I felt bad for Anika. I think Cookie is testing her. When those tears welled up her eyes I was like awwww girl!!

@dark3rthanshadows

8 жыл бұрын

+DawnofA don't forget what she did in season 1 !

@DawnofA

8 жыл бұрын

i remember, And I get that she isn't family so they don't have to forgive her. I still felt bad for her in that moment. I feel like if she's so good why can't she just get a job somewhere else tho? lol

@dark3rthanshadows

8 жыл бұрын

well if she has your gorgeous smile they would accept her

@DawnofA

8 жыл бұрын

Aww gee thanks! :)

I love Sophie's ode to the Black Panthers Founder's day

@TagUrIt01

8 жыл бұрын

Sofia

I loved the performance in the bar! The song she was singing was Blue Bayou by Linda Ronstadt. Beautiful!

I love this show & this Aftershow & panel. Bamm, Sofia, Kennelia & Emile are totally awesome 😍😍😍😍

lmao. I love Thirsty. He's too slick with it

Thirsty is the MAN! No wonder he is always around Lucious, he gets stuff done! I am glad that Andre stepped up and Lucious respected the sacrifice but it is also realistic to see that Dre is guilty and hates himself as he is becoming more religious. Rhonda is a true ride or die!

@JDB100

8 жыл бұрын

I know right

Great episode. You all had such great points. I have a feeling that Jamal is headed for an emotional breakdown too. I think that he is going to lose everyone, and realize that he really doesn't have Lucious' support. I love what they are doing with Hakeem's character. I'm still not invested in him, or his relationship with Cookie, but his current growth arc has been written well. Unlike Jamal during season one, he's even standing up to Cookie. I love that you all pointed out that he was not happy with himself when he picked up the bat. That is not the person who he wants to be. I'm glad that both Hakeem and Andre have a problem with their father being a murder, and with hurting other people. I don't understand why Jamal is okay with this. Does he actually think that Lucious is innocent. Overall the episode 4 of Empire was great. I hope things amp up now, and that we get a story line for people like Rhonda, Anika, Jamal, Andre and Michael.

@lovejangie1

8 жыл бұрын

+babybelle32a Like Andre, Jamal knows Lucious has done criminal and vicious things. By the way, he also knows Cookie is capable of calculating or murderous actions too. At this point, there's too much noise going on to dwell on it. Jamal loves and respect his parents but he's mistrustful of their motives.

@babybelle32a

8 жыл бұрын

I think that Jamal is ignoring a lot of things. I would like for the writers to be more specific about what he knows, and why he doesn't seem to have a problem with what his father or both of his parents have done.

@lovejangie1

8 жыл бұрын

+babybelle32a The writers have told us a few things.----Jamal knows Lucious killed Bunkie. He also knows that Cookie tried to kill his dad as revenge. He's aware Lucious wanted Vernon dealt with before he left prison. Also, he knows his mom is responsible for the possible danger from an old dealer. And that his dad handled it. But, he doesn't have all the details like the dealer was Frank Gathers or that rapper Freda is Frank's daughter. Right now, I think he's compartmentalizing because he's preoccupied with running the business, working on his music, newfound fame, power etc... Otherwise, I think he cares but he's no longer as naïve as before.

@babybelle32a

8 жыл бұрын

Jamal is barely working on the business. We've only seen one scene of him working, when he was charged with signing Freda, and in that scene he just sulked, and made no effort to do his job. Even this past week Mimi was running the board meeting, instead of Jamal, the acting CEO. I don't get why the writers show us Jamal constantly complaining, but have not shown us scenes of Jamal actually working.

@lovejangie1

8 жыл бұрын

babybelle32a Early on, Jamal tried to take charge more. But, he didn't get the full cooperation he expected. That's where the writers went wrong. I agree the business side of things is too implied. Viewers need to see Jamal do more on his own. Instead of emphasizing Jamal's thought process or toughness they made him more quiet and reactionary so far. Over time, I hope he gets more self-assured. By the way, Mimi's cautious advice to scale back was an interesting contrast to Lucious's more grandiose pep-talk.----Jamal likely deferred to her out of respect. I wonder if she'll be a recurring character. However, the Freda situation is just getting started. I wouldn't be surprised if Jamal schemes to get Lyons Dynasty to sign her. Right now, Jamal is torn between the business demands, his ambition and his dysfunctional family. Thanks for reading my long wordy post!

Ya'll plugging the hell out of that Happy Hour podcast! I ain't mad!

i loved when she talked about the cosby show they all knew what she was talking about 😂😂😂

When Andre was saying his goodbye speech I thought Lucious would take back Andre's position because he would see it as weak.

