Empire

Previously on Empire... - You got shot.

Your PTSD is no less significant than mine.

If you need treatment, man...

No, the only person that's killing you

right now, Mal, is you.

The one thing that ain't changed

in the music business,

it's artists that don't perform,

they die.

I got to meet Angelo's

stuck-up mama.

I think she just want to

check out my black ass.

Andre, I need you!

Now I never ask you for nothin'.

I can't stay, Nessa. I promised my mom

I'd be there for her tonight.

Andre, this is a special night for me.

This means a lot to me.

Are you coming in here to thank me for helping yo' ass

with Shine? Because you know you still owe me

for that, right?

I see why Angelo is attracted

to you. You got fire in you.

You just make sure that fire doesn't burn my child.

That's Tiana, one of Empire's

- hottest pop stars. - Yes.

- I know who Tiana is, dear. - Okay.

- Mmm. - But why is she prancing around

with those tall, skinny girls?

Well, that's because she's headlining

the annual HVW Fashion Show.

Yes, Helene Von Wyeth is partnering with Empire.

Really?

greatest achievements has been aligning the company

with high profile cultural events, such as this.

Are you bragging on me?

Yes, you know I am.

Mom, can you please

tell that fake A&R dude

- do not come in Studio B - Mm-mm.

- Mm. - When I'm rec...

- Oh, I'm sorry. - Mm, mm, mm.

Hey. Excusez moi.

How are you, Mrs. Dubois?

Oh, come here, Jamal.

I would like to introduce you all

to Helene Von Wyeth.

Oh, but hold on to your weave, honey.

The first time I met her, I wore Givenchy,

she asked if I was a Kardashian.

What?

Are you feeble-minded

or is my eight-year-old daughter actually

smarter than you? How could one be

so mor... (GASPS)

Darling.

- Hey... - Darling, it's been too long.

- Oh... Mm.

So you know each other?

Diana and I have sat on many boards together.

I missed you at the Barons Retreat.

I was in Tangiers with my father.

Speaking of which, why haven't I received

my invitation for the Captain's Ball yet?

Well, this year's ball's gonna be a little different.

It's gonna be a fundraiser for Angelo.

In fact, Jamal...

Yes.

What are you doing on the seventh of next month?

Oh,

that's a marvelous idea.

A crossover artist who also

speaks to your core constituency.

Mother, please. All right, you're crossing the line.

Cookie has too much

on her plate as it is.

Look, I understand that, uh,

it's important for us to get Angelo elected

into office, I get that. But why don't I give you,

um, other choices

- of Empire artists? - That's a great idea.

That song that you sang for your mother

the other night at dinner was everything.

Thank you.

I want you to write a song for Angelo's campaign

- and I want you - Mama...

to perform it at the Captain's Ball.

Before we settle on Jamal,

I would like to offer you a list of other Empire artists...

Settle? (LAUGHS)

Whoa, hold on, Mom.

I'd, I would be honored.

- Thank you. - Thank you.

It's time, Mom.

It's now or never.

No.

She said it, Rhonda, not Andre.

She called me her family.

She asked me...

But does she know

who you really are?

Hey!

Dre, it's just me.

Nessa, you can't sneak up on me like that.

Are you okay, Dre?

You were...

talking in your sleep last night and...

I'm fine. I'm fine, okay?

I'm just...

Nessa,

there's something I need you to think about.

Yeah.

My father and I just lined up

a new round of funding for Empire XStream.

All right?

Now, when that money hits...

we need to have you positioned

to take advantage of it.

Let's, uh, let's talk about what that's gonna mean.

I see you haven't been taking care of your nails.

Well, that's 'cause you ain't been here

to take care of 'em for me.

I'm stuck in this house

with these crazy females,

messing up my sanctuary.

- (DOOR OPENS) - Where you been, anyway?

- (DOOR CLOSES) - I'll take it from here, thanks.

Ah... (CLEARS THROAT)

Can you give us a minute, Tiffany?

You want to get your nails done?

Nah, I'm more of a rub and tug type.

Listen,

so far, we got nothin'.

All right, no disrespect,

but your cornball half-brother

lives like a monk.

Okay, he doesn't gamble, no drugs,

doesn't really drink, I mean,

it's damn near insulting.

I thought we had somebody on the inside.

We do. I mean, it took a little time and money,

but she's there.

It's just Agent Sweetwater

isn't in the inner circle.

She thinks Tariq is giving up on Shine

and coming at you on something new.

She just doesn't know what yet.

All right, then we need to invade his crib.

Destabilize his ass.

Yeah, how? I mean, the boy's not on the down low,

doesn't use hookers... I mean, I can't find any vices.

Everybody's got a weakness.

Find it.

This show is going to be fabulous.

We are going to put a little bass in it,

some black girl magic on it.

I've seen Tiana with straight hair,

I'd like her to wear it like that for our show.

We could.

It's not up for discussion. Her...

hair doesn't really go with the aesthetic of the collection.

It's all about sleekness and geometry. And,

I'm thinking about having her wear

the final gown in the show.

I think the others look so gauche on her figure.

That's, uh, too tight

and it has a train. (CHUCKLES)

That's not gonna work with her choreography.

Well, I'm sure you can make it work.

I mean, that is depending

how important it is for you to bring Empire

into the mainstream.

Isn't that what you're chasing

with the Dubois family?

Chasing?

Oh, no, sweetie,

you got it twisted.

I didn't do the chasing there.

Oh, I see.

Well,

nonetheless, I expect to be able

to run a fine-tooth comb through her hair

by show time.

I'll run a fine-tooth comb

up yo' ass, how 'bout that?

All right, think about what you want,

and we'll talk to Cookie directly.

Exclusive club dates,

features with some of Empire's top artists?

How are we gonna follow your

spectacular debut at the Empire XStream launch, okay?