S02.E08: My Bad Parts

[Tara Ariano]

Battle lines are drawn when Lucious attempts to assert his power by releasing a rap by Freda challenging Hakeem as his heir. Meanwhile, Cookie's spitfire sister pays her a special visit; Jamal works on landing a major sponsorship deal; and Anika receives some life-changing news.

[phoenics]

Ms Money bags (why can't I remember Marisa Tomei's character's name?) is up to something.  I think she's plotting with someone to take control of Lucious' company and Lucious being so stupid about the streaming deal is what is going to cause the investors to boot him out as CEO and allow the "suits" (whoever is backing Mimi - that's her name, right?) to take over.

 

If Hakeem doesn't win and Jamal doesn't end up going over to Lyon Dynasty, Lucious really is up sh!t creek without a paddle.  Jamal and Hakeem HAVE to go over to Lyon Dynasty so they can rebuild from there and gain control of Empire back.

 

Hakeem dropping his last name shocked me actually - but he won that battle.  I'm shocked that he did.  Wow.

 

I really wonder what Anika is going to do now - she doesn't seem to have the heart to destroy Hakeem now that she knows his stupid punk behind (sorry he's stupid) is in love (he and that girl have no chemistry btw).  I'm mad Kiana got sidelined for that girl.  And Anika.  I hope Anika's screen time goes up more as a result of this.  I hate the pregnancy trope.  I hate even more the "fatal attraction" trope.  I'm not liking how they are writing Anika.  Vengeful Anika was interesting and fun to watch.  Loved her leaving Lucious and dragging artists with her and being conniving and then sleeping with Hakeem right in front of Lucious!  Dropping drugs in folks' tea and driving off the love interest (boring though she is) of Hakeem is a NO!   Begging HAKEEM?  Um, NO!

 

I'd rather see her with Lucious than Hakeem - he's a boy. 

 

Cookie and Lucious rocking to Jamal's mashup of their songs was hella funny to me.  I kinda thought it flowed - but eh.  But the celebration they all had at the end when Jamal got the Pepsi deal made me really happy.

 

This episode has felt the most character driven than others this season, other than the pilot - though you know a really ugly hammer is about to drop when Mimi's mess comes to fruition and Lucious loses the company (my guess).

 

And Vivica!  

 

Okay next week looks awesome.

Edited November 19, 2015 by phoenics

[wanderingstar]

Anika back and engaging in treacherous plotting? I'm SO here for it!

 

Welcome, Vivica Fox and all your OTT-ness!

 

More wisdom from Lucious: "Sometimes the only way to get somebody's attention is to hit 'em in the head with a sledgehammer."

 

Wonder what's going on with Mimi. I was a little confused - what did she get Lucious to sign?

 

I loved "Ready to Go" but how much did Pepsi pay to be featured on the show. Hmm....

[peridot]

I loved that Hakeem dragged Laz and that Cookie didn't allow a new man to to put his hands on her son.  I wasn't expecting the slap, though!

 

I really like the casual family scenes and was glad to see Hakeem wasn't completely immature.  Couldn't help but laugh at the surprise pregnancy, Anika is out of her mind.

 

Is something going on with Lucious?  It looks like he's having a breakdown or going manic.

[Syndicate]

Ms Money bags (why can't I remember Marisa Tomei's character's name?) is up to something.  I think she's plotting with someone to take control of Lucious' company and Lucious being so stupid about the streaming deal is what is going to cause the investors to boot him out as CEO and allow the "suits" (whoever is backing Mimi - that's her name, right?) to take over.

 

If Hakeem doesn't win and Jamal doesn't end up going over to Lyon Dynasty, Lucious really is up sh!t creek without a paddle.  Jamal and Hakeem HAVE to go over to Lyon Dynasty so they can rebuild from there and gain control of Empire back.

 

Hakeem dropping his last name shocked me actually - but he won that battle.  I'm shocked that he did.  Wow.

 

I really wonder what Anika is going to do now - she doesn't seem to have the heart to destroy Hakeem now that she knows his stupid punk behind (sorry he's stupid) is in love (he and that girl have no chemistry btw).  I'm mad Kiana got sidelined for that girl.  And Anika.  I hope Anika's screen time goes up more as a result of this.  I hate the pregnancy trope.  I hate even more the "fatal attraction" trope.  I'm not liking how they are writing Anika.  Vengeful Anika was interesting and fun to watch.  Loved her leaving Lucious and dragging artists with her and being conniving and then sleeping with Hakeem right in front of Lucious!  Dropping drugs in folks' tea and driving off the love interest (boring though she is) of Hakeem is a NO!   Begging HAKEEM?  Um, NO!

 

I'd rather see her with Lucious than Hakeem - he's a boy. 

 

Cookie and Lucious rocking to Jamal's mashup of their songs was hella funny to me.  I kinda thought it flowed - but eh.  But the celebration they all had at the end when Jamal got the Pepsi deal made me really happy.

 

This episode has felt the most character driven than others this season, other than the pilot - though you know a really ugly hammer is about to drop when Mimi's mess comes to fruition and Lucious loses the company (my guess).

 

And Vivica!  

 

Okay next week looks awesome.

Next week looks awesome?  I don't think so!  They overwhelmingly highlighted more SINGING in the previews.  As for this episode, too much music dominated it once again.  Cookie's sister was underwhelmingly silly, not that I'm surprised, and the only slightly interesting part to this episode was disguised blonde Anika driving Hakeem's new gal off onto parts unknown.

Edited November 19, 2015 by Syndicate

[cyberfruit]

Anika's storyline is just completely unnecessary. 

[Syndicate]

And Cookie's real name is Loretha!  I wonder how she got nicknamed after an Oreo or Chips Ahoy?

[mtlchick]

"Daddy's Little Girl" - Lucious really is the worst father EVER.

 

This Pepsi ad disguised as a plot point was horrible but at least we got a nice song out of it.  The back and forth between the parents and the musicians just staring feeling awkward was hilarious.  

 

Cookie's first name is Loretha? I find that almost disappointing.

 

Anika is possibly pregnant?  The only thing more disappointing about that is the VERY brief scene with her and Rhonda.  A lot of the scenes tonight felt cut off.

[buttersister]

Oh, BooBoo Kitty, you missed your play. You should turn up at Luscious' place, complete with a Hakeem baby in the oven. Ha, Luscious can have another Hakeem Lyon. (Because the chaufauxer made me a little queasy.)

 

The Mimi scene had everything but a big neon sign flashing "all is not what is seems!"

 

And Pepsi pockets run deep, mes amies. They're also usually lined with promotiond, so I won't be surprised to see a connection with that song outside of this episode.

[represent]

 

Cookie's first name is Loretha? I find that almost disappointing.

Speaking of names, since this is my first season watching, is Luscious' last name really Lyon?

 

I only ask because the flashback scene, it looked like the poor boy was homeless and just laying under a lion statue. So I thought there might be some other story on how he got his last name.

 

I know the flashback was brought on by Hakeem denouncing the Lyon name. But that flashback confused me?  Because it looked like something he decided as a boy laying under that statue feeling helpless. Like looking up at it, thinking, that's what I'm gonna be, a "lion."

 

Is Luscious Lyon his stage name? If so, what's his real name?

 

And who ever said that learning Cookie's real name was a disappointment, I felt that too. 

Edited November 19, 2015 by represent

[Dee]

This was such a lovely, character driven episode!

 

It was great how Jamal & Hakeem took each others advice to heart. The Lyon brothers are always stronger when they lean on each other.

Cookie & Lucious arguing during Jamal's session was embarrassing. You know things are bad when the entire band is throwing you side eye.

Loved that they made Vivica the bourgie sister! Taraji & Vivica slayed their scenes together. Thankfully we get more of them, and Tasha Smith, next episode!

Lucious is the worst parent ever. No, seriously, the worst.

Rhonda being happy that Lucious visits now that she's pregnant was weird since she's never cared for him.

Mimi is a trojan horse but Lucious pride is making him blind to her manipulations. Same with Cookie who is so busy wanting to understandably feel protected, for once, that she's literally sleeping with the enemy.

Not enough Porsha or Becky this episode but plenty of Anika who has become a fun wildcard.

Not looking forward to Alicia's goat bleating next week but she's proven to be a capable actress so I'm willing to give 'Skye Summers' a shot.

[NorthstarATL]

I thought her sister was calling Cookie "Urethra", which amused me greatly. Loved that she slapped skeevy guy over laying hands on Hakeem!

[Guest]

Anika's storyline is just completely unnecessary. 

 

The minute she revealed she was pregnant I became convinced that Rhonda would lose the baby (or there is no baby) and steal Anika's to pass off as her own.  I'm not sure enough of the time line to know if that's feasible.  But for a show like this, having one baby onboard is unusual and two is impending soapy hijinks.

