Empire: "Sins of the Father" Review
“Empire”
Season 1 Ep. 10
Sins of the Father
After Andre’s dramatic breakdown in “Unto the Breach,” I wasn’t quite sure how this week’s episode would unfold. It’s clear that the family had known about Andre’s disorder since his first incident in college. Of course Cookie had no idea due to her seventeen years of incarceration. Yet the opening scene showed how much the family (albeit minus Lucious) cares for their brother/son/husband.
There was a heavy handed PSA in the therapy scene that I didn’t care for. I know Lee Daniels has been quoted saying that with "Empire" he wanted to "blow the lid off of homophobia in my community” and I think this is the approach that was used here with Bi-polar disorder. Cookie’s line about it being “white people problems” was so early ‘90s that it lost some of the emotional appeal to me. Yes, she’s been locked up for a while, but I think we’re above that level of that type of scripted ignorance. Jennifer Hudson and Mary J. Blige had brief cameos almost not worth mentioning but they are both amazing talents.
Cookie and Malcolm’s relationship is starting to kick off strong after last week. As much as Malcolm likes to tout his principles, messing with Cookie is going to come back to bite him. At the end of the day, “Empire” is about Lucious Lyons and I don’t see Malcolm lasting through next week’s two hour finale if it came down to it.
Camila actually seems to care for Hakeem, or she has a really good scheme planned that requires her saying all the right things. After Lucious offered her hush money and sent her to the airport never to return, she vowed to come back. We’ll see how that turns out.
The majority of the episode focused on Lola. Yeah, Lola. You remember, the little girl whose paternity I’ve questioned since she showed up in “Out, Damned Spot!”. Just as Jamal was starting to write songs about Lola and consider having her live with him, Olivia comes back in town with a crazy ex holding her hostage. Props to Raven Symone’s performance in making us believe he was a scary guy, because outside of some tats he really didn’t do much the entire episode that would cause us to be alarmed.
After an embittered Vernon leads Olivia and Loco to the Lyon’s estate, crazy pulls a gun on the family, which gets Lucious open and honest. He claims paternity for Lola in an effort to save his son. We’ll see if it’s true or not, but this came as a shock to the family (You guys really thought Jamal was the daddy?) and has created an obvious rift in the family.
Cookie Crumbs:
- Lucious’ enemies are too many to count right now. Anika, Beretti, Vernon, Jamal, Cookie, Andre, and so on. I’m hoping he takes some kind of a hit in the next episode because his character has earned it.
- That’s a wrap on Lola! At least in my opinion. She’s served her purpose in the storyline, but she could appear throughout Season 2.
- Was it just me, or did you notice the soap opera-esque music that played throughout this episode to build tension? Music has been the core of this show, and I hope they don’t bring that sappy element into it.
You can buy the hit soundtrack here:
Best Empire Memes This Week:
ROTF LMAO!#Empire #EmpireFOX pic.twitter.com/xQFG3ZyAMD”
— Reign (@Coldaseyce) March 13, 2015
I think I'm onto something! #EmpireFOX @EmpireFOX pic.twitter.com/TnTBg3rt4Z
— Lou Sputhole (@GummyFredo) March 13, 2015
😭😭“@HoSitDown: In the case of Lola, Jamal, you are NOT the father #Empire #EmpireFOX @EmpireWriters pic.twitter.com/ERlTHvyb1a”
— Nikes & V-Necks (@ShortyMamba24) March 13, 2015
Empire: "Out, Damned Spot" Review
Empire
Season 1 Ep. 6
“Out, Damned Spot”
“Empire” never ceases to please with explosive openings. We find Cookie getting dolled up to meet with Lucious. She walks into a ritzy restaurant wearing her best fur. As she meets Lucious near the entrance, she quickly learns that he invited her not for the date that she thinks, but to tell the family he’s engaged to Anika. Never to be bested, Cookie spills the beans on the rose Lucious sent her in “Dangerous Bonds”, and reveals the lingerie she had under her coat for everyone, and especially Lucious and Anika’s eyes.
