Empire (2015–…): Season 2, Episode 2 - Without a Country - full transcript

LUCIOUS: Previously on Empire...
So I don't have ALS.

Myasthenia gravis.

COOKIE: Look, no
matter what, Tiana,

you're family to us.

Yo, you tryin' to make
some money up in here?

Plead guilty.

LUCIOUS:
I don't care how many of us

you've locked behind bars.

You ain't never
gonna be nothing

but a black bitch
in cheap shoes.

COOKIE: In partnership
with Mimi Whiteman,



we have taken a controlling
interest in Empire.

Sorry, brother,
it's just business.

Yeah, it's just business.

Right, Mimi?
Lucious Lyon is Empire.

Without him,
the company is nothing.

I'm gonna bury
your album, Hakeem.

Get out of my father's house.
You betrayed him.

Who do you think
you're talking to?

You done now, lady.

I gave my whole life
to this place.

My album done...
now it's gone.

Stop complainin'.

We don't need this place.

We can start our own company.



I woke up this morning thinking

why don't we do
what the hell I said?

We gonna start
our own company.

ANDRE:
It'll never work, Mom.

The business has
changed completely

since you and
Dad started out.

This could work.

We just need a dope name.

We've got Hakeem.

All he has to do is record
one more song for his album.

Empire will never
let us have that album.

You heard Jamal.
He's going to bury it.

Let me deal with Jamal.

All right, bye.

Look, Mom, we need
to go after Royale T,

Ratzo and Tiana.

No, I already talked to Tiana.

She's down with us.

We just gotta get you
back into the studio.

Okay, Mom, I'm so much more
than just a rapper.

Let me develop my own artists.

I bet Anika can get V.

No! No.
Anika's out.

I don't want to see
her lying face,

you understand me, Keem?

I told V we'd get
straight to work

recording her
new single, so...

Are you sure
Cookie wants me?

Yeah, she definitely
wants you.

Pride of the Lyons is wack.

It's a terrible name.

Did you tell Mom
you talked to Anika?

Man, she don't want
nothing to do with her,

Thank you. but I told
Anika to come anyway.

Nah, I like Pride
of the Lyons better.

Look, we can call it
whatever you want, baby,

as long as you in it with me.

I think you should
reconsider Anika.

She's one of the top
A&Rs in the business.

I don't care how good she is,
I don't trust her ass.

I just need you
with me on this, baby.

I'm thinking about it, Ma.

Just give me
a second to breathe.

I actually think it could work.

(phone line ringing)

COOKIE: Hello?

Hey, Ma, I want to start

a girl group
like Destiny's Child.

That's a great idea, Keem.

Look, I think I got
a space for us to rent

if Andre can
cut us a deal.

Is Andre in?

Well, he's gonna be.

Look, just meet me at
Ghetto Ass Studio tomorrow.

She's kidding, right?

Forget Lyon's Den,
let's just call it The Pigsty.

Man, we need a name
like Em...

Forget the name, okay?

The name is beside the point.

You ain't born with your name.
You grow into it.

Yeah, when we started Empire,
we wasn't no Empire.

Making music
in Carol's living room

until we graduated
to a garage

that was way grimier
than this place.

But see, it was those first few
songs that planted the seeds.

Then I had to sit
on the sidelines

and watch Lucious grow it

into a multimillion-dollar
company

worthy of a name like Empire.

It's my time.
(chuckles)

So whatever we call it,

as long as Momma's got
something to do with it,

it's gonna live up to its name.

Let's go.

MAN: You need what?

I want to make a deal

for using this space

as our main base
of operations.

That's crazy.

You crazy.

Oh, I know I'm crazy.

Everybody knows
my mother's crazy.

You're already in
one of our studios.

Anika's recording with V.
What?!

♪ The hourglass moves on ♪

♪ A grain ♪

♪ And our path is torn ♪

♪ And strained... ♪

Okay, wait. Cut it right there.
Oh.

V...

You sound amazing.

Um, there's just
one little thing

that I think
I want to tweak.

I feel like we might
need just to...

I know what we need.

'Cause I wrote it.

Okay, look,

I am on your side.

All right?

Now, I understand
that you're frustrated.

I get it.

You know what?

I can't.

V...

V, wait, wait wait, wait.

Beat it, boo boo kitty.

I'm working with Veronica now.

I don't even know
why you here.

Okay, let's hear it
from the top.

You know, this place remind me

of the free clinic
back in Philly.

We all right over there?

Uh... no, actually.

I don't have your
authorization form.

What are you talking about?

It was in your file

when you got your meds,
a few days ago.

Now it's not.

Oh, come on, man,
I'm in here every week.

I got myasthenia gravis.

I sit down,
you demonstrate on my vein...

I need my meds, pops.

Mr. Lyon, I can't
dispense your meds

without the
authorization form

or I'm gonna get fired.

You gonna get worse than fired
if you don't give me

my meds right now.

I need...
Come on, Mr. Lyon.

Oh, come on...
Really? Really?

