Power Book II: Ghost Finale: Exiting Show Boss Courtney Kemp on Killing [Spoiler], Bringing Back a Power OG
Sunday’s Power Book II: Ghost Season 2 finale marked the end of an era: It was Powerverse creator Courtney Kemp‘s final episode as a showrunner for one of her shows at Starz. And the executive producer went out with a bang. Several of them, to be exact.
The episode saw the death of not only Daniel Sunjata’s Mecca, who was fatally shot by Monet, but also Zeke (!), whom Lorenzo killed when he mistook the young man for Mecca. At the end of the episode, Monet got word that her son had been found dead… and Lorenzo didn’t say anything about pulling the trigger.
In Tariq-related news: Braden testified at the trial, saying that he’d been dealing drugs out of their dorm room and that Course Correct was his solo operation. That wound up being enough to get the judge to dismiss the case, and the bailiff removed Tariq’s ankle bracelet. He briefly considered stopping Yaz’s adoption and taking back custody, but eventually realized that there was a better solution. (More on that in a moment.) He also learned that Lauren had died in a car accident, news that affected him greatly.
Near the end of the episode, Tariq pulled some strings and had Tamika bring Yaz to live with Tasha in Witness Protection.
In 2021, Kemp signed an overall deal with Netflix; though she will maintain a presence on Book II: Ghost and the other Power spinoffs, she will no longer be as involved as she has been since Power got underway in 2014. On Friday, TVLine chatted with her about her showrunning swan song.
TVLINE | Were you like, “This is my last episode as showrunner, I’m just going to up the body count on my way out”?
[Laughs] No, I just wanted it to be great. I just wanted it to be impactful. I want to do fan service, I really do. That’s what it came down to at the end of the day: I just want to do the best amount of fan service that I can.
TVLINE | I’m looking forward to when Monet finds out about Zeke, though I would not want to be in her vicinity when she does.
She’s going to be a very different person next year. Next season, the version of her that was trying to hold onto control in her world, that’s gone now. That’s over.
TVLINE | And Zeke was her plan, and the plan is now gone.
Yes. The plan’s gone. Her son’s gone. And if you were watching all along, she preferred him, did she not? She preferred him to her other kids. So now the chickens will come home to roost in terms of how she treated those children, in terms of what she was hoping for her future, all of that. And plus, her husband is guilty of the crime! There is that. She’s going to find out in a big way and that’s going to be… well, I’ll leave that for Season 3.
TVLINE | Do you think she thought she and Lorenzo had a united front moving forward?
I don’t think she was at all. From my perspective, it had to happen because it was the right thing for the family that she pick Lorenzo over Mecca. And she made a decision for herself that was the right decision. But is she in love with Lorenzo? No. And she was, in a lot of ways, in love with Mecca. But she had to do it, no matter what.
TVLINE | I love whenever someone in one of your shows says, “I’m going to do this, and then I’m going to get out of the game.”
Because you know I’m lying, right?
TVLINE | You’re always lying!
I’m always lying. Yeah, that’s definitely true.
TVLINE | It feels to me like Tariq, at the end of this season, is weary of what’s going on.
He doesn’t want to do it anymore. He doesn’t want to have to run and hustle and all those things. But then, at the same time, it’s the world that he’s in and he needs the money and he needs to keep going. So he’s going to keep going. I think that’s relatively clear. He would like to get out. But, like father, like son. Ghost wanted to get out, too. That’s not what happened. [Laughs]
TVLINE | Was it always the plan to have Tasha in the finale?
Yes, it was always the plan. And all season, the fans have been asking me, “When will she be back on?” And I’m like, “She’s busy! She’s on Queens!” which was true, but we got her out just to do this. And the thing people don’t understand about the TV business is how hard it f—king is to get somebody off a broadcast show to come and do [a guest appearance]. Because the way that their schedules are? Not an easy feat.
TVLINE | Obviously, Tasha’s not going to be happy until they’re all back there again.
No, of course not! How could you be as long as you don’t have access to your kid?
TVLINE | In your mind, is there a world in which they could be reunited again?
Yeah, but Tommy is going to make that difficult. He’s also got his own show. He’s busy, but he hasn’t forgotten any of what went down. And also, Tariq has to finish school in order to get his payday from his dad. So yes, there’s a version where they’re all together and they have the money, but Tariq has to finish college first. He’s got a lot to do between now and then.
TVLINE | What moment from the finale are you most looking forward to the fans seeing?
I’m very much looking forward to Tariq getting Yaz to their mom, even if he can’t join them. If people don’t love Tariq now, what can be said?… If you don’t love him, then something is deeply wrong with you, because he has now become a great kid. He has become a great person. Someone who can really value someone’s needs over his own.
