Review: Power Book III: Raising Kanan Opens Its Final Season With A Devastating Warning — Trust No One

By Klep Napier | WeAreCritiX.com

The beginning of the end has arrived.

After four seasons of betrayals, shifting loyalties, and the slow transformation of Kanan Stark into the ruthless figure fans first met in the original Power, Power Book III: Raising Kanan returns with a season premiere that immediately makes one thing clear: nobody is safe, and nobody can truly be trusted.

Picking up directly from the shocking final moments of Season 4, the premiere wastes little time throwing viewers back into the chaos. Kanan finds himself forced to confront the consequences of his actions after attempting to hold his mother, Raquel "Raq" Thomas, accountable for the deaths of his best friend Famous and his girlfriend Crystal. The emotional fallout from those events hangs over every scene, creating a sense of tension that never fully lets up throughout the episode.

What makes the premiere so effective isn't simply the plot itself, but the atmosphere it creates. The episode establishes a world where paranoia has become a survival mechanism. Characters aren't just questioning the people around them anymore. They're questioning themselves. Every decision carries weight. Every conversation feels loaded with hidden motives. Every relationship appears to be hanging by a thread.

That sense of uncertainty gives the season an entirely different energy than previous years. Even with only one episode released, the final season already feels like a powder keg waiting to explode.

One of the biggest strengths of the premiere is the continued evolution of its ensemble cast. While Mekai Curtis remains the emotional center of the series as Kanan, the supporting characters are being given some of their richest material yet.

London Brown once again proves why Marvin has become one of the franchise's most beloved characters. Throughout the series, Marvin has evolved from a reckless and often unpredictable presence into one of the show's most emotionally layered figures. The premiere continues that trajectory, pushing him into darker territory and forcing him to confront challenges that stretch far beyond the version of Marvin audiences first met in Season 1.

Brown delivers every scene with a level of vulnerability and intensity that suggests Marvin's journey may be one of the most important storylines of the final season.

Meanwhile, Hailey Kilgore continues to shine as Jukebox.

As the daughter of Marvin and one of the franchise's most tragic figures, Jukebox has always carried a unique emotional burden. This season appears determined to explore that burden even further. The weight of family, loss, and the consequences of the world surrounding her are becoming increasingly impossible to ignore. Kilgore brings a quiet strength to the role that makes every moment resonate, even when the character says very little.

Perhaps the most intriguing addition to the season, however, is Shameik Moore.

Fans of the franchise are already aware of how significant his character ultimately becomes within the larger Power mythology. Even so, Moore manages to inject a fresh and unpredictable energy into the series almost immediately.

In previous seasons, Joey Bada$$'s Unique often served as the show's primary wildcard, a character whose next move could never quite be predicted. Moore brings a similar quality to the table, but in an entirely different way. His performance is more subtle, more calculated, and perhaps even more dangerous because of it.

There's an underlying tension to every scene he's in. Even when he's smiling, audiences can't quite shake the feeling that something larger is at play. Knowing where his eventual relationship with Kanan leads only makes the character more fascinating. Rather than removing the suspense, it amplifies it.

In many ways, he already feels like the franchise's most unpredictable presence since Ronnie.

What impressed me most about the premiere is how confidently it sets the stage for what's ahead. Everything feels intentional. Every storyline feels connected to a larger destination. Even with only one episode released publicly, there is a strong sense that the writers are carefully positioning every piece on the board for what promises to be a massive finale.

And having seen the first four episodes of the season, I can confidently say audiences are not prepared for where this story goes next.

The twists become bigger.

The stakes become higher.

The emotional consequences become even more devastating.

If the premiere is any indication, the final season of Raising Kanan is positioning itself as some of the strongest storytelling the entire Power franchise has delivered.

Final Thoughts

Power Book III: Raising Kanan begins its final season with a gut punch of an episode that immediately raises the stakes for every character involved. Fueled by exceptional performances, sharp writing, and an overwhelming sense of paranoia, the premiere sets the stage for what could become one of the franchise's most memorable seasons.

The message is clear from the opening hour:

Trust no one.

Not your enemies.

Not your allies.

And certainly not yourself.

Verdict

The final season premiere of Power Book III: Raising Kanan is tense, emotional, and expertly crafted television. With standout performances from Mekai Curtis, London Brown, Hailey Kilgore, and newcomer Shameik Moore, the series wastes no time reminding audiences why it remains one of the strongest entries in the Power universe.

New episodes of Power Book III: Raising Kanan premiere Friday, every week on STARZ and are available to stream through the STARZ app and participating streaming platforms.

The final season is now underway.