Do I really gotta
push the button?

Come on, I know
it ain't your fault.

I know you gotta... There's
nothing I can do about it.

It's probably just
a filing mistake.

If I were you...

call your lawyer.
Right away.

I'll get a C.O. to take
you back to your cell.

♪ I was born to love you ♪

♪ And nobody else will do ♪

♪ I would rather die than live ♪

♪ Without you ♪

♪ And everybody know it too ♪

♪ Don't know why we go to war ♪

♪ But the one thing
that's for sure ♪

♪ I was born to love you ♪

♪ And no one... ♪

♪ Born to love you,
born to love you ♪

♪ Born to love you,
yeah, yeah yeah yeah ♪

♪ I was born to love you ♪
♪ Born to love you ♪

♪ Born to love you ♪

♪ Born to love you,
yeah-ah-ah-ah ♪

♪ Born to love you ♪
♪ Born to love you ♪

♪ Born to love ♪

♪ Born to live ♪

♪ Born to die
if I lose your kiss ♪

♪ Born to hold ♪

♪ Won't let go ♪

♪ Born to love you ♪

♪ So you'll always know. ♪

(applause)

WOMAN:
Wow.

That was amazing.

Thank you so much.
Thank you.

Looking forward to
speaking to you.

Oh, looking forward
to speaking to you, as well.

I'm so happy you even
want to talk to me.

Oh, of course.

Thank you.
Who wouldn't?

Okay.
MAN: Rolling!

Jamal Lyon.
Yes.

Wow, look at you!
(chuckles)

Thank you for
that incredible song.

Thank you. And for
inviting us into

your gorgeous home.
Of course.

Any time. Yeah.
We're so lucky

to have you here on
Spilling the Tea.

As you can see from our P.A.

over there, who has
a little crush on you,

you have quite the female fans.

Yeah, they're beautiful.

I love them so much.

How do you deal
with that?

How do you feel,
having all of these women

showering you
with attention

and going crazy over you?
Men, as well,

by the way.
(laughs)

It's great.
I mean, we-we love,

we love everybody.
It's beautiful.

It must be tough
on relationships,

though, right?
No, I don't think so.

Um, if, uh,
if the relationship is solid.

I don't... It doesn't
cause jealousy?

No, I don't... No.

SHARON:
His name is Michael.

He's a little shy,
but trust me, ladies,

he is adorable.

Plus, he cooked us
the most amazing meal

while we were setting up.
But still,

you know you're a lucky
guy, Michael, right?

Yeah. JAMAL: Nah.

No, no, I'm the lucky one.

So, Jamal,

can we expect a new album,

a new Jamal Lyon album,
any time soon?

You know we're all
waiting for it.

Uh, I don't know about "soon."

Uh... I am
creating music.

You know, it's my everything,

and, you know,
just been a little...

I've been a little busy.

You've been a little busy,

haven't you?
A little busy, yeah.

But while your father
is still awaiting trial...

Mm-hmm? Can you talk
to us about that?

I know it must be
hard for you.

Yeah. Uh, I can't say
too much about it,

but, you know, I'm...

just that I'm working
on my music,

a-as always, and making sure

that I continue to make smart

business decisions,
you know.

But, sure, what my dad
is going through,

(elevator bell dings) it's-it's hard.
It's hard on us all.

Yes, and that's why it's gonna

take all of us
to get through it.

Uh, Jamal, I need
to talk to you.

Wait, isn't this your...

This is my mother.

I'm sorry, you guys. And
his producer and manager,

until a couple of hours ago.
(anxious laugh)

Cookie Lyon.
We spoke on the phone, Sharon.

Good to see you.

Mm-hmm.
Uh-huh. Yeah, Mom.

Let's go. Come on.

I am trying to do an interview,
in case you didn't notice.

In case you have not noticed,

I set up that interview.

I have to get to the lawyer
after this,

to try to get my father
out of jail,

since you all bailed on him,

so can we make this quick?
Please?

Look, I need to talk
to you about Hakeem.

Oh. Little baby traitor.

He didn't do anything
to hurt you, Jamal.

He was hurt. By Lucious.

And I know you know
what that feels like.

I need you to give Hakeem
his album back.

Why would I do that?

(sighs)

Jamal, you already won.

You run the Empire.

All Hakeem's got is his music.

I know you.

See, Lucious is trying
to make you like him, but...

you ain't him.
(chuckles)

So come on in here,
walk me to these elevators.

Show these cameras how good
you're being to your mom.

It's Mom.
Can't say nothing to Mom.

I'm sorry for
the interruption.

Sharon, it was good
to see you, girl.

Yeah. Sorry, Sharon.

We just have some business to finish up.
That's right. I'll be back.

Oh, and, uh, Jamal...

one last thing:

I wanted to tell you first,

before you hear it
out here in these streets.

Me, Andre and Hakeem,
we're starting our own company.

(men shouting, whooping)

MAN: Come on, man, don't let him
by you like that!

CLYDE:
You see this?

Stayed in Iraq too long.

