‘Empire’ Season 2, Episode 16 Recap: The Lyon Who Cried Wolf

This week’s episode of Empire begins with Andre (Trai Byers) visiting who he believes is his not-so-dead grandmother Leah (Leslie Uggams) in a nursing home. She displays similar traits to Lucious (Terrence Howard) and talks about “a boy who’s famous now” whom Andre believes is his father. She seems to be a little dazed and says that she was never able to use her voice.

Empire Recap: The Lyon Who Cried Wolf

Jamal (Jussie Smollett) and Hakeem (Bryshere Y. Gray) are recording in the studio and Hakeem suggests that Tiana (Serayah) sing the female vocals on the song they’re working on; something Jamal and Becky (Gabourey Sidibe) think could be a problem for Laurel (Jamila Velazquez).

As Cookie (Taraji P. Henson), Lucious and producer D-Major (Tobias Truvillion) go over the plans for the award show, there’s some confusion over whose music should be front and center. Jamal joins into the conversation as well and it seems like his plan to debut a new song is no longer happening.

Candace (Vivica A. Fox) informs Carol (Tasha Smith) and Cookie that Carol’s children will be coming into town soon, much to the latter’s apprehension.

Jamal tries to appeal to D-Major in the studio asking him to listen to his new music and while it seems as though D-Major is completely against it, he is impressed with Jamal’s determination and even more importantly turned-on as the two share a passionate kiss (and then some).

Tiana joins Hakeem in the studio and it’s obvious by the way he looks at her that there is still a lot of chemistry between the two.

As preparation for the Aces continues, Cookie tries to keep the peace and make everyone happy. Just as she gets a handle on everyone, Andre brings in Lucious’ mother and no one is more shocked than him. Andre calls Lucious out on what he did to his mother and as it looks like it’ll be a friendly reunion Lucious tells his son “you have no idea what you’ve done.”

D-Money arrives at rehearsals as well and while Jamal flirts it seems that D-Money has changed his tune from what happened in the studio, leaving in a huff.

Lucious explains to Cookie what really happened to his mother. His story that she pulled the trigger on herself in front him was true, there just weren’t any bullets in the gun. After being released from the mental institute Lucious stumbled upon her on the street at a time when he and Cookie wouldn’t have been able to support her. He decided not to tell Cookie at the time and insists she is dangerous and he made the best decision.

Laurel finds out about Tiana being on Hakeem’s song and is not happy about it. He blames the producers for pushing Tiana although that’s not the case. He tries to reassure her and she tells him it’s Tiama she doesn’t trust rather than Hakeem.

Andre wants his grandmother Leah to stay with him and Rhonda (Kaitlin Doubleday) and as they are picking her up they see Thirsty (Andre Royo) escorting her into a SUV waiting to take her back to the nursing home. Andre tries to stop him and Lucious and Cookie tell him that he doesn’t know who she really is. Leah decides she wants to go home with Lucious, who she calls Dwight. Lucious gives his maid explicit rules to keep an eye on her at all times especially when it comes to taking her medicine.

Thirsty teaches nosy journalist Harper Scott (Annie Ilonzeh) a lesson by letting her get taken from the side of the road, making sure he doesn’t get his hands dirty.

D-Money stops by Jamal’s apartment and explains the way he acted at rehearsal was simply him being professional. Jamal confronts him about not being out and how important it is to be truthful to yourself. He tells D-Money that hiding isn’t what he wants.

Cookie tries to get more information out of Lucious about why he seems so scared of his mother and connects their relationship to Lucious’ relationship to the boys. She implores him to be more open to what they want in a way to avoid a strain.

Carol and Candace meet so Carol can ask that her kids not come stay with her just yet. More than just her not being very far in her sobriety, Carol also wants to admit to Cookie how she helped Lucious while Cookie was in prison. Candace thinks this is a horrible idea and tells her to keep quiet, sadly it’s too late as someone was eavesdropping on the conversation.

Rhonda checks in to see how Anika (Grace Gealey) is doing preparing for the baby and is surprised to see how much Hakeem has stepped up. She’s sent over everything she’d gotten for her baby and has a flashback to the accident which she doesn’t think was an accident after all as she tells Anika she felt hands on her back.

We finally hear that voice Leah was talking about as she and Lucious share a sweet moment singing together. Leah tells Lucious that she’s better now but he’s having a hard time believing it.

At the next rehearsal Lucious shares with the family that he’ll be including the song he played with his mother will be included in a new and honest set. This is Lucious’ way of apologizing and offering to move forward in their relationships.

Carol meets with the eavesdropper and he’s actually an old friend of hers but not a very close one because she keeps her new sober status a secret.

At the preview event for the awards, the new family anthem is a hit and D-Money confirms they’ll have the prime spot during the show. Jamal also reconsiders his decision about him.

Rhonda and Anika hangout and Rhonda recognizes that Anika is wearing the same shoes she saw on the night of her accident.

Grandma Leah shows a very different side from her meekness so far this episode as she confronts Lucious about abandoning her and we start to see the dangerous side that Lucious warned everyone about. Turns out she’s still sick and tells him “I should’ve killed you when I had the chance.”