What I’m starting to enjoy about Cookie is not only that she’s real, but she doesn’t mind speaking up and acting a fool! While it is becoming a bit one note, Taraji P. Henson slays the role with every Cookie tantrum and pep talk. This week she hooked Jamal up by getting a big sports star to tweet about Jamal’s song, helping it get buzz.
Jamal’s slow rise to success is already weighing on his paranoid boyfriend. While it’s good to have vision and awareness, Michael is doing too much. At first I thought his insecurities were going to rip their relationship apart, but Cookie didn’t help much informing him that he should be prepared for Jamal to be busy. Jamal didn’t help his relationship either in not telling the world that he had a boyfriend during a Sirius radio interview with Sway. Honestly, Jamal looked like he was over Michael the entire episode.
Remember how I talked about Andre covering for his father in “False Imposition“? It came back to haunt in this episode. As Vernon confronts Andre with a choke hold to get the truth about his false alibi, Andre confirms his role as his father’s eternal way out whether Andre knows what he’s covering for or not.
Hakeem is dealing with Tiana’s side chick in the only way someone with something to prove would. Looking like a fake Nelly, Hakeem shows up drunk in the club. He once again asks for Jamal’s help and is rejected for what seems like the final time. He does, however, manage to put out another banger to combat Jamal’s music.
Vernon gets a little more screen time and new layers to his character are added. We find out that he’s a recovering alcoholic. We also learn that Vernon and Andre have a coup in the works. Although, I find it hard to believe that Vernon is really going to play second fiddle to Andre after he questioned Bunky giving his life to serving Lucious.
This week had lots of cameos. Courtney Love came in as Elle, one of Empire’s first artist, a former chart topper now broken and strung out. Derek Luke came in as the new head of security. Yet perhaps the most out of place cameo was Raven-Symone as a (distant?) friend of the family, claiming the girl with her was Jamal’s daughter. We know how this is going to go! I’m predicting blood tests next week, and the next episode will be Michael’s last!
Cookie Crumbs:
- Anika is actually starting to stand her ground against Cookie. She still isn’t the head honcho though.
- Raven-Symone was doing a little too much in her role. I hope we won’t see too much of that character. How about Courtney Love’s appearance as Elle? It wasn’t a stretch for her to play a version of herself, but it was a decent performance.
- What do you think Vernon is cooking up? I’d say a double cross on Lucious and Andre. Why go from serving the devil to serving the devil’s bi-polar seed?
- As a recovering alcoholic, Vernon has a weakness. I think Lucious is going to use it to his advantage down the line.
Empire: "Dangerous Bonds" Review
Empire
Season 1 Ep. 5
“Dangerous Bonds”
This episode, unlike “False Imposition”, was full of surprises, twists, and hurry back from your bathroom break during commercial moments that didn’t let up until the end! Empire is almost Shakespearian in the drama and conflict it creates...almost. “Dangerous Bonds” seemed to set more splinter stories in motion that could be interesting down the line.
From the jump we get the Takeem relationship shoved down our throats. It can’t be by chance that just like mainstream media, the show insists that we care about the two shallowest artists as it continues to call out “the biz”. Yet, Tiana reveals she’s got a side chick, giving a little more depth to her character and making Hakeem on edge. It forces Hakeem to step up and handle his business in order to get his over budget music video made with Tiana costarring.
Lucious proposes to Anika who accepts. She may have said yes because of love, knowing Lucious has ALS, but her father cuts an unethical side deal with Lucious due to the same reason. As Lucious’ wife, Anika will come into billions once he passes. Can you say, “We want pre-nup, we want pre-nup!”?