First off all,
we ain't had no business

over there in the first place.

Their infrastructure
wasn't ready.

GUY:
You guys paying attention

to Professor Clyde here,

showing off about how much
he reads the newspapers?

That's what type of time we on.

(men chuckle)

Hey, Lucious, you finish writing
that verse yet or what?

Damn skippy I did.

Oh, man.

Run that.

Run that.
Man, I get paid to perform.

Man, you get paid to shut
this whole place down.

(laughing)

All right.

(clears throat)
Oh, yeah.

Hit me with a beat.
I got it.

♪ Temperatures in the hundreds ♪

♪ Hot as hell at this moment ♪

♪ Everything look suspicious ♪

♪ Coming around these corners ♪

♪ A man wanted, you can play
around if you want to ♪

♪ Ain't no safety,
ain't no holster ♪

♪ And my hands is on it ♪

♪ And I ain't going as easy
as you think I'm gon' go ♪

♪ I'm-a lay low fo' a minute ♪

♪ Then I'm comin' for those ♪

♪ That decided
to cross the road ♪

♪ And roll with
the wrong folks ♪

♪ Like playing a grand piano ♪

♪ But tapping the wrong notes ♪

♪ Clyde told me ♪

♪ Keep your eyes
for them jealous hittas ♪

♪ Clyde told me ♪

♪ Keep your head low
'cause they takin' pictures ♪

♪ My partner Clyde told me ♪

♪ When they try to convince you
they chillin' with you ♪

♪ Pay very close attention,
my hitta, my hitta, my hitta ♪

♪ Snitch (coughs) bitch ♪

♪ Snitching-ass bitches ♪

♪ Snitch bitch, snitching-ass...
♪ (Lucious coughing)

LUCIOUS: Hey... CLYDE:
You all right, bro?

Hey, you good?

(coughing)

(heart beating rapidly) (echoing):
Tell me what you need, bro.

(echoing):
You need some water, man?

(coughing continues)

You cool, Lou?

(coughing)

You having a little
trouble breathing, inmate?

Can't you see this man
need medical attention?

No, no, no, I'm fine.
Give me a minute.

All right, well,

party's over.

Now, get the hell
off my table, boys.

We men.

Excuse me?

You called us "boys."

Ain't no boys
over here; we men.

Oh, come on, Clyde.
Don't mind him, man.

We used to punk bitches
like that back in the day.

Go on about your business.

Did you just threaten me, boy?

OFFICER: What?
(alarm whooping)

Oh, come on, man!
What you gonna do?

(alarm continues whooping)

(alarm stops)
Get his ass out of here.

Come on.
It's all right, Big Country.

CLYDE: Aw, man,
ain't stressin' it.

Be cool, man.

Forget whose house this is.

Mine!

My table.

My newspaper!

That's my basketball goal.

My everything!

Don't you forget that.

(coughs)

Punk ass.

(dance beat playing)

WOMAN: ♪ If you're not
down for the game ♪

♪ Then you're not down with me ♪

What's your name?
What's her name?

Stacy.

♪ It's about to get mean... ♪

Thank you, Stacy.

♪ Ooh, dangerous... ♪
Thank you, Stacy.

Thank you.
Thank you.

Valentina Galano?

Galayna...?
Galindo.

It's an old Spanish name meaning
"prophetic, philosophical

and opinionated."
HAKEEM: Hey.

We'll be the ones
with the opinions.

Okay, Valentina, girl,
show me what you got.

CHICKEN:
Okay, hit it.

(dance beat starts playing)

♪ Hit me up like every night ♪

♪ Say you want to have
a pillow fight ♪

♪ But you're holding back
and I don't know why ♪

♪ Baby, can I just be real? ♪

♪ Getting hot
when I'm all alone ♪

♪ Every time your name
drops on my phone ♪

♪ But a picture
just ain't enough ♪

♪ Need a little something
to feel ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ All we do is talk about it ♪

♪ But can't we just
be about it? ♪

♪ Show me what you gonna
do about it. ♪

(chuckles)

Damn, you ain't
playing no games.

So, do I have the job?

I'm trying to keep it at three,

but we got three girls
we like, you know?

You definitely a contender.

What do you mean "three"?

Three girl group.

On Instagram,
it didn't say anything

about a girl group.

Yeah, it did.

You just missed
the fine print.

Whatever. I'm not interested
in being a part of a group.

Thank you.
We gave you a shot.

(speaking Spanish)

Let me just translate a bitch.

With or without you,

I shine.

She crazy.

I love her.

CHICKEN: You sure you
want to do this?

Three girls together?

It's gonna be that...
all the time.

♪ Don't keep me waiting ♪

♪ I've been here all night ♪

Hakeem...

♪ Stop hesitating... ♪ Hakeem...
Please. Please. Thank you.

What is this mess, man?

It's auditions, bro--
when you want to be a mogul.

Keep going, babe.

♪ You're not that typical... ♪

Don't you sing another word.
Don't sing another word.

