Empire (2015–…): Season 3, Episode 11 - Play On - full transcript

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Previously on Empire...
LUCIOUS: Inferno is an album
I'm producing,

and I'm hoping
that my son, Jamal,

will bless me with a song.

This is Lucious Lyon's
dear mama.

LUCIOUS:
You know, this business
about my mama and the press--

keep an eye on it.

I'll keep her in my sight.

HAKEEM:
Yo, Tory Ash.

See y'all met my
crazy-ass friend Tory.



Why did you leave rehab?
This is my rehab.

TELLER:
So Lucious Lyon wins again.
He murdered Frank Gathers

and I can prove it.
I just need more time.

You're off the case
'cause it's closed.

Your new head of A&R.

Mrs. Anika Lyon.

COOKIE: You built this company
on my back,

and you just give it
to that bitch?!

(shouts)

(Mozart's "Sequentia Lacrimos"
from Requiem in D Minor plays)

What have I done?

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

Here you go.



Thank you.

You're welcome.

I don't know what happened.

Hmm.

I mean, we were fighting, bad.

Not bad enough.

You didn't kill him.

(chuckles)

We were tussling...

and...

there's that thin line

and we crossed it.

I don't know why I kissed him.

Because...

you're addicted to that man.

He was my first.

Hmm.

For over 20 years, the only.

That night Daddy
kicked me out...

Come on, babe.

(sobbing)

It's okay, it's okay.
You and me now, okay?

(crying): No.

It's okay.

It's okay.

I got us.

Okay?

Look, I... I know you've never

done this before, okay?

We don't have to, baby.

We can wait.

YOUNG COOKIE:
No, no, I want to.

I need to... now.

Just because
he was your first

doesn't mean
he has to be your last.

Do you love Angelo?

I think so.
Think?

I don't want to lose him,

and that's why I have to come
clean about what happened.

No, no, no, no, no.

Nothing happened.

You just went...

Cookie crazy.

Doesn't mean anything.

Your future will not
be ruined again

by the likes of that
damn Lucifer Lyon.

(elevator dings)

Oh, my God.

What happened?

LUCIOUS: Look at what they did
to my baby.

They're still going through
the security footage.

Thirsty might know
more about it.

ANIKA: Okay, I'm gonna
go get caught up.

Mm.

Hey, Thirsty.
Nice to have you back.

This is Marty.

She's gonna be looking after
Granny Groove from now on.

LEAH:
Oh, really?

What are you? A boy?

Or a girl?

Mama, don't act like you fresh
out of the plastic. Behave.

Look, um,

how are they doing
on the scrubbing

of some of that footage?

Well, wax on, wax off,
like it never happened.

LUCIOUS: Good, 'cause Cookie
and Jamal are coming after me

with this little album
of theirs. I can't have

any distractions from Inferno.

THIRSTY:
Yeah, distractions are bad.

LUCIOUS:
No, you can't.

I have to go to the bathroom.

THIRSTY:
Don't let her out of your sight.

That means you got
to go to the bathroom.

♪ ♪

♪ Baby, I, baby, I ♪

♪ Can't decide, can't decide ♪

♪ If you're just a memory ♪

♪ We were amazing ♪

♪ I was amazed
that we didn't make it ♪

♪ We were amazing ♪

♪ So, you still chasin'
and I can't take it ♪

♪ Can't take the heat and ♪

♪ I won't make it easy for you ♪

♪ You got to prove it to me... ♪

The one with the blonde hair,
Becky, what you think?

I think it's your
directorial debut, Hakeem,

so whatever you like.
Then she's in.

♪ Show me why... ♪
We're done, right?

Yeah, we're done. There's only
50 more dancers

waiting to audition.
We're not done.

Yeah, Keem, you can't
rush the process.

This video is
for my next single.

Baby, you're
the baddest, okay?

What better way
for the world to see you

than how I see you every day?

Come here.

♪ Show me why I should
go all in... ♪

It's gonna be epic.

I promise.