Watch out for Thirsty!! He knows too much about the Lyons family.

@lovejangie1

8 жыл бұрын

+Erica Starkey As a plot twist, I wouldn't be surprised if Anika or Prosecutor Ford hired Thirsty to get close to Lucious.

@13zomi

8 жыл бұрын

+Erica Starkey Exactly what I was thinking. I think a betrayal is coming up. Luscious is letting him get too close.

I agree with Bamm about Anika...but I think you should also throw in Andre. You can't present Anika as a debutante... but then have her snooping behind Cookie for acceptance, while being loyal to Dynasty, but abstaining from joining Luscious. It doesn't make sense....and what they are doing with the ultimately talented Trai Bryers is sad.Did they really have that ultimately talented actor digging up graves in the woods with his wife? Really?

@babybelle32a

8 жыл бұрын

+Shane B Trai was great in the woods. He's always good when he's on screen. But that's the issue. In the first three episodes and last season, he was rarely on screen. I hope that they go back to making the character scheming and manipulative. I like that they've given him a conscious, but I still want to see him plot against everyone.

why they kept cutting off the panel with the intro/outro music. that was so direspectful the previous episode reviews were 50 mins long but now they want to cut the show down to 48 when they could have went into more details. Sound engineer and prroduction gets my 'coal' piece of the week instead of cold ;because they were naughty and I'm steaming.

@diva1675

8 жыл бұрын

That was very rude. I've seen shows last over an hour.

lets not applaud bad behavior. hakeem was beign childish and stabbing the painting was mad disrespectful and uncalled for

@lovejangie1

8 жыл бұрын

+serenityq26 Thank you!!! I agree. I get Hakeem wants success and independence. However, the tantrum was a little too melodramatic!

I thought That when Andre said that God has been talking him Rhonda was looking at Andre like 'he knows I'm not pregnant.' That's how I read the look on her face. Lol

Sofia in her Black Panthers beret...LOL

Another great review. Very good points made! I felt sorry for Anika too. I want her to be a true villain But, I'm a little irritated by Hakeem's antics.---Too jealous and sort of crazed to me. Clearly, Hakeem is livid with Jamal for not declining the Empire job. Right now, he seems to loathe Jamal for wanting success and their dad's validation. Also, Michael is okay but I need to see more fire and purpose from him. Otherwise, Jamal needs a better love interest.

Ok. Umma say it...iCant with Jamals vocals. iCant.

geez louise will yall let Bam get his point across, hell let him complete a sentence

Noooooooooooo but I love Jamal and Michael together... I wish they would let Michael speak up for his self and actually give him some kind of story other then begin jamals boyfriend

The Empire writers need to get Anika back aboard. Personally, I can't get enough of this sexy woman.

I wish they would have talked more about the photographer and how unprofessional he was hitting on Jamal.

@dmoody4628

8 жыл бұрын

i didnt get what was going on. i didnt understand why the bf was getting man. i just thought the photographer was weird lol

@babybelle32a

8 жыл бұрын

+Dime Damali I don't think that that was developed well at all. Neither Jamal or Michael said anything, and for me, those were just wasted scenes. This is coming from a Jamal fan, so it hurts me to admit that he really has not served a purpose this season.

@dmoody4628

8 жыл бұрын

babybelle32a i agree with you lol because i was confused the whole time.. but i dont really think any of the sons are living up to last season

@babybelle32a

8 жыл бұрын

Dime Damali True. I do like how they are showing that Hakeem is growing up, and to make it believable, they still have him making mistakes, and acting without thinking.

@dmoody4628

8 жыл бұрын

I dont like how they do Andre

Lmao and why did that music video scene look like "California Love": Empire Edition

Great review. But I have to completely take you guys to task. I think the writers drop the ball by embedding social issues because they don't understand how to change their tone. Jamal doesn't fully embrace his sexuality (he didn't seem proud to pose with the pride colors behind him), the luscious incarceration rally was bizarre. I wanted to feel differently about this once I watched the actual episode but I don't. I thought the way Cookie screamed out the Sandra Bland message was piss poor, caricature, ratchet and unnecessary. You can't take that seriously. The delivery was so off putting and it made a mockery of the issue in my opinion. It read super tacky.

@babybelle32a

8 жыл бұрын

+Monique Johnson I'm torn on this, because I think that the line worked, and I think that the point was to make people laugh and think. But, I agree that at times Empire's volume can keep people from hearing the message. They have to learn how to strike a better balance, so that people won't get mixed up about what they are trying to say.

