Original subtitles

LUCIOUS: Previously on Empire...

Why would you get married to her?

You know what?

I don't know that I believe that an annulment

is the best thing for us.

The ASAs are down my throat because their ceremony

coincides with our festival, and I--

-You're a great person. -I know I'm a great person!

YANA: "I reach out to touch you,

but realize you're miles away."

I had no idea that you felt this way about me.

ANDRE: You're everything in me

I should've loved because it's all a part of me.

It's me, Mom. I'm sorry.

Don't you apologize, okay?

I love you.

("The Hard Way")

(R&B music)

*

* Yeah, yeah

* I thought what I wanted

*

* Oh, was what I needed

*

* All these reflections

*

* Showing me something different *

* Oh, when I'm down

Okay, so about after a month of preparation,

we're starting to build three stages

for 15 of our top performers, honey,

because we are going to snatch wigs and edges.

We're making a statement. You know what that mean.

Uh, I thought that this interview

was scheduled for later this afternoon.

Becky, did you finish

locking down those luxury porta-potties?

Make sure you order double for women

and take care of my Melodies.

Honey, just take care of all the children.

Of course, I'll tell my assistant

to tell your assistant.

-Hi, Becky. -Jon.

Yes, this is Becky, one of our partners.

-So-- -Founders.

Yeah, so, you know, that porta-potty issue,

that's something on the long list that that dinosaur

you been stuck covering doesn't think about.

And by dinosaur, you mean Elvis Stone,

the head of the ASAs.

Mm, that name never came out of my mouth.

Did it Becky?

Well, I certainly didn't get to say it.

(chuckles)

Well, maybe it didn't, but you did schedule your event

on the exact same night as his,

draining all relevant talent from the ASAs.

I did that?

Is that why he's on the attack,

referring to BossyFest as amateurish...

Oh.

An Ishtar-level debacle, and a Cookie Lyon ego trip?

Ah, there it is-- using my name to stay relevant.

Mm-hmm, 'cause you know that's the only value

black women have to him. You know that right?

But look, I'm not here to talk

about that crusty, chalky uncle.

I'm here to use BossyFest

to uplift and recognize women in music

as the financial heroes we've always been.

-Ain't that right. -Uh-huh.

Allow me to add some color to this.

So Mel should be interviewed, she started--

All right, all right, all right, Becky.

Not now. Not now, okay?

We don't have time for that.

Oh, hey, now, this has gotta wrap this up.

Gotta go. Got a big show to put on.

If you have any more questions, you can call my assistant.

*

(sighs)

*

My baby's coming back.

*

-Oh, Andre. -Yes.

Oh, he's getting out. That's great.

-My son is coming back. -Yeah, wonderful.

Yes.

(soft dramatic music)

*

Guess who's coming to dinner.

*

Oh, look at you. You look so good.

Well, a month of intense psychiatric treatment

-will do that. -Yes.

Thank you guys for not giving up on me.

Oh, never. Never. You hungry?

Come on, come on.

We ordered all your favorites from Red Rooster.

(chuckles)

Yeah, now, who wants some shrimp and grits?

I do. I know you do.

LUCIOUS: Yeah, well, look here, son.

You are welcome to stay here as long as you need to.

When you're ready to go back to work at Empire,

we'll get you a nice apartment over in the city--

I'm not going back anytime soon, Pop.

Wait a minute.

I've been sitting here lying to our artists--

I mean your artists-- trying to protect your vision--

Um, is that what the doctor advised, baby?

Because if that's so, you don't have to rush.

Well, Dr. Lockett made it clear that I should only engage

in activities that are uplifting and healing, so...

Yes.

That's why I've decided to join Reverend Pryce

on a church mission to Uruguay.

What?

Huh, so you're going to South America?

Yeah, the church gave me the clarity of my self-worth

and the power to cast out Kingsley,

so yeah, I'm going to South America.

Okay, well, that's a very interesting way

to continue healing.

Son, that's good. But does Teri know?

Because Walker's way too young to travel that far, so--

I'm getting-- I'm getting myself together

for Teri and Walker's sake.

Right, Hakeem?

You know everything we do is for our babies.

Right on.

So we can blame your drunken Vegas wedding

-on your babies? -COOKIE: Uh, Lucious, not now.

So does Teri know your plans?

