Marvin gave millions of fans what they wanted with his beating on Kanan, and that’s saying a lot because viewers watched Kanan get shot and killed on-screen in the original Power series. Even knowing exactly how Kanan’s story ends, audiences were still eager to see him finally face consequences for the trail of destruction he has left behind in Power Book III: Raising Kanan. After escalating tensions across New York, and ultimately being held responsible for Lou-Lou’s fate, Kanan finally met someone who wasn’t afraid to make him answer for his actions.
Episode 5, “School of War,” was packed with major revelations, shocking deaths, and long-awaited fan service, but nothing generated more excitement than Marvin’s explosive confrontation with his nephew.
The episode opens with Raq and Marvin discussing the fallout from Kanan’s reckless decisions. Marvin is furious after learning Kanan’s actions nearly damaged an important business relationship, and Raq explains she withheld the truth because she wanted to prevent Marvin from reacting emotionally. Even then, it’s clear Marvin’s patience with Kanan has completely run out.
While Raq attempts to repair relationships with her allies, Stefano continues building support against her. He approaches Kanan directly, making it clear he’s preparing to move against Raq and hoping Kanan will remain on his side. Kanan doesn’t hesitate, making it obvious he’s more concerned with protecting his own interests than defending his mother. It’s another reminder that family loyalty means very little to him at this stage.
Raq later meets with Pino, who informs her that Stefano doesn’t believe her claims of innocence. Although Pino warns that Stefano’s campaign against her is far from over, Stefano begins approaching nearly everyone connected to Raq’s organization in an effort to isolate her before making his next move.
Across town, Kanan continues strengthening his partnership with Breeze. When a supplier refuses to acknowledge Breeze’s authority, Breeze wastes no time reminding everyone exactly who’s in charge. Together, they brutally beat the supplier into submission, sending a message that anyone questioning their role in the organization will face immediate consequences.
The partnership between Breeze and Kanan extends beyond intimidation. During one of their conversations, Breeze reveals more details about Raq’s history, claiming she killed Def Con and seized his operation years earlier. Breeze uses those stories to reinforce Kanan’s growing resentment toward his mother while encouraging him to separate business from family. Their conversations make it increasingly clear that Breeze isn’t simply mentoring Kanan—he’s shaping the ruthless mindset that eventually defines the character fans met in the original Power.
One of the episode’s biggest moments arrives through a subtle but significant Easter egg. For more than a decade, fans have heard references to Breeze’s obsession with watching Jeopardy! in the original series. Episode 5 finally pays off that longstanding piece of franchise lore by showing Breeze inside his apartment sitting down to watch the iconic game show himself. The moment immediately connects to the story Ghost once told about killing Breeze while he refused to stop watching television, confirming a theory fans have debated for years.
Elsewhere, Joaquin attempts to remain above the growing conflict. Unlike many figures in the drug game, Joaquin has always preferred maintaining business relationships rather than escalating violence. Even while warning Raq about respecting boundaries, he avoids choosing sides. Unfortunately, neutrality rarely guarantees survival in the Power universe.
Breeze and Kanan ultimately target Joaquin as part of their strategy to weaken Raq’s network. After confronting him at a boxing match, Breeze and Kanan execute Joaquin and his bodyguard. Before dying, Joaquin warns Breeze that the same fate awaits him one day—a chilling reminder of the violent cycle that defines nearly every kingpin in the franchise.
Meanwhile, Jukebox continues expanding her own operation while investigating Famous’ murder. She recruits trusted allies into her growing business and pressures Detective Garcia for answers surrounding the case. Garcia confirms investigators now suspect dirty cops were involved, but Kanan shows little interest in pursuing justice. The death of his childhood friend no longer motivates him the way it once would have, highlighting just how emotionally detached he’s becoming.
Another storyline continues developing between Kanan and Jarita. Their relationship grows more personal as Jarita’s changing priorities create tension within the organization, setting the stage for future conflict that could place both Jarita and Kanan in serious danger.
Throughout the episode, Stefano relentlessly pressures Raq’s business partners to abandon her. He meets with both Pino and Flossie, hoping to isolate Raq before launching another attack. Neither agrees to betray her, but Stefano’s persistence demonstrates that removing Raq remains his top priority.
Pino also delivers perhaps the episode’s most important piece of advice when he tells Raq that good parents know when it’s time to lay a heavy hand on their children. Those words linger with Raq, who becomes increasingly convinced that Kanan must finally be held accountable for everything he’s done.
That accountability arrives in devastating fashion.
After Raq and Marvin abduct Primo hoping to extract information about Kanan’s operation, Primo insists he knows nothing beyond making deliveries. Frustrated, Raq executes him on the spot. Marvin is horrified, believing Raq is allowing her emotions to dictate every decision. But everything changes when Raq reveals her ultimate truth to Marvin: that Kanan killed Lou-Lou.
The revelation instantly transforms Marvin’s grief into uncontrollable rage.
Without hesitation, Marvin tracks Kanan down and delivers one of the most brutal beatings ever shown in the Power universe. He slams Kanan through walls, repeatedly punches him, and refuses to stop even as Jukebox desperately intervenes. Marvin tells both Kanan and Jukebox exactly why he’s doing it—Lou-Lou is dead because of Kanan.
For many fans, it was the moment they’d been waiting years to see. Kanan has manipulated, betrayed, and destroyed nearly every relationship around him throughout the series. Watching Marvin finally force him to answer for those choices delivered an emotional payoff that resonated far beyond a typical fight scene.
The beating also serves as a defining moment for Kanan’s future. As an older Kanan narrates during the closing moments, a beating like that doesn’t leave someone humbled—it leaves them hungry for revenge. Rather than ending the conflict between uncle and nephew, Marvin may have created an even more dangerous enemy.
With Joaquin dead, Stefano closing in, Breeze gaining influence, Jukebox uncovering new secrets, and Kanan now determined to retaliate against Marvin, Power Book III: Raising Kanan heads into its midseason break with nearly every major storyline poised to explode.
Episode 5 balanced shocking violence with meaningful character development while rewarding longtime fans through carefully placed callbacks to the original Power. Yet among all the twists, betrayals, and deaths, one scene overshadowed everything else. Marvin didn’t simply beat Kanan—he delivered the consequences viewers had been waiting five seasons to see, reminding everyone that even in the Power universe, every action eventually demands a price.
