‘Empire’s’ Taraji P. Henson Gives Into Temptation With Adam Rodriguez

Cookie Lyon lets her guard down in Wednesday’s episode of Fox’s hit drama

Chuck Hodes/Fox

(Spooler alert: Do not read ahead if you did have not watched Wednesday’s episode of ‘Empire’)

Cookie Lyon acted on her feelings for Laz Delgado (guest star Adam Rodriguez) on this week’s episode of “Empire.” But is Delgado all that he seems?

Let’s take a step back.

Last week ended with Hakeem being kidnapped by three men. This week picks up there, with the men holding Hakeem at a warehouse. He is blindfolded, but is able to shake it off and notices a distinctive bull’s head tattoo on each of the men’s backs.

Cookie receives a ransom demand, but it assumes it is a ploy by Lucious. When she confronts him, he says the demand is real. They agree to pay off the kidnappers and head to the drop location, but Hakeem got away and took refuge with Anika.

Meanwhile, Jamal takes issue with Lucious marketing him as a gay artist, believing it is too niche a market to appeal to a wide audience. Jamal decides to team up with a former record executive (William Fichtner) who has a history with Lucious.

Andre is trying to settle into his new role as the president of Gutter Life Records. He decides to meet with each artist and assess their moral fiber. He strikes an immediate connection with rapper J. Poppa (Mo McRae), the grandson of a preacher who is secretly romancing Becky (Gabourey Sidibe).

Back at Lyon Dynasty, Hakeem is not himself after his kidnapping. While preparing for his first concert with his Latin girl group, the young rapper cannot focus and is unable to master the choreography required. He lashes out at the group and Cookie.

Cookie meets with Laz to discuss her security problems. Laz suggests hiring the men who kidnapped Hakeem to work as her security in order to keep the peace. Cookie takes Hakeem to meet with the kidnappers, but Hakeem pulls a gun on them before the meeting begins. Cookie is able to talk him down, and sets up a deal with the kidnappers.

At the concert, Hakeem gets a pep talk from Andre and Jamal. Once on stage, Hakeem freezes, but pulls through thanks to his new lead singer, Laura (Jamila Velazquez).

Lucious also takes a special interest in Frida Gatz (Bre-Z). After she gets into an altercation at a show, Lucious tells her he is going to work more closely with her, admitting that he has more in common with her than he does with his own sons, as both he and Frida grew up on the streets.

The episode ends with Cookie showing up unannounced at Laz’s door, saying, “We gonna do this or what?” They kiss and Laz takes off his shirt, revealing a bull’s head tattoo on his back.

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