Empire - Toil and Trouble, Part 1 - Review

The last episode before the season finale was unexpectedly funny and entertaining, but it didn’t have a proper ending. Let me explain the reasons why I’m a bit disappointed by Toil and Trouble, Part 1.

After Lucious’ choice of being on Giuliana’s side, Cookie is outraged and she doesn’t want to let her control their company. Meanwhile, Giuliana is acting as shady as possible, firing Lucious’ assistant, cutting the budget of the artists and pushing the release date of Jamal’s When Cookie Met Lucious. Cookie can’t stand this anymore and so she decides to start a Resistance group with her sisters, her sons and Lucious’s brother.

I really enjoyed how they developed this episode: a bit of action and comedy are refreshing, Empire lately is much focused on dramatic or melodramatic (as you prefer) elements. Watching Cookie and her gang trying to steal Giuliana secret notebooks was really fun. I also loved that the writers included lots of cast members that rarely appear onscreen.

I was enjoying the newfound bond between Lyon and Tariq, but in Empire’s rhythm for each happy and joyful event, something disastrous and horrible must happen. Lucious’ mother kills him, stabbing his neck merciless. This will likely change everything: how the family will deal with this new murder? Will Leah be imprisoned? Will Anika be involved in the investigation?

The season finale will be explosive, but I am not sold on this last plot twist. We all know that Empire is basically soap-opera like Dallas or Dynasty, but this new narrative development came out of nowhere. I wasn’t expecting a cold-blood murder. It’s a pity that we will never be able to explore the dynamics between these two.

On Andre’s side, he is now seducing Charlotte in order to get her to be on his side. I liked this twist because at least it gives Andre something concrete to do, but he is the one who changed more in these seasons. Where will they head him?

This episode was entertaining and unexpectedly funny. When Cookie leads the action, Empire shines. Let’s find out what will happen during the season finale. And you? What do you think of Toil and Trouble, Part 1?