Power Force’s latest episode Dead Reckoning saw a tragic death, but why did the writers kill off Leon Franklin?
After proving himself, Leon Franklin (played by Cayen Amir Martin) met his demise at the hands of his bullies.
Throughout season two of Power Book IV: Force, Chicago’s CBI kingpin Diamond Sampson (Isaac Keys) had taken Leon under his wing.
As he was a seemingly reformed drug dealer turned barber, he stepped back into his boxing past to teach Leon how to box.
This came after he saw the youngster was being bullied by boys in the neighborhood for speaking out against street violence and crime.
Diamond also had a thing for his mother Gianna Franklin (Renelle Nicole) and wanted to be a father figure for the teenager.
Despite impressing locals with his inspiring speech, Leon continued to get roughed up by his bullies and took more boxing lessons with Diamond.
Although things seemed to be going well for the trio, episode eight took a dark turn when the teenager stopped by Diamond’s shop to practice for his TV appearance.
There the kingpin helped Leon tie his tie and spoke with hope for his future but as Diamond dropped him home, Leon was towards his house when he was stopped by the bullies.
One yelled: “You think you’re all that don’t you? You’re a b***h,” and incited a fight, Leon put his practise to work and struck the bully.
However, they were taken aback by his retaliation, pulled out a gun, and shot Leon dead.
Diamond who initially held back to let him fight, watched the murder take place and cradled Leon as he took his last breath.
Viewers were also devastated to see him killed off and took to social media with shock.
As @jo__rd__on wrote: “They did not have to do Leon like that”
An emotional @futuristicmikec fumed: “Why did this show have to do some foul stuff like having Leon shot.”
@Wynton_Mohorn remarked: “Damn. The neighborhood bully killed Leon.”
While @ciaralaren questioned: “Now why would y’all kill Leon.”
However, at the end of the episode, it was clear Leon’s death had unleashed a new side of Diamond, who was no longer fearful and ready to take over Chicago with Tommy Egan (Joseph Sikora).