After auditions, let's go to my
dad's and hang out with Bella.

♪ Last time didn't pan out... ♪

Hakeem, I told you
I'm not doing that.

Your baby already
has a mother.

I just want you
to get to know her.

♪ I got tricks up my sleeves
in the lining in my cuff ♪

♪ I'm-a keep on trying
till you budge ♪

♪ Leaving everything up
to timing ain't enough. ♪

(music stops)

WOMAN: And five...

Hakeem.

What's your grandmother
doing here?

WOMAN:
Now show me the floor routine.

(chuckles)
Yes, let's all go up, go up.

This can be the dance floor.

Uh, hi, Ms. Walker.
How you doing?

Hi.
Hey, Grandma.

Hi, sweetie.

Who's the little
ballerina in pink?

Quintana.

Come meet my granny.

Quintana.

Hi.
What a sweetie.

Do you mind asking
that big individual

over there
to hold this for me?

Okay.

And, Quintana,

I want you to drop it.

Then bend over to pick it up.
Grandma...

To show Marty
how limber you are.

This'll get me a feature
in this video, right?

You make my granny happy,
why not?

♪ ♪

Okay.

LEAH:
How's Tiana?

I want to talk to Bella's
future stepmama.

Chill out, Grandma.

Maybe you could help me get
her comfortable with Bella.

Okay.

Oops.

Mm-hmm.

TORY:
Who's that?

Girl, that's Mamie Smith,
queen of the blues.

What's wrong with you?

Who's that?

La Calavera Catrina.

It's the death goddess.

It's just a
good reminder

about, you know,
mortality and sobriety.

I hear you. You ready?

Did you bring the cocaine?

I'm kidding.
I hate you.

(chuckles)

♪ You take it down ♪

♪ You take it down ♪

♪ But it feels so bad ♪
♪ No, it hurts so bad ♪

BOTH:
♪ But it feels so good... ♪

(whoops)

ANDRE: Now, these are
the two apartments

we're looking at
this afternoon.

Nice. Okay.

Now, promise me you'll at
least get past the front door

before you say no.
(laughs)

I'm selective, sweetheart,

which means you need to
be selective as well.

Okay.
What's up, Andre?

What's up?
Nessa.

Hey.
What's up?

H-Hey, Shine.
Yo.

(softly):
Dain-Ja?

Yeah, Andre said he wanted

to meet all of our
business associates.

They ain't all pretty.
Shine.

♪ It's Ludacris, well,
then get out my way... ♪

Andre. Dain-Ja?

My father built Empire
from the streets.

Shine beat Lucious
at his own game.

I'm gonna see
how he rolls, Nessa.

♪ Man, I be water whipping
like I'm going swimming ♪

♪ Then I chef it up,
then hit the block ♪

♪ Told me we would make
a bunch of money ♪

♪ Funny thing is
we haven't seen no guap... ♪

Shine.

Yo.

What's Freda doing?

She's making a drop.

She used to work
around her daddy.

She know her way around.

Let me introduce you
to somebody.

Dain-Ja. This
my man Dain-Ja.

He runs all the strip
clubs from Georgia

to the Carolinas.
Any hip-hop

we want in the
Southeastern market,

this our guy.

All right.

♪ I don't really think
you 'bout that life ♪

♪ All about that life... ♪

I ain't trying to meet
new friends, you feel me?

Look, man,
Andre's not a friend.

He's family.

So you got to chill.

Hmm. (snorts) (spits)

Really?

Hey, you gonna clean that up.

♪ I don't really think
you 'bout that life ♪

♪ Just keep it real,
you ain't about that life ♪

♪ You ain't
about that life, no. ♪

(knocking at door)

Welcome home, Mr. Mayor.

Hey, hey.

(chuckles)

It's over.

Yes.
It's done.

Mwah.
Mwah.

Ah.

Oh, you feel so good.

Come here, I have to
tell you something.
All right,

so this is what's gonna
happen. All right.

We're gonna be
aggressive. All right?

And we're gonna take
our gloves off.