@ThePiscesdiva01

8 жыл бұрын

+Monique Johnson I agree I this episode is something I think we will appreciate later in life but right now I think the delivery was bad and still to raw because their hasn't been a solution to the problem

@babybelle32a

8 жыл бұрын

Soaps often showcase social issues. I appreciate that they tackle problems. It makes no sense to wait for a solution, or to act like the problem does not exist.

@Kemdoc

8 жыл бұрын

This helped nothing. The delivery was tasteless.

@babybelle32a

8 жыл бұрын

Monique Johnson They weren't trying to solve the problem, they were helping to bring light to it.

Sophie on point about michael's being upset with Jamal the artist

@babybelle32a

8 жыл бұрын

+Square One Visual Grammar But, how do we know how he feels. Aside from the first episode, Michael has not said a word. We don't know why they got back together. The writers seemed to drop the storyline of that kiss bordering on Jamal being abusive towards Michael, or his attitude that he was buying Michael's affection.

Empire has improved since last season but the show still needs work (better writers) for some of the scenes.

No mention of the wig & weave exchange between Cookie and the prosecutor???

disagree jamal is too into his feelings. he not standing up for himself hes just jealous. if he was standing up for him self he would of went to luscious and his brother and had a talk

I don't get the hate for Jamal. He's simply trying to balance a demanding job and his career. As soon as he got the "brass ring" from Lucious, the rest of the family teamed up against him. However, what surprises me is the pass given to Cookie''s shady actions.-------------Last season, Cookie wanted Jamal to lead. This season, she's work against him partly for selfish reasons?! I mean, was Jamal supposed to thank her for plotting against him and Lucious? Is he supposed to overlook how she announced her new business? Heck, she even slapped him twice for daring to be angry about the takeover attempt. Yet, Jamal is deemed "bad" by some people because he's showing ambition and not deferring to his mom or spoiled brother Hakeem?

@babybelle32a

8 жыл бұрын

+lovejangie1 I think that you can compare it to the hate that Andre received last year, in that it's mostly coming from Jamal not having a storyline, lack of screentime, and not getting to see Jamal in any situation this season that explains his actions. He doesn't even have to be right, but giving a defined reason for why he's behaving like he is would work wonders to get people on his side.

@lovejangie1

8 жыл бұрын

+babybelle32a Good post. I didn't think about it like that. I want to see Jamal in more substantive scenes too. So far, this season has been underwhelming.

@babybelle32a

8 жыл бұрын

I agree. I have a feeling that Michael is going to leave again this Wednesday, but who cares? We don't know why he got back together with Jamal, and we've barely seen them together, so his leaving won't make any impact on viewers.

@lovejangie1

8 жыл бұрын

+babybelle32a You're right. The writers should've slowed things down and show viewers how Michael and Jamal reconnected. Before, Michael left because he didn't want to be second fiddle to Jamal's budding career. Now, Jamal is even more famous and running Empire. Now, he may leave again?! Wow. Where's the love and commitment? Where's their loving moments or arguments? It's like Michael doesn't know himself. And what does Jamal see in Michael? Also, it was a missed opportunity when Michael didn't confront the artist flirting with Jamal or talk with Jamal about it. Heck, Jamal talked more to fling Ryan last season.

empire Rock's.

What is cold piece?

@memenow2345

8 жыл бұрын

It's the best part of the show to them, the part that was the most surprising or was really good to them.

@stefaniafor-sure3698

8 жыл бұрын

cold piece is basically a title kennilia gives to someone who does something stupid or rude or mean and co piecet is another title she give that can be good or bad im not sure

@13zomi

8 жыл бұрын

+Chanel FD Basically the most cold-blooded person in the episode.

So rude that they kept playing the music to wrap it up.... I mean you guys don't have signs or hand signals?

Hakeem was jealous Lucious is the ceo he can admire a painting

iCant with Jamal. iCant. And his struggle vocals are getting on my nerves...#boystop....#youarenotMichaelJackson.....#youaintevenTitoJackson

When was Booboo kitty on the panel?? I need to watch it lol

@dmoody4628

8 жыл бұрын

last season. look up the past empire afterbuzz episodes.

@AbsentTvPro

8 жыл бұрын

Found it thanks :)

i agree with bamm. i could totally see jamal doing some kind of domestic violence to michael.

@lovejangie1

8 жыл бұрын

+roter13 Wow really? I hope not. Although I don't put anything pass these writers. lol What has Jamal done to Michael besides give him one aggressive kiss?

@roter13

8 жыл бұрын

+lovejangie1 i'm thinking lucious will kick jamal out of empire soon, he will become an alcoholic and then michael will try to stop him from drinking and jamal will punch him, thus ending their relationship. that is totally something lee daniels would do.