 

On a different note, I'm starting to get irritated with how many characters they are introducing that sound just like the spin off ideas they were kicking around last year.  Three girl group.  Check.  Cookie's family.  Check.  Is this season one giant backdoor pilot?

[Luciano]

 

Is Luscious Lyon his stage name? If so, what's his real name?

 

His real name is Dwight Walker.

[phoenics]

The minute she revealed she was pregnant I became convinced that Rhonda would lose the baby (or there is no baby) and steal Anika's to pass off as her own.  I'm not sure enough of the time line to know if that's feasible.  But for a show like this, having one baby onboard is unusual and two is impending soapy hijinks.

 

On a different note, I'm starting to get irritated with how many characters they are introducing that sound just like the spin off ideas they were kicking around last year.  Three girl group.  Check.  Cookie's family.  Check.  Is this season one giant backdoor pilot?

 

 

Eh - While I agree that Rhonda will probably lose the baby, she's not going to try to take Anika's.  Even though Anika is biracial, Hakeem is not, so I don't think Rhonda would be able to pull off that switch.  I think instead, Lucious will find out about this and then basically take Anika back just as a tool to lure Hakeem back to his side of things?  Maybe?  

 

But yeah I do think Rhonda is going to lose the baby and then Anika will have the only Lyon heir.

[SoapDoc]

 

But for a show like this, having one baby onboard is unusual and two is impending soapy hijinks.

 

It actually makes some sense to me for both.  A child by the son who is bipolar provides additional avenues for Lucius and his history with his mother.  I think a baby anchors Anika to the family. She's done with Lucius and Hakeem doesn't love her. Cookie doesn't want to work with her. It is hard to have her hanging around Empire or Lyon Dynasty or the family. With a pregnancy/baby, it makes it is easier for her to inset herself into the family situations -- Cookie would probably even allow her to work at Lyon Dynasty again. Both of them would be protecting her child's interests. However, for Anika as a character, I can't even fathom if she wants a baby -- I don't think they have fleshed her character out in that way yet.

 

I enjoyed this episode. There were some nice character beats in there.

Edited November 19, 2015 by SoapDoc

[Dee]

"What she smoke don't make me choke!"

 

Cookie is the best!

[wanderingstar]

I loved the Cookie/Candace scene ("You talkin' slick out ya mouth, real greasy!") Ha!

[thuganomics85]

It was clear who was sponsoring this episode of Empire!  Although at least the Pepsi ad did lead to a big-ass song from Jamal.  Totally knew it was going to end with him using a combination of what both Lucious and Cookie gave him.  A way for him to have it all, plus somewhat show that Lucious and Cookie together can produce great music, even if everything else about them together is about a toxic as possible.

 

Loved the Hakeem/Jamal scene, and how they helped each other out with Hakeem telling Jamal to just separate both Cookie and Lucious as parents and producers, and Jamal telling Hakeem that he couldn't just copy Freda's style at rap battling, and has to use his showmanship to his advantage.  I continue to love their relationship, and how they still have a solid bond, no matter how many times they are pitted against each other or have disagreements.

 

So... Anika is back and has lost her damn mind.  Might be pregnant with Hakeem's baby, but finds out that he is "in love" with the girl whose name is escaping me at the moment.  I'm sure he thinks he is, but I kind of doubt.  Anyway, Anika decided to take the option of possibly kidnapping her. What the hell, Anika?!

 

Great job, Lucious.  I understand the push your children to do better theory, but there are limits.  And sometimes that can lead your child just saying "Fuck it!" and wanting nothing to do with you.  How can he not figure this out?  He's been doing this all the time with Hakeem, and each time it failed.  You do know what the definition of insanity is, Lucious?

 

Mimi is up to something.  Might need to send Thirsty on another digging hunt there, guys.

 

Hey, it's Vivica A. Fox!

[Syndicate]

I find it underwhelming they didn't make Candace more of a refined and snooty rich bitch since Cookie and Carol are the more catty sisters.  They needed at least one of the sisters to be different.  I remember some people suggesting that Diahann Carroll should appear on the show as Cookie's, Carol's, and Candace's mom.  I didn't think that was a good idea, but I wouldn't mind seeing Ms. Carroll reprise her Dynasty persona Dominique Deveraux.  She would fit right in here because Dominique was a singer and wealthy owner of several record companies.  Having rich bitch Dominique on this show wheeling and dealing with Lucious and the gang would be a wonderful story arc.  If only this show were more clever.

