As an actor who played Tariq St Patrick, I can tell you that portraying this complex character has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. Every scene, every line was a journey for me, and I learned so much along the way.
[This story contains spoilers from the Power Book II: Ghost series finale.]
In the debut episode of “Power,” produced by Courtney Kemp and music icon Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson in June 2014, it was hard to predict that the boy casually asking his mother Tasha (Naturi Naughton) for help with his Spanish homework while she served breakfast in their luxurious apartment would eventually rise to become a drug lord. At that time, young Tariq had no idea his father, James St. Patrick (Omari Hardwick), who fluently spoke Spanish, was actually a notorious kingpin known as Ghost (Hardwick) on the streets. His mother, Tasha, also kept this secret. Michael Rainey Jr., who was only a few months away from turning 14 at that point, is now 24 and has concluded another season of the series.
When “Power Book II: Ghost” debuted on Sept. 6, 2020, the entire nation and globe were temporarily paused due to the pandemic. The original series, “Power,” concluded in February right before the lockdown, with Tariq (Rainey Jr.) having murdered his father. Creating a show centered around an unpopular character like Tariq – who indirectly led to the death of his kind twin sister Raina (Donshea Hopkins), and chose to align himself with the questionable Kanan (Jackson) – was indeed daring. To heighten the risk, Tasha and Tommy (Joseph Sikora), a volatile drug dealer who had been his father’s loyal friend, were given recurring roles in the series.
In the series, I found myself captivated by the inclusion of musical legends like Mary J. Blige portraying Monet, the enigmatic matriarch of the Tejada Family, who was at times an ally and adversary to Tariq. Her complex relationship with Tariq is intriguingly similar to a rollercoaster ride – one day she plots his demise, and the next, she questions it. Similarly, I saw echoes of myself in Tariq’s journey, as Clifford “Method Man” Smith breathed life into Davis, the shady yet money-driven lawyer who eventually becomes a guiding figure for Tariq, much like our real-life connection. Working alongside Blige and Naughton made me feel like they were not just colleagues, but a second mother and mentor respectively, while Jackson took on the role of a father figure for me.
However, it was the youthful ensemble that fueled the momentum of “Ghost“. While Tariq, under his father’s stipulation, was enrolled at Stansfield University, he was prohibited from using any funds until graduation. Yet, when he found himself in financial need, either for his mother’s legal defense or other necessities, he felt compelled to resort to the streets. Similar to Ghost, Tariq had a ‘Tommy’ in Brayden (Gianni Paolo), a wealthy young man with a trust fund. As Rainey Jr. explains, “I believe what connects them is their shared ambition for this lifestyle.” Additionally, there’s Dru (Lovell Adams-Gray), Monet’s ambitious and sometimes rival Cane (Woody McClain), potential love interest Diana (LaToya Tonodeo), along with Monet’s former girlfriends Effie (Alix Lapri) and Lauren (Paige Hurd).
Over the course of four distinct seasons, Tariq found himself in numerous challenging situations. This ranged from coaching basketball prodigy Zeke (Daniel Bellomy), who turned out to be Monet’s secret son instead of her nephew, to Monet harboring a desire for his demise and Cane continuously disliking him. He also had the constant worry about his mother’s safety in the witness protection program, as well as dealing with persistent attempts by the authorities to incriminate him. His struggles didn’t end there; he confronted the Russians and drug dealer Mecca, who was Monet’s former lover and Zeke’s father. In the climactic fourth season, Tariq faced off against international drug lord Noma (Caroline Chikezie), using her daughter Anya (Sydney Winbush) in his endeavors, as well as corrupt cop and task force leader Carter (Michael Ealy). Although the series ‘Ghost’ has concluded, Tariq remains entrenched in this world, thriving, and taking pride in carrying on his father’s legacy.
The Hollywood Reporter interviewed Rainey Jr., focusing on his experiences with “Power” and “Ghost”, particularly discussing the end of “Ghost” as well as the broader path to that point. They delved into the women in Tariq’s life, why he felt Tariq would survive, whether Tariq might transition to another “Power” spin-off, and what the lasting impact of the franchise and series would be.
***
How are you feeling now that the Ghost journey is over? What are your immediate emotions?
Moving on to the next phase feels right. Earlier, I mentioned that it was a mix of sweetness and sadness, quite emotional indeed. Yet now, as we stand here, those emotions seem to have dissipated, leaving me with a sense of tranquility. Although we yearned to extend the Ghost narrative, all good things must eventually conclude. It’s about accepting this reality and pushing forward.
Talk about Tariq’s journey and how your role as Tariq grew.
During the break between seasons two and three, or possibly three and four, I starred in “Barbershop” and its third installment. My character in “Barbershop” had a father-son dynamic somewhat analogous to Tariq’s, but it wasn’t as intense. We clashed frequently. They noticed this and thought, “We can expand upon this, we can use the tension between him and his father.” It seems they saw some potential in “Barbershop 3”, and decided to expand my character’s storyline accordingly.
Could you please remind me of the instance when someone informed you that “Ghost will perish, and it’s Tariq who intends to do it”?