You can't go off

and make moves like this
without checking in

with the rest of us--
you know that.

I don't need permission.

We're partners.

CHICKEN:
Isabel, keep going.

HAKEEM:
Come on, you ready?

♪ I picked you out
of the candy shop ♪

♪ One look and you made
my heart go pop pop... ♪

Why you letting Hakeem
launch a girl group?

Excuse me. Don't knock
your brother's hustle.

No, Hakeem needs to be
recording new music.

Not wasting his time
hitting on girls.

That's how Jay-Z and your
father built their careers.

Besides, he gots a whole
album ready to drop.

On Empire, Mom.

I spoke to Jamal and I asked him
to give it back to Hakeem.

Did he say yes?
Not yet.

Hakeem needs
to be recording new music

or the ship is gonna sink
before it even leaves the port.

(sighs)

(whooping)

Look, baby, if you trying
to get your demo heard,

this ain't how you go about it.

Contrary to the little
pack of lap dogs you got

following you around up in
here, you see not everybody's

interested in being
up your ass, Lyon.

Then tell me
what your interests are,

McKnight.

(imitating raspy voice):
My interest is that

your wheezing and your breath--

(normal voice): I'm a little
concerned about that.

Is it, is it getting any better?

(raspy):
Oh, it's fine.

I'm touched that y'all care.

(chuckles)
We don't care.

Matter of fact,
we-we could give a damn.

You see, I think you
make us all look bad.

As far as I'm concerned,

the world would be a better
place without you in it.

But the Federal Prosecutor,

Ms. Roxanne Ford...

she's more forgiving than me.

And that medication of yours--

it might just magically

turn up if you just be
a little more cooperative.

Think about that.

So, Tiana's in the big studio
tomorrow, working on a new song.

It'll be our first shot
at releasing a single.

HAKEEM: Can I just worry
about my girl group, please?

You mean your personal
speed dating service?

Look, I haven't
found my Beyoncé yet,

but I found a couple girls
that's really good.

You know,
but they're both Hispanic.

Ain't nothing wrong
with a couple of J-Lo's

as long as they
can really sing.

Well, damn.

What is she doing here?

What-what are you doing here?

We need to talk about Vee.

We don't need
to talk about nothing.

You need to get out.

Why do you keep coming around?
ANDRE: Mom, Mom...

Don't nobody want you here, Anika!
Enough, enough!

Hakeem,

what's the problem
with the two Latinas?

Uh, look,
I thought it'd be cool--

we had one white girl,
you know,

one black girl and one Hispanic.

I'm-a call 'em
Rainbow Sensation.

Boom-- platinum album.

That's the dumbest name
I ever heard.

Actually, that may be
the dumbest name known to man.

Did your daddy
drop you on your head?

Anika liked it.

The concept, not the name.

It's a marketable
concept.

Yeah... (chuckles)

And Anika knows marketing.

She made a whole career
selling her ass.

Oh, as opposed to you

and your stellar career
in pharmaceuticals?

Let me tell you something, ho.

If it weren't for women like me,

bitches like you would spend
a lifetime on their knees.

Or underneath
my 20-year-old son.

Mom, it's none of your business
who I get dirty with.

Good luck.

Hey, you need
the luck, girl.

I don't understand
what part of

"don't want you here"
you don't get.

There you go.
All right, good.

Thank you, brother.
Appreciate it.

I thinking about, uh,
giving Hakeem back his album.

With our stock plummeting.

What kind of message that gonna
send to the shareholders?

That we're completely
unthreatened by Cookie Lyon

and her little startup.

What are they calling it?

It ain't got a name yet.

'Cause they plan on
piggybacking off of mine.

Hakeem belongs at Empire.

If he wants his album heard,

he gonna have to come
back to the Empire.

You got to make that happen.

All right.

(grunts)

Dad, what's the matter?

What's wrong with you?

Nothing.

Fine.

In fact, I'm better
than fine, man.

I got this new melody
that's... my own.

I made my own heat.

Yeah?

I'm actually
thinking about doing

a Lucious Lyon joint
from the joint.

(both laughing)

While I'm still in here.

Be so dope, Dad.

That gonna be epic.

Beautiful.
Hey, son.

How you gonna
do that up in here?

Just get me, um,

some basic recording
equipment: a laptop...

and, uh,
they got a new thing--

a mini twister.

And they got a Step Up, too.
Get me a Step Up, too.

MAN: (clears throat)
Excuse me.

Couldn't help overhearing.

My name is Thurston Rawlings.

Friends call me Thirsty.

I think I could be
of some service.

Purple suit,
no cross talk!

Okay.

Oh, you're a lawyer, huh?

We got a lawyer, man.
Thank you.

I don't doubt that,
but if you don't mind me asking,

when's the last time
they got you a bail hearing?

And where did you go to
law school, Mr., uh, Rawlings?

University of Guam.

Now, I know it's not
Harvard, but...

same curriculum,
different campus.

You're preaching
to the choir, man.

Harvard ain't done
nothing for me these days.