Edited November 19, 2015 by Syndicate

[Actionmage]

I didn't mind the Pepsi stuff if we get a nice song and some fun feuding between Cookie & Lucious.  It wasn't like they tongue-bathed the product, just made it relevant to the story in a realistic way. Jamal has an upcoming album, he's going to need sponsors. Why not include this side of the biz too?  Plus, Jamal was pretty touchy-twirly with the liason. To see how Jamal handles those kinds of relationships would be fun too. (And less ick-making like the photog/artiste.)

 

I was wondering about when Ms. Fox would show up, so I am glad that she finally showed. I want to know about Cookie and her family! Cookie, Candice and Carol sounds like they were interesting young women. I hope we see who was brave enough to marry Candice.

 

Lucious can go away, but then half the tension in the show would go too, so I'm torn.

 

I don't think Rhonda was happy that Lu came over to visit, but rather mystified at how the baby factor changed him. Apparently, he never visited Andre & Rhonda at their place or bothered to talk to Rhonda very much. It may have been Rhonda being hopeful, for Andre's sake, that Lucious might be more open now that there is a grandchild coming.  If that is so, I don't think that Andre's been fully forthcoming about what's up at Empire/Gutter Life.  Also? Doesn't she have an ad agency or photography business she runs? I hope that isn't forgotten in the Rhonda's-pregnant-and-killed-Uncle Vernon drama. 

 

The boys were supportive again! Too little Andre, imo, but I was glad that he was happy for Hakeem. Indeed, too bad that Lu couldn't let Hakeem or the boys have just an evening.  I do wonder what Frieda thinks of Lu continually going off to be around folks he wants to so publicly wants to tear down. He used her against a son, over their last name, but Hakeem not only won in the arena, he decided to not use the name after all!  Lucious has also ignored all his level-headed advisors, and Thirsty too, so I hope that stalwart Becky decides to stay with Jamal. Maybe that would be the final blow to bring about a King Lear-ish introspection?

 

Whenever I see Hakeem and Laura, I keep expecting Camilla to show up. Anika can bring all sorts of problems to Hakeem's world, just leave Laura alone, BBK. Hakeem is better than he was in S1, but he has his daddy's want/need/get drive. Great in business, but no so much with ladies. Camilla, Tiana ( miss you!), Anika, Traitorous Chick and now Laura. Someone, not just Anika, is bound to go off.

 

I was genuinely scared for Anika, and I still am, but the reason why changed in the slice of a pregnancy test's box. Hon, this family isn't worth this flavor of crazy!

 

I am still amused by the sex farce vibe I get from the Cookie/Jamal sneakin' around scenes! Cookie jumping at the elevator's ping after Jamal and Lu left? Great! That she was not going to put down her sandwich was great too.

 

I wonder if Mimi is losing her money. Then all of Lu's big plans backfire and there is nothing to get revenge on because Mimi has nothing too? That could be interesting.

 

So glad I have this delicious soapy goodness in the middle of my week!

 

 

Having rich bitch Dominique on this show wheeling and dealing with Lucious and the gang would be a wonderful story arc.

 

It could also show Lucious what he had/has in Cookie. Whether he smartly handles the info is on him, but to have him go up against a smart, rich, successful label owner that was female would be great.  Or Dominique being an angel for Lyon Dynasty because she's understands what Cookie's facing?  Yes, please!

Edited November 19, 2015 by Actionmage

[Artsda]

Lucious seems high or on something in every scene, he's gone OTT. Is someone drugging him?

 

I don't get how Hakeem won that battle. Or where he got this money he apparently has from. He rapped about having his own money and not needing daddy's. Where did he get this so called money of his own from? 

 

Marisa Tomei is up to something, she seems shady and it has something to do with that deal. They had Lucious pause and it seemed like he'd catch on and not sign anything then he went and signed. 

 

Pregnant with Hakeems baby? Poor Anika.

[phoenics]

I find it underwhelming they didn't make Candace more of a refined and snooty rich bitch since Cookie and Carol are the more catty sisters.  They needed at least one of the sisters to be different.  I remember some people suggesting that Diahann Carroll should appear on the show as Cookie's, Carol's, and Candace's mom.  I didn't think that was a good idea, but I wouldn't mind seeing Ms. Carroll reprise her Dynasty persona Dominique Deveraux.  She would fit right in here because Dominique was a singer and wealthy owner of several record companies.  Having rich bitch Dominique on this show wheeling and dealing with Lucious and the gang would be a wonderful story arc.  If only this show were more clever.