*

I can't wait for you guys to hear more

about Reverend Pryce's mission.

I mean, we are opening

Montevideo's first new congregation

in 22 years.

I'm excited, you know?

He asked me to be a part of it. I couldn't say no.

*

Mm-mm.

*

(dramatic hip-hop music)

*

THOMASINA: And here's Yana.

Oh, wait, wait-- overhead LEDs for Yana?

Becky, do you want Miss Crunch Crunch

to look like the Crypt Keep--

-(phone clicks and beeps) -Uh...

Hello? How you doing?

-Hey. -New porn site?

Yeah, I'll send you the link. This is about TBD.

Empire has dropped them from our lineup.

They were supposed to be

the 5:00 p.m. blue plate special performance, but--

I just don't know what the aunties are gonna do now.

What are they gonna do?

Those three decrepit bitches I revived--

why is Lucious making Empire turn its back on us?

DARYL: Cookie, it's not just them.

I wanted to tell you in person.

I have to pull my venue out of BossyFest.

-Why? -Oh, no, no, no.

See, your venue is all over our advertising.

-We have contracts. -Not signed ones.

I got a better offer-- some rich kid's bar mitzvah.

Ugh, okay, well, look.

Five other venues were vying for us,

so there's gotta be something, and so I think--

I doubt that.

BECKY: Oh, you doubt that. So what?

A bunch of last-minute bar mitzvahs

just popped up this weekend? Is that what's happening?

First TBD and now this.

There is no bar mitzvah, is there?

I was told if I work with you,

I'd never get a live music booking again.

I don't know who you pissed off,

but they won't stop

until BossyFest is dead and dusted.

This smells like Elvis Stone, the ASAs president.

He's got his pink, fuzzy thong up his ass

because he knows we're going public

about how the ashy, lily-white ASAs

are a thing of the past and we are the future.

(dramatic music)

(sighs)

Becky, we're being white-balled.

*

Why are you still here, minuteman?

Yeah, you should go.

Take your pull-out game and get to your bar mitzvah.

Shalom, peace be with you in the parking lot.

Adios.

Yeah.

Out of here-- and don't validate his parking!

*

Okay, so we're gonna need you two to divide and conquer

these next few ASA events.

Devon, you're gonna do

Spotify's Absolut Listening Lounge,

and Treasure, you're going

to Mark Ronson's Pandora Tea Party.

Mm, I have just the fit for British high tea.

You know, grandma but still make it ho, right?

(chuckles)

There something in your eye?

Nah, Lucious, it's just that I've been

to 17 of these pre-ASA events in the last month.

I don't think any of these voters

can name a single track off of my album.

I mean, isn't this whole sham award circus hustle

the reason why you rejected

your lifetime achievement award?

(chuckles)

You know what, Devon?

You've gotta earn something

before you have the right to reject it.

Come on, Lucious. What's changed?

LUCIOUS: Nothing's changed.

Andre is still your CEO.

This is his plan, and it will be executed

to his exact specifications.

Nah, nah, no, no, you expect us to believe

that Andre's still on a honeymoon?

Do you remember what it's like to be on Andre's wrong side?

Can you imagine how much worse it is to be on mine?

Drop the act, Lucious.

From what I hear, the only plan Andre's formed

the last month is how to get access

to his shoelaces again.

Watch your damn mouth, Kelly. That's my son.

And my bottom line.

(dramatic hip-hop music)

With Andre out, Pamplemousse is gonna have to expand

it's role managing Empire's day-to-day.

That means new oversight and the return

of its most profitable acting-CEO to enforce them.

*

(sighs)

It feels so good to be back.

*

Can I fix y'all a drink?

Maybe a little antifreeze with a touch of arsenic?

(chuckles) Scotch, neat.

Make it two.

-We'll toast to our victory. -Yes.

Oh, you think this is an act?

What you're gonna do is get the hell out of my office.

You may have bested me once with that MIT okeydoke.

Ain't happening again. And as for you--

If it were only that simple, Lucious.

Let's go.

You really need to talk to Andre

because there are a few details in his contract

that I think you might find interesting.

(dramatic music)

*

Hello, Mr. Lucious.

Oh, Juanita, is Andre around?

Yes, sir. He's in the living room.

-Thank you. -Sure.

-Hey, Son. -Hey, Pop.

How you feeling?

It's one day at a time. Today's a good day, though.

Good, I mean, you're feeling calm and stable?

What's going on, Pop?

What deal did you make with Kelly Patel?

Pretty standard contract, Pop.

He gave me shares, I gave him money.

Well, Kelly's claiming that if you're not working

as the CEO at Empire, he gets his shares back

and some of yours.

(exhales)

It's a claw back.

It sounds worse than it is, Pop.

It's something you dangle in front of an investor

as bait to get them to sign on,

but they're almost never enforced, Pop.

Yeah, until someone enforces them.

If Kelly pulls the trigger on this,

this is gonna make him a majority owner of Empire.

Now, I know you weren't in your right mind

when you made a lot of decisions,

but I mean, how could you give away your birthright, Son?

(soft dramatic music)

-I can fix this, Pop. -No, no, sorry--

I'll come in.

I'll make an appearance at Empire.

No, that's not what I want.

Now, you're not supposed to be there.

You're supposed to be relaxing.

If I'm in the office,

he can't prove I'm not running things.

No, the doctor said if you go back there,

you could have a relapse.

This is my fault.

*

You gotta let me make this right.

*

Is it really over?

Yeah, we issued our best and final offer.

She'll sign the annulment and NDA by EOD.

And where is she?

I am so sorry.

I've been working on my new demo "Mrs. Lyon."

You know, if you hopped on that,

we'd have this generation's version

of "We Got Something in Common" on lock.

Yo, let me holler at Miss Real Housewife, alone.

Maya, what do you want from me?

Why, your love, of course.

Okay, my music--

nobody cares about me without you.

How is people supposed to take my music or my acting serious

if you acting a damn fool?

Okay, so help me.

We're past that, Maya.

Every day you refuse to sign, I'm dropping 100 grand.

(dramatic hip-hop music)

*

(sighs)

*

I mean, this is madness.

There has to be some-- look, look,

let's just start thinking parks, okay?

Think of the squares, okay?

Union or Washington or something?

Or maybe there's, like, some overflow space

from a theater or something--

Yeah, um, nope, no,

and the theater director said, "hell no."

Ugh, okay, well, look, go out and find me an alley

or, like, I don't know, like, a high school gym

-or something. -Got it.

Thank you.

(murmuring indistinctly)

Hey, hey, Porsha. You look good.

-Hey, thank you. -Girl, I'm so glad to see you.

Honestly, I'm a little crazy with all of this.

Just, like, this is a lot of planning for BossyFest.

It really is, and Cookie is kind of making things worse.

Is that it?

You ain't got nothing you wanna say to me?

(chuckles)

Actually, yeah, there is something

I wanted to say to you.

Um, I've been feeling really awkward about this

and really terrible, and I just wanna let you know

that, um...

I so forgive you

for not planning anything for my birthday.

It's okay. Me and Thomasina got it, okay?

So don't worry about it.

Wait, are you serious right now?

Yeah, I'm really serious, so I don't want you to worry.

I'm not mad at you anymore. You're forgiven.

-We got it. -Wow.

Wow, wow, wow.

Yeah, it's gonna be a great party.

You'll be saying "wow, wow, wow"

once you get in there. (laughs)

I'll see you at the party, though, right?

Whatever.

I think I'm gonna make it unicorn themed.

*

You son of a bitch.

Look, Cookie, we are divorced now,

so you no longer have the right

to come barging in my office, acting like a damn hood rat.

Well, if you don't want me barging in the house

I let you keep, then you shouldn't try

to step on my neck.

You got right in line with that Elvis Stone

and pulled TBD

from Bossy roster, you son of a bitch.

Look, I know how much fun it is for you to come blaming me

for your problems,

but I had nothing to do with this.

Kelly Patel is trying to take Empire away from me,

and with Andre gone, you know, maybe it slipped

through the damn cracks or something.

Come on, man.

Okay, I apologize.

Well, if you didn't do this, then you can fix it.

Call Empire, tell them that TBD is back on Bossy's stage,

ASAs be damned.

Didn't you just hear me?

Kelly is trying to take Empire away from me!

Now if I make one false move, it's a wrap for me.

When we got divorced, you told me you wanted

to stand on your own two damn feet.

BossyFest is happening, Lucious,

and I will remember who was in my corner

and who wasn't when it does.

