I am finally getting a second to watch Empire! I’m so excited. I don’t think I will recap as much and just sort of comment from the couch. Recapping dramas is HARD.
We start the show with Lucious Lyon still in the pokey three months later and still trying to run things. The boys are throwing a Free Lucious concert. Oh Lawd, Cookie appears in a cage wearing a gorilla costume. The fuck? I can’t explain how bad this is. The only thing that would make this more of a circus would be Al Sharpton. Oh wait. We have had three celebrity cameos in three minutes. I am not going to like this season if it is all about just getting every black celebrity in the world on the show. I want the storyline to move forward. I did like Cookie dissing Don Lemon’s Ferguson fiasco though. Of course Lucious is watching the concert in jail, on a giant flat screen. So far, I am worried about this season. It seems like they sold out to commercialism already.
So it appears Marissa Tomei will have a stint on this season. I couldn’t figure out why she was in such a fugly suit until she started hardcore flirting with Cookie. Ah, lesbian. That explains the outfit. What do you call a token lesbian white woman in a fugly suit? Mimi Whiteman. Because Becky Whiteman would have been just a touch too much?
In jail, everyone is worried about Frank Gathers, the big scary drug dealer that Cookie used to work for. We wait with antici……pation to see Frank and it’s….wait for it… Chris Rock? Because this mess is not ridiculous enough. He is going to fuck with Cookie’s cousin because he killed one of his boys or something.
Jamal goes to see Daddy in jail. He wants Vernon killed (isn’t he already dead?) and information on that lesbian bitch. Jamal just wants to go on tour and leave all this mess behind. I don’t blame him.
IF YOU MISSED ANY OF LAST SEASON, CLICK HERE FOR SOME RECAPS!
Cookie throws a giant lesbian themed party to seduce Mimi out of her money. Speaking of gay sex, Jamal seems to have become a power top since last season. I thought he was going to bring out the whips and chains on that dude. It was kind of hot. Could we not clean up Jamal’s hairline a bit though? Back at the Lesbian party, Anika, aka Boo Boo Kitty is pretty much forced to sleep with Mimi. Boo Boo Kitty is good apparently. Mimi agrees to commit $250 million dollars to Cookie’s hostile takeover plan. What kind of kitty does Anika have exactly.
Some prosecutor running for Attorney General tries to get Lucious to take a plea deal. That is not happening. He has to be out for there to be a show. Why do we bother with scenes like this. In other ridiculous scenes, Lucious wanders around the visiting area when a rap show breaks out. Because that is what prison is like.
Jamal has grudgingly agreed to have a GLAAD meeting in his office. He walks in to Miss Lawrence all singin’ and swayin’ and gettin’ merry like Christmas on top of a piano. I have a whole post I am working on about Miss Lawrence coming as soon as I get the chance. Miss Lawrence looks and sounds amazing! That was a great scene with Gabrielle Sidibe. Sadly, Jamal is not a Miss Lawrence fan and cancels his GLAAD appearance later and just makes a donation. Who is this season two Jamal?
Cookie, Andre, Boo Boo Kitty, and Hakeem bust into the board meeting to explain they are taking over the company. They plan to immediately fire Lucious. Except Mimi made a better deal with Lucious. Then Lucious joins in on Facetime, “game over bitches!”
Cookie’s cousin got his ass beat in jail. He finally admits that Cookie was the that snitched Frank. Frank sends Cookie her cousin’s head in a box! I haven’t seen a head in a box since American Horror Story: Coven and I could have gone a lot longer in between seeing them. UGH.So Cookie has goes to see Lucious to handle the Frankie problem. Frankie says he has to retaliate for Cookie snitching on him. Lucious declares war. He tells all the prisoners that are allowed to just stand about unsupervised to kill Lucious. But Lucious has pulled the old whoop-de do and the thugs are about to got HAM on little Chris Rock. Don’t mess with the Lyon.
While all the Lyons are hiding out waiting for Frank to die. Hakeem and Jamal argue. Once Cookie comes to say the danger has past. Jamal throws all of them out. He slams the door right in his mother’s face. For a brief moment we see last season’s Jamal and then he gets mad and storms through the house.
So, what did you guys think of the show? I wasn’t as excited by it as I thought I would be. I think dragging all the celebrities on for cameos is going to be annoying.
