'Power Book III: Raising Kanan': Did Raq influence Kanan's decision to become a gangster?

Raq may have wanted to protect Kanan but unknowingly pushed him into her world
Mekai Curtis as Kanan Stark and Patina Miller as Raquel 'Raq' Thomas in 'Power Book III: Raising Kanan' (Starz)
Mekai Curtis as Kanan Stark and Patina Miller as Raquel 'Raq' Thomas in 'Power Book III: Raising Kanan' (Starz)

The 'Power' loyalists know how Kanan Stark (50 Cent) met his end. With Starz series 'Power Book III: Raising Kanan', they will learn what experiences shaped him to be the man he was. It wasn't easy growing up under the severe tutelage of his queenpin mother, Raquel 'Raq' Thomas (Patina Miller), who envisioned Kanan walking a different path but ended up somewhat influencing him to follow in her footsteps.  

While we tell you why Raq could somewhere be responsible for Kanan picking up violence and drugs over all else, here are a few show titles you can binge on the side: 'City on the Hill', 'Peaky Blinders', 'Top Boy' and 'Narcos: Mexico'

READ MORE

'Power Book III: Raising Kanan' Full Cast List: Meet Mekai Curtis and others from Starz show

'Power Book III: Raising Kanan': Check out 50 Cent's theme song music video for Starz hit show spin-off

In the clip to the new season, we see a weeping, tiny Kanan complaining how he was "beat down" and his sister, Jukebox was held back at the park. Listening to him narrate the incident, Raq picked up a sock and filled it up with empty batteries as she taught him how to work around similar situations. When one is exposed to violence and fights at such a tender age, one can hardly look away. Even though Raq wanted to keep him away from the world she was at the top of, for Kanan it would always be fascinating. He watched from the sidelines for a while and it was only a matter of time before he got fully involved. 



 


The sneak peek we get into the maiden episode is not enough to make a claim that Raq is solely responsible for Kanan's life's decisions. However, it is enough for us to speculate that he takes after his mother when it comes to savagery. 

Kanan was like any other student in his school - sticking to his books while hoping to score a date with the popular schoolgirl, Davina Harrison (Lovie Simone). But his life steered him to a world riddled with secrets, the kind that comes with severe consequences. He has no choice but to grapple and live with them. 



 

The official synopsis reads: "Much like the original “Power,” “Raising Kanan” explores themes of identity, violence, and legacy, but it is also a deep dive into the very pathology of family; the unique, complicated and fraught dynamic between parent and child, mother and father, brother and sister."

Catch all the new episodes of 'Power Book III: Raising Kanan' on Starz every Sunday at 8/7c. For more information, check your local listings. If you don't have access to cable TV, subscribing to live TV streaming services will help your case. AT & T TV, Hulu, Sling TV, and YouTube TV are some of your options. If you are not based in the United States, using a VPN will help your case. 

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Mariska Hargitay’s reported ‘SVU’ paycheck includes acting and producing, while her estimated wealth reflects a career spanning more than four decades.
2026-11-12T20:43:49.000Z
'Marshals' Season 2 introduces a Texas cowgirl who joins Kayce Dutton at East Camp to help establish an equine therapy program.
2026-11-12T20:24:16.000Z
‘School Spirits’ Season 4 brings back Jennifer Tilly as Deborah Hunter-Price and Milo Manheim as Wally Clark while expanding its cast with four new additions
2026-11-12T20:05:26.000Z
Paul Wesley and Sara Canning reunite for Netflix’s college sports romance ‘Icebreaker,’ years after starring together in ‘The Vampire Diaries.’
2026-11-12T19:40:49.000Z
Peacock’s ‘The Good Daughter’ finale answers questions about the school shooting, Huck’s past and the buried secrets dividing Sam and Charlie’s family.
2026-11-12T16:29:59.000Z
‘Chicago Fire’ star Taylor Kinney shares the date for the franchise’s next crossover, which will bring all three NBC dramas together
2026-11-12T08:52:55.000Z
James Reynolds reveals his Parkinson’s diagnosis and explains why ‘Days of Our Lives’ is bringing it into Abe Carver’s storyline
2026-11-12T08:23:38.000Z
Charlie Vickers and his ‘The Rings of Power’ co-stars hint at Sauron’s next move and the Season 3 moments that left even the cast struggling for words
2026-11-12T07:50:09.000Z
Nearly three decades after their 1997 horror film, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Ryan Phillippe are sharing the screen again, this time in the ‘9-1-1’ franchise
2026-11-12T06:55:17.000Z
The Hulu spinoff follows nine MomTok creators in California, with Jen Affleck as the lone original star
2026-11-12T05:10:11.000Z