EMPIRE Midseason Premiere “Birds in the Cage”

Tameche Brown

6 years ago

Empire returned in a mind twisting fashion of intrigue, death and kidnapping. The Lyon Empire was under attack last season by the Dubois family. It took every Lyon to stop this threat – and now – a new threat threatens Cookie and Lucious in the Empire Season Premiere.

Therapy for a Lyon

Claudia (Demi Moore) caused my head to spin during this episode. The capture and systematic torture, (I mean therapy) of Lucious Lyon reminded me of Criminal Minds with the chains, stun gun and body numbing darts. I don’t know about you, but there was a point during all the flashing lights and loud music used to torture Lucious that I wished it would just STOP!

EMPIRE: Pictured L-R: Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard / FOX

I understood Claudia’s desire to remove the Lucious portion and return to (in her mind) Dwight (Lucious’s real name before he began making hit records and killing people.) Her perfect gentlemen and lover. This kidnapping was not working for me and I kept looking towards the cabin front door for Cookie to burst through and save her man.

I have to give kudos to the dialogue of Lucious and Cookie after her subsequent capture by Claudia. The scene between these two is why I continue to watch Empire. They’re both strong characters who love and hate each other in the same breath.

This scene is perfectly set with Cookie tied up across from Lucious. The intensity of their words consisted of blame, confessions, past recollections and proclamation of love for each other. I soon forget they were being held captive because I was focused on their words.

Even with that great scene, the ending is very predictable: Cookie escapes and knocks Claudia to the ground. Lucious then escapes after being chained. The opportunity presents itself to Lucious to kill Claudia with an ax, but he doesn’t do it citing how he didn’t want to become the man Claudia said he was. “Lucious the Killer” Boo! I wanted him to take her out. I wasn’t alone – Cookie Lyon agreed with me.

Game Over

Jamal Lyon officially became a killer taking out Angelo Dubois in self-defense protecting Warren Hall (scorned lover). With the death of Angelo Dubois, the attack on the Lyon family by Diana Dubois (Phylicia Rashad) seems to have subsided. Bella Lyon has been returned to her father Hakeem Lyon and Andre Lyon is on the road to recovery after being overdosed with psychotropic drugs, which nearly caused him to have a mental break. Yes everything is going back to normal for the Lyon household (whatever that means).

Let’s talk about Becky (Gabourey Sidibe). She handles the A&R at Empire records and reveals she is pregnant after taking multiple pregnancy test. Her indecisiveness on how to handle the news directly contrasts with her typical character on the show. I appreciated seeing her character become multi-dimensional which peeked my interest. I’m hoping this storyline will be developed a little further and Becky will become more than an errand woman for Empire.

Overall the return of Empire is going to fun to watch the new twist and turns that are bound to pop up this season.