Damn, you look gorgeous.

(laughs)
Thanks.

All right. Guns blazing.

No holds barred,
no prisoners.

We're gonna clap back.
I'm gonna do everything...

What happened here?

Oh, just-just a bruise.

Baby, let me see.

I-I bumped it. I'm a klutz.

Let me look at it.
It's okay.

Look, I really need
to tell you something, Angelo.

Okay, but first

we're gonna focus
on us right now.

Right here.

(laughs)
Ooh.

Yes, together.

Mm-hmm.

(laughs)
You...

(whoops)

Oh, my goodness.

Ain't nobody gonna bother us.

Mm, you missed me
that much, huh?

I missed you that much.
(both laugh)

Lucious?

LUCIOUS:
What? I'm in the bathroom.

Well, don't you think
we need to talk about

what happened
last...

night?

I have rehearsal
to get to, so...

just let me know
if you need anything.

Thanks.

You need to want more
out of life, honey.

(sighs)
Disgusting.

After what you did last night?

You left me high and dry
and bleeding, remember that?

Why do you care what happens
between me and her?

You're right.
I don't care. At all.

Just don't say nothing.

Don't say nothing
to who? Angelo?

Oh, you didn't
want him to know

about you turning into the
Tasmanian Devil last night?

Look, I don't know
what got into us.

Wait, how do you not know...

It's simple,
you-you love me,

you always will love me,
but you're not ready

to deal with that
kind of truth.

You know what? That's why I'm
gonna move on with my life.

Okay?
Sounds like a plan.

Good, w-what's going on?
Where's Jamal?

He still in the studio
recording that wack-ass album,

When Cookie Met Lucious?

Like your wack ass
was the first one

to come up with the title
Inferno.

(scoffs)
It's corny.

Look, just don't say nothing.

It ain't none of my business.

Yeah,
keep it that way.

(indistinct chatter)

Turn around.

Hey, Becky.

(sighs) Hi.

Listen, I wanted to see if maybe
we could set aside some time

to sit down, review the
artists and projects.

All right,
Smokes Adams' album is done.

Freaky Lyle's on tour.

Hakeem is directing
Tiana's next video

that will be on her album
that is released next week.

You're all caught up.

Look, Becky, I know
that you wanted the job.

But not too long ago, you
were Lucious' assistant,

and so you might not
be exactly ready

to run a department.

But listen, I am so
excited to work with you.

I feel like you have
fantastic people skills.

You always keep your
ear to the street.

I'm going to lean on you.
A lot.

I bet in a year or two,
you will have my job.

TIANA:
Hey, um, Anika,

I was wondering if you can watch
the rest of the rehearsals.

Becky's in charge.

She will be
your point person,

and she has my full
and total support.

Okay.

Anika...

I'm so glad you're back.

♪ I'm on my knees ♪

♪ Begging you to stay ♪

♪ Yeah, you know if I could ♪

♪ I'd take more, I would ♪

Don't you think...

♪ But it feels so good... ♪
Can you turn it down?

(music fades)
I-I feel like we should just
take everything out

except the horns.
It's too messy.

Look, I get that you want
perfection, but just because

you cleaned yourself up
doesn't mean

you need to do the same thing
to your music.

Oh, my Lord. Please, Tory.

TORY: Oh, come on.
Being dirty can be fun.

Okay, first of all,
it ain't that deep.

Second of all,

I damn near lost everything
from being too dirty,

and so did you.

Yeah, you know,
you're right, I did.

That's where
we are right now.

So we just got to
deal with it, okay?

Whatever.
Just shut your mouth

and just listen to this, okay?

Check it out.

(plays guitar riff)

Okay.

Check what out?

Oh, come on.
That is like musical heroin.

So you still like
drugs, crackhead?

Well, there's the door.

JAMAL:
Ma, it's a joke. Calm down.

Yeah, well,
I don't find it funny.

Now, I was listening

to what y'all are doing and...

it's-it's hot.

You onto something,
but something's missing.

