STARZ

Power is about a lot of things. It’s about redemption, reinvention, romance, while also being a good crime story. However, what makes the show work so well is at its core, Power is about relationships. When the show delves deep into the relationship between Ghost and Tommy, it becomes crystal clear theirs is the heart of the show and the engine that makes it go.

Movies and TV don’t always handle male friendships well. We’re either too detached from each other because that’s the “man” thing to do or we treat each other like we’re a romantic couple. While the recently deceased Holly believed Ghost and Tommy were the latter, the truth of it is so simple that it’s a wonder many forms of entertainment struggle with it. They’re brothers and when you strip everything else away, this episode — and the show as a whole — is about the ups and downs of the their relationship.

Oh before we continue, there will be spoilers here so don’t be mad. You’ve been forewarned. Turn away now.

Still here? Cool. Anyway, from the beginning of the episode we can draw details on who they were as kids and how their relationship functioned. Tommy would do something bugged out, Ghost would have his back and their bond would strengthen. Tommy’s still in a daze over killing Holly and it’s Ghost who makes him coffee and helps him get himself together. Fast forward to the part of the episode where they’re looking for Lobos in the woods, Ghost tells Tommy the only way to find him will be to split up like they used to in their old neighborhood.

Those little bits of dialogue, along with the way they react when Tasha makes an unexpected visit to Tommy’s spot, not only paint a picture of two guys with a long history but also trying to remember what made them friends in the first place because their sh*t is a tad broken at the moment.

A core theme that runs through “The Right Decision” is the idea of necessity. Characters are doing what’s needed even if it isn’t right morally or even what they truly want. Ghost’s decision to end his relationship with Angie and Tasha pretending to be Ghost while texting Angie being prime examples. None of that pretense is there with Ghost and Tommy’s reconciliation. Sure, on the surface it seems like they’re only back together for business, but Stevie Wonder on his worst day can see that those two miss the hell out of each other and need their brotherhood.

If the rest of the season details exactly how they mend this long fence between them — especially for however long Angie is out of the picture — then it’ll be interesting to see how it evolves. Right now its a supposed uneasy alliance but no matter how much or how often brothers fight, the love is always there.

Whether Ghost wants to admit it or not, his relationship with Tommy is the strongest one in his life and the only one he truly nurtures. He and Angela are doomed while he and Tasha are probably damaged beyond repair. Tommy is the one relationship where he doesn’t have to lie, doesn’t have to front, nor does he have to get any papers signed so they can move on with their lives. No matter what, that’s the person that will always have his back.

With the way things are going, he’s going to need at least one person in his corner.