You think you can
do better, Thirsty?

JAMAL: Wait... I wouldn't
waste your time, Mr. Lyons.

Hey, you, you're
out of bounds!

I'm sorry, man,
hold on one second.

I ain't trying to knock
nobody's hustle, but...

University of Guam with
the... the discount suit?

THIRSTY:
Really?

No disrespect, son,
but I don't think

Ms. Roxanne Ford
gives a damn where I shop.

Do you?

What do you know about her?

Withholding your meds?

That's one of her stunts.

She's trying to get you
to cop a guilty plea.

Mama plays dirty,
but I got no qualms

getting in the mud
with her.

Discount suit and all.

OFFICER:
All right, let's go.

Yes, I am ready
to go, Officer.

Thank you very much.

Set up a meeting.

CHICKEN:
And five, six,

seven, eight...

(dreamy dance beat playing)

Yeah, groove it out,
groove it out!

Hit this beat.

(steel drum beat begins)

♪ How many girls in the world ♪

♪ Right now ♪

♪ Who know
what I'm talking 'bout ♪

A little bit more attitude.
Come on, ladies!

♪ A man who calls you
pretty at home ♪

♪ But never
when he takes you out ♪

♪ Didn't want it when
you had it, admit it ♪

♪ And now you're like a light,
turned on ♪

Come on, Ti. ♪ Didn't
want me when you had it ♪

♪ I get it and now
you want me back ♪

♪ But I'm gone ♪

♪ And I'm on fire ♪

♪ I'm like a spark
in the dark sky ♪

♪ You're like a deer
caught in headlights ♪

♪ You got me wrong,
but it's all right ♪

♪ Now I'm like ooh, ooh ♪

♪ See me up in the club
like woo-ooh ♪

♪ Don't matter,
I ain't worried about you-ooh ♪

♪ 'Cause I left
that girl behind ♪

I want to see you
dig on this one.

♪ So let me introduce you ♪
Come on, lower!

♪ To the new and improved
brand-new, ooh ♪

♪ You didn't want it when
you had it, that's coo-ool ♪

Real low!
♪ Now I've gone from the one ♪

♪ To the two-- two point oh. ♪

(chuckles)

Take five.

Okay, okay.

You on fire, Mama.

I want to know where
you learned that from.

Do you got that song
that you owe me?

Nah, not yet.

You know, I'm a little
hectic right now, but...

Mm, I get it.

I know how it goes.

You trying to be
Diddy and all.

Ti, you know, that's what
I want to talk to you about.

What's up?

My girl group.

Oh, you want me to like...

rehearse with them and
coach them and stuff?

I want you to join them.

You're kidding, right?
Listen, Ti.

This could be big for you.

And I'm talking about you being

in the forefront
of the whole situation.

But I'm already in the
front of my own situation.

And if this is what this company
is gonna be about, then, like...

Hey, hey, hey.
What happened?

Nothing, I just offered
an opportunity to be a part

of a groundbreaking
musical phenomenon.

Cookie, if this is
what this company

is gonna be about,
I'm out.

Uh, Tiana, look, um, Hakeem is
just a little overexcited.

Come to my office, I want
to talk to you about something.

(tires screech)

Get in.

What's up, boss man?

I ain't your boss man.

I saw Dad today, and he wants
you back at Empire.

So do I.

Why now?

'Cause we're family.

And it's time to move
past what y'all did.

So that mean you'll bring
Cookie and Andre back too.

That's what you're saying?

Let's take it one step
at a time, all right?

Hakeem, you got a huge
career ahead of you.

Come back to Empire,
we'll release your album,

give it a huge push,
the whole thing.

Come on, fool, don't
be crazy, you know it.

(door opens)

(door closes)

Let's go.

Adios amigos...

(speaks garbled Spanish)
VALENTINA: What?

You got to teach me Spanish.
Mm-hmm.

I studied my ass
off in 12th grade,

and I still flunked español.

Come here.

♪ Hating on the sideline,
debt that ♪

♪ She know exactly where
she can find the best at ♪

♪ I'm leaning, two-seater,
we rolling ♪

♪ We speeding, stick shift,
she holding... ♪

So you're really not doing
your little girl group?

I'm thinking about going
back to Empire.

See, if that girl group
was a part of Empire,

then I would definitely
be a part of it.

Empire is hip-hop
legendary.

I'm trying to be a
legend, aren't you?

What can I get for you,
pretty lady?

Nothing, thanks.
(clears throat)

I haven't really been
drinking too much lately.

Oh, well...

I am drinking
much more than usual.

(both chuckle)

What's up?

Um...

God, I'm so nervous.

I...
Why?

Well... I'm not
supposed to be here,

so if I could talk
to you in confidence.

Andre would kill me if
he knew I were here.

I'm not gonna say
anything, I swear.

I'm scared for him, Jamal.

He's miserable.

Empire is everything to him,

and, without it,
he's completely lost.

Yeah, well, then why is
he doing the whole thing

with my mom and Hakeem like that?
I know, I know.