(dramatic hip-hop music)

(indistinct chatter)

Here you are.

Mmm.

Don't mind if I do.

Ugh, salty, just like your ass. (chuckles)

To what do I owe

this brash inconvenience, Ms. Lyon?

Oh, no, Elvis, I'm asking the questions.

Like, why are you so up my ass, huh?

-Up your ass? -Mm.

Do you think this is the first insurrection

I've faced in my 19 years of running the ASAs?

Not even close.

Nobody remembers how I handled Keith Sweat and LA Reid,

and nobody's gonna remember you either

once your homeless festival bankrupts your label.

It'll be like Bossy never existed.

You won't erase me, okay?

I've worked too damn hard to let

some little talking piggy in a blanket...

-Hm. -(chuckles)

Try and take me down.

(dramatic hip-hop music)

There is an alternative.

Come back to the ASAs.

I'll give Tiana prime seats

and that Melody person a feature.

So you'd do all of that

after you tried to take us down.

I'll do all of that

after I'm sure you are taken down.

You will come back to the ASAs, publicly affirm your support,

and cancel BossyFest.

Enjoy lunch on me while you think about it.

*

I don't know why you keep rejecting

the idea of having a costume party.

Let it go.

Ooh, can you find me a Dame Judi Dench

from the movie Cats costume? 'Cause that'd be dope.

Mama, do you really wanna enter in a new decade

looking like some old kitty?

Okay, fine.

Also, quick question,

did you call in my prescription to Lil' Kev?

Becky, I really need to focus on BossyFest.

I'm sure, but being a good assistant

means multitasking.

Becky, why is my rehearsal canceled?

Um, administrative issues.

Yeah, well, BossyFest better not fall apart,

because I am not gonna be sitting at home

while Hakeem parades around the ASAs with Maya.

Okay, are you seriously still pining

after someone who's too stupid to get a quickie annulment?

Britney did it.

I'm not pining. I'm simply protecting my brand.

Okay.

Look, Hakeem downgrading to that is humiliating.

What even is her job this week, huh?

'Cause I can't keep up.

I think she's a renaissance woman.

Really?

I think you would have to be educated for that.

I bet you she never even graduated from NYU.

Girl, didn't you drop out and get a GED?

I'm a star. It's different.

Okay, um, yeah, no, this is clearly not at all jealousy.

However, there's aggression there,

so maybe you should dance out this aggression

at my birthday extravaganza.

(sighs)

I guess it would be nice to have some time off work.

Yeah, no, no pressure at all, except I'm gonna need you

to perform and also take care of your own hair

and makeup and styling 'cause it's not in my budget,

but I promise to get you laid.

Yeah, whatever. I'll be there.

Yeah, yeah, we're gonna have sexy dudes

without their shirts on, right?

They're sexy, and Thomasina, this is exactly what I mean

-about multitasking. -THOMASINA: Mm.

Andre's ability to partner

with multi-platform international brands

just doesn't go far enough, even with the basketball--

(funky organ music)

-Mm. -Mm.

-Hey. -I'm sorry.

-It's just... -What are you doing?

International profit sharing makes me weak in the knees.

Look, no one can know about us

until after we dispense with the Lyon leadership.

Okay?

Making me CEO has to look strictly business.

It is business.

Life is too short for all this Empire power play.

If Andre really is incapacitated,

I need to protect my investment.

You're the only one I can trust.

Well, then stick to the plan and behave.

*

Who is that ghost-faced boomer to call me out?

Why couldn't he choke on that dead carcass

he was sucking down?

Presumptuous, out of touch little bitch.

Oh, oh, and he thinks I'm going to quit now

with my reputation on the line?

See, Becky, that's why we gotta fight back

with every little trick we got.

We, so we're "we" now?

Now that there's hard work to do, we're "we" again.

What is that supposed to mean, Becky?

We're partners, okay? You know that.

No, no, no, what I know is that over the last month,

all I've heard is Cookie Lyon's festival this

and Cookie Lyon's legacy that, and that was okay

as long as we were still serving the artists.

I am serving the artists, Becky.

No, 'cause the last time I checked,

you can't have BossyFest without the fest, okay?

So we can either do nothing or we can negotiate

one of the best damn time slots

that the ASAs has to offer, okay?