I agree. All the cameos annoyed me. It was all over the place. I laughed out loud when Chris Rock appeared on my tv as some feared gangster. I mean seriosuly.
There were some jewels though…the “takeover of the takeover”, Cookie’s “you can’t even dyke right” and the way Luscious turned on Frank by explaining what is truly needed to run an empire….lots of money.
Too many cameos will take away from the show
So…
Am I a bad person cuz I immediately thought of Porsha when I heard the line, You’ll always be a black bitch in cheap shoes to me???
Heh noe. That is funny. And where the hell have you been/
I moved, kids started schools, my dad got sick, and I had family visiting for the last 2 weeks…you know, life. But I’m mostly a lurker. One that luvs you and your website.
I was underwhelmed. I was really shocked at Jama . Lucius finally paying him attention and he’s turning his back on Cookie?
Ms. Lawrence did sound amazing! That was a great scene. I just hope that it picks up soon
*Jamal
And the gorilla suit was ludicrous and out of place
What the heck was Lee Daniels trying to say with that scene of a gorilla in cage? If any other show did that, all hell will break loose.
I love Empire, but it’s going to be the black Love Boat if they keep up with all these drive by cameos with other famous actors/celebs. It’s too distracting.
I LOVE Marissa Tomei is on the show, and glad that she got a job on TV. She looks great and natural looking too which is a plus.
Chris Rock? Sorry I can’t deal with him in serious roles. He’s too ingrained in my mind as the poor kid from “I’m Gonna Git Ya’ Sucka.” ….and when I saw that box, I knew what was in it.
So Jamal is an out and proud gay, but homophobic to the femme gays. Actually that’s a real thing in the gay community. Gays can be prejudiced against other gays.
I like the show still, but last night’s pace was a bit weird. I had several moments where I went oooooooohhhhhhhhhhh NO HE DIDANT. I was hootin’ and hollerin’ at the scene when the federal lawyer lady with the big boobies was trying to make a deal with Luscious. All he did was slam her cheap shoes, which garnered a 2nd shout out to Tom Ford in the show. More name dropping in season that will be full of name dropping. Please Lee Daniels just keep the drama & shade real.
“the black Love Boat” LOL, nice
Too many people now want to be a part of the Empire phenomena and they are trying to accommodate everybody that can bring eyes to the show. They had stupid cameos last year some lasting for a couple shows, i.e.Courtney Love. Hoping it doesn’t exploit the gay storyline with choppy dialogue and meaningless scenes. Still enjoyed the show because Luscious is the Lyon to beat.
A) Cookie slayed everything in the first scene with that old dress.
B) New Jamal makes me tingle in my special place. Grabbing my face like that and being all angry? You know what that gets you? I know it shouldn’t, but that gets you blowjobs. And probably dinner on the table. And a beer. Damn.
Preach!
Great recap! I loved this show last year it was the best marathon binge ever, and had a gritty more realistic feel. You’re right TT. this year it’s almost a parody of itself, and while I wouldn’t mind the occasional walk-on celeb, they need to be as good as Miss Lawrence. Unfortunately, they aren’t and Chris Rock as the top gangsta in that cotton candy prison didn’t cut it. I love Chris’ stand up, but a serious actor he is not, he looked like he was gonna bust out laughing half the time.
I guess 50 cent got some beef with Lee too, and it seems fighting to get on the show supercedes doing it right. Thank goodness for Cookie, in her fabulous wardrobe, who holds it together and has the chops of a heavyweight to carry the plot that gets a little too cheesy sometimes. Marisa Tomei does a good job with her Whiteman character, I just hope the series doesn’t get OTT political or cartoonish.
PS did you see Taraji and Terrence on the Emmy’s where he was acting a little strange and she said she was scared of him? I know she pulled for him to get the part, based on their chemistry in Hustle & Flow, but his edgy vibe might be a little too real.
I think people make too much of Taraji and Terrence on the Emmys. They have known each other forever and were just doing a skit.
Terrence was super creepy but on wayward pines. He made ice cream cones scary.
I was disappointed. Hoping it was just new season jitters and they work it out.
Too many cameos for me since everyone now wants the show on their imdb page. Story was off, pacing was off. A fricking gorilla suit? The last 20 minutes were the best. ..disappointed with the rest of the show it was not the season opener I expected. Jamal is his daddy’s son. Nice to see Tyra Ferrell but she was popping out of that suit in her “cheap” Tom Ford shoes.
