So after much hype, Empire finally premiered on FOX last night (Jan. 7). While the pilot episode featured plenty of chatter about Terrence Howard’s conk and the firebrand that is Taraji P. Henson, is the show worth your time?
We can’t front, the story was over the top, but still managed to be entertaining. Here is a quick recap of what we liked, and didn’t like.
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Photos: FOX
King Lear
For those of you who don’t read Shakespeare, King Lear is doomed and must decide which of his sons will carry on tradition. That’s pretty much the premise of Empire.
Laidt
From the jump, social media commentary focused on that conk/perm/couiffeur that Terrence Howard aka Lucious is rocking.
Cookie Monster
Taraji P. Henson’s character’s name is Cookie, and she pretty much stole the show in every scene.
Struggle Rapper Archetype
One of Lucious’ sons is a struggle rapper, and we must say they hit all the struggle rapper cues; suspect bars, terrible fashion sense, horrible haircut. Well played.
Creep Life
From jump, Lucious gives off strong creep vibes.
The Frank Ocean Effect
Lucious has a talented son that happens to be gay. So of course he keeps curving the lad. Not saying it’s right, but it is a reality many know. However, Cookie has his back, finagled her way into being his manager.
Gay Rapper Found
Are we sure the family doesn’t also have a gay rapper in the clique? No shots, just saying. Also, Cookie whooping his ass when he called her out her name was everything.
Black Actors
Hey, J.C. from New York Undercover got a new job. He’s a lawyer who Cookie calls a b*tch to his face as she strong arms Lucious for a spot in the Empire Records fold. Cold.
Black Man’s Kryptonite?
Of course, Lucious’ eldest son has a white wife.
It’s 2015, sir.
This guy tried to extort Lucious for $3M. The fact that he’s rocking a dookie gold rope chain should give you hint as to how that worked out.
Lucious’ Scarves
Son wore like a dozen different scarves, and it was only the 1st episode.
Taraji’s Baby Hair
It was on fleek. That is all. Also, we’re sorry we used the word fleek.
We just had to show you one more Lucious scarf.