I'm gonna put my energy into the latter.

Okay, well, I'm not doing that.

Of course you're not because this place was founded

so that underrepresented, female artists

can go someplace and be taken seriously, okay?

So that they can come first, not so they can serve your ego.

And you would know that if you were an actual founder.

(soft dramatic music)

(dramatic hip-hop music)

*

Empire has enjoyed exponential growth

under my regime.

My regime, which only increased last month

as I pursued key strategic initiatives

in new markets.

Those initiatives will necessitate

my continued presence overseas,

but under Lucious' stewardship--

(soft dramatic music)

*

(sighs)

*

It's just one meeting, Andre.

(sighs) It's one meeting.

This is who I am. This is what you live for.

*

Okay.

Wait, wait, wait, what are you taking?

What are those?

*

Oh, it's nothing, Pop,

just something that'll focus me is all.

It's okay.

I'll get through the meeting just like I promised, Pop.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, meeting's off.

I'm canceling the meeting. You don't need to take those.

No, no, they can't take Empire away from us again, Pop.

They can't win.

No, they can't take you from me again.

I mean, there'll be thousands of Empires.

I only got one--one Andre.

I'll figure out something else.

Please give me the rest of those.

*

-You sure? -Yeah.

*

You go get some rest. I'll figure out something else.

*

Get some rest.

*

* You the boss on your B-day

(punchy hip-hop music)

* It's your birthday, it don't stop *

* You the boss, call the shots *

* You the boss on your B-day, hey *

* You the boss on your B-day, hey *

* It's your birthday, break it down *

Thank you.

* Turn around

* You the boss on your B-day, hey *

* You the boss on your B-day, hey *

Yo, Ti, let me holler at you real quick.

Why don't you go talk to your wife?

Babe, it's not even like that.

We hooked up in Vegas, and she just caught feelings.

If it's not like that, then why is she

all over your Instagram, tagging herself as Mrs. Lyon?

Baby, forgot this at the house.

Oh, Tiana, I hope this doesn't make you too uncomfortable.

(chuckles)

Girl, the only thing uncomfortable here

is your wig.

*

You know, for the sake of the kids

whose lives I'm now a part of, I really hope we can get along.

Aw, well, the only thing I have to say

to you, Maya, is you're welcome

because when I first met Hakeem,

he could barely wipe himself or eat food

that didn't come out of a box, so have fun keeping that up.

Oh, congratulations, Mrs. Lyon.

Enjoy.

*

* You the boss on your B-day, hey *

* You the boss on your B-day, hey *

* Yeah, you the boss

-Hakeem, wait. -No.

You a clout chaser, shorty, using my name for fame?

Okay, so maybe I took things a little too far,

but Tiana's just always coming for me.

Mrs. Lyon, you're using me.

*

Okay, so, Hakeem, use me too.

Look, you wanna be an actor, but the whole world

sees you as a rapper whose daddy gave him a record deal.

I can help change that.

Tonight, I invited reporters

from Vanity Fair and The Times.

*

Hakeem, they write about you, and people see you

as Will Smith, and not the Fresh Prince.

I don't know,

and don't be getting excited, making Mrs. Lyon t-shirts.

Right now, we not good.

*

* You the boss on your B-day, hey *

* You the boss on your B-day, hey *

* You the boss on your B-day, hey *

*

How y'all feeling tonight?

(crowd cheers)

So first I wanna say happy birthday

to my girl, Becky!

That's me! I'm her!

I thank you. Thank you, boo-boo.

But instead of giving you a present,

I wanna give a present to every girl in the world

for doing what we do.

Okay, that is taking lying, garbage-ass men

and fixing them up for the next girl.

So to all my ex's future exes, you're welcome.

(crowd cheers)

("You're Welcome")

(pop music)

* Wait a minute, whoa, whoa, whoa *

* No, no, not so fast, better check your facts *

* It ain't on the low, low, low *

* I created that man, everybody know that *

* You like the way he stunt in that drip *

* The way he talk that talk to you slick *

* Baby girl, you better not forget *

* I did that, I did that, I did that, I did that *

* I made a winner and gave him to you *

* Taught him everything that he do *

THOMASINA: Hey, birthday mama!

Hey.

I know you said to refill your prescription,

but he wanted to deliver it himself with a birthday hug.

