Author: Christina Reid
My mother was stalking my Twitter last week and realized while scrolling past my incriminating tweets that I had finally caught up with all of my shows on Hulu (I had tweet-revealed my sadness about finishing the latest season of MasterChef Jr.). My detective of a mother surmised that I was on the market for a new show to binge-watch. She called me – but, college kid that I am, I ignored the call and texted her saying, “I’m busy – at the library,” as I shoved the contents of a burrito bowl into my mouth. Later that night, she Facetimed me, and with her forehead all close to the camera, she said, “I want you to get into this show called Empire.” And I was all like, “Mom, I don’t want to watch your hour-long dramas. I only have time for one of those shows in my life, and that’s Scandal.” And then she was all, “Christina, you wouldn’t know good television if it hit you in the head.” And so, In a moment of weakness and sheer boredom at around 2 AM, I clicked on Empire’s pilot episode. Mom, if you’re reading this — I was wrong.
I watched the entire first season – 13 hour-long episodes with advertisements – all in one day. One. Whole. Day. Call it dedication, call it destruction of brain cells, call it what you will. When I finished it in what seemed to be only a matter of minutes, I was distraught. Bleary-eyed, I turned to forums speculating what would happen in Season 2. I even desperately read Empire fanfiction and lived vicariously through these new fictional tales. Who am I? I am one of many Empire fanatics in this world, united we stand (that’s our new motto that I created). And the numbers don’t lie: its two-hour season finale last week got Super Bowl ratings. So, here is a summary of five things we love most about the show and a little something to tide you over until the fall while you contemplate the meaning of life without Empire. (WARNING – spoilers ahead!)
1. The music
The music in this show is freaking spectacular and oh-so catchy. It’s hard to concentrate in class when I can’t seem to get Hakeem’s (Bryshere Grey) dirty song “Drip Drop” out of my head. Or what about Jamal’s (Jussie Smollet) beautiful remix of his father’s song when he finally decides to come out as gay? The writers and composers have done a remarkable job of weaving in narrative through song. And has anyone ever noticed that whenever there is a scene with music playing in a recording studio, every single character violently nods his or head to the beat? They make it seem like you can’t possibly enjoy music unless you dance to it in your seat. Bonus: you can purchase all the music on iTunes!
2. The dramatic suspense
First, Lucious (Terrence Howard) has ALS and he’s going to die. Everybody is outraged and scrambling to be his successor. Next thing you know, he’s misdiagnosed. Hurray for medical confusion! And what’s the deal with the relationship between Andre (Trai Bryers) and his wife, Rhonda (Kaitlin Doubleday)? Do they actually love each other or are they just merely consumed by the desire to be power-hungry? Or what about all of the killing in the show? Why did Bunkie (Antione McKay) and Vernon (Malik Yoba) both have to die? These are all questions that will haunt me until next season.
3. The star-studded cast and ensemble
Naomi Campbell, Raven-Symone, Jennifer Hudson, Patti LaBelle, Snoop Dogg. Such impressive names and these are only the guest stars. How? The entire cast is incredibly talented. Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard vibe off of each other beautifully; Jussie Smollet has become this incredible breakout star (and it doesn’t hurt that he also happens to be gorgeous eye candy). Gabourey Sidibe’s sassy one-liners have me in stitches as she continually challenges authority. If you ask me, I think the casting director on this show definitely deserves a raise.
4. The wardrobe
I am currently a second semester junior in ILR but I’d like to formally write up a petition to switch to Fiber Sciences. The costume directors on the set of Empire must absolutely love their job. Lucious dresses like he is royalty ( I almost choked on my glass of water when I first saw the scepter that he walks around with). Cookie’s style is flawless, too, and I am surprised that they haven’t run out of cheetah-print accessories to embellish her with.
5. Cookie! COOKIE! Cookie!
Please excuse me while I unapologetically fangirl for a moment. I have the biggest crush on Cookie Lyon (Taraji P. Henson) and I don’t care who knows it. She is a loving mom, a talented producer, a style maven, and just an overall badass. Cookie Lyon could command me to do just about anything and I’d do it just because I love her (and fear her) so much. She’s not afraid to protect her sons, she’s not afraid to cause a scene, and she’s most definitely not afraid to speak her mind. I hope that I can at least be half as confident as she is when I grow up. “The streets ain’t made for everybody. That’s why they made sidewalks.” Ugh, speak again, my queen!
If you’re on campus and experiencing Empire withdrawals, please do not hesitate to find me. There are resources available and we can talk things out.
