Spoiler Warning: This review covers major plot points from Season 4, Episode 1 of Power Book III: Raising Kanan. Fans who haven’t watched “Gangstas Don’t Die” may want to catch up before reading.
A Vengeful Ghost Returns
Starz’s Raising Kanan blasts into Season 4 with a premiere that’s equal parts aftermath and rebirth. The episode’s most jaw-dropping revelation is the survival of Kadeem “Unique” Mathis (Joey Bada$$), the charismatic antagonist long presumed dead. In a Power universe twist, Unique wasn’t in that ill-fated warehouse during the Season 3 finale’s carnage at all – he appears only after the smoke clears, very much alive and simmering with purpose
Through a cleverly placed flashback, the show rewinds three months to reveal how Unique cheated death. Bludgeoned and left for dead by his own brother, Ronnie, Unique clawed his way to a payphone and summoned help
A loyal associate, Early Tyler, spirited him to a back-alley veterinarian for makeshift care, buying time and secrecy. This gritty resurrection sequence is classic Power: gritty, tense, and steeped in survivalism. It’s a thrilling narrative gambit that pays off – “Gangstas Don’t Die” indeed, and Unique’s near-supernatural endurance validates the episode’s title in spades.
Joey Bada$$ slips back into Unique’s shoes seamlessly, conveying physical frailty beneath the character’s trademark swagger. As he recuperates in hiding, Unique gains a new perspective on his supposed demise. Early encourages him to treat being presumed dead as a “superpower,” an invisibility cloak that lets him observe his rivals with impunity
. The notion that absence can be weaponized is a compelling thematic undercurrent – Unique has literally become a ghost, and this ghost is hungry for vengeance. By the time he’s strong enough to prowl the streets again, Unique has learned which of his former territories have been snatched up and who’s been making moves in his absence. The biggest offender in his eyes? Raquel “Raq” Thomas.
Betrayal or Business? Unique Sets His Sights on Raq
Back in the present timeline, Unique emerges from the shadows as a changed man – scarred, smarter, and convinced he was betrayed. When Early reports that Raq (Patina Miller) wasted no time taking over Unique’s corners and business, it cements a dangerous narrative in Unique’s mind: Raq must have orchestrated the attempt on his life. In his view, she used Ronnie as a pawn to eliminate him and then swooped in to claim his throne. This belief might be pure conjecture (even Early cautions that he’s making big assumptions), but it taps into the show’s long-running theme of paranoia and power grabs. In the drug game, perception is reality, and Unique perceives Raq’s expansion as proof of her guilt
The dynamic between Unique and Raq was fraught even before this revelation – Season 3 saw them as uneasy allies-turned-lovers-turned-adversaries. Now, with Unique painting a target on Raq, their relationship hurtles back into outright hostility. The episode masterfully builds tension toward their inevitable confrontation. In one of the final scenes, Unique stands over the lifeless body of Ronnie in that same warehouse, pistol drawn and aimed at unseen figures – Raq and her crew – departing the crime scene. It’s a chilling tableau that promises a fierce collision ahead. The stage is set for a gangland chess match between two of South Jamaica’s shrewdest players, and the audience is keenly aware that this time it’s personal. Unique’s quest for vengeance isn’t just business; it’s laced with heartbreak and betrayal.
For Raq, the specter of Unique’s revenge looms just as she thought she’d secured her empire. Patina Miller continues to imbue Raq with steely resolve and subtle vulnerability, and in this episode we see both on display. Unbeknownst to her, the man she perhaps underestimated (and once cared for) is plotting his return strike. The writing smartly uses dramatic irony here – viewers are privy to Unique’s survival and his plans, while Raq remains in the dark. This layered storytelling keeps fans on edge, anticipating how and when she’ll discover that her one-time rival is not only alive but convinced she set him up. When that bombshell drops, it’s bound to reshape alliances and danger levels across the board.
Raq’s Secrets and Sacrifices
Episode 1 doesn’t just resurrect old enemies; it also delves deeper into Raq’s personal journey, adding new shades to her character. A significant subplot in the flashback reveals that Raq became pregnant with Unique’s child in the brief window when they were romantically entwined.
