Empire Review: Sound & Fury (Season 3 Episode 10)

Okay, try to breathe. We need to talk about Empire Season 3 Episode 10, “Sound & Fury.”

I’m going to be honest with you. I really didn’t like this episode up until the last three minutes. Like, I was mad about it.

First of all, there’s way too much going on and way too much time has passed. At this point I’m having trouble keeping track of all of the different subplots that are running. For example, why does Empire insist on spending so much time on Xavier? Yes, he gets fired, but only after we have to deal with him through the entire episode. He’s literally terrible.

And he’s just one example of a character who should have been a blip on the radar and instead keeps showing back up. I wouldn’t be surprised if he comes back next episode. He’s already threatened Becky, so the door is open for him.

Speaking of Becky, can someone please do something for her? I’m tired of Xavier and I’m tired of Anika. #teambecky for life.

Anika is another example of a character who is getting in the way. Sure, she serves a purpose and moves the plot along, but she’s a loose end that should have been tied up months ago.

Ditto with Nessa and Tiana. Hell, at this point I’m pretty over everything that has to do with Hakeem. I know I’ve asked this before but, doesn’t he have a child to worry about?

The situation with the FBI is also getting tiresome. I know Lucious is a criminal and I should want him locked up, but if they haven’t gotten a case against him together by now how will they ever?

It feels like each episode presents a new character who needs to be reminded to keep his mouth shut. Sometimes Thirsty makes this happen by kidnapping a grandma. Sometimes he has to shoot somebody. Sometimes he has to buy a hotdog. I’m getting bored.

It also feels like every episode introduces a new female singer to the mix. This week it’s Tori in rehab. And although Jamal’s storyline is still more compelling than either other brother, I’m getting bored.

And why am I bored? Because none of it matters.

All that matters is Cookie and Lucious.

It feels like Empire has been stalling. They’ve been teasing the will-they-or-won’t-they for too long. Slowly but surely it is eroding Cookie as a character.

Cookie, unlike Lucious, is mostly good. She does things she shouldn’t, but she ultimately admits when she’s wrong and she loves her family. Except… this week she’s a bit different.

She fights with Lucious openly when visiting Jamal. She doesn’t even seem to notice that it hurts him. And then.

And then.

Cookie breaks. Holy crap have I been waiting for Cookie to break. I didn’t even know I was waiting for it until I saw her with that bat. All my arguing that Cookie needs to stay independent and that Empire shouldn’t bring Lucious and Cookie back together went away real fast when I saw her swinging that bat.

I know I shouldn’t want them to be together but I don’t care anymore. I do.

I want Cookie and Lucious to be a team. I want them to be in love.

There. I’ve said it.

They’re right together and if it takes Cookie going evil for it to happen, I’m in.

Bringing Cookie to her breaking point is something Empire should have done a long time ago. I’m almost proud of her for walking away from Lucious, but not really. I just want them to be together. I just want next week’s episode to be the two of them holding hands and singing. Is that weird?

Lucious has broken Cookie and Empire has broken me.

What do you think of this episode of Empire? Let us know in the comments below!

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Empire airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on Fox.

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