in a format that’s not typically seen,” stated notable costume designer Frank Fleming regarding the wardrobe strategy for both shows. “It offered a perspective of ourselves that is often missing in TV and films.”

‘Top Show’: Fans Still Tune In at Midnight Years Later

The show’s influence on culture is evident in the statistics.

As reported by Starz, Part One of “Power Book II: Ghost” garnered over 6.5 million viewers across various platforms during its release in early June. The network also highlighted that the show set a record for the highest anticipation to view the initial episodes of a new season on its streaming service. In the “Power Universe” fandom, audiences tend to rush to catch the show at midnight to avoid spoilers.

“There’s a whole generation who barely remembers a time when ‘Power’ wasn’t on air, which is fascinating. The social media phenomenon surrounding ‘Power’ really elevates its status because it initiated this entire trend people were throwing ‘Power’ viewing parties,” Naughton commented. “It became a must-watch event in a super exciting way.”

When it was announced earlier this year that “Power Book II: Ghost” would be concluding, fans expressed disappointment. However, Rainey noted that “it’s all in God’s timing.” He reassured viewers that they would be content with the show’s conclusion in October.

The “Power Universe,” which also encompasses “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” and “Power Book IV: Force,” has amassed over 1.5 billion hours of global viewing, according to Starz. An upcoming installment titled “Origins” is also being developed.

“Everything that 50 Cent has told me would happen has indeed happened. That’s the truth. Therefore, I’d say, don’t question Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson. Stick with him. He’s aligned with the winning team,” commented Sikora, the lead actor in “Force.” “I’m very thankful to the team at Starz for carrying this on and listening to the countless fans worldwide.”

For 50 Cent, who has transitioned from a hip-hop superstar to a major figure in the television industry, has made a significant impact with his projects.

“My goal is for this to be celebrated as the best show for a decade!”