Empire Review: False Face (Season 4 Episode 14)

 

On Empire season 4 episode 14, “False Face,” there’s lots of dancing and some really disappointing character choices.

First things first, I would like to unsubscribe to the whole Eddie situation. I just can’t get into it. There’s nothing new about it — the Lyons have fought off so many (SO. MANY.) people trying to take over the business. Why are we still doing this?

Why haven’t they figured out how to protect themselves from this happening?

Maybe they need a real lawyer (read: not Thirsty).

Although I am vaguely interested in Lucious planning to kill Eddie.

I’m also really not into this Tiana drama. She’s become a pawn for Eddie and it’s really disappointing. She’s been around a lot longer than him. Why is she being relegated to a way to make him seem evil? He’s changed her whole personality? She’s brainwashed? Really??

Then we have Jamal’s music collective/band. Just… why?

Meanwhile, I guess Hakeem is throwing a party of the year. This is vintage Empire. Remember when every storyline revolved around the ‘party of the year’?

I’m beginning to wonder if Empire has run out of fresh material. Is there just nothing left?

I hope not.

But I more hope that Empire never again writes Cookie as she is in “False Face.” It’s like she has a freakin’ false face. Is that why that’s the title? Is this imposter Cookie?

Did she get abducted by aliens?

At least that would be surprising.

Cookie is not weak. She is not scared. She is fierce and she does what she thinks is right.

Except in “False Face” she is weak, scared, and doing things she knows are wrong. Not even for the right reason.

I legitimately don’t get it.

Cookie’s behavior with Poundcake’s daughter is cruel and unnecessary. It sets Maya up to hate her mother before she gets the chance to meet her. It taunts her with the chance of achieving her dreams and leaves her in an emotionally vulnerable and difficult space.

It’s also just not how Cookie operates.

The whole situation feels much more like a way to make the Poundcake drama last a little longer and less like an authentic representation of Cookie.

Empire is putting the drama before the characters and I’m not okay with it. I’m sure Cookie will fix it, but that won’t chance that “False Face” just doesn’t work for me.

But, I’ve been told that you shouldn’t point out problems without providing some solutions, so here are my humble suggestions of storylines that would be compelling to return to:

• Becky. I need to know what’s going on with Becky. Is she pregnant? Did she have an abortion? Is she still with her boyfriend? There’s a lot to explore here and I really, really can’t figure out why it’s not happening.
• Andre. We are getting small flashes of the drama between the boys. Shouldn’t this be a focal point?
• Bella. Serious question, does Hakeem’s daughter Bella still exist? Let me be clear: Bella. Not Anika.

Honestly, the bright spot of “False Face” is Lucious sending over drinks when he screws over Eddie. That’s an inspiration use of champagne.

That and Cookie and Lucious working together. That I like. Let’s see more of that.

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

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Empire airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on Fox.

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