Lucious continues to be the puppet master. He constantly strings Andre along with his desire to be head of the company, but more importantly his “almighty approval” that Andre desires so much. In fact, Andre is willing to put his brother’s life in jeopardy by making sure Hakeem’s leeches overhear him talking about Jamal being alone in his studio with thousands of dollars in valuables on him. As one of Jamal’s engineers are shot due to Andre’s purposed deed, it magnifies the rift between Jamal and Hakeem.
Cookie is proving to be one of the most layered characters on the show. In one moment she can say “The name’s Cookie, ask about me!” and the next be scared of a rose dropped on her front door. In this episode Taraji continues to show her acting prowess as she flips from in control BOSS to fearful woman from moment to moment. It’s her fear and drive to survive that incites her to put in motion something that will definitely come back to bite her down the line.
Cookie Crumbs:
- Andre’s wife is quite possibly the biggest snake on the show. The Tiana set up was proof enough that she does not play and could just as soon be Andre’s downfall in the long run.
- Is Hakeem stepping into his own lane? This episode showed a more confident and independent thinking Hakeem than we’ve seen in the past.
- Is “Empire” going to have a soundtrack to go along with this season? As much as music is central to the show, if they release a soundtrack with it I think it will be a chart topper. It’s a smart business move, especially with the success of the show.
- The Jamal/Hakeem fight was epic in foreshadowing the conflict that may pop up later this season.
Empire: "False Imposition" Review
Empire
Season 1 Ep. 4
“False Imposition”
The race for the throne is still on at Empire Records. Yet, this week, Lucious (Terrance Howard) reveals why he’s been riding everyone so hard in a tender moment with Anika (Grace Gealey). Lucious letting the truth about his ALS out to Anika is likely going to come back and bite him with the feud Lucious allows to persist between his two loves.
The competition between Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) and Anika is still burning strong. Cookie continues to establish herself as a true manager, scoring Tiana by promising to protect her music and make her a star, and talking to Titan’s (a new rapper character) mother to get him on Empire’s roster. While Anika has enabled Takeem to get a spot at the Teen Choice Awards, Cookie’s reach is still apparent as Tiana texts for approval. At every turn “Empire” is showing that Cookie is the better woman for Empire records and Lucious.
This episode also reveals more of Andre’s relationship with his father. As Andre gives an alibi to the cops for Lucious on the night that Bunkie was murdered, we realize that this is a pattern stemming from childhood. It simply cements why Andre will go ham when he doesn’t get kinged. Bi-polar disorder to the side.
Jamal proves himself to be the man that his homophobic father doesn’t belief he is by returning a check sent to him after playing for Hakeem. Jamal’s stance also shows that he’s the better artist. He believes in himself, knows his worth, and isn’t afraid to stand alone in the struggle to make the world know. As he finds inspiration in the projects where he’s now living, we know he is going to have some hits soon.
Wrapping things up we’re introduced to Lucious’ rival and old boss, Baretti (an almost unrecognizable Judd Nelson). He promises to dig up old dirt and bury Lucious if he continues down the path of securing Titan as his artist. Unfortunately, this felt more like a filler episode with fragmented storytelling.
Cookie Crumbs:
- The Nation killed Lucious’ father. Cookie specifically mentions this in the episode which means his father has some sort of importance to the show, and we’re going to likely find out how the two relate.
- Hakeem is a spoiled brat. When he’s not in a hot tub with Naomi Campbell, he’s still salty about his mommy issues while lampin’ in his $2 million dollar apartment that his father pays for.
- Takeem’s performance. While Tiana sounds like Empire’s Rihanna, Hakeem can barely be heard. The musical performances continue to feel so forced and staged, while the show still speaks to the current state of authenticity (and the lack there of) in hip hop.
- Lucious and Cookie’s tango. It’s super obvious they should and possibly will hook back up as a power couple, but this is going to get dragged out to the end of the season.
