Power – “Time’s Up” Review. Fantasy Becomes Reality.

Season 2, Episode 9

Air Date: Saturday, August 8, 2015, 9:00 pm ET/PT on Starz

Rating: ★★★★★

“You’re playing with fire, Ghost. You just better make sure we don’t all get burned.” – Tasha

As the penultimate episode of season two opens, Tommy (Joseph Sikora) is in jail being processed following his arrest in last week’s episode, “Three Moves Ahead.” Angela (Lela Loren) has a serious, potentially life-altering decision to make, while Tasha’s (Naturi Naughton) moment at home with Shawn (Sinqua Walls) is interrupted by a collect call from Tommy, leaving everyone wondering, “Where the hell is Ghost?”

When Tommy sees Angela in the station house, the look on his face is pure hatred.

Seeing Tommy’s rage bubbling just beneath the surface is understandable considering what he’s going through. I don’t know that I’d be able to contain it as well as he does. I’m not sure who he is angrier with—Angela, Ghost (Omari Hardwick), or himself. At this point, all Tommy knows is he can’t trust anyone, including Ghost, and Joe Proctor (Jerry Ferrara), the attorney Ghost hires to represent Tommy. With Ghost being MIA during last week’s meeting with Felipe Lobos (Enrique Murciano), it’s easy to see why Tommy is unsure of where Ghost’s loyalties lie. Although, these two have always had each other’s backs. Perhaps Tommy should take that into consideration before rushing to judgment.

Angela is caught between a rock and a hard place. Greg (Andy Bean) knows too much, not only about her “source,” but her relationship with Ghost as well. On the flip side of this coin is Ghost, who wants her to help Tommy out of his predicament. The only one who can help Tommy, though, is Tommy. But Tommy is no snitch so Angela has a choice to make. Will she come down on the side of the law, thereby saving her career, or will she sacrifice everything to keep Ghost’s name out of it? I feel sorry for Angie; I’d hate to be in her shoes.

Kanan, with his sidekick Dre, explains to Shawn what he needs him to do.

If you remember, Tasha set up a secret bank account in “You’re the Only Person I Can Trust.” Now, with Tommy in jail and her life seemingly unraveling before her eyes, Tasha makes a decision about her future, sharing it with Keisha (La La Anthony). I don’t think Tasha’s plan will be necessary, considering what Kanan (special guest star Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson) has in store. He has been manipulating Shawn in the worst way possible, and what he asks Shawn to do is something a father should never ask a son. Kanan apparently doesn’t know Shawn as well as his “Uncle G” does.

Although Kanan sets his scheme in motion, Vladimir (William Popp) questions his methods, threatening, “I hope for your sake it plays out as you see.” The facial expression Popp uses while saying his lines is chilling, at best. His smile belies the danger lurking just beneath the surface. I hope for Kanan’s sake Shawn doesn’t let him down because if he does, there’s going to be hell to pay. That’s not to say I won’t mind if Kanan bites the dust; he’s been plotting against Ghost ever since he got out of jail. And, as sure as I know my name, I know you’ll agree with me once “Time’s Up” is over.

You got a lotta ‘splainin to do, Angie!

What transpires in court is shocking, to say the least. Angela has a long way to go to talk her way out of this. While I don’t want to give anything away for those who haven’t seen “Time’s Up,” I think Judge Jennifer Lefevre’s (guest star Randy Danson) admonition to Angela says it all. What a ripple effect this will cause—for both Angela’s professional life and her relationship with Ghost. The rose-colored glasses come off during an extremely heartbreaking conversation between the two lovers. I’m not sure who I feel the sorriest for as both are losing a dream that was untenable from the beginning.

While it appears Ghost’s troubles are over, nothing could be further from the truth. Greg finally confronts Angela with what he knows. Her quip perfectly sets up not only the season two finale, but the third season as well. “Tell me everything you got on James St. Patrick. We’re going to take him down.” On their face, Angela’s words make her sound like a woman scorned who is out for revenge. But is she, or does she have something else in mind?

Other Observations

Ghost means it when he tells Tasha, “I said I got it!” He certainly has his fingers in every piece of the pie, especially where Proctor is concerned. What I wonder, though, is whether the pie includes getting Truth back from Simon Stern (Victor Garber). I love Ghost’s run-ins with Kantos (Adam Huss), Stern’s puppet; Ghost always comes out on top.

I held my breath the whole time Tommy’s mother Kate (guest star Patricia Kalember) was inside the interrogation room with Tommy, while simultaneously yelling at my screen, “Shut up you bitch!” My lord, that woman is needy!

Overall

As penultimate episodes go, “Time’s Up” is right up there with the best of them. The episode builds with intensity, providing an inspired look inside Ghost’s brilliant mind, thanks to the superb writing of Raphael Jackson, Jr. and Damione Macedon, and Jim McKay’s outstanding direction. What happens in the last minute or so of “Time’s Up” had me crying out, “Oh no!” while bringing tears to my eyes. I am anxious to see “Ghost is Dead,” this season’s finale; let’s hope the episode title isn’t prophetic! I’d like to know what Kanan’s “Plan B” consists of, or better yet, what he means when he tells Dre (Rotimi), “There’s been a change of plans.” Will the ransacking of Truth have an effect on what Ghost has in store for Stern? Last, but certainly not least, who will end up sharing Ghost’s life going forward—if he survives?

What did you think of “Time’s Up?” Hit me up on Twitter @SeasideTV or leave your comments below so we can discuss.

Tune in to Power Saturdays at 9pm ET/PT, only on Starz.

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Follow Power on Twitter using hashtag #PowerTV. You can also follow these cast members: Kanan @50Cent; Jamie “Ghost” St. James @OmariHardwick and @IAmTheRealGhost; Tasha @naturinaughton; Shawn @sinquawalls; Angela @LelaLoren; Tommy @JosephSikora4; Holly @lucytwalters; Greg Knox @andybeanactor; Dre @rotimi; Miguel Sandoval @davidfumero; Isabel @YainisYnoa; Pink Sneakers @TheLopezLopez; Julio @JR8Ramirez; Ruiz @LuisARamosActor, Felipe Lobos @enriquetwiter; Kantos @adamthuss, Cooper Saxe @shane_m_johnson, and Lakeisha @lala. Follow creator and executive producer Courtney Kemp Agboh @CKAgbohOfficial.

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Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!