Ah, okay.

Hey, can you make sure the aerial bitch has water?

-THOMASINA: As you wish. -Thank you.

Lil' Kev!

Hey, girl. Hey, girl.

-Aw, happy birthday. -Hey, thanks for coming.

You know I always come for my favorite customers.

I got a little birthday turn up for you right here, girl.

You crushed my Adderall for me?

No--what, you got a paper to write?

This is a bag of white girl-- some Becky for Becky on me.

Oh, well, I guess it does come from the Earth.

Yeah, of course.

And it's, like, natural, right?

So it's basically like a bag of coffee.

-You gonna be fine. -All right, cool.

All right, well, thank you.

You're cool. Happy birthday.

Thank you.

-Can I sit and have a drink? -Yeah, sure, have a drink.

* I did that, I did that *

* I made a winner and gave him to you *

* Taught him everything that he do *

-* Bitch, you're welcome -* Welcome

-* Yeah, you're welcome -* Welcome

* You're welcome

ANDRE: Hey, Ma.

Listen, you are the only person on the planet

who's gonna be as shocked

as I was by what just happened.

Okay, boy, spit it out.

Well, Pop needed me

to put on a dog and pony show at Empire,

but he could tell I was a little shaky--

well, uh, maybe more than a little shaky.

Baby, are you okay?

Yeah 'cause instead of forcing me to do it,

-he sent me home. -Sent you home?

He told me that my mental health

was more important than Empire.

ANDRE: I couldn't believe it.

I mean, well, listen, we could lose Empire, Ma.

We could legitimately lose Empire,

but he just wanted me to be okay.

(chuckles)

Yeah, old peg leg has been surprising me for a minute.

*

You know, that's the thing about people, son.

They'll surprise you sometimes.

Maybe Teri is one of those people.

COOKIE: Look, I gotta go, baby.

-I love you. -I love you too, Ma.

*

* Bitch, you're welcome

-* Yeah, you're welcome -* Welcome

* You're welcome

Hey, there you go. Baby girl mad as hell.

Yeah, well... (chuckles)

That's the side effects of loving a Lyon man.

Yeah, I'm so glad I'm over that.

(cheers and applause)

Mm, look, regarding the TBD thing,

I can't make any promises or an announcement,

but I'm pretty sure they'll be able

to show up for your festival.

*

Look, I'm sorry I came at you like that, Lucious.

I'm just--this ASAs stuff is driving me mad.

I mean, they're trying to shut my festival down

'cause I told the truth about their raggedy asses.

*

So what you gonna do with this ASA problem?

(sighs)

They want me to kiss some rosy, white establishment ass.

Look, I know it ain't about me, and I know it should be

about my artists, but I don't know if I can do that.

Yeah, that's a tough spot to be in.

I mean, I understand and can appreciate it

'cause right now I'm stuck between either being able

to protect Empire or protect Andre.

Can't do both, and I can't lose my boy again, you know?

*

When have we ever let anybody put our backs against the wall?

Let's team up on this and get over on all these hos.

(soft dramatic music)

What you got in mind?

(pop music)

*

DEVON: Looks like things are going great

between you and Hakeem.

I know he likes to spring his jump-off's kids on you,

but a marriage? Ouch.

Thanks for watching.

It's always a pleasure meeting new fans.

He insisted we be here in time for your set.

I'm glad he did.

DEVON: Kendra, let Tiana's

musical temper tantrum be a lesson.

Next time you meet a nice guy willing to put up with your BS,

don't cheat with the trash you threw out.

Maybe you should expand your nice guy lessons

to learning more about the female anatomy.

*

But until then, I think I'm good on the drama.

What about you, Kendra?

Which way would you prefer to end your night?

*

(Azealia Banks' 212)

* What you gonna do when I appear? *

* When I premiere?

* The end of your lives are near *

*

* Do when I appear?

* When I premiere?

*

* My, my

Oh, it's my friend! Hey, that's--that's my friend.

Can you help me? Thank you.

*

-Porsha, hi -Hey.

Better late than never, girl.

I told you I had a studio session.

Dude, you've got a--girl, let me tell you something.

Well, why don't you tell these random-ass people?

Maybe they can get a word in edgewise.

And I'm done waiting for you to apologize or, bare minimum,

ask me a question about how I'm doing.