@lovejangie1

8 жыл бұрын

roter13 I could see something like that. Good plot! My guess is that Jamal is going to scheme to get Lyons Dynasty to sign Frank Gathers' rapper daughter Freda. That way, he gets rid of the possible competition. And get Lucious back for working on other crap instead of producing his album like he promised. Also, it'll help his mom get the upper-hand in the family business fight and help them reconnect again. In short, shady Lucious would be livid about Jamal's so-called "betrayal" then add in your story idea about Jamal becoming an alcoholic and lashing out at Michael--the drama would be fun to watch! Anyway, I wonder if our ideas are close to what the writers planned?

As for Michael.....WHY DID THEY BRING HIM BACK?..and when did he get butch?

Bam i'm so with you I HATE JAMAL

@babybelle32a

8 жыл бұрын

+shania turnage I hate what the writers have done to him. He was strong last season.

@lovejangie1

8 жыл бұрын

+babybelle32a Are you saying Jamal can only be strong if he's against Lucious?

@babybelle32a

8 жыл бұрын

lovejangie1 No. Jamal looked weak trying to throw Baretti off of the balcony. He looked weak because he allowed himself to be manipulated, and he was doing something that seemed to go against who he is. Do you think that he's looked strong this season? We haven't seen him accomplish anything this season, or even try. All that he's done all season is whine. We haven't even seen him be a leader. Mimi lead the last boardroom meeting while Jamal, once again whined.

@babybelle32a

8 жыл бұрын

Jamal looked defeated when he got in the car with Lucious, instead of going to see Cookie. His character has become very tentative, and he seems unsure of himself. This is a character who took charge of his career last season, but this year, that is not the case. I'd even say that he seems depressed. I wouldn't be surprised if he had a breakdown.

@lovejangie1

8 жыл бұрын

+babybelle32a He looked more frustrated to me. Lucious isn't an easy person to deal with let alone love. I don't know if he'll have a breakdown. But, I hope the writers don't regress Jamal too much.

I want to like Hakeem, but I am sick of his childish behavior. Granted Jamal has been so unlikable this season, but I don't like Hakeem. The flashback with Cookie in prison brought me to tears. Taraji did such a wonderful job as always. I also liked the girl singing in the club. She also reminded me of a young Selena as well.

@lovejangie1

8 жыл бұрын

+Chantholli89 What has Jamal done besides help his dad run Empire? Heck, I don't get why Cookie turned on Jamal. Season one, she was determined to show Lucious that Jamal could lead. Now, after a failed takeover attempt, she's starting a new business to compete with Empire?!

@babybelle32a

8 жыл бұрын

+lovejangie1 He really hasn't helped, or at least we haven't seen it. It was funny that Lucious said that Hakeem can't do anything without running to his mother, considering that in episode four, that pretty much described Jamal. The one time when Jamal did have to take control, signing Freda, he acted very petty and childish.

@lovejangie1

8 жыл бұрын

babybelle32a I'm not sure why Jamal can't have a truce with Cookie since Lucious wants to reconnect with Hakeem. It was good to see that Jamal still cared. In fact, I would like to see Cookie show more caring toward Jamal. Lately, she's been a little too callous. Ironically, Lucious believes in Jamal's talent and wants to stay close to him. So, it irritated me to see him stifle Jamal's instincts. Basically, he's demanding Jamal nurse a grudge and give him his undivided support. So predictable since Lucious thinks he's "God gift" to music. Even though, he knows Cookie is good because she helped him back in the day.

@babybelle32a

8 жыл бұрын

I agree about Cookie being callous. I hate and do not understand the episode where she told Jamal about Lyon's Dynasty. It was done in a way that was meant to hurt Jamal. The same goes for when she pretty much taunted him at dinner. That is not the type of relationship that Cookie has with her children, especially not with Jamal. I could be wrong, but I think that the main reason why Lucious is supporting Jamal is because he wants to make Hakeem jealous.

@lovejangie1

8 жыл бұрын

+babybelle32a At the video shoot, I did think Lucious was trying to make Hakeem jealous. However, if he wanted Hakeem's loyalty, all he had to do was give him Empire. Since Lucious decided Jamal was the right choice, I think he does appreciate Jamal's talent, temperament and fearlessness as demonstrated last season.

kirsty needs to step it up. she is such a disappointment!

why they kept cutting off the panel with the intro/outro music. that was so direspectful the previous episode reviews were 50 mins long but now they want to cut the show down to 48 when they could have went into more details. Sound engineer and prroduction gets my 'coal' piece of the week instead of cold ;because they were naughty and I'm steaming.