So y'all got to mess it up
some more. Mess it up.

Did you hear
what your mama said?

Mess it up.

(plays guitar riff)

That's kind of hot.
What is that?

It's a flattened fifth.
It's the devil's chord.

All right, well she knows
what she's talking about.

Well, look, it's a little
too dark, but check this out.

Try this.

COOKIE:
Yes, yes,

Jamal, you... you keep doing
what you're doing,

and, Tory, this time,
play like you...

like you're trying
to talk to him,

but he won't let
you get a word in.

You just... Chase him.
That's what I mean.

That's what
I want to... hear.

Yes.

Mm-hmm. That's it.
That's it.

That's everything.
You got it. Look,

your father's not to hear
anything we are creating here,

you got that?
Mm-hmm.

You erase these drives
every night, Jamal.

Hear me?
Got you.

Okay. Yeah,
that's in the pocket.

Y'all keep creating.

Play that funky music,
white girl.
(chuckles)

Dwight broke his promise.

Ms. Leah,
what are you doing here?
All I have is

an hour before that
he-she knows I'm gone.

Dwight said he was
getting rid of that wife,

but instead he
gave her a job.

'Cause she gave him one.

A nasty one.

You have to
do something.

Boo Boo Kitty
knows things.

Boo Boo Kitty?

That's what his
other wife calls her.

Cookie hates her

as much as I hate her.

Come on inside for some tea.

♪ I need that release ♪

♪ It's taking me over ♪

♪ Whatever you want,
whatever you say ♪

♪ Just give me another ♪

♪ And I'll be there for you ♪

♪ Give it all to you ♪

♪ You know I feen for you ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

TORY:
♪ And I'll never leave ♪

♪ Everything that you say ♪

♪ Is what I've been needing
to hear ♪

♪ For all the rest of my days ♪

♪ I don't need the truth ♪

♪ Tell me what to do ♪

♪ I believe in you ♪

♪ And I know ♪

♪ I don't really need it ♪

♪ But I don't care ♪

♪ I just wanna feel it ♪

♪ 'Cause it's all in my mind ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Oh, it's all in my mind ♪

BOTH:
♪ What I believe ♪

♪ Is what you say ♪

♪ Hey, I'm on my knees ♪

♪ Begging you to stay ♪

♪ Yeah, you know if I could ♪

♪ I'd take more, I would ♪

♪ Yeah, it hurts so bad ♪

♪ But it feels so good ♪

♪ I'm a feen ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

♪ I'm a feen ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

♪ I'm a feen ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

♪ No, it hurts so bad ♪

♪ But it feels so good. ♪

TORY:
Tell you what,

I have not been this turned on
since I had Molly

off a Jamaican soccer player's
back in Miami.

Don't ever tell me
nothing like that again.

(laughs)

Man, don't wipe
the hard drive clean,

'cause I might come back
and tweak it a little bit.

All right?
Mm-hmm.

Anika.

It's time for you to
start talking to me.

You know what, Tariq,
if that were possible,

it would have happened a
long time ago. What do you want?

True, I can't get you to
confess against Lucious,

but you're not married to
Cookie, as far as I know.

I didn't want to do this,
but I'm doing it now.

I don't know anything
about Cookie.

Maybe you can tell me if
these names ring a bell.

Frank Gathers.

Of course I know
who Frank Gathers was,

but I never met him.

Jermel Stubbs.

Bam-Bam King.

Teddy McNally.

Oh...
Taxi!

Tell me about Teddy McNally.
Get off me, man.

Yeah, he got bodied
back in Philly

about a year and a half ago.

Do you know
who made the hit?
No.

You're lying.
I'm gonna put you in WITSEC

so you'll feel free to talk.

Witness Protection?
Uh-huh.

(laughs)
You got jokes.

Bang.

That's a subpoena.

What?
Mm-hmm.

See, when Lucious
finds out,

he'll arrange for you
to disappear.

So you can accept
the government's protection,

or you can take your chances.

Don't do this to me, Tariq.

