Ghost Season 3 Finale Recap & Ending Explained

Ahead of season 4, the Power Book II season 3 recap saw an ending of sorts, but it also left the door open for more exciting twists and turns in the forthcoming fourth season. Power Book II: Ghost is a spinoff of the network’s wildly popular crime drama series Power. It follows Tariq St. Patrick (Michael Rainey Jr.) as he tries to go straight while being constantly called back into the criminal world. Much like its predecessor, Power Book II is a classic crime drama that builds upon its fascinating characters in each successive season.

Though Power Book II: Ghost was the first spinoff, two additional series joined it that explored the world and expanded upon the vibrant characters and their backstories. The characters of Power Book II might not be the most likable, but their struggles are written in a way that makes them relatable. The Power franchise finds a strong synthesis between overt violence and crime and the overarching ideas of family, loyalty, and power through wealth and influence. After the Power Book II: Ghost season 3 finale, the show was greenlit for a fourth season.

Power Book II: Ghost Series Recap

Everything That Happened So Far

After murdering his father Ghost (Omari Hardwick) in Power season 6, Tariq enrolls at Stansfield University as a full-time student to inherit his father’s estate. However, Tariq recognizes an opportunity to make money and increase his standing, and he produces a study app that is a front for pushing pills on campus. This need for “product” brings him into league with the powerful Tejada clan, headed by the matriarch Monet (Mary J. Blige). This partnership causes jealousy between Tariq and Cane (Woody McClain), Monet’s son, eventually leading to a violent confrontation between Tariq and his professor.

Following the murder of his professor, Tariq finds himself at a crossroads in Power Book II season 2, which drives him even further into the arms of the Tejada crime family. Meanwhile, Monet’s close association with Mecca (Daniel Sunjata) threatens her professional standing and further erodes the foundation of trust within her family. Diana (LaToya Tonodeo) begins conspiring with her father, Lorenzo (Bertolo Colon), and Monet even trusts Cane again. Meanwhile, Tariq’s relationship with Lauren (Paige Hurd) is jeopardized as he is dragged deeper into the hornet’s nest of crime.

While the first few seasons answered questions left over after the finale of Power, the third season of Power Book II finally saw the series and its characters come into their own. Tariq tries to go straight by joining his best friend Brayden (Gianni Paolo) as a hedge fund intern at the family business. However, Tariq’s Wall Street connections lead him right back into the world of crime. A RICO investigation echoes his own father’s demise, and Tariq is aware of the similarities between himself and his father. Meanwhile, Monet falls headlong into discovering who killed her son.

Tommy And Tasha Call A Truce

The Two Make A Shocking Decision

The Power Book II: Ghost season 3 finale opens with a shock as Tommy (Joseph Sikora) and Tasha (Naturi Naughton) come face to face for the first time since Power season 6. Tommy learns about the whereabouts of Tariq’s mom and hunts her down despite her being in witness protection. Tommy is out for revenge, and the brave main character of Power Book IV: Force is seemingly unstoppable. The entire beef started in Power season 6 when Tasha killed Tommy’s fiancee LaKeisha (La La Anthony) accidentally but had to conceal her actions to protect her son.

Even more shocking, Tasha talks her way out of the situation and appeals to Tommy’s humanity. Instead of fighting back, she asks for forgiveness and exclaims that they are the only two members of Ghost’s crew still alive. The emotional appeal works and the duo squashes their beef for their own sake and for the sake of Tariq, whom Tommy still cares for. In his twisted way, Tommy has a chance to positively influence Tariq by showing loyalty and forgiveness, two traits that will be crucial to the character in the future.

Does Brayden Quit?

Brayden Gets Sucked Back In

Loyalty is an overarching theme throughout the season, and the Power Book II: Ghost season 3 recap illustrates that through Brayden’s conflicted choices. Brayden, who found success in his family’s business, finds his new life incongruous with Tariq’s life, and he tells him so in an emotional scene. The duo have been best friends for years, and Brayden’s departure is seemingly the last straw for Tariq, who was waffling between his two worlds all season. Despite Tommy’s warning, Tariq plunges ahead with his dangerous schemes and is more self-destructive on his path to perceived glory.

