An episode that ends with Lucious and his smug, pretentious grin is one that is sure to infuriate me.

The thing is Empire Season 2 Episode 3 was a really strong installment, even though I was basically annoyed the entire hour. That's a testament to just how good this show can be. You can watch and be completely disgusted by Lucious, yet walk away entertained and wanting more.

The war between Empire and Dynasty is just getting started and I'm holding onto the hope that Cookie will smack that cocky smile right off Lucious's face soon enough.

Lucious walked right out of jail with one thing on his mind: Empire. That was going be a little tricky though, since he was barred from entering the building, as part of his bail. Was that going to stop him?

Um, have you met Lucious? Not only did he hold a rally outside the building, he stepped back into running the company like he hadn't been gone a day.

Naturally he wanted to punish his family for the hostile takeover and the creation of Lyon Dynasty, so he invited them to a family dinner. And that went about as well as you'd expect.

Lucious: I'm giving ya'll one last chance because ya'll are my family. I know ya'll can't eat without me because all ya'll got is pride. And it's chewy and it's hard to swallow. Let it go.
Cookie: I don't know what happened to you when you were locked up, but you got me twisted, O.G. I'm always gonna eat. Just not with you.

Permalink: I don't know what happened to you when you were locked up, but you got me twisted, O.G. I'm...

This was right before Cookie dragged the food off the table on her way out the door. Epic.

Sometimes it's like Lucious doesn't know Cookie at all. Did he really think she was going to just give up her new company because he asked her to? Of course, she wasn't. Cookie will ALWAYS do what she feels is best for her and her boys and that means creating something away from the place that has completely decimated their family.

In trying to get Dynasty off the ground, Hakeem and Cookie were prepping girl group, mirage-á-trois, to appear on the Sway morning show on super short notice. He was also trying to promote his leaked album. Mother and son seemed to be floundering for a bit until Cookie got the genius idea to crash Lucious's 'I love myself more than anything and I'm free, bitches' party. At least, that's what I imagine it was called.

Anyway, said party had Pitbull (yes!) and Jamal performing an okay duet, until Cookie and Hakeem showed up. Make no mistakes about it, Hakeem KILLED that performance. And although he didn't have Pitbull, he had Timbaland on his side.

Dynasty - 1. Empire - 0.

Of course Lucious wasn't going to take this lying down, so he did what he does best and that's pull out the rug from everyone. He stole Sway's radio station AND Valentina, all in one swift mood. It was really cold and it left Cookie fuming and Hakeem sad. I hope there is a sad Hakeem meme being created right this second.

Dynasty - 1. Empire - Infinity.

One things that really stood out during this hour are the major differences between Lucious and Cookie as parents. Lucious is a crap parent, that's a major duh, but it's so glaringly obvious when you see back-to-back scenes between both parents and Andre.

Andre finally came clean to his mother about Rhonda's pregnancy and she was naturally excited for her son, but looking at the sadness in Andre's eyes and knowing how desperately he wanted his place back at Empire, she tried to help him get that back. Now, it backfired horrendously, but I don't think that was her intention.

Lucious on the other hand refused to let Andre anywhere near his company, even after learning about the impending birth of a grandchild.

Lucious: Aren't you worried?
Andre: About what?
Lucious: The child's mental health.
Andre: Bi-polar doesn't run in our family, Dad. There's nothing to worry about.

Permalink: Bi-polar doesn't run in our family, Dad. There's nothing to worry about.

The flashback seen here, coupled with the one from Empire Season 2 Episode 2 pretty much confirmed that Lucious's mother was bi-polar. So that leads me to two options. He's pushing Andre away from Empire thinking in some way he's helping him or he's keeping him away from Empire because he thinks he will ruin it.

With Lucious Lyon, it's hard not to think the latter.

Random Notes

Jamal and Hakeem bromance level? 0. Mal is now on Hakeem's hit list. Excuse me, there's something in my eye...
Thirsty kept popping up all over the place, trying to keep Lucious out of jail. I liked him last week, but this week he just seemed like a nuisance.
What is up with the D.A.? Number one, I've never seen a D.A. with so much cleavage. And does she have nothing better to do than follow Lucious around all day?
The late Frank Gather's daughter, Frida, came looking for Lucious this week, but her bad attitude sent her back to the streets. I'm not really sure what to make of this story yet, so I'm going to keep my thoughts to myself for now.
There was a Vernon mention!
Do we really think Anika is going to help Cookie bring Lucious down?
Song of the week? No question, it was Hakeem's track Run It. That could end up being the song of the season.

Now it's your turn to chime in and let me know what you thought about "Fires of Heaven." Is Anika playing Cookie? What are Cookie and Hakeem going to do next? Do you want to give Andre a hug as much as I do?

If you're behind, you need to go watch Empire online right because you are truly missing out!

NOTE: Empire Season 2 Episode 4 titled "Poor Yorick" will air on October 14th!