Empire Review: Fair Terms (Season 4 Episode 16)

 

On Empire season 4 episode 16, “Fair Terms,” things are looking up.

Not for the Lyons — for me. I’ve been writing for the past few weeks about my disappointment in how Empire is going this season.

For the first time since the show’s been back, I feel like we’re getting the old Empire. The good Empire.

“Fair Terms” isn’t perfect (Anika is still around, for one thing) but it’s a lot closer to giving viewers what works.

Since it’s been so long since I’ve had many positive things to say, here are my favorite things about “Fair Terms” in no particular order:

Cookie’s Mom

Seeing Poundcake reunite with her daughter has inspired Cookie to reach back out to her estranged mother. There’s a lot I like about this. For starters, I like that Cookie’s character is growing here. But, not too fast. She wants to have a relationship with her mom, but she’s also torn about their past. There interactions feel authentic and realistic. Also, this is an example of Cookie trying to look out for herself. It’s good to see her doing something other than helping others. The complex new relationship that is forming should serve as a foundation for many more introspective episodes. Plus, her house is the perfect mom house.

Thirsty’s Troubles?

It’s brief — but “Fair Terms” suggests that trouble may be brewing for Thirsty. This is a positive because he’s generally been a one-dimensional character. Issues arising for him in upcoming episodes will allow his character to grow and could form the basis for realistic threats to Empire Records (read: not Anika popping up for no reason with no explanation).

Conflict for Lucious

I’ve generally not been impressed with the “who is Lucious” question that’s been swirling since his accident. However, Shine’s murder (and subsequent problematic absence from the board) is a solid way for Lucious to have to explore who he is. Or, more importantly — who he wants to be. His encounter with Eddie is menacing, dramatic, and very intriguing. I don’t know which Lucious I want to win.

Hakeem the Movie Star

Perhaps the best part of “Fair Terms” is Hakeem’s run-in with a racist film director. One of the best things Empire does is present real-life situations like this. I also love that it’s Hakeem who is dealing with this, because his character has been a little stale lately. Seeing him stand up for himself is a refreshing change to his more childish behavior.

Empire Glam

One of the other best things that Empire usually does well (that’s maybe been missing a bit) is glamour. Shine’s memorial is everything. Hakeem’s “it was very lovely to meet you” comment is so Cookie (and I love it). Ditto to Lucious saying “she’s like a recurring infection” about Anika.

For the first time this season I’m cautiously optimistic that Empire still works — that it hasn’t run it’s course or lost what makes it great.

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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