For the first time, the fourth episode of Empire was a bit more easy going that previous episodes. Once again Cookie is right, Luscious is smitten, Jamal is trying to prove a point, and Hakeem is being foolish! Check out what happened below:
If you’re a little behind, check out the recaps for Ep. 1, 2, and 3!
Bout’ That Life – A frustrated Luscious is asking Hakeem want he wants that will motivate him to get back in the studio since his album release is coming up. Hakeem is so focused on Jamal to where he can’t give a good answer. Luscious starts babbling on about what he wants when Cookie and Porsha march into his office talking about what she wants [a bigger office and full benefits for Porsha.] Right on time, Hakeem says something about Jamal and Cookie is on him like white on rice.
Then Cookie sets Lil’ Dip straight again before going back to her office. As Cookie’s decorating her office, Tiana walks in wanting Cookie to listen to her demo. Cookie sees this as an opportunity to get at Luscious and decides to listen to her demo. Back in Luscious’ office, Hakeem tells him that he can’t go to the studio because “all the thots are gon’ be at Titan’s party.” Luscious takes Hakeem’s Titan passes and gives them to Becky as an early birthday present, telling Hakeem to prove to him that he’s as bad as Titan.
Authenticity – Becky is at the Titan concert turnt up to the max. After the concert she and her girls go back stage. As she approaches Titan, two hooded G’s, start a fight with Titan and they pull out their guns. Titan shoots one of the guys and ends up getting arrested and being sent to jail. Luscious is trying to shave as his ALS is getting the best of him. Unable to shave, he finally tells Lil’ Dip that he has ALS as her eyes fill with tears. She takes the razor from him and finishes his shave. The next day, Cookie is in a meeting with the A&R department unknown to Anika. When Anika walks in, she learns that Cookie will be managing Tiana and is upset. The two share a few words before Luscious comes in beckoning for Anika.
The two go to his office before Cookie, Vernon, Andre and Mr. Miller, one of Empire’s attorney’s come in telling him that stealing Titan from his label is a bad move. Lil’ Dip suggests going to the jail to talk to Titan and Luscious agrees to go with her.
Lies! Lies! – Cookie goes to Jamal’s new place and offers he and Michael some pizza. She tries to give him some money to help him out and he declines because ‘it’s Luscious’ money.’ Cookie wants an update on the songs he’s been working on and he tells her they aren’t ready. She tells him to get his act together because she’s trying to build something big for them. Takeem are snuggled up on the couch when Luscious and Lil’ Dip come in telling them to record a duet together because they booked the Teen Choice Awards. Of course, Hakeem isn’t feeling it becuase he doesn’t want to have to water down his music for ‘tweens’. The next day, Cookie goes to visit Titan’s mother to get on her good side to be able to convince Titan to sign with her. Back at Empire, the detective comes to question Luscious, Andre and Vernon about their whereabout the night Bunkie was killed. We see a flashback of Luscious and young Andre bonding over a song as police come in and search their apartment. Back in present day, Andre speaks up and says he and Luscious were together watching the Maywheater fight the night Bunkie was killed. Vernon gives Andre a look because he knows that he’s lying. Lil’ Dip and Luscious go to a diner to meet with Titan’s manager. During their meeting, a drive by on the diner happens. Everybody ducks for cover and Luscious tells Anika he’ll find another way for her to get to Titan.
TCA – The next day, Cookie meets with Luscious to talk about Titan. Being that Luscious wants that old thing back, he starts touching on Cookie’s knee, telling her that he never forgot about her. Cookie tells him that she’ll talk again with Titan’s mother but only if he wants her to. At the studio, Hakeem is laying his verse down for the Teen Choice Awards. Not only does he sound a mess, but he’s talking about SEX!
Luscious jumps in the booth and gives one his ‘speeches’:
Luscious: “I don’t care how you feel about your mother. She know’s music! So you’re going to re-record this, go to her house, Tiana will be waiting for you there. You’re going to listen to it together and when Cookie signs off, we’ll go to mix!’
Hakeem: “You gotta be kidding me!”
Luscious: “Hakeem I can’t make you love your mother! But you will respect her, because she’s lived through a hell that you have to understand if your music is ever going to elevate to the place of poetry, where it resonates in the hearts of its listeners.”
Jamal goes to visit Luscious in his office to return his payment from his performance with Hakeem at Leviticus. Still trying to prove a point, Jamal turns down his father’s help and finances and walks out the office. Luscious and Vernon are at the club having a cool time when a man named Bill and his goon come into their section. Bill says, “Wow. It’s been a long time!’ Who that is, I have no idea!
Over at Cookie’s house, she and Tiana are getting to know each other as they wait for Hakeem. Tiana tells her that Hakeem is lucky to have her back and she quickly changes the subject. Back at the club, Bill tells Luscious, ‘I’ve tried to find it in my heart to forgive you!” Luscious and Bill go back and forth about their past business history and Luscious tells him that no matter what, he will never be an artist. Meanwhile, instead of being at his mother’s house, Hakeem is in the hottub with Camille. All of a sudden Tiana walks in and sees them together and leaves! Goodness! Back at the club, Bill tells Luscious that if he goes through with taking his company public, he’ll dig up the dirt from his past and bury the empire and everyone in it. To get back at Bill, Luscious decides to visit Titan in the prison.
Down For Love – Before heading to sound-check, Hakeem stops by Jamal’s apartment. The two talk about his encounter with Tiana and Camille and Jamal tells him to be professional. Later at sound-check, Tiana confronts Jamal, telling him that as long as he respects Cookie and stays professional, then she could care less about what he does with Camille. Over at Jamal’s apartment, he comes out singing like he’s in a scene of Rent banging on trash cans and what not. Back at the Teen Choice Awards concert, Tiana and Jamal perform and surprisingly do a great job. Later that night, Luscious goes to the prison to pay Titan a visit to get him to join Empire, which he does. The next day at the office, Cookie tries to talk to Hakeem. He agrees that her idea of him and Tiana doing a duet was a good idea, but that’s all he gives her. Cookie wants to make amends and be apart of his life but he’s not having it. Later on, Cookie goes to Luscious’ office and the two have a cute moment as they watch Hakeem’s performance. As Cookie gets ready to leave, Luscious says “You and I always made a real good team!” Cookie agrees, “I made you better” and sashays her way – reminding Luscious what he misses- out his office!
- I gotta admit, seeing Anika’s reaction after learning of Luscious’ ALS was everything. It’s the most human she’s ever been on the show and it made me like her. Hopefully, we see more of her feelings in future scenes.
- I was here for #Takeem, but now after the Tiana situation, I think she’s just using him to advance her career.
- I really, really want for Hakeem to get over himself and try to build a relationship with Cookie. He’s failing to realize that because of her, he’s in the position that he’s in today and I think he really needs a wake- up call and fast.
- We didn’t see no more of Lil’ Dip after that drive by scene at the diner! HA!
- I get his point, but Jamal stay turning down money when he needs it! Sir… you live in a matchbox. Surely a few dollars won’t hurt you. Right?!
- Seeing Luscious and Cookie in the last scene was truly heart-warming. It’s clear that there’s a lot of love there! I really want them to get back together!!
Welp! Take a look at the fifth episode of Empire below:
