‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan’ Season 1 Episode 6 ‘Level Up’
Culture Editor Bianca Gregg continues her weekly recaps of all things the Power Universe. The newest book is a prequel that tells the story of one of the most notorious “Power” characters, Kanan.
Tonight’s episode of ‘Raising Kanan’ is what I consider the turning point episode. It typically marks the beginning of a shift and by the conclusion of the episode we can see that a war is inevitable between Raq and Unique.
We begin with a visit from the housing inspector telling Raq that she is not allowed to make any changes to the apartment with approval. Raq suggests that she and the inspector meet later on to negotiate something with the property. He asks that she makes sure she comes alone, we all know what he wants.
Famous and Jukebox prepare for the showcase that has pretty much become Lou-Lou’s show considering he is footing the bill. Famous enlists Kanan to help put up flyers. Meanwhile Juke is still dealing with sadness after the blow up with Nicole’s mother. While Juke is watching TV at home, Nicole surprises her with a visit. The two embrace one another and pick up right where things briefly left off. They head out and post some flyers around when the pair is spotted by Officer Burke. She watches Nicole get on the bus home and walks over to Jukebox. She questions Juke about D-Whiz but she says nothing. She tells Jukebox that if she needs anything, she is available to teach her some things.
Lou-Lou asks Raq to keep things clean for his showcase. He does not want any drugs or weapons at the showcase, neutral territory for the night. Raq agrees, reluctantly. Lou-Lou pays Unique a visit also. He asks the same of Unique to kill any type of violence for the night. Lou-Lou essentially offers up a favor to Unique and he accepts the deal. Once Lou-Lou leaves however, we realize Unique is not holding up his end of the bargain. He tells Scrappy and his right hand that they are to light the event up.
While cutting Kanan’s hair, Raq let’s him know she is aware of his run in with the police. She tells Kanan she found out from Scrap. She questions Kanan on what Detective Malcolm asked him about. She also wants to know who picked him up considering it was neither of his uncles. Kanan admits it was Symphony and well that leads to him getting jammed up with Raq at the showcase. She reminds Symphony that Kanan is her son, not his. She considers what Symphony did a betrayal and ends things with him.
Raq, Marvin and Lou-Lou are concerned about their product shortage. Raq goes to see Deen and quickly realizes he is done being her supplier. She finds out Smurf has been killed due to her getting information from him behind Deen’s back. Unique has also agreed to pay extra for his own product and Raq’s supply. Kanan approaches Marvin about an idea to move weight at a gas station opposed to selling on the block. He looks at it like a drive by and an opportunity to sell to a white customer base. In the end Marvin gives it a shot. Raq asks Gabriel’s wife to speak with her cousin who clearly must move weight. Raq is always on the move with something.
Raq meets up with the housing inspector. He tells Raq he asked around about her and heard she was a drug dealer. When he attempts to touch her, she let’s him know this is nothing but a cash deal. He immediately grabs her by the neck, choking her. She uses force and hots him in eye and he responds by punching Raq in the stomach, causing her to collapse. She grabs for a hammer and knocks him over the head. When Marvin arrives, the inspector is hog tide on the floor. He asks Raq if she is okay and she tells him yes and to make sure the inspector feels what he has coming. Marvin builds a quality closet tomb for the inspector. He vents to him about always being considered the “fuck up” of the family. He says he plans to prove every one wrong but realizes the inspector will not be around to witness it. Marvin shoots him in the head with a nail gun before sealing the wall.
Everyone is heading to the showcase. Jukebox is extremely nervous to perform to the point she is running in and out of the bathroom vomiting. By the time Kanan arrives, Famous asks him to go speak to Juke and help her with her bad nerves. The pair have a heart to heart about how talented Jukebox is. They reminisce about the time Jukebox sung them into getting hot dogs and a way home from Coney Island. Looks like the dynamic duo are back.
In the VIP section of the showcase, Crown is hanging out with Jess and Nicole. He rolls a blunt laced with crack. Jess turns down smoking with Crown so he offers some to Nicole. Jess encourages her to try it if she wants to and Nicole does. Immediately we see the high take over Nicole. Looks like Nicole may develop a problem soon.
It’s Jukebox and Famous turn to perform. Kanan is hype and excited for them at first until he begins to listen to the lyrics. His expression quickly changes as Famous talks about various things that have happened including the death of Buck Twenty and the stash house robbery. We all knew it was coming.
Scrap and Unique’s right hand arrive to the showcase and realize they need to get into the venue from the back. Once in, Scrap asks who they are planning to hit as they move through the crowd. Once they are planted behind Lou-Lou, Unique’s right hand tells Scrap they are going to hit Lou-Lou. When Lou-Lou turns to see them in the crowd, Scrap gives him a warning sign. Lou-Lou starts a petty fight in the crowd and the may-lay foils the plan to kill Lou-Lou. Unique’s right hand knew that Scrap had something to do with warning Lou-Lou. After the showcase everyone heads to their destinations and just about everyone is having sex. Kanan finally has sex with Daveena. He sneaks in to the house with the biggest grin on his face. His mother is awakened by a bang on the door and someone shouting “Here’s your boy!” Raq grabs her gun and runs downstairs along with Kanan. When they open the door, they discover the body of Scrap who has been brutally beaten.
Takeaways:
Not Nicole becoming a crackhead before our eyes chile!
Now Marvin, that body not gonna start to stink sir? Either way he could definitely build my walk-in closet.
I need Symphony and Raq to work it on out! However I understand both sides of it.
Scrap, we knew what would happen but he was still breathing. Is it bad I have hope they will save Scrap?