Please do not
do this to me.

Everything is just starting
to get together for me, man.

What about my daughter?

Go home.

Act like nothing's wrong.

Tomorrow I'll pick
you both up at 2:45

on the southeast side
of Union Square.

All right? Whoa.

I'd hate to see
this pretty face wash up

on the banks
of the Hudson, mami.

Be there, all right?

(chuckles)

(sighs)

Let's see what these idiots
are up to.

♪ ♪

♪ I need that release ♪

♪ It's taking... ♪
(music stops)

♪ Me over ♪

♪ Whatever you want,
whatever you say ♪

♪ Just give me another,
and I'll be there for you ♪

♪ Give it all to you ♪

♪ You know I feen for you ♪

♪ Yeah. ♪

(music stops)

(piano playing)

♪ ♪

JAMAL:
Mom, just wait and listen to
what me and Tory did last night.

(music playing in distance)

Who the hell is in here?

We got this studio booked
for three months.

LUCIOUS:
No, it's got to have the fire,

or I can't hear it.

This album has to be pure flame,

everything on it.
Dad, what is this?

You hear me, Ness?

You hear me, V? Pure love.
Got you.

JAMAL: Please tell these people
to get out of the studio,

because I booked the time.
It's my time.

Dad.

COOKIE:
He don't even hear you.

I know that look in his eyes.

(train passing)

♪ Wave ya hands
high in the sky ♪

♪ I got a hot girl
and my gear is fly ♪

♪ Truth or dare,
never tell you a lie ♪

♪ Everybody want
to be a gangsta ♪
Lucious.

♪ But nobody really want
to die. ♪

Lucious.

Lucious!

What's up?

I'm pregnant.

(train passes in distance)

♪ ♪

Whenever he gets like that,
all he can hear is the music.

♪ ♪

♪ And the world cannot deny ♪

♪ What was once laid to rest ♪

♪ Has come back ♪

That's fire, right?

♪ I feel it in my soul... ♪

I am...

the sun.

Just because you yellow
don't mean you the sun.

♪ Rule my world ♪

♪ The only thing... ♪

The song is dope, Dad.

The king don't have
to prove who he is, though.

♪ But now, but now ♪

BOTH:
♪ We bow down at his feet ♪

♪ The crown is his alone ♪

♪ I'm looking at my king ♪

♪ Take back his throne ♪

♪ And he's returned
for you and me ♪

♪ We won't ever be alone... ♪

Um, sweetie.

I really liked
your stuff.

♪ Take back his throne ♪

♪ Whoa ♪

♪ Take back his throne ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Take back his throne. ♪

♪ ♪

Rakon.

Rakon.

Give me five.

(music stops)

(door opens)

(door shuts)
So tell me more about this meet
Dain-Ja's hooking up.

You ever heard of Rafael Green?

Bought up a bunch
of strip clubs.

Major player in Vegas.

That's the guy.

He got a spot on the Strip now.

He's looking to book
some legit talent.

I want in.

What?

Nessa told me
about the pills you take.

Did she?

She tells me everything,
so get used to it.

But I tell you what,

if you ever think
about laying a hand on her...

I'd never put my hands on her,
okay?

I take mood stabilizers.
That's it.

Mood stabili... And I'm supposed
to trust you with my business.

And let me remind you,
you don't have a choice.

Now, I've been trying

to get Lucious interested
in Vegas for years.

The only reason that Rafael
agreed to meet with me

is 'cause I said I could
introduce him to Lucious.

Okay, well, then tell him
that nobody meets Lucious

until they pass muster with me.

Vegas is big business
for Empire.

If I put a deal together,
then the board'll back me

when I make my move
to take over the company.

So to answer your question...
I didn't ask you

any questions.

To answer your question,

I need Lucious alive long enough
to put a deal together.

It's simple.

I look forward
to meeting Rafael.

(sighs)
Bella.

Bella, baby, Mommy loves you.

Mommy loves you so much.

I got to do this for me and you.

Mommy loves you.

