Empire Review: Without a Country (Season 2 Ep. 2)
Let’s not discuss the montage of Cookie starting a new label that opens this week’s episode of Empire. Other than that, I am pretty much obsessed with “Without a Country.” Spoilers ahead.
The best part of the season so far is Ludacris the Correctional Officer. And he is so mean! I seriously love this character and I love the whole prison storyline. I also love that Lucious stumbles this week. I’m glad the show isn’t trying to make him seem completely in control all the time. He at least needs to feel stressed for a minute while in prison.
With CO Ludacris and Roxanne working together, Lucious can’t get his meds and is starting to feel pretty sick again. This looks like it could be the end for him, but I am underestimating his power and how much people love him. It sort of makes me wonder how realistic some of this is. It makes sense that if someone totally famous and rich was in prison with you, you’d want to do some favors for him. Especially if he hasn’t even been convicted yet. It’s pretty great when a guard slips him his meds and really great when Lucious gets equipment brought in and has a secret recording session in some broom closet. Ludacris thinks he can squash that, but we learn, yet again, that you really can’t hold Lucious down. He is definitely a fan of the ‘any means necessary’ approach. But how great of a plan is it to release music from prison? We also get yet another great Lucious one-liner when he tells Ludacris “Y’all make mistakes. I don’t.” Awesome.
Speaking of any means necessary, how about this new lawyer character? The new characters this season are so great so far. He is definitely shady (and I love that his purple suit almost puts Jamal over the edge), but he gets Lucious out on bail, so that’s exciting. Classic bribe the judge with awkward photos move.
Meanwhile, Cookie and the boys are starting their own label. I really like that Andre admits that this approach just isn’t for him and wants to go back to Empire. I also love seeing Jamal’s softer side creep back up when he finds out about the baby. Too bad Lucious will never give Andre a break. I mean seriously, I need Lucious to calm down about that.
I also really like that Hakeem isn’t going back to Empire. He seems to be starting to come into his own and growing up a little (although I agree with Andre that leaking his album is probably not the best move). His girl group auditions are also hilarious. Though I’m pretty sure little Valentina is going to be trouble. He may have met his match. I’m also excited that Tiana is back, although her nude leggings really freak me out. Someone please tell me I’m not alone in that.
The other thing I really love is Cookie’s very subtle blue highlights. Random, but they are amazing.
There really isn’t much to dislike about “Without a Country.” Just that opening montage. I cannot wait to see what Lucious does now that he’s a semi-free man.
What do you think of “Without a Country?” Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Empire airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on Fox.
Amanda Coyne
Amanda is an associate editor for Tell-Tale TV. She is a writer, teacher, and pop culture enthusiast with a love for 30 Rock and The Mindy Project. She is also the proud mother of two orange cats. Follow @amandarcoyne