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She also doesn't know what "half of her f*cking head" is either... because looks like they shaved less than a 1/3 of her head. And I'm not even sure the word "shaved" is accurate. The one side just looked like it was shorter and slicked back. I wore a similar style 25 years ago (no weave)... hardly the great innovative style I'm sure Tyra was trying to create. .. and seriously much ado about nothing.

Well..he is kind of stupid, crazy in love with Jackie (despite all the nonsense she's pulled him into). He considers her a good friend. So it's really more about loyalty. Sure she's lied to Zoe and Thor's faces. But, they're supposed to be her friends. They can be mad her... keep their distance... even end the friendship. But making jokes about her with those two heartless, self-centered ass hole doctors was mean and IMO out of character, especially for Zoe. I am insanely loyal to my friends. Even when they're wrong. I might privately read them the riot act. But I'd never side with or join someone making fun of them or mocking them like that in public. So I get Eddie's indignation. He was just sticking up for his friend.

Right?! It's kind of gross that all these young women are having sex with him. He's a good looking guy... but, yeesh isn't anybody (Kev, the women) afraid of catching something. It's just all so sleazy to me. Even the first encounter between Lip and the professor is sleazy to me. Sorry I sound like such a prude, I'm not -- I'm just over all the random hook-ups. Could someone familiar with the law tell me if someone who is so clearly mentally challenged as Chuckie would really be sent to a Juvenile jail with Carl. I get that it was arrested with a hell of a lot drugs... but, still I just can't imagine a judge would send that child to the slaughter, even it was for a month. Wouldn't the justice system recognized the child was of diminished capacity and literally didn't understand what he was doing? I was flabbergasted when the judge sent him away.

That's a blessing... that's so good to hear. But sadly this is not the case of my Baptist church. Sure, there are folks taking part in therapy for drug/alcohol addictions. But, many of my contemporaries in church (people between 40 -50) do not have favorable opinions of folks suffering from mental illness (schizophrenia, depression, bi-polar) if you even hear about it all. It's something that shouldn't be discussed and if it is happening... it should prayed away. And don't get me started on homosexuality and equal marriage rights... The venom I hear on this subject ranges from "polite" condemnation to outright anger with predictions of hell on earth. A conversation I had once with a deacon from a different church was especially mean-spirited and hateful. The younger generations (folks in their 20s) are more open-minded... and views are definitely changing. But based on my own experiences, the attitudes presented in Empire still exist. I didn't take it as some kind of indictment of the whole black community. But, I think it's fair to address the issue... not necessarily for black America.. but for America period.

Thanks Mindy McIndy! So, here's hoping the writers will lead Ian to some kind of realization that he needs help... and that Mickey will be the one to make him see the light.

Ok... got it...thanks Chaos Theory! What you say makes sense. I get their loyalty to Ian. I wish there was a viable way to help him without institutionalizing him or tearing him and Mickey apart. I want them to have a happy ending... and not be the next-generation Monica and Frank. Fiona and Lip sounded so hopeless and defeated when talking the psychiatrist. I don't know that much about the disease, so forgive me if it's ignorant or silly to ask aren't there functioning, well-adjusted bi-polar patients out there in the world?

What I don't understand is why were Fiona and Debbie trying to get the pharmacist to break the law by re-filling the prescription? Wouldn't the easier solution be to just call the psychiatrist who wrote the scripts, explain what happened and have her phone in them into the pharmacist. Based on her sessions with Ian, I doubt that doctor would have any doubts that Ian flushed the meds. Did I miss something? Why was that never brought up as an option -- not even by the pharmacist?

Shameless also has a heartbreaking bipolar storyline going on right now and I think one of the characters said the illness could present way into the 20s. So maybe Andre didn't show signs until college.. out of his family's sight. Heartbreaking to watch that breakdown. So sad? This was one fast moving episode. I loved it! "Bye Felicia" and take the "Fake as Jackie O" with you. Lol! Cookie cracks me up! Not only did Lucious threaten to send BBK's dad to jail.. he threatened her life. Watch out BBK. Don't meet Lew under any dark bridges near water!

IMHO, I think the point will be an eventual emotional custody battle.. money grab or revelation that the little Lyoness is not actually Jamal's daughter. I can't imagine the show hired Raven-Symone for a 5-minute cameo. Olivia's brief appearance seemed to point to her being a manipulative schemer. She'll be back and up to no good. She's a back-up singer IIRC, so I could totally see her trying to get not only money out of this.. but, perhaps some kind of musical career as well.