(brakes squeak)

Anika, what the hell?

I was on my way
to dress rehearsal.

I'm sorry, look, I know.
I-I need you

to take Bella for me, please.
I have to go somewhere.

So call Juanita.
Juanita is not her father,

Hakeem, you are.

Look, you are responsible
for keeping her safe.

I need you to
help me, please.

Thank you.

So you're just gonna
put this on me?

Hakeem, for once in your life,
I need you to step up.

Thank you.

What time you picking her up?
I'll call you.

When?

U.S. Probation Office, ma'am.

We'd like
to see Cookie Lyon.

Can you have her
come down, please?

(whispering):
Cookie.

Cookie!

What?

What?

Those suspicious-looking
people over there

are looking for you.

Angelo? I need you
to come get me.

Right now.

(brakes squeak)

I'm here. I don't see you.

(tires screech)

All right, so I spoke to my
boy Gus, and you were right.

They are violating
your parole.

For what?

Associating with a known felon.

Ugh, come on.
(scoffs)

I have a hip-hop label.

Do you know how many
of our artists

got criminal records?
That's petty.

I got the violation
rescinded.

They're gonna give me a heads-up
if this happens again.

We got to figure out why
they're coming after you now.

(sighs)

All right. You know
what? That's it.

Take me to Lucious Lyon's crib.

Uh, Angelo, I don't think...
Cookie.

...that's a good idea.
Uh-uh.

All right, look. We can drop
you off or you can come with.

But I'm done. This
has got to stop.

Lucious Lyon has to know
when to fall back.

Corny-ass hairdo.

(elevator bell dings)

Hey.

Look, Derek, I asked you to

come over here 'cause I wanted
to tell you in person.

Um, I'm working
with a new producer on my album.

Tory Ash. You know
her-- she's dope.

We've been vibing hard,
and my mom likes her,

so that's good.

Tory Ash?

Come on, Tory Ash?

The "no-Tory-ous"
one-album wonder?

Yes.
(scoffs)

Hmm. Hey, man,
I'm willing to take the hits.

Whatever.

So what's up with us, huh?

Come on, Derek, man,
there's-- there is no us.

We-we done hooked up
a bunch of times,

and-- but most of
those times I was high.

I'm clear
and sober now.

Come on, you're still
in the closet, anyway.

Main part of my recovery
is truth and honesty,

and that's... that's
definitely not you.

'Sup, Becky?

What's going on?
Why aren't they ready to block?

Actually, your
director-slash-boo

has yet to arrive,
so we're waiting.

Are you serious?

He knows how important this is.
HAKEEM:
I'm here, I'm here, sorry.

BECKY (laughing):
You brought the baby.

(gasping):
Aw.

Aw.

Hi.

Hakeem, why is the baby here?

You can't be seriously trying
to force this on me right now.

T, I had no choice.

Anika took off. I don't
know where she went.

Baby, you got to trust
me. I'm the father.

I got you, I got us,
but I also got Bella, too.

And you gotta understand that.

It's my responsibility.

You got to be
cool with that.

Cool with her.

She's so pretty.

HAKEEM:
Thank you.

BECKY:
Here you go.

She's really pretty.

Thanks.

(sniffs)

(chuckles)

Her head smells so good.

Yeah, baby heads.

Here.

Hold her.

Yeah, hold
her closer.

Dance with her.

Yeah, just like that.

Let her feel your heartbeat.

(chuckles softly)

I don't need your little drink.
This ain't a social call.

I'm here to tell you:
step back. All right?

I have her.

You've lost. I...
Whoa, whoa, whoa.

You don't come in my house
making demands

like you got some kind
of authority here, man.

I'm not one
of your constituents.

Why was her parole violated,
Lucious?

LUCIOUS:
Is he serious?
Yes.

I don't have nothing
to do with that.

You expect me to believe that?
You... (laughs)

You put a bounty on my head.

If I want to mess with somebody,

I know how to mess with somebody
I'm interested in.

That's not what I do.

But I will find out
who did do this.

