During the first episode, I was SURE that I would hate Hakeem. From the way he spoke to the way he dressed and everything about him screamed stereotypical. They changed all that in the second episode. So I think that we do agree. You didn't say much differently that what I said. At least I didn't think that you did.

And that's what I'm disagreeing with. Hakeem has been complicated from the very beginning. But at least we agree.

Edited January 15, 201510 yr by YRBB

At times Hakeem pisses me off, but then I remember that he never really knew his mother, so it's no wonder he is rude to her. Lucious raised him and he was the baby of the family, so it's no wonder he seems like the favorite. The other kids were also poor for awhile, but Hakeem didn't experience that, which is why he comes off as a bit spoiled and entitled. You can see that he loves his father and brother though, so that makes him more likable to me.

At times Hakeem pisses me off, but then I remember that he never really knew his mother, so it's no wonder he is rude to her. Lucious raised him and he was the baby of the family, so it's no wonder he seems like the favorite. The other kids were also poor for awhile, but Hakeem didn't experience that, which is why he comes off as a bit spoiled and entitled. You can see that he loves his father and brother though, so that makes him more likable to me.

Hakeem's love of Jamal makes me love him. He isn't just one note. I like that about him.

It would be so easy to have him belittle and not care for Jamal bc he's gay but I love how accepting and loving he is of his brother. Sadly, I think that will change especially with their parents pitting them against each other

That's awesome that it's ratings increased. Usually shows (even popular ones) decline 20% on episode 2 and don't stabilize until episode 4 or 5. So happy to see the show a success, I bet FOX is even happier given the overall state of their network.

It would be so easy to have him belittle and not care for Jamal bc he's gay but I love how accepting and loving he is of his brother. Sadly, I think that will change especially with their parents pitting them against each other

But it won't be because he is gay. And that makes all the difference. I like how they are going to show their relationship break. And I don't mind siblings fighting and feuding. This is a soap and that is a soap's bread and butter. They will fight over business. That's alright in my book

I feel like this episode was designed to establish what kind of character Hakeem is just like the pilot was about establishing Jamal. I'm sure the next one will give us a good hard look at Andre. I'm looking forward to learning more about him and Rhonda.

One of the things that has impressed me about this show is how it makes me want to learn more about everybody on it. Not just the Lyons but Becky and Rhonda and Jamal's boyfriend. I want to know how everybody on this show ended up where they are.

It would be so easy to have him belittle and not care for Jamal bc he's gay but I love how accepting and loving he is of his brother. Sadly, I think that will change especially with their parents pitting them against each other

It seems clear they'll end up feuding, especially since Hakeem's jealousy has already been established. It will be Lucious/Hakeem vs Cookie/Jamal until Hakeem learns his daddy killed Bunkie....

Back on Rhonda and Andre. An idea I threw out that no one picked up.

That thing with the bib and whatnot and the way he quickly gave in when she unzipped his pants. And her squeezing his testicles at the club along with people saying they were going to the bathroom to have sex and are always having sex. I wonder if sex isn't her way of torturing him when he does wrong and not just manipulation. Who thinks that they might be have an S&M relationship? I just think all their interactions are...odd (forgive my use of the word. It's no insult to those who engage in that lifestyle. I just couldn't think of another word to describe what was going on). It's a power struggle going on with them. My spidey senses are tingling.

Bipolar is when you have a lot of personalities, right.

Edited January 15, 201510 yr by MoTheGreat

Bipolar is when you have a lot of personalities?

No.

Back on Rhonda and Andre. An idea I threw out that no one picked up.

That thing with the bib and whatnot and the way he quickly gave in when she unzipped his pants. And her squeezing his testicles at the club along with people saying they were going to the bathroom to have sex and are always having sex. I wonder if sex isn't her way of torturing him when he does wrong and not just manipulation. Who thinks that they might be have an S&M relationship? I just think all their interactions are...odd (forgive my use of the word. It's no insult to those who engage in that lifestyle. I just couldn't think of another word to describe what was going on). It's a power struggle going on with them. My spidey senses are tingling.

Why do the two have to be related? It seemed to me she was using sex to convince him and later took harsher actions! LOL

No.

No.

Thanks!!

Bipolar is when you cycle between extreme highs (mania) and extreme lows (depression). Andre's giddiness and talking about himself in the third person - which is a form of something called depersonalization - was an example of mania beginning to set in. The fact that Rhonda is so adamant about keeping him on his meds makes me wonder just how bad he gets.

Edited January 16, 201510 yr by marceline

Why do the two have to be related? It seemed to me she was using sex to convince him and later took harsher actions! LOL

Because as I said, it didn't come off as sex as manipulation. It seemed more fear of her doing. That could just be the acting choices though.