This development is a stunner for both character and audience – the fierce queenpin discovering she’s carrying her rival’s baby is rich dramatic fodder. True to form, Raq approaches this twist with cool pragmatism. She opts for an abortion, painfully aware that motherhood (again) is a liability she cannot afford amidst escalating turf wars. In a quietly powerful sequence, Raq navigates the ordeal alone, save for her young cousin Jukebox (Hailey Kilgore) who drives her home from the clinic. Raq entrusts Jukebox with the truth, confessing not only the pregnancy but that Unique was the father. It’s one of the few times we see Raq let down her guard, even admitting she “could have” loved Unique under different circumstances. This candor underscores Raq’s complexity: she’s ruthless in pursuit of power, yet not immune to human connection and regret.
Thematically, Raq’s secret pregnancy and swift termination highlight the sacrifices at the heart of the episode. Just as Unique sacrifices his freedom to stay in hiding and heal, Raq sacrifices a piece of her soul (and a potential future) to remain the uncompromising leader she needs to be. The episode draws a subtle parallel between these foes: both have been forced into isolation – Unique physically, Raq emotionally – by the brutal demands of their world. When Raq steeled herself to eliminate Detective Howard (Omar Epps) in last season’s climax and now makes the agonizing choice to end her pregnancy, it’s clear she will do whatever it takes to preserve her power and family. However, those choices come at a cost. Miller’s portrayal in the aftermath – a mix of stoic composure and flickers of pain – keeps Raq sympathetic even when her decisions are cold. It’s the kind of layered character work that elevates Raising Kanan beyond a simple crime saga into a character-driven drama about family and identity.
Family Ties and The Tension of Dual Lives
Amid the high-octane revenge and drug-game maneuvers, Raising Kanan never forgets it’s also the story of a family. Kanan Stark (MeKai Curtis) spends much of this episode grappling with comparatively normal teenage concerns, which intriguingly contrasts the chaos swirling around him. Tasked with a high school project about his grandparents, Kanan is pulled back into the orbit of his roots. This academic assignment becomes an unexpected narrative device to explore the Thomas family history – and to reveal more secrets. While interviewing relatives about his late grandfather, Kanan learns his grandmother (played by Latoya Peterson) is quietly battling cancer. She swears him to secrecy, not wanting her children (Raq, Marvin, and Lou-Lou) to know about her illness. Now Kanan, like his mother, shoulders a heavy secret for the sake of family unity.
This storyline might seem mundane next to shootings and revenge plots, but it grounds the episode in emotional reality. It reminds viewers that Kanan is still a teenager straddling two worlds: the innocence of school and family legacy versus the bloodstained streets of Queens. Thematically, the idea of dual lives – the face one shows to family vs. the face one shows to the streets – runs through the episode. We see Marvin (London Brown) handling a side job for the mob, flexing his enforcer muscles on an errant son-in-law to earn favor with an Italian boss, all while keeping Raq uninformed to protect her. We also catch up with Lou-Lou (Malcolm Mays), numbing his disappointments with drink after his music dreams fizzled and his role in the business diminished. Each character is juggling personal struggles with the roles they play in the crime family. This rich tapestry of subplots ensures the episode isn’t only about plot twists; it’s about how those twists reverberate through relationships.
Crucially, Kanan’s evolving dynamic with Raq continues to anchor the show. The trust between mother and son is still fractured – Kanan is keeping his grandmother’s condition under wraps, and likely still resents Raq for past deceptions (remember, he learned last season that Detective Howard was his real father, a truth Raq hid for years). In Episode 1, there’s a brief, poignant exchange where Raq tells Kanan that no matter how much he hates her right now, she will always love him unconditionally. It’s a reminder that beneath the lies and power plays, this story is ultimately about a parent and child. How much longer can Raq protect Kanan from the fallout of her war with Unique? And will Kanan stand by his mother or inch further away as the streets demand more of him? These questions quietly simmer through the family scenes, giving the episode a strong emotional core amid the impending violence.
Storytelling & Direction: Gearing Up for Conflict
“Gangstas Don’t Die” is paced with confidence, juggling multiple timeframes and story threads without losing clarity or momentum. The decision to open with immediate aftermath, then rewind via flashback to explain Unique’s fate, is a smart storytelling move – it hooks viewers with the shocking present (Unique alive on the scene) and then satisfies curiosity with a coherent backstory. Director Rob Hardy and showrunner Sascha Penn use this structure to excellent effect. The flashback sequences have a tense, almost claustrophobic feel as Unique fights for survival in dingy hideouts, contrasting with the more open, day-lit scenes of the present where Raq and Kanan go about “business as usual” unaware of the storm brewing. This juxtaposition underscores a central tension: the unknown threat. We as an audience see the storm (Unique) gathering strength in secret, which adds a layer of suspense to every scene of Raq confidently expanding her empire.
