Power Book II: Ghost changed a lot for the Power franchise.
The show featured new, young, and energetic characters. It undid all the crimes of the flagship series, especially regarding gay representation.
Viewers were introduced to an eclectic group of characters who rounded out Tariq St. Patrick’s (Michael Rainey Jr.) world. Dru Tejada (Lovell Adams-Gray) was one of them.
As the series ends after four short seasons, the legacy Dru leaves behind for the franchise and representation is one worth celebrating.
When he first appeared in Season 1, the show did not play games with him. He was as gay as he was in the game. And that cemented itself as the character grew.
Rumors are that writers tried to introduce significant gay characters to the original show, but … 50 Cent.
A Pleasant Surprise
Power Book II: Ghost offered a fresh start and a second chance for the franchise, and they didn’t miss.
To some degree, Dru is reminiscent of The Wire‘s Omar Little (Michael K. Williams) — both gay black men who make no apologies for it despite the environment.
Dru has gone through a lot of transformation in these four seasons, starting as a pseudo-closeted drug dealer in the Tejada family to a proud gay man who’s still a drug dealer.
The series has treated him just like any other character in the show. He has seen his fair share of complicated relationships and near-death situations. And really, this is all anyone asks of any show — treat your queer characters like every other character.
But that doesn’t mean they should ignore the unique way the character moves in the world.
Where romantic relationships are concerned, Dru has dated and hooked up with various guys, from deeply closeted ball players to a “cousin” who grew and glowed up.
Watching Dru has been a pleasure that no one would have thought the Power franchise would offer. They did not do it for a GLAAD Award.
The show has pushed the boundaries with the characters, much to the ire of some of its homophobic viewers, but they are not worth thinking about.
Power Book II: Ghost is the first time gay men have adequately felt included in the Power universe.
The End Arrives for ‘Power Book II: Ghost.’
Starz canceled the show after four seasons, and the final one has been tying loose ends.
Effectively, there haven’t been any developments in Dru’s romantic life.
He spends most of the season planning how to stay alive because that is not guaranteed in the Power universe.
He is a key player in most of the season’s events, which makes the lack of gay stuff forgivable.
Some characters meet a gruesome ending, and if this was ten years ago, Dru might have been one of them — sacrificed for shock value.
Instead, the show gives him a happy ending as he rides off to Paris for an art fellowship, fulfilling a long-held dream.
Isn’t it nice not to bury your gays just because you can?
What’s Next?
Power Book II: Ghost had some life left in it, as evidenced by a post-credit scene where Tariq receives a call from someone familiar.
Starz’s plan with the Power universe is to make as many shows as possible without spending much money.
Four seasons is the plan they have.
Based on how Ghost ends, there are several spinoffs apart from another one featuring Tariq.
But here we’ll pitch a Dru spinoff.
So, Dru goes to Paris and pursues his dream of becoming an artist. However, the game is still in him, and he sees an opportunity to make bank in the city.
If he fails to make it as an artist or makes it big time, the result is the same: he will still be making money and can turn any situation to his advantage. It’s what he’s always done.
Meanwhile, he’s in the city of love and meets the love of his life. Cast Khalil Ben Gharbia as the love interest, and you will have a hit.
That’ll be $5 million and an executive producer credit, Starz.
As Ghost ends, let’s hope this is not the last we see of Dru.