Why Power’s Upcoming Spinoff Shouldn’t Be Called Power: Book V
Power’s upcoming spinoff will continue the thrilling crime franchise over a decade after it started, but despite being the fifth installment, it shouldn’t be called Book V. After the conclusion of the main show, Power’s story proceeded through three spinoff shows, with each project adopting the “Book” moniker, helping tie it into the timeline. All the Power Book shows have followed a similar formula to the main series – including Power Book III: Raising Kanan, despite it being a prequel. However, the franchise’s next series should avoid following this same trend if it wants to stand out.
Power: Origins was announced in March 2024, with the crime universe’s fifth project set to follow the early lives of Tommy and Ghost. Another prequel may sound like a bit of a risk, but audiences getting the chance to see their favorite duo reunite is too good of an opportunity to pass up on, even if the actors are different. The green light came a few months before the confirmation that Power Book II: Ghost and Book IV: Force were canceled, and while Origins has big shoes to fill, it should create its own identity which starts with its title.
Power: Origins Makes More Sense As A Standalone Entry Than “Book V”
Although Power: Origins will still follow two of the franchise’s most important characters, the series feels like it would work better as a standalone project, rather than Book V. Both Ghost and Force have progressed the main story, and while Raising Kanan has been different from the other spinoffs, its timing made the Book III label inevitable. In contrast, Origins has the chance to forge its own path, and with it being a prequel, its impact on the overall narrative will be limited unless the show jumps forward in time to the present day, meaning it can be completely independent.
Despite Raising Kanan highlighting Kanan’s origin story, his family ties to the drug game made his involvement unavoidable, but Ghost and Tommy’s pasts could be different.
Rather than following the traditional Power blueprint, making Origins a standalone series would allow it to really thrive. Focusing more on relationships and aspirations could make Origins the best Power show yet, especially when Ghost and Tommy’s lives eventually spiral into a cycle of violence and criminality. Despite Raising Kanan highlighting Kanan’s origin story, his family ties to the drug game made his involvement unavoidable, but Ghost and Tommy’s pasts could be different. Therefore, prioritizing drama over crime would warrant Origins being a standalone series, proving it would be better off without the Book V title.
Power: Origins Not Being “Book V” Would Mean It Can Truly Stand Apart From The Other Shows
Dropping the Book V moniker would be Power: Origins’ perfect way to be truly unique. The franchise’s big reputation and decade of history create certain expectations, meaning audiences may have specific requirements from the next Power Book show; however, Origins going in a completely different direction is exactly what it needs to stand out. Fans will still demand that Ghost and Tommy are treated with care and respect given they are two of the Power franchise’s best characters, but without the Book V title on its shoulders, the spinoff could get more creative and become a must-watch drama show.
The series could also help attract new fans as the rest of the shows won’t be required viewing, yet it can still service those who have watched everything with some clever foreshadowing. Even if Origins ends up falling back down the tried and trusted drug route pretty early into the spinoff, it can still tackle its story in different ways and experiment with new ideas and character dynamics, making it crucial that Power’s next project doesn’t limit its potential by dubbing it Book V.