Now it’s your turn. Grade the season finale via the poll below, then hit the comments with your thoughts!
Clearly, Courtney prefers Tariq. He not only was responsible for the murder of one of his sisters. Something is not right with Kemp’s character judgment. Ghost tried to leave the game, but was pulled back in too many times. I get the feeling she doesn’t like the Ghost character nor actor who played him.
Whaaaat?
Climb out of that pit please. It’s not that serious or that personal. This is tv, not real life.
Based on how she tried to make Ghost unlikable in the final season despite being right you probably right LOL. The way Courtney Kemp comes off in interviews trying to defend Tariq killing Ghost seems like she hated Omari Hardwick for some reason. Maybe creative differences? Or she was jealous of all the love scenes with Lela Loren? LOL Maybe thats why she killed Angela LOL
It’s time to get rid of Sacs and that Dea And bring Ghost back Roger Thorup on Guiding Light came back several times married to that last lady he was dating and pregnant
I would love to see
Ghost show up..
This show did a lot of work cleaning itself up this season. First, it got rid of two of the worst characters (Lauren and Carrie) and a character who was pretty useless (Zeke). Then it did serious work fleshing out Diana, Kane, and Drew, and especially (to me) found a way make Tate not grating. I mean, that guy was insufferable every minute he was on screen up until this season. And then it brought Effie on full time, which is one of the smartest decisions it’s ever made. Okay, so the show can’t do anything about Mary J. Blige’s stilted “acting,” but at least the guy who plays Braeden got much better this season, too.
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It’s still light on logic. Nothing about those courtroom antics resembles any kind of reality or sense. Same with all the double-and-triple crosses. Raising Kanan did a lot better in that respect than this show or the original Power toward the end of its run, so I was hopeful it would get its act together . . . but no.
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I hope we can move on to more interesting storylines next year. Not this labored “Tariq is on trial” arc. Like Method Man’s character’s brother. You know that’s going to be good. Although, of course they’re going to suspect Tariq of Dante’s murder. Tell me again why they left the body there for the police to find? You know what . . . don’t. This show is so inconsistent about such things it doesn’t pay to turn your brain on about them. Just go with the flow and enjoy the ride.
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If Tariq comes down on Effie for Lauren he’d be a hell of a hypocrite. I get feeling bad about it and having a conscience for once, but he can’t judge her by standards he doesn’t have for himself. He knows she did what he would do if it were anyone else, and he has to respect that.
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I’m glad Yaz is finally with Tasha but I’m sad this means we probably won’t be seeing either of them again for a long time. Will Tariq check in on his grandmother, do we think?
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Also glad Saxe is moving back to the other side of the aisle. He just doesn’t work as an amoral defense guy. He’s a True Believer, the kind of guy who pathologically needs to see himself as being on the “good” side no matter what he has to do or deceive himself about so that he can tell himself he is.
P.S., Courtney, Tariq is not a great kid, or a great person. He’s an interesting, well-rounded character who’s entertaining to watch, though. We understand why he does what he does (most of the time). That’s enough. But don’t get a character we like confused with a character who is a good person, just because we like them!
Very true.
Killing Zeke was not a shock and almost needed to move Monet’s story along. The character had run its course, although killing off Carrie was pointless now. They really wasted the character of Mecca, slowed played him for 8 episodes and then randomly make him a snitch just to have a connection to Ghost. The messed up icing on the cake was killing off Lauren because his new girl was jealous. When will Tariq finally realize he is already a bigger monster than his father was. He destroyed his entire family and for someone who hated his father for cheating with Angela he sure had no problem balancing 3 girls at once playing them against each other. So glad I get 10 episodes of the violence that is Tommy. Time to cancel Christmas on some fools. Lol
Dante really cared for Monet and her children. Don’t like how she killed him. Everyone is so cut throat but Dante was a better deal for Monet. Why ya’ll kill Zeke! Don’t let Dante or Zeke be dead.
Totally agree meeca didn’t have to die and niether did his son Zeeke .
I didn’t and don’t like Tariq, so I guess something is deeply wrong with me. I don’t like how Kemp has made Ghost the bad guy. He was the only one who wanted to get out of the game and it was Tasha who wanted him to stay in. Lest we forget, she was the one who helped Tariq learn the game when Ghost wanted him to take responsibility for his actions and never be a part of that lifestyle.
