Officially, Wednesday night’s episode is known as “What Remains is Bestial.”<\/p>\n
Many, however, simply know it as “The Mariah Episode.”<\/p>\n
Mariah Carey guests as Kitty, a global music superstar. As a favor to Cookie, Kitty agrees to record a duet with Jamal. The hope is that the opportunity to record a great song with an icon will help Jamal overcome the psychological issues he has been facing since getting shot.<\/p>\n
“What Remains is Bestial” airs at 9PM ET\/PT on October 5. We screened the episode in advance, and we’re pleased to share six things to expect.<\/p>\n
Not much Mariah<\/b>
\nShe may factor into a key storyline, but Mariah does not have a particularly large presence in the episode. Carey’s appearance is limited to a musical number and a rather simple setup scene.<\/p>\n
Carey is fine in the role, but the appearance is frankly too brief and limited to warrant deep analysis.<\/p>\n
The hook is Mariah appearing — and singing — on an episode of “Empire.” The arc itself is absolutely nothing about which to write home.<\/p>\n
Jamal confronts his trauma<\/b>
\nCookie hopes Kitty can help Jamal overcome his PTSD and fear of performing.<\/p>\n
That is not the only avenue Jamal explores this week.<\/p>\n
The talented artist also considers and pursues other strategies for confronting the trauma he is facing in the wake of the shooting.<\/p>\n
Lucious, Anika and the Desk<\/b>
\nThe “marriage” between Lucious and Anika is “Empire”‘s most conventionally “soapy” element, and Wednesday’s episode kicks things up a notch.<\/p>\n
The juicy drama between the two begins in the very first scene — a scene executive producer Ilene Chaiken called “wild and twisted” in a note to critics.<\/p>\n
We cannot reveal exactly what happens between Lucious and Anika this week, but we can tell you that a desk is involved. We can also tell you that Anika, once again, proves she is not to be taken lightly.<\/p>\n
The Angelo-Cookie connection grows<\/b>
\nCookie warmed up to Angelo (guest star Taye Diggs) late in the previous episode, and their bond continues to develop this week.<\/p>\n
That does not mean one should expect immediate fireworks. “Empire” is being coy and methodical, at least by its own standard, when it comes to their relationship and flirtation.<\/p>\n
One should, however, expect the blossoming relationship to create tension between Cookie and Lucious. Two individuals, one a member of the Lyon family and one part of Angelo’s WOKE group, end up in the crossfire.<\/p>\n
Hakeem, Gram feud over Tiana<\/b>
\nMariah Carey and Taye Diggs are not the only notable guest stars on this week’s “Empire.”<\/p>\n
Romeo Miller also appears. The entertainer previously known as “Lil Romeo” guests as Gram, a rapper with whom Tiana recorded a new song (with lyrics directed at Hakeem). We quickly learn that their relationship may go beyond the stage.<\/p>\n
The situation inspires Hakeem to develop a diss track.<\/p>\n
Andre’s arrest has fallout<\/b>
\nNear the end of last week’s episode, Andre was victimized by a blatant bout of police discrimination. The fallout of his arrest factors into this week’s episode.<\/p>\n
As a supremely wealthy, Wharton-educated executive shielded from many of the challenges regularly facing inner-city black men, Andre contemplates the best way to respond. He (if for no other reason than urging from those he loves) knows staying silent is philosophically wrong, but a more combative, public approach is not in his nature.<\/p>\n
The situation connects to a broader conversation about whether the Lyon boys, by virtue of their coddled living situation, have lost their black identities.<\/p>\n
It also overlaps with another ongoing “Empire” storyline.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[1048],"tags":[3406,255,375,7520],"adace-sponsor":[],"yoast_head":"\n