As Power Book III: Raising Kanan barrels toward its series finale, social media is ablaze with theories about who might not survive Episode 7.

The Starz drama, now in its fifth and final season, has delivered unrelenting tension since the shocking death of Lou-Lou Thomas early in the season, and fans are bracing for more heartbreak.

The conversation exploded after a popular fan account posted a simple but provocative question: “Who do you think will die in Episode 7? #RaisingKanan.” Accompanied by promotional imagery from the show’s final season, the post quickly garnered engagement from viewers deeply invested in the Thomas family saga.

Replies ranged from hopeful wishes for certain characters’ demise to anxious predictions about escalating gang wars in Queens.

Raising Kanan follows the formative years of Kanan Stark, the ruthless drug kingpin later portrayed by 50 Cent in the original Power series. In this prequel, young Kanan (Mekai Curtis) navigates a dangerous world shaped by his mother Raquel “Raq” Thomas (Patina Miller), a formidable queenpin determined to protect her family while expanding her empire.

The final season has amplified the personal and criminal stakes, particularly after Kanan’s accidental killing of his uncle Lou-Lou in the season premiere-a moment that fractured the family in ways that continue to reverberate.

Lou-Lou’s death, which occurred when he intervened during a confrontation between Kanan and Raq, set a grim tone. Raq covered up the incident, dumping the body and eliminating loose ends, leaving most characters unaware that Kanan pulled the trigger. This secret has strained relationships, fueled paranoia, and pushed characters toward desperate measures.

As alliances crumble and external threats from rivals like Stefano and internal betrayals mount, the show has positioned itself for a bloody endgame.

Episode 6, “Dark Matter,” saw Raq preparing for war as her business faced implosion. Jukebox confronted Kanan about past actions, while revelations about Famous’ murder pointed to Snaps and Pop. Detective Garcia’s moral reckoning added another layer of pressure on law enforcement entanglements.

These threads suggest Episode 7, titled “Penultimate Means Second to Last,” will serve as a major turning point before the August 7 series finale.

Public Reaction

Fan speculation on platforms like X reflects the show’s complex character dynamics. Some hope Raq meets her end, viewing her as the architect of much of the family’s pain. Others root against Stefano or peripheral figures like Snaps and Pop, whose actions have already claimed lives.

A few express dread that Jukebox or even Kanan himself could face fatal consequences as his transformation into the cold-blooded figure from Power accelerates. One reply bluntly stated, “Hopefully Raq,” while another pleaded, “I hope to god its Stefano.”

This buzz is typical for the Power universe, known for its high body count and shocking twists. Creator Sascha Penn has emphasized that the final season ties up long-planned arcs, with “no stone left unturned.” Early interviews revealed that writers debated killing Raq in the Season 4 cliffhanger but opted to keep her alive for deeper exploration of her fractured bond with Kanan.

Lou-Lou’s death, however, was chosen to remove a key stabilizing force, forcing characters to confront their worst impulses without his moderating influence.

The stakes feel particularly personal for the Thomas family. Marvin grapples with grief and rage, Jukebox seeks justice for losses including Famous, and Kanan solidifies dangerous alliances, including with Breeze. Raq’s attempts to rebuild her operation amid threats from rival crews and law enforcement have left her increasingly isolated.

With only a handful of episodes remaining, any death in Episode 7 would likely accelerate the inevitable reckoning.

Viewers familiar with the broader Power timeline know certain outcomes are predetermined-Raq’s eventual fate being one but the “how” and “when” remain sources of intense anticipation. The show has subverted expectations before, using misdirection and emotional depth to elevate what could have been standard crime-drama tropes.

Patina Miller’s portrayal of Raq has been particularly praised for capturing a woman torn between maternal love and ruthless ambition, making any potential loss hit harder.

Beyond the central family, supporting characters face peril. Ongoing feuds with Stefano’s crew, police investigations, and shifting loyalties among street associates create multiple vectors for violence. Recent episodes have introduced or escalated threats from figures like Flossie Siegel and Hafiz’s crew, suggesting the body count could rise as territories are contested.

As the clock ticks down, Raising Kanan continues to excel at blending street-level action with intimate family drama. The series has charted Kanan’s evolution from conflicted teen to emerging kingpin with nuance, never shying away from the human cost.

Fans dissecting every trailer, synopsis, and social media hint are doing what the show invites: speculating on who will survive the final stretch.

Starz audiences will tune in Friday, July 31, eager to see whose story ends next in this gripping chapter of the Power saga. With the series finale looming, the question isn’t just who might die, but how the surviving characters will be forever altered by the bloodshed.