 

Given that Cookie and her sisters grew up in the hood, how would they be the daughters of Dominique Devereaux?

[Syndicate]

Given that Cookie and her sisters grew up in the hood, how would they be the daughters of Dominique Devereaux?

My idea was to introduce Dominique Deveraux as the very rich and glamorous one from Dynasty.  I didn't say that Cookie and her sisters were her daughters, but that some, a little while back, were suggesting that the actress Diahann Carroll be introduced as a new character playing Cookie's mother.

Edited November 19, 2015 by Syndicate

[phoenics]

My idea was to introduce Dominique Deveraux as the very rich and glamorous one from Dynasty.  I didn't say that Cookie and her sisters were her daughters, but that some, a little while back, were suggesting that the actress Diahann Carroll be introduced as a new character playing Cookie's mother.

 

Oh okay.  I think I got confused when you said you wouldn't mind seeing her "reprise her Dominique Devereaux persona".  I took that to mean that you meant that character but it sounds like you meant someone "like" her, who happens to be Cookie's mom... 

[Dee]

Diahann Carroll is semi-retired, and not in the best of health these days, so I'm pretty sure she's not up to starring on a television show.

Edited November 19, 2015 by Dee

[Kira53]

Hakeem has money from his career as a recording artist. Probably has advertising on his YouTube channel too.

[Syndicate]

Diahann Carroll is semi-retired, and not in the best of health these days, so I'm pretty sure she's not up to starring on a television show.

Sorry to hear it.  She's the shot in the arm this show NEEDS, in my opinion.

[Artsda]

Hakeem has money from his career as a recording artist. Probably has advertising on his YouTube channel too.

What career though? He had the one album, his first album that was supposed to be released on Empire and then he put it online for free to spite Jamal. Cookie's been begging him all season to go back into the studio while he's been too busy trying to put together girl bands. All his performing has been at his father's club or his father's stage. 

 

What money is he making when he released the entire album online for free and he's not touring. 

Edited November 19, 2015 by Artsda

[missbonnie]

One of my favorite parts of this show has always been when Hakeem and Jamal work together and get along. He totally won that battle because he's a complete performer just like Jamal said. Frieda is little more than a snot nosed street thug. The only thing that I really don't like is that Cookie, as much as I love her, does tend to favor Jamal and I'm kind of over it. Hakeem has had her back since the end of last season and she treats him like he's second class over Jamal. If she ever hopes to make this work with Hakeem she's got to stick her neck out for him as well. I actually love both of those guys, Yaz and Jussie. I sometimes think that the media coverage is lopsided when it comes to to those two. While their music is a lot different, both are crazy talented as far as I'm concerned. Mimi is totally playing Lucious, I wonder if Camilla is the other person she's working with. That would be delicious! Anika has lost her freaking mind.

[RCharter]

Wow, great episode!

 

1. Team Hakeem -- good for him.  he is like his father, and I think he will always be Lucius's favorite son.  But what character growth, it must hurt him to have both parents so ga-ga for Jamal, but he is able to put all that aside and still support his brother.

 

2. Anika -- I said for weeks now that she was going to break and go scorched earth on everyone.  I do not know what her plan is, but it can't be good if it involves that wig.  Funny that the one person she is going to hurt is the one person who has treated her with some humanity.  Hakeem may have gone to her when he was in a bad place, but he wasn't as vicious as Lucious and Cookie have been with her.

 

3. Lucious -- he is definitely going to get taken.  Something is going to go wrong with that SwiftStream deal and Empire is going to get screwed because it is so heavily leveraged (I'm assuming to buy SwiftSteam).  Either SwiftSteam is going to turn out to be worthless, or there are going to be control issues.  Nothing has ever been more clearly foreshadowed on this show.

 

4. What the hell was Mimi wearing?  She was giving me some bathrobe realness with that white outfit.

 

5. Less Vivica, more Naomi!

[RCharter]

Diahann Carroll is semi-retired, and not in the best of health these days, so I'm pretty sure she's not up to starring on a television show.

I saw her speak a few years ago and she looked/sounded great.  Sorry to hear her health is in decline.

 

What career though? He had the one album, his first album that was supposed to be released on Empire and then he put it online for free to spite Jamal. Cookie's been begging him all season to go back into the studio while he's been too busy trying to put together girl bands. All his performing has been at his father's club or his father's stage. 

 

What money is he making when he released the entire album online for free and he's not touring. 