I guess I've been giving old Becky too much credit.

First of all, you cannot talk to me like that

on my birthday 'cause it's my birthday, okay?

And, secondly, there's only one Becky, okay?

And it's not my fault that you are jealous of Becky, okay?

And on top of that, everybody else around here

appreciates my glow-up.

Well, how about you ask one of them

to get the coke residue off your nose,

and, for your information, glowing and sweating

are two different things.

(soft dramatic music)

*

TERI: You're not welcome here.

You need to leave. I will call the police.

No, no, no, I don't mean to intrude,

I just hoped maybe I could see Walker.

Teri, talk to me, okay?

You never took any of my calls while I was away.

Can we just--can we just talk?

I'm not ready.

Teri, wait.

I need you to know that I'm healthy now.

Okay, I know that I scared you--

You know that you scared me? You kicked down my door.

I thought you were gonna kill me in front of our baby.

I know what I did.

*

I'm sorry.

*

Forgive me, please.

How am I supposed to forgive you?

What have you done to earn my forgiveness?

You need to leave.

Teri--

*

Before we end the ASAs,

we gotta take down Pamplemousse.

There's gotta be some dirt on Giselle's laptop.

Yeah, you know what?

Actually, it was a dumb idea on my part,

we should just go back to corporate--

No, no, no, we're not gonna go back to nothing.

There's a reason why that trick wanted to take

this laptop with her so bad, honey.

-I don't think-- -Trust me.

(gasps) Ooh, bitch.

-Hello. -Hi.

-They in this thing together. -Oh, my God.

Mm-hmm, look at her.

This trick is trying to become Mrs. Giselle Patel.

Look at this whore.

LUCIOUS: Wow, this is better than we thought.

We can nullify both of they ass at once--oh.

Oh, my God, let's watch that again.

-I mean, it's not that-- -Oh, look at this--

Hold on, hold on, I gotta take this.

(soft dramatic music)

BECKY: That close, because she didn't take off her wig.

ELVIS: Lucious.

I thought I said everything that I needed to say to you

at your little ASA nomination ceremony.

I remember the mic toss well.

That's why I'm calling you personally--

to thank you for standing strong

with the other record labels against Bossy.

Look, I've been waiting for the ASAs to address

their cultural bias--

or should I say your cultural bias--for years.

It ain't never happen, man, so--

ELVIS: It can happen now.

You keep freezing out Bossy, I'll bump Taylor,

and I'll give Yana the last ASA performance slot--

the best one-- right before album of the year.

Well, Yana's a Bossy artist.

That slot could change an artist's life forever.

Every eye in the music world will be upon her.

ELVIS: You just get her to defect

to Empire, and you and I can work together

to make her the kind of star Bossy could only dream of.

Hm.

I'll get back with you.

*

So this should cover what I owe you, and we're done.

Thank you for the payment,

but I think you misunderstand our arrangement.

*

I pay you. You leave.

What is there to understand?

You leasing your life from me like a Benz.

You understand that?

So I expect this payment monthly

if you're trying to stay alive.

Damon, uh, you know that's impossible, right?

And I've lost so much already because of this.

Apparently, it's not if you keep working

that little computer boy toy of yours, so you will pay me.

You will get me my money clean,

and since my baby is performing,

you'll get me two tickets to BossyFest.

("Home Is On the Way")

* I know

* That I haven't called you lately *

(singing along) * Sometimes it's easier to say it *

* Face to face

* 'Cause lovers come and go

Sorry.

Oh, no, no, no, keep going, honey.

Hearing your voice reminds me

why this ASA fight is worth winning.

-(chuckles) -We gonna win.

Keep going.

* Mm, I told you once, I told you twice *

* I'll tell you again

* You and me

* Is all that we'll ever need *

That's, um,

Lucious said something to me like that...

right before our first wedding.

I hadn't thought about it in a long time.

It's too painful, but your voice,

you made it so pure and beautiful.

Where did your little, young ass

learn how to put those soulful words together?

I didn't.

(soft dramatic music)

Lucious did.

*

Oh, okay, I could be misremembering.

I mean, it was a long time ago.

Maybe it's one of his little, basic lines to pick up girls

Wish we could ask White Tracy, but...

I guess I am just the fool who thought

there could be second loves.

(sighs)

*

(sighs) Dumbass Lucious.