Agree. Too many cameos and not enough real story line. Ms. Lawrence was a bright spot and I thought that in moments, when he had the chance, Terence Howard showed real acting chops, deep sensitivity. Hope this overall splash and dash gives way to a real drama. Between the cannibalism, the gorilla suit, Jamal on gay steroids, and the lesbo hooker party, it all seemed not only over the top but 50% distaseful. I was an Empire fan from the first episode of Season 1. I hope they have not lost their way, bc I won’t watch much more of this nonsense.
Puddy, I do agree.
Interesting opening for Empire. I agree with the pervious comments. To many attempts at entertaining nit enough story line.
Don’t shoot me, The gay and lesbian parties/meeting and overtures were a bit top heavy for a one hour show. Not offended or any crap like that but it seemed to much for one business or family.
I thought the gorilla symbolism was a little corny. Could have been taken a bit more seriously. The beginning of the show did start off a little slow. But it picked up quickly and delivered for me. I love all the cameo’s. I thought Chris Rock did a great job. He has not only done comedy. Doesnt anyone remember him on New Jack City. All in all this show is a favorite and does not disappoint.
Thanks for the recap TT! I tried to watch, but my son brought over my new, first grand-baby and I couldn’t help but give her all my attention and smile. So I only saw bits and pieces. I must agree with you, I’m not sure about the show either, if it can even come close to last season. I wish Chris Rock had stayed longer and atleast explain what happen with Vernon. Or did I miss that? How did they get rid of the body? Something! I don’t like it that Jamal and Cookie don’t have a connection any longer because she supported him when Lucious didn’t. A little disappointment in what I did see.
Can a tv show jump the shark in the first episode of second season?? I told everyone who would listen if they weren’t watching Empire they were crazy!! I received a lot of seriously pissed off phone calls/texts Thursday morning!! As usual, Tamara you were spot on with thoughts!!
I was wondering, prior to last night’s season première, how the show would address its dilemmas:
A) Since Season One was essentially a re-telling of The Lion in Winter, what will they do in Season Two without a blueprint to follow? And:
B) How to avoid “Sophomore Slump” – the loss of momentum (and quality) of a show with a wildly sucessful first season, ultimately becoming a victim of its own success?
I think they had mixed results with the first episode. A few thoughts:
Cookie’s awful dress at the rally – Vegas showgirl collides with Oscar the Grouch.
Empire’s version of prison stretches our willing suspension of disbelief to the absolute limit. Apparently, wearing orange is the sum total of punishment. These prisoners can run businesses, receive limitless visits, and congregate unsupervised. Is this a penal institution or a health farm?
I think they’re going to need to focus a great deal on character development. If they don’t start adding a third dimension to these characters, they will lose all credibility. Jamal, heretofore the only Lyon with a conscience, seems to have lost touch with his. I’m guessing this will be explained in upcoming episodes, BUT this is an example of something Empire does a lot – people doing wildly uncharacteristic things just to serve a plot twist. You can only get away with that so much. Three-dimensional characters can do quite disparate things and maintain believability.
Interesting how they treat the running of Empire Entertainment – like heading a multimillion-dollar company doesn’t require specialized skill and some deep knowledge. They are asking us to believe that everyone playing musical chairs for the job is equally qualified and capable. Will someone’s mismanagement of the company become a future plot point?
Corny, corny and more corny! Chris Rock as a drug dealer? The characters are starting to become caricatures of themselves.
The first season was great. I have my doubts about this one
“Because Becky Whiteman would have been a touch too much..”. ..SNAP… that is why you are the cleverest. Totally fbomb funny TT..I me and my sis are here .ROLLING off that sentence… whewww…STop…
LOL, that was a great TT line, I agree!
This one from ericzku is gold also! “Cookie’s awful dress at the rally – Vegas showgirl collides with Oscar the Grouch.” PERFECT description of that monstrosity!
The gorilla suit was a major wtf as was Chris Rock playing some tough guy…ugh.
Cookie’s Moschino patchwork jacket – would love to wear with my sundress, the fashion is BOLD!
No you would not, Captivagrl. NOE. YOU. WOULD.NOT. Friends would not let friends wear patchwork denim with gold lamé trim.
yes! yes! YES!
/Heavy sigh…