Fallen Empire?
18 Episodes. Starring: Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, Jussie Smollett, Bryshere Y. Gray, Trai Byers, Gabourey Sidibe, Ta'Rhonda Jones, Andre Royo, Serayah McNeill, Nicole Ari Parker, Chet Hanks, A.Z. Kelsey, Vivica A. Fox, Mario, Joss Stone, Wood Harris & Forest Whitaker. Created By: Lee Daniels & Danny Strong.
Let's get this out the way now and address the Smollett in the room. Let me Denzel Washington in 'Philadelphia' explain it like I'm a two year old okay? Because there's an element of this thing I just can't get through my thick head. If what Jussie Smollett claimed happened to him in Chicago was actually true then it's one of the most f##### up things in the world. But if it's not. If he's lying. And it did not happen. Then this is also one of the most fucked up things in the world. With the only saving grace being a horrendous homophobic, racist attack never occurred. Yet something that exploited all of that did. Forgive my cursing, I swear. And meant apologies to the man if I am way off base with this. Jussie Smollett is still an amazing actor and a serious part of this series. He was even forging himself quite a quintessential, mainstream music career as his own artist with timeless tracks like 'Freedom' and 'Hurt People' before all these tears. He could have had it all. But on the surface it looks like he got greedy with money in the court of public opinion. But no matter what happened, or what he did or didn't do. The show must go on. It just all feels different now. Spoiled by scandal. And this is a fictional family fabled by it. Unlike the hard to watch fallen 'House Of Cards' with Kevin Spacey in the lead, which still had plenty of people in office behind him, this fallen 'Empire' shouldn't have every performer who wrote and worked on it suffering because of one bum note though. This isn't like making a stand to stop listening to R. Kelly or Michael Jackson's music. Or separating the art from the artist. Besides Jussie could still be innocent, as Smollett wasn't proven guilty. Make of it what you will. During the first half of the season before all the drama, 'Empire' teased titan Terrence Howard's Lucious Lyon in tears with his hand over a coffin identified only by a bouquet of flowers and no portrait or name next to it. But at that point with everything going on this pine box may as well have contained the show itself. If ratings drop like flies because of the Smollett situation and the show dies, then if he really was trying to create some controversy and sympathy to drum up his pay, then what's going to happen if he and his whole cast and crew have no T.V. show left to work for if everyone turns off?
Five seasons deep and this 'Empire' of the sons has always had that 'Godfather Part III', Al Pacino keeling over in the kitchen, "everytime I think I'm out" pull. And somehow it still survives this showbiz and real world implicating controversy, even if one of its scene stealing stars ends up on a milk carton in the penultimate and season finale episodes and may remain in the ice box indefinitely after that cold night in Chicago. Smollett is still something in this series. No matter what we make of everything. But everyone else here is really what makes this Empire the king of the Lyon family. That's just the way Cookie crumbles. As Tarji P. Henson is a star for our time. So much so she can remake a Mel Gibson 90's rom com into a whole new classic comedy concept in 'What Men Want'. And hustling and flowing with her big to small screen co-star of love, Terrence Dashon Howard they give this Empire family what it truly needs. The ultimate Jay and Bey, power couple, queen and king on the throne. Haters can drink a tall, warm glass of lemonade. Terrence's trademark intensity is inspired. Any other actor would be hamming, but Howard's end goes H.A.M. And to think Iron Man replaced this War Machine with Don Cheadle (with all due salute respect to the Don, can you imagine what it would have been like to have Terrence in all those Marvel movies?). Well in 'Empire's' endgame this is this anti-heroes avengance. But it's Terrence's terrific acting with Trai his onscreen firstborn that foremost is the most affecting. Trai Byers is truly the testimony to this show. This series and seasons passionate and powerful soul. Even after pushing his real life wife's character off a balcony to cliffhanger end the last one. He is still all albeit confused and conflicted heart until the last beat.
Yazz is still the greatest too, like his rap punchline king. Even if Bryshere Y. Gray plays the background for some of the bigger goings on this season. He still gets his licks and lyrics in. He returns with the rest of the in house staff, despite many characters and some of the biggest names in rap and acting getting knocked off by the head Lyon like Scar clawing away at the cliff edge top of a stampede. Gabourey Sidibe gets more than precious time unlike the previous season. Whilst someone needs to get Cookie's cutting assistant Ta'Rhonda Jones in the booth already like that time we saw how well Trai could really take the mic too. It's not all business, or that as usual here. And you know Thirsty lawyer Andre Royo (who recently showed even more support in Steve Carell and Timothée Chalamet's 'Beautiful Boy') is more than a glass half full too. The star power of 'Empire's' roster always shines through. Like soaring singer Serayah McNeill and 'Boogie Nights' boss in charge Nicole Ari Parker taking the reigns from franchise famous face Forest Whitaker. A legend in this game like Vivica A. Fox. Even Tom Hanks' rapping son Chet steps it up even more. A branch off that acting family tree like Colin. Walking the hotel lobby with a bottle of Hennessy as his own company showing just how lonely the life on tour is behind all the money and music is. The pain behind the chain. But it's A.Z. Kelsey's Kingsley who may be the real pride ready to take the Lyon family down and reveal so much of his own hallmark heritage as he does so. Getting greater with every episode. And even with big name exhibits like Xzibit no longer pimping this series, the recurring guest stars still get their spotlight. From an underused and almost unrecognisable as it's been so long, but still so strong Joss Stone. To the marvel that is Mario as the 'Let Me Love You' singer proves a perfect edition to this family like a pair of Nike's fresh out the box. But despite all this through the wire, down the line it's 'The Wire' and 'Creed' star Wood Harris who cuts the real imposing figure in this studio ring as 'Empire' expands its reign in the Empire State of New York City. All in all Lee Daniels and Danny Strong showstopper is still a heavy hitter despite a grave robbed, coffin climax building from the very first climb that is a little more anti than Rhi Rhi. But still evokes painful tears. Work, work, work. Somehow this show still does with everything and even everyone against it. Empire' is so, so deft at showing the conflicted nature's of ourselves at such a heightened level. Because after all with epic emotion and stirred heart strings what's an Empire without a family? And what's 'Empire' without all its Kings? If you come at them...you best not miss. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Further Filming: 'Billions', 'Hustle & Flow', 'Game Of Thrones'.
No comments:
Post a Comment