Maya, we need to talk.

Wow, um, Hakeem, I-I helped you,

and you're still coming to me about annulment offers?

You are incredibly selfish.

Wait, wait, calm down.

No, you know what?

I hold value in this relationship,

so I'm not gonna settle for anything less

than twice of what you offered me,

plus I want full features of me and my music

on your Instagram feed-- story and main--

-through 2021. -Calm down. Look.

"Young Hakeem Lyon's

soulful, stirring performance..."

(soft dramatic music)

"Lights up the screen.

"He's an early contender for next year's best actor

in a comedy or musical at the Golden Globes."

I got it from one of the reporters at the party.

*

You're welcome, and that's not it.

I also reached out to Hollywood Foreign Press.

Your publicist and I are working on the soundtrack.

You're gonna have a really good shot

at best original song.

But I mean, I will sign that annulment offer

if you really want me to.

Let's just focus on this

until the movie premiere.

Cool?

*

Yeah, no, yeah, we'll just focus on all

that divorce stuff after awards season.

*

Um, congratulations. That's awesome.

*

Hi, Cookie and I would just like

to thank you all for joining us today.

We'll begin momentarily. So thank you.

(indistinct chatter)

Where is Lucious?

Oh, he'll be here, Beck.

Cookie, thank you so much for the invitation,

and I'm so glad you've come to your senses.

Yes, I have come to my senses.

Hello.

Oh, that's Becky, one of the founders,

and why don't you have a seat?

'Cause I think you will be very happy

-with our announcement. -Wonderful.

(chuckles) Bitch.

Mm.

Good to see you.

Hey, the moment I step off that stage,

I wanna make sure that you drop the hammer

on that vermin, Pamplemousse.

Um, I just wanna thank you guys again

for coming at such a short notice.

You know, the job of the record executive

is not to put themselves first, but to put the artist first.

And Empire has never participated

in the silencing of any artist,

and the ASAs' flagrant white-balling

of BossyFest will not stand.

Therefore, Empire will be joining Bossy Media

in its public boycott of the ASAs this year.

We are pulling our artists

from the show and from award contention.

Yes, oh, and in case you didn't know,

I personally invited the CEO of the ASAs,

Mr. Elvis Stone, right here in the front row.

(chuckles)

Looks like he's about to soil himself

because they tried to shut down the BossyFest,

but like air we rise, honey.

So if you guys love artists, if you love good music,

or you just wanna have a good time,

come down to BossyFest and get lit!

Honey, we will be hosting on stages

all across New York City.

And keep in mind that the main show

will take place right here at Empire's own Laviticus.

Yes, we will see y'all there. Questions?

-(cheers and applause) -I know.

(indistinct speech)

You soft.

One at a time. One at a time.

-Go ahead. -I will.

We're so close.

-Sweetheart. -Yeah?

One more move and the Lyons will be gone,

and then you can have your anniversary present.

Oh, what's that?

The Empire throne.

*

What's going on? Did you know about this?

REPORTER: How could the owners of such a liberal company

have hosted an anti-gay fundraiser

for Trump at your house in Los Altos?

What?

Why is Pamplemousse 97% white

with virtually no women in management?

Get to my office. We'll issue a statement.

BALD REPORTER: Ms. Barker, Ms. Barker--

-No comment. -This isn't a question.

Lucious and Cookie Lyon thought you should see

tomorrow's New York Metro Observer.

*

Oh, my God.

(indistinct chatter)

*

Ooh. (chuckles)

Here's to my favorite ex-wife.

So nice we divorced twice.

(chuckles) Yeah.

We do make a great team.

Damn right we do.

You know, um,

that's a beautiful song you wrote for Yana.

Thank you.

I'm really proud of that song, I--

yeah, and I felt like it captured

the true essence of pure love.

Mm, well, I could've sworn that those

were the wedding vows you made to me.

*

(chuckles)

Come on, Cook, you know.

Once a man's been in this game as long as I--

Lucious, stop playing. You know that song is about me.

*

What is it, baby?

*

Teri never wants to talk to me again.

Oh, son, you gotta just give her a little bit of time.

No, no, no, I know what's best for my family now,

so I'm getting on that plane for the mission trip...

*

And I'm never coming back.

*

(dramatic hip-hop music)

*