Honestly, if you thought the Thomas family was finally going to catch a break, you clearly haven't been paying attention. Power Book III Raising Kanan Season 4 didn't just pick up the pieces from that chaotic Season 3 finale—it basically set them on fire.
We all saw Raq pull that trigger on Howard. It was cold. It was necessary for her survival. But the ripple effects in the fourth season proved that some ghosts don't stay buried, even if you put a bullet in them.
The Resurrection of Unique
The biggest shocker was the return of Unique. Everyone thought Ronnie finished him off, but Joey Bada$$ made a comeback that turned the entire power dynamic of South Jamaica, Queens, upside down.
Unique wasn't the same guy, though. He was scarred, literal and metaphorical. His return in Power Book III Raising Kanan Season 4 wasn't just about reclaiming his corners; it was about a deeply personal vendetta against the family that let him fall.
While Raq and Kanan were trying to navigate their weird, fragile truce, Unique was pulling strings from the shadows. Most people expected a direct shootout, but the writers went for a slow-burn psychological war instead.
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Kanan’s Evolution into the Villain
Mekai Curtis is doing something incredible here. We are watching the transition from a kid who just wanted his mom's love to the monster we saw 50 Cent play in the original series.
In this season, Kanan stopped reacting and started initiating.
His partnership with Snaps (Wendell Pierce) and Pop (Erika Woods) became the foundation for his own independent empire. He basically outgrew Raq. That's the tragedy of it. Raq spent three seasons trying to keep him close, and by the end of Power Book III Raising Kanan Season 4, she realized she’d created a competitor she couldn’t control.
New Blood in the Streets
The season introduced some heavy hitters that changed the vibe.
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- Chris Redd joined the cast as Early Tyler, bringing a different kind of energy to the business side of the drug trade.
- Pardison Fontaine stepped in as B-Rilla, adding more muscle to the streets.
- Sibongile Mlambo played Imani Okoye, a character who shifted the stakes for the Thomas brothers.
It wasn't just about the Thomas family anymore. The world expanded. The stakes got national.
The Fallout of Detective Howard’s Death
The NYPD doesn't just let a high-ranking detective disappear without a massive headache. Raq thought she was wiping the slate clean by killing Howard, but the federal heat that followed in Power Book III Raising Kanan Season 4 was relentless.
Marvin and Lou-Lou spent most of the season looking over their shoulders.
Lou-Lou's journey was especially dark. After his stint in rehab, he tried to stay clean, but the streets have a way of dragging you back in. His struggle to find an identity outside of being Raq’s "soldier" reached a breaking point this season. It's safe to say the "Thomas Family" as a unified front is basically dead.
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Why the Season 4 Finale Changed Everything
The finale, titled "Gimme the Weight," was a masterclass in tension. It aired on May 16, 2025, and fans are still talking about the closing shots.
Without spoiling the absolute carnage, let's just say that the body count was high. We saw characters we've loved since Season 1 get caught in the crossfire of Kanan and Raq's deteriorating relationship.
The most important takeaway? Power Book III Raising Kanan Season 4 confirmed that there is no redemption for Kanan Stark. He has fully embraced the "business" at the expense of his soul.
Practical Next Steps for Fans
If you've finished the season and are looking for what's next, here is the roadmap:
- Watch the Digital Release: If you missed the live airing, Season 4 hit digital platforms like Lionsgate on September 16, 2025. It’s available for purchase if you want to catch the details you missed during the initial watch.
- Prepare for the Final Chapter: Starz has already confirmed that Season 5 will be the final season of the show. This is it. The story is moving toward a definitive conclusion that will likely bridge the gap directly to the start of the original Power.
- Track the Spinoffs: While Raising Kanan is wrapping up soon, keep an eye out for Power: Origins. This new prequel is rumored to dive even deeper into the backstories of Ghost and Tommy, which will likely intersect with the events we just saw in Season 4.
The Thomas family is fractured beyond repair, and the streets of Queens are colder than ever. If you haven't binged the latest episodes yet, you're missing the strongest writing the Power Universe has produced to date.