However, in a classic crime show trope, Brayden’s own loyalty is a tie that binds him to a life of crime, even as he has found a path to legitimacy. In the final gunfight that concludes the season, Tariq is rescued at the last moment by his longtime friend, and Brayden dips back into crime out of respect, friendship, and a skewed sense of honor. Season 4 of Power Book II will likely show the consequences of Brayden’s actions as he, too, has jeopardized his good standing because of his love for Tariq.

Tasha’s Drive-By

Tariq’s Mother Determined To Save Him

Tariq’s fiercely protective mother, Tasha, recognizes the signs of her son’s demise. She watched her husband fall, and even while in witness protection, she pulled strings behind the scenes. Even as Tariq struggles with his path, Tasha makes choices that seem to set her son up with the best chance for success, though she isn’t so naive as to think he can go entirely legitimate. She squashed her beef with Tommy, which earned Tariq another mentor, and she knew what she had to do when Tariq didn’t heed Tommy’s advice.

Determined to make a big move on the Tejada family, Tariq planned to gun the matriarch down in a violent show of strength. Tommy tried to talk him out of it, but he was encouraged by Diana’s machinations as she also wanted her mother dead. Shockingly, Tasha stepped in and pulled the trigger before her son could, which was further proof she would do anything to shield Tariq. Always something of an anti-hero, Tasha’s choice vindicated her in many ways, though she will likely face dangerous consequences in Power Book II: Ghost season 4.

Diana’s Double Cross

Tariq Faced A Shocking Betrayal

Diana’s discontent with her mother has been brewing since season 2, and it finally boiled over in the Power Book II: Ghost season 3 finale. She conspired with Tariq on the shooting, which would get her mom out of the way and usher in a new era for her family. However, Tasha’s drive-by wasn’t the only twist. Diana ratted on Tariq, even though he didn’t shoot her mother. Diana planned to kill two birds with one stone, and the murder of her mom would remove the matriarch while allowing her to sell out her biggest up-and-coming rival.

The Real Meaning Of Power Book II: Ghost Season 3’s Ending

The Characters Are Relentless & Never Stop

Unlike other shows that find a sense of balance after each season, Power Book II: Ghost never takes its foot off the gas pedal and plunges ahead. The Power Book II: Ghost season 3 finale was in keeping with that spirit, though it fulfilled its long-running theme of loyalty. Tariq is driven by a sense of loyalty to his family, and he is willing to do anything for them.

Similarly, characters like Tasha and Brayden also act out of loyalty. The flip side to that is show in the villains, as Diana’s lack of loyalty is the only true way to spot her for the heel that she is.

How The Power Book II Season 3 Finale Sets Up Season 4

Everything Is Coming To An End

Power Book II: Ghost season 4 is the end of this chapter of the Power story. This means there will be some explosive moments as the characters learn what has happened and most will want revenge. The Tejada clan remains unaware that Monet ordered the hit on Lorenzo. His death will have a lasting effect on the New York City underworld, and when the Tejada clan learns what Monet did and caused, there will be a war that she likely won’t survive.

It also appears the police are closing in on these criminals as well. Michael Ealy stars as Detective Don Carter and his NYPD task force will be looking at bringing down everyone. As for the most important character in the series, Tariq St. Patrick has fought to escape his dad’s shadow and leave the criminal world since the start, but he will likely learn there is no escaping. His fate might be more tied to his father than he ever imagined, and the final season of Power Book II: Ghost should be quite the ride.

How The Power Book 2 Ending Was Received

Fans Debated Whether It Was Ridiculous Or Par For Course

In all, Power Book II: Ghost was highly received by fans, with an 81% Rotten Tomatoes Popcornmeter score and a very high 95% for the third season. However, many viewers who follow the show every week were let down by the season 3 finale. In a Reddit thread created to discuss the finale specifically, the OP wrote that the entire season finale was “ridiculous.” Redditor Automatic-Chart785 wrote:

“Why is everything happening all at once, and why would Effie do that, why partner with Noma? And why even bother telling Tariq the truth if she was gonna get him killed by Noma anyway. And why would Noma stop Cane after Tariq’s threat of her daughter just to reveal she already knew.”

However, some defended the Power Book 2 ending in the discussion, knowing more was to come in the final fourth season. Redditor Administrative-Toe59 wrote, “It was a little choppy to me, but it was entertaining so it set up for next season. We all know Power isn’t about the writing, it’s about entertainment so it’s never going to truly make sense.” As for the next season, Redditor realdusty_shelf wrote that, after this finale, “Tariq getting out of this jam next season will truly make him Ghost.”