Tommy Egan’s control over his Chicago empire is unraveling from within, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion to the series. The seventh episode of the final season, titled “Lines in the Sand,” aired on December 19, 2025, on STARZ and delivered major turning points as long-brewing tensions finally boiled over.
While Tommy works to consolidate his power, his closest allies are making moves behind his back. The episode, written by La Monte Edwards and directed by showrunner Gary Lennon, forces characters to choose sides in a conflict that will determine who rules Chicago’s streets.
Coalition Coup and a Fractured Partnership
The central conflict of the episode stems from a seismic shift within the drug coalition Tommy helped create. While Tommy was handling other business, his partners held a vote in his absence. Jenard Sampson, seizing an opportunity to undermine Tommy’s authority, successfully convinced the coalition to begin moving fentanyl in partnership with the Asian syndicate.
This decision represents a direct challenge to Tommy’s leadership and his established rules. Jenard, reveling in his victory, openly taunts Tommy, stating it was his new connection that secured the lucrative deal. More critically, Tommy’s trusted partner, Diamond Sampson, sided with his brother Jenard on the vote. When a frustrated Tommy confronts Diamond, his partner defends the move as “coalition business,” insisting Tommy needs to trust his judgment. This betrayal of trust creates the most significant rift yet between the two leaders, calling into question the future of their partnership and the stability of their entire organization.
“These yo’ rules, and you need to trust that I know what the fuck I’m doing,” Diamond tells Tommy, highlighting the growing power struggle.
A Looming Street War and Federal Pressure
External threats are mounting just as internal alliances crumble. Miguel Garcia is preparing his crew for an imminent attack from the Marquez cartel, which is seeking to establish dominance in Chicago by eliminating the most powerful local gang. The episode shows Miguel rallying his soldiers, knowing a brutal conflict is at his doorstep.
On the legal front, U.S. Attorney Stacy Marks faces the consequences of her entanglement with Tommy. In a dramatic scene, she is arrested on charges of corruption, obstruction of justice, and the murder of Claudia Flynn. Despite this, she continues to play both sides. In a publicly staged press conference, she pins Claudia Flynn’s murder on the Marquez cartel, a narrative fabricated by Tommy to cover his own tracks. A released clip from the episode shows Stacy later pressing Mireya Garcia for information about Claudia’s death, indicating her investigation is far from over.
Tommy’s Calculated Moves and a Dire Ultimatum
Faced with crises on all sides, Tommy works to maintain his footing. He smooths things over with Peter Hoxha, the Albanian leader, after a hit on one of their bars, promising to deliver the responsible party. He also continues to profit from his manipulation of the political system through Stacy Marks.
His most decisive action, however, is against Vic Flynn. Suspecting Vic was behind the attack on the Albanians, Tommy sends Jenard to deliver a brutal ultimatum. Jenard confronts Vic, revealing that Tommy knows about the hit and, more devastatingly, about Vic’s girlfriend, Rae. He gives Vic a chilling choice: “You better serve somebody up… Otherwise, it’s gon’ be you and your little sidepiece dead next”. This threat forces Vic into a corner with potentially fatal consequences, regardless of his choice.
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The Path to the Finale
With only a few episodes remaining in the series’ final season, “Lines in the Sand” successfully escalates every major conflict. The episode’s title perfectly encapsulates the defining choices each character must now make. Tommy Egan, portrayed by Joseph Sikora, finds his ambition to become Chicago’s undisputed kingpin threatened not just by rivals and the law, but by the very people he built his empire with.
The broken trust between Tommy and Diamond, Jenard’s rising influence, Miguel’s impending war, and Vic’s impossible situation have collectively set the stage for an explosive and unpredictable conclusion to Power Book IV: Force.
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