Trying to parse out what was the most ridiculous part of this episode of Empire is a fool’s errand. There’s just too damn much to choose from. There’s the homeless gibbering drunk who goes by the name “Ol’ Salty.” Lucious referring to the head of a competing record company as a “hairy dingleberry.” Lucious giving a sad child, wannabe rapper outside a funeral home $100 and telling him to “come see me when you’re ready.” Cookie calling Anika a “bougie ho.” Cuba Gooding, Jr. showing up on the scene as a former songwriting associate of Lucious and Cookie’s, named Puma. The appearance of Naomi Campbell as Hakeem’s secret girlfriend who insists he call her “mama.”
Okay, that last one was more icky than ridiculous. But that should still give you a clear indication of what we were dealing with last night. The writers of this episode decided to (knowingly or unwittingly) ratchet things up in an attempt to push it over-the-top. They don’t quite reach the place that could pitch this show into the land of camp entertainment. It sure is a hoot to watch them try, though.
The tendrils of the plot are also getting more knotty as we go along, and it’s getting a little dizzying as a result. Cookie is trying to assert herself back into the company any way she can—first trying to woo other songwriters to craft that big hit for Jamal, and then leaning on Puma for help. It backfires only because Lucious reminds them all that he owns the song and it would be perfect for John Legend’s new album. All the while, Cookie is trying to keep it secret that she snitched to the FBI about a crook from her past as leverage to get out of prison.
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