Even if the songs aren't the ones he has performed, he has worked in Empire for years.  Its likely he has writing/producing credit on a lot of songs by other artists.  If he does he would be paid royalties on them.  And even if he released the album for free, it may still be on streaming sites, and wouldn't he get paid for radio play as well?  Not to mention that the music could still be accessed through YouTube and he could still make money off of that.

 

Beyond that, he also had stock in Empire before it went public -- he would have sold the stock as part of the hostile takeover and so he would have money from that.  Or, if he somehow kept the stock it would have skyrocketed in value once Empire went public and at the very worst he could borrow against that.

It was clear who was sponsoring this episode of Empire!  Although at least the Pepsi ad did lead to a big-ass song from Jamal.  

The product placement for Pepsi was so well done and so natural that it didn't bother me at all.

 

Although IMO, Jamal's song sounded like two completely separate songs.....

[JenE4]

That took product placement to a whole different level. I already feel like they sometimes go out on a limb just to write in celebrities who want to appear on this show, and now they're writing in sponsored storylines? That being said, it still worked for me...but it doesn't stop me from giving the show the side eye. Yet, I agree with Rcharter above that the song mash-up still sounded like two different songs. I liked Lucious's part better as more upbeat and a cool almost tribal sound. Cookie's sounded like every one of Jamal's songs. But, I guess that's what Pepsi would be looking for--something new and exciting and catchy but still showcases the artist. So on that level, I guess the song was good.

Anika, just go on and have this baby on your own. Isn't Hakeem only like 19 or so? Maybe even younger if he was a baby when Cookie went to prison 17 years ago. You are a grown-ass woman over 30. Why are you trying to convince this child you're in love? The whole thing is just creepy. She can have her baby and her child support but possibly kidnapping Laura (or was that the last girl's name? I can't keep track.) just, no. You're better than this.

The scenes with the brothers supporting each other are ALWAYS my favorites. Hakeem and Jamal were just adorable together.

I couldn't understand half of what they were saying in the rap battle, but how did the crowd know what to chant along with Hakeem? I mean, the "what's my name?" "Hakeem!" stuff aside, they were saying other things, too, weren't they? Or maybe it was a call back to the original song that the DJ referenced. Maybe he was someone famous, too, so apologies if I'm just out of touch, lol.

[CofCinci]

Anika with the wig. We all called the pregnancy but I didn't see the wig coming.

Lucious says "In 6 months I'm going to own the world" and then later they show adorable homeless munchkin Lucious sleeping on the sidewalk -- LL is going to end the season broke.

Anika remarks to Ronda: "You're barely showing." Let's see where that goes.

[darkestboy]

Overt product placement aside, I loved Jamal combining both Lucious and Cookie's work to get the right song. Loved the scenes with the three of them together.

 

Hakeem and Freda's rap battle was a lot better than expected, another plot I really enjoyed this week.

 

Anika being pregnant I'll keep an open mind but two pregnancies plots though might not be the wisest of ideas.

 

That merging thing is gonna end badly for Lucious and yet he can't see that.

 

Candace seems no different to either Cookie or Carol but should be an interesting enough guest for the show, 8/10

[lovetowrite73]

I couldn't understand half of what they were saying in the rap battle, but how did the crowd know what to chant along with Hakeem? I mean, the "what's my name?" "Hakeem!" stuff aside, they were saying other things, too, weren't they? Or maybe it was a call back to the original song that the DJ referenced. Maybe he was someone famous, too, so apologies if I'm just out of touch, lol.

 

The DJ is Funkmaster Flex. I asked the same question regarding the crowd and how they knew the words though. I was like ummm...

[Primetimer]

Battles both direct and proxy rage on Empire. Plus, Vivica A. Fox joins the family and Jamal shills for Pepsi.

Read the story

[RCharter]

Anika with the wig. We all called the pregnancy but I didn't see the wig coming.

Lucious says "In 6 months I'm going to own the world" and then later they show adorable homeless munchkin Lucious sleeping on the sidewalk -- LL is going to end the season broke.

Anika remarks to Ronda: "You're barely showing." Let's see where that goes.

There is never any half stepping with Lucious is there?  "I'm gonna own the world"  Really?  With streaming music?

 

I mean, I would understand it if he had just figured out time travel, or the cure for cancer, or even a great weight loss drug.....but owning the world with a streaming music service?  Sometimes, his sense of grandeur just makes me smile.

[Neurochick]

I loved this episode.

 

Oh, Anika, interesting that Rhonda told Anika about how Lucious just loves babies.  That's how Anika can get back into that crazy family.  I can't stand that chick Hakeem is "in love" with.  She acts like she's 12 and they have zero chemistry.  He DID have chemistry with Naomi Campbell though.

