Female characters shine as pillars of the “empire” in series’ second episode.

by Ziwe Fumudoh

I knew it was going to be hard for any following episode of “Empire” to compete with its stellar pilot, which included wonderful commentary on sexuality, hip-hop culture, and life after imprisonment. The only thing that Empire could guarantee was a stellar performance by Terrence Howard (Lucious) and Tarji Henson (Cookie), ex-lovers vying for control of the successful record label they both claim responsibility for starting.

In the second installment of the series, Lucious schedules his and Cookie’s underserving golden child, Hakeem, to perform at Leviticus, one of Lucious’s many clubs. As if the heavv-handed reference to the most homophobic book in the Bible isn’t enough, Cookie wants Jamal to have his coming out party there. Thus, the plot is set for the two boys to compete for the spotlight. This positioning of the two brothers seems par for the course of Cookie and Lucious deciding to represent Jamal and Hakeem respectively, as they settle their decade long feud. Ultimately, the episode ends with the boys performing together, reminding us that family life is all hugs and harmony and blah blah blah blah. If this redundant back and forth goes on for the duration of the season, I’m not sure Empire will live up to its surprising and emotional pilot. Right now, the theme’s redundant and it’s only the second episode. The complication that comes with making a show like Empire is fitting a hip-hop drama into the form of nighttime soap. In it’s best portrayals, hip-hop is seen as authentic and raw, and inherently the nighttime soap format falls for melodrama and unbelievable twists. In some way, these two things are oxymoronic, but we’ll see if creator and director Lee Daniels is up to the challenge.

For now, we still have the stellar performances by Cookie and Lucious.

She arrives at the home Lucius and his new slice, Kitty, share. Kitty sees that Cookie is arriving and, rather than hiding, she decides to come out in a bra and underwear. At this moment, Empire establishes that this embittered competition between the two women has miles to go before resolution.  It’s worth nothing that we have no clue why Cookie and Lucious ever divorced. Of course she was in prison, but it’s unclear whether that was the only barrier between them. Seeing them get along during a couple of instances in the episode makes me wonder if the two may still harbor old feelings for each other. But it’s clear Kitty won’t let go of her husband without a fight; her laughing outbursts, not so subtle-digs, and sharp glares are all indications that she’ll be able to hold her ground against Cookie. Cookie, of course, is not to be tested, and she reveals that she was the original investor in Empire, because what’s a non-disclosure agreement to a boss?

If Cookie and Kitty are pillars in Empire, Portia is questionable furniture. She is nothing more than a caricature of a lazy assistant. She has nothing to contribute but an attitude, and her existence is a smudge on a cast with women that have otherwise more power. Even Rhonda,the wife of the non-rapping son with bipolar disorder, has Andre literally and figuratively by the balls. Whereas last week she was the power hungry wife, this week she comes across as more of a the dominant influence in Andre’s success. Without her, he’d be a shadow of the man he is today. She is the person that ensures that he takes his medicine, and if his behavior at Leviticus this episode is any indication, he is always on the verge of coming undone.

The best moment of the episode was when Vernon, Lucious’s right hand man, told the blended family that Bundy, Cookie’s cousin, had been shot in the head. Cookie cries, Hakeem acts like a brat and storms off, Jamal follows him. Right as the two sons leave, there is a moment when Lucious’s tear-stained face shifts, and you see that his cries are false. This is a moment of duplicity for Lucious that reminds the audience that, yes he is a very bad guy. Terrence Howard’s reaction alone was enough to save the episode for me.

In the episode’s requisite cliff hanger, Cookie chats with a federal investigator who wants her to testify in front of a grand jury.  Although they didn’t reveal who she was testifying on behalf of, it’s very clear that she cut a deal with the feds to get out of prison. This is a moment where Taraji Henson shows true vulnerability, saying “You’re going to get me killed”. This moment in the episodes harkens back to the odd circumstances of when Cookie got out. It was rather abrupt, and she claimed that it was for good behavior, but after seeing two episodes of antics, it’s very clear that she hasn’t followed rules in her entire life.

Lingering questions and stray observations:

Where does Cookie go when she leaves Lucious’ estate? Did the cab wait all that time?

Kidd Fo Fo, 2-bit rapper who wound up in the press because his song incited someone to murder: “I inspire people like Gandhi.” More like J.D. Salinger….

Cookie: “I wouldn’t give birth to your ugly ass”. Burn

Luscious: “Why does Lil’ Wayne look like the devil?” Good question.

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Ziwe hails from Lawrence, Massachusetts. She started writing at Northwestern University where she studied film, African-American studies, and poetry. Currently, she’s acclimating to having adult responsibilities, like feeding herself. When she’s not watching TV, she spends her time staring out the window and thinking about chows.