BWW Recap: EMPIRE's New Groove

Well, I'll say this, EMPIRE wastes NO time in resolving cliffhangers. Yes, the Lyons' are back, down a family member, but back, nonetheless. Season Three is here!

So let's remember at the end of last season, the Lyons family, as per usual, was on the brink of destruction. Lucious' crazy mama came back and so did his half brother, Tariq, who also happens to be a Fed wanting to bring him down. Lucious married Anika to prevent her from testifying, Hakeem got left at the altar and Anika and Ronda went over the balcony.

After the treacherous fight at the end of last season, we knew either Anika or Rhonda wouldn't survive. The lucky victim turned out to be Rhonda. Dre comes upon Anika and is about ready to kill her, but luckily her water breaks at that exact moment (because TV) and he rushes her to the hospital. Dre is devastated, obviously, and declares he is officially done with God. (Doubt his "music therapist" J-Hud will be pleased to hear this.)

Anika gives birth to a baby girl MUCH to her new hubby's dismay. Yes, misogynist Lucious wanted a boy, because boys rule. (They don't.) In the midst of labor, Lucious informs his new bride that she is to claim that Rhonda fell off the roof and she will moving in with him to keep up appearances on their sham marriage. As Anika moves into Lucious' house, Lucious Mama is less than pleased to see her making for a very uncomfortable family environment. (Did Anika legit try to poison Mama last season? I don't remember.)

Cookie is still PRETTY pissed about Lucious marrying Anika and declares them over for good. Cookie informs Lucious that she needs a deal. She wants to put a wall between them so they don't have to deal with each other. She'll handle the music, he'll run the business and they'll stay out of each other's way.

Lucious meets up with Birdman and French Montana (who were the big cameos of the week) to inform them of his plan to launch EMPIRE XStream which is the merger of EMPIRE Records and Swift Stream. He plans to launch to throw a huge launch part with Jamal performing, even if he has no desire to.

Shyne is still around being all Suge and places himself as Hakeem's new producer by way of beating the crap out of Hakeem's current producer. Shyne demands that his protege, Nessa, be allowed to perform with Jamal at the launch of EMPIRE XStream. Lucious agrees, but still believes he can play him and turn Nessa's mic off. Hakeem actually digs Shyne's producing and records a new track. Jamal prepares a tribute to Orlando for his performance. (Can I get an "Amen" that they are finally doing new music again?)

Cookie's sisters, who are now in cahoots with Tariq, encourage Cookie to give Lucious up as he never did her right anyhow. Lucious invites Tariq over for a family dinner which is less than pleasant to say the least.

At the launch, Jamal has a panic attack and can't perform. Hakeem steps in and helps him off the stage as the band vamps. Nessa seizes the opportunity and sings the Orlando tribute. The crowd (except for Tiana) loves her voices and a star is born. Shyne is pretty pleased and tells Lucious he'll be back to talk more business. Lucious is super pissed at Jamal that now Nessa is the face of EMPIRE XStream and even worse, now he owes Shyne.

Back in Crazy Town, Andre sees the ghost of Rhonda and has a near meltdown. Jamal witnesses it and is frightened, for sure. In the nursery, Lucious chats with his granddaughter/daughter (what is happening here..?) and we see a nanny cam in a teddy bear with Tariq surveilling.

I like this Shyne character. It's nice to have a new antagonist for Lucious. And I really like that Hakeem knows he is dangerous, but likes his product. And everyone seems oddly okay with the fact that Lucious is married to his son's baby mamma and is treating his granddaughter like his daughter. We're all good with this arrangement? And "good father" advice? Really, Lucious?

Overall, for a season premiere, it was a lot of exposition and setting up the storylines for the premiere so with the exception of the opening sequence with Rhonda plopping on Lucious' car, it was a pretty mellow episode. I have high hopes for Season Three and for GOD's sake, keep that new music coming!

Here's a preview for next week's all new episode:

Photo Credit: FOX

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