(spoilers ahead)
This week gives us a slightly lower key episode for our dysfunctional pop music masters, but as always the definition of “low-key” on Empire is relatively loose given the rapid pace of the story. With tensions still running high after Cookie and company’s failed deal to take over the family business, she along with Hakeem and Andre decide to branch out on their own and start their own label to compete with Jamal- who for his part is still under duress dealing with the pressure at the top, as he confesses to an interviewer that Cookie herself hired. He needless to say doesn’t take her news very well.
Back in the big house, LUDA-! makes his show debut as a corrupt security guard on orders from Prosecutor Ford to shake down Lucious into cooperation, denying him his medication just as his illness begins to resurface. While Chris Rock wasn’t bad at all last week as a cannibalistic mobster, the man born as Christopher Brian is easily a more intimidating presence, unsurprising with his prior Fast and Furious experience.
The fledgling Lyon Dynasty label unfortunately gets off to a rocky start. Hakeem once again proves himself to be the Quagmire of this show as he attempts to put together a multi-ethnicity girl group -with the possible end result of some hot tub action on the side, of course. He proposes the name “Rainbow Sensation”, which I agree with Cookie that it sounds pretty corny. But on the other hand, it does sorta fit with Hakeem’s early 90’s hip hop vibe.
On top of Tiana’s irritation with LD’s practices, Andre is frustrated that his younger brother isn’t focusing on finishing his album. Cookie tries to reason with him into staying, but nevertheless he storms off in anger over having to once again start at the bottom, and visits his father in prison to ask for a second chance. Sadly Lucious isn’t feeling too generous these days, and we get a brief but very vague flashback of a younger Lucious with his mother (Kelly Rowland), possibly hinting at future revelations that could explain the approach he takes with his sons? Rhonda meanwhile speaks with Jamal in private to vouch for Andre, and needless to say her meeting is more productive.
Meanwhile Lucious isn’t about to sit idly by and let Lyon Dynasty steal his thunder, and he goes into a makeshift studio with his prison buddies and records a vicious anti-snitch track. Luda isn’t pleased and shuts the session down, confiscating the song- but not before Lucious’s mysterious lawyer, Thirsty Rawlings” (Andre “Bubbles Royo”) plays his hand. His goons pummel the crap out of Luda and steal back the track, and soon “Clyde told me” is blasting on the airwaves. He also pulls some major strings in order to get Lucious released, handing some…uncompromising photos to the judge, let’s just put it like that.
Elsewhere, Hakeem considers making amends with Jamal, but he’s still determined to get his music heard, and reveals he’s leaked his album that Jamal scrapped online. This pisses his brother off and Jamal threatens to sue, reigniting tensions. What I liked about the way this unfolded is the writing shows that the brothers could be a lot closer were Empire and business related matters not getting in the way.
Odds and Ends
– Blame it on Tiana, indeed. Those SHORTS.
– Anika is still apparently in the doghouse after her failed attempt to seduce Whiteman, to the point where Cookie doesn’t even want her in the studio with them. At this point she’s just kinda buzzing around the gang like an annoying gnat, which could make for some good comedy down the road.