In that instant, it seemed like everyone already had it out for Tariq, and I couldn’t help but think, “Wow, it seems like nobody’s ever going to like Tariq again.” It appears the creators are feeding off these audience reactions, and they certainly did with Tariq. They amplified the negativity towards him. As I pondered over this, my mind raced with questions: “What’s next for Tariq after all of this?” Needless to say, I was taken aback by the turn of events.
How did they come to you with the idea to spinoff Power Book II: Ghost?
It’s puzzling to me why they contemplated a spin-off featuring my character, as I wasn’t clear on their reasoning behind it. Maybe they noticed that many viewers were responding strongly to Tariq’s actions, despite the fact that his character wasn’t universally popular. However, once the spin-off was released, it seemed like they had a preconceived plan for how they could reinterpret Tariq and win over fans who previously disliked him. It feels as though they had anticipated the outcome once they made the decision.
Who was Tariq on Power and who was Tariq on Ghost?
In the series “Power,” Tariq’s actions were largely driven by anger towards his family, particularly his father. His decisions were less strategic; instead, they were influenced by emotions. However, in the show “Ghost,” Tariq has responsibilities to fulfill for others. As a result, the actions he takes on “Ghost” are significantly different from those on “Power.” In “Ghost,” Tariq has a purpose and a clear reason behind his actions, unlike in “Power” where he was young and acted on impulse due to emotions. On “Ghost,” Tariq is more deliberate and thoughtful, contrasting with the impulsive Tariq from “Power.
Despite Tariq’s persistent efforts to prove he wasn’t like his father, in the end, he turned out to be just like him. How did he come to terms with this realization?
Reflecting on the narrative, I believe it’s all about the heart-to-heart with Effie that resonated deeply: “Ah, you’re a monster, and when you embrace that truth, life becomes simpler, allowing you to truly be yourself.” This season, it seems he’s been wrestling with this concept. He’s trying to evade it, but then there’s the pivotal moment where he acknowledges, “I need to take control.
How about this: “As for Tariq, he transformed from a boy into a charmer with quite the variety of romantic partners. Each of these women – Lauren, Diana, and Effie – held significance in Tariq’s life, but Anya was intriguingly complex.
Anya represents a piece being controlled in the grand scheme; Lauren symbolizes his desire for ordinary existence; when with her, he envisions us as typical college students. This is his perception when considering Lauren. Diana, on the other hand, offers him a glimpse of a world beyond their shared game, revealing her ambition to change things. He appreciates this but it doesn’t sway his decisions; he remains committed to his plans. Moreover, he values that she remains in the game, as even though she yearns for freedom, she still comprehends the logic behind many of his actions. This is what keeps him connected to Diana. I believe Effie has been authentic with him, providing guidance to help him discover his true self, such as acknowledging his inner monster. In essence, each woman offers a unique emotional experience.
As a gamer, when I found out I was going to become a dad, it felt like unlocking a new character in my game – a character I was eager to guide and grow. So, what do you reckon that little one symbolized for me?
It seems to me that Tariq is venturing into a fresh phase of his life, and it’s clear Diana wished he’d choose a different path. However, they found themselves at odds over this matter. Despite their disagreement, I believe Tariq would have gone the extra mile to support the child. He had the potential to be an exceptional father. Yet, I can’t help but think that his reluctance to leave his current situation might influence his fatherhood role in ways he wouldn’t foresee.
What made Noma a worthy adversary for Tariq?
She exhibited cunning deceitfulness. She posed a threat. Upon her arrival, it seemed as though she aimed to take charge of New York City. She attempted to assert control. … she entered with an unconventional approach that stirred up changes in a unique manner.
And then Carter, with Michael Ealy coming in?
Man, Carter. Now that was a whole different beast. Carter, he’s ruthless. He wants to solve a case the way he wants to solve the case, and he doesn’t care who dies in the midst of it. He’s crazy. Aside from Carter, Michael Ealy himself, the way he brought that character to life is super dope. Every time I would see that me and him had a scene on the call sheet for the day, I would just be super excited, because working with him, it’s like sparring; it’s like a little boxing match. He pushes you to be your best in the scene. He’s a great scene partner.
Did you expect Tariq to still be standing in the end?
Indeed. My initial thought was, “Who on earth could possibly eliminate Tariq?” Given his knack for coming up with solutions, it’s a puzzle. It’s hard to say who would be the ideal candidate for such an action. For instance, bringing in Carter during the final season and having him kill Tariq wouldn’t have fit well with the narrative. However, if the writers chose to write it that way, they could certainly find a way to make it work.
Towards the closing moments of Ghost, it seemed as if Tariq received a call from Tommy, hinting at his move towards the Power spinoff titled Force. Now, I’d like to know what comes next for Tariq.
Like we say, Power never ends. So I’m excited to see what’s to come in the future.
What do you think Power and Ghost’s legacy is?
Remarkable and iconic, it stands among the greatest television series ever produced. This wasn’t just any show, but an extraordinary franchise with four successful spin-offs, a feat few other shows have achieved. The scale of its success is astounding, particularly when you consider the immense popularity of Power at the time. It set some pretty big shoes to fill. Managing three to four different series is no small feat. Being part of such an iconic franchise is a truly legendary experience.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-10-07 22:25