Did Kanan Stark Really Bodied His Mother Raquel Thomas In The Season 4 Finale ?

In a moment that will go down as one of the most pivotal in Power history, Season 4 of Power Book III: Raising Kanan ended with a shocking and tragic act — Kanan Stark killed his mother, Raquel “Raq” Thomas.

The “Gimme the Weight” finale delivered a gut-wrenching crescendo that fans had long feared but never fully believed would happen. After a season filled with mounting tension, heartbreak, and betrayal, Kanan’s emotional breaking point finally arrived.

The Breaking Point

The death of Fame — Kanan’s closest friend and brother-in-arms — left a deep wound. That pain only intensified with the murder of his girlfriend, Krystal. With blood spilling around him and trust shattered, Kanan began to connect the dots — all roads, in his mind, led back to his mother.

Raq had always been the architect of their empire — fiercely intelligent, calculated, and, above all, ruthless when protecting her throne and her family. But to Kanan, that ruthlessness had gone too far. He saw her as the reason everyone he loved was gone.

Convinced that Raq orchestrated Famous and Krystal’s deaths to maintain control over his choices and future in the game, Kanan stormed her home in the finale’s final scene, grief and rage driving every step.

The End of an Era

Kanan’s fate — and his transformation — are sealed with that shot. The young boy who struggled between right and wrong has passed away. The original Power series introduced Kanan Stark fans to him years ago, who were cold, detached, and hardened by the streets and the people he once trusted. Patina Miller’s official exit from the series coincides with Raq’s death.

“I’ve loved [playing Raq], it’s been a role of a lifetime. I have loved playing this character. I have loved being able to shape her and do all of the things an actor wants to do with a character. To tell a story from Season 1 all the way to Season 4, not many actors get that opportunity in shows these days. It was a luxury to be part of a long-running show,” said Miller.

“I’ve been fortunate and blessed to bring my skill, if you will, and all of the things that I like to bring to my work, to this character, and I’ve worked incredibly hard. I’m incredibly proud of the work, working with this group, the cast, and the crew. It’s really one of my favorite shows I’ve ever had the opportunity to work on, and one of my favorite experiences. I’ve learned so much.”

The portrayal of Raquel Thomas has been one of the most powerful and subtle performances in the entire Power franchise. Raq, a crime boss and mother, was both feared and admired, able to combine terrifying violence and profound love in one breath. Her death is not just a gimmick for the plot. The final tether to the part of Kanan who once believed in family, loyalty, and legacy has ended.

What Comes Next

With Raq and Breeze’s departure (introduced in the final moments of the finale), Kanan’s transformation into the man we knew from Power is almost complete. His focus is now on power and survival, not protection or approval. Season 5, the concluding episode of Raising Kanan, will likely explore the aftermath of Raq’s death, the growth of Breeze’s influence, and the final stages of Kanan’s evolution from conflicted son to calculated killer.

As the series approaches its final chapter, there is one certain truth: nothing will ever be the same again. Kanan wasn’t solely responsible for killing his mother. He eliminated the last part of himself that was not connected to the streets.