Empire Review: Civil Hands Unclean (Season 3 Episode 14)

We’re moving in the right direction. Empire Season 3 Episode 14, “Civil Hands Unclean,” is bringing us back to where it all started.

When Empire began, what I really loved most about it was that it was about family. Sure, the Lyons had their problems – but they were still a family. As the show has progressed, it feels like we’ve moved away from that. Everyone has their own storylines and we rarely see the Lyons come together as a family for more than a day or so.

More importantly, we’ve seen way too many new ‘family’ members join the group. I’m hopeful that the ‘war’ with Angelo’s family is just what the Lyons need to get back on track.

And by ‘the Lyons’ I mean Lucious, Cookie, Andre, Jamal, and Hakeem only. 

The best thing that happens this week is Lucious giving Anika divorce papers. I know I’ve said it before, but I’m really over her. I’m sure she won’t let go of the Lyons family too easily, but we’re moving in the right direction if she’s on her way out the door.

It’s also heartening to see Lucious respect Hakeem’s wishes to (finally) be listed as Bella’s father on her birth certificate. Lucious has been at war with so many people for so long that he’s barely had time to focus on his sons. We’re moving in the right direction with this, as well.

I’m worried, however, about Hakeem. Am I just an old person who doesn’t fully understand social media, or is his whole live stream thing super weird?  Doesn’t it seem like he spends a lot of time talking about Bella but never actually spending time with Bella?

Like, if you want to be a better dad, step one is probably hanging out with your kid.

Also, I like that he wants to be more involved in her life, but the inspiration to do so being based on watching some discovery channel documentary on lions is a bit… on the nose. I think we’re good on the lion/Lyon symbolism for awhile, Empire.

A better device this episode uses is music. Sometimes, I feel like Empire episodes include random musical numbers that really don’t work in the plot. This use of Lucious and Jamal in the studio works much better on this episode. The tread of needing “something” to make each song better really does a nice job of ultimately showing them that they should work together as a family again.

I’ll be honest that I found most of the action this week a bit boring. I appreciate what is being built, but this is a slower episode. However, the ending really sets us up for, what I’m hoping will be, some exciting episodes to come.

There’s a lot Empire can do with Social Services taking Bella. There’s clearly some political corruption happening, there’s room to talk about government/police overreach, and the Lyons has a cause to unite for.

If handled well, good things are coming.

Random thoughts:

• I almost applauded Lucious asking “people I don’t know” to leave the room. I’d like that to apply to the whole show.
• I know I’ve said I’m over all the celebrity cameos, but Snoop can be on Empire anytime.
• Is Cookie about to confess her love for Lucious? I’d like to tap the breaks on that.
• Julianna is so annoying.
• What is happening in Hakeem’s apartment? Someone needs to send Child Protective Services there.
• Love the Michelle Obama reference.
• Who even is Angelo? He’s going from super-great-guy-who-is-so-against-corruption to baby stealing pretty fast.

Cookie’s face pretty much says it all for me:

What did you think of this episode of Empire? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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Empire airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on Fox.

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