This is the first episode this season where after the ending the only thing I could say was, "that's it?" I'm not convinced all of the loose ends of this plot were tied up so neatly, but only time will tell.
Hakeem is holding a press conference at Empire headquarters. He announces that Cookie will serve as head of A&R, with Andre continuing as CFO and president of Gutter Life Records, while Jamal will step down as senior vice president to focus on his album and seven ASA nods. One of the journalists at the conference asks why Lucious wasn't mentioned. Hakeem attempts to blow her off but Cookie interrupts, informing the journalist that Lucious is also focusing on his music and the video for his song "Boom Boom Boom Boom." Either I know nothing about music or this timeline is off. The song is already nominated for an award but there hasn't been a video for it yet? The ASAs must have the speediest nomination process known to man.
The conference concludes and Hakeem scolds his mother for not letting him do his own thing. Cookie retorts that if Hakeem wants to stay alive and keep his post as CEO he has to do what they discussed.
The journalist from the press conference interviews Lucious as he prepares to shoot his video for "Boom Boom Boom Boom." With some coaching from Thirsty, Lucious manages to keep his composure as the writer asks him questions about his video, Camilla, Mimi Whiteman and Hakeem. Everything goes smoothly until the journalist asks if he saw his ousting coming. Lucious loses it and has the journalist thrown out of the office.
Later, Hakeem performs his eerily appropriate song "Power of the Empire" from Season 1 and reveals the new logo for Empire, which is really the old logo with Hakeem's face instead of Lucious'. Cookie and Andre aren't exactly pleased.
Andre has not faltered in his belief in God despite Rhonda's lack of faith and reveals to her that he had a vision telling him that her fall wasn't an accident. Rhonda begins to worry that his medication is no longer effective and he is on the verge of another bipolar break. Andre assures Rhonda that he is taking care of himself. Rhonda says that what would make her feel better is going back to work. She asks Andre if he could get her a job working with Camilla's new fashion line, named Antony and Cleopatra (in honor of her and Hakeem--*shudders*). Andre agrees on the condition that Rhonda come with him to grief counselling with his pastor.
Cookie visits Lucious as he searches for a director for his music video and updates him on the situation with Camilla. She tells him to scrap his music video concept saying he is hiding behind the imagery. Lucious plays a new track for her. Cookie says it's fire and implies that maybe Hakeem's betrayal helped Lucious' music. Andre comes in and frantically tells his parents that Camilla has cut the budget for Lucious' video. Lucious is about to send for Thirsty but Cookie reveals the master plan that she mentioned in the opening scene--Hakeem is supposed to get dirt on Mimi to prove that Lucious' firing was illegal. After Lucious leaves, Cookie tells Andre that she's worried he may have returned to work too soon after Rhonda's miscarriage.
Jamal is leaving Empire headquarters when a "fan" asks for an autograph on a flip flop. The innocent request turns out to be a ruse as the fan is really part of a flip-flop flash mob (say that three times fast), bashing Jamal for his sexual "flip-flippity flop," to the tune of his little bro Hakeem's smash "Drip Drop," even though...
Thank you Becky.
During a meeting with Jamal, Jamieson drops the bomb that it was Lucious who planted the rumor that Jamal and Skye Summers were together. Jamal puts two and two together and realizes that Lucious is spreading the rumor to hurt his chances of winning an ASA. It must really stink to be Lucious' child. To prove your loyalty, you not only have to go along with Lucious' crazy and at times sociopathic schemes, you also have to be musically inclined in some way, but you aren't allowed to be better than him at anything.
Hakeem is canoodling with Laura when Camilla walks in. After an awkward intro, Laura leaves to go to a meeting with A&R. Camilla asks why Hakeem hasn't dumped her and Hakeem politely reminds her that she's married.
Hakeem says that he wants to prove that he deserves Empire and didn't get it purely because of Camilla but also assures her he wants to make her happy.
Cookie is in a meeting to plan Tiana's tour and gets interrupted twice--first by Porsha and Carol who are apparently now vying for the position of Cookie's assistant. Then by Jamal who is still furious about Lucious' rumor-mongering and vows revenge. Andre walks in and says that Camilla won't approve the budget for Tiana's tour. Andre assures Cookie that they are building a case against Camilla. A frustrated Cookie calls Andre crazy but quickly apologizes.
Cookie goes to personally deliver the news to Tiana as she is rehearsing for her tour. Upon learning of her tour's postponement Tiana threatens to leave and suspects that Hakeem is trying to push Mirage a Trois to the forefront. Tiana mentions that the girls are barely good enough to open for her, giving Cookie an idea.
Cookie goes to talk to Camilla and suggests that Mirage a Trois open for Tiana, mentioning that it would be a good way to get Laura out of town. Camilla agrees to push the tour through. When Hakeem finds out that Cookie put Mirage a Trois on the tour he is furious, but Laura says she thinks its a good opportunity. Cookie warns Hakeem that if he doesn't fix the mess Camilla has made, he runs the risk of losing Laura and his family.
Rhonda is preparing for a shoot at Empire and overhears Camilla on the phone with Mimi. Camilla appears to be trying to deter Mimi from visiting her but is unsuccessful.
Jamieson arranges a performance to help run damage control on Jamal's image. Jamal performs an angry rant against his father, complete with a mic drop, airing Lucious' dirty laundry, including the closely kept secret that Lucious Lyon is not his real name. After Jamal's revelation, Lucious decides to change the concept of his music video and use his secret to garner more press for himself by telling his real life story to the journalist he had sent away earlier.
Rhonda accompanies Andre to counselling where the pastor encourages them to communicate. Andre asks Rhonda if she is cheating on him because she wasn't in her office when he tried to visit her at work. Rhonda again expresses her concern for Andre's health but the pastor assures Rhonda that Andre is in God's care and that that is stronger than medicine.
After therapy, Rhonda and Andre meet with Cookie and Jamal. Rhonda admits that she wasn't at work because she was giving Cookie dirt on Camilla. They learn that Mimi is visiting New York that weekend which makes her a sitting duck for Hakeem. Andre is doubtful of Hakeem's loyalty but Jamal says he'll talk to him.
During their conversation, Hakeem asks Jamal who will get Empire after Camilla is gone. Jamal admits that it is up in the air, but for Hakeem to prove he's up for the job, he will have to redeem himself to his family. Hakeem and Camilla spend some alone time together and get freaky. But wait, what's this?
Hakeem has videotaped the encounter and sent the incriminating footage to Mimi. The plan appears to work after Mimi divests from Empire. Using a trust fund intended for his son, Andre buys back all of the stocks. Andre is still not recovering well from the loss of his child so Jamal and Hakeem decide to play him a song they wrote for him. Despite my best efforts not to, I definitely teared up during this scene.
Cookie tells Lucious about what Hakeem has done and Lucious leaves, presumably to celebrate by himself--if only Lucious was that simple. The scene cuts to Camilla wiping off the faucet of her bathtub with a lifeless Mimi still inside. Lucious threatens to blackmail Camilla with footage of her poisoning Mimi, divulging that Hakeem sent the sex tape to Mimi. Lucious encourages Camilla to kill herself since she no longer has anyone in her corner. Camilla asks Lucious to shoot her but he refuses to do her the favor and tells her to off herself. The episode ends as Camilla drinks the last of the poison while Lucious leaves, telling her to "rot in hell."
Watch the preview for next week's episode here:
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