Empire Review: Toil and Trouble Part 1 (Season 3 Episode 17)

Pour yourself a drink. Empire season 3 episode 17, “Toil and Trouble Part 1” is Cookie v. Lucious. Some pretty big spoilers ahead.

Except – is it? Because it should be, but – I gotta say – it feels a lot more like Cookie v. Julianna.

And that just makes me mad.

Because who is Julianna?

I don’t buy her. At all. I don’t believe Lucious, who manipulates everyone – from Anika to his own children – for his own selfish gain, would have the wool pulled over his eyes by some random woman.

And yes, I remember that they have a past.

It’s just that Cookie is supposed to be the only one who ever got to Lucious. The level Lucious is going to with Julianna fundamentally changes what we are supposed to believe about his relationship with Cookie.

And I do not like it.

Otherwise, part 1 of the season finale is exactly what you’d expect… a bunch of drama leading up to part 2.

Honestly, though… I kind of love the campy Ocean’s 11 thing we’ve got going on.

It’s suuuuppper cheesy, yes, but in the way Empire does best. The outfits, the music, the snag in the plan that Carol presents – it all works. Especially because we’re in Vegas.

I have to admit that I expected the Leviticus Las Vegas opening to be boring, but putting Cookie in place to bring it all down made things more exciting.

Plus I love Becky finally getting to stick it to Lucious.

If only it worked. I’m more than a little disappointed that Cookie has to keep working to earn what has been hers this whole time. Especially if it’s mostly Julianna’s fault.

It also makes me nervous that Andre is popping back up. To me, he’s Cookie’s biggest challenger. I hope he’s serious about working with her.

I think I’ve made it clear that I want to see Cookie running Empire.

But, Empire’s made it clear that that question won’t be answered this season. Which I get, but I still feel like all the drama and cliffhangers here are a bit of a reach.

The silver lining is that, after Lucious mom-shames Cookie for not working on finding Bella (while he’s also focused more on Vegas – double standard, anyone?) maybe she really will see that he’s not right for her.

Yup, I’m back to wanting Cookie to stand alone.

I also have to admit that I did not see the last few seconds of this episode coming at all. I was expecting Cookie’s exhaustion to be the end. Instead, Mama kills her own son (!!) and now we probably have no way of finding Bella.

Plus, Cookie is ready to do the one thing Andre knows Charlotte can’t handle – pop off.

Looks like we’re going to get even better Vegas-style drama next week. Lucious isn’t going to be into it, but I’m pumped.

Other Thoughts:

• Charlotte says “you people” not once, but twice. Here’s to hoping Cookie uses that racism against her.
• I really respect that Cookie understands the power of a good costume choice.
• “You are cancelled” is also an excellent insult to yell at someone.
• That would have been my favorite quote if “oh – isn’t this grotesque” didn’t happen.
• Serious question: could Hakeem recognize Bella if he did run into her?
• I kind of love Thirsty now.
• It’s hard for me to buy Eva Longoria as a non-drinker. Probably because of Desperate Housewives. Her affair with Andre makes me feel much more at home.

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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