Upamanyu Biswas
After a retrospective start to season 4, the second episode of ‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan,’ titled ‘It’s All Love,’ jumps straight into gear as we finally see our favorite characters try to move on with their lives following season 3’s bombastic end. The first episode provided all the context surrounding Unique and how he is now on a revenge mission against Raq and Kanan. However, the Thomas family has more problems on its plate than worrying about what Unique might do next, especially considering the fact that they are unaware if he is even alive. The FBI’s interest remains a concern for Raq, who worries about her operation’s safety and what the authorities might do next. Meanwhile, Lou-Lou starts to take strides towards a positive reformation, similar to his brother from a few seasons ago. SPOILERS AHEAD.
The Thomas Family Make Hay With the Task Force Gone
Episode 2 starts with Jukebox training to be a soldier at Fort Mosby, doubling down on her aspirations to join the army from the flashback episode. Elsewhere, the NYPD addresses the media as news of Howard and Ronnie’s death becomes public. They allege that the two were somehow in cahoots with one another. Raq and Marvin watch the broadcast live on television with their attorney, Andre Barnes. The latter tells Raq that the task force is gone, and any inquest into Marvin has been pulled back, leaving her brother free from any external scrutiny. However, the family matriarch is still worried about the FBI’s involvement. Barnes promises to keep her posted on the situation. Unique travels back to his old stomping grounds, clearly dealing with some demons in his head as he punches a hole in the wall.
As Kanan goes back to his drug business, Krystal comes by to visit. The two share some tender moments together. Miles away, Lou-Lou is let out of Cedar Shores Rehabilitation Center, finally leaving the medical facility with a clean bill of health and ready to make amends for his past lapses. Marvin picks him up from the spot. Krystal and Kanan get handsy with one another, eventually deciding to have sex. However, the latter is out of protection, which makes Krystal unwilling to go through with the plan. She got pregnant the last time and got rid of it because he wanted to do so. In actuality, she wants to have Kanan’s baby and knows about his flings with other girls. The boy is frustrated to watch her walk out of the room. Captain Luis Baptiste brings Detective Garcia into his room to tell him that the investigation into Howard’s death is far from over.
On the drive back home, Lou-Lou and Marvin have a long chat about personal stuff. The former tells his sibling that he appreciates the help he always shows him, no matter what. He also says he has a new music deal lined up. Kanan runs into his mom while sorting out his clothes in the laundry room. She tells him that she will provide him with a heads-up for an inventory issue he is facing. Their bond is still fraught with tension despite them being on talking terms. While walking through the neighborhood at night, Kanan is jumped by Detective Garcia, who beats him up and questions him about Famous’ whereabouts. The detective also brings up Howard’s death, asking the boy if he knows something about it. It’s all personal now between Garcia and the Thomas family.
Marvin Loses Control While Lou-Lou Gets a New Opportunity
After reaching home, Lou-Lou is disgusted by the state of his room. He begins cleaning up the apartment, reflecting the positive change in his mindset. Jukebox hears that a fellow trainee has been dishonorably discharged from the army because some gay magazines were found in his possessions. She is amazed that such a small infraction is enough to have him kicked out. Meanwhile, Marvin catches a worker stealing drugs from the main supply. Raq meets up with Quân to discuss the pricing of their partnership. However, the latter has demands of his own and hikes up the cost for Raq to do business with him. She is stunned by this bold move, clearly figuring out some way to discredit Quan’s actions. Stefano gets in touch with Marvin again, informing him that his daughter and Tomasso are now expecting a child.
The New York godfather also hands Marvin another job of a similar type to the one he carried out on Tomasso. He has to rough up a bookie who has been creating chaos for Stefano’s enterprise. In the meantime, Lou-Lou meets up with a record producer at a prestigious label company known as Low Street Records. The producer asks him about Famous’ whereabouts, which he has no way of knowing. As they keep talking, it becomes clear that the producer, whose name is Lowell Gelfand, wants Lou-Lou to take over a newly established hip-hop imprint within the company, with a specific specialization in rap music. Lou-Lou is taken aback by the offer, including the money he will be provided to produce music for the company. However, he wants B-Rilla on his talent roster. Unfortunately, the man is biding his time in a Manhattan correctional facility.
Jukebox leaves the army, disgusted by the lack of freedom she has in expressing her sexuality. She travels to Spelman College, where she reunites with Iesha. The two end up sleeping together. Jukebox asks if it will be alright with Iesha if she stays in college for a while and gets a taste for this lifestyle. However, Iesha is content with being independent and by herself, which leaves Jukebox with no option but to part on amicable terms. Raq meets up with Stefano to talk about Quan’s egregious move to hike up the prices. Although it will cost her, Stefano offers her the chance to team up with him instead. Marvin manages to track down the bookie at a local bar in the middle of the night. He beats him up, intending to only send a message. However, when the victim starts taunting him, Marvin shoots him and leaves him for dead.
The FBI Has a New Target, and the Thomas Family May Be Collateral
Raq and Kanan meet up with Snaps and Pop, delivering the money owed to them for investing in Kanan’s venture with Ronnie. However, the money is not enough, as the married duo wants a bigger return on their investments. They are also unhappy that Kanan shot his business partner in a move that stinks of betrayal. Kanan is frustrated by the terms of the deal, but he has no choice but to suck it up. On the way out, Raq starts talking about the night they killed Howard and Ronnie. They are both unhappy with each other for pulling the trigger on their respective targets. However, Raq hopes that her son will still work with her. Unfortunately, Kanan is too inundated with bad memories of his mother interfering with his life to come to a wholesome conclusion.
Lou-Lou manages to recruit B-Rilla for his roster after a brief talk with him at the detention facility. Kanan’s uncle pulls a few strings to get B-Rilla out of the facility. Meanwhile, Kanan heads for a doctor’s consultation with his grandmother, Joyce, who we learned in the previous episode is suffering from cancer. The doctor states that her condition is only worsening, meaning her death is getting closer. Marvin is overjoyed to welcome Jukebox back into the house. Her entrance takes him completely by surprise as he still expects her to be in the army. But Jukebox is done with that life and with giving the college life a chance – the South Jamaican neighborhoods are her home, after all. Raq has another exchange with Andre, who informs her that the FBI is no longer interested in her. Instead, they want to bring down Stefano and the organized mob.
According to Andre, the feds are offering Raq the chance to snitch on Stefano and help them nab him. Back at Cafe Vous, Kanan sits down at a table and listens to a new singer perform on stage. The singer is none other than B-Rilla. Krystal walks through the door and meets up with Kanan. The two reconcile and move past their differences. Jukebox arrives and greets the entire family. Lou-Lou runs into Gelfand near the bar counter, accepting his offer to run the hip-hop imprint with B-Rilla as one of his talents. As Raq and Andre head towards their car, Unique watches them stealthily from afar. He follows the attorney to his building, sneaking up on his back as he tries to unlock his door. Before Andre gets the chance to get a word in, Unique shoots him in the back. His revenge mission against Raq and Kanan is well and truly in motion.
Read More: Power Book III Raising Kanan Season 4 Episode 1 Recap: Gangstas Don’t Die