I don’t watch Tariq’s show. My husband does. Unfortunately, I’m in the room and sometimes I’ll look up from my work or hear something. There is no way Ghost would leave a letter saying he knew his son would be in jail one day. I’m glad Kemp is leaving. I only hope she finds a more positive story to tell. Most black people aren’t drug dealing murderers.
I knew Zeke wasn’t long for this world once he found out who his parents were….
I’ve been watching power from the time it started up to now and everyone on that show are outstanding actors and actresses love it some days I can’t even watch it I’ll go to my husband and say what happened what happened but he won’t tell me until I watch it and tell me part of it then he said you got to watch it you got to watch it I’ll be so intense I just want to say thank you to the crew and everybody for an outstanding job.
“If you don’t love Tariq, there’s something deeply wrong with you”
…lmao..what??
I get that characters can grown and evolve… but you had him kill the star of the original series, basically set Tommy up to die in Tommy’s last episode of the original series. And sees all the fault in his father, but can’t see the same out of his mom? That boy toxic as hell coming from a hella toxic family…
So no, I don’t love him.
Maybe it could have at the very least like the character if the actor portraying him was a better…actor. The kid has as much charisma as a slab of cardboard. Two seasons of his own series and he hasn’t grown as an actor at all.
He couldn’t carry a scene in og Power, let alone carry an entire series. Fortunately he’s surrounded by worthwhile actors with talent for the most part.
I saw more emotion out of Tommy in the first minute of Book IV, than I’ve seen out of Tariq from the end of Power right into Book II…. And don’t tell me to give him a break cause of his age. There’s a ton talented kids out there his age and even way younger that could act circles around him.
He’s just so devoid of conveying any type of emotion, and when the scene calls for it, he comes off as flat every time.
Idk if Kemp was grooming this boy into being better, but that never happened… Maybe that’s what Book II needs, a fresh set of eyes as the showrunner. Because I don’t know why Kemp has such a lady boner for the character… But this ain’t it… He ain’t it…
I think he do alright but he could do better. What is he going to be to be better next season hopefully. But I loved this season it kept me on my sit.
Only one. “more and more. Love it!!
I have to admit, I really didn’t want to like this show, but I do. I still don’t fully care for Tariq. This kid had all the advantages and choice to go down this path. And he pretty much does what he wants, to whatever makes him feel better and if that includes murdering someone innocent then so be it. I mean the dream sequence he had pretty much said it all…he has had his hand in quite a few deaths indirectly and then graduated to direct involvement. He can just about justify anything, much like this parents did! But the show runner saying we should love Tariq now because he showed a little compassion is ridiculous, he did what he did for himself, to make himself feel better about the choices he has made.
I am a Power Queen and I look forward in watching episode after episodes! My friends and I enjoy chopping it up after each episode! I’m team Tariq; Tasha and Yaz! Love me some them!!
It was a hit now they think tyree killed Mecca
Zeke getting killed by Lorenzo was a excellent cliffhanger and Tariq taking Yaz to Tasha was a great ending. Love Councilman Tate can’t wait for his storyline next season. Great job Courtney!
I want the original Ghost to come back. We never saw a funeral. Ghost was smart. He could have had a bullet proof vest on. And he comes back… PLEASE!!!!!
Yes love it! Absolutely bring Ghost back!! I’m ready to write him back myself! 😆
I agree with taking out Mecca.
But why kill off Zeke?😔
Power is the only thang poppin on Starz
50 cents is you doing your thang.
Ayeee!!!
I liked a part one of the detectives Said, “we have to stop Tariq before he becomes more than his father”…
I actually know Tariq will know what really caused in the death of Lauren!
Braiden ft Tariq, good much
WHY do I feel like Lauren isn’t actually dead? I mean, they say she is but she’s the only one we don’t actually see get murdered.
We need to bring Ghost back! We can make it that he faked his death. He was definitely rich and powerful enough to do that! We can bring him back with a new identity where no one knows its him yet, keep him rich and powerful! Let him get Taraqi underneath him without knowing that’s his dad! Once he find out who he is…he will already be grateful to this person he was working with all that time.
Email me I can help you write Ghost back in! Lol but I’m forreal!! Think about it! Peace ✌🏾
I love how powerbook! Makes you wanna see more. I can’t wait to see what happens with Tariq& Effie when he finds out she had something to do with Lauren accident! Also I would love to work with ms kemp! I’m a writer also!
I Can’t Wait For Season 3 Because It’s Definitely. Going. To Be Off The Chain I Believe Monet Going To Kill Her Husband When She Definitely Find Out The Truth About Zeke ..
Excellent finale. I was most excited about Yaz being reunited with Tasha, thank you for that. No kid should be in the system if a loving family member can take them in.