No, we don't need
your help, man.

Put your little phone...
Wait, wait, wait.

Hey, don't put your
hands on me, baby.

Okay, hold up, hold up, all
right, all right, all right.

(phone ringing)
Your phone is ringing.
Answer your phone.

Go ahead.

Campaign manager.
Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm.

You know who this is,
it's Tariq.

Maybe if he puts you in
a lockdown situation,

you're gonna roll or
something like that.

Oh, so I'm supposed to do time
again to protect you? Uh-uh.

Wait, wait,
what, protect me?

You know, I like

the way you blame me
for the stuff that you did.

You know, I didn't kick
this thing off.

You're the one that ordered
everything on the damn menu.

Can you shut up?

I just had
to pay for it.

And I cleaned up after you--
that's what I do.

I clean up after all of y'all.

Yeah, you better have.

All right,
I'll see you in a bit.

Everything okay?

I hope so.

It's the last couple of polls.

What, you trying
to scratch your way

back into the damn race?

(chuckles) See, you had
to scratch your way to power.

See, I was born with mine.

Ooh.

Oh, and Mr. Lyon...

(chuckles)

...if I do decide
to come for you,

you're going to experience
a kind of pain

that you've never experienced.

Believe that.

(chuckles)
(scoffs)
Come on, baby.

♪ ♪

So, what is this, you...
you putting on a show for me?

Who told you?

No, I'm just mad that you
get so freakin' upset at me

about that little
stuff with the studio.

How do you get that
mad at me, man?

Look, anyway,
what I realized is that

the confines of that
little bitty studio is

too small to contain
a movement.

Welcome to the true studio.

I mean, where every note
will melt you to the core,

but at the same time,
it refreshes you.

You know, no multitracking,
no Auto-Tunes--

all those crutches that these
kids are using these days.

But after all of this,
there was still one thing

that was missing.

You gave it to me.

♪ Has come back... ♪

What, now you're shaking
in your boots?

Uh-huh, shiver on, man.

(both laugh)
(guitar playing)

♪ I know I'm ready for it ♪

♪ And now he's stronger
than before ♪

That chord.

♪ Ready to rule my world ♪

It's the devil's chord.

Yeah, she told me
you didn't want to use it.

I was like, are you crazy?

Do you hear this?

♪ But now, but now ♪

♪ We bow down at his feet ♪
Jamal.

♪ The crown is his alone... ♪

It's just music, man.

♪ Take back his throne... ♪

You just keep
playing with me, man.

No-- it's like I don't know what
to do with you anymore, man.

Everything...

All right, all right,
all right, I get you.

TORY:
Jamal.

PHILIP: Is this what you
and Tory was working on?

Yeah, this stupid-ass song.

Trusted her wack ass.

Trusted her at rehab.

We were like partners
at rehab. I can't even lie.

Ah, she was dope.
That music was so good.

It was so good.

(chuckles)

I can't stand my father.

(laughs)

Oh, that's
a laughing matter.

Somebody say they
can't stand their father.

I didn't mean to...

(laughs)

If you see what I see,
you'd be laughing, too.

I'm so sure.

I mean, look at you.

Last time I saw you,
I was barely able

to recognize you
because of that addiction.

I just really wanted to
make sure you're doing good.

I see you,
you're doing good.

♪ Ain't no shame,
back it up on me ♪

Maybe I should go.

♪ On up ♪
♪ Yeah, yeah ♪

♪ Yeah ♪
♪ Back that ... up ♪

Maybe you should stay.

♪ On up ♪
♪ Yeah, yeah ♪

♪ Back that ... up ♪
♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Back it up ♪
♪ Door's open... ♪

So, as mayor...

are you planning on
living at Gracie Mansion?

(laughs)
'Cause, you know, if so,
Cookie can't stay there.

Yes, this is true;
it's an archaic rule.

Cookie cannot spend the night
unless we're married.

Now, that's what
I'm talking about, no?

All right, Candace.

And it's about time
my baby sister

had herself a proper wedding.

