It’s the second episode in a row that has me enjoying Empire. "Fortune Be Not Crost" is directly connected with the previous one and it is set in a court while the Lyons are battling for Bella’s custody.
Through various hearing, all the Lyons’ problems, secrets and crazy behaviors come out: Anika explains why she doesn’t think that her daughter is safe with Lucious and Cookie, the two describe Bella’s mother as an amoral compass for Bella. It’s all enjoyable and entertaining, as it seems like it’s a final battle between two groups of enemies.
For the first time in Empire's history, I wasn’t totally on Cookie’s side. She is always sassy, but smart and she doesn’t have a restraint in a crucial and complex situation. I believe that the writers have a bit exaggerated with her reactions to the hearing. I truly loved the final twist: Miss Dubois changes the course of the trail with an audiovisual testimony. She recorded her secret meetings with Hakeem and she has proof that the young Lyon believes that his brothers are both unreliable as Jamal is addicted to painkiller and Andre is not mentally stable.
The jury is out: Anika will have the full custody of their child. In one of this season’s saddest moments, Hakeem has to give Bella to Anika and it’s intense.
I really enjoyed this episode: after the great previous hour, tonight the writers were focused on these characters and the consequences of their actions. I also loved how Lucious has come back as the smart and dangerous that we got to know. I’m really hopeful for the rest of the season, let’s hope they will stick to this rhythm.
And you? What do you think of “Fortune Be Not Crost”