 

I thought it was sad when Hakeem (who I do think acts like a little punk sometimes) said he didn't want to use the name Lyon and there's a flashback to little Lucious, homeless, sleeping underneath a lion.  That little boy (or maybe twins) who plays Lucious as a child is all kinds of cute.

 

I would love to see Hakeem's reaction when and if he finds out Anika is pregnant with his baby.  I'd give anything to see his punk ass face. 

[Grace19]

Hakeem, cookie and all the boys have shares from empire. that they left the company doesn't mean that they lost their shares, also Luscious gave the company jet/plane to him, he could have sold it. its not hard for me to believe the son and ex-wife of a billionaire don't have a few millions.

[Milz]

And Cookie's real name is Loretha!  I wonder how she got nicknamed after an Oreo or Chips Ahoy?

 

I thought she said "Claritha".

 

Freda scared the YIKES! out of me. She looked like she wanted to jump down Hakeem's throat and stomp on his kidneys. Hakeem deserved to win just for agreeing to battle her.

[CofCinci]

Can Lucious just bang Freda as promised and we could be done with her story?

[tmelange]

I just wanted to chime in that the classic rap record beat that Funkmaster Flex played is this one:

 

Flava In Ya Ear----Craig Mack.(HQ)

 

Craig Mack feat. Notorious B.I.G., LL Cool J - Flava In Ya Ear (Remix) [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

 

Not that I think that a crowd that young would know this record, but if you suspend disbelief and go with the premise, the audience knew when to jump in because they know how the rap song goes. Also, Hakeem reminds me a little of LL Cool J, so I guess this was appropriate.

Edited November 19, 2015 by tmelange

[phoenics]

I just wanted to chime in that the classic rap record beat that Funkmaster Flex played is this one:

 

Flava In Ya Ear----Craig Mack.(HQ)

 

Craig Mack feat. Notorious B.I.G., LL Cool J - Flava In Ya Ear (Remix) [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

 

Not that I think that a crowd that young would know this record, but if you suspend disbelief and go with the premise, the audience knew when to jump in because they know how the rap song goes. Also, Hakeem reminds me a little of LL Cool J, so I guess this was appropriate.

When Jamal mentioned how Hakeem would win by giving a full performance and being a total performer, I instantly thought of LL. I have been reliving the whole Cannibis/LL beef though - a lot of folks thought Cannibis destroyed LL lyrically in their battles, but yet LL is still here and ruling, and Cannibis is homeless somewhere, lol.

[Timetoread]

Liked this episode.  I just want to comment to those who say that Cookie is favoring Jamal over Hakeem that it isn't true.  She gushes over Jamal because she has to sneak around to even see him, let alone mentor him.  She was closest to him and misses him, but she loves all of her sons.  When Hakeem called in the mommy card last season, she fought Jamal to let Hakeem have his way.  I think the fact that she slapped the crap out of her new boo in defense of Hakeem was the show telling us that she'll die and kill for ALL of her boys.

 

Jamal and Hakeem are different people in different situations and she treats them accordingly.  Jamal is basking in the light of achieving his potential.  On one hand, as his mother, she is ecstatic for him and wants to congratulate him AND contribute and help him.  But on the other hand he has the full resources and support of his uber powerful father who is also her professional nemesis.  Hakeem is in a different place.  HE was always the son with Lucious' backing and he is on a mission to "grow up" and "man up".  He's been shaking off his parents left and right in order to come into his own.  What is interesting is that BOTH of these parents are cool with it.  They are proud.  Lucious keeps poking the lion (pun intended) not to break him but to see him roar.  Lucious has felt from the beginning that Keem was the one to put the money on and I think that he still feels that way, even though he is surprised and pleased by how well Jamal is being received.  Keem is his favorite - mostly because, IMO, he is the most like Cookie.  Cookie and Hakeem are the only two people who don't even flinch when Lucious Lyon roars.  They don't flinch, they give him the finger.  They are the only ones who demand that HE respect THEM.  And he does.

[JenE4]

Battles both direct and proxy rage on Empire. Plus, Vivica A. Fox joins the family and Jamal shills for Pepsi.

http://previously.tv/empire/rap-battle-royale/"> Read the story

Thanks for the visual reminder of my favorite scene: Cookie hiding in the closet with her sandwich!