Hmm.

(train passing)

♪ Me and Romeo ♪

♪ Ain't never been friends ♪

(indistinct chatter)

♪ Can't you see how much ♪

♪ I really love ya? ♪

♪ Gonna sing it to ya ♪

♪ Time and time again ♪

♪ Oh, Casanova... ♪

(chuckles)

Lucious.

We got Miss Bertha's
potluck chicken.

My boys ready
with the music.

You in this pretty dress.

Me in... (laughs)
whatever the hell this is.

You, me and our baby...

that's all I need.

All I'm ever gonna need.

Feel me?

I'm so sorry for this hag bitch.

(laughing):
Oh.

And I swear to you,
this was not a setup.

That's okay, baby.

Let's see if I become
mayor first.

Then we can talk.

Yes.

Rafael's such
a big player,

why are we meeting
him in a warehouse?

This is my deal, Shine.

Why do we need him?

RAFAEL:
You know, I got
the same question.

This is my party.

And it's invitation only.

Hmm.

Who's this clown
you brought to my party?

This is Andre Lyon.

He's my partner.

He's solid.

Andre Lyon?

That's right.

(scoffs)

Giuliana!

Wait, who's that?

RAFAEL:
That is my wife.

Giusi, get over here.
(sniffs)

Bitch... come here,
come here, come here.

Don't start with me,
Rafael.
Come here,
get over here.

Don't start with me.
Get over here.

You don't need to put
your hands on me, Rafi.
Shut up!

Shut up.

Did you know this is

Lucious Lyon's son?

Hmm?
Yes.

But I didn't know
he was coming here.

Uh-huh.

(gasps)
RAFAEL: Did you set me up?

No.
Did you?

GIULIANA:
No, I didn't set you up!

I told you I didn't know
anybody was coming here.

If you're lying to me, I will
kill you, you know that, right?

You know that, right?
Come here.
(Giuliana crying)

Come here, come here,
come here.

Do you know this bitch?

No.

No?

No?
You're hurting my neck!

Shut up!

Ow.

That don't mean I'm cool with
you hitting on her, though.

Let her go.

Yeah, I'll let her go.

Let me go... please.

Why don't you go fix your face?

Go, go on.
I didn't do anything!

You fix your face.
Get over there.

You're a mess.

You make me sick.

(Giuliana crying)
I can't believe
you set me up.

I didn't set you up.

RAFAEL: Shut up.
Enough.

SHINE:
Hey, we gonna get down
to business, or what?

RAFAEL:
Uh-huh.

I'll deal with
you later.

(screams)
(grunts)

(gasping)

What's wrong with you, bitch?

(gunshot)

Thank you.

ANDRE:
No.

Thank you.

Well.

I'm sorry we got off
to such a messy start...

...but I'm still available to do
business if you're interested.

How long has he been
doing this to you?

It doesn't matter.

You still have Vegas?

Barely.

Then we're still interested
in doing business.

Yeah.

ANNOUNCER: You've just
watched Empire.

Now here are a few more shows
to check out from Fox.

(gunshot)

Shots Fired is
a murder mystery.

An African-American officer
kills an unarmed white guy.

I asked him
to step out of the vehicle,
but as he steps out,

he reaches for my gun,
and it was either him or me.

-And I shot him.
-Four times.

WOMAN: Preston and Ashe are
a prosecutor and an investigator

come down to investigate.

They uncover a second teenager
that was killed-- a black teen.

Suddenly, there's these two
racially charged shootings
they're investigating.

I play Ashe Akino.
She has lots of layers.

She is not perfect.

Sometimes she will do
whatever it takes

to get what she wants
in a case.

Preston's a graduate
from Harvard, working for
the Department of Justice.

As the series progresses,
his idealism will be tested.

All I care about is the truth,
and my truth has no color.

A tragedy has come
to Gate Station,

and when there are questions,
I want answers.

Our mantra for the show
is get the audience
at the edge of their seat,

and when they're
leaning forward,
hit 'em with the truth.