A life that, with Angelo, she has a second chance at getting.
So lets get into it.
Are you in or are you out?
Credit: Chuck Hodes/Fox
he asks her, to which she replies, Did you just give me an ultimatum?
Lucious has called a meeting over at Empire, even though its a Saturday.
Always on trend, that Jamal.
Everyone does it is not an excuse!
Phillip tries to say, but Jamal stops them right there and makes them leave.
Got two grown men sprung!
Then she freaks out: Shut it down!
You cant use those videos!
You had no right!
One of the women shoots back, You sure hes your man?
Cooke responds by tossing the womans purse and saying: Go fetch!
When the woman is out of earshot, she mutters, Cheap-ass bag.
She never gets old; I dont know why!
Cookie apologizes to Angelo, but hes extremely upset.
Music is to your family what politics is to mine, he says.
You disrespected my mother.
In a flashback, we see teen Lucious dropping teen Cookie off at home late at night.
Her father opens the door, extremely upset, holding something up.
I cant do this anymore, he says.
Guns and drug money?
I know thats his.
Youve got to go… As much as its killing me, youve got to go.
I have two other girls to think of.
I cant let that boy ruin them like he ruined you.
Cookie tries to reason with him, but he breaks down sobbing and hugs her goodbye.
Ill be honest, this scene made me sob.
I think Ray Austin who plays Cookies father, John Holloway is phenomenal.
Same to Ajiona Alexus, whos wonderful here as young Laretha.
Was John right to kick Laretha out so quickly?
I dont think so, but Cookie was blinded by young love.
She didnt yet know Lucious is The Actual Worst.
Cookie pleads with her boys and they promise to attend (though theyre not all happy about it).
As she tells him the story, we get another flashback.
Cookie shows up at her fathers house just as hes being loaded into an ambulance unconscious.
She wants to go with him to the hospital, but Candace wont let her.
You stress Daddy out enough go be with Lucious!
Candace says to a sobbing Cookie.
Candace blamed me for his death and she was right, Cookie tells Jamal.
But in the end, she tells Jamal hes free to use the videos if they inspire him.
She just might not be able to watch.
In the next scene, Sad Cookie is gone.
I need to learn how to conversate!
What do I say to this bourgie bch?
Well, I shouldnt call her a bch.
Like this from Maya Angelou: We cannot repair what we cannot see.
Didnt Beyonce say something like that?
Of course, Lucious comes in and dampens the mood.
Candace suggests just doing the dinner at Cookies home it is a luxurious place, after all.
Cookie bristles: I practically have penises hanging on the walls!
she says, looking at a piece of art by her side.
She decides to do an extreme house makeover, trading her leopard fur chairs for silk sofas.
He did have a baby for, like, two seconds.
Cookie is furious: Jesus, c’mon stop me from killing my child tonight.
Angelo and his mother arrive next (and she somehowknowsCookie changed her whole apartment).
After that, its Hakeem, carrying a crying Bella and begging Cookie to make her stop.
Wheres the childs mother?
Mrs. DuBois asks Hakeem.
Mrs. DuBois, you be mad shady, High Jamal shouts (with a smile) from the corner.
I kind of like High Jamal hes just telling the truth!
He spills all the dirt to catch Mrs. DuBois up to speed.
I see you met the gay one, and you met the irresponsible one, he says.
Wheres the crazy one?
Oh, poor Cookie.
Hes at Nessas family party to commemorate the six-year anniversary of her brother Stones death.
Not only that, but he brought Freda Gatz to convince her to join Shynes label.
Freda talks about not trusting Lyons, and Shyne covertly gets the whole thing on video.
But what is he planning to do with it?
In the end, Andre never shows up to Cookies, but its okay.
I can tell youve gone above and beyond to give a shot to impress me, she tells Cookie.
But my blood aint blue.
I see why Angelo is attracted to you youve got fire in you.
Just see to it that fire doesnt burn my child.
Angelo and Cookie are pleased with how the night went.
Is this the start of something amazing the life Cookies father always wanted for her?
Or is this a moment of calm before some fiery storm?
Even Lyons need a break now and then.