Candace said the note from Carol blamed Cookie and Jermel, not Jamal. Jermel is the head in the box, i.e. the guy Cookie had go after Frank's drug dealing gang when she thought they left the rose on her doorstep as a warning not to testify against him. So apparently Lucious having Frank killed didn't suddenly wrap up that storyline. I guess it will be the Lyons vs a gang of street thugs. Maybe double agent Laz will turn his gang to truly help Cookie. Or, obviously Freida will be put in the middle when she found out what Lucious did to her father. She does have a record of gang activity.

Edited November 19, 2015 by JenE4

[adam807]

Candace said the note from Carol blamed Cookie and Jermel, not Jamal. Jermel is the head in the box, i.e. the guy Cookie had go after Frank's drug dealing gang when she thought they left the rose on her doorstep as a warning not to testify against him. 

 

Ah, thank you for that important correction! As you may have noticed, I'm not your regular recapper, and to be perfectly honest I'd barely remembered the whole head-in-the-box incident when it popped up in the previouslies. I thought she was just saying it funny; should've googled.

[gazebo]

To add my one cent in about the debate over Cookie's real name:  I coulda sworn Candace was calling her "Lareesa!  Lareesa!"  It could be "Laretha" but it sounded like "Lareesa" to me.

 

Love, love, love Jussie Smullett singing!  His voice sounds as smooth as silk and all kinds of sexy.  I love the music; I think this show is much more fun than the 1980s "Dynasty" because of the music and singing.

 

When I saw Boo Boo Kitty crying in the bathroom and carrying that knife, I thought she was going to slit her throat!  I was relieved that she was simply cutting open the pregnancy test boxes.  Why didn't she just tell Hakeem that she's pregnant anyway?  Boy, Hakeem just stopped her cold when he told her he was in love with another woman.  Sure, Hakeem would be upset and annoyed, but it would still be his child and Lucious will have no choice but to let Anika back into the Lyon circle.  Why does she feel that Hakeem has to be in love with her in order to for her to tell him that she's pregnant with his kid?  And how is kidnapping Hakeem's girlfriend going to help her get back into the Lyon's family's good graces?  Yep, Boo Boo Kitty has gone bonkers.  I almost didn't recognize her as the chauffeur because of that long blond wig she had on.  She looked great in that wig.

 

Are we going to really see Jamal's Pepsi commercial in Real Life???  That would be so cool!

 

I like how Cookie smacked Laz and told him never to lay a hand on her son again!  You don't want to mess with a Mama Lyoness!

[Empress1]

I just wanted to chime in that the classic rap record beat that Funkmaster Flex played is this one:

 

Flava In Ya Ear----Craig Mack.(HQ)

 

Craig Mack feat. Notorious B.I.G., LL Cool J - Flava In Ya Ear (Remix) [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

 

Not that I think that a crowd that young would know this record, but if you suspend disbelief and go with the premise, the audience knew when to jump in because they know how the rap song goes. Also, Hakeem reminds me a little of LL Cool J, so I guess this was appropriate.

Freda and Hakeem are too young to have heard that song when it came out but it really is a classic. If they're as real as they say they are, they've heard that song before. And the Lyons were a musical family, Hakeem would have heard that song growing up - I was raised on the music my parents liked, there was no kiddie music in our house. Also the age range of the audience at the battle was pretty varied. I liked Freda's line "Cookie get the milk/cuz your baby keep on crying." Cookie had some great reaction faces - Freda referenced her being a hustler and she looked like "Girl, you don't know me like that!" (Also her ducking into the closet with her sandwich, and then steady eating the sandwich, had me rolling.)

 

I like Hakeem much more now that his relationship with Cookie has grown. I do NOT like Anika running after a 20-year-old. I know she's been through a ton but I just really need her to get herself together. She's an educated woman with an impressive resume; she needs to be doing more than seducing her ex's son, who can't even drink legally yet.

 

Agree that Hakeem and what's her face have no chemistry. The actress/singer is really wooden.

 

I'm excited to see more of Vivica Fox. I always enjoy her and I think she and Taraji will play off each other well. That's a shitty wig Vivica has on though; hope it's not from her line.

[aprilbabe]

For those unsure, Cookies real name is Loretha. Last summer Empire and FOX put out a series of Behind the Music type videos about Lucious and Empire on their youtube channel. In it they  say her real name is Loretha maiden name Holloway and that Cookie and Lucious met as kids and were each others first, along with many other interesting tidbits. I recommend looking  up the series of vids on Empires youtube channel.

Edited November 19, 2015 by aprilbabe