But that's not him.

That's not who he is.

Look, Andre messed up.

Obviously. He knows that.

But I'm asking you,
as his brother,

to find it in your heart
to forgive him.

Because all he wants is
to be back at Empire

with you and Lucious

at the company that he gave
his entire life and heart to.

I miss him, too,
Rhonda, I do.

There's just so much stuff
that I'm handling now.

Trust me,
I'd give anything

to be able to just
hand that off to Andre.

(anxious laugh)

The reason I'm not drinking
is because I'm pregnant.

We're having a baby.

Are you serious?

Yes, I'm serious.

I mean, obviously I'm-a
talk to Lucious now.

Really? Really?
Of course.

Uncle Jamal.
Uncle Jamal.

What they know about Uncle Jamal?
(laughing): Sounds good, man.

Thank you, thank you,
thank you so much.

Thank you.

And obviously, you know,
don't say anything.

Uh-uh. Andre would never
forgive me, really, so...

But I'm gonna handle it.

Thank you.

I'm so happy for y'all.

Thank you.
That's so amazing.

(lock buzzing)

Lyon.

A little something
from your lawyer...

Thirsty Rawlings.

My lawyer?

OFFICER:
Make a left.

Last door.

I know I bust you up
the other day.

I had to do that.

You should know Thirsty got
a lot of friends in here.

Open it up.

Oh! You ready
to smash this, brother?

(Guy laughs)

Afterburners, baby...
afterburners.

LUCIOUS:
How much time we got?

You got 65 minutes
before the shift change.

I'm locking you in,

so nobody can get on you
for being out of bounds,

but you got to work fast.
Thank you, bro.

This is what I got--
check it out.

(siren wails, music begins)

Ooh, I like
the police car.

I love what you did
with the hums.

Open up a track for me.

(whoops)

♪ Sitting back ♪
♪ Uh-huh ♪

♪ Reminiscing ♪

♪ Of how I used to get down
and dirty wit cha ♪

♪ Come on ♪

♪ Pull up on a hot block
to come and get you ♪

♪ Yeah! ♪

♪ Wit a pistol cocked ♪

♪ To handle all issues ♪
♪ Whoo! ♪

♪ But never would I thought
in a million wishes ♪

♪ Man! ♪

♪ After all we stood for,
you would start snitching ♪

♪ What? ♪

♪ I disregarded lessons
that were shared with me ♪

♪ Go on ♪

♪ 'Cause I was taught
I'm not supposed to trust any ♪

♪ Ah! ♪

♪ It's hard to see the frame
when you in the picture ♪

♪ But now the picture's faded,
bitch, I'm done wit cha ♪

♪ Hey! ♪

♪ So go on 'head ♪
♪ Go on 'head ♪

♪ Handle your business ♪
♪ Handle your business ♪

♪ And get right ♪
♪ Uh-huh ♪

♪ 'Cause I'm coming to get cha ♪
♪ At ya! ♪

♪ Streets are watching,
eyes are on me ♪

♪ Closest to me done
switched up on me ♪

♪ Days are long
and nights are lonely ♪

♪ It's better to know it
'cause now I know it and... ♪

♪ You ain't nothing
but a snitch, bitch ♪

♪ Snitching ass bitch ♪

♪ Snitch, bitch ♪
♪ And you are ♪

♪ Snitching ass bitch,
and you know it ♪

♪ And you know it,
and you know it ♪

♪ And you know it,
and I know it ♪

♪ And I know it,
and you know I know it ♪

♪ You know I know it ♪

♪ Temperatures in the hundreds ♪

♪ Hot as hell at this moment ♪

♪ Everything looks suspicious
coming around these corners ♪

♪ A man wanted ♪
♪ You know it ♪

♪ You can play around
if you want to ♪

♪ Ain't no safety,
ain't no holster ♪

♪ And my hands is on it ♪

♪ Now I ain't going as easy
as you think I'm gon' go ♪

♪ I'm-a lay low for a minute ♪

♪ Then I'm coming for those ♪

♪ That decided to cross the road
and roll with the wrong folks ♪

♪ Right ♪ ♪ Like playing a grand
piano but tapping the wrong notes ♪

♪ Whoo! ♪
♪ Clyde told me ♪

♪ Keep your eyes open
for them jealous hittas ♪

♪ Clyde told me ♪

♪ Keep your head low ♪

♪ 'Cause they taking pictures ♪

♪ My partner Clyde told me ♪

♪ When they try to convince you
they chillin' with you ♪

♪ Pay very close attention ♪

♪ My hitta, my hitta, my hitta ♪

♪ 'Cause you snitch, bitch,
snitching ass bitch ♪

♪ Snitch, bitch ♪

♪ Snitching ass bitch ♪

♪ And you know it,
and you know it... ♪

♪ And you know it,
and you know it ♪

♪ And I know it, and I know it,
and you know I know it ♪

♪ 'Cause you ain't nothing
but a snitch, bitch ♪

♪ Keep your eyes open ♪

♪ Snitch, bitch ♪

♪ Whoa... ♪

♪ When they try to convince you
they chillin' wit cha ♪

♪ Pay very close attention,
my hitta, my hitta, my hitta! ♪

♪ ♪
(humming melody)

(music track fades,
as singers hum melody solo)

That's a great session, man.