"Bin of Sin" Review
Pretty Little Liars
Season 5.17
“Bin of Sin"
This week’s episode of Pretty Little Liars put a great deal of added stress on many relationships. If it was A’s plan to divide and conquer, he/she/shim was successful with Ezria, Spoby, and Hannah/Spence. However, ain’t no mountain high enough, valley low enough, or jail cell wide enough to keep Caleb from Hanna! Awww Haleb!!!
Aria finally tells Ezra about her letter to Jackie that described how she squandered her high school experience with an older guy. After reading the letter Ezra tells her it was a brilliant move because it got her into Talmadge. Later he recants and tells her she should consider leaving him and moving on to enjoy her college experience. This is the best advice I’ve heard all season. Leave him Aria! He’s probably hiding something else from you and sees this as a way to separate from you before you find out the truth! (This relationship just bugs me...I have no tolerance for older men dating high school girls!!!) Maybe Aria is starting to see the light through her yearbook.
Meanwhile, Talia finally lets Emily know she is interested in her. Nothing that we didn’t already know Talia!
But wait, the episode is called the Bin of Sin! So when Caleb, Spence, Emily, and Aria tell Hanna to leave the barrel alone, Hanna takes matters into her own hands. She researches, purchases all the needed equipment, and recruits Caleb to help her break into the storage unit and remove all the evidence of Mona’s murder. Surprise!!! A has already removed everything except the barrel. As Haleb walks out to get the dolly to transport the barrel they run into Tanner and Toby who are coming to check out unit 1017 too. Busted!!! (good thing you returned everything to your blue bag Hanna!)
So what’s inside the barrel?!?! When Tanner and Toby open it, the smell is too much for Toby, and Tanner sends him out to call the HazMat team. That’s when she finds the droplets of blood beside the barrel. Hmmm....what did that note Alison found inside her orange jumpsuit say? Oh yes, “your friends will be joining you soon”. Well it looks like Hanna could be first in line. Remember how easy it was for A to get Hanna’s O negative blood on the Ouji board?
Meanwhile, Spencer, Aria, and Emily follow Mona’s Lo-Jacked computer. It leads them to an old ice cream factory that is full of little clues. The ice cream clown logo is very reminiscent of the clown A had in his/her/shim’s lair. The dead rat that Emily finds with the freeze dried nuts reminded me of the dead rat that was found in Paige’s locker. But the biggest find was the computer that was in the freezer playing a video of Hanna telling Caleb all about her plan to break into the storage unit. So the computer was A’s way of spying on Hanna through her own computer. Of course as soon as Sparia grabbed the computer to leave, the Black Hooded One locks them in the freezer and turns on the liquid nitrogen. This was by far the scariest and most gut wrenching scene of the night. Thank God for Emily’s quick thinking and physical strength that got them out just in time!!! But of course they leave the computer in the freezer. Liars have you learned nothing in 5 seasons!!!???
Now let’s wrap this episode up with the rest of the relationship tension. When Hanna and Caleb hear about their video on Mona’s/A’s computer Hanna tells Caleb he should stay away from her because A is trying to take her down. But Caleb assures her that will never happen....even if they both go to jail. HALEB = Solid as a rock!!!
Hanna confronts Spencer about the day’s events and asks her when Toby’s job became more important than his friends. In an argument that resembles a Spencer/Alison clash of words, Spencer yells “you can’t blame this on Toby!” But Spencer and Toby may be the relationship destined to crack under A’s pressure. Toby calls Spencer and lies to her about his whereabouts and refuses to tell her what they found in the barrel. Cue the final A scene please... Guess whose fingerprints Black Hoodie finds when he/she/shim returns to the factory? Now there is evidence that can be used against all four liars!
This episode did not answer many questions, but it sure did leave us with a lot of clues to investigate. As always, until next time Liars keep your friends close and your secrets closer!
East Los High: Season 2 Critique
I had to do a Top 6 for Season 2 of the popular Hulu Original show. I nerded out and went a bit in depth on the characters but I know ELH lovers and addicts won't mind!