Yep. Jamal (my favorite character BTW) is not perfect. He's flawed. For all the reasons you listed above, he probably should have picked a different way to come out. But, the fact that he chose a party honoring his father right after the heartfelt words from Lucious is what makes Empire so deliciously "Dynasty/Dallas" - like. His decision set up a whole new line of drama... created fallout and set-up future storylines. Jamal being the likeable character he is drives up the stakes even more. Without the high-energy dramatic coming out scene we would have never gotten Lucious's "funeral march" into HQ the next day, his harsh hateful words to Andre and his decision to drop Jamal's LP. Instead we would have a happy-go-lucky-let's-all-sing-together-in-the-studio Lyon clan.. and what's the fun in that? LOL!

Nope. When I saw his name in the credits. I thought "hey isn't he deceased? Sorry about that M.E.W.

Damn Cookie is good... How fast did she recognize and call out her baby boy's Mommy issues?! I'm okay with Cookie telling Camilla to back away from Hakeem. She can recognize a snake in the grass when she sees it. The photographer is a cutie. But I was hoping Jamal would take a little longer to get over Michael. Can't wait to see next week's episode.

Me too! Some posters believe the Elle sabotage was OOC for BBK. I do not. It may have been out of character for Anika B.C. (Before Cookie). But, girlfriend is battling the enemy on two fronts and she's losing the war. I'm sure she was able to easily chase away Lucious's other women. But, Cookie is not going anywhere. And Anika wants to marry Lucious soooo bad. She's desperate and dangerous. The hell with business. The real prize for her is Lucious. I get what you're saying... but Andre was not in the "comfort-me". He was ready to swing... even his wife took a step back for a second.

I'm thinking Jamal getting all attached to that little girl is going to end in heartache... when it's revealed she's not his kid. Things happen fast in the Empire universe. Within hours that adorable little child was calling members her new family "Auntie Rhonda", "Uncle Hakeem", cuddling with "Nana Cookie" and playing cutesy games with "Grampy Lucious". Lol! I get that they can't be all distant with a child.. especially one whose mother abandoned her like that... but damn that was fast work!!

Lol! I know exactly what you mean! I always think of the old SNL skit where Will Farrell keeps saying "My lov-ah"! "Partner" does hold more weight. In any case, I'm glad Mickey didn't flinch. :-)

Oh yeah... The resignation and sadness... the love and disappointment. The kiss on son's head.. the loving hugs between Mickey and Ian (at the police station and again at the hospital). It broke my heart! And boy, Mickey has come a long way... remember when he beat of Jimmy's dad for even suggesting that he was Ian's boyfriend or that he was gay. Remember how he begrudgingly acknowledged that he and Mickey were "together" at the hipster's apartment. But, when that cop asked Mickey who he was to Ian... he didn't blink or stutter or hesitate! Just matter-of-factly said "His partner, lover, you know, family!" Hell yeah, Noel Fisher is the man!! :-)

Amen..to how annoying Jax and Joey are. I lIke their voices. But enough with all the dramatics, especially Jax. That whole thing with her touching her parents' faces was a wee bit creepy to me. The girl with the psychic cat sounded like she was just screaming those high notes. Glad out of key girl (very mature looking 17 year old) didn't make it. IMO her vocals in group night didn't warrant her going through to the solos anyway. Hell her nervous breakdown alone should sent her home.

I agree jenrising... I can see Lucius encouraging, pressuring Jamal to date/sleep with a girl... And Jamal going there in a misguided attempt to please his dad. I do know some gay men who have slept with at least one woman in their lifetime, which doesn't negate the fact that they are indeed gay. Unfortunately, it will no doubt bolster Lucius' original argument that being gay is a choice.

I don't think he was looking for instant financial gain... but, the bigger picture. If he had made through to the Top 20 and maybe even Top 10 with a chance to go on the tour... there would be a steady paycheck for his financially strapped family. He and his family are hanging on a thread. AI was a lofty dream to lift them out of poverty, like winning the lottery. IIRC... Harry (or was it Keith) never thought he was cut out for the competition, even though he has a beautiful voice. It was one of those things where one judge was for... one was against... and the third judge took a chance and sent him to Hollywood. I think he's the singer whose father took his family from American back to Africa and then heartlessly abandoned them there. They barely survived, living on scraps and garbage. They somehow made it back to America... but, they're station in life only slightly improved. Sad! He wanted it so bad. But, like the dissenting judge predicted during the auditions, he's not cut out for this kind of competition.

