Power premiered in 2014 on Starz and ran for six seasons, ending in 2020. Created by Courtney B. Smith and drawn from the novel by Walter Mosley, the series follows New York club owner James St. Claire, played by Omari Hardwick, as he builds a life of wealth, power, and danger in Harlem. The show mixes crime drama with family saga, and it spent years building a reputation for style, violence, and political commentary. This review looks back at the series, weighing its strengths against its flaws, with a score of 5.7 out of 10, matching the published critical average.
Trailer, via STARZ.
The Early Seasons
The first two seasons establish the world. St. Claire runs a successful club, has a wife named Angela, played by Lela Rochon, and a son named Tariq, played by Shameik Moore. He also sells drugs, and the show spends its early hours exploring the tension between his public life and his secret business. The writing leans heavily on dialogue, often delivered in a cadence that feels theatrical rather than natural, and the performances carry much of the weight.
Omari Hardwick plays St. Claire with a controlled intensity. He is calm, calculating, and dangerous, and the show trusts him to hold scenes with little action. The supporting cast includes Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson as Kanan, a rival who becomes a central threat, and Joseph Sikora as Tommy, a loyal employee who slowly becomes a problem. The show introduces several other figures, including the police detective Stone, played by Russell Hornsby, and the lawyer Gant, played by Michael Kenneth Williams.
The Middle Period
Seasons three through five see the show expand its scope. St. Claire faces threats from the street, from politics, and from his own family. His relationship with Angela deteriorates, and Tariq grows older, carrying his own burdens. The show introduces new characters and new locations, moving beyond Harlem into other parts of New York City. The pacing slows in these middle seasons, and some episodes feel padded, but the core story remains compelling.
The show’s visual style is a major draw. Director Jonny Campbell and cinematographer David Klein use a saturated palette, shooting interiors with rich colors and exteriors with a gritty, urban haze. The music, composed by Christopher Young, matches the tone, blending soulful melodies with tense, driving scores. The production values are high, and the show looks expensive, which helps sell its world even when the writing stumbles.
The Final Season
Season six brings the series to a close. The show had already announced its ending, and the final episodes attempt to tie up the threads of St. Claire’s life. The resolution is mixed. Some arcs land cleanly, while others feel rushed or left open. The show ends with a cliffhanger that was never resolved, leaving viewers wanting more.
The performances remain strong throughout. Hardwick delivers a career-best turn, and Moore shows real growth as Tariq ages. The show also features guest appearances from established actors, including Method Man, Danny DeVito, and Giancarlo Esposito, though their roles are often small and peripheral.
The Writing Flaws
The show’s biggest weakness is its writing. The dialogue can feel overwritten, with long speeches that explain too much. Characters often state what they are thinking rather than showing it, which breaks the illusion of realism. The show also leans heavily on coincidence, with plot points that feel convenient rather than earned.
Some viewers argue that the show’s political commentary is heavy-handed. The series touches on gentrification, race, and power, but it often presents its villains as simple caricatures rather than complex figures. The show’s version of Harlem is a specific one, and some critics have noted that it flattens the neighborhood’s history and diversity. The show also deals with drug dealing and violence in a way that some find exploitative.
The Cultural Impact
Despite its flaws, Power had a significant cultural impact. It became a hit for Starz, and its blend of crime drama and family saga influenced other series. The show spawned a spinoff, Power Book, which continued the story of Tariq after the main series ended. The show’s fashion sense, particularly its use of luxury brands, became a talking point, and the series was credited with helping to popularize certain styles.
The show also benefited from its marketing. Its premiere date was timed to coincide with a major event, and the show’s trailers were designed to be shared online. The result was a large audience, which helped the show survive despite mixed reviews.
The Critical Reception
The critical reception was mixed from the start. Some reviewers praised the show’s direction and performances, while others criticized its writing and its handling of race. The show’s IMDb user rating currently sits at 7.5 out of 10, which reflects a positive audience response. The published critical average is 5.7 out of 10, a lower figure that reflects professional criticism’s skepticism.
| Season | Title | Premiere Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Power | July 6, 2014 |
| 2 | Power | June 21, 2015 |
| 3 | Power | June 19, 2016 |
| 4 | Power | June 25, 2017 |
| 5 | Power | July 22, 2018 |
| 6 | Power | July 18, 2020 |
The Legacy Question
The question of whether Power is worth watching depends on what a viewer wants. Those looking for stylish crime drama with strong acting will find plenty to enjoy. The show’s best episodes are genuinely gripping, and its central performances are among the strongest of the decade. For those seeking sharp political commentary or tightly constructed storytelling, the show falls short.
The series is also worth considering for its influence. Its success helped pave the way for similar shows, and its spinoff continues to run. The show’s handling of Harlem and its depiction of black power are topics that continue to be debated, and its legacy is likely to be discussed for years to come.
The Verdict
Power is a flawed but entertaining series. It is at its best when it focuses on character and performance, and at its worst when it relies on coincidence and heavy-handed dialogue. The show’s influence is undeniable, and its legacy extends beyond its own six-season run.
The score of 5.7 out of 10 reflects this balance. It is a show that rewards attention but demands patience, and it leaves a lasting impression even when it falls short of greatness.
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