That's a Lucious Lyon hit
right there.

I wish Clyde was here.

Good thing I got to work early

or you degenerates might have
got away with this trash.

Come on, man, we just trying
to make a little music.

You out of bounds, inmate.

With contraband!

Lock 'em up!

All of 'em!

We already locked up, brother.

I'm not your brother, inmate.

We was just talking
about your ass.

Is that right?

Talk about it in the hole.

McKNIGHT: How does it feel
to be in there now, huh?

You rap like you
some sort of tough guy.

But in here, you just
another prisoner.

Matter of fact,
I could kill you right now.

Wouldn't be no consequences.

Just another dead rapper.

You sure about
that, baby blue?

Oh, I'm sure.

'Cause, see, I'm all
about the consequences.

I got consequences from
uptown to downtown,

from the five boroughs
to the seven continents,

that know each and every
person in this world

that you care about.

You threatening me, inmate?

Nah, no threats.

Just stating the obvious.

'Cause that's not a violation.

That's a new charge.

You gonna get hit
with more years

than all your gold
and platinum records combined.

Nah, that's where
you're mistaken,

'cause I'm not
getting convicted.

You know why?

Let me guess.

'Cause you innocent, right?

No-- since when
does that matter?

I'm not getting convicted

because people like you
and that bitch Miss Ford,

y'all make mistakes.

I don't.

(tires screeching)

(grunting)
(blows smacking)

Where is it?

Don't know
what you talking about.

The music, scumbag.

You sure everything
is on there?

Yeah, I double-checked
before we cracked his ribs.

All right, you two
take a dance class.

Yes, sir.

Uh, what is it that you wanted
to talk to me about, Andre?

HAKEEM: Hey, Ma,
I need to talk to you.

Save it, baby.

I already know your father
and your brother Jamal

are trying to get you
back to Empire,

and I guess I got to understand.

So you saying you want me
to go back to Empire?

No, it's breaking my heart,
but I can't stop you.

Taking your Rainbow Abomination
with you?

Rainbow Sensation
ain't happening.

I found three
chicks I like,

but they all Latina and feisty.

You are aware

that the English-speaking
Latino market

is the fastest-growing,
largest, untapped market

in the country, right?

An all-Latina girl group,
that could be huge, man.

Really?
Yep.

So we may have
something here,

if I can get Valentina
on our team instead of Empire.

I thought you were going back?

I'm not going back to Empire.

I'm not working for
Dad or Jamal punk-ass.

I'm gonna be hip-hop legendary
in my own right.

So you giving up
on your album?

Did I say that?

Check this out.

Chicken, do it.

Your boy is going
for the crown.

My album,

the one Empire

wasn't gonna drop,

I just leaked it online.

Are you crazy?
Isn't that illegal?

I don't know and I don't care.

You don't know
and you don't care?

Are you stupid?
Are you?

Empire is gonna sue
the hell out of you.

Uh...
And they'd be right to.

I don't care
if they sue us.

I don't care if
I lose money from it.

All I care about is that my
music is out to the world

and that it's gonna
be legendary.

CHICKEN:
You right.

That's it.

I'm done.

Andre!

I don't care.
Andre!

Andre!

Andre...

Andre!

You worry too much.

There is no way Jamal gonna sue
his own brother.

No, no, you don't
worry enough, Cookie.

I'm sorry, Mom.

Okay, it's not you, it's not,
it's not even Hakeem.

This isn't me.

This is a scrappy
little setup.

It's not what I've been
working for all these years.

It's not what I want.

My heart is not in this, Mom.

Please...

I need you to let me go.

Let me go, Mom.

No.

Mom...
Andre, please.

I need you...
I need you.

Let me go, Mom.

Andre...
Let me go.

Let me go.

(sniffles)

This room is full of Torahs.

I copped the building
from the Vizhnitz Dynasty.

The Fishnets who?

It's a Jewish thing,
a Hasidic dynasty.

You see them all over
this neighborhood,

the crazy dudes
with the curlicues

and the big black hats.

Dynasty, hmm.

That's a dope name.

So are you saying this
space is available?

The whole floor?

Might be, if it means
getting you out of my face.

(chuckles)

Yeah, this could work.

As soon as you clean
this place up, of course.

Actually, since you'll be
the one renting it,

that'll be your ass
doing the cleaning.

(giggles)

Mazel tov.

(lock buzzes in distance)

I hear you want
to come back to Empire.

I never should've been a part
of that hostile takeover.

I messed up big-time,
Pop, and I know it.

Hurt me to my core to watch you
take sides against me, son.

Empire's in my blood.

When I bleed, I bleed Empire.

Now, I'm ask...

