Empire Review: Of Hardiness is Mother (Season 4 Episode 13)

On Empire Season 4 Episode 13, “Of Hardiness is Mother,” things feel a little out of whack.

Let’s talk about Empire’s strengths and weaknesses.

One of Empire’s longstanding weaknesses is pacing. I’ve consistently felt that important storylines are rushed, while (what feel to me like) filler storylines are let to linger beyond their welcome.

This is especially true on “Of Hardiness is Mother.”

Empire spends way too much time this week trying to make the Jamal as a bad boy thing happen. It’s not believable and it’s not compelling.

Both other sons have done way worse things and this has never been discussed about them. I don’t care about this storyline at all.

Ditto to Rumor Willis popping pills. Her character is not engaging.

Ditto to yet another rando rich guy (Eddie) trying to screw over Empire Records. The only saving grace of the Eddie saga is that it is allowing Andre to show his worth. At least that contributes something to the plot.

I can’t find a reason for Tiana’s breakdown, Hakeem’s involvement in it, or his mentorship of whoever the new guys is.

Like I said… not compelling.

And the crappy thing about all this is that Empire’s big strength is the ability to craft a compelling storyline.

Becky’s storyline is extremely compelling. I sat down to watch “Of Hardness is Mother” convinced that I would love it. Convinced that the story would be handled well.

It. Wasn’t. Even. Mentioned.

WHAT?!

What is happening? Is this a suspense thing? Because watching an episode of mostly filler does not build suspense. It makes me bored.

Cookie’s encounter with Poundcake is, however, compelling.

I love how Cookie’s character is being further developed. I love how kind she is to Poundcake. I love how she is quietly advocating for something that she cares about without needing to involve anyone else. It’s drama-free and really refreshing.

I would even feel almost okay about Cookie and Lucious (spoiler alert!) kissing if it weren’t for the FitBit situation.

I cannot handle Lucious forcing her to wear it. I don’t care that he’s concerned about her. It’s controlling and that is NOT OKAY.

I started clapping like a lunatic at Cookie’s “I don’t want half of what’s yours — I want to share what’s ours.”

Lucious, though, is too quick to declare his respect for Cookie.

I don’t know why or how we are supposed to believe that he hears what she is saying when he spent the day yelling at her about her blood pressure and giving her rules about her own health care. A person can be concerned and helpful without being controlling. Lucious, though, maybe isn’t that kind of person.

I hope that we can see growth with him, but I’m concerned that this will be glossed over.

Which, like I said, is something Empire sometimes does. We’ve got a few really important things happening right now and they need to be addressed appropriately.

Plus, I really need to know what’s going on with Becky.

Did I miss something? Am I dumb? Was I supposed to come to a conclusion last time? Someone help.

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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