EMPIRE 2×08 “My Bad Parts” Review

This week’s Empire takes us on a Technicolor journey from the beginning to end like some drug induced high. But like any pharmaceutical, it has both good and bad side effects.

Episode 8 begins with Lucious (Terrence Howard) starting beef with Hakeem (Bryshere Y. Gray) by allowing Freda Gatz (Bre-z) to blast him all over social media. It’s a show fit for the Vegas stage with Freda all in white, black light, and neon craze. While Freda’s character is sometimes over played and the rivalry a bit uninteresting at times, who didn’t feel the bite of Freda’s lyrics, “Daddy’s little girl. You’re just daddy’s little girl.” It may have been more impactful if it was Jamal but still…we know it hurt.

“If you look around, I’m the son your Dad always wanted.” – Freda Gatz

From there, the fight to control the Lyon legacy rages on. Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) and Lucious continue to scheme over the boys, treating their kids like the top prize at the fair. Jamal (Jussie Smollett) steps up to stand for what he wants and wins a little neutrality between his parents. Poor Hakeem decides to go all Cher on us. Andre (Trai Byers)…well, they invited him to the after party. That counts for something, right?

Friedrich Nietzsche must have been watching this episode of Empire when he said, “There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness.” Writer, Malcolm Spellman, brought us crazy in droves in “My Bad Parts.”

Spellman, who wrote for Sopranos and known for Our Family Wedding, seems to understand the intensity and passion needed for madness. Our first place award for Miss Instability is none other than Ms. Boo Boo Kitty herself. The first signs of crazy show her in the bathroom with a large knife taking multiple pregnancy tests. Yes, darling. They all say the same thing. You’re pregnant by a womanizing man-child. How does a sophisticated, educated, beautiful woman end up here? Better yet. How does she end up in a bad blonde wig driving Hakeem’s new love interest? Crazy much, Anika (Grace Gealey)???

Lucious is our methodical madman. His need for control and memories of his mother slowly chip away at his sanity. He’s going off on everyone. He’s at odds with Mimi (Marisa Tomei) about the streaming deal. He orders Andre to dig up dirty on Jago Locke (Patrick Mulvey). Lucious shows up at Jamal’s all crazed with a beat for Jamal’s song for Pepsi. Umm…why wouldn’t he ask when Cookie left her coat at Jamal’s? Aren’t they supposed to not be comingling? Lucious is plotting against everyone. His edges are fraying. If Lucious can’t pull himself back together, he’s going to lose more than he can imagine.

“As long as I win at the end of it.” – Lucious Lyon

Cookie’s crazy is something most mothers will understand. We will lose it in a minute behind our children. Trying to get her boys back under her wing is putting her through some things. Love the fact when she was confronted with a choice between Hakeem and Laz (Adam Rodriguez), she stood by her son. She slapped Laz like he stole something. No one messes with Cookie’s babies, but Cookie. She definitely put Hakeem in his place too. Then, the middle child has Cookie dipping and dodging everyone, trying to hide the fact they’re working together. It doesn’t work for long though. It’s kind of hard to hide when you’re Cookie Lyon with all the flash and fashion risks that comes with being her. There’s got to be more to come. Loretha (Cookie’s given name) sounds like she might be more drama than our Cookie. Nothing brings out the crazy like a sibling, especial that sister who thinks she’s better than you. Welcome to the show Candace (Vivica Fox).

“You know what you are? A little snitch bitch.” - Cookie Lyon to Hakeem Lyon

From boys to men: The Lyon boys step up and claim their place in their world. About time!

Andre’s character is stabling out. He’s confident in his position and his business decisions. Who else noticed how Andre stood his ground with Lucious about the deal with Jago? Yeah. He’s still doing Lucious’s bidding but it’s not without having his opinions heard. He spoke up to defend Hakeem. Andre is finding his own way and making his own decisions, no longer afraid of Lucious’s wrath. We’re liking this new Andre.

Jamal continues to flourish with each episode. The writers have definitely found the secret to make us love Jamal again. He grows into a strong, confident person, a true change from the boy from season one seeking the love and approval of his father. We can see the happiness in him as he fortifies his relationship with his mother. Then, Jamal pulls a bold move this episode. The best exchange of the night was when Lucious walked in the studio and said Empire was paying for Jamal’s session and Jamal answers with, “Actually, no. I am.” Look who got his own paper Lucious. Yep. He doesn’t need your money anymore. He uses the music that both Cookie and Lucious creates for him. He combines the two into a song that Pepsi couldn’t refuse.

“…I don’t even know why you talking. Is he a partner? No…you’re a punk ass promoter so go hand out some flyers…” – Hakeem

Spellman worked magic with Hakeem’s character this week. It was a pleasant surprise to see the transformation of little Keemie. He truly manned up in all aspects of his world. Hakeem puts out a challenge to Freda in response to her and Lucious media out lash. Truthfully, this was concerning. It’s kind of like a dog fight with a pitbull against a standard poodle. Hakeem’s rap is flash and glam while Freda is gritty street. But putting that aside for a minute, Hakeem man up with Laura (Jamila Velazquez) when she tells him she’s a virgin. He decided to take it slow with her. He even tells Anika he might be in love. Maybe not the best person to share your feelings with, but he did the right thing. Hakeem stands his ground with Laz and his mother. He gets a point for his handling of his mom’s new entertainment but he like many other men failed to tame Cookie.

Final Verdict: The tides are changing for the better. The writers have stepped up to make us engage with the Lyon family again.

“My Bad Parts” ends with the big battle between Freda and Hakeem. Lucious is there like the Grim Reaper. Hakeem is fashionable late, entering with his security. Hmm… Hakeem’s lyrics are a bit soft. Our street urchin comes out swinging. She hit up everyone from Hakeem to Jamal to Cookie. Now…Hakeem is deemed the winner as he’s able to pump up the crowd. But we know better, right? In a bold move, Hakeem literally destroys his name and announces he’s dropping his last name.

There was all kinds of crazy in this episode, including Cookie’s lacy bodysuit she wore to the battle. But this is what draws us to Empire, right? Last week we said it was make or break for the show. They had to work hard to keep our loyalty. It’s looks like they heard us. The writers are shoring up the characters, adding more depth and layers to each member of the Lyon clan. While Lucious is still outside the inner circle, the coming together of Cookie and the boys feel right.

“If 17 years of prison taught you anything it’s definitely how to dress like a monkey and talk like a pimp.” – Candace

The secondary characters are becoming more interesting. How many people want to know what the heck Mimi got going on? It’ll probably come back to bite Lucious in the ass. Laura…the jury is still out on her. The whole I’m a virgin but I want to lose it to you act is kind of played out. Luckily, it helped Hakeem step into his manhood this episode so we give her a pass. Why aren’t we seeing more of Becky and J-Poppa? We need some more of that action. And Freda stepped up a notch this week.

We walk into next week with better expectations than last week. The show is definitely heading into a stronger direction. Let’s hope this trend continues.

Questions, Comments, and Concerns:

• Who thinks Anika is going to harm Laura? She’s having some serious stability issues right now.
• Jamal is on fire right now! Loving him more and more.
• What’s up with Mimi? And someone please tell us why she keep trying to speak hood? It’s not working, darling. Just stop!
• Will the show stay on this up swing? Make the magic happen again, please!