I'm praying...

that you'll forgive me, Pop.

You still going to church?

Yes, sir, yes, sir,
every Sunday.

Still believe in God?
Yes, sir.

Good.

Then you pray to God
that He forgives you,

'cause I don't.

Pop, wait a minute.

Pop!

Pop!

For years, you rejected Jamal
because of who he is.

Now he's running the company.

Hakeem, he slept
with your fiancée.

Apparently, you want
him back at Empire.

Here I stand,

contrite, remorseful, humble.

And yet you look at me...

like I'm some kind of mutant.

Why do you hate me?

WOMAN: Dwight,
why are you so sad, baby?

You want me
to sing you a song?

What song
do you want me to sing?

Hmm, "Itsy Bitsy Spider"?

Again? Okay.

♪ The itsy bitsy spider ♪

♪ Went up the water spout ♪

♪ Down came the rain ♪

♪ And washed the spider out ♪

(weakly):
♪ Out comes the sun ♪

♪ And dries up all the rain ♪

♪ And the itsy bitsy spider ♪

♪ Went up the spout again... ♪

I don't hate you.

(lock buzzes)

JAMAL: ♪ You know that I never
did let you down ♪

♪ Why you don't come around ♪

♪ You don't come around, no ♪

♪ Da-da-da-da, you on top ♪

♪ It wasn't true
if it wasn't ♪

♪ And sayin' sorry
just don't cut it ♪

♪ Don't cut it ♪

♪ Saying sorry
just don't cut it ♪

♪ Just don't ♪

♪ Just don't... ♪

What you think of that?

I love it.

I'm glad to hear
you singing again.

I know it's been
hard to find time.

Yeah.
I wrote this for you.

I did.

Come on home to Empire.

We'll do more stuff together.

That's what I miss.

Yeah, me, too.

But I ain't coming back
to Empire.

What about your album?

What about it?

I put it out.
I leaked it online.

Seriously?

So that's how
we gonna roll, Hakeem?

Yeah?

You'll never see a penny.

We'll sure the drawers
off your black ass.

That's exactly why
I'm not coming back

to your stupid-ass Empire.

But tell Father

when I get
to Madison Square Garden,

I'm-a comp y'all
some VIP tickets.

I got y'all.

You ain't gonna sell out
the Garden.

Not yet, but I will.

And guess what, we got a name.

It's called Lyon Dynasty.

(sighs)

That's corny.

Get up out of here.
You corny.

Jamal, you think you on top now,

our little Dynasty's
gonna crush your Empire.

♪ Oh, no, chain on froze ♪

♪ Sideline lookin',
what you hatin' on me for? ♪

♪ Like, whoa ♪

♪ Don't be too bold ♪

♪ Better get ya coat
'cause I'm way too cold... ♪

So it's just me and you?

This is supposed to be
our new kingdom?

Yeah, that's right.

So take this broom
and help me.

♪ Better get ya coat
'cause I'm way too cold ♪

♪ Oh, oh... ♪

♪ Yeah... ♪

(siren wailing)

RADIO DJ:
Whoo! Shots fired, New York.

I cannot stop
playing this one.

You already know this--
that exclusive

Lucious Lyon joint.

Classic Empire for you, baby.

Right here.

He dropped that from prison?
How?

Your daddy, he has his ways.

He always did.

LUCIOUS: ♪ Down and dirty
wit ya ♪ ♪ Come on! ♪

♪ I'll pull up
on the hot block ♪

♪ To come and get ya... ♪
Damn, that's hot.

You know he gonna
come after us hard.

Well, there's not much
he can to do us right now.

That's why we got to hurry up
and get this thing together

before he gets out of jail.

Come on.

♪ You know I know it...! ♪

(protesters chanting outside)

ROXANNE: Your Honor,
this is unacceptable.

If the defense counsel
isn't present

at the bail hearing
that he called,

then he's wasting our time.

The hell kind of lawyer

doesn't show up for
his own hearing?

(protestors continue
chanting outside)

WOMAN (outside):
Let him go!

(Roxanne scoffs)

MAN (outside):
...you let Lucious go!

MAN 2 (outside):
Let him go!

(protestors continue shouting)

THIRSTY: I'm here!

I'm here,
I'm here, Your Honor.

JUDGE ROBBINS: I was
this close to throwing

your client back in jail,
Mr. Rawlings.

My docket's backed up enough
as it is.

The court
still validates, right?

I-I got the new evidence
right here.

Just bring it straight up here.

Does counsel think he's not
going to share

this new evidence
with the prosecutor?

I wouldn't think
of it, Ms. Ford.

Thank you.

JUDGE ROBBINS:
I think I've...

seen enough.

This court finds
that Mr. Lyon

poses no flight
risk and rules

to release him on bail...
What?!

Your Honor, this is a travesty!

(camera shutters clicking)

The people will
not stand by

while you--
That is my ruling, Ms. Ford.

Bail is granted
at one million dollars.

ROXANNE:
Your Honor!

Captioned by
Media Access Group at WGBH