I found the "Power" series on Starz quite by accident six months ago. I was purusing through my account and stumbled on "Power." After reading the description of the show based on an NYC drug dealer turned club owner synopsis and his trials and tribulations, I thought I'd give it a try. After the first viewing, I was hooked. Power became a guilty pleasure; an addiction for me. You can almost smell the vodka and see reefer fumes waft through your screen. 

What was it about "Power" I found so appealing? First off, it's pure escapism. We all need that, especially in these challenging times. And the writing, albeit over-the-top and campy, is engaging with twisting and turning plotlines. The characters are attractive and layered with idiosyncracies – you can't take your eyes off them – as the camera embraces them, plus music and an NYC set add to the mood.

The protagonist, James St. Patrick, aka 'Ghost' (he succeeds in his hustles being invisible) played by Omari Hardwick, is a charismatic criminal immersed in the high price tag illegal drug trade. He floats around as a murdering criminal but could be on the cover of GQ. And he is a family man and loves his three children and stunning wife Tasha. He takes up with an old high school flame Angela Valdez, an Assistant Prosecutor for the FBI, played by Lena Loren. Even though he's cheating hot and heavy, you find yourself strangely rooting for him. He's so bad, he's good.

And so is Ghost's wife Tasha. You strangely find yourself giving her a pass for using her daycare to launder money, having affairs and lying right and left because she is so darned compelling. 

Ghost's son Tariq, played by the gifted young actor Michael Rainey Jr, is a flood of contradictions. He's a straight-A teen with promise who ends up getting into the drug trade in his upscale private schools. Tariq kills his twin sister Raina's (Donshea Hopkins) murderer and eventually his own father Ghost (no need for a spoiler alert – this was in the final episode). And in true "Power" fashion, Tasha takes the rap for her son and tells him to "live your life" as she's taken to lockup.

The other main character is Tommy Egan, expertly portrayed by actor Joseph Sikora. He's a streetwise handsome thug without much of a conscience, although he remains loyal to his 'family' for the most part. Tommy is fun – an Eminem on steroids. Although he gets his lovely girlfriend Keisha (Lala Anthony) involved in drug trading, you still like him. Go figure. 

Finally, kudos to rapper and Executive Producer Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson (who plays Kanan) along with talented creator Courtney A. Kemp. 

"Power Book II: Ghost" was already filming. Sadly, production was halted last week after a crew member tested positive for COVID-19. He is reportedly in good condition. 

The sequel stars Michael Rainey Jr. and Mary J. Blige; bet we'll see flashbacks from the former show.