The episode’s technical elements – from its early ’90s period detail to the soundtrack laced with era-appropriate hip-hop and R&B – continue to immerse fans in the world that Power built. Notably, the writing doesn’t shy away from quieter moments amid the action. Scenes like Raq’s silent contemplation after her positive pregnancy test, or Kanan leafing through old family photos for his project, give the narrative breathing room and deeper resonance. When the action hits, it hits hard (the final warehouse showdown is brisk and brutal), but Raising Kanan understands that the build-up is just as important. By re-establishing its characters’ emotional stakes now, the show ensures that the inevitable clashes to come will carry weight.
Tonally, Season 4’s opener balances the show’s trademark grit with a sense of inevitability. The title mantra “Gangstas Don’t Die” isn’t just about literal survival – it’s almost a prophecy that the cycle of violence and retribution in this world is unending. We see it in how swiftly new conflicts replace the old: Unique survives one attempt on his life only to initiate another blood feud; Raq eliminates one threat (Detective Howard) and immediately faces a resurrected adversary. There’s an operatic rhythm to it all, a feeling that these characters are locked in a destiny of rivalry that only death could break… and even death, as Unique proves, is a revolving door in the Power universe.
The Road Ahead: Season 4’s High Stakes
If this premiere is any indication, Season 4 is gearing up to be a high-stakes battle royale that will test the bonds of the Thomas family like never before. Unique’s return from the grave not only injects fresh adrenaline into the series but also complicates the power dynamics in fascinating ways. For one, Raq – who has prided herself on being two steps ahead of every enemy – may finally be caught off-guard. How will the queenpin react when she discovers the man she thought eliminated is back and blaming her for everything? And given the remnants of affection (or at least respect) that once existed between them, will their showdown be purely ruthless, or tinged with the personal history they share? Such questions add nuance to what could otherwise be a straightforward revenge arc.
Meanwhile, Kanan’s journey towards the hardened man we know from Power is subtly accelerating. Each lie and secret between him and Raq widens the rift. Jukebox, ever the observant cousin, is now privy to one of Raq’s deepest secrets and serves as a moral compass of sorts in the family; how long before Kanan seeks truth from her, or stumbles upon information that forces him to choose sides? Marvin’s successful favor for the mob hints that the Thomas crew could gain a powerful ally – or entangle with dangerous outsiders – as the turf war with Unique heats up. And we can’t forget Lou-Lou, whose disillusionment might make him a wild card in the conflict to come. He’s lost his passion for music and has little love left for the drug game; that kind of despair can lead to reckless decisions that shake up the family from within.
By episode’s end, the chess pieces are moving into place swiftly. Unique, our phoenix from the ashes, has a killer glint in his eye and a score to settle. Raq stands unwittingly on the brink of a war she thought she’d already won. The Thomas family’s internal bonds – mothers and sons, brothers and sisters, cousins – are strong but strained, and external enemies are circling. It’s an explosive mix that promises riveting drama ahead.
Bottom Line
“Gangstas Don’t Die” is a potent Season 4 opener that delivers what fans crave: shocking twists, deepened character layers, and the promise of relentless drama. The revelation of Unique’s survival and his conviction that Raq set him up provides the episode’s thrilling spine, while thoughtful subplots about family secrets and personal sacrifices give it heart. The storytelling is confident, toggling between past and present to fill in gaps without deflating tension. Performances are top-notch – from Joey Bada$$’s menacing resilience as Unique to Patina Miller’s commanding portrayal of a queenpin in emotional turmoil – anchoring the show’s heightened stakes in genuine emotion.
By focusing on the fallout of last season’s choices, the premiere sets a tone of reckoning: ghosts of the past (literally, in Unique’s case) are back to haunt, and every decision carries weight. For a series that’s always been about the making of a kingpin (raising Kanan Stark), this episode reminds us that the making often comes through fire. As fans, we’re once again strapped in for that wild ride – a blend of family saga and crime thriller – and if the first hour is anything to go by, Raising Kanan Season 4 is poised to be the show’s most explosive chapter yet.