She really does! Fiona has no clue what the hell Debbie and Carl are up to. When is the last time she even looked in Liam's direction, let alone spent any time with him. Who the hell gets married just like that when they technically have 3 kids at home waiting for them? Can't believe she's not even checking on Ian... Even if Mickey is telling her he's handling everything, she should still be checking on him. Mickey is so in love with Ian, it breaks my heart. He won't even consider cheating on Ian and was genuinely upset Ian had unprotected sex. Makes me worried how this is all going to end up... like the next level of his tough love will force him to break-up with Ian. Can't stand to think of them apart. :-(

EXACTLY! I'm not placing more blame on Tank because he's a guy. I'm placing more blame on him because he was the most sober. If I ever found myself in that kind of situation... even if I was coming onto to my "friend"... I would expect a real friend to say something like... "I'm flattered and this is sooo tempting. But, maybe we should wait until we're both sober". Considering their past and the fact that Tank knows there was the chance that Bay would be remorseful the next morning... he should have put the brakes on that whole thing. What if this wasn't a sexual situation at all. What if you were carrying around $500 dollars that you intend to pay a bill with the next day.... and you and a close friend go out and get crazy drunk that night. At some point in the night your less drunk friend asks if they can have half the money in your pocket because they desperately need the cash. Under normal circumstances you would say "no", like you had the other times this friend asked for a large sum of money. But, in your drunk and hazy state you "kind of" nod "yes". The next day you're $250 lighter.... You can't imagine where the rest of your money is and you can't remember the last few hours of the previous night. When you ask your friend about and they say: "Oh yeah, don't you remember? I asked you if I could have it and you said "yes". I really appreciate it. I needed that cash, so badly. I still can't believe you agreed to give me so much money so easily. All the other times I've asked you for cash you turned me down flat. But, last night was different. You were so generous. Thanks, buddy!" While you probably wouldn't call the police and have your friend arrested as a thief, I think you would give your "friend" the serious side-eye. Yes, you might take some of the responsibility for being stupid and sloppy drunk. But, IMO, it does not negate the fact that your "friend" used your compromised state to take something they knew you likely would not normally have agreed to give. The less drunk friend is the more culpable party. Tank is more wrong than Bay... not because he's the man... but because he was more aware of the situation. He took advantage of her... which makes him the bad-guy in this scenario. Your friends are supposed to protect you when you're in a vulnerable state... not take advantage of you at your lowest point.

I know, right?! She forgot for a second she was on camera. Pulled it back when she caught the camera on her... LOL! I immediately thought of Amy when I heard her sign this time around... don't remember the effect being so pronounced during the auditions. I think too many of the singers have that weird little effect... doesn't seem natural to me.. just a lot of folks trying really too hard to sound unique. JMO.

Testing their ability (grace) under pressure with no sleep is exactly the point of the group nights. AI is a talent contest, but it's also a game show. So the producers need gimmicks like the sleep deprivation induced craziness of Groups to keep it interesting. IMO, right or wrong it quickly separates the strong-willed fighters and determined from the rest of the pack... because a strong will, tenacity and fight is what most successful entertainers have in common. Though the contestants likely won't face too many situations like group nights in real life, they will face a dog-eat-dog world when they venture into the music industry. If they can't even handle a day without sleep -- they may not be ready. Look at the young lady who keeps passing out. Whether it's real or fake, the bottom line is she's breaking under the pressure. That doesn't bode well this early in the process. What's going to happen if she makes the Top 20? She may not be suited for this life. Just sayin'. I think that's a great idea... I do think in the past the groups were assigned. Not only that, I think the song may have even been selected for them.

Right, because even though the Grand Jury is secret I don't think they would be able to keep Cookie's identity secret. Don't the accused have a legal right to know who their accuser is. That killer would eventually know Cookie was testifying against him and that would instantly put a target on her back... and no doubt a target on the backs of family and friends. There were a lot of good moments in the episode for me... but my favorite was the studio owner brandishing his shot gun and asking if it should be a stand-off or a massacre! LOL! I don't know it was just the way he said "It's your choice!". Heh! Yeah, exactly. If Lucius is a thug for suggesting such an unsavory act. What does it make Dr. Fancypants for agreeing to do it (without very much coercion)??

I think Andre was genuinely worried that his plot had gotten Jamal hurt. When his wife asked him if it was a good idea to send thugs to the studio... Andre claimed they were harmless. But, it was a stupid plan. Thwre were so many ways his scheme could have gone wrong. What the hell was he thinking? Yeah... BBK is never going to walk down the aisle with Lucious. She's just a pawn in Lucious's game to go public. Taraji was on fire. Love her... Love Cookie.