Power: Season 1/ Episode 1 "Not Exactly How We Planned" [Series Premiere] – Overview/ Review (with Spoilers)

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Overview

A man who has risen to prominence finds himself at a crossroad. One which he has the life of a potential drug cartel ahead of him, or becoming a successful, and legit, businessman.

Review (with Spoilers)

For those familiar with Skins season 1, I want you to consider Omari Hardwick to be the Nicholas Hoult of this show. He is the grounding force, the clearly most talented, and perhaps the one who could teach the rest of the cast a thing or two so they can get better. For while the story is on point with us watching James aka “Ghost” (Omari Hardwick) balance a life between being a legit businessman and gangster, those surrounding him are just good enough, though far from spectacular.

Topic 1: The Family Man – James and Tasha

When it comes to James, three things come to mind. The first being that he is a family man. He has two daughters and one son with wife Tasha (Naturi Naughton), and they live the life of the upper crust. Of course, though, things weren’t always this nice. Before the fancy suits, Gucci purses, and Tasha having red carpet attire, both were just working poor folk. James, under the persona “Ghost,” was hustling to make money and Tasha was cool dating a thug, and still is. After all, she is a ride or die chick who may not be tested often, but when she is asked to do something there are no question but where and when?

But, from what it seems, Tasha wasn’t always first choice. Said honor may belong to Angela (Lela Loren) who can be considered the one who got away. She is the self-described around the way girl who left the neighborhood, went to college, became a lawyer, and upon Ghost seeing her after 18 some odd years, despite his marriage and kids with Tasha, old feelings rise and he seems to want to explore them. How far he may go though is up to question.

Topic 2: The Business Man – James & Tommy

When it comes to James, his main inspiration in life comes from his father who has passed on. His dad was a nightclub owner, as James is now as a front for his main current business. However, with the power and prestige that comes from doing legit work, it seems this is where James wishes to be. Something his close friend Tommy (Joseph Sikora) doesn’t seem to fully get for more money is made dealing than with this club in which they are losing money, and because it is losing money, and the drug game is what is supporting both their lifestyles, to Tommy that should be their real focus.

Thing is, James seems to be slowly distancing himself from being at the heart of the business and leaving Tommy to the drug game. Still, though, with them rising up in the game comes the need for alliances. One in particular with a Mexican drug cartel known as Lobos is one of the main reasons they look so successful. Lobos is using James and Tommy to get his product into New York, and in their deal, James and Tommy are supposed to make sure Lobos doesn’t have to worry about the local gangs and gets his money on time. Something which becomes slightly difficult as others get jealous of this lucrative deal.

That isn’t James’ only problem, though. Angela finds herself on a task force aimed squarely at taking Lobos out, and though James’ connection isn’t fully discovered yet, surely it will be. However, there is the chance they may give him a way out. Leading you to wonder if not only will James take it, but who he may have to betray in the process? For I doubt this deal is going to extend to every last associate of his.

Topic 3: The Gangster – James & Tasha

Focusing back on the local jealousy, though, with one of Ghost’s runner getting hit he decides to handle a possible person who may know something personally, to no avail. So, since the man wouldn’t open his mouth, he gets shot in the head. From there, both Tommy and Ghost go around seeing who knows what when it comes to the local gangs. One man, Carlos “Vibora” Ruiz seems to be someone who isn’t letting on how much he may really know. And I say this solely because Lobos approaches him and seems interested in maybe working with him. If just because Lobos has lost faith in James and is ready to no longer think of James as an exception but instead like the rest of the, well said word I don’t wish to post.

But, don’t think Ghost, Lobos, and Vibora are the only ones proving they are gangster. With Tasha seeing her husband and Angela getting too close, she decides to play with one of James’ friends, and driver, named Shawn (Sinqua Walls) by having a self-love moment in the back of the car with the partition down. Something which surely messed up Shawn’s mind because you can tell he got a little crush on Tasha. However, with this move we see Tasha is capable of messing with people’s heads, and since she has no problem covering up evidence, and does seem like she could mess someone up, I would not take the fact that she is living in a penthouse as any sign she couldn’t whoop some ass, or bust a cap. It is just she doesn’t need to really.