Empire Review: A Furnace for Your Foe (Season 3 Episode 9)

Empire Season 3 Episode 9, “A Furnace for Your Foe” leaves us hanging. Sort of.

Andre has come to terms with Rhonda’s death and is ready to take power. I know his announcement that he’s going to kill his father is supposed to be shocking but… is it?

I’m seriously asking.

Because to me it just isn’t. First of all, Andre and Lucious have been at odds off and on since season 1. He basically is either the golden boy Lucious plans to give power to, or the black sheep Lucious ignores (which always pushes Andre to try to unseat Lucious). Also, it just feels so obvious.

Now that Andre’s said it, it seems that everything has been building to this moment. My first reaction was not to gasp.

My first reaction was to think of course Andre is going to kill Lucious. 

Of course he is. It feels inevitable.

The real question is, will he be successful? Will Empire really kill off its lead villain/hero?

I think they should.

I think it’s the only way. If Empire is going to remain relevant Lucious has to die. I hate thinking that. I love Lucious. I’ve written entire reviews that basically only talk about how much I love Lucious. But the show is getting stale.

We can only watch the same power struggles for so long. But if Lucious dies all sorts of things can happen.

If Lucious dies, Jamal will no longer have to struggle to be honest with his identity while being a successful musician.

If Lucious dies, Andre will no longer be held back by the crippling knowledge that his father is living with the woman who killed his wife and child.

If Lucious dies, Hakeem will be forced to step up and be a father to Bella. He’ll have to grow up.

If Lucious dies, Cookie can take over Empire Records and move on with her life.

So, I’ll say it again: Lucious has to die.

Of course, we can’t expect Lucious to die anytime soon. Andre’s plan will surely be the driving force of the next several episodes of Empire. Maybe an entire season. But just knowing the option is out there is enough to make me really interested in Empire again.

Other thoughts:

• I’m glad Jamal is going to rehab. Although I’m not sure if we’re supposed to seriously believe that Lucious suddenly cares about this.
• Hakeem is boring me. Can’t he get a better storyline than just picking a girlfriend? He does have a child.
• Anika needs to go. Seriously, why is she still on this show?
• I’m glad Angelo has some baggage. He was becoming a bit too much of a perfect man.
• Why are Lucious and Angelo’s mom on a ferris wheel?
• If I ever need to intimidate a journalist I’m definitely going to copy Lucious. An intimidation rap is pretty laughable.

What did you think of this week’s episode of Empire? Do you think Lucious will die? Let us know in the comments below!

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Empire airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on Fox.

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